Ouesso Diary #2

At times I found taking photos wasn't enough to capture a moment. I wrote this on 8/23/06

A lady walks intently across the soggy field, a long stick helping her make each step. The scarf on her head, her t-shirt and skirt are all faded and worn from many long days of toilsome labor. A man saunters by in a new bright blue outfit with red chickens on it, music streaming from a walkman in his pocket. From somewhere a rooster crows, and the sounds of humans emerging begin calling across the courtyard. The plunk, plunk of water dripping from tree branches is accented by the occasional distant rumble of thunder. With rhythmic steps and hands marking an inaudible beat, a girl zigzags carefully over the puddles. The air is cool and smells fresh. The village awakens after another impressive rainstorm.