Hi Friends! Today is the Last day of July, which means I left home 2 months ago! In one way I cant believe that I have been in Mali for two months now, but at the same time, I feel as if I have been here forever!
This morning I left my HomeStay village for good! Although I am extremely relieved that I never have to share a negen again, never will be forced to take a bucket bath again, and will never have to explain where I am going and what I am doing at all times, I am actually going to kind of miss that place.
No, I am not going to miss that actual village (with its pungent oder, and rivers of garbage, and children throwing rocks and rotten mangos at me as they scream "TUBABU!!") but I am going to miss many aspects of it. I will miss being able to walk right outside of my compound to my good friend Zach, and being able to walk through the fields to Pamela's house! I will definitely miss Pamela.
I was reading a letter yesterday that my mom had written me. The letter said "I pray that God gives you companionship," I know she wrote that because I was so worried about being alone in this country, yet that is just one (of many I am sure) prayers that have been answered! All of the people I am serving with have helped me immensely during this experience, but I have been so lucky to have found a true friendship in Pamela (without whom I could not have gotten through these past 2 difficult months!)
HomeStay in a way is like Survival of the Fittest!! When we arrived here we were put on high dosages of Mefloquine (which I am starting to believe does more harm to you body and emotions than good..)and sent into some really harsh living conditions.
Ex: My tin-roof flew off of my hut during a storm yesterday, thus Pamela and I got completely soaked.
HomeStay is what most volunteers claim is the hardest part of Peace Corps service. Getting through HomeStay is what makes you into a volunteer, yet along the way it can really break you down.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:::
Well lets see...
I feel that I have accomplished A LOT. For one, I survived HomeStay! Don't get me wrong there were plenty of tears shed, which really freaks out Malians because they don't ever really cry, and lots of phone calls to my poor mother and friends, but I am alive and well!
I am now an INTERMEDIATE Bambara speaker, a language which I did not know existed until I arrived here!
I kill termites with my bare hands!! (You kind of have to when your room is infested with them...)
I have learned to take advantage of nature!!~Instead of taking bucket baths everyday, I sometimes just put conditioner on my dry hair, and wait until it rains and rinses it out!!...Too Much Info??*
Not trying to jinx myself but I have managed to stay relatively healthy, Yes I had a low grade fever one day, and experienced a mild Cold, but compared to a lot of people in my Stage, I have been about the healthiest!!*
Although it took some getting used to, I learned to Love the people in my village. My family was amazing. My little 2 year old brother, Zumana, brightened my every day, and my sweet mother was incredible. She only had one leg, yet that woman did not let that slow her down. She can do with crutches and one leg, what I can't do most days with two legs and a car. We definitely had our share of miscommunications, but I can honestly say that A SMILE IS UNIVERSAL!~and a smile can go a long way.
My HomeStay family definitely touched my life, and I pray that I touched theirs in some small way :)
This Friday I will become an official Peace Corps Volunteer, and all of my hard work and hardships throughout the past two months will have been well worth it! I am so thankful to have such an amazing support system at home, and I am so grateful for your care packages and encouraging words on FaceBook!! I love and Miss you aLL!!* Peace*
This is Africa
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Site Visit
So my last few days have been a whirlwind. I have experienced so many new things, some good and some not so good. Throughout my last month and a half in Mali I thought that I had truly experienced the scariest situations, as well as truly experienced what it feels like to be in the Peace Corps. Site Visit allowed me to truly test my limits, yet again. One of the most difficult things in Mali is getting around. The transportation system here is extremely dangerous. While traveling around the country, the most prominent thought in your head is, Dear God Please Don't Let me Die. The drivers here are definitely experienced in driving like mad people, but at any point in time (like in every country) something can go very wrong. Traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death in Mali, and one the biggest risks for Peace Corps volunteers. If there is a speed limit, i am not aware of it, and those nice little yellow lines that exist in the states (allowing people to pass each other at appropriate times) certainly does not exist here...
