around Goumori

A few more images from my neighborhood:

My region recently celebrated Ganni - a traditional annual party that serves as a good opportunity to get dressed up in matching fabric.

the ladies of Goumori

like most neighborhoods, folks catch up on local news at the barbershop

smoked fish and a tired vendor at the market

My good friend Awale runs the local pharmacy for his dad. In addition to helping me learn the Bariba language, Awale tought me to kill a chicken, season it with salt, hot peppers, and MSG, and roast it over charcoal. Awale is also going to help me promote the use of moringa leaves to supplement the diets of malnourished children in our village.

"Friendship, Seafood, and Photocopy Shop" in nearby Banikoara.

Ougadougou

Early March brought my first trip outside Benin's borders... to Ougadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. The city hosts the Pan-African film festival FESPACO every two years - an opportunity for African filmakers to show their work to a global audience. While there were a few insightful films, they proved most interesting for their reflections of the people and countries who produced them. The sights of Ougadougou proved just as intriguing as the festival itself.

Like many large African cities, Ougadougou offers an interesting juxtaposition of traditional culture and modern "development".

one-stop shopping, if you're looking for millet, nails, and cowry shells.

the films were screened in a half dozen theaters throughout the city, including this open air marvel about 6k from downtown.

open sewers - a distinct improvement over no sewers

I took the previous photo of the busy market from atop this work in progress. Yes, there I go climbing on shaky structures again... better luck this time.

En Route to Natitangou

Last month I biked to Natitangou, site of the nearest bank. I could've taken a bush taxi, but I just prefer the freedom and flexibility of bikin. And it really ain't that much slower.

170 km of dirt roads took me through some pretty brilliant scenery

This was my first foray into the Atacora region in Northwest Benin - where small mountains rise up from the savannah landscape I'm accustomed to.

Atacora sunset

the Kota Waterfall

gathering firewood.

they gave me cashew apples after I took their picture. it's the fruit that grows above the nut part of a cashew. seriously. who woulda thunk? tastes like a chalky peach.

5 bikes, on a bike.

handmade gravel.

Sights like this fuel my thoughts as I pedal my bike - why isn't this kid in school? Well, at least he's making a living, right? Do you label it desperation, or enterpreneureship? Is he better off making gravel than working the cotton fields? How much does a pile of gravel cost? I don't know. I'll ask next time. Maybe he'll earn enough to send his own kids to school one day. And perhaps he'll be better off than the folks habituated to taking handouts from misguigded charities. Better bangin' rocks than stretching out a beggars hand.

Food for thought, at least.