There was a shea formation Tuesday through Thursday, so I saw a lot of volunteers I typically don’t see. I went to the shea formation (even though it was done in Bambara), and got some handouts in French. I haven’t pair up with a women’s group, but I am hoping that my role in the city is finding a buyer that pays well for quality shea nuts. Mali ran into some problems with exporters several years ago, so it’s really important that we build up Mali’s reputation for high quality nuts. And of course, on Thursday, every participant received a certificate and proudly displayed it for the camera (it was quite sad to see so many people hold it upside down because they can’t read).
On Monday, I tutored my Chinese friends (in English) that work at the hospital. I tried a tea egg (hard boiled egg that was boiled in tea), a cuddle fish that was individually wrapped, and dried squid. Not what I would have in my refrigerator in America, but it was very kind of them to share.
Tuesday night, I hung out with Lindsay. It was quite impressive that when we walked to my homologues’ house together, a kid knew her name too! (Linds is a site rat, and Malians have a hard time telling us apart!) Linds is writing to a class from her hometown. I definitely want to do that the next school year! I read all the letters (from 3rd graders), and there was one letter I just couldn’t understand. One girl wrote I have one thing to say…Madam Micshelle. Linds, I don’t get it. I read it a few times, but then Linds explained, “Mademoiselle”. Isn’t that great?! It made my night!
On Wednesday, I went to the pool with Laura. We were the first to arrive…if I am paying a few bucks to get in, I’m getting my moneys worth! As a former lifeguard and swim instructor, I’ve seen some pretty gross water…Mali is no exception. But, it was so much fun relaxing! It was so quiet and peaceful until some Malian male teenagers came in. Everybody though I was being ridiculous, but one guy had is camera out and was taking pictures. “Katie, you are overreacting. He’s taking pictures of his friends” but then other volunteers noticed that the cell phone camera was pointed at us, no where near his friends. One volunteers politely asked him not to (in Bambara). If I knew Bambara, I would have demanded him to stop in a not so polite voice. I kept on reminding myself that I have a teenage brother at home, and if he saw thighs (in real life, not a magazine or a movie) for the first time with his friends, he and his friends would have probably pulled out the camera phone too. But, it was still irritating. We ordered food (I know, so American), from a different hotel because this hotel was so expensive. The food took quite some time getting to our destination, but it was so worth it! Afterwards, we had pina coladas, Malian style (we had to use drink powder), but not bad. I went home before the dancing because the hotel was charging us more money to stay. When I got home, I had an unwelcome visitor in my bathroom….a scorpion. I was relieved that I had time to go get the spray for unwanted insects. It always seems that whenever I leave the room, the insect disappears. I was happy that was not the case. I’d imagine that if I knew a scorpion was alive in my house, I would probably have a difficult time sleeping. I’m one for one!
On Thursday, we had a birthday celebration for Jessie. Her birthday is next week, but because so many people were here, we decided to go ahead and celebrate. We had a delicious salad, bread, and macaroni and cheese. And, let’s not forget birthday cake!
Yesterday, I was hanging out with my homologue’s wife, and I told this guy he was crazy. Crazy in French translates to mentally ill. They don’t really joke about it here. But, I called this guy crazy because he had on a long sleeved shirt!!! It was over 100 degrees yesterday. I understand that culturally, men wear pants or booboos, but a long sleeved shirt too? Anyway, other people were laughing and he eventually took it off, and lo and behold, he was wearing a Bailey and Harris shirt with “Auburn, AL” below the emblem! When you donate your clothes, you never know where they will end up!
Hot season has gradually begun. I actually woke up last night at 2 am, sweating, and unable to go back to sleep. But, I think I found a solution. Take a middle of the night shower! It worked for me last night. But, the water bill hasn’t been paid in 2 months, so I don’t know how long my “showers for sleep” will last.
I am so EXCITED about my trip home!! It’s crazy that I am leaving in 9 days!!! One bag is packed. The rain created a few problems for my other bag, so I will wait until next week to pack. (My bag was near the window. My sus sus was in the bag and it got wet and started mildewing and spreading to other things, so I have to let my bag dry out and the sus sus dry out too.)
I decided next week I am going to visit my friend’s site and also go to Waroni to check out the progress. She doesn’t have cell phone reception. I don’t have an internal compass, and I don’t speak Bambara. Surely that’s a recipe for a good story….or a disaster!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Another Week in Mali
Another Week in Mali
This past week, I finished picking up all my presents from the tailor. I told him to let me know the total. He gave me a number that I knew was not right. So, I redid the math and he was going to charge me 14 mille more!!! Everyday I am becoming more excited about coming home!!
