French Embassy first thing, in Consul Road, where we were surprised to see modern Western houses (by Niger standard anyway) but with lush gardens that were home to traditional, woven-mat servants’ quarters. Wealthy diplomats need home help and who else but black Africans would fill those roles? Probably higher wages than most others in the country, though.
We got an insight into the Niger banking system too. Very modern offices but very, very slow processing of travellers’ cheques, with all sorts of commissions and taxes bumping up the exchange rate. Apart from the manager, the staff were sullen and put out that we were only changing money.
After returning from the Embassy, I spent a wonderful couple of hours at the market, the walk there taking us past women washing in the Niger River, their brightly coloured clothes spread out on the grass to dry. Bob and I hit the fabric shops again and bought another length of cloth between us. Saw others I wanted but trying to cut back because I’ve got visas to buy.
Eventually found the post restante service but it was closed so bought sweet breads from a mobile vendor with a box of loaves on his head. Haggled for a pineapple in the market, becoming the first person on the truck to buy one that wasn’t rotten, and for the bargain price of 500 CFA. We were chased by several other sellers trying to convince me that their fruit was “tres bon” and they were unimpressed when I poked their fruits' rotten parts. I grimaced at the flies crawling over the fish market produce. Dodged people trying to sell us everything from tomatoes to mangoes.
Back to camp where a team of us scrubbed out and repacked the food lockers. Exhausting work in the heat that demanded another shower.
Half a pineapple was a delicious finish to a dinner of cheesy vegetables (other half for breakfast). Mild, relaxing night.
Add comment
Comments