What did we miss?

Sorry everyone - I know I haven't published too many Syama posts this stint, and it's not to say that there is nothing going on, I've just been otherwise occupied. Here are a few little snippets from life at Syama from August to October.

Simmo refused to celebrate his birthday in early August, so we waited until mid-August and surprised him with a cake - it was a beautiful moment and I even think he enjoyed himself ... at least a little bit.


Happy Birthday Simmo

Marcus enjoyed some more of Chef Simon's peanut sauce - he can't get enough of the stuff.


Tikitiki-na!

Mariam showed us how well steel-capped safety boots work with traditional Malian day-wear.


Mariam-in-boots

While Rob displayed courage and style on the soccer field as the WADS captain in his team's standard footwear.


WADS captain

And Greg challenged some of the other boys in the 'ugliest sideburns in Syama' competition.


Oh dear ...

Marcus and I discovered we had a common (now not so) secret shame with our passion for Sex in the City so we inaugurated Monday night Sex in the City night! And Marcus introduced me to 'the boat'!


Sex in the City in the boat

Meanwhile, the South African boys discovered my passion for food and enticed me down to the Minproc house for a poike, which I have to say was just delicious.


Oxtail and ostrich neck poike

Mike showed Daniel and Marcus what was happening just before he added in the dumplings - they were fluffy and delicious and soaked up the rich gravy perfectly!


Tour around the pot

And here they are ladies ...


The men from Minproc

What I was very pleased - and completely amazed - to discover, is that Mike is a fantastic dancer. So at his 40th birthday celebrations I took over my salsa CD and we practiced in anticipation of the classes I am about to unleash on Syama when I return in November!


Salsa practice with Mike

And then just last week, the big plane (yes that really is a big one) arrived bringing Catherine to my aide, fresh as a daisy all the way from Perth, hurrah! And we even managed to turn on some sensational weather for her.


Arriving in the last rain of the season

The sangee didn't dampen the spirits of those departing from Syama, however, as they managed to find some appropriate shelter!


Sangee acanaye

And believe it or not, it's nearly time for me to take off again, so I won't be relaxing in my Malian hide-away for a few more weeks yet, and the chairs are so well designed for wada wada (gossip)!


Kicking back

... post match party!

Of course you can't play a world class game without celebrating afterwards, no matter who was victorious. So it was off the La Balafon in Fourou with all the families in tow too.

Marcus tried his hand at bar tending, with his own original style ...


Fancy a coke?

(I stood well back!) But there were tons of customers ...


I want one too

As a special treat for the ladies, may I introduce our new and extra stylish géophysicien ...


Guirou

No party really gets started without a bit of booty-shaking.


Let the dancing begin

Trevor takes his first Malian lessons from Bintou and Mamadou. I, however, have been practicing for a couple of months, and so I decided to *wow* N'Diaye with my balani moves.


Ali and N'Diaye

But of course, you don't know that you've really learnt anything until you get the nod from Salikou - so?


Salikou and N'Diaye regardent moi

(I think he is smiling, approvingly ...?!)

When I head out on my next break I am going to have to do some serious shopping, because I just can't face another night out in my field wear and safety boots when surrounded by such ...


Impressive guests

Inza and Dao and their families were wearing the most beautiful clothes, I did feel distinctly beige in my beige.

This time Simmo was no match for Moussa who was very clearly ...


King of the Kids - Mark II

Simmo spent his time relationship building with the WADS boys.


Simmo and Karim the T-man

And the Joyces enjoyed their first big gathering in Fourou. Varks (from WADS) was standing by to provide commentary and lively stories.


Varks entertains the Joyces

But the soirée lasted a bit too long for some of the younger crowd members.


Inza and his son

And a bit of relaxation time helped the dance students as well.


Trevor and friends

How are you feeling Arch? Having fun?


Archie

Want to have a dance?


Let's go!

Guirou shows the rest of us how it is done!

*I need to acknowlegde the awesome contribution of my friend and colleague Simeon at this point - he has been a dedicated and exemplary photographer on these occasions, especially when I need to dance!

Exploration vs WADS

Lordy - I'm sure after my flurry of holiday posts that all of you have forgotten that I am actually working in deepest, darkest Africa. Well, that's the other reality these days, and try as I might, I just couldn't avoid getting involved in a bit of a - wait for it - sporting activity!

That's right folks, to release a bit of tension over the difficulties of drilling in the tropical southeastern corner of Mali as the rainy season sets in, Exploration decided to challenge WADS (West African Drilling) to a soccer match. We all downed tools on a Saturday afternoon and headed down to the world-class pitch in Fourou to see who would be victorious, and I have to say, we drew a much larger crowd than we imagined and witnessed some rather outstanding sporting talent.

And so it began ...


Team Exploration

Our team looking fit, healthy and ready to face ...


Team WADS

... our very impressive looking opponents! (Check out the jelly shoes, de riguer pour faire du sport.)

I managed to convince Marcus - A1 Syama events manager - that I would be best employed as official photographer - seeing that I have an extreme aversion to running at the best of times, not to mention that the only footwear I had was my pair of steel-capped boots, and the guys weren't too keen on risking their limbs to my inept on-field stumblings. (Okay, so maybe I could have found some other footwear, but, well, you know ...)

The crowd gathered ...


Fourou spectators

And proceedings commenced!


First half play

I'm pretty sure Mr Beckham doesn't have to share his limelight with a chook, didn't phase these players for an instant.


Action replay



Our two shortest players - Ali and Tom


Action on the field


Classy referee

And how many international league referees wear a suit on the field? Clearly, Malian soccer is a cut above those so-called professionals!



... and again ...


... and again!

You all need to be impressed with these men - I was struggling to keep my sense of humour together on a 26 degree day with 87% humidity, just standing around. So it's no wonder that after 40 mins on the pitch everyone was mildly exhausted.


WADS chills at half-time


Half-time for Exploration


Good job!

Man of the match, Seriba thanks Tom for some quality on-field style.


The rainbow over Syama

... is that a pot of gold I see? And the outcome? Exploration stole the match 2-1 over WADS, and everyone finished a champion.


Dao!