I am currently sitting in an internet cafe in Dakar, Senegal.
The bus ride was....long. I spent 32 hours on a bus from Bamako to Dakar. We had lots of issues in Bamako, but just typical West Africa. They tell you something whether it's true or not. Americans would say that they are lying, but they don't see it that way. Anyway, we had a late start, but we got her safely and that's all that matters.
Senegal is amazing. I ate at N'ice Cream today. The best icecream I've had in West Africa. It's so crazy how much further along in development Senegal is compared to Mali. One simple example would be covered sewers. All over Senegal, the sewers are covered. Who would have thought the brillance of covering the sewers?
I also just saw a woman outside WALKING A DOG. Unbelievable. I smiled and thought about what the Malians would have said if they saw her.
WAIST is fun. I definitely should have practiced softball. I didn't realize that my hand-eye coordination has been deteriorating.
The Spartanburg Herald Journal recently did a story on a project here. The reason I contacted the newspaper was to help fundraise, but the money has already been raised. So, if you want to help PCVs all around the world, check out www.peacecorps.gov, Donate, Donate to Volunteer Projects.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Long Time
I need to back up a bit.
The day before I left for Bamako, Echin told me that the village chief died in Woroni. So, instead of getting henna on my feet (like I originally planned), I went to Woroni to pay my respects. I practiced 2 blessings on the way down. Everybody from OMATHO that came was a man, so I had to hang out with the women by myself. After the ceremony, the covered body was placed on a wooden ladder with sides. A group of men singing lead the way to the cemetery, and then a group of men carried the ladder followed the singing men. They walked about 2 miles carrying the body. They had to alternate carrying the ladder. After the men began walking, the women took a short cut to where the men would eventually walk. I was part of this crowd. I’m sure I looked confused because my coworkers were on the other side of the concession. One coworker then explained that everybody was going to the cemetery, and if I wanted, I could follow the women. This was probably the most interesting funeral I have ever attended.
The next day, I went to Bamako. I went to a Mexican restaurant with some other PCVs. The food was sub par, but the company was excellent.
It was absolutely crazy going back to Tubaniso. I hadn’t been back for over a year. Oh how the eyes of experience changes things! I enjoyed meeting new volunteers. My presentation was okay. It was at the end of the day, and everybody was tired, so I cut my part short. After the presentation, there was mud wrestling. I didn’t participate, but I enjoyed watching it. That evening, Lindsay D. arranged a pig feast at the bar. It was marvelous! We shared with the Malians there because if they are at the bar, they either aren’t good Muslims (alcohol) or not Muslims at all. They enjoyed the pig almost as much as we did!
I came back to Sikasso for a day, and then off to Anna’s village I went. Her house is so cute and so neat! We stayed surprisingly busy for village life. There was a funeral, a wedding, and work. We also ran daily. Thanks to my brother and his wife, I have a newfound inspiration to run (music!). Unfortunately, my tennis shoes (I hate saying “sneakers”) need some repairs. The insides of all my tennis shoes cut my heels or cause blisters. I can’t find my duct tape, so I had to tape the insides with medical tape. Anna told me she was “out of shape” but our “out of shape” levels are way different. But, the most important thing is that every day, I ran. It doesn’t matter that Anna could run circles around me.
I’ve become tougher in Mali in so many ways. It takes something pretty heart breaking to make me cry. But, in Anna’s village, one lady’s situation made me want to cry. I was able to control it, but it was ripping me up inside. One of Anna’s friends in village has 6 children. She is pregnant with her 7th. Her 5th and 6th children are malnourished. But to see the youngest at 1 ½ years old, her twig like legs that can’t support her, the patches of baldness on her head, completely unable to walk, can only say one word sentences, broke my heart. And, when the new baby is born, this child will have even less attention. And, I don’t know what’s going to happen because she is currently carried on her mom’s back, but when the newborn baby comes, that’s where the new baby will go.
I don’t know if I was oblivious of deforestation my first year here, but I am starting to notice obscene amounts of firewood. This is definitely an important issue that needs to be addressed soon.
I’ve seen lots of motorcycle accidents in front of my house. 2 in 2 days. Everybody is alive, but the sound of metal clashing makes me say “oh snap” and then I go outside.
