It's my last night in TubaniSo before going to my host village. We leave here at 8am tomorrow... got med kits, a bike, a helmet, and a mosquito net. Apparently there is a trunk waiting at my homestay site filled with all sorts of goodies. Oh yea, the bike is wicked nice cause it's a trek. I am charging my ipod now so i can bring some tunes with me to help fall asleep at night. My days are going to be real busy... about 6 hours of language training 7 days a week. The village that I am going to is a fishing village, so I figure I am going to lose a lot of weight real fast! I can't stand fish, but I have cliff bars and beef jerkey to eat! I should have brought more M&Ms.
I am really excited to get to my homestay village just north of Bamako and start learning Fulfulde. Fulfulde, also known as Fulani, will be very beneficial to learn because it is spoken throughout Western Africa in different dialects. Because I am an Agroculture volunteer, I will be living in a very small rural village (basically, out in the sticks!) so I will not really have the opportunity to learn French until later... and that's if someone in my village speaks any French. I'm bummed out about that, but excited for the Fulfulde and over experience, nevertheless. I met a representative from my homestay village today and we were trying to communicate with each other, but it was so hard! She has laughing and repeating things while I was drawing pictures and pointing. I drew all sorts of musical instruments hoping they would have them. She gave me the names for them and put her thumb up... we'll see if anyone plays them! After the 9 weeks of homestay are up I will most likely be moving north to the Mopti region.. I have sand in my future! I can't wait for it though. It is the Sahel region that comes up towards Timbukto and Gao... not quite desert, but close. I really hope there aren't as many flies and mosquitoes there because they are insane here! Sleeping in my mosquito net tent is just like camping. We've been calling this place summer camp or africa-light haha. I can't wait to get out into the real world by moving to my village! Look for more posts in a few weeks, as I will be without internet for 2 1/2 weeks.
Dave
This blog follows my experience with the Peace Corps in Mali. The views and opinions expressed here do not reflect those of the United States Peace Corps, the United States government, nor the Malian government. They are only my own. Enjoy.
4 comments:
Oh boy! I can hear your excitement in your words!! I'm sure you will do great! Hey, You and me both on the fish..I sympathize with you..BUT if get hungry enough, you might find that you'll develop a taste for some of the fish dishes your host family will most likely serve. I'm sure you'll pick up the language quickly. I'll look forward to hearing your new language when you get home!
Have fun! Work hard! Will look forward to hearing more from you in the coming weeks.
Aunt Lisa
i want an adress when you get one
I will post a link to your site here on our Yahoo Mali PC site, founded in 2002 by outgoing peace Corps volunteers to Mali and still maintained by RPCVs and their families. We have about 300 members.
Good luck. It reminds me of my situation in July 1976.
Wow Dave!
It all sounds so exciting; and, quite frankly, the nerd in me is jealous of all the language skills you will soon have.
And come on, fish isn't so bad......
Anyway, the doctors say I can't work anymore, so I'm just home growing the twins.... your blog is keeping me entertained. But we're all fine, and we hope you are having a blast!
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