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