It’s a good thing I started running again because of the multiple comments of how fat I’ve gotten (just what you want to hear the week before you go to the beach). For the most part, I have been able to just laugh it off, but I was emotional last week. After I was done running, a 50ish year old man told me how big my stomach is (apple shape…$%#! genetics) and how big my butt is. Tell me what you really think sir. Later, on the same day, a lady told me how fat I was too. I appreciate your honesty (no, couldn’t say that in Bambara). Instead, I went home and cried. I know it’s cultural, and a lot of times, I laugh it off, say thank you, etc. but I couldn’t shake it this week. I try to reverse roles and picture a Malian comes to America and someone tells them how thin they are, and I STILL can’t find that insulting. I don’t think I ever will. Maybe that’s the American in me. The next day, I told Jaba (Echin’s wife) how much my feelings were hurt. She was like it’s Mali. It’s not a bad thing. And, your dad’s fat too. I was able to laugh then.
I am ridiculously excited about going to Senegal next week! And my birthday is coming up, and I have an extremely embarrassing large box coming from Mah.
Cold season is “a banna” (it’s finished). Check out www.accuweather.com if you have time. It’s crazy how fast cold season becomes prehot season.
The day before I left for Bamako, Echin told me that the village chief died in Woroni. So, instead of getting henna on my feet (like I originally planned), I went to Woroni to pay my respects. I practiced 2 blessings on the way down. Everybody from OMATHO that came was a man, so I had to hang out with the women by myself. After the ceremony, the covered body was placed on a wooden ladder with sides. A group of men singing lead the way to the cemetery, and then a group of men carried the ladder followed the singing men. They walked about 2 miles carrying the body. They had to alternate carrying the ladder. After the men began walking, the women took a short cut to where the men would eventually walk. I was part of this crowd. I’m sure I looked confused because my coworkers were on the other side of the concession. One coworker then explained that everybody was going to the cemetery, and if I wanted, I could follow the women. This was probably the most interesting funeral I have ever attended.
The next day, I went to Bamako. I went to a Mexican restaurant with some other PCVs. The food was sub par, but the company was excellent.
It was absolutely crazy going back to Tubaniso. I hadn’t been back for over a year. Oh how the eyes of experience changes things! I enjoyed meeting new volunteers. My presentation was okay. It was at the end of the day, and everybody was tired, so I cut my part short. After the presentation, there was mud wrestling. I didn’t participate, but I enjoyed watching it. That evening, Lindsay D. arranged a pig feast at the bar. It was marvelous! We shared with the Malians there because if they are at the bar, they either aren’t good Muslims (alcohol) or not Muslims at all. They enjoyed the pig almost as much as we did!
I came back to Sikasso for a day, and then off to Anna’s village I went. Her house is so cute and so neat! We stayed surprisingly busy for village life. There was a funeral, a wedding, and work. We also ran daily. Thanks to my brother and his wife, I have a newfound inspiration to run (music!). Unfortunately, my tennis shoes (I hate saying “sneakers”) need some repairs. The insides of all my tennis shoes cut my heels or cause blisters. I can’t find my duct tape, so I had to tape the insides with medical tape. Anna told me she was “out of shape” but our “out of shape” levels are way different. But, the most important thing is that every day, I ran. It doesn’t matter that Anna could run circles around me.
I’ve become tougher in Mali in so many ways. It takes something pretty heart breaking to make me cry. But, in Anna’s village, one lady’s situation made me want to cry. I was able to control it, but it was ripping me up inside. One of Anna’s friends in village has 6 children. She is pregnant with her 7th. Her 5th and 6th children are malnourished. But to see the youngest at 1 ½ years old, her twig like legs that can’t support her, the patches of baldness on her head, completely unable to walk, can only say one word sentences, broke my heart. And, when the new baby is born, this child will have even less attention. And, I don’t know what’s going to happen because she is currently carried on her mom’s back, but when the newborn baby comes, that’s where the new baby will go.
I don’t know if I was oblivious of deforestation my first year here, but I am starting to notice obscene amounts of firewood. This is definitely an important issue that needs to be addressed soon.
I’ve seen lots of motorcycle accidents in front of my house. 2 in 2 days. Everybody is alive, but the sound of metal clashing makes me say “oh snap” and then I go outside.
