Au revoir Niger. What we'll miss about Niger.

Some things we'll miss! (in no particular order)
1. Living “on the farm” in the middle of the city!
Waking up to rooster crows, guinea fowl honking and bleating goats. Meeting spunky goats and laid-back sheep wandering the streets and garbage dumps for anything to fill their empty stomachs. Passing small herds of cattle munching on anything edible growing along the sides of the streets. Vegetable gardens and crops (millet, corn, legumes) growing on any piece of available land.





2. Our pets we left behind. Snowy our cat and the 3 dogs (daytime guards and playful companions) we’ve enjoyed taking care of at each of the houses we lived in.



3. Having connections with people in many diverse settings (from church, NGO work, school, etc.) The chance for both Tim and Christine to be more connected with each other’s jobs. Christine learned a lot about Tim’s work in humanitarian development.

4. Our new friends and colleagues, both African and internationals like ourselves.

5. Having a night guard at the house to open the gate (an automatic garage door opener), water the garden, clean the animal cages, and take out the garbage to the street.

6. Having very affordable house-help 3 times a week. Now we’ll have to get used to sharing the domestic house work! No more piling the dishes up high for our cleaning lady.

7. Greeting people on the street (something you don’t see much in big cities in Canada with people too caught up with their iPods and cell phones to look up and smile). Africans are very warm and friendly people.

8. The “fish guy” who brought huge freshly caught capitaine (Nile perch) to our door upon request. And the “veggie man” who came by several times a week on his bike with fresh produce. He was a kind old soul who was always heavily dressed despite the oppressive heat and always wearing a green “winter-like” scarf around his neck.

9. Being able to see the sky (not often possible in Canada), enjoy the sunset and actually predict the weather for the day with fairly good accuracy! Expect heat and sun (no rain) for about 9 months of the year. When the humidity starts rising and the clouds start building, expect rain.

10. Looking forward to each of the fruit seasons (mango season, guava season, tangelo season, tomato season, etc.). We’ll really miss having our mango (or two) a day!

11. “Street chicken”. The ultimate in drive-by fast food! Get a roast chicken stuffed with couscous for only 5 dollars from the vendor at the side of the road! Convenient and delicious, although rather scrawny. A whole chicken barely feeds 2 hungry people!

12. Freshly roasted peanuts (in liquor bottles!) and homemade peanut butter that tastes even better than the best natural peanut butter found in the stores in Canada.

13. Senegalese fast-food (a heaping plate of rice, sauce and meat of your choice for only 3 or 4 dollars!) The best hamburgers in Niamey at “La Cloche” bar and restaurant.


14. Tim will miss driving a big land cruiser!


15. Speaking French on a daily basis. But then again we may move to Quebec.

16. Very affordable house rental and services. You can get a really nice outfit made by a tailor/seamstress for only $15. Alterations cost only $1.00. You can hire a plumber, electrician or tree trimmer for a bargain deal.


17. The lively worship at the Nigerien churches we attended. Churches in Niger are for the most part made up of new believers and active Christians with a passion for Jesus and spreading the Good News.

18. The slower pace of life. Having more relaxed time to read, reflect, journal, go for walks, visit with people, and enjoy life. Less time was spent on the internet (most of the time we didn’t have internet at home) and more time for friendships and recreation.

19. Friendly geckos on the walls and hiding in your sandals.

20. Seeing camels in the city everyday (walking past our house, on the streets, in the market) and waiting for a camel to saunter across the intersection.