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| some of the creatures luring round the Villa 43 |
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| the bike - Chinese import, runs well, avoids taxi-bargaining and ... just fun to ride |
images
Just finished work - will update with writing next time, just now some image-inserts.
day 1 at work
So here I am. An office - desk, chair, some shelves, an airco (yeah! - hail to the inventor of these machines), a window which gives me a view on the 'Hotel du Maire' - build with German funds on the premises of the AMBF. And an internet connection. Think I've got everything to start working now ... except something to do.
Went to work this morning at 8. Had a chat with the boss, received a copy of the strategic plan, we went to see my office, and they made arrangements to get it cleaned. So I went back home, had some nice tunafish salade (brand name: made-by-Belinda) with bread and some coffee, read the document, and came back. Feels like I've got the day to get used to this desk. Tomorrow is a bank holiday - and we've arranged for a meeting on wednesday to see how next weeks will go.
So now, being 11.50, it's time to head back home again. The 'femme-de-menage' started this morning, and will be waiting for me to leave.
---
14.00: Back at work. Well, ok, back at the office. The house (or so called Villa 43) is clean again; including the garden - and from now on, every monday the garbage will be collected. Things are getting organized.
Which is something I can't say bout my state-of-mind. So many new experiences, and so little knowledge of how to proceed or act. Last week has definitely been a challenge and a tremendous exercise in accepting-what-goes-on-or-happens-as-you-see-and-go-with-the-flow. It's like being in a boat, no means of any steering, and lots of changing winds. All I am able to at the moment is to undergo - which is, seen the fact that I've landed here only 3 weeks ago, just the way it's probably supposed to be.
Just to end this post, a picture - many thanks for the comments on last post! I'll try to reply to requests.
Went to work this morning at 8. Had a chat with the boss, received a copy of the strategic plan, we went to see my office, and they made arrangements to get it cleaned. So I went back home, had some nice tunafish salade (brand name: made-by-Belinda) with bread and some coffee, read the document, and came back. Feels like I've got the day to get used to this desk. Tomorrow is a bank holiday - and we've arranged for a meeting on wednesday to see how next weeks will go.
So now, being 11.50, it's time to head back home again. The 'femme-de-menage' started this morning, and will be waiting for me to leave.
---
14.00: Back at work. Well, ok, back at the office. The house (or so called Villa 43) is clean again; including the garden - and from now on, every monday the garbage will be collected. Things are getting organized.
Which is something I can't say bout my state-of-mind. So many new experiences, and so little knowledge of how to proceed or act. Last week has definitely been a challenge and a tremendous exercise in accepting-what-goes-on-or-happens-as-you-see-and-go-with-the-flow. It's like being in a boat, no means of any steering, and lots of changing winds. All I am able to at the moment is to undergo - which is, seen the fact that I've landed here only 3 weeks ago, just the way it's probably supposed to be.
Just to end this post, a picture - many thanks for the comments on last post! I'll try to reply to requests.
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| Jazz/Rock at CCF |
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| at goat farm (with excellent food) near Barrage de Loumbila - on first motorbike trip |
Villa 43
So this morning, it's the last day of luxury. Of a swimming pool within reach. Of a waiter bringing within 5 minutes our 'jus d'oranges', 's'il vous plait'. After breakfast, we're about to head for some food-shopping in the centre of Ouaga, and then off to our house, which is called Villa 43.
Not that it feels bad to leave behind the swimming pool and the western-style prepared meals. It's time to really unpack - everything this time - and get our lives organised. To start with the neighborhood, as we're still unaware of where the local market might be (didn't found time for that last weekend). And to end the day with a home prepared meal, a bottle of white wine, have dinner on the terrace, and relax.
Workwise, I'm expected to be available on tuesday for an introduction - and am really looking forward to this. Looking forward to meet the people I'll be working with for the next 2 years, and get a first glance, an eye of what the environment will be.
So, next week is all about introductions. The neighborhood, work, and last but not least: getting a motorbike so we can explore the city and surroundings. We'll also try to arrange the internet. Experiences from other volunteers made it clear that this process can take months. At least now we know to invent a postal code if we're asked for one, in order not to slow down the administration process.
Note to reader: you might have noticed the comment-section below - I'm always happy to receive feedback.
Cheers to ya all!
