Well, first, my apologies to anyone at home who actually keeps up with my ramblings. It's been a busy week, and I've neglected my blog.
But here I am now, with a free bit, to blab about my latest adventure, which actually occurred about a week ago now.
So, I officially decided on my mid-semester trip, and I can't remember if I've already revealed it, but if I haven't I'm going to continue to keep it a secret. The only clue is that it does not include Cairns. So, since I wouldn't be heading there for break, I decided to head there for a weekend!
My friend, Suzie, and I picked up on Friday morning, caught our flight out of Sydney and landed in Cairns before lunch. By dinnertime, I had already knocked another item off of my life "to do" list. Suzie and I bit the bullet and went bungy jumping.
Though, invented in New Zealand by Aj Hackett, the tallest Aj Hackett Bungy Tower is now stationed just outside of Cairns in a rain-forest environment. It is a towering 50 meters high (150 feet for all those in the states). So, after a short bus ride out of Cairns, Suzie and I paid our money and climbed the tower, where we strapped on our harnesses, let them bind our feet, wiggled to the edge of the platform, took a deep breath, and plummeted the 50 meters to the small pond below. It was exhilarating to say the least. It took way more guts than skydiving, and it was awesome to just leap from a platform, putting all my faith in..... a rubber-band. I'm sure this sounds ridiculous. So, I'll move on.
Day two of Suzie and I's excursion to Cairns proved as entertaining. We woke up bright and early to catch our reef tour with Passions, the most wonderful of the local touring agencies. The catamaran boat took us on our hour long trip out to Michaelmas Key, a tiny sand island that we used as home base. From there, we got our diving lessons and then went on our first 30 minute dive. Yes, the reef is beautiful, and yes we found Nemo, living with daddy Marlin in their anemone. We also saw sea cucumbers, starfish, and tons of other tropical fish. Plus it was incredible to see how big the reef is, I suppose hence the name GREAT Barrier Reef. On our second dive, we got to go for a longer time and we got to go deeper. This time we were in the outer reef where things are less disturbed, brighter and more active. The mountains of coral were enormous and we saw so many more fish. It was really incredible day. The food was good, the water was beautiful and our instructors, Dave and Em, were so much fun!!!!
For our last day, we met up with some other girls from BU and went sea kayaking at Fitzroy Island just about an hour's ferry ride from Cairns. The water was so beautiful and clear. The island was awesome too. It had trails to hike on and a beautiful beach to relax on all afternoon. Sea kayaking was a great relaxing day to finish up our trip.
The next morning, after saying goodbye to our lovely british roomie, Matt, I caught an early flight back to Sydney (I had to get back for class, but Suzie stayed an extra day). It was a great weekend!!!!!!
Looking forward to the one coming up too. I spent this weekend resting, but I'm headed to Melbourne for the first part of next week. It should be really cool. Also, I'm getting ready to start production for my film class, and also getting ready to go to an interview for my internship.
All of that stuff, I'll give details about later.
Love you all, and miss you tons!!!!!
Peace.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Koo-Wee!
Well, I just got back to my apartment from a weekend in the Blue Mountains, and it was fabulous!!
We hit up a cheesy tour bus for a quick ride out of the city to Glenbrook and Katoomba. Our crazy guide, a woman named Ned, took us to see the main sights. We got to check out some kangaroos, so aboriginal cures for the cold, and the reason the Blue Mountains are blue (a chemical released from leaves that creates a blue haze). After a walk down the Furber Steps (over 1000) we hopped on the Katoomba Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world, topping out at at 52 degree angle!!!
After some pasta and a trip to the local pub, we stayed the night at the local YHA (youth hostel association australia) and woke up early to embark on our day of abseilling (australian name for rappelling) and canyoning (for you montreaters think crazy extreme rock hopping) in the Blue Mountains.
We met up with our guides, Lee and James, geared up and headed to the abseil training course. I was awesome. We started at about 15 feet and worked our way up with 30 meters (about 90 feet!). It was completely sick and had crazy views.
After a morning of dangling from midair, we ate some lunch and then hiked our way down to the Empress Canyon. We donned our wetsuits, since the water is still only about 6-8 degrees celsius, and took to the canyon. After walking for just about 25 meters, we took our first 15 foot water jump. We then trekked our way through the canyon doing 2 more jumps and then finishing off with a 30 meter abseil down the famous Wentworth Falls with a water jump at the end.
The day was tiring but awesome! We had a great time conquering our fears, taking hold of the rope, and dropping down the side of cliffs.
Everything else is going great. Start full time classes tomorrow and then headed to Cairns next weekend!
Miss you guys, and check my flickr soon. I'm working on getting pics up sometime in the next couple days.
Cheers!
Liz
P.S. Koo-wee! is what you yell if you're ever lost in the bush - hopefully someone will answer.
We hit up a cheesy tour bus for a quick ride out of the city to Glenbrook and Katoomba. Our crazy guide, a woman named Ned, took us to see the main sights. We got to check out some kangaroos, so aboriginal cures for the cold, and the reason the Blue Mountains are blue (a chemical released from leaves that creates a blue haze). After a walk down the Furber Steps (over 1000) we hopped on the Katoomba Scenic Railway, the steepest railway in the world, topping out at at 52 degree angle!!!
After some pasta and a trip to the local pub, we stayed the night at the local YHA (youth hostel association australia) and woke up early to embark on our day of abseilling (australian name for rappelling) and canyoning (for you montreaters think crazy extreme rock hopping) in the Blue Mountains.
We met up with our guides, Lee and James, geared up and headed to the abseil training course. I was awesome. We started at about 15 feet and worked our way up with 30 meters (about 90 feet!). It was completely sick and had crazy views.
After a morning of dangling from midair, we ate some lunch and then hiked our way down to the Empress Canyon. We donned our wetsuits, since the water is still only about 6-8 degrees celsius, and took to the canyon. After walking for just about 25 meters, we took our first 15 foot water jump. We then trekked our way through the canyon doing 2 more jumps and then finishing off with a 30 meter abseil down the famous Wentworth Falls with a water jump at the end.
The day was tiring but awesome! We had a great time conquering our fears, taking hold of the rope, and dropping down the side of cliffs.
Everything else is going great. Start full time classes tomorrow and then headed to Cairns next weekend!
Miss you guys, and check my flickr soon. I'm working on getting pics up sometime in the next couple days.
Cheers!
Liz
P.S. Koo-wee! is what you yell if you're ever lost in the bush - hopefully someone will answer.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
G'day Mates!
Well kids... I'm here and have been for 2 days. So far it's excellent. Basically I left Louisville and traveled for 36 hours to get here - stopping in Chicago, LA (for a chat with an old high school friend and an 8 hour layover), Auckland, and finally Sydney.
Everything is fabulous. The weather is beautiful. The city is beautiful, and my room is awesome. I'm living right downtown in a loft apartment with one roommate. Her name is Leah. She's great as are a lot of the other people on this trip.
We've basically been doing orientation and seeing a bit of Sydney. We're almost finished up. The only thing left is academic orientation tomorrow and then they are turning us loose for the semester.
So far we've been down to the wharf by Darling Harbor, cruised under the famous Harbor bridge and past the opera house, had very fun presentations about all the places to see, met some awesome surfing instructors and ventured to Bondi Beach.
