Yesterday's Camel

Rounding the last corner walking toward our house, Chris saw a man leading a camel. The man stopped and asked/insisted that Chris go on a ride. He demurred, but the man had the camel lower itself...

Really, who can pass up a camel ride? First, though, Chris called Hilary, knowing that she was home, and asked if she wanted to step outside and see a camel. It is moments like these, more frequent than one might guess, that make traveling so rewarding.



The neighbors gathered, Hilary took the reigns, the camel munched on trees and made sounds like one hears Star Wars animals make, and all was well.



After Chris had ridden up and down the block, we convinced our guard to take a turn.



Finally, Hilary had the kind of idea that Fulbright Scholars have: we will take a camel ride through the city, including passing through a large market and crossing the Niger River. We will, of course, post the experience in the blog.

Everyday Life: Rainbow Brooms, Beautiful Asses, and Calabashes

At any time of the day, but especially mornings, you can see women sweeping away trash and leaves from their compounds or stalls where goods are sold. The brooms are comprised of long strands of what seem to be a hearty grass, and are sometimes variously colored. You’d better have a strong back if you plan on sweeping here!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Even in the city animals used for labor are extremely common, including camels and donkeys. The donkeys, when healthy, are actually quite beautiful. Unfortunately, too often their drivers are heavy-handed, whacking the donkeys with large sticks.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Calabashes are hollowed out gourds, and they are used for a variety of different things. Some are used to store water, some for spoons, basically anything that one would need a big bowl-type thing for. The gourds are hollowed out and then decorated. Below are pictures of their creation and use (note the millet beer in the final photo; yum!)