Happy Boxing Day!

Yesterday, as the best possible Christmas present, I talked on the phone to Mom, Michael, Katie and Kelly. Earlier that evening, I went to the amazing American-looking home of the assistant bossman of Peace Corps Niger for Christmas dinner. Although I have seen billboards for Orange that wish us a "Joyeux Noel" it has been difficult to remember that it is December and Christmas time. So with all the family and holiday cheer yesterday, I was finally convinced. In December in Niger, you are likely to hear prayer calls five times a day from the local mosque, trudge through the sand and pot-holed streets to get to "alhadji" stores and haggle prices for sugar and flour, and see camels rather than deer running across the street. You are not likely to see Christmas decorations, snow, or Salvation Army santas in front of grocery stores. You're also not likely to find a grocery store. Tomorrow I head back out to my village for my first full month of Peace Corps service. I apologize for not writing more but the first two and a half months in country has been such a blur. I will need this first month to reflect on all my experiences so I can start writing a consistantly good and meaningful blog. Happy holidays! Have a great New Year!