I'm pretty excited about everything I'm going to get to do this semester. Trying to pick and choose as there is way more than time will allow for.
For now all of you can look forward to hearing about my upcoming weekend trip to the Blue Mountains and later in the semester you'll get to laugh at pictures of me learning to surf. The rest I'll leave you in suspense for, mostly because I don't know what else I'm going to do yet!
I'm shooting pics all on film this semester, but the good thing is there is a Target and a Kmart just across the street. So, hopefully I'll be able to develop film and post the digital prints on flickr!
Love all you guys! Drop me an e-mail or message me on facebook.
Much love and many smiles.
liz
Everything is fabulous. The weather is beautiful. The city is beautiful, and my room is awesome. I'm living right downtown in a loft apartment with one roommate. Her name is Leah. She's great as are a lot of the other people on this trip.
We've basically been doing orientation and seeing a bit of Sydney. We're almost finished up. The only thing left is academic orientation tomorrow and then they are turning us loose for the semester.
So far we've been down to the wharf by Darling Harbor, cruised under the famous Harbor bridge and past the opera house, had very fun presentations about all the places to see, met some awesome surfing instructors and ventured to Bondi Beach.
I'm pretty excited about everything I'm going to get to do this semester. Trying to pick and choose as there is way more than time will allow for.
For now all of you can look forward to hearing about my upcoming weekend trip to the Blue Mountains and later in the semester you'll get to laugh at pictures of me learning to surf. The rest I'll leave you in suspense for, mostly because I don't know what else I'm going to do yet!
I'm shooting pics all on film this semester, but the good thing is there is a Target and a Kmart just across the street. So, hopefully I'll be able to develop film and post the digital prints on flickr!
Love all you guys! Drop me an e-mail or message me on facebook.
Much love and many smiles.
liz
Monday, May 14, 2007
Za ni koma Amerika
Well, I was going to write this tomorrow, but the reality is: There's so much to do and I'm running out of time.
As I pack up my stuff and visit my friends to say goodbye, there is so much going through my head. I'm so excited to see everyone - so excited to talk to people about what I've learned here (if anyone has some extra hours lying around) - and so excited to come back one day.
Two nights ago we had our soireè culturel - think Do-In/Montreat variety show, but in Africa. A lot of people did not want to do it. So, the event sort of caused tensions in an already tense group of girls. However, once our friends showed up, everything was different. We had an amazing time playing our drums, dancing, doing skits, and enjoying a little public humiliation. Not to mention it was the last time we got to see a lot of people. Though we've had our differences this semester, I think we all we're all leaving this country with a little different perspective. What we've had here, which has been this amazing, trying, and blessed semester of lessons and adventure, is ours. It's something we'll always share; and though we can't wait to share our stories back home, it's something that only we will ever be able to really understand.
So as I walk through the markets one last time, eat lunch with my professors who taught me so much - mostly outside the classroom, get covered in henna by my amazing and truly God given homestay family, and tell Idi goodbye, I thank all of them for everything.
I wish that I could bring all of you here one by one and show you this beautiful overlooked country, but at least I might get to share a little piece Niger when I come home.
I love all of you. Thanks for checking in on me for from time to time. You guys have been my wonderful support back home. Because of you, leaving here is the epitome of bittersweet. I'll miss the desert wind, but I'll see you soon.
(Side note - probably won't post this summer - but I leave on August 24th for Sydney - another big adventure!!)
As I pack up my stuff and visit my friends to say goodbye, there is so much going through my head. I'm so excited to see everyone - so excited to talk to people about what I've learned here (if anyone has some extra hours lying around) - and so excited to come back one day.
Two nights ago we had our soireè culturel - think Do-In/Montreat variety show, but in Africa. A lot of people did not want to do it. So, the event sort of caused tensions in an already tense group of girls. However, once our friends showed up, everything was different. We had an amazing time playing our drums, dancing, doing skits, and enjoying a little public humiliation. Not to mention it was the last time we got to see a lot of people. Though we've had our differences this semester, I think we all we're all leaving this country with a little different perspective. What we've had here, which has been this amazing, trying, and blessed semester of lessons and adventure, is ours. It's something we'll always share; and though we can't wait to share our stories back home, it's something that only we will ever be able to really understand.
So as I walk through the markets one last time, eat lunch with my professors who taught me so much - mostly outside the classroom, get covered in henna by my amazing and truly God given homestay family, and tell Idi goodbye, I thank all of them for everything.
I wish that I could bring all of you here one by one and show you this beautiful overlooked country, but at least I might get to share a little piece Niger when I come home.
I love all of you. Thanks for checking in on me for from time to time. You guys have been my wonderful support back home. Because of you, leaving here is the epitome of bittersweet. I'll miss the desert wind, but I'll see you soon.
(Side note - probably won't post this summer - but I leave on August 24th for Sydney - another big adventure!!)
Friday, April 27, 2007
Yau, Muna Hokies ne
Okay so I wasn't planning on writing another blog until just before I left for Paris, but something really interesting happened today, and I wanted to share.
So every Friday I go to work at the museum. I primarily am an apprentice for Idi, but there is another wood carver Conde who I work with too. He speaks some English and likes to listen to the radio in English. Today on the radio there was talk about the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech. He did not understand everything that was said. So, I was explaining what happened. Idi and Conde both got very worried about me and my fellow students. They asked if we knew anyone who was there. They asked if that could happen at our school. They were very concerned about the students at Virginia Tech. I was telling them how the students were getting so much support from the American public, and I told them about how people are saying "We are all Hokies" and wearing the Virginia Tech colors in honor and support. After I told them these things, Conde said that the students have the support of the Nigeriens too. He said that today even the Nigeriens are Hokies.
So, there. It's been really strange to be here and hear about what happened at Vtech. All of the students here have gone about dealing with it in different ways. Some of us were really affected. Others did not seemed to barely notice. I just found it interesting that the artisans that I work with cared so much about American college students in Virginia just because they've worked with American college students here.
I guess it comes to this. During the semester, if there's one thing we have learned - everyone, when it comes down to it, is simply human. Here in Niger poverty and sickness is everywhere, and everyone shares the burden. It was really touching to see Idi and Conde extend that courtesy to me, my fellow students here, and the real Hokies in Virginia.
see you all in a couple weeks... and I'll probably still post just before Paris.
sai an jima
habiba
So every Friday I go to work at the museum. I primarily am an apprentice for Idi, but there is another wood carver Conde who I work with too. He speaks some English and likes to listen to the radio in English. Today on the radio there was talk about the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech. He did not understand everything that was said. So, I was explaining what happened. Idi and Conde both got very worried about me and my fellow students. They asked if we knew anyone who was there. They asked if that could happen at our school. They were very concerned about the students at Virginia Tech. I was telling them how the students were getting so much support from the American public, and I told them about how people are saying "We are all Hokies" and wearing the Virginia Tech colors in honor and support. After I told them these things, Conde said that the students have the support of the Nigeriens too. He said that today even the Nigeriens are Hokies.
So, there. It's been really strange to be here and hear about what happened at Vtech. All of the students here have gone about dealing with it in different ways. Some of us were really affected. Others did not seemed to barely notice. I just found it interesting that the artisans that I work with cared so much about American college students in Virginia just because they've worked with American college students here.
