Africa 2006

Burkina Faso means “Land of the Honourable”, accordng to my guidebook. So, for this honourable nation, here are my top ten favourite experiences:

1. The relaxed atmosphere - even the customs agent had to climb back on the bus to find me because he had forgotten to charge me for the visa!
2. An image of a young boy in in unbuttoned fuscia shirt doing a cartwheel down a dirt side street in Ouagadougou: everyone has somethng to be happy about
3. Finally buying a great souvenir for G, after extensive hunting.
4. Auberge La Pierredot and its delightful owners.
5. The pastries - pain au raisin and apple turnover - at a little patisserie in Ouagadougou.
6. Negotiating over the price of silver spoons at the SIAO fair.
7. Visiting the Ecole Christ-Roi
8. Visiting the mayor’s number 2 for great meal and great company
9. Feeding the huge ugly sacred fish at Dafra near Bobo-Dioulasso.

 OK, this is only nine things - not that Burkina wasn’t worthy of more, but I forgot a number when I wrote this down!

COMING UP: I have a small hassle getting the Ghana visa, get three marriage proposals in one morning (a record!) and agree to volunteer at an orphanage in Abomey.  Don’t touch that dial…