Don't get too many expectations from the frequent postings, please; after the next two months this blog will be updated very infrequently. With that in mind.... Things are looking very good here in Mali land! I am enjoying nearly everything so far: the people, the food, the living. The only thing that really bothered me today was our "diversity and cultural stereotypes" training. Now I don't know about all of you (and I especially mean you Oxy alum out there) but I am tired of the cultural diversity workshops, no matter that they take place in Mali. But other than that, and LOTS of flies everywhere, I am enjoying everything. Even the going over a little hole (and you wouldn't BELIEVE how many flies are in there).
I've also started learning the major language here, Bambara. So far its not too hard. It doesn't have a complicated accent like French does, but rather a nice rolling off the tongue feeling. Right now it's mostly about repetition and memorization, which I am rather failing at. However, I do practice with whom ever I can: security guards, the cooks, the teachers, etc. Its actually really encouraging that they all get very happy and supportive every time you try to speak to them in Bambara, no matter that I can't get past the simple "Good day, how are you, how is your family, what is your name?" bit. I have high hopes for myself though. I practice a little French when I can too, although I am unsure as to whether I will be getting a great deal of French education because my main language will most likely be Bambara. Certain readers will be glad to know thatI still make up French words using my Spanish whenever I don't know the real French words. So far no one has called me on it.
What else... although it is the rainy season, supposedly, it is still pretty hot. It poured two nights ago, and then nothing much has happened since. I was rather hoping it would be like the rainy season back at home, but it appears that rainfall is much more sporadic here. Which makes smelling bad an issue, which makes water scarcity an issue. I don't think any of us smell too badly yet, but it'll come.
I guess there are a million things I could go on about, but it would take forever and I'd rather hear what you want to know about.... so send me an email or make a comment here on the blog, and I will try to oblige. Much love from Mali!
1 comment:
Hi Jax, love your blog and i can´t believe you´re finding the time to do it, I´ll try to comment as often as possible,ok? Glad everything is going well, try to make sure you stay healthy, sounds like diarreha is the name of the game out there...You already know how proud I am of you for doing this, I know it´s going to be a spectacular experience and the people in Mali will no doubt be richer for it...Sounds like Bambara is coming along well for you,like you say it may be easier than french and you´re already seeing how well people react to you when you make an effort to speak their language..
Finally moved into the apartment last thursday, Reha and your mom did a great job getting it set up on friday and it looks great, maybe somewhere along the line we´ll send or take you some pics. Howie´s not necessarily enjoying it yet, he slips on the waxed wood floor and it´s actually kind of funny to watch but he is over 80 so I hope he doesn´t break anything!
Miss you and love you lots mu princess, stay safe and keep up the news!
Dad.
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