Greetings

(Photo: Zach's host brother, Abdoulaye, in blue shirt)




















(Photo: Zach's host mother, Fatimah, on left)
















-Saalam alek.____________________Peace be with you (Hello).
-----Alek saalam._____________________And peace be with you.

-Inta afe? ______________________Are you well?
-----Afe, allahamdulillah._______________I am well, thank god.

-Barkallah. Nas bet afe? ____________Praise god. Is your home well?
-----Afe, allahamdulillah._______________Fine, thank god.

-Barkallah. Abukafe?______________Praise god. Is your father well?
-----Afe, allahamdulillah._______________Fine, thank god.

-Barkallah. Ammakafe?____________Praise god. Is your mother well?
-----Afe, allahumdulillah._______________Fine, thank god.

-Barkallah. Akuyanak afe?__________Praise god. Is your brother well?
-----Afe, allahamdulillah._______________Fine, thank god.

-Barkallah. Aktak afe?_____________Praise god. Is your sister well?
-----Afe, allahamdulillah.________________Fine, thank god.

-Barkallah. Watirak afe?____________Praise god. Is your car well?
-----Afe, allahumdulillah.________________Fine, thank god.

-Barkallah. Kelibak afe?_____________Praise god. Is your dog well?
-----Afe, allahumdulillah.________________Fine, thank god.

-Barkallah. Kikef minalwati hami?______Praise god. How's the heat?
-----Afe, allahumdulillah.________________Fine, thank god.

-Barkallah. Kikef minalwati barid?______Praise god. How's the cold?
-----Afe, allahumdulillah.________________Fine, thank god.

-Barkallah. Agod afe.________________Praise god. Stay well.
-----Amchi afe._________________________Go well.

And then, do it again.....This is not a joke or an exaggeration either (maybe the dog and car are a stretch), but greetings are a serious business around here.

Agod afe,
Zach