It’s a good thing I started running again because of the multiple comments of how fat I’ve gotten (just what you want to hear the week before you go to the beach). For the most part, I have been able to just laugh it off, but I was emotional last week. After I was done running, a 50ish year old man told me how big my stomach is (apple shape…$%#! genetics) and how big my butt is. Tell me what you really think sir. Later, on the same day, a lady told me how fat I was too. I appreciate your honesty (no, couldn’t say that in Bambara). Instead, I went home and cried. I know it’s cultural, and a lot of times, I laugh it off, say thank you, etc. but I couldn’t shake it this week. I try to reverse roles and picture a Malian comes to America and someone tells them how thin they are, and I STILL can’t find that insulting. I don’t think I ever will. Maybe that’s the American in me. The next day, I told Jaba (Echin’s wife) how much my feelings were hurt. She was like it’s Mali. It’s not a bad thing. And, your dad’s fat too. I was able to laugh then.
I am ridiculously excited about going to Senegal next week! And my birthday is coming up, and I have an extremely embarrassing large box coming from Mah.
Cold season is “a banna” (it’s finished). Check out www.accuweather.com if you have time. It’s crazy how fast cold season becomes prehot season.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Life and such
In the caves of Missikoro
The chief of Adeles village and me
me and Fatima's baby boy
my coworkers and me at work
opening xmas presents
with Echins kids in front of their mini petting farm
mom and will reading
will at dogon country
the fam
will and dad on a boat in mopti
mom, will; and me in a boat
will and dad on a boat in mopti
mom, will; and me in a boat
it's bath time
sheep in transport
will and dad in mopti
sheep in transport
will and dad in mopti
Last Sunday, I was walking to lunch with Ben and there was chaos. There was a group of people crowded in the intersection. We were walking closer, and then everybody started running AWAY from where we were walking. We turned around, and then the gas hit us. It burned my throat, eyes, and I really thought my nose was bleeding. According to some Malians we asked on the street, a police man caused an accident. A mob then gathered and ripped down the police station and then beat up the police that caused the accident. The Malians said that the individual in the accident was killed, but the next day at work, my homologue said that was false.
This was a big week for me. We had 3 tourists come!!! And, they are from Canada so I could effectively communicate with them! They were super nice, and I do hope I was able to provide them with accurate information.
I am currently dog sitting these next few weeks. I can only imagine the conversations I have sparked. “So, I saw this tubab walking, holding a string connected to a dog! Can you believe that? How weird!” I am confident that is the first time many Malians have seen a dog on a leash. Instead of watching out for neighborhood dogs, I have to watch out for street dogs, donkeys, sheep, and goats. It’s the street dogs I am mainly concerned about because they look at little Keno like an appetizer. Keno’s a character. She eats rocks. No seriously. I think there must be a vitamin deficiency because that’s just not normal. She also likes to take rests in the shade during our walks. A lady yesterday looked at me when Keno refused to go any further (laying in the shade) and said, “Your dog is tired.” I just laughed.
I was planning on going to the Segou music festival, but I can’t because the money is due 2 days before I am going to Bamako. I am a little disappointed, but I have no doubt I will find another way to use the money.
Going to Bamako for a presentation this week!
This was a big week for me. We had 3 tourists come!!! And, they are from Canada so I could effectively communicate with them! They were super nice, and I do hope I was able to provide them with accurate information.
I am currently dog sitting these next few weeks. I can only imagine the conversations I have sparked. “So, I saw this tubab walking, holding a string connected to a dog! Can you believe that? How weird!” I am confident that is the first time many Malians have seen a dog on a leash. Instead of watching out for neighborhood dogs, I have to watch out for street dogs, donkeys, sheep, and goats. It’s the street dogs I am mainly concerned about because they look at little Keno like an appetizer. Keno’s a character. She eats rocks. No seriously. I think there must be a vitamin deficiency because that’s just not normal. She also likes to take rests in the shade during our walks. A lady yesterday looked at me when Keno refused to go any further (laying in the shade) and said, “Your dog is tired.” I just laughed.
I was planning on going to the Segou music festival, but I can’t because the money is due 2 days before I am going to Bamako. I am a little disappointed, but I have no doubt I will find another way to use the money.
Going to Bamako for a presentation this week!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Back to Lala Land
So, I’m back to my regular schedule. It’s weird because traveling around exhausted me, but I miss it.
It’s official: I have the best family and friends. I am the luckiest girl in the world.
I am doing a presentation in Bamako in a few weeks, so I am organizing my presentation.
Here are some pictures. I’ll try to put new ones up every week. Will explain the pictures in a few weeks.
So, I’m back to my regular schedule. It’s weird because traveling around exhausted me, but I miss it.
It’s official: I have the best family and friends. I am the luckiest girl in the world.
I am doing a presentation in Bamako in a few weeks, so I am organizing my presentation.
