BF Journal: 12/29 - 1/6

12/29 – 1/2

We have things to catch up on since my last update.  Not much has occurred language-wise.  My consultant went home for the New Year and I stayed in Bobo.  We worked a couple more days on the text translation and we will continue to do so when we pick back up tomorrow. 

Both nights of celebration (12/31 and 1/1), my celebrating was rather successful, for different reasons.  The first night, we had a ton of neighbors over at the house.  We cooked like 10+ chickens and had tons of other food.  And plenty of drinks.  So much “celebrating.”  I invited two Peace Corps volunteers and spent some of the day with them.  Side note: we ate at a Lebanese place with some interesting takes on how to spell some of their menu items.  

 

I like the different spellings of "burger."

Also, I think one of them engaged me to marry someone.  It was very nice them to say that they were married (a total lie) and offer me up instead.  I think the woman was kind of serious and it was hilarious. 

Anyways, everyone had a blast that night.  The Peace Corps folks could legitimately say they were working on their mission (part of their mission involves culture sharing).  We danced to some West African pop music and one of the volunteers made a playlist of American stuff.  Teaching Burkina-be to do American line dancing was pretty amazing.  It felt like teaching your parents how to dance.  They couldn’t understand the commands so they were just following us, one step behind.  Apparently I did the worm at some point (yup, I can still do that… #winning).  The second night was also comprised of dancing, but at a popular nightclub.  This was after everyone was nursing a hangover that day.  I felt a bit like younger self.  The Peace Corps folks left earlier that day but I went out with Oumar and some of his friends. 

(12/31)

First up, Minkailou and his woman Kadi

Zaki and Oumar

Peace Corps and me

One of the volunteers teaching Mohammed how to do whatever it is I am doing.

I do not know how to caption this.

But it does look like everyone had fun.

(1/1)

Me, being not awkward as usual.

The entire ensemble.  Again, I am not strange in photos.

In other news I bought an interesting coffee.  By interesting, I mean it tastes like sweat mixed with sand.  It has cardamom in it.  Because why taste like coffee?

It's the worst.

If that sounds to you as though it might taste like spicy cement, you are right.

1/3 – 1/6

This is the month of personnel changes here in Bobo.  Jeff and Minkailou will leave around the thirteenth.  Oumar will leave on the 8^th.  I am trying to figure out what to get Minkailou before he leaves.  I got Oumar a new phone today (1/6).  I made sure that they put a bow with hearts on it for him.  I cannot wait to see his reaction.

I actually wish I had these skills sometimes.

Jeff is planning a one day trip for my village (on1/8) to get some flora fauna names.  I am likely going to accompany him along with Bakary.  I will likely be scoping out accommodations for longer visits while Jeff does his thing.  

My text work continues to both perplex and interest me.  I might actually start writing a grammar sketch soon just to see where I am at.  No promises though.

Until next time.