Fun Times in Mali

Kids playing with the pasta wrappers

Last Thursday, I went to Amanda’s village. She is also from South Carolina (represent!), and just a great person. I wanted to leave at the crack of dawn, but I decided sleep was more important. But, I am happy to report that the transportation gods were smiling down on me. Instead of taking a bus or a bahshay, I rode in a truck! I felt a little guilty because I took a guys seat and he had to seat in the truck bed, but Malians, I feel, really look out for guests. I made it to Amanda’s site, but the only thing is, this was my first time there, and I didn’t know where to go. So, she got Meg to come and get me. In village, there are very little landmarks, but I know when I go back, I will know where to go.

Yes, this city girl pulls her own water!

Amanda had the right idea of doing pasta and meat. She invited a lot of Malians, and some PCVs came (Meg, Susie, and me). We really had a lovely time. She also had a cake! Complete with icing (butter+sugar…no joke)!

Hanging out

Carolina Girls...Best in the World!

Meg, Amanda, Susie, and me

On Friday morning, I woke up 6ish. Amanda lives in a concession with two other houses, and her host family gets up early! They have to start the fire to cook, pound millet, get water, etc. So needless to say, I didn’t get to sleep in! (It’s too hot to sleep inside) Susie, Meg, and I then went to Bla to catch a bus to San for the Anything Goes but Clothes party! I realized on the bus to Bla that it was Friday, which means mosque day and less transportation. I don’t know how long we waited in Bla, but I was a little…stubborn (keeping it G rated for the kids). The guy wanted us to buy our ticket, but I adamantly refused until I actually laid eyes on a bus. Another bus came, and we got on, even though right after, the guy who was “helping” us bus came. It was uncomfortably hot. No windows, no AC, and on the back row. But, we were moving! Susie is San Kaw (from San region), so she knew where to get off and where to go. It was fun seeing people I normally don’t get to see. That evening, we all got in our outfits. I was debating between my Auburn flag and my curtains, but I decided on wearing my Auburn flag. Some people are so creative! Some outfits included: toilet paper, magazines, soap wrappers, plastic bags, cards, bubble wrap, leaves…it was so much fun! There was dancing and chatting and laughing. I am glad I went.Breakfast Club sho (minus Susie, Mary, Kyle, Amy)t: sooo dusty
I had some corrections to make on the map, and Mary was at the party so we worked on it on Saturday. It looks so good! I played cards, napped, and just hung out. That night, we had spaghetti, salad, and cake. Delicious! I then hung out with Susie, Stephanie, and Rachel, all from my stage. It was just a good time.

I returned to Sikasso on Sunday. I think I sat on the MOST uncomfortable seat in my life from San to Kouctiala. The seat was too small, so I was basically sitting (1/2 way) on metal. But, on the second bahshay, I sat shot gun! I kept on falling asleep! My apartment was filthy (surprise), but as always, it’s good to be home.

Accomplishments

The architect and the recruiter


I truly lack artistic ability (minus the one semester in Mrs. West’s art class…but I still got a C). Sikasso doesn’t have a tourism map, so I recruited my friend Mary to draw one. So, this past week, she came to Sikasso. She is so talented! While I didn’t draw a thing, I feel like I accomplished something because of my amazing recruitment abilities. It looks exactly how I would want it to look like.

Check out that fine looking map!

Seydou (APCD for SED, which is my sector) called me on Monday. I got him to talk to my landlord about putting in a separate water counter for me. June 20^th is the date, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

Happy Birthday Calita!

On Wednesday, Sikasso Kaw (plus Mary) celebrated Calita’s birthday! She went to India a few weeks ago, and brought back spices! It was sooo good! Chicken, curry vegetables, and pitas. With chocolate cake and frosting! The power did go out, but it was back within an hour.

Trinh and me at the bday celebration

Adam (the volunteer I replaced) is leaving Mali in a few weeks, so he came down to Sikasso to say goodbye. We had a heart to heart chat. He gave me some great advice, and I am realizing the necessity of goals.

I may go to a party next weekend. I just don’t know. There is also a concert in Bamako that I am going to try to go to, but I guess I’ll have to wait and see. But, in a few weeks, I will be going to Bamako for my mid service health exam. I spend so much money in Bamako, I’m going to have to limit myself to one pizza and one trip to the patisserie (for ice cream of course!).

