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

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.