"This Land Is My Land..."

On Friday we closed the deal on our new property! It was exactly what we were praying for…something in a good neighborhood, with trees, close to water and electricity, and no house so we could just build from scratch, and for around 2 million (cfa, that is). We didn’t think it would fall into our laps so quickly, and once we got here, we realized that it would be pretty hard finding something in that price range, especially with water and electricity nearby. And the whole process went incredibly smooth, especially for Niger. Zeinou, our guard, found it for us and began negotiations. He showed it to us on Sunday and by Friday we handed over money and signed the papers. Now we just have to save up to build our house!

Market Day

Every Thursday is Market Day in Abalak. It’s the highlight of the week for the nomads here and every week tons of people come in from the bush to buy and sell animals, to buy other staples (like millet), and to see what else they just can’t live without. Abalak has the best livestock market in the area. I was in a hurry to get home before Micah woke up from his nap, so I didn’t make it to the animal section, but here are a few shots of Abalak on Market Day.

November 13, 2009

This one’s for the grandma’s…

He just rolled over!

Baby Car

Here’s Micah’s new potty chair I just scored at market the other day for 650 cfa (about $1.50). They had just a plain little seat, but then I saw the super cute Baby Car and had to get it for my baby. He’s been pooping a lot, like every time I feed him, so I thought I’d go diaper free during feedings. It’s been an adventure. But I have to admit, there’s just something so satisfying about your kid pooping on a potty! Plus, it’s one less poopy diaper I have to rinse out.

Poop Lake

This is the street just outside of the concession where we live, dubbed “Poop Lake” by previous team members here because after a rainstorm it fills with water and resembles a stagnate lake and there’s poop in it, among other things. This is one of the reasons why we want to buy our own place elsewhere…would you want you kid playing out there?

PS~Accepting donations for our building fund!

Story Time

Tea at Zeinou's

On Sunday we went over to Zeinou’s house for tea so that everyone could see the baby. Zeinou is the day guard for the concession where our house is located. He’s been working here for years, probably almost 20 by now, and he can tell you stories of everyone that’s ever lived here and probably many visitors as well.

Micah spent the morning being passed around from person to person, and occaisonlly back to Mama for a feeding.

Micah with the twins—Zeinabou and Moussa. Zeinou’s youngest children, they were born when I was here in 2002. I attended their baptism. I can’t believe how big they are now!

Zeinou and Moussa.

Zeinabou.

Zeinou’s wife Fatimatou.