These men walk miles and miles. A tough job

Why use your hands when you have a head?

My tutor Makan

Uneventful Week

Here are a few highlights.

People warn you again and again about the gossip in PC. But, I found out this past week it’s true. I was really angry but I have to let it go. I just thought my closest friends wouldn’t talk about me. False. But, I now know who I can trust. I have so many wonderful friends in Ameriki that are so amazing and trustworthy. But, those relationships took years to build, not 11 months. Anyway, I have to be more careful.

I went to an environmental meeting this past week. I was definitely slumping in my chair when they showed the graph of countries producing hazardous gases. America was in the lead at 30%. Africa came rolling in at 2%.

Which brings me to my next point. Gas here is 570 CFA per LITER. If I remember correctly, there are 3.78 liters in a gallon. You can do the conversion at www.xof.com . But, what’s even more critical than gas (Yes, there is something more important) is food prices are going up. I am even noticing it.

We had Mexican Night at Trinh’s house. It was fabulous!! And, next week, Calita is celebrating her birthday with Indian Night! (She just got back from India, so she brought spices back).

Tomorrow, Mary (another PCV) is coming to help me with the tourist map. She has an architectural background, so I know that it will look really professional when we are done with it.

On Saturday night, Linds and I hung out downtown. We had cokes, went shopping for fabric, and ended up eating at a Tubab restraurant downtown. It was lovely! Linds is really nice (I am not) and she let some guy show her all of the things he was selling. After he said that a pillowcase was 30,000 CFA (absolutely ludicrous!) I blessed him, and said goodbye. Unfortunately, he would not leave, so I got up (Linds followed) to another table.

Oh, Linds

I believe I decided I am not going to the 4^th of July. Instead, I am planning on going to a party in a few weeks and attend a concert in Bamako. I am also hoping I can get in on the group that is going to Ghana in August! But, the newbies are coming (What?!) to look at their sites in August, so I want to be here for that. I just still can’t believe next month with be my year mark in MALI!! And, the Belushi’s (group that came July 06) are leaving in the next few months. Some days feel sooo long, but then you look at a calendar and think, wait a minute! It’s June?!

I got Em beads for her bday!

Ups and Downs…Always

May 24 I was going to go on a bike trip with Trinh to the local tea plantation, but I wasn’t feeling well. I had a cold, and thought that biking 25 K to the plantation and 25 K back sounded like a terrible idea.

Last Tuesday, Trinh and I had dinner with the Ambassador and PR. It was so chill! He was so nice and so down to earth! I learned a lot about the foreign service. For example, some positions are appointed and other are career positions. The food was okay (so expensive!), but the care package was fantastic! Inside the care package….DORRITOS! It was fantastic!

Last Wednesday, I went to the bus stop with a coworker. We finished gathering the information about different departure times and locations. I wasn’t feeling great (I think it was the salad, but who really knows?)

On Thursday, Emily arrived! I still was feeling bad, but it was great catching up! That evening, we made macaroni (also in the care package, expired but it didn’t even matter!), and made brownies. Delicious!

Friday was Emily’s birthday! We had rice and sauce for lunch. I shared the dorritos, but unfortunately couldn’t pass the bag when it was my turn. Big mistake. That evening, I couldn’t eat dinner, and eventually, got sick off of the dorritos. I was so angry! I mean, when is the next time I am going to be able to snack on dorritos?! I was going to show Em the tourist sites of Sikasso, but I just wasn’t up to it.

Saturday morning, OMATHO and PC had a meeting. I just love Saturday morning meetings! Of course, it was suppose to be at 9:15ish, but my meeting got started at 10 am. Malians are very repetitive. So, I had to hear how bad my French was about 20 times. And, I actually understood it each and every time! But, what really frustrated me was when my supervisor chuckled at me because I was asking questions. He said to me, “You don’t understand.” But the thing is, I did! I just wanted further information! I am aware I need to grow thicker skin because I cried in front of 5 Malian men (Hello, faux pas!) Now granted, I was sick, tired, and frustrated. But, if they had a class of controlling emotions, I would be the first to sign up! We went to Waroni afterwards (Trinh came! She is such a life saver!). And, I got some questions answered. Waroni needs a motivator, and I believe OMATHO is in denial. Again, this is my opinion only. I’m just really frustrated right now. And, it’s only normal for me to question the sex card; would things be different if I were a guy? Would I get more respect? (I wonder if I would cry in public as a guy?) So many questions which have no answers.

