Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2006
From: Michael Redman
Subject: In Burkina til TUE...

Hello

This is to inform you all that I'm alive in Burkina Faso, and that I'll be here til TUE.  Also, because I was bored, I went ahead and got a phone number here: +226 76 12 91 48.  So if you want to text me or anything, I'll be there until then.  Burkina's nice so far; definitely a step up from Niamey (all I've seen is the capital, Ouagadougou, & that's probably all I'll see of it, but...).  Also, by sheer coincidence, there is this big artisan festival going on here that started on FRI.  It's pretty sweet--art, clothing, jewelry, etc... from all over (mostly West) Africa.  I even got to speak some Zarma with the Nigerien artisans--the Tuaregs are definitely representing.  It would be a great place to go if I were a wealthy ex-pat--or at least COSing--instead of traveling onward to Burkina.

The reason we're stuck here is the whole visa thing.  I got into Ouaga a little after 2p THU, which is when the Ghana embassy closes, so I had to apply on FRI, and since the consulate officer wasn't there because of this artisan event (SIAO), s/he wouldn't be able to do it til the next business day--MON--in the afternoon, meaning we can't leave til TUE am.  But, whatever, like I said; just too bad I'll get a few less days in Ghana than I was hoping for.  Molly & I'll make due.

So, best of luck to y'all, and I'll hear from you soon.

- Michael

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Corps de la Paix
Gothèye, NIGER
West Africa
+227 96-53-88-30