I guess it comes to this. During the semester, if there's one thing we have learned - everyone, when it comes down to it, is simply human. Here in Niger poverty and sickness is everywhere, and everyone shares the burden. It was really touching to see Idi and Conde extend that courtesy to me, my fellow students here, and the real Hokies in Virginia.
see you all in a couple weeks... and I'll probably still post just before Paris.
sai an jima
habiba
Friday, April 13, 2007
Ina san Niger
Well kids, it's April and I can't believe that in basically one month I'll be in Paris with my mom... but enough of that for now.
So, I've been back in Niamey for about a week. First, let me say that this is the first blog I am actually typing here. My mom has been so kind to post blogs that I send her as documents. However, with our new fast internet I can now post directly. That means, however, that there will probably be more typos... sorry.
Anyway. We went on our national trip, which basically means that we got to go see the northern and eastern parts of Niger - basically the part before you get to the Sahara.
Anyway we startd our road trip rather eventfully. Between us and Konni, our first destination, is a place where you can pick up a guide who will take you to see the last free roaming herd of giraffes in Niger. It was sincerely incredible. The giraffes were so close and beautiful that they actually brought tears to my eyes. It was really breathtaking to be so close. For real at least check out those pictures. The peeing giraffe and the peekaboo giraffe are my favorites.
After another 5 hours in the bus we finally made it to Konni. Konni is the village where the Peace Corps Hostel is located. Basically it's the home base for volunteers in about a 3 hour radius. So we stayed there for one night and chose our villages and volunteers that we would be staying with for the next couple of days. I went to Bilandao and stayed with Dogo Drew. Dogo means tall... he is 6 foot 9.
So, first, Drew is very cool. He hails from South Carolina, actually knows what Montreat is, and grew up in Toledo. So we have lots in common. Not to mention, he's just cool in general. He's only been in country for 3 months, and he has only been in village for 3 weeks. So he's very new.
Bilandao was really cool. We drew water from a 270 foot deep well, walked 8 km in the burning hot sun to the market, met missionaries from Seattle, drank the best Sprite ever after our walk, saw a man fight a cobra, at with the chief, and peed in a hole. Viallge life is rough, but really cool.
Now the million dollar question: Will I still apply for Peace Corps? Answer: yes, and you people better write me letters and send me treats (for those of you going into Peace Corps in the near future, I'll do it for you!).
So after our four days in the village, I went with Zags, we packed our stuff up and headed back to Konni for the night. Then, it was up to Agadez.
Agadez is basically the gateway between the Sahel and the Sahara. It's a really cool city inhabited mostly by Tuaregs who are a really cool nomadic people (if anyone ever wants to talk about a really cool nomadic people let me know).
Anyway, we went to the mosque on Easter Sunday and bowed to the sultan of Agadez and Zinder. Happy Easter to us. We had to pay homage to the sultan and ask permission to go into the mosque. He allowed us to go. So we got to climb into the minaret. It was really pretty, but it was a very tiny space - not cool if you are claustrophobic.
We also checked out the artisan village and markets and bought lots of goodies. Then, we went to Le Pilier for dinner - the only Italian restaurant in Niger. It was actually really good... but weird to eat Italian food. We also hit up a grocery store for munchies. They had 2 litres of Fanta Fraise... which if you read my Burkina Blog you know it's pretty much my favorite drink ever.
So that was basically it. We had an awesome time, and it was really cool to see other parts of Niger. They are so different than Niamey.
Oh! I forgot to mention that we saw a dustdevil, basically a dust tornado, on the way home.
Now we're all in full swing to finish work and wrap up classes, and the internet is rocking right now. So, I uploaded pictures. I guess the next time I blog will probably be a wrap up before I head to Paris. Still loving my experience here, but I'm getting ready for a change and looking forward to Paris, Boston and Montreat.
Miss you all and see you guys soon!!!
As always, drop me a line and tell me what's up with you.
Love and sai an jima,
Habiba
So, I've been back in Niamey for about a week. First, let me say that this is the first blog I am actually typing here. My mom has been so kind to post blogs that I send her as documents. However, with our new fast internet I can now post directly. That means, however, that there will probably be more typos... sorry.
Anyway. We went on our national trip, which basically means that we got to go see the northern and eastern parts of Niger - basically the part before you get to the Sahara.
Anyway we startd our road trip rather eventfully. Between us and Konni, our first destination, is a place where you can pick up a guide who will take you to see the last free roaming herd of giraffes in Niger. It was sincerely incredible. The giraffes were so close and beautiful that they actually brought tears to my eyes. It was really breathtaking to be so close. For real at least check out those pictures. The peeing giraffe and the peekaboo giraffe are my favorites.
After another 5 hours in the bus we finally made it to Konni. Konni is the village where the Peace Corps Hostel is located. Basically it's the home base for volunteers in about a 3 hour radius. So we stayed there for one night and chose our villages and volunteers that we would be staying with for the next couple of days. I went to Bilandao and stayed with Dogo Drew. Dogo means tall... he is 6 foot 9.
So, first, Drew is very cool. He hails from South Carolina, actually knows what Montreat is, and grew up in Toledo. So we have lots in common. Not to mention, he's just cool in general. He's only been in country for 3 months, and he has only been in village for 3 weeks. So he's very new.
Bilandao was really cool. We drew water from a 270 foot deep well, walked 8 km in the burning hot sun to the market, met missionaries from Seattle, drank the best Sprite ever after our walk, saw a man fight a cobra, at with the chief, and peed in a hole. Viallge life is rough, but really cool.
Now the million dollar question: Will I still apply for Peace Corps? Answer: yes, and you people better write me letters and send me treats (for those of you going into Peace Corps in the near future, I'll do it for you!).
So after our four days in the village, I went with Zags, we packed our stuff up and headed back to Konni for the night. Then, it was up to Agadez.
Agadez is basically the gateway between the Sahel and the Sahara. It's a really cool city inhabited mostly by Tuaregs who are a really cool nomadic people (if anyone ever wants to talk about a really cool nomadic people let me know).
Anyway, we went to the mosque on Easter Sunday and bowed to the sultan of Agadez and Zinder. Happy Easter to us. We had to pay homage to the sultan and ask permission to go into the mosque. He allowed us to go. So we got to climb into the minaret. It was really pretty, but it was a very tiny space - not cool if you are claustrophobic.
We also checked out the artisan village and markets and bought lots of goodies. Then, we went to Le Pilier for dinner - the only Italian restaurant in Niger. It was actually really good... but weird to eat Italian food. We also hit up a grocery store for munchies. They had 2 litres of Fanta Fraise... which if you read my Burkina Blog you know it's pretty much my favorite drink ever.
So that was basically it. We had an awesome time, and it was really cool to see other parts of Niger. They are so different than Niamey.
Oh! I forgot to mention that we saw a dustdevil, basically a dust tornado, on the way home.
Now we're all in full swing to finish work and wrap up classes, and the internet is rocking right now. So, I uploaded pictures. I guess the next time I blog will probably be a wrap up before I head to Paris. Still loving my experience here, but I'm getting ready for a change and looking forward to Paris, Boston and Montreat.
Miss you all and see you guys soon!!!
As always, drop me a line and tell me what's up with you.
