Party eggs

The end of the year is approaching and therefore it is a common topic of conversation these days. Apparently, new year's eve is generally not celebrated as elaborately as the religion celebration days, like Eid. But according to a friend of mine, some people here at least tend to do 'something' to celebrate this special night and the start of the new year. Somehow, the word 'something' had triggered me and I asked her what this 'something' was. "Well", she said, "they just throw eggs at each other." She said it in such a way that it was the most common thing to do, but I couldn't help bursting into laughter. "They do what? Throwing eggs?", I replied. "Yes, I don't know how this has become a tradition, but some people just do it like that." I pictured myself walking happily on the street during new years and suddenly being attacked by flying eggs from all different corners. I smiled and said that it's maybe for the best that Frank and I will be spending new years eve back in The Netherlands. Fireworks and bonfires are one thing, but I assured her that I had never heard of people throwing eggs at each other to officiate the beginning of a new year. She started smiling and admitted that this throwing egg activity does have it downsides: "The egg battle can be fun, but once you reach your home you are just soooo smelly!"

Bye bye!

Last night we were surprised by a lovely farewell party organized by one of the communities nearby Kosti. As local customs required, it was a combination of speeches, dances, songs, hugs and a so-called 'certificate ceremony'. Golden-framed certificates are very popular here in Kosti and usually used to thank or honour someone. The handing-over of the certificates doesn't 'just' happen, but has the tendency to be a formal moment in the party gathering. During yesterday's ceremony  Frank and I received a colourful certificate in a shiny frame with lots of sweet words to thank us. I quote: "We want to say thank you for the good people for more things they are help us more and more. We are say non.forget you and remember you still alifes." Although English is very difficult for most of the community members, we felt that their message came from their heart. After all dances, songs and cups of sweet tea we eventually headed home with a complete  content and thankful feeling. Indeed an unexpected very special Christmas Eve in Kosti for saying "Bye bye"!

Outing food

The local staff had already shown us before that they really know how to enjoy team outings. But somehow they did surprise us again yesterday, when we went for our last team outing of the year. One thing that has become clear is the importance of food during an outing, especially the meat. Without meat, no outing! Instead of ready-made food, everything was being prepared freshly on the spot. And the amount of meat, vegetables and fruit was really no joke! To be sure that everyone would have full bellies during the whole day, there were enough ingredients for both breakfast (sheep) and lunch (chicken). In practise, this meant that the majority of the time people were cutting, stirring or supervising the cooking process. In the meantime people enjoyed themselves with card games, dancing, chatting and sleeping. Recreation at a maximum level, I would say! After having eaten all the food (-according to many people, the highlight of the day were Frank's freshly baked chips from the charcoal fire! -), it was time to say goodbye. We will surely miss these outings with the friendly staff, when leaving Kosti. But this was definitely a memorable concluding one, to be remembered by both our minds and our bellies!