Internet at Last!!

Still no internet at home - since we're still waiting for the telephone company to come to our house to fix our phone line - but we have managed to hook up internet services at the clinic (we share a phone line with the clinic). This means 2 things...firstly, if anyone calls the clinic after hours, we're the lucky ones to answer; and secondly, we're back to good old fashioned dial-up...and it's sloooooooow!

So much has happened in these last couple weeks that I don't know where to begin! I'll try to catch up on some of the more important things over the next little while but first things first...

Many have asked for pictures of our new home so below you'll find our 'before' pictures.
No need to start passing around a collection for our return ticket home just yet…with a few more supplies and some more elbow grease we hope to have this place in tip top shape in the not-too-distant future! JP and I have been very busy trying to get running water to the house, mosquito proofing, putting up a privacy fence (who needs tv when you have 'toubabs') and have spent long days lifting old tile, laying new ceramic, painting, etc. There is still plenty more work to be done but the place is starting to feel more like a home. The work on our home is going to be a little slower going forward as we start at the clinic on Tuesday. We will be sure to share the 'after' pictures when the work is finished.

This is a view of our kitchen... Seems not one cupboard door closes but who needs cupboard doors anyway? The fridge in the picture didn't work but we've scored a small medication fridge for the necessities - like a cold glass of water! We also have a small gas stove that has 2 operating elements. My greatest joy however, over the last couple of weeks has probably been the successful installation of running water to our house! FINALLY!! You would be amazed at how good a person gets at conserving water when you have to lift it by the pail full from a 70 ft deep well, then carry it to your house! The water still cuts out all the time, but we're happy to have it when we do! So, with a good coat of paint, this kitchen will be the envy of all of Niaguis!

Our living room/dining room... We've just finished lifting what was left of the tile but progress has been stalled due to a cement shortage. Seems Senegal is developing by leaps and bounds and cement manufacturers can't keep up. We hope to buy the necessary cement tomorrow to start laying our new ceramic tile. The furniture is in pretty good shape except someone decided to discourage thievery by writing "DAN" (Dispensaire Adventiste de Niaguis) in permanent black marker on every surface.

Our bedroom the first night we stayed in our new home...Donna, I don't know that you'd like it :) The red rust looking marks on the wall are actually residual termite tracts. We have since moved our bedroom to the other end of the house since this one became a furnace with the afternoon sun. We also have a new mattress :)