Things I forgot about Niger in One Canadian Year:

In my last year of home assignment … I forgot some of the daily life intricacies of Niger – the joys and frustrations.  I’ve been paying attention this week to these …. some “good”, some “not-so-good” as I relearn living overseas. 

Some of the things I forgot:

1.   How difficult it is to drive at night with no street lights.

2.  How yummy lemonade is made from freshly squeezed lemons!

3.  Driving around to multiple stores to find the “delicacies” you search for … after five stores – I am still searching for the elusive: corn meal, raspberry vinager, sesame oil. 

But, I found an unexpected mango vinegar, apple juice that tastes like apple juice, and tins of celery (pre-bought for Thanksgiving stuffing - just in case in three months they are no longer available!)

4.  How good fresh, ripe mangos are!  And yummy mango smoothies!!!

5.  How much my body hates the humidity of rainy season … I’m a good Alberta Prairie girl who definitely prefers dry heat!

6.  How wondrous a/c is …. and conversely, how fast +28 on said a/c is freezing and I need a blanket!

7.  How really really slow the internet is here!  And what multiple power cuts a day are all about!

8.  How joyous it is to spend time in the village chatting with my friends in Fulfulde! 

9.  How fun it is to drive a truck!

10.  Some of my favourite Niger ingredient improvised recipes …. can’t wait to get my cookbooks out of storage and find some more forgotten recipes.

11.  How cute the baby sheep and goats are!

12.  How fast bread goes moldy on the counter.  ooops!! 

13.  How nice the pool feels on a +40 day with 40% humidity!

14.  The fun of buying 6 metres of cloth, going to a tailor to look at pictures and picking out an outfit tailor made for me!

15.  Praying with my team again! 

16.  Going to baby-naming ceremonies and holding cute little African babies!  Last week, it was a ceremony for twins – one girl, and one boy!

17.  The dodge and weave of driving through vehicles which stop unexpectedly, motorcycles which pass on the left side, kids darting across the road, sheep/goats/donkeys wandering all over the road.

18.  Wondering if the traffic lights are not working due to electricity shortage or lamp bulb burn-out.  Learning the various intersections and knowing that at “this” round-point: the red light works, but not the green – so no lights at all means likely safe to proceed!

19.  Getting my gas pumped for me at the station!  And forgetting that I need to release the gas tank cover.  The gas attendant stood at my window while I made small chat and wrote in my mileage book … before after 2 minutes he reminded me that I needed to open the cover!  oooops!!!!!

20.  The joy of ministering to the needs of friends and neighbours, needs both great and small, but so meaningful in their lives.

21.  How different expressing myself in Fulfulde is – limiting in some aspects, but broadening in others – using verbs in ways that are not possible in the English language! ….

22.  Exploring a new store that imports goods from America – spoiling myself for a few purchases ….. paying far more than I should, but not caring – because that is what we do here!  My treats of the day: deodorant, green apple werthers, caramel hot chocolate!  All for about $12!  (About double the price!)

23.  Discovering that despite how much I enjoyed the VAST availability of food and products in Canada this last year …. despite bringing a few kitchen “essentials” with me …. despite the frustrations sometimes of not having access to a spice, sauce or food I crave …. despite how we drive ourselves crazy with “The five things I miss … ‘game’” …

that when the store owner asked us: “What would you like to see us ship over?”   - We had no ready response.

I am sure that if I were to think of it – I could come up with a list.  But, I also came to the startling realization that despite the list above – there is something welcoming and refreshing in the simplicity of doing with what I have!