Hunky Dori

So I didnt live up to my promise of posting shortly following swear-in. Our days in Ouaga were really packed. Between swimming, dancing, eating, and touring the embassy we really didnt have much time.

Ouaga was incredible, but once again a bittersweet experience. We arrived early this week and checked into a Hotel in centre-ville. We were close to Marina Market (heaven) which is a western style supermarket complete with flourescent lighting and check out counters. After three months in Bogoya I got a little weak in the knees upon entering this air-conditioned paradise. Street food in Ouaga is amazing, and the restaurants are even better (double bacon cheeseburger and onion rings anyone?). There was a man outside our hotel selling brochette sandwiches (meat grilled on a stick, with grilled onions, veggies, and spicy mustard). He serves it all hot off the grill on a baguette. I finished mine off during a medical session in which we were advised against eating street food.

Our swearing in ceremony was very nice. Five volunteers gave speeches in different languages including French. It was really a testament to how far we have all come. The Charger Daffairs at the embassy gave a very nice speech to us in French and English. He is the main man at the embassy, and an American (of course).

We all went out for dinner and dancing following the ceremony. It was tons of fun, but many of us had to part ways the following morning. I stayed in Ouaga until Friday morning (yesterday), and got to relax for a few days.

I Arrived in Dori in the midday heat to find that the rainy season has destroyed my courtyard wall and hanger, leaving me without much shade. The wind also blew my windows open and covered everything in the house with a thick layer of sand. Mais, ca va aller. I enlisted the help of some EXTREMELY energetic Burkinabe kids to help me sweep out the house. I tried to move most of my things into another room before they showed up so that they wouldnt be distracted but it didnt help all that much. After a solid 15 minutes of work they started saying ¨Donnez-moi un cadeaux¨(give me a present). I told them they could have a bon-bon each when they finished and I managed to squeeze another 5 minutes out of them. I was really grateful for their help, but I dont want to establish myself as the white guy who gives out candy.

I received three packages full of books, spices, and beef jerky immediately before my departure, they really made my day. Im already at the end of Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut. I dont just devour books here, I inhale without chewing. These first three months are supposed to be spent relaxing and settling in, getting to know the community, etc. So with the schools still on break for another month or more, Im taking things slowly and reading a lot. I should have a new tank of gas for cooking (which I am very excited to do) by tommorow, and electricity by the end of the week. For now; Im getting by on canned tuna (a luxury), and rice from local restaurants. There is even a nice cafe 2 minutes away from my house that makes a killer omlette sandwich.

For now, Im going to take a much needed cold bucket bath. Its funny the stuff you find yourself looking forward to here. In the process of cleaning my house I managed to become coated in a layer of sand and sweat; something else Ill have to get used to. Thanks for reading!! Next time you are out to eat order a cold milkshake for me.

Wakka Wakka Ouaga

Im currently sitting on a blindingly fast computer using free internet in an air conditioned hotel. When we find ourselves in situations like this we refer to it as "posh corps". Why am I here in Ouaga? I dont have a parasite or an IT meeting, so it could only mean SWEAR IN IN 2 DAYS!!!

Everyone is in really high spirits. We said goodbye to our host families in Bogoya (training village) and had a couple of days in Ouahigouya doing last minute stuff. Last night we had a big dinner followed by dancing to celebrate the end of training. The closing ceremony in Bogoya was really great for everyone, my host father translated our French into Moore for the rest of the villageois. We ate a questionable but palatable melange of macaroni and fish. The following morning before final goodbyes we had a photographer come in and take a family photograph. Unfortunately; I was unable to obtain a copy as we had to leave before they were developed. The whole ordeal was definitley bittersweet, but I am glad to have the homestay part of training behind me.

Ill post again in a few days following swear-in, Ill be in Ouaga until Friday before being driven out to Dori to get settled in for 2 years at site!