The following is a log of important events from our trip to Niamey. Collectively written by Bevin Kloepper, Rosa Lehman, Bridget Kennedy, Dione Folmer, Lissa Glasgo, and Sam Speck.
Day 1: Malanville to Niamey
7am -- Leave our amazing friend Matt's house. Get zem to border, cross border, get taxi to Niamey. Cram four people into the back row of a poorly designed mini-bus... poorly designed because Rosa, who stands about four feet tall, could not sit up straight in her seat. The rest of us looked like pretzels.
9am -- After waiting for an hour in very uncomfortable seat (sans explanation, of course), we begin 6 hour hell ride to Niamey on a very very broken road. Are collectively amazed at how tiny Nigerien villages are. We live in tiny villages here, but at least the PCVs here are guaranteed a cement house...
4pm -- Arrive in Niamey! Our spines cry tears of joy. Find a buvette to grab a cold drink and a snack, and to call the Peace Corps Niger Safety & Security Officer, because we don't know how to get to their office (where we're planning to stay).
4:13pm -- Are told by S&S Officer that PC Benin wasn't supposed to allow more than 4 people into Niger over break. Including us, there are 11 PCVs in Niger. Are told not to come in or near any official PC Niger buildings.
4:47pm -- Finally find a hotel, which is nine times more expensive than staying at Peace Corps Niger would have been. Are angry on behalf of our damaged budgets.
4:52pm -- Check in, go to rooms. Discover hot water, decide that all is right with the world.
7ish pm -- Eat expensive but delicious meal at hotel (coconut chicken!), drink actually delicious Biere Niger. Toast to a wonderful vacation.
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