Right now I am integrating into my community. This consists of going to my language tutor, visiting my homologue, playing checkers, and meeting with the important people of my village and establishing connections. Basically I'm chatting with as many people throughout the day as I possibly can. I have met some great people. Two of my favorites, besides my host family and homologue, are Abdoulaye Miyga and Barama Gindo. Abdoulaye makes 300 loaves of fresh bread everyday in his mud oven. He has a ton of kids and is a great dad who also really enjoys helping me learn Bambara. Barama Gindo is Mr. Fix-it. He made a TV antenna out of two old light bulbs, an old bleach bottle, and some wire. He’s brilliant. He’s also the only Malian I know who owns a pair of Crocks. Gindo made a checkerboard, so I go to his house on Sundays to play very intense games of checkers with the local men.
Most recently I took a trip to Bla. We got lost on they way in to our friend's village which was a 40 minute bike ride through the dessert. We were a bike gang of 10, and things started well as we were cruising along listening to music, catching up on our new sites, and passing donkey carts. Soon, however, we were seriously lost in the middle of the dessert in the pitch dark. Luckily, we met up with a Malian on a donkey cart who lead us to the "correct" unmarked road. We were practically biking on top of each other. I hit a rock and my bag went flying off my bike. After 2 1/2 hours of searching we were finally found and lead to our destination by motto. I thought for sure that we were going to be attached by zombies, a chupacarbara, or at the very least a fruit bat-- but, we made it unscathed, ate a big pot of beans and sugar, and then went to sleep under the dessert stars. The next day we picked cotton, and then had a pig roast while the locals played music and dance for us. It was a great trip!
I want to send a big thank you to everyone who has sent me packages. Since my last report I received some birthday packages from Aunt Cathy and U.B., two from my mom, Aunt Janny, and most recently another package from Ron. Plus I have more on the way from Guam and Aunt Janny, Aunt Cathy and U.B., Ron’s mom, and one from my mom! Thanks again for your support. I asked for tank tops and yoga pants, and everyone came through for me!
Ideas for future packages:
Here are some things I can always use: tissues, toothpaste, unscented hypo-allergenic shampoo, dove unscented bar soap, coffee, sauces that can easily be mixed with water, dehydrated beans (I need protein), trail mix, and fruit punch Gatorade packets. There are also some big things I could use one of: a good headlamp, a camping egg holder (for my bike rides home), good face cream, a sleeping pad, and underwear.
UPDATE: All packages are here!! Thank you so much!!
