A classic Ronald ride

Finally some photos from one of my Sunday bike rides. they continue to be a highlight.  One of our group is a young Dutch teacher who takes us on these fantastic, single track, technical rides. we always know when Ronald is the leader. i would never be able to get us back to a main road because we wind through villages, fields, dodging herds of cows. they are some of my favorite rides - especially when it is muddy.

Here is the famous Ronald in the middle of the picture. Half my age, super athlete, nice as can be.

my first fall since i started riding with the group - amazingly enough. Ronald rides really fast on these technical paths - it is some work to keep up, but that is part of the overall challenge for me. love it!

some local 'riders'. bicycle is a major form of transportation here. the locals are in no hurry. they must think we are so crazy in our fancy outfits, riding fast and furious.

"Hardship Post"

I am working in what is considered a hardship post. what exactly does that mean? some days i think i have it so good, i am offended this is considered 'hardship' and then there are all those other days.

Case in point. i arrive home from Minneapolis on a Friday evening (after COB of course for all you DOS people reading this) to find this very large crate in the middle of my living room. the shippers thought it was a great idea to leave it here for me - and scratched the marble floor in the process.

Another joy here. eServices. if you look closely at the photo below, you will see little black dots. those are black flies. now imagine what you see covering every surface of our secondary bathroom. it took me 3 months and multiple requests to get this taken care of. it is frustrating as a former home owner. i would have had this taken care of within the week.

 Ultimately i have little to complain about. We are lucky to be in Ouagadougou. Oh right, but i am talking about what makes it hard... the oppressive heat, not being able to find grocery staples for weeks-months, crazy traffic, donkey carts blocking your way, nobody speaks English :), having to wash and sanitize all produce and the worse thing of all.... no dishwasher.

Not so bad huh!