Lackadaisical

I wanted to spend one blog recapping my past 2 months here, not so much in what I have done or experienced but rather in the sense of my likes and dislikes. I have been so humbled in my time here realizing this fantasy of what life 'must be like' on the mission field is in comparison nothing what I dreamed. Short term trips are merely a tease of what reality truly is for those who live here and I have had the privilege of discovering what that is really like. Though life here is not a fairy tale does not mean I don't adore everyday I spend here. I came over with preconceived notions of living this unheard of adventure and have realized that life is not quite the same, but everyday I discover something else I love about this country, or these people and I feel that if I don't somehow document those things by the end of my time here they won't quite the same significance to me anymore. So I thought what better way to do so than to share them here on my blog.

Dislikes: There have not been quite the number of things that bother me but there sure are a few, as is expected in any foreign culture.

-I hate the fact that we don't have a dryer. Every time we wash our clothes and hang them to dry they feel like a stiff sheet of paper that itche as you put them on.

-The B.O. (for those of you not quite up on the lingo, Body Odor) is quite the smell here, and it's everywhere, all the time. It's especially lovely when crammed in a small space with no flowing air or escape.

-The Mosquitoes. I literally cannot step a foot outside without getting eaten alive, and when they bite me they turn to welts on my body, never in my life have I ever been bitten to the amount I have been here. (since the beginning of this post I have gotten bit 5 times)

-Power cuts. They always seem to happen at the worst times and are completely unplanned, lasting anywhere from 5 minutes to 6 hours. Oh and for the most part only happen on hot days, making it obviously much better.

-The guy I pass on my way to french class everyday who calls me 'baby' (yes in english, not so much a dislike as a humorous annoyance)

-Melting ice. The fact that you can put ice in your cup and within 5 minutes it is turned to complete liquid is quite defeating.

-Condisation on cups. I literally have a lake of water when I set my cup down on a table, the coasters (which are wood) get stuck to the cup that's how much water they sit in.

-The lack of carpet. It is actually a better thing that carpet is not excessive here but I have never really enjoyed being barefoot especially on floor where you walk in constant dirt.

-Being taken advantage of. As a white person here no matter where you go to buy something the price is ALWAYS marked up and only because you are white. A white person will rarely ever pay the price of the item that a Burkinabe would pay and it's really frustrating sometimes to be taken advantage of so easily.

-Nonchalante staring. People here have no problem staring at you for however long they desire. It's a tad uncomforting but cultural.

-Nothing starts on time. The fact is that coming late is being on time here. When you make a rendez -vous with someone it rarely happens on time and people tend not to call if they are not going to show up (our tailor for example).

-The absence of Chocolate. It is very rare to find any form of chocolate here and when you do it is usually out of date imported from another country. (i.e. Sarah bought Reese's from a boutique here and they literally tasted like cardboard, I will never again take for granted the isles of candy or bon-bons in America again.)

-The 'higher-ups' power. For example, I went to the post office to pick up a package, inside the package was a used camera. The post office chef (which means boss) has the power to charge me money for the camera and if I don't pay to keep it for himself.

-The 'Compliments.' Here fat is beautiful (don't we wish it was the same in the states) but having an American mentality and hearing "Oh, Jessica you have been eating well" doesn't go over so smoothly.

-The planes. The airplanes that land here in Ouaga fly directly over our house, and every time one comes in, it mutes life because it is so close, and on multiple occasions things begin to shake and you wonder if you should duck and cover.

-Internet Connection. Boy oh boy has this been a testing of patience I must say. Not a day goes by where things work perfectly, whether it be email, or skype something is alway going wrong, and in this house it is impossible for 2 people to use skype at the same time.

-How quickly food stales. Because of the humidity a bag of cereal, or cookies, etc. must be double or triple zip locked, otherwise it will stale within a week.

-Babies don't wear diapers. Since diapers are not a necessity of life here babies have freedom to pee or poop anywhere. For instance, in Chruch babies are passed around for people to hold and it is either hit or miss if a baby pees on you, and trust me it is not a little squirt here and there is is a gushing waterfall of pee that seeps into the clothes and trickles onto the floor, and the funny thing is no one cares or even notices....

