Harmattan

To everything- turn turn turn

There is a season- turn turn turn

And a time for every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die

A time to plant, a time to reap

A time to kill, a time to heal

A time to laugh, a time to weep

A time to build up, a time to break down

A time to dance, a time to mourn

A time to cast away stones

A time to gather stones together

A time of war, a time of peace

A time of love, a time of hate

A time you may embrace

A time to refrain from embracing

A time to gain, a time to lose

A time to rend, a time to sew

-The Byrds

(Ecclesiastes 3)

The last three pictures above are from the last storm of rainy season. The first two are of a beautiful sunset thanks to the dusty season that has arrived. The harmattan is here and with it the roads are dustier and everything is drying out.. It was such a sudden change. The nights are much cooler in the upper 50s (F) and the days aren't humid like before, but they still reach temperatures in the upper 90s (F). As the harmattan came, so did illness... Today it seemed as if the whole schoolhouse was full of sickness. I have a bad cold that came on suddenly a couple days ago, and it is starting to let up some-- I'm pretty sure it was caused by the change in seasons.

Other than the changes in the seasons there have been so many changes taking place in adapting to life here. The normalcy of everything in particular amazes me at this point. I know what to expect for the most part and when to expect the unexpected even.. Even as I become accustomed to day to day life here, I find myself still being amazed at the different climate I now find myself living in. Lately I have been missing family and friends from the states more and missing the seasons the states has to offer with the layered clothing and the bulky jackets and the falling leaves or snow to jump in. The seasons here still change, but in such a foreign way to me..