Au Revior!

I leave for my homestay in an hour. I do not know the next time I will be able to blog. I will be in a city, but I will be busy learning French (classes 7/7!!) It will be intense, but I did meet my "mom". She is so put together! She had on a beautiful black and white outfit, some makeup, and a cell phone! She has 3 children. Her sister is also taking in a PCT, and the guy who was interpreting (which I am grateful for) misunderstood 16 and 6! So, he told us that her sister has 16 childern! But, we (or should I say he?) finally figured it out and corrected us. It was really funny thinking that a PCT was going into a family that had 16 kids and they all lived at home! But, really it is 6, and they all live at home.
I should be speaking okay French the next time I'm on! It's exciting!

Au Revior! (Goodbye in French)

On My Way!!

I found out where I am going for my home stay today!! I am really excited! I am going to be about 17 K from Bamako, and I am going into a home with modern amenities (electricity and running water!!!!:) I'm not going to lie. I am really excited.
We had our first SED meeting today (SED=small enterprise development). I am going to have to get more sleep because I was struggling this morning. I am excited and have so many ideas, but I have to remember to go back to basics b/c electricity and running water are the exception, not the rule.
Yesterday, I ate with my hand (right of course) for the first time on rugs on the floor. Typically, men and women share different bowls, but we didn't. I found a little challenging. I looked like a child with rice all over my skirt. It will definitely take some time to remember not to use my right hand. I was speaking to a Malian and asked him why they didn't drink anything with their meals. He said that mostly, they only eat 3 times a day, and if they drink anything, it takes up room where food could go.
We also discussed stereotypes yesterday. It was interesting that Americans (in general) stereotype Africans as dirty, and Africans (in general) stereotype Americans as dirty. A Malian said, "We bathe three times a day. How can we be dirty?" It was really funny that one our list, we thought of Africans as being naked. They refuted it. Another PCT pulled out the postcard they gave us with naked women on it. It was hilarious! It turned out that it was a festival in a particular village, but those are the things that Americans see.
Today, I am going to meet (hopefully) my host family, or a parent. I will be speaking French. I am excited about it because it is a skill I can take back home. I don't know the next time I'll be able to blog. While they have electricity and water, I don't know about the Internet.

"Learn a new language and get a new soul."
Czech Proverb

(I'll learn some Bambara proverbs and share.)

Bambara

I have a quick break from language classes. I am currently learning Bambara. Most Malians speak Bambara.
It was really funny today. There is a huge tortoise and he was at my doorstep. Somebody got him to move so I could leave.
All in all, life is good. Using the yeagan (hole in the ground) is a challenge, but I'm sure by the end of my two years, I will be a yeagan professional.
I'll try to come back tonight to post picts!

In MALI:)

The flight from Philly to Paris was uneventful. I sat beside a 13 year old who was going on a vacation to Paris with is parents. The seats were really close together. I'm 5'3 (about) and my knees were hitting the seat in front of me. (I didn't sleep a wink). Paris was fine. We went to a hotel and I slept so wonderfully. I couldn't figure out the stupid lights. Apparently, you had to stick your key in the light switch. After a nap, we went back to the airport. I learned how to ask for Harry Potter in French. The lady said that they overbooked and would I be okay being moved to business? Of course I said. So, I had a reclining, massaging chair, 3 course meal, and coke at my finger tips. It was lovely! I said beside a lovely Malian engineer, and it so great speaking to a local. He spoke highly of Peace Corps which made me feel great.
As soon as I got of the plane, I felt the heat (even though it's was 9 pm). Everybody got their luggage (which is rare), so we are starting off on a good foot. It was so funny to me because me and the other girl in first class was at the front of the line, and all these people kept on cutting in front of us. We couldn't say anything. Literally. A PC person straightened them out.
Life is great! I have so much to learn. I have to run and get more shots, but will try to write more later. AND, we I get more time (if I get more time) I will try to post pictures!!

Leaving for Mali!!!

We just got done with our last session, and we are actually leaving today!!! I am really excited!! I was stoked that when we got done with our session, nobody was on the computer so I'm on!!:) I actually have to finish packing. We have to be out of our rooms at 11. Priorities priorities. I will probably go on Internet withdraw when I am over there.
It's a possibility that I will have a cell phone and incoming calls are free. I haven't decided if I am going to get one yet.
The group going to Mali is huge! There are 82 of us!! They split are group in half, so I know half of the group pretty well. I need to start taking pictures. There is a guy that graduated from LSU and one from UGA, so I was happy to find some people that actually know where I went to school.
Just a side note. I really hope that Paris released the HP book early. We are in training 7 days a week, for 7 hours a day, and aren't really allowed to go wandering (yet), so I really hope the airport has it...
Also, I am so happy I got a new wardrobe before I left from GW. I feel so comfortable with all of my clothes. I know so people are probably thinking I won't care when I get there, but Mali is the Italy of Africa. People really care about how they look (which is parallel to Italy) and actually will talk about your clothing.
The next time I post, I'll be in Paris or Africa!!! Oh, the Places you Go!

"I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life, and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do."
~Georgia O'Keefe

pict: Amanda, Emily, and me leaving the hotel for the airport
pict 2: Ilana and me: 1st class girls

Is it REALLY July 17th?

It's 12:34 am. I'm getting up in 4 hours to catch a plane to Philly. I can't believe I'm leaving so soon!
I ate dinner with my mom, dad, brothers, grandma, uncle, uncle's gf, and my cousin. It was a lot of fun! The waiters even sang to me!
I am too exhausted to write any more, but I will try to find a public library or Internet cafe tomorrow (or should I say today?).


"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Lao Tzu