Ouaga, Obama and Mangoes

Well I'm back in Ouaga for another training session. Luckily this time it's only for one day. At the moment it's almost like there isn't enough time to teach everything that should be taught. So missing even one day of classes feels like a set back.

The second week of January I was in Ouaga for my IST (in service training). It was a week long and involved catching-up with my fellow SE volunteers, learning about secondary projects and getting sick. Ouaga is (so far) 3 for 3 at getting me sick. I'm officially vowing that it's not going to happen this time, however the odds may not be in my favor. During the bus ride here I ended up sitting next to a woman who was coughing. Argh!

Anyhoo... after IST, with cold in tow, I buckled down to get some teaching accomplished. It seems that I was successful since I'm giving two tests next week. I also gave my first laboratory demonstration.

permanganate, chromate, Fe(III), Cu(II) aqueous solutions

Then there was that spectacular confirmation of American democracy Jan. 20. Believe it or not, but I actually watched the inauguration live(!) on CNN. A big thank you to the inventor of satellite TV! The Burkinabè TV station, RTB, also broadcast the ceremony and many of my colleages watched it.

Then the Harmattan arrived and things became cold and dusty for a couple days. The temperature has since returned to hot and the sky is blue again. Generally the climate is very dry right now, but not as bad as winter in Montana. So far my lips haven't chapped and my hair isn't perpetually accumulating static charge.

mango trees in bloom

little mangoes in waiting

cabbage patch and mango trees