So, for most of my friends and family I think it is pretty obvious that I love Senegal and that it will always be a special place for me! Coming to Burkina I figured I would like it here as well, but secretly believed that it could never attain the same status in my heart as Senegal. Now I am not so sure...Burkina is steadily climbing up the ladder... :)
There is no ocean and it is hot and dusty, but the people in this country are just really fantastic!
This weekend I went to ‘’La fête de la bière’’ which happens every year and which actually is illegal in the middle of town. At some point they realized that they were having an extraordinary amount of accidents when it was the weekend of the Festival of Beer and so they banned it from town. That, of course, just means that neighbourhoods a bit further away have started holding it.
Basically all the maquis in the neighbourhood (the bar/pub/joints where you can drink cheap beer and eat cheap food) gather in a big space and compete for customers with really loud music. The atmosphere was really great. However, contrary to what you might think a ‘’festival of beer’’ might be about (different kinds of beer etc) it is really just a party for people to get drunk. And when you realize that there are kids around the age of 14-15 drinking...and that everyone there probably has a moto (scooter) (and some with cars) that they will absolutely drive home... it puts a bit of a damper on the whole mood!
But, the reason that it was so nice is that I was with a friend and some of his friends and everyone was just so friendly. The waitresses, the friends, the people at the next table!! I think what got to me in particular is that the women were even friendly. In Senegal it was really hard to connect with Senegalese women. You could find yourself at an event with friends...if there were women they might not talk to you and the waitresses might be plain rude! Here everyone was smiling/open/friendly.
It is really something Burkina has that is incredibly special!!
Number two reason why I am beginning to love this country... SIAO! Le Salon International de l’Artisanat de Ouagadougou. A huge festival of arts and crafts. Vendors come from all over West Africa. Even from further abroad (Egypt, Algeria, Rwanda, Madagascar...everywhere!) and expose their goods in 4 or 5 huge rooms. There are people everywhere...the street is closed out front...there is music/dancing... maquis set up with food and drinks. There are vendors selling funny hats, noise-makers! So fantastic!!
The things for sale are beautiful as well...it is a bit overwhelming because there is so much and there are so many people. But really a fantastic experience to get to see! It is every two years so I really lucked out in being here for it.
That is another reason why Burkina is growing on me... events like this! There are constantly things going on in the city. This year there is the SIAO, in February FESPACO a film festival, it is the 50th anniversary of independence in December, there is a hiphop festival, a festival art, festival of African story telling... it goes on!
Not that Senegal did not have a lot of things going on as well! But I’m starting to realize that there does not have to be a competition for a place in my heart for these two countries...there is plenty of room for both...and no doubt more down the road!!:)
