our time went amazing. between a haircut and a missed bus, we took our time getting out of Ouaga. what a trooper, too! though there was the long ride out to my village, the heat, the sickness and any number of crawling things, she took it all in stride. and my villagers were impressed. i didn't realize there were so many girls in my compound. where were they hiding?
so she charmed my Rambo then watch me go into shock as we headed south. apparently, Burkina is divided much like the Christian afterlife. you have the Sahel (the north, just 'hel for short) and Paradise (the south). waterfalls, hippo lakes, picturesque sugar cane fields, huts with A/C... the list goes on and on. i had to check my pulse a few times to make sure that i really hadn't died and crossed over. Lord knows, if i did, it wouldn't be too far different. needless to say, future visitors (that group hopefully includes M&D) will definitely have a southern tour on the itinerary.
then, it was back to Ouaga to hangout with the collection of PCV's, ISO teachers and other acronymed types. any number of people were in town for Swear-in and general mayhem. we added to such.
the airport and saying goodbye was the difficult part. it is that reach of uncertainty. when you live worlds apart from those you love, it gets harder to remember why you are on the path you are on. fortunate for me, i have all the time in the world to mull over those thoughts. though honestly, it never hurts to have reminders of connections tempered with patience. this country has taught me how to wait for those things that are truly important. there's no need to rush the truly important parts of life. it is far better to do them right.
at the moment, i'm as homesick as i have ever been but i'm by no means unhappy. now, it's back to village and my rowdy courtyard of students. wish me luck.