Some things I’ve observed

Our internet fiasco has taught us to slow down. Way down! The wheels turn slowly here in Niger. It is not an instantaneous society like in the US. There are advantages to slowing down but it takes some getting used to if you come from a place where fast food is FAST and check out lines aren’t usually used for socializing.

Last week, Dina was going to come with the kids for lunch here at the embassy. One of the reasons was that it is the day that they serve capitaine (the local fish) and she hadn’t tried it yet. I was forewarned that they run out early and to reserve it in the morning before others get to it first. So I requested it at 9AM for 1 O’Clock. Dina arrived with the kids just before that and we waited and waited. Finally, at 2:15, they brought us our fish! It was superb! Fried and cooked to perfection on a bed of fantastic potato salad (not overly smothered in mayonnaise). That was an exceptionally long wait but not unusual. I’ve waited over a half an hour before. Relax! It’s OK! It’s coming! They are making if individually fresh from scratch!

Daily, my nurse tells me (rolling her eyes) something to the effect of, "they are going to change our doors in the clinic because they want to install a special light." They take off the door, lay wiring all over the hall across the threshold, and disappear for a few days. "They are promising they are gonna do it tomorrow," she tells me every day.

And then there’s the sore subject of the internet at home. People tell us options are available but it all takes time (ours) and nothing has panned out. There is an antiquated phone line which relies on land lines that are corroded and frequently flooded and short curcuit. Those who have it say it is problematic at best and frequently it is on the blink. You pay by the minute and they often receive bills for time they know they weren’t on line.

Then there is Dougouney! Some magical satellite phone you buy and plug into your computer. It costs about 40,000 CFA/month (~$80) for unlimited use. Sounds great! Until they come and look at the MAC and ask where the CPU is? They have no cable to connect to a MAC even though the contents on the box of the satellite phone says it contains a MAC cable. Maybe we can buy one for ~$64 dollars but no garantees.

"Have you heard of WeeFee (WiFi)?!!" Your computer picks up and sends wireless messages. But our neighborhood doesn’t have it. Ahhhhh! But there is an internet cafe about a half a mile from us that does. "You need a repeater," we’re told. It strengthens the signal. But we don’t even get a weak signal so that was also a no-go. Waaaa!! But wait! Rumor has it, that we can buy an antenna and get WiFi!!! That’s where we’re at! It’s made in Germany! That sounds promising. It’s gonna cost an arm and a leg but if it works, we can utilize Skype (free long distance calling on the internet)! Two hits, one stone! We’re keeping everything crossed! I wonder if they rent or we can buy a sputnik?

Things do get done. And every day, there is the call to prayer. I hear it in the mornings, during the day, and at night. It sounds Eastern and the people flock and kneel on their prayer rugs facing east. Some are Toreg, some are Zarma and Hausa. Others are indestinguishable in origin. Five times a day Amina covers her head with a scarf, kneels and prays no matter how busy it is. She tells me that she does it to acknowledge her gratitude to God and pray for peace in the world. I have inadvertantly disturbed her prayers on two occasions and felt like an intruder but she smiles and tells me not to feel bad. "Love and peace are not sacred" she says.