Seven It Is

I am reading an engaging book entitled Songlines, written by Bruce Chatwin (published in 1987). While it is a chronicle of a trip he took to Western Australia to understand more about the Aborigines, he also goes on to reflect on what happens when societies put restrictions on humans who have been lived nomadic lives for centuries. I will write more about this later, but about three-quarters of the way through the book, Chatwin inserts some of his journal entries from other travels.  This one from a trip to Timbuktu made me laugh out loud at the car wash (I had a big day yesterday), and I am sharing it simply because right now I think we all need a little more laughter.   

   

 "The waiter brought me the menu: 

 

Capitaine bamakoise (fried catfish)

Pintade grillee   (Chatwin does not translate but I think it is grilled guinea fowl) 

Dessert   

  

'Good, I said. 'What time can I eat?' 

'We eat at eight,' he said. 

'All right, then. Eight.' 

'No, Monsieur. We eat at eight. You must eat before seven...or after ten.'

'Who's we?'

'We,' he said. 'The staff.'

He lowered his voice and whispered: 

'I counsel you to eat at seven, Monsieur. We eat up all the food.'"   

  

Good advice.  

Chatwin also includes another bit of sound advice:    

   

Solvitur ambulando. 'It is solved by walking.'   

 

Eat early and walk often. Got it.