Recently, I've found that exercise - yoga, bike riding, lifting small children - is very therapeutic here. When the monotony of village life gets to be a bit much, and I can feel myself going somewhat insane, all it takes is a little stretching or pedaling to help clear my mind. Reading, taking photographs, and writing poetry have also become important parts of my daily/weekly routine. Finally, at the end of my first three months, I am allowing myself space to breathe! To use a term from a recent read (John Brunner's Stand on Zanzibar, thanks Munki!), I feel like this place has "digested" me. Niger has been slowly, patiently working its magic on me, trying to convince me to follow a more local pace of life. Thus far, I had resisted, instead forcing myself to run at 110% all the time until I began to feel somewhat burned out. And when I reached that point of being stressed, frustrated with myself, exhausted, even homesick, Niger was waiting for me, calmly ready to accept me into the flow of village life. Instead of hours, minutes, seconds, the day runs on the Sun's time; every once in a while, a call to prayer will sound out, reminding me that the day is, in fact, passing. And then night falls, the stars come out of hiding, and the whole village falls asleep. It's a familiar cycle, and for someone accustomed to busy schedules and constant motion, it can (eventually) be very cathartic. There's a lot to be said for the simple life!
With that in mind, most of the pictures I've got to share this time are mostly laid-back, aesthetically pleasing, or just plain fun. No work here! So enjoy the beauty of some African adventures...and, as always, my cat.
A gorgeous African sunset, as seen from my yard.
I try to encourage art whenever possible in Sambera's youth. So when they drew a portrait of me in the sand...I didn't have the heart to point out that "floating" ear.
The usual suspects at my house, playing a dancing game. I love the sense of motion in this photo! (There is an accompanying video, if I ever have the time to upload it)
Cold Season sunrise; one of my favorite parts of morning bike rides in the bush!
Russia, doing her version of lazy yoga. Have you ever seen a more content animal?!
So, as you can see, life here is coming along just fine! No giraffes yet, but I am ever hopeful. Next month, keep on the lookout for more frequent blogging as I will be in the Niamey-ish area for more training! As always, thank you all for the stream of emails and letters; the support is what keeps me going! Take care, and Barka nda Jingar! Barka nda Giri Bareyan! ("Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!")
Kala tonton,
~Mich
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