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