First Impressions

Well, I've been in Mali for about three weeks now. It's a really beautiful country. My homestay village is Banankoro (in the southern part of the country near the capital, Bamako). I'm one of 73 trainees -- the largest group to come into Mali at once. In Banankoro, though, there are 12 other trainees. The weather is pretty nice -- it gets hot (about 95 I'm guessing), but we're in the rainy season, so it's humid and it rains almost daily for at least a half hour. There are a lot of farms (cucumbers, corn, peanuts, yams, etc.) around and lots of trees. The roads are primarily made of red clay, and I live in a mud-brick hut with a tin roof. I'm living with a large family -- one father, two mothers, and about 15 children. They are all really nice, and they are helping me learn French as quickly as possible. I've been eating a ton! I eat breakfast alone (usually a baguette and some tea), then I eat lunch and dinner w/my sister Aminata. We eat from the same communal bowl and eat with our right hands (no utensils or napkins -- takes some getting use to!). Usually we eat rice, noodles or potatoes with some type of peanut-meat sauce. It's really tasty. I've tried toh a couple times (ground millet cooked into a green paste). I'm not a fan -- it's definitely an acquired taste! Everyone here is really friendly and eager to have us here. I've been studying French every day (we have classes from 8am - 5pm w/a break for lunch), but I still have a long ways to go. I've picked up how to say the greetings in Bambara, which is key. Everyone greets eachother and gives LONG greetings -- how are you? how is your family? how was your day/night? how is your mother? your father? etc... Needless to say, it takes a long time to walk anywhere when you have to greet everyone you see. I wake up every morning to roosters and donkeys. And there are sheep everywhere. And FLIES! I'm still not completely used to the flies. But I have gotten a lot better at using the nyegan (the toilet). It's a small hole in the ground that you squat over. And that's where you bathe as well (with a bucket of water and a cup). It's definitely different than the US! I can't wait to take some pictures and post them. Hopefully I'll be doing that soon. I went into Bamako for the first time yesterday and got some gelato and chocolate -- that definitely made me very happy!! I miss ice cream soooo much! And for those of you who want to write -- PLEASE DO! It takes about 2 weeks for the mail to come, and I love getting letters! I will also be getting a cell phone (hopefully soon, but maybe not until I go to my permanent site, which will be in a couple months). When I do, you'll be able to buy international calling cards and call me whenever! I think the time difference from the West Coast is 7 hours.

Welcome!

Well I've just created my blog page, so I figured I should test it out. I will be flying to Philadelphia the morning of Sunday, July 23. After a few-day orientation, I'll be on my way to Bamako, the capital of Mali. I hope to see all of you at least once before I go. I have so much I want to do before I leave, but I'm starting to run out of time. But hopefully I can create some great memories during the next two weeks, since that will have to last me for two years in the desert!!