September has been crazy and wonderful. Of course we started September one week into Ramadan and the ball just got rolling. Ramadan is usually a sleepy month, but for us, it was not only a time of focus and goal setting, but also a time of rejoicing. Karim started school full time at Alliance on September 3rd. He has 17 kids in his class and two wonderful teahers who have declared that Karim is the best singer in the class, both in French and in English. His French is still patchy, but it's coming along slowly. And wonder of wonders, our stuff arrived on September 4th- a full 4 1/2 months after it left our door in Portland. Whew! Mostly the relief was for Karim and for Aicha, our cook, since most everything we packed went to our boy or to the kitchen. I did get some much needed new novels and bed linens. That mattress was worth sending! Karim likes his new Ikea bed and has by far the cutest room in the house. Thanks to Deb and Petie for the art and stickers on the walls.
We are still furnishing- it's amazing how little a 2 thousand dollar move in allowance actually gets you. But, the upside is that we can keep anything we pay for out of pocket. The dollar has reached a record low on the currency exchange- yippee. It's worth half what it was in 2001. Yikes.
Cheikh and I have both flung ourselves into running again with the return of daylight nutrients. Karim is getting a standing ovation every time he takes out his Skuut bike with no training wheels or pedals! Nobody's ever seen a wooden bike before. I think the wood workers wished we'd stop so they could inspect it close up and start making a few of their own.
Finally got a camera (Thanks Deb!!) and took some photos. I added a bunch to facebook, but I'll try to add some here too.
Deb is on her way here now and should be arriving Friday afternoon. Karim is so excited, he tried to go to the airport today to get her. After some detailed explanations of my part that even though she left Eugene today, she won't be arriving here for two more days, he decided he could wait two days, but no more. He's excited to show off his school, but especially the playground at the Grand Hotel. We may have to do that one on arrival.
Love to All. Life is good. Our thoughts are with you as always.
Hi, you all. It's just thrilling that my daughter, Deb, will be with you all for a little while!!! I will be most interested in her comments re life in AFRICA. If I'm right, she's not been to sub-Saharan Africa(?)
ReplyDeleteYou usually sound so upbeat. I wonder if that's just a pose or if you really are a lot of the time. Of course, you have lived in Africa quite a lot!
I keep seeing Jos, Nigeria, in my mind (and in our slides) and wonder how similar life is with you. I know the climate is very different (Jos was at 4,000' I think), but we did get down to the Benue R. when we drove to Cameroon. Love to you--Nancy