Bonne Fête

Today is Independence Day in Niger!! The country is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Independence!

My day guard Aklinine was so proud this morning when I wished him Bonne Fête (Happy Celebration) to inform me of their history and that this year is the 50th anniversary!

This last week has marked a flurry of preparations (as opposed to the flurry of snow that you are experiencing in Canada). The road medians and boundaries are being repainted - same colours, but now a new and bright red & white striped strip. The lampposts and telephone poles have also been painted up about 2-3 feet. It is all looking like a striped candy cane!

The government is also installing light displays all over the city . . . ironically, Christmas light displays!! So there is now a feeling of Christmas in the air!

The main boulevard is an interesting display of a lighted object on a stick - butterflies, stars, and doves. Though, I have to admit that I think a few men did the installations - at the front end of the boulevard they are placed close together and then further and further staggered apart towards the end. The alternations are also amusing to see as I drive along:

It starts off great with: butterfly, star, dove, butterfly, star, dove

and goes downhill from there: star, star, butterfly, dove, dove, butterfly, star, butterfly, butterfly, star, dove, star, butterfly

. . . and on it goes!!

It provided me with a minute of amusement as I drove home yesterday and called out the objects as I passed by!

All I need now is some snow . . . maybe I can spread some white bougainvalleas on the road by the Christmas lights and candy-cane striped cement!

Happy 50th Niger!!