Christmas

I spent today busily shopping for my new house and will continue getting more things tomorrow. I have already purchased: a cot, a stovetop, pot to make into a dutch oven, nesting pots for cooking, mixing bowl, plates, cups, silverware, grater, strainer, and a metal cantine to store my food so the mice and bugs cant enjoy it! I still need a gas tank for the stove, another cantine for clothes, buckets for laundry and carrying water, big plastic garbage can for storing water, and basins for washing dishes. These are just the basics for my house and I am sure I will continue furnishing my house for a while. I also need tables, chairs, and benches but hope to get those made in my village or the next town over. I also bought a few Christmas presents. It felt very different than my usual Christmas shopping since it was 90 degrees out and the market wasnt very busy unlike the malls at home this time of year! I have seen a few random Christmas decorations but no other signs that the holidays are quickly approaching!

Since all of the newest BF volunteers are going to be together in Ouahigouya for Christmas we have tried to make the day special. We have already organized Secret Santa and White Elephant exchanges for Christmas day and I have horded three packages that I received in the last two weeks in order to have some presents to open on Christmas. We have organized a catered dinner at a hotel in town owned by a Lebanese woman so we are expecting an amazing meal but probably far from traditional for my family! Still there have been no stockings, cookies, Glogg, decorated tree, lights, snow, carols, or family so it’s not really feeling like the Christmas season. I know its going to be a hard day but I have so much to look forward to as I enter this next stage in my life as a volunteer.

I am leaving Ouahigouya bright and early at 6 am the morning after Christmas, while everyone in the U.S. is getting bargains at Target, to catch my bus to Ouaga followed by another bus to Tenkodogo. I will spend the night there before being dropped off in village on the morning of the 27th.

I am not sure when I will get back online but hear that my district capital does have a cyber café and I will be going there to visit the district medical center and doing some food shopping. I heard that my village has good cell phone reception so feel free to call or text. I also will be trying to go to Ouaga in a few weeks or have someone get my mail for me and I would love to have a note from you waiting in my new mailbox! I am keeping the same address but you can change the PCT to PCV now!