Here are some pictures. I’ll try to put new ones up every week. Will explain the pictures in a few weeks.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Another Point of View
Hello. This is Katie's American mom, Cecilia, posting a capsule version of our African adventure.
We (me, my husband, our 18 y.o. son, Will) visited Katie for 2 weeks over the Christmas holiday. My favorite part was watching, in amazement, as Katie so effortlessly interacted with the Mali people. I dubbed it the "LaLa Mega" show. We would climb aboard a "bashay"--basically the back of a beat up pick-up truck with 3 benches, minimum of 15 plus people crowded in. And the show would start. Katie would introduce herself, flowing from French to Bambara and back. Then the questions would start. Who we were, where did she work, how her husband and children are (currently nonexistent but just easier to flow with "fine,") I always knew when we got to the punch line because everyone would look at me and start laughing. They have a wonderful tradition of "joking cousins" among family names ( a much kinder version of the Hatfields and McCoys!) Katie gave me the Malian name of "Mah Coulibally" while the rest of the family had the last name of "Maiga." And, as I was introduced, it was explained that since I was a "Coulibally" and not a "Maiga", that I was a donkey and ate beans. It was incredible that this line always brought the house down, everyone would laugh good naturedly. It was just fun.
The most beautiful part of our trip was our hike through the Dogon country. Our guide, Hasseim, is extremely talented (speaks English plus many other languages) and is passionate about explaining African history and customs to visitors. It was wonderful.
Minor aggravation--my luggage never did appear (thank goodness Katie could outfit me but I sure missed my own shoes) and I'm not too convinced that it will ever appear or that Air Maroc will settle a claim.
Health issues--I stuck to bottled water to try to hold those to a minimum. Bill had a "touch" of malaria (my diagnosis based on his symptoms and the Peace Corps Health Handbook) which I could easily, and cheaply, purchase medicine for in the local pharmacy. He responded within the first 36 hours which was a big relief, although I did opt to cut out our return trip through Morocco.
Other thoughts--the Malian people are friendly, beautiful and hard working. Watching those women with babies on their front and back, pulling water from wells and placing these large buckets on their heads to carry long distances was incredible. My hope is that volunteers, like Katie, can do their part, however small or large, to help ease their lives.
We (me, my husband, our 18 y.o. son, Will) visited Katie for 2 weeks over the Christmas holiday. My favorite part was watching, in amazement, as Katie so effortlessly interacted with the Mali people. I dubbed it the "LaLa Mega" show. We would climb aboard a "bashay"--basically the back of a beat up pick-up truck with 3 benches, minimum of 15 plus people crowded in. And the show would start. Katie would introduce herself, flowing from French to Bambara and back. Then the questions would start. Who we were, where did she work, how her husband and children are (currently nonexistent but just easier to flow with "fine,") I always knew when we got to the punch line because everyone would look at me and start laughing. They have a wonderful tradition of "joking cousins" among family names ( a much kinder version of the Hatfields and McCoys!) Katie gave me the Malian name of "Mah Coulibally" while the rest of the family had the last name of "Maiga." And, as I was introduced, it was explained that since I was a "Coulibally" and not a "Maiga", that I was a donkey and ate beans. It was incredible that this line always brought the house down, everyone would laugh good naturedly. It was just fun.
The most beautiful part of our trip was our hike through the Dogon country. Our guide, Hasseim, is extremely talented (speaks English plus many other languages) and is passionate about explaining African history and customs to visitors. It was wonderful.
Minor aggravation--my luggage never did appear (thank goodness Katie could outfit me but I sure missed my own shoes) and I'm not too convinced that it will ever appear or that Air Maroc will settle a claim.
Health issues--I stuck to bottled water to try to hold those to a minimum. Bill had a "touch" of malaria (my diagnosis based on his symptoms and the Peace Corps Health Handbook) which I could easily, and cheaply, purchase medicine for in the local pharmacy. He responded within the first 36 hours which was a big relief, although I did opt to cut out our return trip through Morocco.
Other thoughts--the Malian people are friendly, beautiful and hard working. Watching those women with babies on their front and back, pulling water from wells and placing these large buckets on their heads to carry long distances was incredible. My hope is that volunteers, like Katie, can do their part, however small or large, to help ease their lives.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Thank you family and friends!!!!
I am once again overwhelmed by the generosity of my family and friends. The faucet project has been funded. Thank you to all who contributed, your thoughts and prayers, and your enthusiasm for being the backbone of this project.
Happy New Year's!
~Lala
Happy New Year's!
