Third Goal

Bubbacarr's Chicken

Bubbacarr was the youngest son of the director of the hospital where I worked.  One day, his mother told him to catch this rooster so we could have it for lunch.  He caught the chicken, but it pecked him and got away.  He chased it down, and again, it got away.  The third time, he caught the chicken, and was able to hang on to it.  He marched around the hospital grounds, showing everyone his chicken before presenting it to myself and his mother.

Guerwol Beauty Contest

Every year, hundreds of Wodaabe herders gather in the desert for the Guerwol festival, a celebration consisting of dancing, singing, and a traditional male beauty pageant.  The men paint their faces red and line their lips and eyes in black.  They bare their teeth and widen their eyes, as these features are considered most attractive.  I was fortunate enough to witness the festival in 2009.

Paradise... Almost

"El Paraiso - Plan de Emergencia Radiologica Externo" or, in Elnglish, "Paradise - Radiological Emergency Plan". What does it all mean? Well, there is a beach town in Veracruz on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico called El Paraiso. There is also a nuclear reactor just north of the town.

Bicycle Kicks, Soccer Riots, and Pumas - Oh My!

On Saturday, October 30th, 2010, the Gallos Blancos (White Cocks... or less comically, the White Roosters) from Queretaro took on the Pumas from Mexico City in a soccer match (or futbol, in Spanish) in Estadio Corregidora, the hometown stadium in Queretaro, a large stadium that seats 35,000 fans.   The Pumas are one of the best teams in the country. The Gallos, in contrast, are not; like my hometown Buffalo sports teams, the Gallos seem to be perpetual losers, and like Buffalo, the fans never...

Sunshine Personified

Aunt Badji...the only woman who can outshine the hot African sun

Azerbyegone

Miko and the cat have a snack

When his older brother fell asleep while babysitting, Miko and the family cat had a snack of leftover ramen and boiled taro (then offered me some when he saw me snapping his picture).

swim hole

my place to cool off

Halloween Costumes

A group of youth volunteers from the town pose for a photo after the Halloween celebration.

Vingt-Six Dance

In celebration of Madagascar's Independence, the 26th of June ("vingt-six"), communities throw a large party.  In the South-East region, dances are performed in order to raise money for local groups.  Here men dance in a train as villagers come forward to contribute money at their feet.