at the Nigerien National Stadium

The last two days I’ve gone running at the nice stadium that was built for the 2005 Francophonie games. (The next will be in Lebonan in 2009) The first day I went no one was there except me and what looked like the national soccer team. (Jesse, can you please come up a story where I am discovered at the stadium and appear as the first white woman to play on the Nigerien soccer team?) I asked a couple people if it was okay for me to use the track. One man smiled and nodded at the track and said, "Allez." Yesterday I was doing one of my you know, strenuous, strenuous circuts around the track and an older guy in a robe called to me,

"Madame!"

"Oui?"

"Are you Chinese?"

"Uh, no."

"Where are you from?"

"I’m American."

"Do you have a card?"

He went on to explain that I need to pay $10 for a card to use the stadium. Which is fine, the first day I’d looked all over for someone to tell me. I assured him that I am happy to pay, but that I didn’t bring any money with me today. He said, no problem, pay next time.

Peter’s nurse Amina tells me that is totally bogus, the stadium is free, maybe 50 cfa (10 cents) at the door if there is anyone even there. The guy did look pretty official with a badge and everything, and I don’t mind making a donation, the stadium is pretty nice, and I have the track to myself. I wonder how much the card would be if I were Chinese.

Christmas card photo opportunity! We are going to see the herd of wild giraffes on Sunday.