But Will R. from Alison Hill! I have not finished answering your question! That last post was just getting a bit too windy for my liking. You said you want to know about our recreational activities? Well, let's learn! But a quick review. Or something like that.
Quick tea history that I forgot to include last post: Making tea like described previously used to be looked down upon quite a bit by the community here because it was the drink of drifters and nomads who had nothing to do but spend their time making tea. Somehow, that got twisted into a symbol of luxury in a way, showing the tea-brewer could take the time to make the tea and didn't have to concern himself with the fields or animals, etc. And the tea-craze has spread like... crazy... here in Burkina. (Can't think of a better adjective! Sorry!)
But for a reaaaaally good time,. the bar scene is where it's at. Beers here are too expensive for the average villageois here, thus it's really only the functionaires (government employees) or the more successful people who can afford to go out, have a Brakina, Pelforth, or even Guiness, eat a roasted chicken, etc. For everyone else, it's all about the Dolo Caberet or Banji Hut.
But first, quick note about etiquette here in the Burks! If you invite someone somewhere, you're really offering to pay for everything. Careful, my friends. I know some volunteers who have gotten into somewhat tricky situations because of it. There is no splitting checks here. On the plus side, there was one week when I kept getting waved over by people at the bar/restaurant near my house on my way home from school. Thus, free chicken and beer/cokes/water whatever! I felt like quite the freeloader that week...
Anyways, Dolo is a local type of beer that everyone makes at their houses by fermenting... uhm... something. I think Sorghum? Or millet. Or something like that. Now is a bad time for me to forget I guess. Anywho, this stuff is EVERYWHERE and cheap! Women fill up plastic trash cans with Dolo and sell it in the marché, on the side of the road, at their houses, or anywhere else they can find. People come and drink all day. Sometimes, it can get a bit too crazy. But, man, everyone loves it. It's at weddings, funerals, birthday parties, holidays, soccer matches, etc. The Southwest of the country (where I may or may not be located) has an additional drinking option as well- Banji, or Palm Wine. Harvesters climb palm trees several times a day to drain the tree of some of its fermented... juices? Dunno. I do know though that it can be sweet or sour based on how fermented it is. They define each batch by sweet or strong. I was once waved over on my way back from school by a couple of guys at a Banji hut. I talked with them for a while about why I'm here, they bought me a calabash, or wooden bowl, of Banji and we bonded briefly. They told me they really appreciated how I took the time to stop my bike, sit down, and talk with them. It was pretty cool...
But so far I've really mentioned card games and drinking. The people here love listening to music, especially Akon. They also play a ton of soccer. My town hosted a soccer tournament in the town square area when I first arrived. A ton of people were there and it was pretty intense. The orange team won 2-1 whoever they were. And when the kids are not playing soccer, they're on the local foosball tables. I once played with a guy who kept saying MESSI! every time he hit the ball. I thought he was speaking a local language until I realized he was saying Messi, as in the soccer player. Oops. Also, I know during certain months, my teachers at my school set up a net and play volleyball together Tuesday nights. But there's been too many bees and that's been put on hold for a bit.
Basically, in analysis, the real priority here is spending time with other people. There are not really many solo habits here. Those with tvs usually only do so socially from what I observe. There's a lot of free time really because there are no fixed work hours in village, and, as a result, a TON of bonding going on. And again, these activities are mostly for the men because the women are busy cleaning and preparing meals. That's another topic though! So, dear readers, if you're chill and like downtime, come to Burkina Faso! If you're into staying out and going dancing, come to Burkina Faso but stick to the major cities!! It's always a good time here. Haha, in my village I feel like I'm always busy, or always could be busy and I think people think it's unnecessary. Why work when you could be drinking tea? And each time I drink it, I start to agree.
Anyways, Dolo is a local type of beer that everyone makes at their houses by fermenting... uhm... something. I think Sorghum? Or millet. Or something like that. Now is a bad time for me to forget I guess. Anywho, this stuff is EVERYWHERE and cheap! Women fill up plastic trash cans with Dolo and sell it in the marché, on the side of the road, at their houses, or anywhere else they can find. People come and drink all day. Sometimes, it can get a bit too crazy. But, man, everyone loves it. It's at weddings, funerals, birthday parties, holidays, soccer matches, etc. The Southwest of the country (where I may or may not be located) has an additional drinking option as well- Banji, or Palm Wine. Harvesters climb palm trees several times a day to drain the tree of some of its fermented... juices? Dunno. I do know though that it can be sweet or sour based on how fermented it is. They define each batch by sweet or strong. I was once waved over on my way back from school by a couple of guys at a Banji hut. I talked with them for a while about why I'm here, they bought me a calabash, or wooden bowl, of Banji and we bonded briefly. They told me they really appreciated how I took the time to stop my bike, sit down, and talk with them. It was pretty cool...
But so far I've really mentioned card games and drinking. The people here love listening to music, especially Akon. They also play a ton of soccer. My town hosted a soccer tournament in the town square area when I first arrived. A ton of people were there and it was pretty intense. The orange team won 2-1 whoever they were. And when the kids are not playing soccer, they're on the local foosball tables. I once played with a guy who kept saying MESSI! every time he hit the ball. I thought he was speaking a local language until I realized he was saying Messi, as in the soccer player. Oops. Also, I know during certain months, my teachers at my school set up a net and play volleyball together Tuesday nights. But there's been too many bees and that's been put on hold for a bit.
Basically, in analysis, the real priority here is spending time with other people. There are not really many solo habits here. Those with tvs usually only do so socially from what I observe. There's a lot of free time really because there are no fixed work hours in village, and, as a result, a TON of bonding going on. And again, these activities are mostly for the men because the women are busy cleaning and preparing meals. That's another topic though! So, dear readers, if you're chill and like downtime, come to Burkina Faso! If you're into staying out and going dancing, come to Burkina Faso but stick to the major cities!! It's always a good time here. Haha, in my village I feel like I'm always busy, or always could be busy and I think people think it's unnecessary. Why work when you could be drinking tea? And each time I drink it, I start to agree.
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