Ghana...here i come

So, yesterday I woke up really sick. I was going to leave for Bamako, but it just wasnt happening. I left this morning, and about half way through, some guy in an army cowboy hat entered the bus. He was passing out traditionalle medicama. I thought it was hilarious how people were saving it, and even buying some! I dont see him being very successful on public transport in Ameriki.
Well, the airplane fell through....grrrr. So, im trying to mentally prep for a 40ish bus hour trip tomorrow...

Leaving for Ghana Next Week

This month has gone by soo fast! I can’t believe I am going to Ghana next week!

Really, nothing of interest happened this week.

Oh, I did go to a funeral last week. I forgot to put my friends blog link last time, so here it is http://chelseamali.blogspot.com. The men and women were seated separately. When we arrived, somebody was yelling blessings through an intercom. At 9 am, we had rice and pasta and delicious meat. Chelsea told me that they bought 20 Kilos of meat the day before! After eating, we greeted the 2 wives, the mother, and the village chief. Then we chilled.
Laura’s mom took Laura and me out to dinner. It was so sweet of her! I had such a fabulous time! She is a RPCV, so it was interesting hearing how different she pictured Mali.
I was sick yesterday. The 3rd book in the series still has not arrived. I am trying to be patient…AHHHHHHHHHHH.

I have to pack and clean this weekend to get ready to go on my trip!

1 Year Mark! Oh, yeah

This week, I’m hitting the one year mark! Some days, I can’t believe how fast this year has gone by. Other days, I feel like I’ve lived here for about a decade.

I had tutoring the other day. It’s been a while, and it’s so nice feeling like I’ve improved!

Trinh and I watched 27 Dresses yesterday. It is a stereotypical chick flick. I loved it! Drama, predictability, happy ending. What’s not to love? We ate popcorn, cookies, and drank soda.

I also began running again yesterday. I was annoyed that so many people would greet me while running, so I decided to listen to music and tune the world out. I mean, I really do appreciate people wanting to greet me, but when I’m running?! I don’t think they understand it’s like if I stopped their soccer game to greet. Nobody would do that. Running is my soccer. I wonder how many people I ignored yesterday.

I am going to my friend’s village this weekend for a funeral. There was a horrific well accident last month. Typically, you are put in the ground the day you die. Then, they have a funeral that day, 7 days later, and then again at 40 days. I am going to the 40^th day funeral, which is typically the largest because people can arrange for transportation and such. While it was such a tragedy for the whole community, I remain amazed at how strong my friend is and just how supportive her village is. Check out her Peace Corps experience at .

Flash back: Swear in day, September 9, 2007

Sikasso Kaw, The Breakfast Club: Still Going Strong!!

Pictures Galore!

View from my roof: Sikasso

The bat (it was WAY BIGGER when walking/hopping)


After the bat incident

Anna and me in Bamako...waiting for the BEST CHEESEBURGERS EVER


The 4th of July 08 in Manitali

Manitali is Beautiful!
Sikasso Kaw!
Our bus

View from walking up the side of the hill
me at the top of the hill

Getting back on the bus

Malian women who came over to greet us when we had a flat

I don't do rats, I don't do bats

Last Wednesday evening, I was packing for my upcoming trip to Manitali. I am excited, but also a bit anxious because I like to leave my house clean when I leave (thanks Mom). Well, I see in the corner of my eye a black, flog like thing and completely FREAK OUT! I can't remember the last time I screamed so loud. I told Linds she better come and deal with this "thing". After she moved the furniture, and it showed it's ugly face again, I realized it was a BAT! Linds went down stairs to get help. I have amazing neighbors and they were already at the back door! They came in a delt with it. I <3>

The next day, Linds and I went to Bamako together. We left earlier than the other group, but got in later.

We went out to eat at an amazing burger place! Cheeseburgers are delicious! The next day, we went to the bus station at 7 am. Our bus was suppose to leave at 9 am but we didn't roll out until 10:30 am. It ended up breaking down 2 K away from Kita, so we walked. From Kita, we waited, oh, 4 hours to get on a van. Sigh. But, we did get there! It made my heart smile when a boy was riding a bike with a trunk on the back of it (from what I understood, it was for a sick woman and her child) , and our driver let him put his bike on top of the car and ride with us. Nighttime was quickly approaching, and he still had a good 15 K in front of him.

When I saw Manitali in the day light, it was absolutely beautiful! I did see some monkeys, but unfortunately, the hippos weren't around when I was. The 4th of July was a lot of fun! Most of the people in the region didn't host, so it was a bit confusing. Nobody was really in charge. On the way back, there were 18 volunteers in the basche. We had to walk up the hill so the basche could make it. It was at an inclince...I kept on thanking God that I didn't have a backpack on my back!

I am in Bamako for my midservice health exam. Lots of people were talking trash about the dentist, but he said "Your teeth are very good." So, I didn't have any problems.

I went to the Ghana Embassy today. It's official! I'm going to Ghana! I am going with Becky and Anna. They are so sweet! I know we are going to have a blast!

I will try to add some pictures tomorrow. The video application is ridiculously slow.

11 months!!!

Another picture from Amandas birthday

So, last week, we passed our 11 month mark! Crazy huh?!? And what’s even crazier is that the new kids are coming in like 2 weeks!!
I really have nothing to report this week, so I’ll share a story and my present.
I eat breakfast at Fatimata’s every day (except the weekends). I’m a regular. She’s really sweet, and speaks Bambara, but if I look really confused (and I often do), she explains it to me in French. Today I sat down beside a 7 year old or so (I thought I was bad at guess ages in Ameriki…I’m even worse in Mali!), and she had a baby doll strapped to her back. Or so I thought. I took another look and it was a brand spanking new baby! Couldn’t have been more than a month old. I am often concerned about the lack of support of newborns necks here.
My friend, Julia, came to my work today. (She works at the hospital and wanted an American name, so I tried to use most of her letters and came up with Julia). She got back from China, and brought me back a bracelet. It was so sweet! The only problem is she is really thin. I’m not. She forced the bracelet on me…I don’t think it’s coming off until either I lose some weight, or I gain more weight and have to go to the hospital and get it removed.
The 4th of July is next week! Last year, I sat by the lake with my family and ate my heart out! (bbq ribs, potato salad…that’s all that I can remember). I still don’t know what I am doing this year. I’ll probably go where the big group is going. Afterwards, I am going to Bamako for my midservice medical exam. I’m a little nervous about going to the dentist because we are not in Ameriki anymore! But, I am excited about free internet and pizza!

Morning hair

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.