Hi ya- I just realised that I uploaded the pics of my village house to facebook not blogger. So below are a few pics of my house before I moved in.
The house: quite a posh brick and cement place with a tin roof AND glass windows!
Stunning view from the from verandah (aka formal lounge)
The back yard- kitchen on the left, shower and loo in the corner. In this culture, only those that sleep in the house usually go inside. Domestic life happens inside the fence around the back of the house. This is where food is prepared and cooked, clothes are hung over the fence to dry, dishes are washed, chickens roam, kids are bathed and friends and relatives come and sit and visit. Inside the fence is personal living space, so people call out 'odi!' meaning 'let me!' to which you answer 'eh, ajinjile!' or 'odini!' supposedly before they enter.
Bathing area. You take in a bucket of water heated over the fire (or not- if you're useless at lighting fires) and have a wash. the rubble prevents you from standing in mud.
Toilet- the cover keeps flies and bugs out. Otherwise-it's squat, aim, fire! Needless to say, I'm really missing western loo's!
AND...the local pump - a very integral part of my life at the village. It's where I meet and greet ladies, do my washing and of course get my daily water needs.
I've discovered that you use much less water when you have to carry it all yourself- which is fantastic for the environment :) I use 2-3 buckets per day ie 30-45L which I reckon is about the same amount a western house'd use in a day just for toilet flushing!
Ok - enough blogging / procrastinaing. I'm in otwn, using the computer for work reasons- so I'd better get on with it :) basi!
1 comment:
Wow Rina! Are you living in the house by yourself, or with one of the local women? I guess you'd be by yourself. Thanks for the detailed photo's of you house and yard etc. It's great to have a picture of your surroundings when thinking about you and the work you're doing! I hope you are enjoying it?!
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