What was I thinking!?!?!

What did we all do before internet?  We finally got internet at home. very slow (no Stewart/Colbert for me), and VERY expensive, but at least i can check email and most of the time read the NY times.

Work is going fairly well. not exactly what i expected. i have a lot to do to get the health unit functioning (to the level i would like it to be at to conform to US standards). There are no systems in place (at least not any that increase efficiency and patient satisfaction). as it turns out, many of the US families are getting their health care needs taken care of outside the Embassy.  As i previously mentioned, i am the first US health care provider at this post. The availability of basic health care in town is quite good. Over the next year, i hope to increase confidence in the clinic and to turn this around.

My other big issue at the moment is our 'imprisonment in a palace'.  We live in this amazingly gorgeous house (picture below), but we are stuck out of town with no vehicle and we are not supposed to use any public transport.  The Embassy only provides rides to and from work and we get a ride to do shopping one day a week. it is a major drag and not that great for morale.  there are a couple of restaurants in the neighborhood, but the closest ones are a 20 min walk away.  all social activities happen in the town center (where many Embassy families live) - but at this time, we have no way to participate.   i have been reading a ton and we have watched a lot of mediocre movies.  but i figure a couple of months after my car arrives and i will have likely forgotten this part of my time here.

Some photos of our house. Did I mention we have 6 bathrooms (not counting the one extra for the guard outside).  Three large bedrooms. An outside laundry room (which i will also eventually use as my exercise room once the elliptical arrives).

Last weekend was the Holiday Fair at Otto's school.  Some of the students did a dance performance (Indian style, but it is an 'international' school).  There were arts and crafts and TONS of ex-pats. Even Santa showed up, but i couldnt get Otto to stand by him for a photo. Made me realize we are not so alone here in Burkina Faso.  There are many, many embassies, about 150 Peace Corp volunteers, lots of US and other aid agencies.  White people where ever you look.

and of course, i must add a few classic Africa pictures (so you dont think i am just hiding out in Las Vegas climbing at Red Rocks).  These were taken just down the street from my house and are a common sight (goats more than the cattle).

hope this will keep everyone interested for the time being. Otto's dad just arrived a couple of days ago and we have plans to rent a car (also very expensive) and see some of the sights out of town. that will be a welcome relief.

miss everyone, as well as our not so large and ornate house, good beer, a little cold weather, a well functioning clinic and good public transport.