My friends are pretty clever.

Two of my good friends here, Hallie and Todd, each wrote something I wanted to share. 

just clownin around 

Todd wrote a blog post about how the war in Mali is affecting us as PCVs in Burkina. The beginning is a recap of the situation in Mali; if you scroll down to the bottom, he discusses the situation in relation to our lives here. From my experience, despite living next to the no-go zone of Burkina, I am pretty much unaware there is trouble in our bordering country. I feel at ease and very safe in Kossouka; Todd's post can explain a bit more why that is. 

http://tburkinafaso.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-mali-situation.html

Following is a poem Hallie wrote about the frustrations when persistent and socially unaware tweens come over to hang out and aren't perceptive that right now just isn't a good time...

if i don't answer the door, you should go away.a poem by hallie eilerts

bitch, i don't wanna come out and play
if i don't answer the door,
you should go away.
i'm probably not wearing clothes.
it's hot in here with the door closed.
or maybe i'm busy.
in here watching star wars.
jedi mind tricks got me dizzy
fanboys all screamin' they want more
audience of one
on my ipod, son.
for all it matters to you,
i'm in a galaxy far, far away too.
knock all you want
call out my name,
huff and puff and blow,
the song stays the same.
if i don't say 'yea, one second, i'm comin,'
hit the pavement, mother fucker
start running
when i go outside, people stop and stare
yes, i'm white
you can see me coming from way the hell over there
think about that.
let's make this simple.
all day don't get a moments peace,
this house is my temple.
my alone time is sacred.
maybe you're just a kid,
but those knocks are sacrelig-
-ous.
your persistance is suspicious.
these interruptions far too ubiqituous.
you don't go nagging on Monet,
his paintbrush in hand,
brush stroke underway
nah man,
keep the interruptions at bay.
as in, excuse me, Mr. Woods,
before you make that putt,
how was your day?
my doings are prodigious.
reorganizing my toiletries shelf,
this shit ain't for my health.
time is money.
less time spent searching for my toothbrush is wealth.
check that feeling in your gut.
what's it tell you?
the way is shut.
fellowship's all tense.
ain't no way in, friend,
not past this door defense
so before you go on and----
oh, sorry what was that?
oh you want to go fetch me water?
oh, thanks!
that would be great actually. i was running low.
thank you! thanks a lot....
...and sorry. sometimes i get a little carried away.

A "Divine Christmas"

I haven't had my camera with me recently to take pictures of my site, Kossouka, so I am going to hold off on doing an intro post to my life there... and flash forward/backward to Christmas at site and give a quick recap of the festivities. 

After reading the detailed list of possessions that were going to be left to me and realizing I would have a mini Christmas tree with ornaments and Santa hat, the three other volunteers from my stage (Kara, Darius and Brittany) who are living in the North with me decided to come to my house to celebrate with each other. 

We spent the first night decorating the tree and eating tomato soup with grilled cheese.... which turned into more a cheesey bread with marinara dipping sauce... regardless, really good! 

                                     
                                                     Decorating the Christmas tree


Christmas morning we shared gifts, visited the cafe-au-lait stand in town and went to church. The music and instrument, as probably expected, were definitely the best part. 

Darius checking out the pagne stockings 

Cafe au lait's basically 1/3 condensed milk, 2/3 hot water and like... 1/2 tsp instant coffee. One of the tasty treats here that I wonder is this really good or just good because I've been here 5 months now...?

Music procession going out at the end of church, after mass there was a dance circle/march outside 

               Washing dishes: one of those things I never wondered how I would do it once I got here, same for washing clothes 

Volunteers of "The North!" 

The chief had given me a rooster a couple of days before and thankfully Darius was there to help with the butchering process. We watched Elf and Love Actually, while enjoying some homemade Christmas cookies Brittany's grandmother had sent. All in all, as Darius says "a divine christmas"