Tid-bits from life....

Blog Entry

I had a mini photo shoot with my guard’s wife and 3 boys the other day.  It always amazes me how dressed up they get for pictures.  What really makes me smile is that as she was getting ready, she sprayed herself, the boys, and me with perfume.  As if the perfume was going to make the picture even better…ahhh the things about life in Africa that I missed. 

 

One of my guard’s sons is among the many children who seem to be terrified of white people.  I even brought him cookies to try to  “break the ice.”  He took the cookie and then moved closer to his mother.  And when she stepped outside for a moment, the screaming began.  By the end of our photo shoot, I think my guard’s wife and I were the only ones not crying!!  J 

 

Life in Tessaoua has many similarities to life in Guidan Roumdji and yet it is also very different.  For one, I am on my own here.  I’ve actually been doing better than I expected to, being on my own.  I try to keep busy as much as possible.  Although, without knowing much of the language, it gets kind of difficult.

 

That’s another huge difference – language.  Not only is it a different language than before, but I also came out here not knowing hardly anything in Hausa.  My first term, we had a basis in Fulfulde before moving east.  Making friends can be a challenge when all you can do is greet them.  But I try to go walking a couple of times each day just to get people used to seeing me around – even if all I can do is continually say “Ina kwana” (good morning) to everyone I pass by.  The good thing about all of this is that I am the type of person who hates not being able to understand what’s going on around me.  So, this becomes great motivation for learning Hausa faster!

 

Another thing about the language is people’s reactions when I tell them that I don’t speak Hausa.  There are about 3 basic reactions to that statement.  One – the person may smile at me with a look of pity and repeat “you don’t speak Hausa” before moving on their way.  Two – the person may tell me I do speak Hausa and go through greeting again before moving on their way.  And last (and possibly my favorite) is the person that says “you don’t speak Hausa?” and then proceeds to rattle off more Hausa – as though I will magically be able to understand all that they are saying. 

 

Tessaoua is much bigger than Guidan Roumdji which also has it’s good points and challenges.  First, it has much more to offer.  I can actually buy things like dish soap, canned veggies, and toilet paper in town!!  Before, we had to wait until going into Maradi to buy those things.  But a challenge is transportation.  I don’t have a vehicle as of yet and so I am bound to walking everywhere.  Now, I don’t mind walking…I enjoy a good walk now and then.  But when it’s walking in sand, in 130 degree temperatures, covered from head to foot in fabric….well, let’s just say that walking loses some of it’s appeal. 

 

But I am beginning to get used to some of the everyday norms of living in Africa again.  The heat rash, the constant sweating, the feeling as though you’re in an oven.  Even the constant stares as I walk down the street.  All of it makes up life in Niger.  And you know what…I wouldn’t have it any other way! J