SIAO

I was quite excited that we arrived in BF in an even year, as it meant that it is Salon International de l'Artisanat de Ouagadougou (SIAO) year.

According to our guide books this is a big deal, so we were careful to plan our trip to Bobo round the SIAO dates.

This meant that we went along twice - the first time for a good look round, and the second more to enjoy the atmosphere.

watching the entertainment
inside one of the pavillions - it was well organised with clothes and fashion items in one hall, and furniture in another

special SIAO printed cloth

BBQ brochettes
spatchcocked grilled chickens - which always look slightly indecent to me

we stopped for a beer and some brochettes at one of the many maquis that were represented, to cool down, watch the world go by, and not buy the following things we were offered as we sat:

tissues
phonecards
deely-boppers
sunglasses
a glittery gold cowboy hat
a plastic recorder (blokfluit)
stuffed toy dogs with glowing eyes
those balloons that you punch with something inside that rattles

there were more things but I forget..

so for us it wasn't a hit in terms of finding and buying bargains from all over Africa (though Rwanda was represented...), we got some business cards of Burkina based enterprises and cooperatives that we can check out, and even some from neighbouring countries. For us it was fun to hang out and watch everyone else having fun.. so anyone thinking about visiting West Africa in 2012 should check out the dates for the next SIAO