Salut

Hello.

Sorry, its been a while since I’ve updated; it’s been difficult to get WIFI. If you would like to get in touch with me, please email me or message me on WhatsApp. My new number is 65691821. Although, I think that WhatsApp works better with my old number- I’m not sure. I somehow haven’t figured out technology (or how to get new pictures from my phone onto my computer… these three pictures are old).

The first photo is of Siaka (I think) when we first arrived in Ouagadougou. Siaka is one of the head staff for training (or stage as it’s called)- he’s pretty damn cool, and has an contagious laugh and love for life. The second photo is of a field where a bunch of Burkinabes are playing soccer. I took this picture upside down near the convent where we first stayed at when we got to Ouaga. The last picture is of a building in Tatouine.

I’m currently sitting on my bed, where this whole thing started… in the convent in Ouaga. I remember when I first saw Ouaga, and I thought of how run down it looked in comparison to what I was accustomed to in the states. After about 5 days at the convent, we moved to Leo to live with host families and start our real training. I like Leo, a lot. I also really like my host family- they’re funny, accommodating, and put up with my lack of understanding of the French language. I spend a lot of time hanging with my host brother, Ousseni (I think I spelled his name wrong, but thats how it’s spelled phonetically). I play a lot of soccer with him and the neighborhood kids, which has been my favorite part of training. The Peace Corps has given me a sweet bike, which I also enjoy riding. There are many highlights to training: safety, a host family and staff to vouch for you, contact with other Americans and a bar right next to the center; but training can be something of a drag. Its long days, lacks freedom and it’s repetitive. Although, I cannot complain because the whole set up and experience is sweet; that’s just an objective opinion shared by me and almost every other Peace Corps Volunteer. In training, we learn French, cultural stuff, Peace Corps policies and sector specific information. The food isn’t bad, here- it’s a ton of carbs and sauces (I actually like to (toe) sometimes). Although, there’s a huge lack of protein.

Now that I am back in the capital, after what seems like an eternity in Leo, Ouaga seems like a paradise. This is not to say that Leo is worse than Ouaga, in any way (I actually prefer Leo to Ouaga)… there’s just more conveniences in Ouaga. Tomorrow, I will be traveling with my counterpart to Gogo for a 3 day site visit. Gogo is where I will serve as a Peace Corps volunteer, in a Bisongo (Burkina preschool). I cannot wait to start my work- the children here are entirely something else. Their enthusiasm and love of life is tremendous and more infectious than malaria. In fact, that sentiment goes for the Burkinabe’s, in general- they are truly amazing people. They are kind, brave, smart, inspiring, welcoming, practical, beautiful, funny- I could not have found a better place to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

This whole trip seems like some grand dream. It’s incredibly surreal, but it’s funny that it’s the reality of the whole thing that makes it so surreal. Some of it seems so entirely opposite to what we are accustomed to and lead to understand, but this seems to make a whole lot more sense. It’s a constant though to ask myself whether the reality of the states is more or less REAL than the type of reality found in Africa. One is definitely more comfortable, but the other is certainly more like life. Comfort is always preferable, but doesn’t always seem real- artificial in many ways. The comfort of Africa is entirely different to the comfort that I find in the states. African comfort exists on a more basic and humanistic level; it’s awesome. Those material comforts from the states that you can find in Ouaga seem almost entirely out of place…. I don’t know- just thinking out loud.

To say it simply, Burkina Faso is awesome- I feel entirely blessed to be here, and to be working with the Peace Corps.

I think that’s the end of my post- I’m beat and have run out of disjointed things to talk about. I hope that this post has informed many of you who are interested and has answered some of the questions that you may or may not have. If you have any questions for me (or would like to say hello), please e-mail me or contact me on WhatsApp. I would enjoy hearing from all the people that I miss and care for.

I wish all of you health, happiness, luck, peace, nice dreams, love and good vibes.

– Andy