Cultural exchange with some Burkina Faso boys..
This cultural exchange has lasted 2 weeks, which allowed me to know the boys in Burkina faso that welcomed us warmly into their city, the journey takes place primarily in two cities Ouagadogou is the first (and capital) where we stayed the first and last night, and where we could visit the main attractions of the city, while the second is Ouahigouya, a large town in the north of Burkina where it takes place entirely on our exchange that comes through the creation of the "In Burkina Beoga ( Hello Burkina) coordinated by the "Cities for Peace" (COCOPA) Beinasco, Moncalieri, Nichelino, and Settimo Torinese Rivoli, all municipalities of Turin belt.
The main objective of this project is the exchange, and no assistance, but of solidarity aimed at creating a network between the towns of Cocopa and Municipalities of Burkina faso for groped to answer individual problems together.
Together these guys have created a little show Italo-French and initiated a project to establish a center where they could utilize the internet, but also have more adequate information. Today, this initiative is being pursued by Italian boys who do the civil service in Burkina and also from Burkina faso boys.
Finally I can say that it was a unique experience, even if it was not very easy for me, considering it was my first trip alone to a place so far and for many days, but at the same time I say it is a journey that everyone should do to rediscover the simple things in life.
Some information
-POPULATION: 13 228 000
-Life expectancy: 53.8 years
-Birth rate ': 6 children per woman
-Mortality rate ': 44.78 PER 1000
-Mortality rate 'CHILD: 99.78 PER 1000
-Literacy rate: 25.85%
-CAPITAL: Ouagadogou
Currency: CFA Franc
-TIMEZONE: UTC 0
-OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: FRENCH
-NATIONAL MOTTO: UNITY ', PROGRESS, JUSTICE
-National Anthem: Une Seule NUIT
-NATIONAL HOLIDAY: December 11
-GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary Republic
HEAD OF STATE: Blaise Compaoré '
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT: Paramanga Ernest Yonli
-INDEPENDENT: from France, August 5, 1960
INPUT-UN: September 20, 1960
Ethnic
The population of Burkina faso is made up of sixty different ethnic groups, although the majority of Westerners do not recognize diffenti ethnic groups to which an individual belongs. The main ones are as follows: the Mossi (48%), I Peuls (8%), I Gourmantché (7%), The Bobo (7%), the Gourounsi (6%), lobes (4%), the Bissa (4%), the Samo (3%), the Bwaba (3%).
PRACTICE
Photographs may not be at all public buildings and official (recognized by the national banner), military checkpoints, police.
As for the clothes, always wear things that do not offend the Burkinabé, so it is forbidden to be bare back, very short shorts, clothes or anything that might appear provocative.
If you are invited to a friend's house or a restaurant, also in this case you have to dress properly, just to show that you are honored by this invitation, keep in mind is impolite to eat with his left hand.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS AND VACCINATIONS
Passport, identity card, badges yellow international vaccination, naturally among the most important things to do vaccinations are yellow fever, malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A, antimeningococco, there may be variations depending on the posts where you go, some Doctors recommend taking the treatment for traveler's diarrhea, which I found very effective, obviously these are information regarding this experience, and advice to rely on doctors or experts.
PRACTICE
If you face a trip to Burkina faso you should absolutely not forget:
-a small pharmacy staff;
-massive doses of Autan extreme off or shield (If you go into periods of summer you can find them in these products upon any pharmacy);
-sunscreen, hat and sunglasses, if you have very fair skin must be very careful, because if you're dressed-ray filter and you tan the same;
-minerals, there may be useful, because standing around all day, the body can be affected by taking the minerals with a little water will help you not to dehydrate.
-AMUCHINA, I have led both the liquid and the gel used for the hands, just a shot to keep his hands clean, as even if you do not touch anything you will find their hands dirty because of dust rising, whereas 'normal AMUCHINA you could serve to wash fruit or vegetables, or even for igenizzare your clothes when they washed.
sack-cloth and pillow cases, was very helpful to me because where we had slept on the sheets and then used those also bring a mosquito net that those are used for the beds, thus avoiding the unexpected find friends in your bed but also to protect you from mosquitoes at night;
-take with you clothes not very beautiful or maybe old, because they get dirty easily because of the red earth, and very often remain the spots or halos. If you go in the period when I went I was a little cool at night so I advise you also to bring some long sleeved shirts or sweatshirts for.
-in the case found the water or bottled water or in plastic bags, but I recommend a water bottle that you will find the brands of water is LAFI and drinks to find Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite and the legendary fanta mango, of course, the first three as taste are very different from what we have in Italy and they are available only in glass bottles instead fanta mango you have to try because it's just there. Warning do not drink water from taps or from any other source.
-How to find rice food which is prepared in a thousand ways, to, dish, polenta is made with millet flour and is accompanied with sauces, but you can also find the fish course of river, and then the meat is often served the chicken or mutton, but you'll also find beef, french fries are something else, but not normal but the sweet potatoes, you can also taste some excellent kebabs that are usually accompanied with fries, the chicken is another dish grilled (I think) with lots of garlic, but if you remove all the garlic that is used is still a very good dish. Lunch and dinner is not used to eat the bread (a baguette), as is being proposed for breakfast with butter and jam, also served the teas will be on the water is boiled and then you can use it because there is no risk of contracting diarrhea, milk and coffee powder (not recommended because there is not very good) and then in other places also serve juice.
-When you buy something is a must bargain, because it is a tradition for the Burkinabé, also as regards the food you will find cookies and crackers also similar to Nutella chocolate sauce, all very good.
but too ougadogou not miss the handicraft center, where you will find all the products in wood, bronze, ebony, musical instruments, and the famous batik.
With these few tips I hope to be helpful and to receive comments to improve and I can only wish everyone GOOD TRIP!