Farewell to the Last Belushi in Sikasso

My trip to Segou was fantastic!! I didn’t even know I needed a break until I got there! I interneted for about 20 hours. I drank lots of soda (I felt like I needed to buy something in order to use the wi fi), and I ate lots of good food (expensive, but I splurged). My first meal there was a ham sandwich! With REAL cheese!!!! (We have fake cheese in Sikasso…fake as in it doesn’t melt…)
I thought Kyle was nice because he has sisters, but then I got to thinking, my mom has 4 sisters….just because you have sisters doesn’t make you nice. (I think that came out wrong. My mom is AMAZING!!! But, when she is with her sisters, they can all get…shall we say rude?) So, he’s much nicer than me. I ended up buying him dinner one night and we called it even. (If I won, I would have showed no mercy.)
Mary put the map in color. It looks so good! She has inspired me to take a photoshop later on in my life. I am currently trying to make some minor changes, but I think I am going to give up today.
This sounds crazy, but I was looking forward to getting out to village. Just the simplicity and the quietness (is that even a word?) of it all. So, I ended up going “camping” with Mary at Kyle’s site. I do like my toilets, but it was so pleasant bathing in the rain. During moments like those, I wish I had both a toilet and a yeagan. It reminded me a bit of when I was a lifeguard and would go swimming in the rain. I guess that’s the Pisces in me.

Brooke and me

Brooke, the last Belushi of Sikasso, left. We had a wonderful Indian food night on Friday night. On Saturday, we were supposed to go to the pool all day, but when I arrived, Katy was the only one there! I got a drink, and it was fun chatting with Katy. Her village is quite far from Sikasso, so I don’t see her as much as the other volunteers in Sikasso region. It was really nice catching up with her. When we were leaving, we ran into some Koreans, and they asked if we were Peace Corps. Why yes, we are. Apparently, it was literally their first day in Mali. No, really. They are working for a NGO for 3-5 years. Katy and I wished them all the best. When we left, Katy and I were discussing if we give out a PC vibe. Do we look like the former stereotypical PC volunteer? Or are we in areas that no tourist would go?

Tata and Lala @ the pool

When the rain stopped, we met everybody and got street food. Chelsea had FUN FETTI birthday cake mix and icing, and it was absolutely superb!!! While it’s sad to say goodbye, it’s crazy that my stage will be the next group of volunteers to leave!

Random Thoughts/Experiences of Lala

You know how some women get monthly pedicures for mental health reasons? I think I am going to put air in my bicycle tires once of month. I didn’t realize how much a little air can make such a huge difference! I feel like a new woman!

Yesterday (10-13), the secretary of the Environment Conservation Bureau, decided I should marry her brother. He’s a Christian, speaks English, in his 30s…what more could a girl ask for? It was so funny because I apparently am in my prime marrying age, and everybody who finds out I’m single, plays matchmaker. I asked the secretary how old she thought I was…15 or 16!!! And, my family is coming in December so if it was up to the secretary and my coworker, I would be getting married in December to a guy I’ve never met. Love is not a factor. Security and being culturally appropriate is.

Malians are so wasteless when it comes to food. I was noticing how Malians cut onions and tomatoes and there is literally no part that can be eatten that goes to waste. I thought nothing of cutting the end of the onion off, until I saw how they meticulously only cut the inedible part out.

Last weekish, I saw a guy who was riding a bike. He was about to turn right, but was signaling with his left hand. This also happens, I feel, a lot with both cars and motos. While I was anti drivers education as a teenager, it really is a good idea, and I am now an advocate of driver’s education. And, it would be fine with me if South Carolina raised the driving age. Geez, I sound old!

Yesterday (10-14), we saw a white guy going into our favorite restaurant when we were leaving. We didn’t say a word, but then he asked “Peace Corps?” When this happens, I feel proud. It’s like we go where no tourist plans to go (except PC families that are visiting). He lives in Kayes region and thought we were PCVs so decided to go to “our” restaurant (we are regulars).

Today, I almost got hit by a bashee (green truck that has benches in the back where people sit). I’m glad I can laugh about it now. The guy was turning left; I was going straight…anyway, I’m glad PC gives us nice bikes with brakes…

I had an epiphany last week. I am an adult. Sigh. I’m trying to get excited….