Love and sai an jima,
Habiba
Thursday, March 29, 2007
INA SABKA DA IYALI KIMSO
Well last week was probably my favorite week so far here in Niger. It was home-stay week, and to be perfectly honest I was really nervous about how I would handle it. For those who don’t know all the details about my semester, for one week all of us students go and stay with Nigerian families. The point is not to be their guest but rather function as a member of the family and household, probably the most important social unit in Nigerian society.
So I accidentally caught a glimpse of the list of families with their profiles before I was supposed to and immediately became attached to the idea of staying with the Kimso family. They are a uniquely bicultural family who speaks French, English, Hausa and Zarma. So I got to practice all three of my languages. (I don’t know Zarma.) Also, the father used to work for the Nigerian Embassy. So the family lived in Ethiopia for 8 years and even in Maryland for 8 years. While in the US, the family converted to Christianity. Then, they decided that their place was back in Niamey where they could start and foster a Christian community. Now, they basically run a church out of their house, and it’s not just a Sunday morning thing. There is choir, youth group, special speakers and even all night prayer during the week. It was a really incredible community and experience. As Pastor Kimso said, “It must be cool to see how Africans worship my God.”
Aside from the really interesting religious experience, I got to hang out mostly with Oumou and Christine, the two daughters who live at home. Oumou is 24 and the former RA for our program. Christine is 12. They are really fun. Oumou is a lot like my older sister. She took me to meet all her friends so that I had to practice my French. Also, we had a little evening ritual of talking about our separate customs. It was really interesting to talk to her about polygamy and her ideas about relationships. She has very American views, but a lot of her friends do not, and it was cool to see how she agreed and disagreed.
We also ate strawberry yogurt in bags and watched Dawson’s Creek on DVD.
With Christine I shared a bed, and we would do homework together. She’s really sweet and loves movies. So, I told her that I would be her personal resource of movies once I’m back in the states. She love romantic comedies, so I can’t wait to send her 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, and Never Been Kissed. She hasn’t seen any of them and at twelve she would love them!! I’m taking over You’ve Got Mail in a couple weeks for us to watch.
All in all I had an awesome week with them. It’s nice to have a Nigerian family to visit, and they really now are my family here. I’ve started to go to church on Sunday mornings at their house, and I took Christine swimming last weekend.
Oh, and they have the sweetest dog named, Buzz and a turtle… but like a big turtle at least 2 feet in diameter.
On Monday we leave for Agades and Konni!! We’re very excited. Oh, and I’m getting my hair braided tomorrow. Could or could not be a good idea, but with a trip coming up there will definitely be lots of pictures (which by the way are easier to upload now with the addition of 2 more internet connections)!!!!
Loves and smiles to all you.
Sai an jima,
Habiba
So I accidentally caught a glimpse of the list of families with their profiles before I was supposed to and immediately became attached to the idea of staying with the Kimso family. They are a uniquely bicultural family who speaks French, English, Hausa and Zarma. So I got to practice all three of my languages. (I don’t know Zarma.) Also, the father used to work for the Nigerian Embassy. So the family lived in Ethiopia for 8 years and even in Maryland for 8 years. While in the US, the family converted to Christianity. Then, they decided that their place was back in Niamey where they could start and foster a Christian community. Now, they basically run a church out of their house, and it’s not just a Sunday morning thing. There is choir, youth group, special speakers and even all night prayer during the week. It was a really incredible community and experience. As Pastor Kimso said, “It must be cool to see how Africans worship my God.”
Aside from the really interesting religious experience, I got to hang out mostly with Oumou and Christine, the two daughters who live at home. Oumou is 24 and the former RA for our program. Christine is 12. They are really fun. Oumou is a lot like my older sister. She took me to meet all her friends so that I had to practice my French. Also, we had a little evening ritual of talking about our separate customs. It was really interesting to talk to her about polygamy and her ideas about relationships. She has very American views, but a lot of her friends do not, and it was cool to see how she agreed and disagreed.
We also ate strawberry yogurt in bags and watched Dawson’s Creek on DVD.
With Christine I shared a bed, and we would do homework together. She’s really sweet and loves movies. So, I told her that I would be her personal resource of movies once I’m back in the states. She love romantic comedies, so I can’t wait to send her 10 Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, and Never Been Kissed. She hasn’t seen any of them and at twelve she would love them!! I’m taking over You’ve Got Mail in a couple weeks for us to watch.
All in all I had an awesome week with them. It’s nice to have a Nigerian family to visit, and they really now are my family here. I’ve started to go to church on Sunday mornings at their house, and I took Christine swimming last weekend.
Oh, and they have the sweetest dog named, Buzz and a turtle… but like a big turtle at least 2 feet in diameter.
On Monday we leave for Agades and Konni!! We’re very excited. Oh, and I’m getting my hair braided tomorrow. Could or could not be a good idea, but with a trip coming up there will definitely be lots of pictures (which by the way are easier to upload now with the addition of 2 more internet connections)!!!!
Loves and smiles to all you.
Sai an jima,
Habiba
Monday, March 12, 2007
INA SAN BURKINABE
INA SAN BURKINABE
Okay guys. So, sorry it’s taken me forever to post a new blog. We’ve been back from Burkina Faso for a week now, and I just now feel like can write about it. We did so much and saw so much that it is just a bit overwhelming.
Alright, so first, Burkina is so different from Niger. We went to three different cities in Burkina: Ouagadougou, the capital (pronounces waga-doo-goo), Bobo-Dialassou, and Banfora – even the most "underdeveloped" was better than Niamey. It’s interesting to think about why that may be. The resources in Burkina are not drastically different from the resources here. So what has caused the differences in quality of life? Not looking for an answer, because there isn’t one. Just sending a thought out into the masses.
Ouaga was a pretty amazing city. There was lots of life with fluorescent lights and digital gas signs. There was awesome Indian food and FESPACO. Plus, the counterpart to the museum I work at here is incredible. Yes, I bought lost of art and worldly items. FESPACO, for those who don’t know, is the African film festival. It started as a place for directors to show their work in an informal less regulated environment. This opportunity was important because of the governments influence on the communications fields. Now, the festival is huge and films from all over the continent and world are shown. It was awesome to see such a huge even taking place, not to mention getting to meet directors and see some incredible pieces of cinema.
Bobo and Banfora were both smaller cities with great food and much relaxing. Both also had some natural wonders and culture spots that we got to go visit.
So, I could type for days about everything we did, but that would not be exciting for you to read or for me to write. So, I’m making a list and if you want to know more about a specific event, feel free to e-mail, message me on facebook, or post a comment here.
Bobo
1. awesome hotel with real dogs
2. Marina Market – oh the Lebanese
3. cannibal village – Koro
4. Grand Mosque
5. Good Sprits, evil spirits, men dressed as bushes, whips, female potter bodyguards
6. market, Zaki-the international man, and yards and yards of fabric
Banfora
1. dome rocks, hiking
2. market, knives, and pineapple
3. McDonald – not plural, not possessive, but so much better
4. waterfalls, swimming, jumping off "cliffs"
5. hippo lake!!!, creepy Canadians
6. water lily necklaces
Ouaga
1. Ice cream
2. Rhamatou Keita
3. Artisan Village
4. Cannon, petty complaints, horses and Anasaras
5. Maxi Café, 100CFA brochettes, and the nectar of the gods (fanta fraises)
6. wine and cheese!!! Oh dear lord cheese
Alright so there you go.
