Happy Holidays from Niger

Season's greetings everyone! Well it's Christmas and here I am in Niger. Turns out Christmas isn't really a big deal in Islam. Who'da thunk it? I miss snow, and ambient christmas music, and friends, and family, and good cheer (read: copious amounts of alcoholic beverages), and all that. It just isn't the same here.

But about half of the volunteers are all in Niamey (the other half being at the other end of the country in Zinder) and it's kinda like being with one big family. Everyone is making various dishes and doing nice things and being merry. This morning I was awaikened by two elves (Alison and Alex in home made costumes) wishing me a merry christmas. Everyone spent the morning chatting and milling about and drinking ghetto mimosa's. There were even stockings for everyone hanging up and filled with random goodies.

There was a late pancake and sausage breakfast curtesy of some industrious voluntters. And a date (there is no gingerbread) mud hut and christmas tree were made. Lots of christmas carrols playing in the back ground too...until it dissolved into the obligatory movie watching.

We just got back from a staff member's house for drinks and snacks and are now heading back to the hostel where Brandon is cooking a Christams barbeque. Bacon Cheeseburgers! All in all, it has felt way more like christmas than I was expecting I feel all warm and fuzzy.

I do miss being home with friends and family very much, but it's nice that all the volunteers can come together as a sort of surrogate family and have a good time too. Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Also, there is a christmas podcast on Djimi's blog.