Baturia
I am stared at wherever I go. In the car, in the market, ... "Baturia"(hausa) "Iyinbo"(pigeon language) they call out as they see me. The kids stare, and I wave, they smile and wave back. I am constantly reminded that I look different. And here I worry about my acne making me stand out... here it is all of my skin... smiles. Even Little Didi (Peter and Martha's daughter) takes a couple days to come near me, and when she finally does, she is fascinated by my skin, always rubbing my arms, hands, face, toes.. it feels wonderful... Other kids will join in this ritual.... When we visited the rural village, one man said to the member on our team, that he hadn't seen a white folk for about 7 years. They all come out to see... the baturia in the midst. And when Im in the market, its "baturia" what are you going to buy from me? "Baturia" come here and buy... because "white" means money. When I do go to the market, I bring a friend or two that barters for me... and if they can't barter it, we walk away... then they never fail to lower the price.