Livin' the Dream

Never postulate. This is what I've learned. In fact, it may be the single most significant thing a person can learn to accept here in Mali. Just when I assume that I have figured out exactly what is going on at work, or, at the very least, in a conversation, I am surprised to find that I have unwittingly agreed to attend a meeting that I am completely unprepared for. Worse yet, I’ve promised my neighbors that I will dance like a chicken while singing like Celion Dion. You may think I’m kidding, but Malians never kid about Celion Dion. Even the toughest of men can be seen publicly listening to the theme song from Titanic, tiny speaker from his cell phone pressed tightly to his ear. Yes, Celion Dion, Michael Jackson, and Phil Collins are the western artists who dominate the airwaves here. So it goes.

So, I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to update my blog. I’ll try and post something at least once a month from now on. I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a safe New Year’s. Here’s to a year of health and prosperity!

Since my last post I have settled quite well into my little hut and neighbors. My village's farmers have just finished harvesting the rice fields, so things are quiet right now. When the harvest is finished the rice fields are burned, so things are smoky mess. Otherwise, it’s “cold” season, so I am happy and sleeping soundly! The days are in the 80’s-90’s and the nights and mornings are quite cool. In a month, hot season will be here, where it is rumored to be 125 degrees in the shade, and I am seriously afraid. Basically, you have to sleep outside wrapped in dampened sheets and drink a gallon or more of water a day. Unfortunately, my only mode of transportation is my bike, so that will be challenging in the hot sun. Send me cool thoughts! It only lasts 5 months…

We recently had a big holiday here called Seliba. Seliba is one of the holiest, if not the holiest, holiday celebrated by Muslims. It starts at 9:30 a.m. sharp with group worship. Everyone greets one-another, whishes a healthy and prosperous year, and then leaves to slaughter their respective lamb. The men slaughter the lamb and then they bring it to the women to be chopped up, washed, and cooked. I bravely watch the whole thing, and have posted a few pictures so that you can bravely look at them! My family and I literally sat together for a half day cooking lamb and eating it with raw onions drenched in oil and Maggi. Maggi, in case you’re unaware, is a MSG bullion cube flavored like chicken, onion, or tomato, depending on you preference, and is used in everything that is cooked in Mali. I can’t lie, it’s salty goodness makes me happy. My body has come to crave the MSG, and I’m totally going to have sneak some back to America when I’m done to slowly wean myself off the stuff. As the Maggi commercial says, “everywoman is a star with Maggi.” I want to be a star!!

The day after Seliba it was off to Bamako for a week of meetings, 2 weeks of training, and then almost a week for Christmas. I was recently elected onto VAC, or the Volunteer Action Committee. VAC is a committee of 8 volunteers, each representing his/her region’s administration needs/issues. All totaled, a great time-- Christmas being the apex. Lot’s o’ good food, peeps and cheer! What more could a girl ask for when she spends her first Christmas in a 3rd world country?

Thank you everyone for sending me Christmas packages! I got 8 packages for Christmas, which filled my living room and there‘s a picture of that, too!! I really appreciate all of the support!

Love to all.