We have moved!!

Still in Ouaga, but we moved into town (Koulouba neighborhood). We were able to switch houses with a family that needed more room and although we had a lovely (and HUGE) house, i was tired of cleaning all 7 bathrooms. now we only have 2 bathrooms - shocking i know. 

I actually moved a few weeks ago and have been saving up photos, but i wanted to tell Otto in person because i knew he would be very sad about moving out of our neighborhood because he has a couple of very good friends that live close by. He took it very well (helps that he now has another couple of good friends close by to our new place). we are closer to his school and we can walk to shops, restaurants and to our friend's house who has a candy closet - and Otto does love candy.

The house is exactly what i envision when thinking about a house in Africa. we have a lovely yard with big flowering bushes and trees, produce growing here and there, a much nicer pool and an outdoor patio area.  the house is smaller, but still 3 bedrooms and an office. the kitchen is very quaint.  i am already so much happier in the past few weeks knowing that i have a home that i really like to go to every day after work. it is much better for Jackson (our new dog) as well to have plants to sniff and grass to roll in.

coolest flower i have seen in a long time!!

Our cute little kitchen. guess i should have washed the dishes before i took the picture...

Eggplant is growing randomly around the yard, i was surprised and delighted to discover this and it is very yummy

The plant in the center of this frame is all basil. this is the back side of the house and i was out there one day walking from the laundry room that is near by and i got a huge whiff of basil...that's when i figured it out.  i have never seen it grow so prolifically before.  I will have to start making homemade 'Burkinabe basil' pesto. if i sell enough, maybe it can fund my next trip to Paris :)

What home garden in Africa doesn't have banana trees. these should be just about ripe when Otto and I get home from our vacation. we also have a huge mango tree (good for Otto, not so good for me) and a custard apple tree. i am sure i will discover other thing growing that we can eat the longer we live there.