I lack the words to describe the past 11 days, but I will try.  First, it might be wise to begin with a background story (because I know you all love my stories).  A couple of weeks ago, we were asked if we would participate in an international volunteer day, gardening formation (workshop) and/or walk in the parade for Burkina Faso’s 50^th year of independence parade. All of these activities were to take place in the second largest city in the country, Bobo Diaolasso. When first asked, I said no to all of these activities because that would mean being out of village for again, and travelling all the way across the country. After some persuasion from other volunteers and my APCD strongly encouraging us to go, I decided I would make the trip and participate in all of the events.  I thought that everything would be well put together and organized; we would get reimbursed for travel; and, I could add these activities to the list of things I’ve done here.  By the time it was all over, I wished that I had just stayed in village.

The second day in Bobo, I went to the gardening workshop which was held at a local correctional facility. Yes, I said correctional facility. But before I keep going, I should probably explain somethings. The gardening formations were broken up in to two groups—the correctional facility, and an organization that helped women who are HIV/AIDS positive.  Each formation took place over the course of two days in a four day time span. I was scheduled to be in the second gardening group with the women, but because of transportation and miscommunications I arrived two days before my gardening group was to commence. So, I decided to do the last day at the correctional facility just to kind of get a heads up on what we were going to be doing when my group arrived the next day.   I know some of you may be a little worried because I said I gardened with prisoners but it was actually really nice. And, it was the most beautiful prison I had ever seen (outside). There were banana trees, and beautiful gardens already planted with cabbage, okra, local vegetables and fruits. I was really taken aback. But then I saw the prisoners and remembered that I was in a prison.  The workshop took place with the volunteers and the prisoners learning different gardening techniques and the nutritional value behind having a personal garden. I found the last session to extremely beneficial because I’ve already started a garden in my courtyard (carrots, and cabbage); also, because I want to start a garden with a women’s group in my village and with some of the kids at the school.  Outside of being hit on by prisoners, I really enjoyed the formation. We actually planted corn, and some other stuff that I don’t remember.  Now, if you know me…you know that I have somewhat of a short attention span in the class room. Ok, let adjust that a little bit. If I’m listening to something I already know, or just learned, I get very bored, very quick. Thus, the entire two days of gardening with the women proved to be an extreme challenge in terms of focus.  I will just leave it at that.  But, the women were really sweet and knew a lot about gardening. Things I had just learned like two days ago these women knew before being asked.  Nevertheless, with all of the redundancy and boredom, I still thoroughly enjoyed the second workshop.

Next on the list was the International Volunteer Day, which was cancelled.

And then, the parade. Practice was Monday through Thursday with one break on Friday and the actual parade on Saturday. Every day we woke up at like 6 am to go to parade practice until like 11 or 12 in the afternoon. So what did parade practice consist? A lot of standing in the hot, hot sun for hours to be inspected by the police and military of Burkina. In between standing we would sit on the hot asphalt and play monopoly deal or listen to music.  If it wasn’t for the fact that there were a lot of FINE, FINE military men there every day….I probably would have quit. Just kidding…I wouldn’t have quit……But it was exhausting and hard. After standing for hours we would start marching the parade route which took about 30 to 45 mins. Finish. The first day was hell for me. I was placed in the front and on the outside. This meant that you definitely saw me. And when we started marching and they wanted us to do the whole left, left, left right, left garbage…I was not in the mood. So I didn’t do it. I kept getting yelled at (well not really yelled at but more like critiqued) by the soldiers. Again, if you know me, you know I’m not about to argue with someone over something as dumb as marching.  So there was a lot of back and forth between myself and some of the officers. When I was finally tired of arguing and walking, I just switched place with someone else. That way, I could walk however I wanted and no one would see me. Now this might seem trivial but if you put it in perspective we were tricked into marching in a military parade with four hour practices for four days .Then when the parade was over these same idiots tried to get my number!  Because I was feeling better the second day, I took my place back on the outside (and because there was a much better view of all the military men lining the streets from the outside spot LOL).  At the end of the day, I was just extremely happy to be done with the parade, gardening and Bobo in general.  I had gotten use to not being around so many other Americans while in village. This meant that 11 days with a bunch of Americans made me realize how over sensitive I’ve become to that annoying individualistic, selfish mentality that many of the other volunteers here have.

After all of that…and that’s the abbreviated version….I’m tired and ready to go back to village. But when I get back to village I will only be there for a day and a half because I have to leave again on the 14^th for in-service training from the 15^th to the 23^rd. I just want to go home….I never thought I could miss my village so much or seriously think of it as home, but I do.

Side note: I bought a guitar! I don’t know how to play yet but my dad and his wife are sending me a “teach yourself to play guitar” book. (Again, thanks Fran…you are amazing!!!)  As always, I love you all and miss you soooooooo much! And Happy Be-lated Birthday Daddy! Until next time: Love, Peace and Poetry….

Peace and Blessings

Song: Valerie- Amy Winehouse