If the danger involved in Mali transportation wasn't enough to scar you for life, there are plenty of other elements that cause one to never want to travel cross country again. For instance, the first charter bus that I got on (FOR MY 8HOUR DRIVE)..The bus attendants placed three people in a two person sitting area. There clearly is no air conditioning. Leg room? Forget it! Smells? Don't even get me started! And if it weren't cramped enough, I had to sit with two big bags in my lap, which was just plain miserable... During my 8 hour trip the bus stops only once, at the half way mark, for you to use the restroom (PS...Public Negens SUCK!!)...but don't worry, the bus stops plenty often for people to try and sell you foods that you should not Ever eat (due to food poisoning) and for you to use the restroom in an open field where every other person on the bus can see you!
My first bus experience was by far the worst, because the bus we got on was in terrible condition. Today on my way back from San, my friend and I were able to sit beside each other, and there was a little more room. The experience wasn't too awfully terrible, until the man behind me put his living and breathing chicken (that smelled like DEATH) under my seat, and it started flapping and going crazy at my feet! Don't Worry, I only TOTALLY freaked out, and made a huge scene after it scared the living daylights out of me!!...but again not a total failure of a trip!~Some people have buses that break down on the side of the road for hours or days and leave you stranded!...or you could pay for a ticket on a bus and when you get on board you realize they sold you a seat that does not exist, so you sit on a bucket in the aisle, which is exactly what I had to do for the two hour drive from my village to San two days ago!
But enough about Transportation...
I am completely pleased with my site! When I got out to my village I had a "whoa, i live in Africa" moment. The village is gorgeous, and the people are incredibly nice. My house is HUGE, because the incredible folks at World Vision, left Peace Corps their office building which is now my home! My concession has a huge garden that is currently growing all kinds of amazing treats! I have a banana tree, an orange tree, a mango tree, a papaya tree, tomatoes, hot peppers, and who really knows what else! I definitely do not know, because clearly I have never been a farmer, or anything of the sort, to be able to identify the plants, but I have made it a goal of mine in recent years, to learn to garden, so here is my opportunity!!! I also am not sure what plants are in my garden because there is one heck of a language barrier going on in my village! My village speaks a language called Minianka, as their first language, and their second language is the one that I have been learning-Bambara! So along with the fact that my Bambara is terrible right now, no one in my village really speaks it, and no one NOT EVEN MY LANGUAGE TEACHER, Speaks English!
So far I have had my struggles in Peace Corps. I miss Jared, my friends and family more than words can say, but although I miss people I have yet to feel completely Lonely. Although HomeStay is really difficult, I have made such close friendships that have truly gotten me through this difficult time, but maaannnn lying in the middle of a house in the middle of nowhere West Africa, after not speaking English to anyone all day, I was soooo Lonely. Loneliness is an emotion that I have felt before, but in a sense of "my roommates aren't back from class, how will i entertain myself for an hour"..not like this! For a minute I pictured myself turning into Tom Hanks from 'Castaway'!..Can someone please send me a soccer ball, that I can paint a face on and name it Wilson? haha..JOKE!..but seriously I am going to need a puppy As Soon As I Move out to Site permanently!
Right now I am going to enjoy HomeStay for what it is. I swear into Peace Corps in the beginning of August and at that point I will hopefully be able to cope with loneliness! Miss you aLL!!* PeaCE*
If the danger involved in Mali transportation wasn't enough to scar you for life, there are plenty of other elements that cause one to never want to travel cross country again. For instance, the first charter bus that I got on (FOR MY 8HOUR DRIVE)..The bus attendants placed three people in a two person sitting area. There clearly is no air conditioning. Leg room? Forget it! Smells? Don't even get me started! And if it weren't cramped enough, I had to sit with two big bags in my lap, which was just plain miserable... During my 8 hour trip the bus stops only once, at the half way mark, for you to use the restroom (PS...Public Negens SUCK!!)...but don't worry, the bus stops plenty often for people to try and sell you foods that you should not Ever eat (due to food poisoning) and for you to use the restroom in an open field where every other person on the bus can see you!