Work was okay this past week. A coworker was a little rude yesterday and would never talk to me like that in front of my homologue, but what can you do? Also, it’s quite an adjustment getting use to the slower pace here in Mali.
On Thursday, it was Muhammad’s birthday, so we didn’t have to go to work. We get Monday off for Easter and next Wednesday off for a previous presidents birthday.
I abhor powdered milk, but my body really misses milk. So, a great milk source is degay (spelling phonetically). It is milk and sugar with flour grain in it. I like it best frozen, but it’s delicious cold too. When I first got here, I didn’t like it, but the longer I am here, the more things I am acquiring a taste for. Two weeks ago, I started really consuming a lot of degay. Before that, my only source of calcium was the ice cream I ate in Bamako (and maybe the cheese on the pizza!) Anyway, I learned how to make degay this morning, so I am going to try to make it when I’m home. (My homologues wife is going to do the prep work for the flour grain.) Is it even possible to buy flour grain in the States? It’s something I’ve never looked for at the grocery store.
Easter is tomorrow, and I am going to church. The sermon will be in Bambara, but I already know the topic! J Then, I am planning on spending the day at the pool. It’s expensive, but I can go to the pool a few times during this hot season.
I am going to try to start exercising again. I stopped because it was really hot (not complaining, just stating facts.) My homologues’ wife, tells me how “grosse” (large) I am (here, it’s a compliment…I have enough food), and that people in the States will tell me too. But, it doesn’t help that every time I go to their house to buy degay (I’m their best customer….no really), she forces me to eat. She tells me I am not nice if I refuse, so I need be nice! Anyway, I am going to start running again (that’s the plan anyway).
This week, I am going to a shea butter formation here in Sikasso. I am excited about learning more about shea. And, in two weeks, if all works out, I will be spending 5 or so days in Waroni. Then, that weekend, I will be cleaning and packing! And, on Sunday, April 6 (I think), I will be on the way to the Bamako Airport!!! I have a layover in New York, and I think I am more scared of New York than actually coming to Africa!
Right now, it is raining. It’s the first hard rain since November!! It’s marvelous except all my windows are open at my house…
This past week, I finished picking up all my presents from the tailor. I told him to let me know the total. He gave me a number that I knew was not right. So, I redid the math and he was going to charge me 14 mille more!!! Everyday I am becoming more excited about coming home!!
Work was okay this past week. A coworker was a little rude yesterday and would never talk to me like that in front of my homologue, but what can you do? Also, it’s quite an adjustment getting use to the slower pace here in Mali.
On Thursday, it was Muhammad’s birthday, so we didn’t have to go to work. We get Monday off for Easter and next Wednesday off for a previous presidents birthday.
I abhor powdered milk, but my body really misses milk. So, a great milk source is degay (spelling phonetically). It is milk and sugar with flour grain in it. I like it best frozen, but it’s delicious cold too. When I first got here, I didn’t like it, but the longer I am here, the more things I am acquiring a taste for. Two weeks ago, I started really consuming a lot of degay. Before that, my only source of calcium was the ice cream I ate in Bamako (and maybe the cheese on the pizza!) Anyway, I learned how to make degay this morning, so I am going to try to make it when I’m home. (My homologues wife is going to do the prep work for the flour grain.) Is it even possible to buy flour grain in the States? It’s something I’ve never looked for at the grocery store.
Easter is tomorrow, and I am going to church. The sermon will be in Bambara, but I already know the topic! J Then, I am planning on spending the day at the pool. It’s expensive, but I can go to the pool a few times during this hot season.
I am going to try to start exercising again. I stopped because it was really hot (not complaining, just stating facts.) My homologues’ wife, tells me how “grosse” (large) I am (here, it’s a compliment…I have enough food), and that people in the States will tell me too. But, it doesn’t help that every time I go to their house to buy degay (I’m their best customer….no really), she forces me to eat. She tells me I am not nice if I refuse, so I need be nice! Anyway, I am going to start running again (that’s the plan anyway).
This week, I am going to a shea butter formation here in Sikasso. I am excited about learning more about shea. And, in two weeks, if all works out, I will be spending 5 or so days in Waroni. Then, that weekend, I will be cleaning and packing! And, on Sunday, April 6 (I think), I will be on the way to the Bamako Airport!!! I have a layover in New York, and I think I am more scared of New York than actually coming to Africa!
Right now, it is raining. It’s the first hard rain since November!! It’s marvelous except all my windows are open at my house…
Saturday, March 15, 2008
0 Letter Week
My title basically sums up my entire week.
Just when I thought my French was getting better, my homologue and I had several miscommunications this past week. Sigh. Two steps forward, three steps back.
