The end of the photos, for now, maybe

Since most of the other photos on my camera are more of the same (swarms of children), plus a mother hen and her soft, oh-so-edible chicks and since I'm feeling impatient and have not written much in awhile, there won't be any more photos today. I still have Tobaski photos I want to share, but the last few times I tried uploading them, the computer refused.

Then again, to write about today would also be more of the same. An in-service training isn't the most exciting event to write about. Neither is standing in line at a bank, buying yogurt and soap, or retrieving letters from the office.

I went to the dentist again, re-read the Time magazine from last year, and replied to his "Merry Christmas" with "God Jul."

I dipped french fries in mayonaise for the first time, and it was dangerously delicious. Luckily there is a scarcity of french fries at site, so it won't develop into a habit.

And...yup, that was pretty much my day. All those boring events to write about, though, like buying yogurt...I'm going to miss them whole lot in a few days when I return to site. I love my village, but transitioning back  after nearly two weeks of running water, chocolate bars, ice cream, electricity, speaking rapidly in English...it's gonna be a challenge. And by the time I return, there won't be Christmas to look forward to.

And more!





A lot of children I'd never seen before (except for Pippi and Adama, who are on the right)

 until they tugged my shirt and begged for a photo.







Pateh! In photos he looks like the saddest child in the world.
Don't be fooled!



Rugi!



From left to right: Kid I've Never Seen Before, Musa, and Omar



The map that's missing Switzerland!



More photos!

Probably you're tired of seeing photos, now that there's nothing special about them because I've been uploading them for the past three days. But considering that each of the past few days has been pretty much the same (in-service training for most of the day, lazy-ing about in the evening) there's really not much to write about anyway. But yesterday I did go to a REAL bookstore that smelled just like Barnes and Noble or Borders and it was fantastic! The smell, not the selection of books. Which was fine, because I didn't want to buy a book anyway.

Before all the corn was harvested and the stalks shriveled up and died,
this was the view of the land behind my backyard.

This is the view of the back of my house.
I forgot to photograph the front, or the inside, but at least
now you have some idea of where I'm living.

I'm at a naming ceremony, and the kids haven't
noticed that I've taken out my camera again or
they would all be swarming.

Do I have more patience today? Nope, but the internet is faster.

Here's me with most of the members of my host family on Tobaski.
Left to right: Mamadou, Neene, Pateh, Kairaba, Me, Amadou.

Salio!

Buba!

Isatou! (but in my mind she's Pippi)

The girl on the right is Mariama, but I'd never seen the other girl before.

I don't know this lady.

Hawa!