8. October 2007 by admin.

My first free weekend has passed and was full of activities. On Saturday, my work colleagues took me to the Arts & Crafts Village to show Burkina’s trade. Unfortunately, I don’t have any photos since we arrived late afternoon (avoiding the heat of the day) and photography was restricted.
On the subject of photography in this country…In the past, those who wanted to photograph were required to fill out a form and pay a fee for a photography license. The government has since changed their policy and we’re free to do as we please, except photographing government buildings is illegal. Some people are reticent of their pictures being taken. Often the reason is their beliefs (stealing souls via camera), privacy or plain discomfort. I’ve been asked once for money and most people like to pose, especially the children.
Getting back to my arts & crafts, Ouaga hosts a fair every two years where all African countries exhibit their wares. At the village, independent artists displayed their wares including: silver, gold and beaded jewellery; horns; ebony, wood and bronze sculptures, masks; batik; scarves; leather shoes, purses and accessories; toys; etc. I ended up buying batik cards to mail, but first I must find stamps! Other things that interested me was a sling à la Denis the Menace, a game, jewellery, batik and ebony sculptures. In good time, I say. No rush to buy.
Afterwards, they brought me to “La Ouagalaise” which is “maquis resto”, but resembles more like a restaurant club. I ordered a garlic chicken and fries, forgetting that when you order a chicken here, it’s an entire chicken. It was interesting to see where they go on the weekends to have a beer, chat and dance a bit. The selection of tunes had much to be desired, it was a mix of reggae, jump up, r&b and some remixes. I wonder how the DJs get their music? Apparently from the same place, because I was brought to another club later on that night by the expats, where they played the same tracks (sometimes orginal vs remix)!
The night continued by meeting the German and friends at an Italian restaurant, where there were people from everywhere! Mostly NGO people and some government types. Burkinabès, Germans, Italians, Danish, Swiss, Dutch, the list continues! It seemed a requirement to be bilingual. Conversation could begin in French then switch to German with brief spurts of English. It was great to meet people from other organizations and sectors, outside of my circle of work and home.
The next day on Sunday, I lazed about and went to a hotel’s pool to suntan and bathe in warm water. Also, got bitten by a ton of mosquitos!
Must itch now and take more blue pills.

Posted in People, Culture, Ouagadougou, General | 1 Comment »

5. October 2007 by admin.

It rained the other day, the second time since my arrival last Wednesday. While I was in a meeting with Suzanne from the DED (German Development), the trees began to sway and doors slammed as the wind blew vigurously.
The temperature hits almost 40˚ celsius on a clear day. giving the sun full access to us until about 6pm when the sun begins to set. Jonathan and I were suprised with the humidity that hit us when we debarked the plane last week. The rainy season generally ends sometime in September and we thought dry, hot weather was in store for us. It isn’t as bad as in Asia, but it adds to my feeling of melting. So everyday, I hope it’ll be cloudy and a bit windy like it is today for fresh air…Or in Ouaga’s case, dusty air.
The only paved roads are the main ones. Everything else is dirt. A brown-red dirt that kicks up whenever a vehicle passes, gets into your shoes and rests on everything. Often things are left in their packages here, covered or dusted daily. For example, the surface of the computers here at the office are wiped daily, leaving the once-white towel rust-coloured. And the box of tissues I bought at the grocery store was left in it’s plastic wrap until it is sold.
The bad air is compounded by the emissions from the numerous “mobylettes”, cars and especially trucks! The public transporation exists here, like local buses, however they’re not on time and usually packed. The taxis can be hailed on larger roads and a fare will bring you straight down the route that it’s already taking. Negotiations are needed if you want door-to-door service. Cyclists are common, but share the same lanes as motorcycles. So without contributing to the emissions they are breathing them in direct from the source.
My first impressions were that Burkina reminded me of Southeast Asia with the weather, activity, transportation, haggling, etc…But there are some differences. Even though Ouaga is the capital, they have ways to go before escalating it to the pockets of wealth and relative comfort of the poorer Southeast Asian larger cities have.
All in all, I want to do rest! It’s been non-stop since I arrived with training, meetings, socializing, working, etc. My only day off was this past Sunday, when I settled into my new home. My things are still in my luggage since I don’t have a armoir. Hopefully the carpenter will finish and install it soon.
Tomorrow, a couple of my co-workers are taking me to the Arts & Crafts village and it’s dinner with some a mix of Italians and Germans.

Posted in Thoughts, Ouagadougou | 1 Comment »