The Niger River

The Niger River is so dirty that you can do headstands if you care to pay the price. The bottom is about 4 inches of mud that sticks like glue.
We went swimming there on Sunday with the 23 boarders, Auntie Phyllis, and Mr. Chukwuma, the boarding master. I liked trying to swim past Mr. Chukwuma and Barua, one of the leaders who is also the tallest. In the shallows there is no current, but where it’s deep, if I treaded water I’d be at the other side in minutes. My favorite part was having mud fights. The boarder kids were screaming and yelling and beaming the whole time. On the shore, on this extremely hot day (110° F), the kids whose parents had waterfront property just stayed dry and watched! I think we agreed to go every week so I look forward to next time.