Burkina Faso
Life in Ouagadougou is very different from anyplace we have lived so far. Things that amazed us on arrival are normal now, and often don’t even rate a second glance. Some things about living here we could do without, but I have to admit we will miss this place when we leave. Below are a few of the many things that caught our eye on arrival, and some that now we just chalk up to, LIFE IN OUAGA!
Because a lot of the streets in Ouagadougou don’t have names, landmarks are often the way to get around and get directions. Here are a few of the more well known ones.
Chicken circle!
U.N. Circle!
The Lion!
The circles!
The Monument of the Heroes, also known as the “Little Eiffel Tower”
We were fortunate enough to be the representatives for one of the projects that the American Embassy sponsored. The installation of a grist mill in a near by village.
We arrived to a reception from the villagers.
Much larger then we expected.
Complete with Dancers.
And Drummers!
Prior to the installation of the mill the ladies of the village would have to grind the grans into flour with a rock on a stone platform. It was a long and difficult process. I had the opportunity to try this method. Wow, it was defiantly a lot of work and all done in 100+ temperatures.
Now the job is much easier. The neighboring village can come and for a small fee (to pay for the fuel) they too can use the mill. It was a great trip.
The way of life is defiantly different in Ouaga.
Here is one of the local grocery stores.
Sometimes outside the store you can buy unexpected treasures. This Man was selling hand made leather covered tea boxes. After some bargaining we got a fair price and left with groceries and the box. Off to the street corners to get produce.
On the way to the produce ladies we passed the local “feed store”.
Time for fruit and veggies, Yummy!
And of course everyone needs beer. That’s some serious beer delivery right there.
Not far from Ouagadougou is the Bazoule sacred crocodiles. The Lake is filled with crocodiles of all sizes. They are coaxed out of the water with chickens and goats. Visitors can sit on the beasts and have photos taken. We did Not do that! I don’t sit on things that can eat me. It’s not the ones you see you have to worry about, its the ones you don’t see.
The stick is also the only protection from an unruly croc.
Lunch time!
Pets in Ouagadougou are also very different then what you would expect. This is Emily our 50lb tortoise. She is friendly and loves tomatoes.
She is a bit of a ham.
Don’t be the last ones to show up for the bus trip. Seats fill up fast. The speed limit on this road was 50mph. At least they put signs up at the speed bumps.
This is a typical gas station outside the city. This particular station is large and has oil and water too. Not exactly like a 7-11.
Donkeys work very hard pulling all kinds of goods around.
Chickens are transported all over the country like this. Sometimes you can hardly see the driver under all the chickens.
Travelers passing through a local village on the way to Ouagadougou.
Ouaga version of a child safety seat. Smaller children are tied onto the moms back with a panga of local fabric. A family of four or even five will all travel on one moto.
This man was passing by our house on his way to sell his camel. They ride them into Ouaga then travel back north to the Sahel. They are sold for many uses including meat. Camel is a very tasty red meat.
When you have to take more then one goat to market and don’t have a buddy to help… What do you do? You tie them in a basket on the back of your moto of course.
This is how produce is sold. Always a better deal if you go outside the city and away from where expats shop. Real organic and no GMO’S. Yummy
New street lights going up here is much different then in the US. No heavy equipment and definitely no OSHA. Now hopefully they will have the power to run them.
Traffic is also very different in Ouagadougou. Not uncommon to see livestock all over the roads. Moto and car traffic is also very heavy. Road rules are more like guidelines…well ok nobody really follows guidelines.
Deliveries are often a exercise in creativity! Make it work.
Sometimes you just have to jump on your camel and go into town for lunch at the local cafe.
Now thats how you move a ram when you have a buddy to help. I think I would have at least tied his feet together. Hope he doesn’t get spooked!
Doing some jewelry shopping. So much to chose from how do you decide? Oh, and he will always make what you want right on the spot.
This is a typical meat delivery to one of the grocery stores. I don’t think it’s FDA approved. We do not buy meat here.
Always remember when traveling and living in other countries to blend in with the locals as much as you can. One of these things is not like the other!