Taking both sisters out for a good ride

I am a lucky person. It was always my dream to ride in the bush with Arwen's future foal running freely by her side. Unfortunately, Arwen hasn't given birth to anything yet, but when Maya happened to come our way, I just couldn't resist the temptation of letting her loose, believing that the need to belong to a flock is a stronger urge to a horse than pure freedom. Which was proven to be true, at least in the case of Maya.

Although I waited until I had passed the main road (in order not to confuse traffic!), I let her loose when as soon as we reached the outskirts of town, and then, off we went! She ran first to start with, being so eager to stretch her legs, but as soon as we were out in the open, she just tagged along, switched sides with us with regular intervals.

Nettus met us for a brief photo shoot, where Maya unsurprisingly did not care to stand still (it was all so exiting and so many things to discover!).

We did stay a few minutes, before heading off for some "real" work in the bush! Need I say that we had a lot of fun...?

Ishtar

Nigerien leather work

A leather carpet received my attention today. A beautiful handmade Nigerien leather carpet. Niger produces some cool things, with leather work being one of its specialties. For those of you who want to see more screen shots, have a look at Livswerk.

Warm greetings,
Ishtar

Taking another visitor for a ride

Horseback riding in the never ending outback of Zinder is something all horse people need to experience at some point in their lives. Although there are loads of things you can do better elsewhere, this is one of the things where Niger takes a lead over most other places in the world.

Now our good friend Ahmed had seen me ride to the race track and had heard me talk about the bush, and so I had to show him. And I was happy to find out that he was not afraid to venture outside! We hooked him up with Sahara, who's such a stable sensible ride, and because Arwen was limping, I borrowed a young stallion named Rio from the Snowman.

Nettus followed us out, but just a little while later we were on our own. We had a fabulous time, covering a large extended space for almost two hours. The horses were good tempered and so happy, just the way you want them! And we were happy to. Niger is such a beautiful country, and even Nigerians, it's a treat to see so much space!

Ishtar

Marriage celebrations on our street

When Nettus and I went to work this afternoon, we stumbled upon some festivities going on in our street.

The younger brother of a friend of my brother (it's complicated, I know...) was getting married, and so the tent was up, and dancers had been hired for the occasion.

I didn't have the time to stay for long, but Nettus did, walking around with her camera and photographing the people.

It was a beautiful crowd, and as for all the people wearing the same tissue, that is one of the key issues in Niger which shows family unity.

Ishtar

Souna part II

In the afternoon, we went back the souna, which was then in full swing.

Hampsatu and her baby daughter Sherifa

Some of the other women in the room

Some of the people outside

Nettus and Ishtar eating à la Nigerienne - although I must admit, I totally lack the skill of eating with my hands! My colleague finds this hilarious, since he knows I can eat with "sticks" (he has seen me at a Chinese restaurant) and logically, eating with your hand should be a lot easier. But it all comes down to habit, and I am untrained in the art of getting food correctly in my mouth using only my hands - without looking like a slob! The good news is that we were commended for our efforts and did not offend anyone!

Ishtar

Souna - part I

Today was the souna of our colleague's newborn daughter. It is custom to have the naming ceremony up to seven days after birth, when the child and mother are presented to all friends and (extended) family. It is the day when everyone gets to know the name of the child, which in this case was Sherifa.

Nettus and I on the bed together with one of Sherifa's brothers and her mother.

Outside in the courtyard, friends and family (only the women, of course!) where helping out with the upcoming dinner - a meal of meat that everyone was looking forward to!

Photos of the women

We stayed for an hour and then went home for a "break", promising to be back later on... On our way home, we stopped at Ladi's and took some pictures with her and her younger brother Abdul-something (sorry, I keep forgetting!) and sister Aïchatu. Aïchatu is the funniest little rascal you can find (worldwide) - both Nettus and I adore her. She always always makes us laugh!

Ishtar

Wintertime in Africa

Oh, what a perfect winter we have had this year! Great temperatures and a deep blue sky with lots of sunshine, just the way I love it!

Ishtar

The first considerable race of the season

So, a new year and a new season. I have to remind myself of the "cut", since I see a year as the full extent of time that I am in Africa! For me, the new year will be after I have gone back to Sweden and then get to come back to Africa again.

Anyway, this weekend showed some interesting races at the track, so Nettus & I sent the mares with Ali and took the bikes ourselves, meeting with all the "who's whos" of the Zinderien horse community. Arwen poor thing had to stay home recuperating from a fall we had (which left her with an injured muscle).

The place was crowded and so security was up.

Everywhere, you could see people preparing their horses for the races.

The discipline amongst the stallions today was impressionable! Nettus got to take some fab pictures!

And they were off!

When they were done with the first race, Yaronbaba took the Ishtar girls out for a ride. Sahara taking the task dead seriously and Maya the young one tagging along. She did run though! And jump... And play... They had fun, and so did we!

Nettus, Maya and our friend aka the Snow Man

Nettus with her favourite horse's younger sister

Ishtar & Maya

Maya trying to communicate that she would like to have her fair share of phone conversation, especially when the call is from Sweden!

The heated debate about what horse is going to win the race!

The winner in person - Aldo the Menace (brown horse to the right). If Nettus and I get things the way we want, Aldo will be siring Sahara's foal, but in order for him to do that, she must first express a specific interest him in... But that'll be another story!

This was all from the race track, for this time. Will be back, though!

Ishtar

The Baobab forest revisited

After having visited the market, we headed out to the infamous century old Baobab forest - another of my top 20 Niger places.

The perfect place for a picnic, where you can lie in the shade and watch the people pass by... It was wonderful!

And it all ended with a photo shoot of the two Scandinavian girls of Zinder....

For more images of the Baobab forest, click here or you can always coax me into uploading more... :-)

Ishtar

The Mirriah market revisited

So today, we went on a Sunday excursion to Mirriah, one of Ishtar's top 20 places in Niger, bringing with us our guest Haruna and our neighbour Jmackie.

The visiting party caught on picture...

The calabash department

The market view

Looking for the right tiya of salt

Fish to the left and clay work to the right - it's your pick and it's not expensive!

Nettus & Ishtar, the two Scandinavians of Zinder

For previous visits to the Mirriah market, click here

Ishtar