Some things I learned in Niger, by Louine

Louine

Some things I learned in Niger:
That there are three seasons: wet, dry and windy.
The saying ” If a wind starts on Friday, it lasts until the next Friday”, proved true for us–a week of winds.
The names of medicines are basically the same in French and English.
There are endless areas of ancient lava flows yet nothing that looks like a volcano.
There are few cars (except in Niamey) more trucks and many motorcycles and all of them have banana seats.
That the use of black plastic bags in this country is a very bad idea.
Though our travel plans in the bush always changed, yet the cook always showed up to feed us when we needed to eat.
That nearly everybody covers their heads in Niger–is so they don’t have to deal with hair.
Okay, I admit to religious reasons and tradition as well.
That 5 gallon containers for carrying water are a good idea here–they beat goat skins.
You can always spot a goat, camel or nomad in the landscape.
There are no straight pieces of wood here, unless you buy a palm tree pole.
That Wodaabe are very loving people as well as handsome, thin, and tall–and the women have style.
That the Tuareg have a loving handshake: it is slowly drawn out to the fingertips and sometimes followed by a hand to the heart and fingertips pointing to heaven as a way to bless you and thank you.
Leslie says Agadez has the best water in the world. (It was rated for its bottled water for purest, safest and tastiest.)
That Sidi should be president! He really cares about all of the people of Niger.
That many people of Niger now know how to do “high fives” because of Bob.