last full day...

what a great day! so work was slow (of course) but dr singer took about an hour or so explaining the breakdown of the government money for the program and how it gets here and then followed up with some helpful mentor-ish tips. it was interesting and informative. the dooshima and i went to amigo's to get our beef sandwiches which were really good! spicey with lots of green peppers and the meat was only a little bit tough. and then we were off to the pottery village. it was a really pretty drive too. and about an hour later we arrived. and the stuff was great! there's all these little mud "huts" on this plot where the resident artisans live and work. so the guy took us around and showed us where they keep the raw clay, which is local from about 40km away. and then he showed where they sift it and then dry it into big slabs and then the little cellar where it all gets stored while awaiting a project. and then we saw the wheels, drying rooms, kiln, and glazing areas. it was totally cool. even all their glazes are local from ground quartz and other minerals. it was really fun. i could have spent a ton in there but i didn't have any way to safely bring it all back! so i got an awesome teapot and 3 mugs, one which he gave me for free!!! it was awesome. and dooshima got really excited because he let her try the wheel and she had a lot of fun when she didn't even care about coming! so after this totally insane sorm rolled thru we stopped by the dam. it was really peaceful and georgous there. i would have spent all my time there if i'd had a car. it was just so incredibly pretty! i took a ton of pix too. and then we were off to sahad which is a huge indoor shop. along the lines of walmart but not really. and i got some cool fabric for pillows or something and a nice blue wrap. and then i bought a plastic zipper bag that i can pack for my trip too. that way my stiff will all fit safely in my suitcase. and after that we stopped by a mall just to see it and then went back to salamanders for dinner. it was really good too. i had chicken curry and chocolate cake. and a glass of pretty good wine. and then i came back . and i am so tired for some reason! but maybe it's just because i'm so happy to come home. i still have N25,000 to spend so i'll go to the craft village tomorrow and maybe the gift shop and i'm not sure, but i also may go back to salamandars for brunch. i don't leave for the airport til 6pm so i have plenty of time to goof off. i may even call george to see if he wants to have brunch too. i thought about going back to the gallery for one of those mini stone sculptures but i'm thinking not. it's totally heavy and is a little expensive. we'll see. so tomorrow is just lounging, packing and shopping and then i'm off and away. it's been nice...