Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Birthday Week

Birthday Girl

I am continuing to do a poor job of journaling. I will try to do a better job. This past Wednesday was my Birthday Eve. I went with my homologues daughter to buy green beans and chickens. I bought so much food!
Racers pawprint and me

She was giving me a hard time because I didn’t want to hold the chickens. Can you blame me? I was thankful that they killed and plugged the chickens: My arms were already full of green beans, onions, and carrots. I didn’t know how I could carry six chickens too! Lindsay came in from her village, which I felt so honoured because she is pretty darn far away! Her village is a few hours away, and from the main road, she is another 40K!!! Lindsay and I helped snapped green beans. I kept on doing it wrong (I didn’t even know there was a right or wrong way!!!) I was exhausted, and quite thankful that some of Echins children cleaned my house for a birthday present! I was quite glad, even though I know they were probably appalled. But, I don’t have kids, a husband (despite my fibbing), and I have a job outside the home. My tutor informed me that most Malian houses are cleaned a few times a day, but again, a lot of times children jobs are cleaning. I think a lot of American homes would be dirty if that was the children’s responsibility! Anyway, I was quite exhausted, and was delighted the next morning when my alarm clock woke me up and not prayer call! What a great start to my birthday! (The past few weeks I have been woken up by prayer call, regardless of what time I went to sleep, and unable to go back to sleep, which makes for a long day.) I was a tad annoyed that I heard people yelling my name. It was some of my homologues children, demanding more oil for the potatoes. I wanted to say, well then don’t use oil, but I didn’t and gave it to them. At work, Trinh brought in pastries. So sweet of her! She also made a card and got everybody to sign it. I got a little emotional, and I don’t know why, but I am so lucky to be in Sikasso with Trinh! The volunteer that is going to replace Trinh has HUGE shoes to fill! For lunch, Linds, Trinh, and I went to a “Tubabu” restaurant. I ordered a chicken sandwich with fries and ketchup, but inside of giving me fries, they put the ketchup on the sandwich, and disregarded the fries. Oh, the joys of communication! That afternoon, I read trashy magazines (i.e. Cosmo). It was great. I then got ready for my birthday party, and then Trinh and Calita came over. Trinh got me some fabric, and Calita made my cake. (That morning, Linds gave me some jewellery.)
My homologue, me, and his wife
We then went over to my homologues house. It was fantastic! Some of the kids got dressed up for my birthday party! I played cards before dinner. There is a Malian game called 151, and I am terrible! I hope to improve. We then had a lovely dinner of chicken, green beans, and potatoes. I was delighted that 2 SED PC workers could come, Mackie and Mama. It was a really fun day. I slept so well that night! This past Saturday, I met with a local village
Lye and me

to discuss their well problem. I was encouraged to see about 50 people came. Many of their wells are dried up. The women also have to get up 3ish to get water for their husbands’ morning bathes. Because I am in a city, I really forgot that men and women sit separately during meetings in rural settings. I was so culturally sensitive when I made a joke, are the men scared of the women? I fortunately forgot the word for scared, but my tutor explained to me that it’s cultural. Way to go, Lala. At the beginning, one man said, look at the women. They are exhausted. The have to get up so early to get us water, and clean and cook. We need more working wells. Sometimes, I have to tell the American in me to chill because I really wanted to say, would it be that hard if you swept the house every once in a while when your wife is getting your water?!? Or maybe, because men are generally physically stronger than women (even though I got really angry in elementary school when teachers would pick boys to lift the heavy boxes; I really could have taken them on with my gymnasts’ strength. Seriously!), get your own water? Just another example of why I would be single the rest of my life if I opted to stay in Mali. Anyway, we established that the community needs more working wells, and got a committee lined up. On Sunday, the committee and I met again. We are going to apply for funding, but my tutored informed me today that he hasn’t gathered the necessary information yet, so we will have to wait until the next deadline because we will probably miss this deadline. I might also check into some other organizations to see if they can help. I reiterated the point to the community that the community has to contribute 33%, so I hope they understand.

(I really want to write “Confidential to Anonymous” just like Dear Abby, but I’ll resist;)

In addressing the question about the marriage proposals, I asked other volunteers and we discussed this with 2 Malian men.
One Asian American said that white woman is constantly portrayed as uppers in literature. I didn’t think about that, but I can definitely see her point.
One white volunteer said that when she got a marriage proposal, she said, I don’t know about taking you back to American. He said, America? Who said anything about America? You’ll stay here with me. So, it is not every man’s intention of going back to the States. I’m sure some people think about it, but often they see America as big, rich, and full of opportunities, but they don’t consider all of the wonderful aspects of Malian culture that they would miss. I would imagine when Malians do go to America, they are often overwhelmed and may even prefer the simple life. (Sometimes, I imagine taking a Malian to Disney World, show them a drive through window, or even just a grocery store. I can’t even imagine!)
I asked the men that perhaps some men proposal simply because of the curiousness of being with someone so different from them? They said that was definitely possible. They also said that the older men are joking (thank goodness because sometimes I want to say “seriously gramps”?) One of the Malian men spent some time in America and said Americans really know how to love. But, Malian women just want to know if you’ll buy them a cell phone, new clothes, etc. But, I think this is also different because of so many reasons! Malian men pay money to the girls’ father to get married to her. I explained that the girls’ father typically pays for the wedding, a concept that most Malians were dismayed with. Also, I like to think that in the States (for most couples anyway, or at least I like to think it works this way), couples give and take. Sometimes, a spouse has to make some sacrifices to make the marriage work. But essentially, each person is concerned about their spouse and how they are feeling, what they like, etc. In my short time here, I feel that relationships are definitely viewed differently here.
Calita, me, Trinh, and Lindsay: Birthday 2008

Saturday, February 16, 2008

And Time Keeps on Moving...

