Birthdays and Braids

It is common for people in Nigeria to not know their birthdays. I have not completely figured out why - but one reason is that most families do not have money to celebrate birthdays and so, over the years, the actual date is forgotten. Because of the difficult backgrounds of many of our children, they do not know their birthdays. SO - the Crazy Texas Team, who come every October, started an annual tradition awhile back of having a general birthday party for all the kids. The team throws a party for the kids, complete with cake, ice cream and gifts.

Our girls were so delighted with their gift bags

Cutting of the Cake (look at the girls happy faces)

I also recently had my hair 'plaited', as we say here. I asked two of my Nigerian neighbors to do it for me. Because white folks hair is so silky, attachments have to be braided into the real hair so that the braids will last. It only took 4 hours! I say 'only' because I once had it done with really small, tight braids and it took 13 hours - for real. These mug shots are just so you can see the final product. :) I kept the braids in for two weeks.

The Other Kind of Tree

My last entry was about the planting of my tree in Gyero. The baby tree is struggling, thanks to the village goats who come by and eat the leaves. The girls assured me that they are chasing away the goats anytime they see them coming.

I just have to share with you about another kind of tree in Gyero. First, I have to say that lots of folks say the word s**t instead of 'poop' or '#2', as we say in the States. Not sure why, but that is how it is and it is acceptable. So, the other day Nicky was walking with a kid in the village and they were looking for a place to sit down. She saw a tree and said they should sit under it. "No Aunty!," the boy replied, 'that is the s**t tree!!!" Apparently, lots of kids do their business under the tree! :) And you can bet there is lots of grass growing under it, too.

Oh, village life. Nigerian life. I still find myself thinking 'is this for real?' or 'pinch me' - even after almost four years!