Flashback to Easter 2010 in the Ivory Coast

There are so many words that have not been shared...so many pictures and videos that have not been published. This video is one of them. 

I do, however, remember what I felt that day at church in the city of Daloa on Easter back in 2010. There was a lady who worked at the local cellphone company office who I befriended. She invited me to her church for Easter. I was excited. Once I arrived, it was one of the liveliest church services I'd ever seen before and that's really saying something cause I know churches in the South of the US!  Of course, it was also a special day at church, Easter. People probably wore their best, sang their best, and performed their best. This video shows a female youth group performing a dance in front of the church. The "church" itself was actually some sort of multi-purpose building where a variety of  community events were held, including church service. At the end of the service, I wanted to stay and socialize. I still regret a little that I didn't. Why did I not stay? Well, promptly after service, I was offered a membership card.  I was to fill it out and return it to a responsible church usher who was a guy. One of the questions on the card was regarding marital status: married, single, or engaged. This was not an uncommon question in the Ivory Coast, in my experience, but for some reason, that day I did not feel like explaining myself or being subjected to any courting attempts. I already could sense the curiosity surrounding the newcomer. In retrospect, the reasoning for my premature departure was a little silly (particularly since at this point, I would have or should have known how to cleverly exit those flirty situations) but if you read my post on love and dating in the Ivory Coast, maybe you can find a little sympathy for me :) Anyway, it's too bad I did not stay afterwards just to experience more socializing in this beautiful country. I walked home and arrived at my apartment around 15 minutes later.  My kind neighbors had lunch waiting for me. I miss the Ivory Coast.