My first bus experience was by far the worst, because the bus we got on was in terrible condition. Today on my way back from San, my friend and I were able to sit beside each other, and there was a little more room. The experience wasn't too awfully terrible, until the man behind me put his living and breathing chicken (that smelled like DEATH) under my seat, and it started flapping and going crazy at my feet! Don't Worry, I only TOTALLY freaked out, and made a huge scene after it scared the living daylights out of me!!...but again not a total failure of a trip!~Some people have buses that break down on the side of the road for hours or days and leave you stranded!...or you could pay for a ticket on a bus and when you get on board you realize they sold you a seat that does not exist, so you sit on a bucket in the aisle, which is exactly what I had to do for the two hour drive from my village to San two days ago!
But enough about Transportation...
I am completely pleased with my site! When I got out to my village I had a "whoa, i live in Africa" moment. The village is gorgeous, and the people are incredibly nice. My house is HUGE, because the incredible folks at World Vision, left Peace Corps their office building which is now my home! My concession has a huge garden that is currently growing all kinds of amazing treats! I have a banana tree, an orange tree, a mango tree, a papaya tree, tomatoes, hot peppers, and who really knows what else! I definitely do not know, because clearly I have never been a farmer, or anything of the sort, to be able to identify the plants, but I have made it a goal of mine in recent years, to learn to garden, so here is my opportunity!!! I also am not sure what plants are in my garden because there is one heck of a language barrier going on in my village! My village speaks a language called Minianka, as their first language, and their second language is the one that I have been learning-Bambara! So along with the fact that my Bambara is terrible right now, no one in my village really speaks it, and no one NOT EVEN MY LANGUAGE TEACHER, Speaks English!
So far I have had my struggles in Peace Corps. I miss Jared, my friends and family more than words can say, but although I miss people I have yet to feel completely Lonely. Although HomeStay is really difficult, I have made such close friendships that have truly gotten me through this difficult time, but maaannnn lying in the middle of a house in the middle of nowhere West Africa, after not speaking English to anyone all day, I was soooo Lonely. Loneliness is an emotion that I have felt before, but in a sense of "my roommates aren't back from class, how will i entertain myself for an hour"..not like this! For a minute I pictured myself turning into Tom Hanks from 'Castaway'!..Can someone please send me a soccer ball, that I can paint a face on and name it Wilson? haha..JOKE!..but seriously I am going to need a puppy As Soon As I Move out to Site permanently!
Right now I am going to enjoy HomeStay for what it is. I swear into Peace Corps in the beginning of August and at that point I will hopefully be able to cope with loneliness! Miss you aLL!!* PeaCE*
Sunday, July 10, 2011
My Job is My Life...
Growing up in the States, you constantly have people telling you "Don't take you work home with you" and "Don't mix business with pleasure" and lots of other sayings that cause an American person to desire the luxury of having your home life separate from your career. Of course in the US there are plenty of people who worship money and are continually working in hopes of obtaining more and more of it, as well as those lucky individuals who love their job so much that they cant help but continue working after hours, and the unlucky MANY people who can't stop thinking about their jerk bosses and so on and so forth....
The Peace Corps is truly a job like no other. I love this job more than any job that I have ever had, and I love the benefits that come with this job. Every day I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have exceeded a new limit that I set for myself, and although I don't always want to, I constantly am trying new things. My job is continuously teaching me new things, and keeping me on my toes. The problem with this 'job' is that I never have a day off. Today is Sunday, which is our 'day off,' and everyday we 'get off' work at 5pm, however instead of GOING 'HOME,' I (on a normal day) go back to my Home Stay Family, and struggle through a conversation in Bambara, and stomach down something that could potentially come back up. I then head into my room which is 100 degrees on a good day, and fan myself until I pass out.
I know I am making Peace Corps life sound tempting with these horrible situations, however no matter how bad this 'job' is, its somehow exactly what I have always wanted. Right now I am not cut out for a 9-5 job. ....Yes, I would be perfectly happy getting off work and going home to my dreamy fiance every day, and being able to enjoy simple things like a conversation in English, or some yummy delivery PIZZA, while laying on the couch watching a rented movie from Redbox...(wait...what was I talking about again??)...