-Corruption. Bribery is the primary way to get out of situations, whether it be border crossing, picking up a package containing a electronic. In Education if one cannot afford schooling they will bribe the professors or Headmasters with sex. Humanitarian aid is used to make profit for government here.

-Tomato can boys. They stand on every corner, tomato cans strapped around their shoulder with the universal sign language for food constantly being their action. These boys are sent from villages to the Capital for Muslim schooling and the Imans force these boys to stand on the street corners begging for money, if they don't produce a certain amount they are beaten and left without food.

-Disobedience to traffic laws. Traffic lights are merely a decoration on the side of the road that are not to be obeyed causing countless numbers of accidents and chaos.

-Marriage proposals for the sake of a visa. Anyone and everywhere can abuse friendship with an American for purposes of a visa for the U.S.



Likes: there are so many things that I have fallen in love with while living here although I can't quite say that Burkina itself was love at first sight, in regards to surroundings, it has been a fast growing, heart wrenching love I now feel for this place.

-Repos. Literally translates 'meal' it is a time from 12-3 everyday where life basically stops and everyone rests. It is so refreshing to have this time to relax and revive.

-French. If I had made a category saying, things I think are lackadaisical (or feel nonchalant about, which lackadaisical translate nonchalant-who knew right?) it would be french. It has been my biggest challenge, greatest defeat, constant failure and yet something God continuously nurtures a desire for in my life. I have enjoyed every stressful moment of trying to conquer something completely foreign to me. And every attempt at conversation has brought me more humility and more joy.

-Cardboard on the windows. Every time you park at a large(er) boutique or store here the parking guy puts cardboard boxes on your front windshield to keep out the sun and every time I see it I find myself humored.

-The fabric. I love love love the fabric and the outfits here. Everything is so bold, beautiful and extravagant, and expressive of personality. I have enjoyed having the opportunity to dress like Burkinabe and be complimented on the fabrics.

-African Rain Storms. Nothing quite compares to an african rain storm, they are completely unexpected and bring with them an unexplainable breath of cool (almost cold) air. I love when I am woken up in the middle of the night due to rain splashing off of my A.C. (that doesn't work) right into my bed through the window, it is so calming.

-Nasara. Nasara is More' for white person and it makes me giggle everytime I walk down the street and hear little children yelling, or almost singing Nasara, nasara.

-Talking yourself in and out of situations. If you are a 'sweet talker' or atleast know how to make friends quickly (oh and know french) you can talk your way out of almost anything, this is a very relational culture and people will repay your with that respect if you first show that you respect and cherish them.

-Certain Criticisms. Due to the American mentality a commento of concern or criticism can be taken as a compliment (in my case atleast). For example a guy wrote me an email saying; "Oh jessica I saw you were looking rather thin, you must be diseased." and I thought , 'wow that is so sweet of him.' I would prefer to hear something like that anyday in contrast to 'you have been eating well', let's just say I cling to those moments haha.

-Uninvited Visitors. This is a very African way of life, the doorbell can ring at any moment (and if your gate is not locked, they will welcome themselves in without rining it). In the states this kind of unexpected visitor (who can stay at your house anywher from 5 minutes to an hour or more) can seem quite the burden, but I love the fact that being such a relational culture it is completely ordinary to sit and talk with someone for any amount of time at any point in your day.

-The lack of Distractions. Although we do have internet and a few movies, for the most part there is so much time to spend doing other things here. I love that for the most part I rarely know where my cell phone is here and that the TV is not constantly on.

-Riding a Moto. There is nothing quite like the breeze from riding a moto (which is truly something I have learned to treasure in this heat) when the sun is blazing. And the thrill of being a part of the chaos which I call traffic here is an adventure every time you head out. (ps. Update-I am getting my very own moto this week, and am beyond thankful to not have to depend on susan and sarah as much).

-The Lemonade. The lemonade here is to die for, it is so fresh and sweet and my mouth literally waters at the thought of drinking some.

