This photo was taken of me at my village home entrance in my first year as a PCV in Niger in 1994. I was assigned to a remote village in the Zinder Department, Goure region, containing 500 people. The local tribe was called Berri-berri and their language was Kanuri. Only 4 PCVs from our training group of 40+ received training to learn this language. My house was made of mud, straw and cow dung. I had a compound wall around my house for more privacy. Although I could have selected a camel, horse, or donkey, I chose a Yahama-125 motorcycle issued by the Peace Corps. My village was located 5 miles from a paved road in soft desert sand. The first few times into my village, I did not know my landmarks yet and ended up at neighboring villages. Over time, I learned how to pick out my village between mountain ranges. Once at the road, it was another 2 hour drive north to Zinder. Goure region was closer to the country of Chad border than to the capital of Niamey in Niger