Well, I'm FINALLY here .... Niger, West Africa. To tell the truth, I've been here for about a week, but have been having so much fun experiencing the culture, I've just found a few spare moments to say hello.
The trip has been AMAZING so far. I can't wait to get back and show off pictures. AH! The stories I have to tell! People here are SO friendly. They will just invite you into their home and chat for an hour or more. It's amazing! (It also helps to be with a Peace Corps volunteer who speaks the language). I'd NEVER have the amazing experiences I'm having RIGHT NOW in Niger without my excellent guide and friend, Jeanel. She has opened so many back doors that tourists NEVER see and I am SO thankful for the experience.
I've been in Niamey, the capital, as well as Konni and Agadez. Each place has its own charms and I'm excited to tell anyone who will listen about them.
Being in a third-world country is interesting. It provides so many different experiences and gives me time to reflect upon our own society in America. There are things I miss such as running water, flushing toilets (heck, toilets in general), trash pickup (it blows EVERYWHERE all over the streets here!) and dependble electricity. BUT on the flip side of the coin, life IS simpler (am I allowed a cliche?). Time moves slower, and it's nice. People have the same essential NEEDS, but the wants around here are not what they are in America, especially with the pre-Christmas rush. Oh, I'm getting on a soap box now. Sorry.
Anyhow, I'm supposed to be back in about a week, so I'll get on updating my photos on the blog then.
Thanks so much for all of your well wishes!
Karen
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