One month in Niger!

So I finally got access to a computer that was faster than dial-up and it is amazing. Quick update on my life in Niger. Time has flown by since I've been here in country. We are about half-way through training and we find out soon where we will be posted for the next 2 years on Friday! Pretty exciting, but nerve-wracking at the same time. I have already had so many amazing experiences here so I'll point out just a few. Well first of all, the climate and landscape are completely different that I had expected. Since it is rainy season, everything is green and it's not all sand like I thought. I live outside of the village where we train and it is amazing being away from the "city life". The millet has quadrupled in size since I arrived and is now about 4-5 feet tall. We have millet all around our compound and in fields that go on forever. It is amazing to be taking a bucket bath during sunrise or sunset and look out towards the fields and enjoy the scenery. It's one of my favorite times during the day. The lightning is also a beautiful phenomenon that we get to experience quite often. It's much different than in the States, but hard to explain. The entire sky lights up and the lightning strikes for up to 6 seconds at a time. The showers are intense and the wind is amazing. I have also gotten used to sleeping outside with only a mosquito net between me and the night sky. The stars are beautiful on a clear night, another sight that is amazing compared to in the States. I have not seen much wildlife but I hope to see the free-roaming giraffes at some point soon. I have been able to see quite a few camels which is pretty neat, yet I haven't been able to ride them...yet. There are also these immense mesas around where we have been staying and I have had the opportunity to hike up more than one and enjoy the view from the top. It is indescribable to be able to see the horizon all around you. You can see mud brick houses, cattle, donkeys, and villagers nearby, and trees and bushes forever. The sunsets are beautiful. Well, that's all I can write for now. Time to head back to normal life back in the village. Until next time, kala tonton!