Oh yea..Life in the Peace Corps has to be taken One Day At A Time...
Each and Every day is a struggle, and the fact that there are ZERO BREAKS EVER, makes it that much more difficult. But I have to remind myself that this is what I signed up for... and trust me, the little things like successfully making a brick, or minimal flies swarming you while you're bathing (splashing water on yourself from a tiny bucket beside the poop hole), and getting a child to come up and touch you even though you're a white scary person, and even though they're only doing it because you have American Candy ;)*....its the little things that get you through here...
So tonight when I want a 'break' and there is no way that I am going to get one, say a little prayer for me that I can find a way to cope, and that God will send me a small thing, that puts a big smile on my face!!*..Love and Miss yaLL*
The Peace Corps is truly a job like no other. I love this job more than any job that I have ever had, and I love the benefits that come with this job. Every day I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have exceeded a new limit that I set for myself, and although I don't always want to, I constantly am trying new things. My job is continuously teaching me new things, and keeping me on my toes. The problem with this 'job' is that I never have a day off. Today is Sunday, which is our 'day off,' and everyday we 'get off' work at 5pm, however instead of GOING 'HOME,' I (on a normal day) go back to my Home Stay Family, and struggle through a conversation in Bambara, and stomach down something that could potentially come back up. I then head into my room which is 100 degrees on a good day, and fan myself until I pass out.
I know I am making Peace Corps life sound tempting with these horrible situations, however no matter how bad this 'job' is, its somehow exactly what I have always wanted. Right now I am not cut out for a 9-5 job. ....Yes, I would be perfectly happy getting off work and going home to my dreamy fiance every day, and being able to enjoy simple things like a conversation in English, or some yummy delivery PIZZA, while laying on the couch watching a rented movie from Redbox...(wait...what was I talking about again??)...
Oh yea..Life in the Peace Corps has to be taken One Day At A Time...
Each and Every day is a struggle, and the fact that there are ZERO BREAKS EVER, makes it that much more difficult. But I have to remind myself that this is what I signed up for... and trust me, the little things like successfully making a brick, or minimal flies swarming you while you're bathing (splashing water on yourself from a tiny bucket beside the poop hole), and getting a child to come up and touch you even though you're a white scary person, and even though they're only doing it because you have American Candy ;)*....its the little things that get you through here...
So tonight when I want a 'break' and there is no way that I am going to get one, say a little prayer for me that I can find a way to cope, and that God will send me a small thing, that puts a big smile on my face!!*..Love and Miss yaLL*
Friday, July 8, 2011
Inspiration
"For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I HOPE YOU MAKE THE BEST OF IT. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again"-Benjamin Button
This quote is one that has stuck with me for the past couple of years, or at least since I saw the movie Benjamin Button. The movie is a rather weird one, but if you watch it or have seen it, you'll know that it is full of all kinds of neat quotes! At this point in my life I couldn't tell you the exact reason of what I am doing what I am doing. Its reeeeeally hard, however although 90% of the time I am thinking, "What the heck are you doing here??" Its that 10% that makes me love it!! Quotes are one of my favorite things in the world, whether they're from a movie, a poem, or a song (id die without my ipod and laptop)!! Occasionally when I am having the worst day, I will hear the most inspirational quote and it will completely turn my day around. This quote is one of those special quotes. It makes me realize how special and unique every single persons life is. If you're not happy with the way your life is going, make a change!! Every day is a new day, So whether you're in Glasgow, Kentucky or the Middle of West Africa, Each day gives you the opportunity to improve yourself, so CARPE DIEM!!
Love and Miss you aLL!!~FeeL Free to Post some of your favorite Inspirational Quotes!!