~Lala
The Cannon's Trip to Mali
My family made it back safely to the States yesterday. While at times I was extremely overwhelmed, I think that everybody had a lovely time with no regrets (okay, maybe a few) about coming.
It's going to be really difficult for me to sum up everything we did in a few weeks, so here is a brief summary.
After Bamako, we went to Segou. We went to a place where they dye the bogolan (mud cloth). After the demonstration, we each made our own bogolan squares. We had a lovely Italian dinner and saw the sun set over the Niger River.
From Segou, we went to Severe. I saw some other PCVs with their families. We spend the night in Severe, and then the next day explored Mopti. We took a boat ride to a nearby village and ate by the river.
After our day in Mopti, we spend another night in Severe. The next day, we headed out in the morning for Dogon Country. After lunch, we hung out for a few hours and then continued to Dogon. We had a small evening hike, and then stayed at a very nice campament. It was a little area made for tourists. It even had toilets!! Our tour guide pawned us off on his brother. He has a lot to learn from his brother! Dinner was nice. Will and I slept outside. The next morning, we went shopping. We had lunch with Rachel and her family, and then began hiking. Our guide was fantastic! Everybody made it out of Dogon country alive!
After our hike, we spent the night in Mopti. The next day, we left for Sikasso. We got in at 11:30 pm. Will stayed with me and my parents stayed in the hotel.
On Christmas Eve, my family picked up the tab for meatloaf. And, my mom made her infamous banana pudding:) We went to church on Christmas. My family wasn't so impressed with the 2 1/2 hour service in Bambara. It was the first time I saw my mom fall asleep in church! We had lunch at Echin's house. Green beans, chicken, bananas. It was delicious! Then it was nap time. After naps, we opened presents. Thanks to everybody who contributed! Later that evening, we hung out with other volunteers.
The next few days blur together. We were able to see the touristic "sites" of Sikasso in a private car. Also, my dad got real sick. My mom diagnosed him with malaria. We got medicine for him, and the next day he was able to get on a bus for Bamako.
In Bamako, my mom and I were in a cab that got rear ended. Then some time later, the cab broke down. Oh, Mali.
My last supper was shared at a delicious Chinese restaurant. I over-ordered, but you would too if your parents were picking up the bill!
I asked my family to write their experiences of Mali. I hope to post that within the week so you can get a different perspective.
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S! 2009
It's going to be really difficult for me to sum up everything we did in a few weeks, so here is a brief summary.
After Bamako, we went to Segou. We went to a place where they dye the bogolan (mud cloth). After the demonstration, we each made our own bogolan squares. We had a lovely Italian dinner and saw the sun set over the Niger River.
From Segou, we went to Severe. I saw some other PCVs with their families. We spend the night in Severe, and then the next day explored Mopti. We took a boat ride to a nearby village and ate by the river.
After our day in Mopti, we spend another night in Severe. The next day, we headed out in the morning for Dogon Country. After lunch, we hung out for a few hours and then continued to Dogon. We had a small evening hike, and then stayed at a very nice campament. It was a little area made for tourists. It even had toilets!! Our tour guide pawned us off on his brother. He has a lot to learn from his brother! Dinner was nice. Will and I slept outside. The next morning, we went shopping. We had lunch with Rachel and her family, and then began hiking. Our guide was fantastic! Everybody made it out of Dogon country alive!
After our hike, we spent the night in Mopti. The next day, we left for Sikasso. We got in at 11:30 pm. Will stayed with me and my parents stayed in the hotel.
On Christmas Eve, my family picked up the tab for meatloaf. And, my mom made her infamous banana pudding:) We went to church on Christmas. My family wasn't so impressed with the 2 1/2 hour service in Bambara. It was the first time I saw my mom fall asleep in church! We had lunch at Echin's house. Green beans, chicken, bananas. It was delicious! Then it was nap time. After naps, we opened presents. Thanks to everybody who contributed! Later that evening, we hung out with other volunteers.
The next few days blur together. We were able to see the touristic "sites" of Sikasso in a private car. Also, my dad got real sick. My mom diagnosed him with malaria. We got medicine for him, and the next day he was able to get on a bus for Bamako.
In Bamako, my mom and I were in a cab that got rear ended. Then some time later, the cab broke down. Oh, Mali.
My last supper was shared at a delicious Chinese restaurant. I over-ordered, but you would too if your parents were picking up the bill!
I asked my family to write their experiences of Mali. I hope to post that within the week so you can get a different perspective.
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S! 2009
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