Niger

Niger – Country 28

Niger is one of the friendliest places we have been, with the most respectful children we have met. Without asking the children come up to you to say hello and shake your hand. Even some street kids who came into the field to get empty water bottles all came over, shook my hand to say thank you – I was blown away.

Niger is a very simple sparsely populated country and very sandy (it would be with the Sahara dessert as a neighbour…) it is also VERY hot. 40 degrees + is a bit much for us especially for organising outdoor functions! The Niger rugby team came to say hello and perform their Haka for us to say thank you for the 200 balls, plus a Tag Rugby bag we donated to the federation ( very sweet, they were so happy that someone was taking an interest in rugby in Niger).

To cool off the people around Niamey congregate next to the River Niger, braaing (bar-b-que), playing games, riding motorbikes, swimming, fishing, full on beach parties (looked like the place to be, especially over the weekend!).

We all bought a few items in the local market (unusual for us!!), as they had beautiful leather products for a steal… I had one guy come up to me bend down, take off my shoe and slip a leather sander on my foot , I was a bit shocked, but I looked down at these beautiful soft pink (I can be girly sometimes!!) sandals I bought them on the spot I didn’t even bargain – that was a good salesman ( I’m just glad he wasn’t selling trousers!!).

The Roads in Niger are good tar all the way.