This quote is one that has stuck with me for the past couple of years, or at least since I saw the movie Benjamin Button. The movie is a rather weird one, but if you watch it or have seen it, you'll know that it is full of all kinds of neat quotes! At this point in my life I couldn't tell you the exact reason of what I am doing what I am doing. Its reeeeeally hard, however although 90% of the time I am thinking, "What the heck are you doing here??" Its that 10% that makes me love it!! Quotes are one of my favorite things in the world, whether they're from a movie, a poem, or a song (id die without my ipod and laptop)!! Occasionally when I am having the worst day, I will hear the most inspirational quote and it will completely turn my day around. This quote is one of those special quotes. It makes me realize how special and unique every single persons life is. If you're not happy with the way your life is going, make a change!! Every day is a new day, So whether you're in Glasgow, Kentucky or the Middle of West Africa, Each day gives you the opportunity to improve yourself, so CARPE DIEM!!
Love and Miss you aLL!!~FeeL Free to Post some of your favorite Inspirational Quotes!!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Diaramana
I can't believe I have made it this far this fast!! I have been soooo nervous lately because I had no idea where I would be spending the rest of my time in Mali, until today! Until about 30minutes ago I had no idea what region I would be in...How far from internet (connection with my Loves) I would be?...Or how far from a market and electricity I would be?...Or if I would have phone reception???
Today I found out that I am in a village of 4000 people. The village is Diaramana, in the Segou Region. Although that probably sounds small to you, that is HUGE for me! I am going to have a market 6 days a week, which means I am going to be able to have fruits and vegetables (that are in season) available to me. I will have my own well, and my own negen (restroom..<hole in the ground>)..which again, sounds gross to you, but is heavenly to me!!! ;)
So, to recap I am extremely excited about my village, but that is not even the best part! I AM ONLY 20K FROM SAN (A CITY!!!) I am only a bike ride away from internet and some of the other small luxuries that are hard to come by in this country!! I am kind of In South East Mali, however considering most of Mali is off limits to Peace Corps (due to Al Qaeda) I would say that I am in East Mali. The closest country to me is Burkina Faso, therefore I am relatively near ELEPHANTS (fun fact!) Another fun fact is my Wat/San (the sector I work for) friend Lyle got assigned only 10K from me, and my BFF Pamela is in Sikasso region, and if we need to hangout we're only a LOOONG bike ride away!!
Life is looking good today! I meet my homologue (the guy i will be trusting with my life in Diaramana) tomorrow, and will blog again soon!!
Love from Mali to America and Back!!~PEACE*
Monday, July 4, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHA...AND AMERICA
Welp, I can't believe I have survived over a month in Mali!! Over this time I have grown a lot as a person, I think, but I still would say I have a long way to go! My poor mother gets to experience all of my break downs that happen more often than not! Today has been a rather rough day because I woke up with a fever, and I am pretty sure I have a cold...or malaria?? who really knows!!
Yesterday was the BEST DAY EVER!! Sundays are our days off, so eight of us went on an excursion to this 'french oasis' in the middle on nowhere!! it was Truly magical!! We got to treat ourselves to a fabulous day!! Today we are being treated to a Malian 4th of July party, and since no Malians celebrate the 4th of July, we were brought back to Tubaniso where we are grilling out HAMBURGERS, and eating GRILLED CHEESE and stuff, so I am pretty pumped about that! Later we are going to play an American Trivia game, and then we're having a water balloon fight, so other than the giant African bugs, and extreme heat, and no lake or family and my Kentucky friends, I feel like I am back in the states!!
Today my sister is turning the big 18 and I am absolutely devastated that I can not be there to celebrate with her. I am so proud of her and and the beautiful lady she has become!!
Today I am taken back to last 4th of July weekend that I spent in HHI with my loves!! I can't believe time has passed so quickly from that moment, as well as how fast time is passing here!! I miss you all and love you very much!! Todays blog isn't very personal or fun, but i DO have a fever, and do not really feel like blogging!! HAPPY 4TH OF EVERYONE!!...Take a moment to appreciate your American Freedoms, and the amazing people who leave their friends and families to protect those freedoms overseas!!~PEACE*
(ps got another care package from mommy today!!~THANKS!!*)
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