Le Poulet!

This is the story of a very special chicken. Talking with my friend Ginger one Sunday night, she shared with me how she had attended African church that day. It was an action packed service which also included a wedding and 2 baby dedications. People came forward carrying bags of rice on their heads and with live chickens and roosters (in the church!) as gifts for the babies. The pastor asked that all "gifts" be placed in the nearby closet and in went the rice, chickens and roosters until the services had concluded. After Ginger shared her story, the conversation turned to our friend Sharon's upcoming birthday and how best we celebrate. Almost unanimously, the decision was made that the very best birthday present for Sharon would be her very own chicken. How very appropriate, how very African.

How much is that chicken in the basket? (1500 CFAs or 3 dollars. Quite a steal!)

Here the chicken's legs are tied together to prevent her from running away. Little does she know it's going to be the best day of her life!

Here my fearless comrades, Becky and Anja puncture breathing holes in the chicken's temporary cardboard box dwelling as we smuggle her from market back onto the ship, violating all sorts of maritime laws in the process.

Once back in the cabin, our dear poulet was found to be quite odiferous. We determined she needed a shower.

Scrub-a-dub-dub, one stinky chicken in the tub

Free bird stretches her wings

Tres jolie!

A wash and a blow dry

Happy Birthday Sharon! The gift was very well received. The chicken so very calm, docile and loving. A very fine bird indeed. She partied the night away to the loud music up on the deck.

but what now to do with a chicken aboard the ship? We headed down to the Hospital Ward and offered this most loving, docile bird to Epiphane, one of the translators. At first, he didn't quite believe us that we had a chicken in our possession in the cabin but the photos confirmed it. He laughed hysterically when we told him about the chicken's shower and blow dry. We smuggled the bird off the boat at 11 pm and met Epiphane and Daniel on the dock whereby the chicken officially transferred hands.

Here our dear bird in a box goes for a motorcycle ride (probably not her first).

Off into the sunset!

What has become of this dear chicken you ask? We feared she may have become dinner but the next day at work Epiphane told us that he would do her no harm. He agreed that she was a lovely chicken and has decided to raise her in his yard. She currently resides under a basket. He plans to introduce her to a rooster friend and to send us photos of their family. News of the chicken aboard traveled fast. She is the talk of the town and the crew and translators find this to all to be absolutely hilarious.