It's been a week since I left the Green Mountains and I have definitely gone to the other side of the world. It's green, but not nearly the same. The dirt is red - and with the rain or the wind seems to get all over everything. I'm glad I didn't bring anything white because when I look around and see those who did, all I can think is how obnoxious it'll be to wash shirts by hand and NEVER be able to get the red out of them. At least with black I can pretend.
We started our first language classes today and I can understand both why its so important for us to learn it as well as why its one of the biggest challenges. Bambara has some similarities to French and is something I can pick up, but I know it'll be as tough as biking up Camel's Hump!
Because I'm in training, much of my day is spent in sessions (how to treat diarrhea, brief on our jobs, cross-cultural training, etc.) but our evenings are usually free(er). Played my first game of soccer tonight with the other PCV's. I'm pretty sure I'll be on the Malian team pretty soon.
Our electricity has officially cut out, so that'll be it for now.
Three things:
1. You learn VERY quickly how to use a squat toilet effectively.
2. Malian wind is as crazy as Mt. Washington wind.
3. Malians cook everything with meat. It makes being a veggie very tough.
cheers
3 comments:
Hey Ryan, Been thinking about you and how strange it must be to be in another world. (Glad you got that squat toilet down)
Pat's been harvesting his garlic today.
Take care,
Amy
Ry,
I'm so glad to hear that it is easy to learn to use a squat toilet (phew, I can check that off my list of worries)!
I hope that all is well for you. I walked by Dobra the other day and thought I might cry (don't worry, I didn't). Just know I'm thinking of you & hoping that you're loving life!
- Christie
BERRY STOMACH ACHE on the west coast:-( Happy language training!
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