third-world me

hello all from niamey, niger! the local peace corps volunteer showed us a very nice cafe here that has wireless internet access, so i am here with my laptop on lunch break from work at the hospital and thought i'd let everyone know that i am safe in this blessed country. this is a picture of what ali and i like to call the 'third-world version' of ourselves - haha, not exactly the most attractive. but it's insanely hot here (it is the sahara after all): thus the large bottle of water in my hand, of which i drink at least 3 a day. i'm standing in front of the beautiful and luxurious house of dr. ghaichatou, the woman we are staying with here in niamey. she's an absolute gem, i couldn't say enough about her - she cooks us fantastic food every night, even though she works 11 hour days at the UNFPA office's fistula-eradication department. she's hilarious and strong and independent and overwhelmingly generous. that's par for the course here in niger, though - the people are so so lovely. i couldn't say enough about them! so welcoming and kind. my research is going well, the hospital is intense and shockingly sad at times, but i'm so happy to be here.

love you all. i'll probably update again.

a plus tard!

end of hilary term

i said a very tearful farewell to oxford last night. another 6 week term break... my time will mostly be spent in fieldwork in niger, but with brief visits in berkeley and utah before.

here are some shots of the last few days: i had dinner in Christ Church college's hall with a large group of african studies friends. it was spectacular, as you can see. and then last night we all went out to the pub for a final drink...of water in my case :) and yes, that last picture is of my dear german friend toni - i figured he should make his debut on my blog sometime or another. and yes, he was the hardest goodbye of the evening. sigh.

BUT i'm so so excited to see so much of the fam in a few short days! to squeeze all the little ones. :) as for oxford, see you in trinity term...

2 more things to be grateful for

1. the flowers currently in my room, for blooming while i slept last night.

2. the embassy in niger, for speedily getting my passport and visa safely back to me. :) now i can fly to the US safe and sound next week!