The heavens opened...

Yesterday we experienced our first downpour...and it lasted for hours. The storm began on Sunday morning while we were sweating in our seats listening to a sermon at church. We saw the wind whipping up the dust in a frenzy, and people rushed to close the windows before they banged shut (obviously they've learnt from experience as some panes were already cracked).

The pastor tried to keep his flock on track, but he had a hard job, competing with the wind and rain while the children tumbled back into the building from their outdoor Sunday school classroom. But he soon adjusted to the conditions and added an extra 30 minutes to the sermon (because no-one could leave if they wanted to).

When we finally got out of church it was like stepping into a new world, such was the difference in temperature. I (Cathlin) actually had goose bumps on my arms from the fresh chill in the air! It was a wonderful feeling, to be cold.

Meanwhile, the streets had been transformed into rivers so we waded home through the murky water, trying not to think about what we were stepping in. Only the main roads and downtown streets are paved in Ouaga, so when it rains dusty streets disappear. It was eerily quiet on our way home. Life stops when it rains here, as the Burkinabé think they'll get a cold if they go out... and if they get sick they won't be able to go to work (or afford a doctor) and so will lose their income.

As we approached our house the neighbourhood watch (kids in our street) came to greet us. Some were dressed in long-sleeved tops and jackets, even though after the initial chill the temperature had since risen back into the mid-twenties.

I saw one guy in a beanie. Crazy stuff. One little kid had improvised a rain hat by perching a large hessian flour bag on his head. Jon went out in the rain to take photos (that's our street in the pic above) and entertain the kids.

In our street - Jon & kids

This is him in the brightest shirt I've managed to get him to wear. The bucket was my idea to collect rain water for our water filter...then the kids came in and washed their hands in it. Oh well. We were so thankful for the beautiful rain.

Cathlin