tenkodogo (-go)

Today, I am in Tenkodogo. That is my regional capital- the closest city near my site. It's only an hour by bush taxi, and the ride's quite scenic. Plus, you have the exciting danger element every time you ride in a bush taxi. I am here today because I need to buy a gas tank for my stove so that I can cook so that I can eat. And feed my pets.
Yeah, so, I moved into my house! It's really wonderful. I've been thinking of it so much for the past couple of months that it actually feels like home already. Liz left me all sorts of wonderful things in the house, too- a huge bed, bookshelves, magazines, kitchen supplies, chairs, tables, pets.... I'm not nearly done decorating or even organizing, but I'm going to have plenty of time to work on that, there's no rush. Seriously, none. I have a month until school starts. I have plenty to fill my time, and have been trying to work out a little schedule. It's something like, Tuesday: gardening (if it doesn't rain and if the neighbor boy comes over to help and if he has gardening implements or if I can find said implements at the hardware store in town if there is a hardware store in town and if someone can tell me what the plants in my garden actually are and it's not too hot out.) Wednesday: bike to the big marché (if I'm right about the schedule and it's marché day on Wednesday and if my bike tire isn't flat or if it is if I can buy a bike pump in village or should I buy that today in Tenkodogo and if I have enough small change to buy things at the market and if not then where to break the large bills the bank gives me that are basically useless in village.) Thursday: too far ahead for me to even think about right now.

So like I said, I have some free time. No real schedule whatsoever. And not too many people to talk to. My neighbors are super nice, and I've started meeting people around town, but I don't really know anyone yet. And while I feel fine about that right now, I've heard some sad things about the first month being alone at site. So, feel free to call me! Anytime. I promise to come up with something interesting to tell you. And since I won't have much access to internet or mail for the next month, it's the best way to stay in touch! So if you're sitting on your wrap-around porch in a rocking chair some fall afternoon, the leaves falling around you, wearing a cozy sweater and drinking a pumpkin spice latté and eating apple pie, and you happen to think to yourself, I wonder how many gallons of sweat Carolyn has produced today, and if she has yet mastered the art of picking rocks out of rice... you can find out! I will answer as honestly and with as much detail as possible.