Mali la

Back in TBso for a couple of days before heading back to homestay for my final 20 straight! In a matter of a month or so, I'll be a full fledged Peace Corps volunteer! It's pretty crazy because the last couple weeks have flown by. The days are long but the weeks go by so fast. I just spent a week visiting my home for the next two years and in a matter of days, I was back here.

Everyone there is fantastic and really excited to have another volunteer. They threw a mini celebration for my arrival with singing and dancing and lots of smiles and goodness. I gave the chief cola nuts (a local custom) and all the elders were munching on them the entire day. They were definitely satiated. They offered to slaughter animals in my honor, but we explained I was a veggie. This opened up the floor for so many questions.

So Ryan is a veggie and doesn't eat meat. Does everyone understand?

WHAT?!

We hear what you're saying, but why?

I then attempted to explain why.

Ok, so you don't eat meat, but do you eat beef?

No, I don't eat beef. Beef is a meat.

Do you eat chicken?

No, chicken is a meat.

I don't eat anything with a soul.

Do you eat corn?

Yes, I eat corn. Corn doesn't have a soul.

Ah. Ok, we get it.

We'll see if they do. I'll be cooking for myself most of the time, so I'm not too worried. One of the joys of being an agricultural volunteer is that I'll have access to super amazing fruits and veggies many times of the year. Or at least more so than other volunteers and much more free. I've come to understand I'll be eating a lot of peanuts (tiga) or peanut butter (tiga dege) so I can get me some protein.

Things are well. Moving super fast. Before I know it, I'll be starting my mango tree farm. Yay.

Today we went on a killer hike in the mountains to one of the most spectacular waterfalls I've been to since Hawai'i. We took an amazing swim and embraced the fact that we were no longer sweating. We're always sweating. I have photos (and am waiting on friends to get me their's) and'll post in 20 days when I have internet again.

After a 20 at homestay, I'll spend a couple more here at TBso and then head to site for realsies. There I won't have internet access as often as I'd like. When I can post, I will and can hopefully respond to e-mails though that may mean two weeks before I respond. And again, photos whenever possible. It's hard to post 'em, but I'll do my best. I'm not really doing much else these days. : )

How goes it Stateside?

Hope you're all well.

Things to know about Mali:

There are so many bootlegged t-shirts from the U.S. as well as everything left over from Goodwill.

Everyone seems to love 50 Cent and Tupac, though no one has heard their music.

Small children are deathly afraid of me. I can't do anything about this.

Mangoes are more delicious late at night when the mango flies are sleeping.

I've had St. Elmo's Fire's theme song stuck in my head, even though I don't know the words. [Other than the title, of course - if you have an mp3 of this song, please send it my way : ) ]

Mail is fantastic to receive.

The Gods truely are crazy.

Cheers

R

Current playlist:

Big White Gate - Grace Potter

Hard Sun - Eddie Vedder (Into the Wild Sdtk)

Shed A Little Light - Foy Vance

Sweet Little Lies - Michael Franti & Spearhead

Get By - Talib Kweli

Ballad of Benjamin Darling Pt. I - State Radio

RIP Chef

P.S. - My new village gave me a puppy. I need a sweet name for it.

And I have fleas - unrelated to my puppy, but most likely related to another dog.