where the number of paved streets don't out-number the fingers on my left hand...

Greetings, all. Two weeks since i last posted. I try not to post too frequently, as not to instil this expectation of a frequent correspondence. Well, at least that is what I tell myself. Okay, i am horrible with excuses. But I am here now, and thus, I will delve into the news.

First order of business, I know where I will be living for the next two years! The PC staff annouced our sites a few days ago. I will be living in Pobé, a larger village in the far north, in the Sahel Region. Rumor has it I will have electricity in my village, but whether or not my house has it, well, i am not holding my breath. In reality, I am somewhat disappointed I am not in a more remote area (I am actually in the most populated area of the most remote part of the country), you know, to add to the mystery and allue of being a PCV in West Africa....but I think I will manage.

I am in Ouagadougou for a few days for a counterpart workshop. Each volunteer has a counterpart with which they will work for the two years at site. Most of the time the counterpart is a teacher or health worker, depending upon the field, and they usually speak french (they may be the only person in a volunteers village that speaks french).

Last night I ate my first Hamburger since leaving the states. I feel that this is more than worth mentioning, because it was amazing. After a month of eating rice and peanut sauce, goat meat and cous-cous, I finally had a taste of home. I was content. Three other trainees and I caught a cab back to the hotel, but when we arrived, the driver tried to rip us off. It was a tense altercation, but all parties knew that he was over-charging; so we paid him the CORRECT faire and departed the cab. He was the first angry Burkinabé I have witnessed thus far in country. It was scary, but nevertheless a learning experience.

In other exciting news, I can now claim that I have gotten sick! Without going into any details, I discovered the other day that I contracted Giardia AND e. coli. Before any of you call the World Health Orginasation and demand a quarantine, I am fine. In fact, e. coli is the most common stomach ailment suffered by PCVs in Burkina Faso. Apparently Burkina Faso is the Number 1 PC country in Africa in regards to gastrointestinal ailments. Yay.

Also, I now have a cell phone! I still haven't memorized the number, but I am fairly certain that my loving father is going to post it on the website shortly for you all. I know that there are international calling cards for US to Burkina Faso for around 10 cents/minute....so no excuse family and friends, you better call me!

Well, I thought Id have time for one of my "Joel's World Famous Cultural Observations", but alas, I am out of time. I hope this blog finds all of you well and in the best of spirits. I am thinking of you all, missing you all, and wishing you all the best. Until next time, be well.