Democrat?

Here we are, one beautiful month later and although it feels like little has changed, so much has. We had a fantastic halloween party here and it was great to see some friends that, because of region and living in these rural sites, I havent seen in a while. And following, we had the WONDERFUL AMAZING election. Needless to say, I'm happy. And to know Vermont voted 67 percent of Mr. Barack makes me so happy and proud. Everyone here, Malians and Americans alike, are proud and happy of what has happened. Everyone with a radio comes up to me and says "OBAMA, OBAMA!" and we get into a brief conversation about how great he is. There are signs everywhere for him (Obama '08) and I saw the other day that a kid had crossed out a street sign and wrote Rue Obama (Obama Road) instead. I smiled and then cursed myself for not having a camera. Also to, I saw a car with a print out that read "Vermonters for Obama" - I nearly fainted from excitement. I highly doubt they were from Vermont, but I'll count them has honorary just for the effort. There is a real excitement here and so many people seem to have a new flame pushing them. A friend of mine just left for Kenya, and am incredibly envious of what that means. All the Kenyas I talk to are incredibly proud to count Obama as their own, so imagine an entire country of that! I'm sure when she learns Swahili, people will love to chat about him. Hell, they will even if she doesn't - if its anything like here. People love to talk and you listen even if you don't know the language. : )
With that being said, nothing else, really, is new. Still at site; still loving it. My village just finished the corn (caba in bambara) harvest and is working on millet (gno) and peanuts (tiga) right now. There are TONS of peanuts, and I've developed a nice callus on my finger from eating so many (the shells on newly picked ones are really tough to break). Soon it'll be time for gardening (we started ours) and that means some good veggies, which will be a very nice change of pace. Corn only goes so far before you're sick of it. I have plans for a big garden with lots of stuff (nakofenw - (na ko fen) - veggies (lit. garden stuff)
We haven't seen rain in a couple of weeks and are getting ready for the dry/cold season (77 degrees farenheit is really cold here!) which is when most people work on gardens. In February/March we'll enter the hot season (about the time mangoes come into play) and then rainy season after that. Needless to say: No snow. No changing leaves. And certainly no maple syrup. Sad.

Happy and healthy.
Hope you're all well.


Ryan.

(Chakajon Sidibe)