I'm Fixin' to Get Ready

Listening to Dizzy Gillespie's Night in Tunisia as I think about my upcoming trip to

I've always loved this piece and the great Dizzy Gillespie. I remember standing outside the Metropole Cafe in New York City while in college back in the 1960's (because I couldn't afford the cover charge to go inside) listening to Diz and his combo play in that narrow, packed little jazz club. So many great jazz artists have covered this piece over the years but I still like Diz's original: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQYXn1DP38s).

This summer I've been given the unique opportunity to spend two weeks in Jendouba, Tunisia teaching conversational English to high school students and talking with them about American culture.  (June 1st - June 20th)

While I have traveled through the northern regions of Ghana over the past 15 years and have Muslim friends and acquaintances there, this will be my first time living in a predominantly Muslim country and I am looking forward to it. In addition, I will be in Tunisia during the final weeks of Ramadan (the Muslim holy month of fasting commemorating Muhammad's receiving of the Quran), which will prove even more interesting and informative.

Tunisia has two major languages: Arabic and French - neither of which I speak. I did, however, take two first semesters of French as a freshman in college (50+ years ago); but to those of you who know me it's obvious how well that went. So, hopefully, the folk with whom I will be staying will not let me out of their sight or at least out of their hearing during my visit. 

On another note (since we're still riffing with Diz), as of Saturday, June 6th, I have retired from Charleston Southern University; and, therefore, am not-so-gainfully unemployed.

Which means that if any of my former students would like this old guy to come and read to your kids or talk to them about Ghana, or Tunisia, or China next Fall just let me know: profclerico@gmail.com.

I will do my best to Blog as frequently as I can over the next several weeks.

Until then, MA'a salama and a bientot

Prof