Our time here in Niger has just "flown by" recently, and I have been quite busy with the school and the students! However, as today was "Market Wednesday," we decided to venture again outside the compound, and take in the sights and sounds (and smells, textures - but NO tastes, thank you!) of the village of Galmi. I had forgotten just what a "sensory overload" that jaunt can be! I think the pictures will "speak for themselves," however I cannot let an opportunity to share go by without comment! So . . .
 |
| Typical Market Scene |
The above picture does not even begin to communicate the CONFUSION that is the market, but shows how it is set up. Almost everything is sold on the ground. Add about 100 people in the picture, throw in a couple of motorcycles, and a "traveling loudspeaker" on a cart, which takes up an entire path, blaring out what I think are messages from the Quran, and a man carrying a bowl into which I peek and discover a fat yellow and black snake! Now you are coming close to the market experience!
 |
| All Things Motorcycle |
Motorcycles are everywhere! The hospital treats LOTS of victims of motorcycle accidents and "face-offs!" This picture was taken as we walked along the road to the market.
 |
| Clothes From . . . ? |
There are probably not enough feet in Africa to wear all of the shoes waiting to be sold!
 |
| Shoes |
Notice the bare feet in the background. Somewhere in my past I was told to "never buy shoes from a man who has bare feet!" Most of these shoes looked "new-ish," with the exception of the "dress shoes!"
 |
| More Shoes! |
Let's leave the apparel section and venture on over to "all things IKEA." There we will first visit the kitchen department, where we might want to look at . . .
 |
| Blenders |
 |
| Sifters |
 |
| Tea Pot Warmers |
I am continually amazed at African "resourcefulness!" The little black wire stands are made to hold hot charcoal in the wire cup and a teapot on top of that! (I am not sure how that works out, however, because the only teapots I have seen are plastic!) The sifters are 3-4 inch-high "rounds" cut from #10 cans with screening affixed to one opening.
Let's head on over to the furniture department, where we could pick up a bed - literally!
 |
| Beds, Bookcases, Night Stands |
If we got a bed, then we would need some mattresses. No problem, I just saw a couple pass by me; perhaps they are for sale:
 |
| Mattresses Carried on a Head! |
Perhaps it is time to stock up on some food staples, like . . .
 |
| Corn |
 |
| Rice and Millet |
 |
| Galmi Onions |
Galmi onions are DELICIOUS and I eat them every day! They are red onions, very fresh, crunchy, sweet, and strong. They ship them all over the world, as you can imagine from the truck in the next picture. The little boy in this picture is so cute, but do you notice how skinny he is (like most of the people here) and yet how his tummy protrudes? He is probably malnourished or has worms, as he looks too well to have malaria.
 |
| Loads of Galmi Onions |
Looking at all this wonderful "bulk food," might make one hungry, however it was not hard to pass up the "fast food" that is everywhere . . .
 |
| Market "Fast Food". . . Yummy! |
One interesting thing I learned about those who sell meat at the market, is that in order to let the customer know whether the meat is from sheep, goat, or beef, they put the animal's freshly removed tail next to the meat! (Hmm . . . I'm seeing a new marketing strategy for the in-store deli's in the U.S.! I mean, why waste money on extra employees to answer all those pesky questions customers ask about meat, when you could just set a tail there and end all confusion? Or maybe even the animal head. . . no, wait . . . those are needed in soup, along with some "other" parts!)
Phil and I each came to the market with purchases in mind - Phil to find a "robe and pants," which is an alternate clothing selection for men here, and he wanted a "Hausa hat." He found both! The "Hausa hats" are inexpensive, and the vendor unpacked and unstacked almost his entire inventory to help Phil get one that fit and was a good color.
 |
| "Hausa Hats" |
I was looking for fabric (no surprise there). I am VERY picky (no surprise there, either!). You can find almost any color combination and design. I did not want anything like snakes, umbrellas, starfish, etc. on mine. I like more "geometric" styles and nothing "American" looking. But I have discovered that whatever you get looks MUCH better made up than hanging on a line with dozens of other pieces. Fabric is sold in 12-yard pieces, but they will halve that and sell you 6-yard pieces. That is about what it takes to make a "zunni" (wrap skirt), a long top, and a "kalabi" or head wrap. After I visit several vendors, they stop getting up and showing me pieces because I am too much work for them!!! I am not a "quick decider!"
 |
| Fabric Vendor |
You can also have something made while you wait, which I have never seen before in the market. But I like to make my own things. Sewing is therapeutic - not that I need therapy here!
 |
| Make It While You Wait! |
We are almost finished with the "market experience," however if you need something metal for almost anything, you must stop by the "parts department." Home Depot has nothing on these vendors:
 |
| Parts? |
Our "market adventure" took about 2 hours, but there are just a few more pictures to share because they say something important about what life is like here for the people of Niger:
 |
| Says It All??? |
I was warned early on to be careful about people "creating" crowds, as it is a good way for someone to pick your pocket. I always keep my purse in front and my hand on it for safety. This photo was one of those you take unknowingly as you are trying to maneuver your camera - which usually results in photos of your nose or shoes, etc. But it sure looks to me like this little boy is hitting the pocket of some unsuspecting shopper! You can decide for yourself.
Plastic is a problem here - to our way of thinking, anyway. These goats had to forage for food scraps in and among the "bags" that have blown around, however, as you can see in the second picture, maybe eventually they will become the "stuff of fences" or even provide walls around the houses! They do actually disintegrate in the heat here in pretty short order, but there are just SO MANY of them.
 |
| Looking For Dinner |
 |
| Fences or Just Another Bag Bush? |
We won't need gas on our walk home, but if we did, here is what we would find . . .
 |
| Galmi Gas Station |
And the last scene here, actually makes me angry . . . currently because I cannot download it to this blog!!! So, use your imagination. We passed by a tiny girl - maybe 5 or 6 years old, carrying an empty, but large, clay pot on top of her head. This should not be! She will stunt her growth, and then when she goes to have children (which can be as early as 11-15), she will have problems that could cost her dearly. Her body will not be developed enough to deliver a baby, and that will be just one of her problems.
Phil and I are SO thankful for all that we are learning, and that we can have a small role in helping people find Jesus. And on the lifestyle side, we are thankful for our country and all that is available to us, and everyone who lives there, so we can move beyond "surviving" to "thriving!" And a BIG THANK YOU to all who have been supporting us in prayer, in financial provisions, emotionally by keeping in contact, and just maintaining an interest in serving the wonderful, but very needy people of Niger! God Bless You!