I basically hung out Sunday (Em left.). I still was sick, so I didn’t even want to leave my apartment. I was being “Johnny Raincloud” (reference to that terrible Disney movie with Nicolas Cage). But, my aunt Donna called and I got to vent! I felt so much better (mentally) and even got out of the bed to shower! And, the song “Carolina Girls” always puts me in a good mood. So, I went to sleep happier than I had been the whole day.

On Monday, I decided that I should start taking medicine. I got my results back. I really thought I had amebas, but everything was negative. I gave my body plenty of time to fight whatever I had, but it was unsuccessful. So, with the intervention of medicine, I am feeling much better now.

Ups and downs: the story of life.

The Beginning of Goodbyes

Farwell Jacq

Well, this past week, Sikasso Kaw said goodbye to a Bulshi (the stage that came 2006), Jacq. Jacq is extending her PC service in China! Last Saturday, we had a lovely party for her. I think everybody had a great time.
On Sunday, I went to market. I detest the market on Sundays because it’s really crowded, and one time, I almost got pushed over. Linds came in for the party, and she needed to go, so I went with her. I did, however, make a fun purchase. I bought some lingerie beads. They are called and you wear them around your waist. When we first got here, they were talked about during one of our cultural lessons, but the Malian was too shy to show her beads.

I, however, am not to shy to show my beads!

Monday was a really tough day for me. I was ready to call it quits. But, I have an amazing support system here, and concluded that some days are just terrible. Did I mention how much of a crappy day it was? Oh, and my beads fell down. Apparently, I didn’t tie them tight enough. Thank God I was wearing pants!
Tuesday night, we had Jacq’s Bash part II. We had Asian Fusion night. It was so much fun and absolutely delicious! Jacq left Wednesday morning for Bamako, so it was her last night here!
On Thursday afternoon, Trinh and I went house hunting (for me) and bureau shopping (for Sikasso Kaw). Our bureau is a one room hole in the wall, and we have to share a yeagan. (And, the yeagan is almost overflowing. I won’t take a picture though. You can use your imagination!) I really enjoyed house/apartment shopping in America, but not so much here. First of all, there is no brochure of all the places for rent. We started off with my landlord, he knew another landlord, talked to him, and asked if he knew anybody, etc. Anyway, that little book is really helpful. The last house we looked at was quite impressive. 5 bedroom/ 5 bathroom house…only 6 times the price of my apartment! Note: It’s never a good sign when you ask how much a house is and the landlord says, “It’s expensive.” My power got cut yesterday, so I am even more motivated to find a new place. One thing I believe Americans take for granted: Having separate electricity and water bills. I’m predicting my water to get cut within the next few weeks too because I haven’t seen a bill in quite some time. Time and time again, if I ever have to choose between water and electricity, water all the way!!!!
Next week, Emily is coming to Sikasso to celebrate her birthday! Linds is coming too, and we are going to have a magnificent time!

