Young Men

I don’t know anything about dating in Burkina Faso, but all I can tell you how men have interacted with me. I have actually had NO marriage proposals yet, or at least not understood any, but I’m rarely around men since I work at an NGO for women. Or that I clearly am too skinny now! However here are a few examples of things that have occurred. One day a man from across road yelled “hello” whether this was directed at me, at the time I did not know. He continued to yell, “hello, hello, hello. He also got closer and closer. Finally I said “hello, what do you want?” he then said “oh je ne parle pas englais” – I don’t speak English….i said you were that annoying just so I noticed you could say hello, I walked away. I also have had a lot of men ask me for their numbers or say “my boss wants your number what is it?” failed attempts. I now even have problems of people seeing where I live, thankfully I’m only here a week more, but last week when I met up with Damon’s brothers friend I was having trouble describing how to get to my house and there were two young boys outside on bikes. They offered to instruct him. I talked to them a bit but they were only 15, I think I previously mentioned the story. Anyways, they wanted my number but I said I don’t speak French and you don’t speak English so how could that work. I thought our relationship was over until tonight when one came and knocked on my door. I was totally surprised and he said he just wanted to say hi and then left. I could feel all my neighbors’ eyes and ears twitching to know why this young man was coming to my door. I went back inside and one hour later he came back! I don’t know why he came back but I lied and said I was sleeping, even though it was only 8 pm. I hope he is gone now, but I didn’t let him in obviously but its just silly. He’s just a kid but I don’t want to give him any wrong signals. But I must say no man here has been rude to me, not once, which was not true in Kenya or Tanzania. Interesting.

also obviously my internet stayed on so i can still post!