Lindsay and Sherlynn arrived on the 21st and we had a whirlwind week with them. They say laughter is the best medicine ...that must be why we never caught the flu bug going around.
Here is a quick run-down of our whirlwind!
The market closest to our home is full of exploration opportunities. I love to meander around and it's better yet to go with someone else and see what treasures can be found.
Friendly faces and greetings were all around and the potent smells of the spices quickly cleared up clogged sinuses.
Carts full of grasshoppers ready for the sauce.
A stop-over at the best fabric store in town is always a treat.
Erika, we found a pagne for you. Let me know if you want me to go back and buy it for you.
We hosted the annual staff Christmas party for our CRU staff family and laughed til we cried as we played games and ate together. (This one is the "Feel what's in the bag with your feet" game)
After student demonstrations closed the road in front of our home as well as the two bridges going into town, our plans for the day were changed and we had a relaxing "snow day". In the evening we did venture out for "brochettes and frites" overlooking the river. Gorgeous. Yummy.
We found one last field of "being harvested" rice, much to the delight of Tom.
We buried our feet in the fine sand of the sand dune
and watched the re-enactment of "I'm dying of thirst in the desert and can't reach my water bottle."
Florene, our drama queens do beat all!
It's always fascinating to watch the pumpkin boats being unloaded at the bridge.
There aren't too many other capital cities where the cars and camels share the same streets through town.
We meandered through the bright green lettuce gardens as they were watering the plots with water from the river.
We spent one morning with a family that has three children at the University, all of whom are involved with CRU.
And the trip wouldn't be complete without visiting our local museum with our little known, yet world famous Nigersarus! Now you've seen him/her. I just maybe will have to do a blog post just for him...
We celebrated Christmas Eve with our friends from the "European Union". (I didn't get a picture of that.)
We got all dolled up for Christmas Day at church and enjoyed the special musical numbers and the big meal of either fish or mutton afterwards.
We took some Christmas goodies to our neighbors
Christmas Day evening we enjoyed singing most of the carols that we know, reciting Luke 2 by memory, eating summer sausage, cheese and crackers, and opening gifts.
We made the fascinating trek to see the giraffes, thankful for the giraffe guide who took us over hill and through many a millet field to find those amazingly graceful creatures. Did you know that the spots are lighter in color on these giraffes than on other giraffes in the world? My scientific explanation to the girls was that they were bleached/faded by the intense Niger sun...they believed me so that's all that counts.
We glided over the high waters of the Niger River in a canoe to see the elusive hippos and they allowed us to see their eyes and ears and an occasional back but that is all. Then one of them opened his mouth momentarily and we were glad we were as far away as we were! (Good picture, Lindsay.)
We celebrated Sherlynn's birthday at an Indian Restaurant. Sooo good.
Now vacation is over and we are enjoying the memories. Thanks Sherlynn and Lindsay for making the long trek and making memories with us. Until next time...
