Hello,
to begin, I want to on my previous post about the environment in which I am immersed. While Burkina Faso is a poor country (172nd out of 174 in the Human Development Index), but in any case in Ouagadougou, it is not complete misery. As I said Salif, a member of ACP, an African proverb says: "If God does not love, it makes you born in Mali. If you hate it, it makes you born in Burkina Faso. And if really does not want you, it makes you born in Niger. " Here, unlike in Niger, therefore, it is not famine, although some families have to settle for one meal a day and it is poignant to see the kids in rags and barefoot in the street playing ball with a ball to the hoop or burst with an old tire moped.
I think my guests are part of the upper middle class: they all went to university, which after a ferry A1, which after a ferry G2 (but having the tank here is no picnic), have continued at least until the Masters, and many have stable employment office (accountant, college professor, ...). Mahamadi was the National School of Administration and Magistracy and is "advisor for economic affairs." He expects to know his assignment. However, I met a family of one of his uncles died today (2 of his 3 women and one of his son): these do not go to school, do not speak French (which is yet the country's official language) and are probably illiterate. They live much more difficult to clear, the two women, aged between 60 and 65, are well over 30. When we know that life expectancy here is 47 years, it situates ... Similarly, among all the kids in the family, the only one who is not afraid of the "White" and which is immediately came to me puzzled, is a nephew of Mahamadi 4 years old, Fadil. Fadil already understands and speaks fluent French. His cousins, however, older but who do not yet in school and only speak a few words of French (and again), however, are still intimidated by my presence, even a week after my arrival. It was quite sympathized with Fadil is an energetic and curious boy. He loved taking pictures with my digital camera, but it is no longer possible because it broke (it was a bit forced manually zoom) ... Accordingly, I am sorry but I can not put photos on this blog!
The culprit (the last photo is a self-portrait)
People here are very hospitable. They constantly ask me if I adapt well, if not too hot (it is over 40 ° C every day, rain is expected), so I support the local food ... I am sometimes shout at by kids in the street "Nassara!" Which means "White!" in the local language, Moré, but it's still just to say hello and ask if perhaps I'm fine. Unlike other African countries, I do not feel that people expect gifts or trying to steal the whites. I was told that that would make it risked being lynched by others, too concerned the image of hospitality they provide.
Here we see a lot of people on the streets doing nothing, just wait. The wait is really part of local culture and people are in no hurry and have no strict schedule, they adapt. Example: when a power outage prevents computer training to start on time at the cyber, people are waiting quietly 1:30 the power comes back, sitting on chairs doing nothing. I think for a European support it, it must be in a holiday mood, and especially not trying to set too many constraints. Anyway with water shortages and electricity and the oppressive heat, which prevents making anything between 13:00 and 16:00, we are inevitably forced to adapt. As we say here at every turn: "there's no problem!". Another funny expression heard quite a few times: "(...) or good? " end of the sentence, as in Switzerland or to Grenoble ("you come with us, or else?").
To end on schedule, they are roughly as follows: wake up around 5:00 to the sound of the muezzin and roosters. Women and children began their day shortly after, while I royally granted me a lie until about 6:30 to 7:00. If electricity is there training cyber PCR 8:00 (Officially, in fact it starts earlier than 8:30, the time everyone arrives) at 12:30 or 13:00. Lunch and nap (for me especially, who have struggled with the heat - it's either for local or chatter nap) until 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., or return to the cyber discussion or another until about 20:00, lunch around 21:00, then discussion to the end of the night ... 23.00 for me, rather 1.00am to areas with very little sleep, 4-5 hours per night. But hey, apparently "there's no problem!
soon.
PS: my local phone number if some of you want to have fresh news: (00 226) 78 46 27 96.
*****
Response to Fabrice:
cover all the palaver! On the killer with an ax, on the outcome of football on so and so's girlfriend found stuck or not nice on-so that has to worry how to help. In short, as the discussions bistro in France
:-) Good point on the expectation of life at birth is, of course. Infant mortality is high enough, I do not count the number of kids I was told about the death (aged about 7 years for most).
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