So my thanksgiving was memorable and I feel obliged to tell you all
about it, Woke up, held a large gobbeling turkey, and then watched it
get gorged. It was crazy that none of us recognized it as the food
that we ate every year growing up until it was plucked, cleaned and
the head and feet were missing. It was a great experience to see
really where this food that we eat comes from and what it all means. I
made the stuffing for our party that was attended by 30 or so
volunteers, and put in spinach and apples, and chives, all found fresh
from the marche down the street. It was nice being in a large city
where these items were available and to eat a meal that I could
appreciate for being thanksgiving. But even better it was great to get
out of my village and just see other americans. I felt bad not
teaching, as I missed over 12 hours of class. But it was a much needed
break.
Things are going well. The kids in my courtyard are keeping me
entertained and more and more I just hang out with them. They bring me
peanuts in the evening and we sit down and just hang out. They like to
color with chalk all over my patio and I’m working on teaching them
how to count and we sing songs. I started a girl’s study group and the
first night I had over 50 girls show up, completly flooding my
courtyard. And I thought annoying my family, but my mom brought over
benches, I made popcorn and provided lights and the girls come over
now three nights a week to work on exercises, hang out, ask me
questions, it’s entertaining at the very least.
I have lots of pictures that I keep meaning to attach, but that’s
going to have to wait until my next trip into Ouaga. In Fada the
computers here are a little more slow and I have lots of work that I
need to do.
There was a rather unsettling incident that happened out here near me
with the bandits that hold up cars. I don’t think it’s something that
I should actually go into over email, but it’s an interesting story
and will hold it’s value upon my return- so remind me to tell you all
about it when I get back.
Rou is doing well, she’s gotten used to Bilanga and loves hanging out
and going to school with me still, I had a rabbit for a little while,
but it disappeared one night. Not sure what happened. The east is
gorgeous, I live right next to a large lake and I can sit in my
courtyard and watch people canoe across it in these hollowed out
wooden canoes. It looked like fall for a while, the lake was covered
with lily pads, the corn was turning yellow and coming in and I felt
for the first time ever that I was falling into the correct season.
I’ll leave it at that, of course I’m still up to my crazy antics, but
slowly adjusting to things in this new village. Sending my love to
everyone,
