My life this past week has been lots of fun. Mike, one of my closest neighbors, came to visit. We ending up going to a Tougouri traditional fete (party) where we got ushered into the inner circle and sat with the village elders. In the circle, we were very close to Tougs' masks. I asked a few people if I could take pictures and of course everyone said yes, but I was still worried how culturally appropriate that would be. After talking to a few different people, I ended up talking to the chef of the masks and he let me take pictures. woot! After sitting with the masks for awhile, and getting royally sunburned, Mike and I were about to leave when one of the masks came up and hit me in the face with a stick! It didn't really hurt, but I was very surprised, as I thought I was exempt from that- you know, the village white person no one wants to hurt. An old man next to me got up and started yelling at the mask, so I felt avenged. Later that night Mike and I went to the lycee's annual "happy new year" fete, where we ate, drank, and danced all night long. The next day I went to visit another volunteer near me, Kait, in Bani where we spent the afternoon in a mango grove with a meal of chicken, salad, and french fries with ranch. All in all, I'd have to say it was a very good weekend. This past week was spent teaching, as usual. I am currently in Ouaga for the first meeting of the new PC "Youth Development Committee. We're currently trying to define what exactly "youth development" is and what the committee can become to help other volunteers. So if you have any ideas or insights, please let me know!
And as wanted....pictures!
Said's walking now
Birthday boy!
Ready to eat
L.D.T. profs
bandit but cute
Mariame and Salmad
the masks of Tougouri
drunk man
I got her to smile!
dance dance
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