Run-in with the Cops: Part II

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Hey everybody
No, your eyes have not deceived you: I got pulled over by the cops again!!!! I honestly wish I were kidding, but sadly I am not. I won't go into the details of it because it will just get me blinded by rage yet again, but suffice it to say this time was even more interesting than the first. I remembered to pack my driver's lisence at least, but the cop decided he was going to take it which resulted in me getting out of my car and chasing him down the street. I decided I definitely wasn't going to be a victim a second time, and made it my business to make the cop's life has hard as he'd made mine. He didn't seem to appreciate it, but it was funny because I got to point out numerous times how he was full of crap, and he tried hard to hide his smile. They know what they're up to, these swindlers!

Luckily for me, I wasn't alone in the car. My friend Holli was up from Ghana so she was there with me. She's been living in Ghana for 10 years and is basically my Africa expert and friend. She's been through all sorts of crazy nonsense (including living in a Ghanaian commune... yikes) and absolutely nothing phases her. Especially cops. She told me she's been pulled over so many times, but in Ghana apparently its worse. The cops actually jump in the car with you! Holli tells me they actually get in the back seat when they pull you over and demand you drive to the station or else. All they're really after is some money as a bribe, but it's better to avoid this altogether by locking your doors as soon as you get pulled over. And I thought Burkina cops were crazy!

**Tezza, let this be a lesson to you that when you're a cop, you just get in the car with the person and they'll do whatever you want! 😊

In other news, I've been working at a conference/trade show all week trying to the well program (Mining for Water) off the ground here in Burkina. We managed to garner lots of attention and interest, and it's really looking promising. On the last day, after the Minister of Mines gave his closing speech, I went to my booth to tear it all down and there he was giving TV interviews in front of it! Talking about mining and social activity! When I finally picked my jaw up off the floor, I spoke to him after he'd finished. I said it was an honour for us to be recognized by him (have to kiss up bigtime here) and he made a little joke about free publicity. I took the opportunity to say that I think he has a lot of power to make this program better since he has access to all the mining companies in the country, and he said he wants a meeting with me next week to see how they can get involved. OMG!

Needless to say, all the crowd back at the office were duly impressed. This was not the only positive result from the show however. We got some more companies on board with free services, like geophysics (which are expensive!) and more drilling companies, etc. I even may have helped my friend Melanie's company get some more business because of their involvement, since a company I spoke to said they may switch to them as their drill provider if they'll contribute to a well project. Imagine Melanie's boss's face when she tells him she got the contract BECAUSE of their social activity!

So naturally I wrote to my boss back in Canada about it and all the good stuff that resulted from the show, and I finally got the courage to ask if I could attend another big show coming up in February and represent Mining for Water. This show is in Cape Town, South Africa, and I have been wanting to go for awhile, but I never had the nerve to ask! I figured if this is the great response we got from such a small show here in Ouaga, surely the response from a big show would be even better! Well, he wrote back today and he said that it's a great idea but he'll have to think about it because it would be pretty expensive in flights and accomodation. Still, there's a good chance so hopefully I'll get to go!

Naturally, if they approve this trip, I will need a new suit or two (yay Boxing Day sales), and I will definitely be taking my holiday in South Africa. I have friends there whom I would love to see after coming all that way. I'm talking about YOU, George! 😊

In the nearer term, this weekend is promising to be an interesting one. I was supposed to run a half marathon (26k) race with my running buddy, Guy, but since I've been sick my doctor said I couldn't. Guy needs a "support rider" though, so to not abandon him I've signed up to ride behind him all 26k. This is funny for several reasons, not the least of which being I haven't ridden a bike since I was about 12. The second being that I don't even have a bike here. Not the least of which being that riding a bike is still exercise that I probably shouldn't be doing, but at least it's not as strenuous as running. Right?

Anyway, that's all the news for now. I hope you're all doing well and that Canada (and elsewhere) is being good to you. It's especially hard to believe the Christmas season is coming up with the July-like weather over here, and I'm really looking forward to seeing you all over the holidays. You can be sure there will be a posting of the Brownie Family Christmas! 😊

Stay well,
-Brownie

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Comments

[mom]

and............
Linds, you didn't quite finish the cop story but I'm thinking that since you had an opportunity to write this blog, you didn't end up in prison..... So...my daughter chases cops in Burkina!!! Congrats on the success of your tradeshow!! that is really terrific news. I am sure you will be able to sweet talk some sort of consessions from the Mining Minister. I will send some training wheels for your bike! If you fall off and skin your knee, just call home and I will send a kiss to make it better xoxoxo mom