The Wake
One of the African ladies lost her father last week. His body was repatriated to Togo but a wake was also held here. The pastor invited me to go with him and learn more about the african culture.
We were told 6pm. We arrived at 6.10pm and there was nobody in. Went back to the car as it was freezing cold. From there Jean-Marc rang her mobile…which we now know she has given to her brother…a long conversation ensues and then we get hold of her number and manage to contact her.
When we eventaully get into the appartment building at 6.20pm there is another African lady sat in the stair well in obvious pain. We help her up 3 flights of stairs and she is put in a child’s bed. By this time it is 6.45pm. There are lots of children and a television blaring out a nigerian christian music video which is the same continous tune, seemingly forever, and for reasons known only to them they sing a lot about Elijah and his tortoise… 
By 7.30pm I have been clambered on, scribbled on, and sneezed on by about a million children. Jean Marc, in his most serious ‘pastor’ clothes, has been reduced to a press-up competiontion with a 5 year old boy. It was descending into pure comedy.
Eventually people start to arrive, no mention of the time. By 8.10pm her husband arrives and we start. Over 2 hours late!
Much loud praying and singing. A video camera seemed to be focused on me all the time while I ’sweetly’ told the children to SHHHH!
All in all it was an interesting evening!