I’ve been working at the museum more, and it was really nice to be with Idi when I got back. Also, Hadiza took me to the tailor with Danaijo and Safiyatu. I am getting tons of stuff made which I will be wearing all the time and you will see on flicker.
Next week is our homestay and then two weeks later it’s off to Peace Corps villages and Agadez.
Oh!!! And I’m really excited because my mom is going to come meet me in Paris on May 15 and we’re going to be back in the states on May 19th. Then it’s to Boston for Nina’s graduation (fingers crossed I’ll get to go) and Montreat for work>
In other news… my application for Sydney is in. So fingers crossed I’ll be there next semester.
Health update: 7 people have had malaria… one has had it twice. Two have amoebas. I’m doing fine though.
Guess that’s all for now. I successfully posted pictures from Parc W on flicker… will start working on the Burkina pics.
Peace, sai an jima, and all that stuff. Miss and love you all! Drop me a line and let me know what’s up with you.
Okay guys. So, sorry it’s taken me forever to post a new blog. We’ve been back from Burkina Faso for a week now, and I just now feel like can write about it. We did so much and saw so much that it is just a bit overwhelming.
Alright, so first, Burkina is so different from Niger. We went to three different cities in Burkina: Ouagadougou, the capital (pronounces waga-doo-goo), Bobo-Dialassou, and Banfora – even the most "underdeveloped" was better than Niamey. It’s interesting to think about why that may be. The resources in Burkina are not drastically different from the resources here. So what has caused the differences in quality of life? Not looking for an answer, because there isn’t one. Just sending a thought out into the masses.
Ouaga was a pretty amazing city. There was lots of life with fluorescent lights and digital gas signs. There was awesome Indian food and FESPACO. Plus, the counterpart to the museum I work at here is incredible. Yes, I bought lost of art and worldly items. FESPACO, for those who don’t know, is the African film festival. It started as a place for directors to show their work in an informal less regulated environment. This opportunity was important because of the governments influence on the communications fields. Now, the festival is huge and films from all over the continent and world are shown. It was awesome to see such a huge even taking place, not to mention getting to meet directors and see some incredible pieces of cinema.
Bobo and Banfora were both smaller cities with great food and much relaxing. Both also had some natural wonders and culture spots that we got to go visit.
So, I could type for days about everything we did, but that would not be exciting for you to read or for me to write. So, I’m making a list and if you want to know more about a specific event, feel free to e-mail, message me on facebook, or post a comment here.
Bobo
1. awesome hotel with real dogs
2. Marina Market – oh the Lebanese
3. cannibal village – Koro
4. Grand Mosque
5. Good Sprits, evil spirits, men dressed as bushes, whips, female potter bodyguards
6. market, Zaki-the international man, and yards and yards of fabric
Banfora
1. dome rocks, hiking
2. market, knives, and pineapple
3. McDonald – not plural, not possessive, but so much better
4. waterfalls, swimming, jumping off "cliffs"
5. hippo lake!!!, creepy Canadians
6. water lily necklaces
Ouaga
1. Ice cream
2. Rhamatou Keita
3. Artisan Village
4. Cannon, petty complaints, horses and Anasaras
5. Maxi Café, 100CFA brochettes, and the nectar of the gods (fanta fraises)
6. wine and cheese!!! Oh dear lord cheese
Alright so there you go.
I’ve been working at the museum more, and it was really nice to be with Idi when I got back. Also, Hadiza took me to the tailor with Danaijo and Safiyatu. I am getting tons of stuff made which I will be wearing all the time and you will see on flicker.
Next week is our homestay and then two weeks later it’s off to Peace Corps villages and Agadez.
Oh!!! And I’m really excited because my mom is going to come meet me in Paris on May 15 and we’re going to be back in the states on May 19th. Then it’s to Boston for Nina’s graduation (fingers crossed I’ll get to go) and Montreat for work>
In other news… my application for Sydney is in. So fingers crossed I’ll be there next semester.
Health update: 7 people have had malaria… one has had it twice. Two have amoebas. I’m doing fine though.
Guess that’s all for now. I successfully posted pictures from Parc W on flicker… will start working on the Burkina pics.
Peace, sai an jima, and all that stuff. Miss and love you all! Drop me a line and let me know what’s up with you.
Monday, February 19, 2007
INA KALLON DABBA
INA KALLON DABBA
Well, first of all, let me be neurotic in saying that I am typing on an English keyboard for the first time in like 4 weeks and I can’t do it!!! I keep having to look at my fingers and find letters.
Anyway>
So this past weekend we went to Parc W which is the largest wildlife park in West Africa. None of us were looking forward to it really other than it was nice to get out o Niamey for a weekend – especially because our water mysteriously shut off just hours before we left. That and we didn’t have our hopes up to see any animals.
However, we had an awesome time!!!
First, we got to ride in three white land cruisers all weekend, which was tons of fun. We also got to wear turbans, even more fun. The turbans were to protect us from the elements (in Niger that means dust, wind, and sun). Parc W is about 3 hours outside of Niamey. We left on Saturday at about 2 pm. Then when we got to the park we climbed on top of our land cruisers and rode to the campsite where we were staying, but things were a little more eventful than just that.
After we got the opening of the park, we got out to look at this water area where we saw a crocodile!!!! Then, as we were driving away, my land cruiser was last, our driver stopped as the others went ahead. He pointed left and told us to look. We looked down the water way and there was a huge elephant pulling water with his trunk while crossing the river. It was really incredible to see an elephant in the wild. The other groups were a little bitter that we saw the elephant and they didn’t, but we told them we wouldn’t tell anyone who actually saw it. So if anyone wants to claim it, they can…. But I really did see it… I swear.
Anyway, camp was awesome. We had a really good dinner of couscous, noodles, beef stew, soup, and mutton. The mutton was awesome, but I probably will get some disease from it… so says Hamza (the king of amoebas). So far I’m fine, though, and it has been 3 days.
One boy, Djioffo, found a scorpion on his mosquito net. . . that was awesome….
It was really cold at night, and by really cold I mean 60… but I was still freezing with goosebumps, pitiful I know. However, it was a beautiful morning to wake up next to the river and eat a breakfast of bread, jam, and hot chocopunch with Nescafe and powdered milk. I realize this all sounds a little sarcastic, but it really was awesome.
So all but one made it on to the jeeps in the morning, my roomie was sick, but she is feeling better, and we saw the rest of Parc W. This included antelope, buffalo, lots of birds, and that is pretty much it… however we were still happy with just our elephant sighting.
Back at camp we enjoyed some more lunch and such and then piled back in the land cruisers for our trip home – fingers crossed that we would have water to shower with. We did and we enjoyed a calm evening after a trip to the Yellow Store for Solanis, Tampicos, Fanta and Milko . . . my very sad, but delicious substitution for chocolate milk.
Things learned this weekend: check for scorpions, hot chocopunch is awesome, avoid turban tan lines, and eat the meat (even if it might make you sick, because it’s just that good)
Oh, and the health update. I am fine… but we had two people with Malaria… both on Mefloquine. I am on Doxy – so far so good, go Doxy!
We leave for Burkina on Thursday… 2 assignments to turn in before then.
Check my pictures. If the internet cooperates I’ll upload Parc W and some pictures of the two wood statues I am working on.
Love you all!!
