Monday, August 28, 2006

Off again

Our short time of adjustment is over and it's time to actually getting some work done. The first thing on our plate is a team meeting in a neighboring country. We leave this evening. We're excited about seeing another new country.

Sunday, August 27, 2006

Sounds and smells

Places have unique smells. Right after we landed, Beth mentioned that the air smelled like the air Togo, a country she visited several years ago. Other smells that stand out: humidity (if there is such a smell), trash someone is burning in the neighborhood burns, kerosine from the neighbors that are cooking, trash on the street, diesel fumes from vehicles. Sounds include the calls to prayer, singers and electric guitar at the nearby hotel that keeps us awake at night, bird chirps we've never heard before, the dog barking (or trying to get in the door, or sniffing her food pan), drums, and of course the beautiful (loud) singing at religious services.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Niamey


The obstacles were conquered and we got on the plane. After a pretty smooth trip we finally arrived in Niamey. Even our luggage came too!

We were graciously greeted by office Steve's teammates and then went to what will be our new home. Activities have included unpacking the boxes, driving through the city, going for a long walk, and meeting people.

We are very glad to be here.

Things that caught our attention:

- camels
- groups of people kneeling along the roads at prayer time
- slow internet connection
- lots of goats
- man filling an iron-shaped piece of metal with coal. They heat up the coals and use it to iron, though sometimes sparks fly and burn holes in them
- beggars
- beatiful mixture of green and brown (it's rainy season)
- lots of Toyotas : )
- the monkey Beth saw doing gymnastics off the neighbors' wall
- "downtown" it seems there are only about three buildings taller than two stories in the whole city. Steve's office will be in one of them (on the third floor).
- people generally mind their own business and leave you alone though they are very friendly when you talk to them

Friday, August 18, 2006

Obstacles

Each step of our preparation for the move has been filled with obstacles. Yet, one by one things are getting checked off the "To do" list. Our visas arrived today and we should soon be on our way.

Friday, August 11, 2006

Mail stolen

Someone came down our street yesterday and emptied out several mailboxes--including ours. We're not sure at this point if we lost anything important or not, but have filed the proper reports. Life is always full of surprises.