A Slow Week

This past week dragged on and on. But, it’s now Saturday, and I am hosting a Farwell Bash for Jacq. She is extending her Peace Corps service in China! I was cleaning my house this morning when the water got cut. Sigh. Always something.
My homologue is traveling around Mali and then going to Germany. It seems like the saying, “when the cat is away, the mice will play” seems pretty relevant to the work environment too. PC is coming down to Sikasso in a few weeks, which will be really good. We need to sit down and have a meeting. It’s frustrating because some really basic things that would, I feel, really improve tourism, can’t be done because of money. (Don’t get me started!!!) Anyway, I think/hope this meeting will be beneficial for everybody, especially me to give me some guidance of where I need to go.
I can be pushy and demanding in America, but I seem to have put that away here and am somewhat passive. I don’t want to step on anybody’s toes because that wouldn’t accomplish anything. But, I do think I need to take more of a stand.
Trinh, Laura, Chelsea, and I did make ice cream last Tuesday. It unfortunately didn’t turn out as planned because the bowl wasn’t frozen. But, the cold creamy mixture was delicious and I definitely see potential.
On Thursday, I went around with the Water Sanitation APCD. We checked out a new site for a volunteer coming this year. Chelsea was getting a ride back to her site, and I basically went so I could check on the progress of the campament. When Chelsea and I saw the house for the new volunteer and we looked at each other and laughed! (So bad I know!) It is so small! My porch is bigger than the house! Chelsea and I both think a guy should live there! The volunteer should also have an amazing attitude and really wanting the classic PC experience. The community built the first house too close to the road, so they had to tear it down and build it again (I personally think the APCD should have given the community specific requirements, but whatever). Anyway, I think they are going to build an outside kitchen which will definitely make it better. When I went to Waroni, nobody was working. I do not think the campament will be finished for the upcoming tourist season, but maybe they will prove me wrong.
It is about to storm! Storms are great because it really cools things off. I do not like how so much dirt is stirred up or how I think trees may fall down or when mangos fall off the trees, but overall, storms are so pleasant!

The computer is being stupid so I cannot post pictures. Sorry!

Sikasso

Well, I survived my first week back. It hit me a few days ago that I won’t be in America until 2009!! I guess I wasn’t thinking about that when I was in America. For so many months, I thought, well, when I’m in America, I’ll remember to bring this back. I have to stop doing that!

Pict of Casablanca

Anyway, here’s a few highlights of my week:
On my ride home to Sikasso, I was exhausted! My sleep schedule is crazy! I typically wake up at 2 am and go back to sleep 5ish. So, I was laying down, even before the car left the PC office! We hit a really bumpy road, and I thought maybe we are taking the back way. Well, I tried to stay awake for a little bit, but I didn’t recognize anything! The trees were different, the road, I swear, was smaller, and I thought, man you really must be tired! So, I slept for 3 hours, and when I woke up, I asked if we made it to Bogoni yet. The driver explained that we were going to Segou then Kouticala then Sikasso, not the Bogoni to Sikasso route. This, explains why everything looked so different! It wasn’t because I was exhausted (even though that is true), it was because we were on a different road!

Pict: my porch

As I knew before I left, my house was FILTHY! But, kids are always wanted to help me, so I let them.

I went to work Monday morning, and was wondering why everyone was stopping at the particular intersection. I was thinking there was probably a wreck or something, but then I looked up and lo and behold…Sikasso has a WORKING stoplight! I couldn’t believe it! I wonder how long this will last. (We have always had stoplights, but they are never on.) Only time will tell. Monday night, I woke up with a migraine. I use to get migraines semiannually in the states, but I’m working on every other month in Mali! So, when I woke up, I called work and let them know that I wasn’t going to make it in. I slept until 2! I then ate lunch and hung out with another volunteer. I felt bad because Echin came to my house that night. He called, and I let him know I wasn’t home. I believe he was either inviting me to dinner, or he brought me dinner. Either way, I felt bad.

On Thursday, I was sooo exhausted! I tried not napping during the day, but would still wake up in the middle of the night. Anyway, I was just going through the motions: peddle, peddle, peddle, but I hit a bump, and off my bike I went! I’m thankful that: I didn’t have my camera in my purse, wasn’t transporting the ice cream maker, and nobody else ran over me. I was more embarrassed than hurt. But that sure woke me up!

Yesterday my outside door wouldn’t open. A Malian broke the lock for me. But, I was, I don’t know, irritated with PC because I’m suppose to replace it because it’s a “minor repair”. I don’t know, I guess I feel like they should replace it because it is a “safety and security issue.”

Okay, now that my trip to the States is over, here’s a look of my calendar of events:

May 30^th: Emily’s Birthday Party in Sikasso

July 4^th: Celebrating the 4^th in Manitali

July 23th: Ghana (I hope!!!)

Early September: Festival in Kayes

October?: Gambia (again, I hope! And, I have to look at my funds…or should I say lack of funds?)

Early November: Balafone Festival in Sikasso

November 27^th: Thanksgiving in Sikasso

November 28^th: Mexican Night @ my place!

More events to come!

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=fr&q=map%20sikasso%20region&lr=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Map so you know what places I am talking about.