Sai an jima
Well, first of all, let me be neurotic in saying that I am typing on an English keyboard for the first time in like 4 weeks and I can’t do it!!! I keep having to look at my fingers and find letters.
Anyway>
So this past weekend we went to Parc W which is the largest wildlife park in West Africa. None of us were looking forward to it really other than it was nice to get out o Niamey for a weekend – especially because our water mysteriously shut off just hours before we left. That and we didn’t have our hopes up to see any animals.
However, we had an awesome time!!!
First, we got to ride in three white land cruisers all weekend, which was tons of fun. We also got to wear turbans, even more fun. The turbans were to protect us from the elements (in Niger that means dust, wind, and sun). Parc W is about 3 hours outside of Niamey. We left on Saturday at about 2 pm. Then when we got to the park we climbed on top of our land cruisers and rode to the campsite where we were staying, but things were a little more eventful than just that.
After we got the opening of the park, we got out to look at this water area where we saw a crocodile!!!! Then, as we were driving away, my land cruiser was last, our driver stopped as the others went ahead. He pointed left and told us to look. We looked down the water way and there was a huge elephant pulling water with his trunk while crossing the river. It was really incredible to see an elephant in the wild. The other groups were a little bitter that we saw the elephant and they didn’t, but we told them we wouldn’t tell anyone who actually saw it. So if anyone wants to claim it, they can…. But I really did see it… I swear.
Anyway, camp was awesome. We had a really good dinner of couscous, noodles, beef stew, soup, and mutton. The mutton was awesome, but I probably will get some disease from it… so says Hamza (the king of amoebas). So far I’m fine, though, and it has been 3 days.
One boy, Djioffo, found a scorpion on his mosquito net. . . that was awesome….
It was really cold at night, and by really cold I mean 60… but I was still freezing with goosebumps, pitiful I know. However, it was a beautiful morning to wake up next to the river and eat a breakfast of bread, jam, and hot chocopunch with Nescafe and powdered milk. I realize this all sounds a little sarcastic, but it really was awesome.
So all but one made it on to the jeeps in the morning, my roomie was sick, but she is feeling better, and we saw the rest of Parc W. This included antelope, buffalo, lots of birds, and that is pretty much it… however we were still happy with just our elephant sighting.
Back at camp we enjoyed some more lunch and such and then piled back in the land cruisers for our trip home – fingers crossed that we would have water to shower with. We did and we enjoyed a calm evening after a trip to the Yellow Store for Solanis, Tampicos, Fanta and Milko . . . my very sad, but delicious substitution for chocolate milk.
Things learned this weekend: check for scorpions, hot chocopunch is awesome, avoid turban tan lines, and eat the meat (even if it might make you sick, because it’s just that good)
Oh, and the health update. I am fine… but we had two people with Malaria… both on Mefloquine. I am on Doxy – so far so good, go Doxy!
We leave for Burkina on Thursday… 2 assignments to turn in before then.
Check my pictures. If the internet cooperates I’ll upload Parc W and some pictures of the two wood statues I am working on.
Love you all!!
Sai an jima
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
BON ANNIVERSAIRE
BON ANNIVERSAIRE
Well, I am officially 21. I’m old.
However, what better way to spend a 21st birthday than enjoying life in Niger?! Everyone was really wonderful. I was sick on Monday, but I recovered and got lots of rest. So I was better and ready to partake in birthday fun all day Tuesday.
I got birthday and valentines cards from my parents as well as many facebook messages and e-mails from all my friends (I love you guys!!!!). Here in Africa there were many celebrations. My friends Matt and Michelle (a guy) gave me a beautiful batik from the museum and a ring that matches one of theirs. The BU group also had Bisou make a chocolate cake with Happy Birthday Habiba. Then, in the evening, some of us went to Bellissimo’s and had wine and they surprised me with another cake and some singing. Then we all danced the night away on the rooftop while eating brochettes and nems. It was really fun.
Today we continued celebrating with Valentine’s day. One of the girls brought candy hearts with her and we all sent each other facebook valentines. So it was fun.
Anyway, not much else has happened. We are going to Parc W this weekend. So I’ll write and post more pictures after our trip.
Oh for those who don’t know, my photo link is on my facebook profile, or you can e-mail me or my mom for it. Oh, and wish my sis a happy birthday on Friday!!!!!
Love you all. Sai an jima.
And tell my mom to come visit me… I’m trying to convince her to come at the end of the semester so she can see Niamey and then we can go to Paris together.
Well, I am officially 21. I’m old.
However, what better way to spend a 21st birthday than enjoying life in Niger?! Everyone was really wonderful. I was sick on Monday, but I recovered and got lots of rest. So I was better and ready to partake in birthday fun all day Tuesday.
I got birthday and valentines cards from my parents as well as many facebook messages and e-mails from all my friends (I love you guys!!!!). Here in Africa there were many celebrations. My friends Matt and Michelle (a guy) gave me a beautiful batik from the museum and a ring that matches one of theirs. The BU group also had Bisou make a chocolate cake with Happy Birthday Habiba. Then, in the evening, some of us went to Bellissimo’s and had wine and they surprised me with another cake and some singing. Then we all danced the night away on the rooftop while eating brochettes and nems. It was really fun.
Today we continued celebrating with Valentine’s day. One of the girls brought candy hearts with her and we all sent each other facebook valentines. So it was fun.
Anyway, not much else has happened. We are going to Parc W this weekend. So I’ll write and post more pictures after our trip.
Oh for those who don’t know, my photo link is on my facebook profile, or you can e-mail me or my mom for it. Oh, and wish my sis a happy birthday on Friday!!!!!
Love you all. Sai an jima.
And tell my mom to come visit me… I’m trying to convince her to come at the end of the semester so she can see Niamey and then we can go to Paris together.
Monday, February 12, 2007
INQ CIKIN KLASS
INQ CIKIN KLASS
Well, it’s official, I have made it through my first week of class. It was pretty good. There are a couple days when I have both French and Hausa that my head is ready to burst, but for the most part the classes and professors are great so far.
On a less boring note, my community placement is going well. I spend my open afternoons at the museum in a small shack with Idi and the other wood carvers. They are all very nice people and incredibly talented. They speak mostly French and Hausa… neither of which I speak very well, but Idi and I communicate in other ways and enjoy each other’s company. Condi, one of the other carvers is learning English and likes to practice it with me. When I do something well he says things like "You have a good brain," meaning that I concentrate when I work. It’s really very sweet. Also, there are some 12 and 13 year old boys who come by to see me. Ousah, a 12 year old boy, works with the wood carvers, and others come by to watch me work. I think they are entertained by the white girl carving wood, as I am the only white girl carving wood and probably quite the spectacle.
The language barrier is getting better. Yesterday, in fact, I had a very good language day. At the museum I spoke very well with Idi and there was less awkward time. Then after that I spoke with some people in the market, conversed with the staff at Flashcopy where we copy readings, and talked with the people and kids in the Yellow Store where I bought yogurt in a bag (the single best bag of sweetness on a hot afternoon – I’m adding it to the list of things I’ll miss when I’m back in the states).
On a more recreational note, I went kayaking on the Niger River today and then went to a football game with some people from the embassy and a couple of the Niger Peace Corps directors. The game was awesome. It was the champion Niger club team vs. the champion Algeria club team. The stade is about a block from the CFCA. So it was close by and easy to get to. The Niger team won 2-0. The fans had their own little pep bands of drums and they rushed the fields with them and sort of started a dancing drumming celebration. We tried to sneak out the side, but we were caught and some people circled around us and started to get us to dance with them. It was tons of fun!!!!
