Saturday February 20th 2010

Not too much to say this week – I fear I am getting into the daily routine that is not so exciting or new anymore. I did hire a night watchman – his name is Issouf. As a set up cost I had to buy him a bench for when he sits outside my gate and a reclining chair that he can sleep on once he comes inside the gates at around 10 pm. – he also had to buy himself a machete just in case we have any intruders. They actually can kill an intruder here with not many consequences – the police just put it down as death by unknown cause.
Talking about the police my neighbour Thérèse and I went to put in our deposition regarding our attempted mugging last week. They actually have a little desk at the entrance with 2 chairs and a little note book (looks more like a grade school notebook with very narrow lines) were he took down our names and passport numbers and a little blurb about what happened. Not sure how the information gets passed along to other policemen and I did not ask not wanting to insult anybody.
So now that I have been here for a grand total of 6 weeks (seems like so much more) I have in my employ a helper Rose (5 mornings a week) who does everything except cook for me and a night watchman Issouf (7 nights a week) who is also a cook so maybe one day I will get him to cook the odd meal for meal. Total cost a month is 37,000F CFA ($83) - but still about 25% of my take-home pay.
Another service I signed up for is garbage disposal – I realized not all my garbage got consumed (by who knows) and for approx 1,000F CFA a month ($2.50) these two women come and pick up the garbage with their donkey once a week – not sure where it gets dumped but I am assuming they recuperate what they can and then burn the rest. I wanted to take a picture of them but they did not want – maybe next time.
It is also getting hotter here by the day and night – average temperature during the daytime this week was 106˚F and 91˚F at night. The fan is working continuously but really only circulating hot hair. I think the trick is to take a shower in the middle of the night and get in bed under the fan right away to cool off somewhat. Because when it is so hot I sweat bullets all the time and must drink at least 3 litres of water a day. And I am told it will only get worse – can’t wait. I am sure I will enjoy winter so much more in the future.

I ordered my furniture 1 month ago and still waiting - I think I got had.

I am not too interested in talking about work this week – not yet sure if it is really a viable organization and my week was rather frustrating so I will refrain to talk about it until another time when I will be more cool headed.
That’s it for me this week – hope all of you are doing well and in good health.