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
Monday, February 19, 2007
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!
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