More class again this week, and my hippo is almost done, I think. Oh and of course, countdown to my birthday!!!!
Peace, love and Sai an jima,
Habiba
Well, it’s official, I have made it through my first week of class. It was pretty good. There are a couple days when I have both French and Hausa that my head is ready to burst, but for the most part the classes and professors are great so far.
On a less boring note, my community placement is going well. I spend my open afternoons at the museum in a small shack with Idi and the other wood carvers. They are all very nice people and incredibly talented. They speak mostly French and Hausa… neither of which I speak very well, but Idi and I communicate in other ways and enjoy each other’s company. Condi, one of the other carvers is learning English and likes to practice it with me. When I do something well he says things like "You have a good brain," meaning that I concentrate when I work. It’s really very sweet. Also, there are some 12 and 13 year old boys who come by to see me. Ousah, a 12 year old boy, works with the wood carvers, and others come by to watch me work. I think they are entertained by the white girl carving wood, as I am the only white girl carving wood and probably quite the spectacle.
The language barrier is getting better. Yesterday, in fact, I had a very good language day. At the museum I spoke very well with Idi and there was less awkward time. Then after that I spoke with some people in the market, conversed with the staff at Flashcopy where we copy readings, and talked with the people and kids in the Yellow Store where I bought yogurt in a bag (the single best bag of sweetness on a hot afternoon – I’m adding it to the list of things I’ll miss when I’m back in the states).
On a more recreational note, I went kayaking on the Niger River today and then went to a football game with some people from the embassy and a couple of the Niger Peace Corps directors. The game was awesome. It was the champion Niger club team vs. the champion Algeria club team. The stade is about a block from the CFCA. So it was close by and easy to get to. The Niger team won 2-0. The fans had their own little pep bands of drums and they rushed the fields with them and sort of started a dancing drumming celebration. We tried to sneak out the side, but we were caught and some people circled around us and started to get us to dance with them. It was tons of fun!!!!
More class again this week, and my hippo is almost done, I think. Oh and of course, countdown to my birthday!!!!
Peace, love and Sai an jima,
Habiba
Monday, February 5, 2007
ANASARA!
Well, to be perfectly honest, not too much exciting has happened since I last wrote, but I figured since today is the last day of orientation, I’d write another blog to wrap all that stuff up.
So the other day we got to go to the American Embassy. We had a tour of the facilities there and got to meet some of the security people and the boss of the msg boys we met. The gave us a political overviez of the country and then e officially registered ourselves as being in Niger for the semester. So they know we are here and you could call the embassy to stalk us if you wanted too. After we went to the embassy we visited the Univeristy to meet with the dean. He is part of the reason we are able to come here. So it was nice meeting him an getting to thank him for his contributions to our program. However the coolest part was after the meeting whn we drove to some plateaus and hiked to the tops. We got to stare out over all of Niamey. It was really beautiful. The city is very isolated and everything around it is pretty much the bush. Duing the evening we got to have dinner on the terrace with our teachers. It was lots of fun. Binta cooked again, which means the food was awesome. We also had hibiscus juice and ginger lemon juice, both of which I am going to try to learn to make at home. Our professors seem nice, and they are looking forward to classes (shedules for which we should be getting today).
On our free afternoon, some of us went shopping for panas. The pana is how they measure fabric here. It is about 3 yards and can be used as a one-size-fits-all wrap-around skit, but also you can get things made. We’ve been shopping for fabrics and are hoping to go visit a tailor this week.
On Saturday morning, those of us working at the Musèe went and met our artisans for the first time. I did finally choose wood carving, and I am working with a Fulani man, Idi. The language barrier is rather difficult, but hopefully as I learn more French and Hausa it will get easier. He was pleased with my ability to draw. So hopefully I’ll be able to carve. I get to start practicing on soap on Monday. Who knows, maybe you will all get small mishapen hippos. In the afternoon, we went to Yazi’s house to celebrate his sons’ weddings (multiple sons multiple weddings). We met his family and got to eat amazing food that the women cook all day. We also saw some ritual stuff that they do to get the grooms ready for the wedding night. They were putting henna in their hair. Also, they showed us a huge crate of supplies that would be taken to the bride to get here ready. It was really interesting. After things calmed down we played a french card game, “huits”, with Yazi’s nephews. Then we taught the Egyptian Rat Screw. It was lots of fun to see them play.
Today we went to Balleyara, a huge market about an hour away. It was very overwhelming but interesting. Today has been the hottest day yet. We’re a little run down but looking forward to the Superbowl party with the people at the embassy, and believe it or not, we’re looking forward to starting classes tommorow. Just cross your fingers that I don’t have an 8 AM.
Sai an jima!
Well, to be perfectly honest, not too much exciting has happened since I last wrote, but I figured since today is the last day of orientation, I’d write another blog to wrap all that stuff up.
So the other day we got to go to the American Embassy. We had a tour of the facilities there and got to meet some of the security people and the boss of the msg boys we met. The gave us a political overviez of the country and then e officially registered ourselves as being in Niger for the semester. So they know we are here and you could call the embassy to stalk us if you wanted too. After we went to the embassy we visited the Univeristy to meet with the dean. He is part of the reason we are able to come here. So it was nice meeting him an getting to thank him for his contributions to our program. However the coolest part was after the meeting whn we drove to some plateaus and hiked to the tops. We got to stare out over all of Niamey. It was really beautiful. The city is very isolated and everything around it is pretty much the bush. Duing the evening we got to have dinner on the terrace with our teachers. It was lots of fun. Binta cooked again, which means the food was awesome. We also had hibiscus juice and ginger lemon juice, both of which I am going to try to learn to make at home. Our professors seem nice, and they are looking forward to classes (shedules for which we should be getting today).
On our free afternoon, some of us went shopping for panas. The pana is how they measure fabric here. It is about 3 yards and can be used as a one-size-fits-all wrap-around skit, but also you can get things made. We’ve been shopping for fabrics and are hoping to go visit a tailor this week.
On Saturday morning, those of us working at the Musèe went and met our artisans for the first time. I did finally choose wood carving, and I am working with a Fulani man, Idi. The language barrier is rather difficult, but hopefully as I learn more French and Hausa it will get easier. He was pleased with my ability to draw. So hopefully I’ll be able to carve. I get to start practicing on soap on Monday. Who knows, maybe you will all get small mishapen hippos. In the afternoon, we went to Yazi’s house to celebrate his sons’ weddings (multiple sons multiple weddings). We met his family and got to eat amazing food that the women cook all day. We also saw some ritual stuff that they do to get the grooms ready for the wedding night. They were putting henna in their hair. Also, they showed us a huge crate of supplies that would be taken to the bride to get here ready. It was really interesting. After things calmed down we played a french card game, “huits”, with Yazi’s nephews. Then we taught the Egyptian Rat Screw. It was lots of fun to see them play.
Today we went to Balleyara, a huge market about an hour away. It was very overwhelming but interesting. Today has been the hottest day yet. We’re a little run down but looking forward to the Superbowl party with the people at the embassy, and believe it or not, we’re looking forward to starting classes tommorow. Just cross your fingers that I don’t have an 8 AM.
