7 May 2007
After an uneventful (and unsleepful) flight from Paris of 4 1/2 hours we dragged handluggage down another steep stair, and loaded onto other buses to go to Ouagadougou International Airport Arrival area. We had no problems getting through immigration, and Ariane’s luggage eventually came off the carousel, but my name was up as “awaiting baggage” so I had to wait in line to explain what as missing. One advantage was that by the time I was done the customs were just barely interested in my carryons and her 3 bags, as we were practically the last out.
I was to return at 4.30pm the next day for the next flight for the bags. I was taken by SIM office staff in at 5pm (to give the flight time to get through), we arrived at the airport by about 5.15 and saw my bags being moved away to storage. We stopped the porters, got a scolding for being so late, and were allowed to take the bags without any customs wanting to see them. We obviously had not had enough faith in Burkinabe efficiency. In all, it took 30 minutes to go and return to the Guest house, where in a few minutes our lift to dinner turned up. As far as I can see, everything arrived safely, and the few things that I found damp (and already smelling moldy) in one dried out overnight.
8 May 2007
Tuesday morning I filled in the required forms (including the required will in French: where do you want the body buried…) and started discussing about accommodation options; the afternoon I filled in the director with a bit of my background and reasons for what I’m looking for in accommodation. The short-term co-ordinator here that picked us up at the office showed us around a bit, and we had main meals with missionary families.
Days and nights are hot, hot, hot …. And sticky if you try to do anything. I keep waking up at night, even with the heat on, and have welcomed getting back into the ‘afternoon siesta’ system to rest.
After an uneventful (and unsleepful) flight from Paris of 4 1/2 hours we dragged handluggage down another steep stair, and loaded onto other buses to go to Ouagadougou International Airport Arrival area. We had no problems getting through immigration, and Ariane’s luggage eventually came off the carousel, but my name was up as “awaiting baggage” so I had to wait in line to explain what as missing. One advantage was that by the time I was done the customs were just barely interested in my carryons and her 3 bags, as we were practically the last out.
I was to return at 4.30pm the next day for the next flight for the bags. I was taken by SIM office staff in at 5pm (to give the flight time to get through), we arrived at the airport by about 5.15 and saw my bags being moved away to storage. We stopped the porters, got a scolding for being so late, and were allowed to take the bags without any customs wanting to see them. We obviously had not had enough faith in Burkinabe efficiency. In all, it took 30 minutes to go and return to the Guest house, where in a few minutes our lift to dinner turned up. As far as I can see, everything arrived safely, and the few things that I found damp (and already smelling moldy) in one dried out overnight.
8 May 2007
Tuesday morning I filled in the required forms (including the required will in French: where do you want the body buried…) and started discussing about accommodation options; the afternoon I filled in the director with a bit of my background and reasons for what I’m looking for in accommodation. The short-term co-ordinator here that picked us up at the office showed us around a bit, and we had main meals with missionary families.
Days and nights are hot, hot, hot …. And sticky if you try to do anything. I keep waking up at night, even with the heat on, and have welcomed getting back into the ‘afternoon siesta’ system to rest.