I should have brought my journal while typing up this blog! I started writing again, but I left it at home.
On Monday, Jack, Trinh, and I made salmon cakes along with potatoes and carrots. It’s great being “Sikasso Kaw” (Bambara for people that live in Sikasso)! It’s having a community within PC. So, Sikasso Kaws stick together and RPCV Sikasso Kaws mailed us a box full of goodies! So, it was packaged salmon (thanks RPCV Sikasso Kaw!) and we made salmon cakes. Delicious!
On Tuesday, I went to Trinh’s training. She began it a few weeks ago, encouraging creativity and product differentiation. From my view point, schools here encourage memorization and not creative thinking, and it is obvious to me that creative thinking is not nurtured when children are in school. Malians are really good copying styles and patterns, but to say, make a sac (purse), you will get blank looks.


Their work

Again, this is a broad generalization, but I would imagine that a lot of people would agree with me. Even with foodstuff, people lack differsivication. When coming back from Segou a few weeks ago, we stopped at this one place and EVERYBODY was selling “ghato” (cake/muffins).
Sporting a sac
I went a few weeks ago to look at their products that they were going to take to the Segou Music Festival. It was fun returning and seeing just how far these women have progressed! I also got to hang out with the other Katy from Sikasso region, so that was fun catching up.
Wednesday was the closing ceremony of the formation. They had snacks, drinks, and certificates. It was fun. When the VIPs left, they discussed goals for the next 3 months. Again, a new concept to most. I also RSVPed to my brother’s finaces’ wedding shower. I unfortantely cannot make it (hmmm…) Nobody can say that my mama didn’t raise me right!!
Valentine’s Day was just another day I happily ate my box of chocolates. My cell phone company had a promotion, but it wasn’t nearly as huge as it was in December for Tabaski! I received one “happy vday” text from my friend Lindsay, so that was a pleasant surprise.
Yesterday, Trinh came over for moral support cleaning. My apartment is out of control! But, there is always a room ready for guests. My room, on the other hand, has to have the door shut when people come over. Clothes and books are my doing, but I live beside the busiest road in Sikasso, and beside the road is dirt. When 18 wheelers come zooming past, they stir up all the dirt to my place. You may think I’m exaggerating, but I’m really not!! I still love where I live, regardless of previous problems (i.e. water). I feel so safe in an apartment. I don’t think I could have that sense of security if I lived in a house. Anyway, Trinh was amazing support, and she ended up cooking dinner while I slaved away in my room. I feel like I made a dent. That’s progress right? You may be wondering, how could I accumulate so much stuff, but it is possible.
That’s my week in a nut shell…
Next week….MY BIRTHDAY! I am going to buy lamb meat for my work to enjoy, and then I am buying 5 chickens and green beans. I totally invited myself to my homologues’ house. The family is wonderful, and I feel connected to them. I will still never not be a guest, but I’ve downgraded from VIP status. I don’t think they will ever let me clear my own plate or sit on the floor. Maybe next year. I am buying the food because that’s really the least I can do. They will kill, pluck, and cook the chickens and cook the green beans. So many times, the guest get chicken and pasta, but everybody else is eating rice, so for my birthday, we are all going to enjoy the same “guest” food. Everybody is going to have fun on Lala’s Maiga’s birthday!


At the celebration!

2 Thumbs up for all their hard work

Oh, I apologize to anonymous, will address your question next week. Would love to be on a first name basis!

Saturday, February 9, 2008

The Past 2 Weeks and Random Tidbits

I have done a bad job journaling these past two weeks, so I can only remember bits and pieces.

On Friday, February 1, 2008, my water got turned back on! I spoke to my landlord, gave him money for my "part" and he dealt with it. When I got back home, the business with the bill told me I owed more money. I asked to see the bill and the calculations, and surprise, they miscalculated. I really need a water counter because without it, I will always feel like I'm getting ripped off.

The week of the 28th to February 1st, was my first real work week. A British writer frocame and is wanting to update the Mali tourist book. I hope is is able to come back in March so we can set up an agenda for her. This could be huge for Sikasso tourism. My coworkers and I also began working on signs for the tourist sites around Sikasso. This is a bigger project than I would have imagined, but it's good.

February 2nd to 8th, a PC tutor came to help me with French. This time went so much better than the first time around! I actually feel like I've improved, where as before, I actually thought my French got worse (if even possible!). Now, I have to keep the momentum going and continue to study every day.

RANDOM TIDBITS:
Mali, like many other countries, considers the left hand unclean because they use the left hand and water to clean themselves wehn they are done using the bathroom. WhenI was told this in the States, I was grossed out. But now? It's actually quite practical. I get the eww feeling when not everybody uses soap afterwards, but that's another story. Anyway, I observed a 4 year old being wiped and asked what age does the child start taking card of his/her business? I was told inattentive parents let their childern do it when they are young, but other wipe their childern until they are 9 or 10. At school for young childern (4, 5, 6 year olds), there are women that assist them and then teach them to wash their hands. This is so different from how I was raised. I remember my Mom teaching a Sunday school class and a 5 year old asked her to wip her and my mom said if you are old enough for big girl panties, you are old enough to wipe yourself.

Engagement rings: I've changed my mind about engagement rings so many times. But, I have come to the conclusion that engagement rings and wedding rings are a great idea. I have been asked countless times in Mali, are you married? Do you want to marry me? Why don't you want to marry me...etc. etc. In the states, words are unnessasary! You just have to look at a woman's left hand to see if she's available!!! (which probably wouldn't work that well here, when you can legally have up to 4 wives). But, this was my breakthrough of the week. I think engagement rings are genius and so are wedding bands.

That's all for now. I don't have time to spell check so please overlook the mistakes.