-The breeze. Since it is so hot here I have learned to savor the breeze for everything it has to offer, when it blows through you just have to stop and bask in it while it lasts.

-The children who play outside my gate. Even as I write this I am watching them through the openings, today they are doing Karate moves. More than anything I enjoy watching them be kids, here that is not a reality for the children they begin to work at the ages of 4 or 5.

-The little naked babies. It brings tears to my eyes and a smile to my face everyday that I walk past the small babies completely unclothed and playing in the sewer covered dirt, they seem to find joy playing in the wet dirt (which is most of the time sewer washed into the street). They are precious to watch and I pass with this huge desire to sweep them up in my arms and love on them.

-The little children who walk the streets alone. Everyday I see children who walk alone, babies really. Today I passed a boy who couldn't have been more than 3 walking the road alone singing to himself as if he had no care in the world.

-The icecream man. Indeed there is an icecream man I pass occasionally, who pushes a little cart and honks a bicycle bell.

-Geickos. There are Geickos literally everywhere, in the sink, shower, bedroom. It's almost rare to go into a room and not see one.

-The Market. I love going to the market, it smells of rotting food, swarming with flies and women selling produce, bombarding you and begging you to buy their stuff but what an experience! There is nothing quite like paying less than a dollar for most anything (food wise) you might buy there.

-The tall guy with no front teeth who calls me 'baby'. Although it is rather annoying to be called that he has become some what of a friend on my walk to class and I enjoy gretting him, always knowing that I will see him.

-The handmade toys and other items. I love watching the children run down the street pushing an old tire (or any round object) with a stick, chasing it without a care in the world. I also love seeing them make trucks and trians out of sardine cans, dresses out of trash, and brooms made of branches.

-Roadside food. This is kind of a love-hate relationship, some of the things you can buy anywhere on the side of the road are; sugar covered and regular peanuts, charcoled corn, bread, brochettes, smoked fish (more like minos). At the same time when you eat at roadside restaurants they are not quite restraunts but rather a big pot of sauce (all parts of the animal inside included, neck, feet, intestines) and rice (your only option.)

-Fresh fruit everywhere. Right now it is watermelon and apple season, you can buy fresh fruit anywhere for realatively cheap.

-Watching the woman carry things on their head. I have seen some talented women here, carrying almost anything on their head, even including tables.

-Chicken moto. Almost everyday you can see a chicken moto, a man who rides around with chickens tied by their feet and piled on ( there are literally so many that you can rarely see the man driving) and he sells them just like that, fresh and alive off the moto.

-Donkey Carts. I thorougly enjoy walking down the street everyday and seeing donkey carts everywhere, it is a constant reminder of where I am at. I also find it histaracle that on our new bypass thing (like a spaghetti junction of sorts) there is a sign that has a picture of a donkey cart with an X through it indicating they are not allowed and must go around.

-Animals wandering. I find it quite amusing to see the magnitude at which animals roam here, it is not one bit unordinary to see a random donkey, goat, chicken, dog, etc. that has left it's home and is wandering the streets.

-Praise and Worship/Singing and dancing. No matter where you go you hear music, whether from phones, radios, or voices them self music and dance are a huge part of this culture.

-Bartering. Though we are easily taken advantage of it's a nice accomplishing thought to be able to talk someone down in price, even if the price you end with is more than a Burkinabe might pay.



Just for fun I thought I would add a list of the American things that I have learned great appreiation for while being here.
American Things I Cherish here:
-Deodrant
-Bug spray
-Crisco
-A washing machine
-Peanut Butter
-Dark Chocolate MnM's and Mint 3 Muskateers (compliments of Ben Savaiko) :)
-Elastic (which wears out rather quickly here)
-Ken's Honey Mustard and Ranch (shout out to Kurt from Gazebo, you are a life saver, those who know him pass this on)
-Parmasean Cheese (yet another shout out to Ben)
-Decaffinated tea bags (encore)
-My french book from the states!
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I am sure there are a number of likes and dislikes that I have failed to mention but I am assuming this blog post is already long enough and intend to post more of the things I find myself liking and disliking as they come about.