Sai an jima!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Ay Ma Habiba
AY MA HABIBA
Okay, so apologies to those who have been checking and finding nothing. Also it’s a little difficult to blog because I have to e-mail to my mom, but hopefully I have a system now and things will be more productive here on out.
Alright, so we got here last Friday night after our plane was delayed in Paris. We saw a little of night Niger, which is pretty much a dark spacious abyss. We ate amazing food, cooked by Bizou, our cook, and I got my roomate, Bonkano, and my roo, with hot pink mosquito nets.
On Saturday things got much more interesting. We had our very first Zarma lesson, went on a bus tour of Niamey. However, the coolest thing on Saturday was our bapteme. The bapteme is a Nigerienne naming ceremony. So there were about 200 guests, incuding the American ambassador, who came to welcome us. I was named Habiba, which means the smallest and prettiest, or darling one. Yazi Dogo, a famous patron of the arts in Niamey, gave us our names. Then, some of his singers, dancers, and drummers performed for us. The dancers even got us up to dance. Apparently I did not look as rediculous as I thought because Yazi double checked with Sue, our director, to make sure that I would be taking the performing arts class and dancing with them this semester. After the bapteme, some of the marines from the embassy volunteered to take us out into Nigerienne nightlife. We went to some local bars and a popular nightclub. It was really fun and the marines invited us to watch the superbowl (go colts)!!!
On Sunday morning we went to the Musèe National. There we got to learn a lot about the culture and history of Niger. There was even an exhibit of the last tree in the desert that some idiot guy cut down to be funny. We also got to see all the artisans. Their pieces are beautiful and I can’t wait to be an apprentice. I think I’ll do woodworking. After the Musèe we ate some more of Bizou’s amazing food and then we went to the Fraternité Notre Dame, an orphanage for children. It was hard to break the language barrier with them, but I learned some more French from them, and a kid raising his hands in the air is a universal sign for piggy back. Also this little boy, Matin, looked at me and said "Habiba, tu est mon amie?" For those who don’t speak French, enjoy your job of translating.
Anyway, on Monday morning we went to Case D, a school for street boys and a possible location for community placement. They were really fun there. We got to see and sit in on a class. The boys were so cute raising their hqnd and snapping their fingers when they knew the right answer. After Case D and lunch, we went to visit the Peace Corps headquarter office in Niger. It was really cool because we got a whole info session about how the Peace Corps works, and we got to talk to four PCVs about their lives. They we’re really cool and now I am 100% applying.
Yesterday morning we hit up the post office, bank and clinic, just to see what they were like. The clinic was clean so if I get sick, which I probably will at least once, there is a perfectly suitable place to go. After lunch we had a meeting about community placements. I have an idea about what I will be doing, but I am not telling you all yet. During the evening we visted the ELP which is a school for adults learning English. It was really interesting because I got to sit in a class and they asked me questions about Black History Month, the elections, MLK, Malcom X, and even the KKK. They are very interested in American politics. They also listened to me read things and then repeated after me. So now there are some Nigeriennes with a touch of Kentucky accent in their English.
Today we had our windi-windi, which means stroll. Jacho, a 23 Nigerienne, walked with Bonkano and I through the city to show us the markets. It is a bit overwhelming and difficult to deal with the beggars, especially the children, but we successfully bargained and made it to Sue’s house for lunch safely. Also, this afternoon we crossed the river to go to the CES English Club. They loved having us. I got to teach some little kids "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and "Old McDonald". They also wanted all of our contact information so they can come visit us at the CFCA where we live.
So that is pretty much it. Hopefully you didn’t read all of that. If you want to say hey shoot me an e-mail. Miss and love you all!
Peace qnd Kala Ton Ton
Habiba
Okay, so apologies to those who have been checking and finding nothing. Also it’s a little difficult to blog because I have to e-mail to my mom, but hopefully I have a system now and things will be more productive here on out.
Alright, so we got here last Friday night after our plane was delayed in Paris. We saw a little of night Niger, which is pretty much a dark spacious abyss. We ate amazing food, cooked by Bizou, our cook, and I got my roomate, Bonkano, and my roo, with hot pink mosquito nets.
On Saturday things got much more interesting. We had our very first Zarma lesson, went on a bus tour of Niamey. However, the coolest thing on Saturday was our bapteme. The bapteme is a Nigerienne naming ceremony. So there were about 200 guests, incuding the American ambassador, who came to welcome us. I was named Habiba, which means the smallest and prettiest, or darling one. Yazi Dogo, a famous patron of the arts in Niamey, gave us our names. Then, some of his singers, dancers, and drummers performed for us. The dancers even got us up to dance. Apparently I did not look as rediculous as I thought because Yazi double checked with Sue, our director, to make sure that I would be taking the performing arts class and dancing with them this semester. After the bapteme, some of the marines from the embassy volunteered to take us out into Nigerienne nightlife. We went to some local bars and a popular nightclub. It was really fun and the marines invited us to watch the superbowl (go colts)!!!
On Sunday morning we went to the Musèe National. There we got to learn a lot about the culture and history of Niger. There was even an exhibit of the last tree in the desert that some idiot guy cut down to be funny. We also got to see all the artisans. Their pieces are beautiful and I can’t wait to be an apprentice. I think I’ll do woodworking. After the Musèe we ate some more of Bizou’s amazing food and then we went to the Fraternité Notre Dame, an orphanage for children. It was hard to break the language barrier with them, but I learned some more French from them, and a kid raising his hands in the air is a universal sign for piggy back. Also this little boy, Matin, looked at me and said "Habiba, tu est mon amie?" For those who don’t speak French, enjoy your job of translating.
Anyway, on Monday morning we went to Case D, a school for street boys and a possible location for community placement. They were really fun there. We got to see and sit in on a class. The boys were so cute raising their hqnd and snapping their fingers when they knew the right answer. After Case D and lunch, we went to visit the Peace Corps headquarter office in Niger. It was really cool because we got a whole info session about how the Peace Corps works, and we got to talk to four PCVs about their lives. They we’re really cool and now I am 100% applying.
Yesterday morning we hit up the post office, bank and clinic, just to see what they were like. The clinic was clean so if I get sick, which I probably will at least once, there is a perfectly suitable place to go. After lunch we had a meeting about community placements. I have an idea about what I will be doing, but I am not telling you all yet. During the evening we visted the ELP which is a school for adults learning English. It was really interesting because I got to sit in a class and they asked me questions about Black History Month, the elections, MLK, Malcom X, and even the KKK. They are very interested in American politics. They also listened to me read things and then repeated after me. So now there are some Nigeriennes with a touch of Kentucky accent in their English.
Today we had our windi-windi, which means stroll. Jacho, a 23 Nigerienne, walked with Bonkano and I through the city to show us the markets. It is a bit overwhelming and difficult to deal with the beggars, especially the children, but we successfully bargained and made it to Sue’s house for lunch safely. Also, this afternoon we crossed the river to go to the CES English Club. They loved having us. I got to teach some little kids "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" and "Old McDonald". They also wanted all of our contact information so they can come visit us at the CFCA where we live.
So that is pretty much it. Hopefully you didn’t read all of that. If you want to say hey shoot me an e-mail. Miss and love you all!
Peace qnd Kala Ton Ton
Habiba
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)