Sunday, November 25, 2012

Odd pictures from my trip from Bolga

Here's just random pictures from the day I left Bolga through my Thanksgiving weekend



Here's my Paul.  He had to run to the house (his house is behind us) get him a bottle - we pumped the water from the bore hole and filled it up so he could be like me.  I always carry my water -normally it is cold so they let me put it on their back or heads and they run yelling and come back for more.

Linda and I waiting for bus and yes they are holding the bench up with a toilet. 

This little boy was going to Accra with us in the big bus but he was dressed to the nines.

As we were going down the road we had a band in the back of a truck.

Linda and Suzanne trying to decide what they could make, really just did
a hem for me but I was excited.

Here is just a very small sampling of the material at Global Mamas.

New restaurant in town.  Will have to try it out and see what I think.

We gave the Ambassador and his wife one of my baskets filled with the different
projects our 2011- 2013 group is working with, Shea butter, dolls, material etc.

Yes we got a group picture with the Ambassador, Linda, Meg, Ambassador, Me and Suzanne.

Suzanne and I having fun seeing all our group plus the new friends we had made over the
last year.

Sweet Megan she is about 2 hrs from me but we can sometimes get together
in Bolga or Tamale.

My Upper East daughter, Emma, now lives down South.  So far to
see her and here she is looking good.

Scott and I - he is 4th year PCV going to a knocking this weekend to ask his
girl friends parents for permission to marry.  Although I think is is not a formal
engagement until more things are done but this is first step.

Went to craft show and these guys entertained.

The shakers on the left - have beads on top really pretty, and Suzanne got
some for her grandson's.  Don't you know her daughter will be happy. Ha!!

Lady Weavers Learning a New Basket



School is in session.  We have students and teachers and of course any of the children that could not be left behind because they might have to eat.  The ladies are getting a lesson from some of the guys who have been making the square baskets.  There are three baskets nested inside each other.


Here is the bottom of the basket.  Just like school teacher checking your work and you are not sure what the final decision of the quality of your work.


Working working notice the "seats" plastic rugs.


 Okay we have to measure each one a number of times so that they will "nest" inside of each other and can be pulled out easily.


Teachers consulting about the size of the bottom of a basket.  Notice the "students" keep on working.


 Thought this was a great look at their materials, bundles of reeds, their chairs "plastic mats", the way they sit all the time when they are working and a finished product on the right.


 Always want their picture taken.  If we could just get them to smile like they do off camera.


Attitude of young lady is really confidence she knows what she is doing, but has to let the teacher make the final decision about that.  Ha!!


Here the ladies talk to each other, use the small buckets of water to wet the reeds.  Notice the bundles of reeds in the back.



Can you see the ffinished product by teachers feet.  That is I think only two of the three that will fit in there.  Notice all the colors.  That is one of the trade marks of a bolga basket the colors. 
Hope you enjoyed our day at school.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Sunday morning in the field

IMG00013Bottom, on rt. Ben, Evans Top left
Bonaswa, Joes, trois driver, younger brother, not sure, Lambert, Anjana, Asz
They are sitting in shade waiting for other boys to tire then they will got
harvest the rice.  There are only so many gios (like a sickle)

IMG00020Got the word they the other boys were
thirsty and tired so on we went.

IMG00017Trading jobs but the “white lady” is following
with a camera so they are not sure what to think.

IMG00020Not sure do we work or pose for the camera.
IMG00027Okay we will work now.  The field is about
1 acre.  These boys are members of Abdulia’s family and are helping because the are suppose to
help the family.
IMG00023
Okay you take the camera and I will show you it can be done by
a white person and especially a lady (please don’t let me slice
my leg!!!)
IMG00024I did it I have a hand full
of rice- Now they will take it to a cement spot and beat the hulls
off.
IMG00028Here is what the rice
will be taken with.  The boys all wanted to pose on the moto king!!!

What a morning it was fun talking with the boys and learning how they
would help their family.  They are so good to put up with me in the middle
of their work so I can figure out what they are doing.  Hope you Sunday is wonderful!!

07-11-12-13-30THese little ones were at the borehole getting water.  Of course it is to heavy to carry so they bent a 5 gal container put their filled bottles on top 2 are pulling 1 is pushing.  Is that just the most precious thing to see.  I love the KIDS!!!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Eating out in Burkina

FIRST I forgot the name of the restaurant.  I am hoping someone that was with us can fill that in for me.  The lady, Elaine, that invited me to the fair wanted to thank all the volunteers and staff that helped with the fair.  I was included and loved it.  Eben and I got there first - we walked from Paul's house, the PC Director of Training, and we got there on American time.  American time not African time is what we always ask when asking for a meeting.
 
This is the table that sat us and I had to look around before I could sit still because it was so exotic looking. 
 
 
 
 
Here I had to take a picture of the ceiling because it was all beautiful rugs.  The colors and designs were wonderful.

 
Here is the table full and you have to look back and on the right to see me.  We had two buyers with us and was very interesting listening to their travels and business dealing with importing.  Harper is a young women that has been doing her textile importing from Guatemala and is expanding into Africa now.  She takes the textiles and makes products of her own design in  Guatemala.  Her website is Proud Mary Textiles, beautiful things.  The other buyer was Mathew, a French man that has moved his family to New York to experience doing business in the good old USA!!!  His experiences and views were very interesting.  Besides all that he paid for the wine all night so you can imagine what wonderful wines we had and after dinner drinks.  Good thing Eben and I were walking and not riding bikes. Ha!!! 


Yes, that is beautiful white sand that is the FLOOR!!!! You could take your shoes off and play like you were at the beach.  Don't ask me how they keep it clean and smooth but.....

 
I loved my time in many different ways in Ouagadougou (pronounced Waa ga dew)
I loved meeting people even those I had to try and say I did not know French, the business experience, the food, and sooo many new friends. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Fashion Show

 
The fashion show - getting ready.  So much fun helping everyone get to put on accessories!!! 

Yes, this is one of our purses!!  Look at those necklaces.  So pretty.

Another one of our purses and agian those necklaces are wonderful!!!

This girl works with the project and put together the workshop.  I spent alot of time helping her.  Sweet young woman.

Yep our fancy purse!!!

 Here they all are looking good.  It was lots of fun for everyone.
Here Anita and I were getting ready to leave for the show this am and Paul took our picture in his beautiful yard.
 
Probably last day of show for me going to try and go to the hotel pool and spend a little time swimming.  Another great experience for me in Africa.


Working the SIAO Fair


Here is part of the team deciding on many things.  It is truly a team effort with the group and I was so excited to be part of it including the gofering I did.  Always interesting.

One of the perks was wearing the jewelry carrying the purse to the cocktail party.  Out by the pool, small eats, wine oh yeah this is normal for some people.

My new fashion friend.  If I were going back to work and need a wardrobe Eben would be required to come see me in Austin.  He leaves PC in the next couple of weeks and will be home in time for Thanksgiving.  He is very excited about all the contacts and possibilities with the experience of the show and working with Elaine the head of the team.  Oh yeah I bought the necklace.

 Last day of the workshop and Muburka (spelling I am sure is wrong) getting his certificate.  He is the brother of the owner of the Craft Center that was at the fair.



 Here is furniture outside the bldgs.  Many different kinds.

Shop across from our booth.  Look at that mask Need One??
I really enjoyed my week at the fair plus met many interesting people.
 
 


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