Let it snow..I mean I have a sunburn

While many of you read this from your wintery wonderlands I laid out by the pool in the most amazing weather today. Unfortunately my shoulders, back & legs haven't seen the light of day for that many consecutive hours in months so I'm going to bed a little toasty tonight but it's a feeling that reminds me of home...oh eastern North Carolina.

I am happy...wait I am overjoyed to report that In-Service Training (IST) is over. To be frank it wasn't exactly what I had hoped for but it was good to see friends none the less. Most of my stagemates are soon to arrive out in Zinder (the far east) tonight but I am quite content with my small and intimate Christmas... plus it's with Ginger, Carrie, and Emily in Dosso. I'm pretty excited...plus I have a serious Christmas package from mom that I haven't opened yet (aren't you proud). We're leaving tomorrow after we gather our necessary food supplies. I am cooking fried okra, fried green tomatoes and possibly pizza. It never ceases to amaze me how many people have never even heard of fried okra. Ginger and I made (well she bought it for me to make) a big batch with the intent on sharing yesterday but we snuck behind the hostel and had a lovely big bowl of fried okra as dinner. It did however make me miss my Grandma terribly.

I guess not much else to report right now. I'm very anxious to get back to Dounu-dibi. Tabaski is the 30 and then New Year's. Tabaski is a BIG celebration that occurs 70 days after Ramadan. So it's going to be 2 days of lots of dancing and killing of goats and such...this is what my social life is like now.

I am fast approaching 5 months since my arrival in this little space in the world I like to call home (Dec. 28). I think it's safe to say the honeymoon period is over. I feel a lot more comfortable in being more of me now than I ever have. Before I think I was quite reserved. Let me say that I'm sure many of you are thinking how in Allah's great name could Sarah Pharr ever be reserved??? But just try to imagine trying to comunicate in zarma and wanting to be "culturally sensitive to my community". Well now I've got somewhat of a handle on things and I haven't been ripped off as much in the markets, I have friends that are Nigerien and we can have whole conversations about real things like politics or my new life in Niger, and most importantly I know how to deal with the men. It may have taken 5 months but the solution: LIE. I bought a silver ring which now serves as my "wedding ring". I'm not lieing to my villagers but in big cities I'm as good as taken by "Caibou". Oh Niger...how can you not love it???

I hope this find you all well and in health. I pray that your Christmas is Merry. If you plan on celebrating Tabaski, that your stomachs would be stuffed and a smile on your face. And that your 2007 is better than your 2006.

Kala Hanfo...Until one day...

Sarahtou Dounu-dibi