The Here and Now

With February just around the corner I’m finally able to sit down and write. It has been too long since my last post although not much has changed. I finished up the trimester with ease and headed to Ouagadougou for additional IST-In Service Training. My counterpart has been terribly sick and therefore was not able to accompany me. Instead my school director showed up in her place.  It was incredibly motivating for all of us and we were presented with great tools to take back and use in  our communities. 

After the whirlwind of IST, came the greatly anticipated arrival of my mom and sister. They arrived on the 21^st of December,  we began our adventure with pizza, beer, and fried plantains on the street in Ouaga! Oh boy, the fun began! From Ouaga we took a bush taxi semi-truck down to Sapone and specifically Bonogo the quartier of my host family. The taxi dropped us off on the side of the road, with suitcases in tow we rolled on down the dirt road until the African children (who had never seen a Caucasian child—Anna), surrounded us. We were greeted with a warm welcome and my host family was beyond thrilled to meet my family. My mom and Anna presented wrapped Christmas gifts for the whole family. Our custom of wrapped gifts was a little confusing at first, after a little prompting to tear them open the uncertainty passed and they were so excited.  The little girls were elated with the crayons and coloring books, Mama Cecile loved her knives and Papa Jacob strutted around showing off his new soccer ball. They too presented Mom and Anna with gifts, they were given the traditional hat of Sapone, a labor intensive and meaningful gift.  My Aunt Shirley sent these balls that light up, the children were having a great time with them until the parents realized how fun they were. Soon the parents were passing them back and forth. Ha ha . My mother was asked to be a second wife to Paul, my host uncle.  We met the chief of Bonogo and participated in a honorary ceremony.  Following the ceremony we were paraded through the village to greet everyone who lived within a five-mile radius. The whole experience in Bonogo was unbelievable, they rolled out the red carpet for my family!

On to Leo via a landrover and a driver, (pheww) took it easy on the girls for a couple days, we hoteled it, swam in a pool, visited a fellow PCV, went on a little safari through Nazinga , saw some amazing elephants! 

Next on the agenda was Bouroum-Bouroum, my home. It took 5 hours by way of the public transportation system, which is a large shotty charter bus ready to break down at any minute. Not to mention their packed with as many people and tend the travel at the speed of light.  I’ve become quite accustom to this mode of transportation however mom and Anna…not so much.  It felt good to be back and it felt more like a home with the company.   I had so much fun showing them around the village, meeting and greeting.  The people here are very relaxed and value each other over time and things.   Salutations and taking tea is more important than Mom’s to do list.  She will have to come about five more times to complete her list.  Anna was so wonderful with the children—they still ask about her everyday.  

We made a day trip to  Gaoua by bush taxi, experienced the marche (market) filled with  produce,  grains, seasonings, cookware, jewelry,  fabrics, etc… Anything you need to live is locally produced and sold at the marche’ with the sad exception of a few items that are beginning to ship in from China and India. 

For New Year’s we were tired, so we came home early.   But  about three in the morning we were awoken to the beautiful sounds of  the balafon.   It’s peaceful tones echoed through the village.  Only in Africa, a once in a lifetime experience.

The trip went by too fast and feels almost surreal now that they were here. Since they left, life has gone back to the way in was. School, the maternity, and my clubs fill my time. Presently we are preparing for Camp Glow, a leadership camp, and a Science Camp for students in September. 

  

Thank you for all of the wonderful gifts for my community and the incredible emotional support as well. Until next time….Remember to stop and take some tea  :) 

All my Love,

Ash