Instead of spending a week in village, I came back to Sikasso. My friend Laura invited me to her village, so I ended up biking to her village. It was a beautiful bike ride, and I was quite proud that I was able to do it (I'm not in the best shape of my life.) I helped her with baby weighings. Most of the babies were healthy, but a few were in the red zone (malnourished). I did see the absolute cutest little girl that had a baby doll strapped to her back!! That is how Malian women carry their babies, so it's just like in the States when little girls push baby strollers with baby dolls in it. Laura and I also tested out her solar oven, and I am quite impressed. I think that is on my list of things to bring back. We made cornbread which was absolutely fantastic.
My tutor and I tend to discuss marriages and relationships a lot, which is good because so much is taboo, so it's nice that I can get answers. I don't know how we got on the topic, but we talked about punishing children and punishing a wife. I explained that husband and wife are equals, and if I am ever hit by my husband, I'm getting a divorce. He couldn't believe it. He informed me that I shouldn't ever marry a Malian. I am NOT saying that every Malian beats his wife, because that is completely untrue. It's just so different culturally. From what I understood, beating your wife is bad, but laws are not really enforced, and besides your neighbor would mind their own business. He was appalled that after one time I would call it quits. It seems pretty self explanatory to me.
I am getting excited about my vacation to America in a few weeks!!! I am already preparing mentally for how hard it is going to be coming back. It's going to be tough....
Oh, such a stupid thing! Last week, when I thought everybody were using their cell phones, it turns out, I ran out of credit. Duh!!
Just when I thought my French was getting better, my homologue and I had several miscommunications this past week. Sigh. Two steps forward, three steps back.
Instead of spending a week in village, I came back to Sikasso. My friend Laura invited me to her village, so I ended up biking to her village. It was a beautiful bike ride, and I was quite proud that I was able to do it (I'm not in the best shape of my life.) I helped her with baby weighings. Most of the babies were healthy, but a few were in the red zone (malnourished). I did see the absolute cutest little girl that had a baby doll strapped to her back!! That is how Malian women carry their babies, so it's just like in the States when little girls push baby strollers with baby dolls in it. Laura and I also tested out her solar oven, and I am quite impressed. I think that is on my list of things to bring back. We made cornbread which was absolutely fantastic.
My tutor and I tend to discuss marriages and relationships a lot, which is good because so much is taboo, so it's nice that I can get answers. I don't know how we got on the topic, but we talked about punishing children and punishing a wife. I explained that husband and wife are equals, and if I am ever hit by my husband, I'm getting a divorce. He couldn't believe it. He informed me that I shouldn't ever marry a Malian. I am NOT saying that every Malian beats his wife, because that is completely untrue. It's just so different culturally. From what I understood, beating your wife is bad, but laws are not really enforced, and besides your neighbor would mind their own business. He was appalled that after one time I would call it quits. It seems pretty self explanatory to me.
I am getting excited about my vacation to America in a few weeks!!! I am already preparing mentally for how hard it is going to be coming back. It's going to be tough....
Oh, such a stupid thing! Last week, when I thought everybody were using their cell phones, it turns out, I ran out of credit. Duh!!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Another Week
Not much has happened this week. I got sick again, but I like to think that God is giving me a head start for losing some weight for the wedding.
I was pretty emotional on Tuesday (some things never change), but I haven't cried in a while, so it was time.
I really don't have that much to report. I did see something interesting the other week. I saw a bull riding on the back of the donkey cart. I would be pretty upset if I were that donkey. You have 4 legs too!!!
Today is a Women's Day, or something to that sort. The only downside is that you can't get trough on your cell phone because EVERYBODY and their mom (who have cell phones that is), are on them.
I was devastated to learn about the death of a Auburn family member. My prayers and thoughts are with her family, friends, and the Auburn community.
I am gong to integrate in a village this upcoming week. I have to mentally prepare myself for the delicious toe (spelling phonetically) I am about to eat.
.
I was pretty emotional on Tuesday (some things never change), but I haven't cried in a while, so it was time.
I really don't have that much to report. I did see something interesting the other week. I saw a bull riding on the back of the donkey cart. I would be pretty upset if I were that donkey. You have 4 legs too!!!
Today is a Women's Day, or something to that sort. The only downside is that you can't get trough on your cell phone because EVERYBODY and their mom (who have cell phones that is), are on them.
I was devastated to learn about the death of a Auburn family member. My prayers and thoughts are with her family, friends, and the Auburn community.
I am gong to integrate in a village this upcoming week. I have to mentally prepare myself for the delicious toe (spelling phonetically) I am about to eat.
.
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