Not that it feels bad to leave behind the swimming pool and the western-style prepared meals. It's time to really unpack - everything this time - and get our lives organised. To start with the neighborhood, as we're still unaware of where the local market might be (didn't found time for that last weekend). And to end the day with a home prepared meal, a bottle of white wine, have dinner on the terrace, and relax.
Workwise, I'm expected to be available on tuesday for an introduction - and am really looking forward to this. Looking forward to meet the people I'll be working with for the next 2 years, and get a first glance, an eye of what the environment will be.
So, next week is all about introductions. The neighborhood, work, and last but not least: getting a motorbike so we can explore the city and surroundings. We'll also try to arrange the internet. Experiences from other volunteers made it clear that this process can take months. At least now we know to invent a postal code if we're asked for one, in order not to slow down the administration process.
Note to reader: you might have noticed the comment-section below - I'm always happy to receive feedback.
Cheers to ya all!
one week down, lots to go
First impressions, here they are:
That’s it for now.
- typical smell, like visiting Asia - and I love it
- welcome committee of VSO: just brilliant! If one should ever need a course on how to make people at ease: one place, Ouagadougou. Even after the welcome, they still make an endless effort to make us as comfortable as it can get.
- the heat: we’ve started tuesday round 25 degrees. Now it’s more 35. Slow down, slower down, and even then, it’s energy-consuming. Need to change rhythm of the day towards la mediterrannee: commence la sieste.
- the fellow volunteers: cheers! Nice people they are, all of them. Spent a weekend in the city buying stuff for our house and linking up with the ‘anciens’.
- kicker tables: all around us, in the streets. For my (ex-)colleagues of Daidalos: feel free to come around and have a game. Most probably: don’t mind if you get beaten by a 10-year old local kid. Haven’t played so far, just my guts feeling.
- our house: going to move in next weekend. Nice place, got a mango tree and a lovely terrace - and a structure in place to create our own maquis. Located just outside the city centre it’s an ideal place to be relaxed.
That’s it for now.
next week bbq ?
It's quiet now. Dad's still asleep and only the ticking of the clock in the living room reminds me of those 24 hours before departure.
Yesterday we gathered with the family, 35 people all together, and it was good. My sisters birthday - 30 years old now! - and lots of noise, people talking, laughing, kids playing, my dad cooking and ... at the end a goodbye, keep in touch, have fun, take care.
Sometimes it's just better to pretend we're meeting again for a bbq next week.
Yesterday we gathered with the family, 35 people all together, and it was good. My sisters birthday - 30 years old now! - and lots of noise, people talking, laughing, kids playing, my dad cooking and ... at the end a goodbye, keep in touch, have fun, take care.
Sometimes it's just better to pretend we're meeting again for a bbq next week.
in random order ...
5 minutes full stop. Sometimes, blogging can be the perfect reason to sit down and organise thoughts. Thinking back about the events since last posting, it seems a lifetime I barely witnessed, instead of acted.
12 days left before our trip to Burkina Faso, and one farewell has been completed: I've finished work and being a resident in Holland. Can't really write on that at the moment, thoughts are blurred, but now I'm sitting in the living room in my dad's house - the only key left on my keychain. SKWID-training has been completed last weekend: appearantly I've succeeded in hiding my true nature, and am still allowed to go abroad.
Lariam is playing tricks with me. I only took the first one last sunday, but nights & my mental state have not been the same - and definately not an improvement. Next sunday it's time for the second Lariam - let's see how that goes and decide from there.
Conclusion of the day:
- 5 minutes can sometimes turn into half an hour
- organising thoughts doesn't necessarily happen by trying to write a post
- I love the ipad
12 days left before our trip to Burkina Faso, and one farewell has been completed: I've finished work and being a resident in Holland. Can't really write on that at the moment, thoughts are blurred, but now I'm sitting in the living room in my dad's house - the only key left on my keychain. SKWID-training has been completed last weekend: appearantly I've succeeded in hiding my true nature, and am still allowed to go abroad.
Lariam is playing tricks with me. I only took the first one last sunday, but nights & my mental state have not been the same - and definately not an improvement. Next sunday it's time for the second Lariam - let's see how that goes and decide from there.
Conclusion of the day:
- 5 minutes can sometimes turn into half an hour
- organising thoughts doesn't necessarily happen by trying to write a post
- I love the ipad
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