Traveling

I have been traveling which is why I have not been online.

This past few days I went north to the country of Niger. I went to the capital city of Niamey which is just south of the Sahara desert. I went by bus which left at 3am. We drove north for 10 hours on a decent highway that left us at the Niger river and the border of Niger. We went through customs and immigration and walked across the bridge into Niger (much like the ambassador bridge to canada) Our bus was waiting for us on the other side. We contined 3 or 4 more hours to Niamey.

Niamey is smaller and quieter than Cotonou. It is also MUCH hotter. It was close to 100 degrees. People were also different. There is a greater influence from the middle east and many people dress in African fabric with middle eastern design of clothes. There aren't many motos there, but people told me that with the price of gas, they are starting to import more.

I saw some camels as well. Big tall camels loaded down with stuff. It was like a movie.

Today in an hour or so I will be leaving to go visit villages of Benin. I will have many pictures and stories to tell upon my return.

still no pics

My work computer is still gone... this is Africa, sometimes things take longer than expected (actually, most of the time they do.) I didn't go to Togo, instead, I spent the weekend getting settled into my place. I went and picked out curtains, set up my little gym and cooked my first couple of meals (I love my little gas stove)

I've settled into a little schedule. I get up between 6:30 and 7:30 every morning when the sun comes shining through my window. I take a quick shower and get ready for work. I wear just about the same things that I wore to work in the states. I then go and catch a moto taxi which zooms me off to work. I like riding the motos. Its a free feeling and they don't get stuck in traffic at rush hour. I get to work. I won't start my work in education till later, for now I am working on market studies and food security for rice (ei, does the market provide enough food for people to eat?) I'm learning a lot about how business works in West Africa. I take a lunch around noon or one and then work on till 5 or 6. After work, I head down to a bar where lots of people I know hang out. I sit and chat with everyone. Sometimes I go to other restaurants or places in town. I have to say I have more of a social life here than I ever did in college :) I guess sometimes I do things a little backwards. I get home around 9 or 10 and work out on the deck before I go to bed.

So, life is pretty good. It is so ironic that I thought I would come here to do humanitarian aid and now all the need is back home in the states. I feel a little bad that I am not there to help. But I have been impressed with everyone's comradarie to get involved. Its a very beautiful part of our culture and our country that I am very proud of and tell people here.