August 2010

Fast food

Journey to site with my homologue (work counterpart)

Shaka

How do you describe 20 months of Peace Corps Mali? It was the greatest adventure of my life. I took a leap, leaving everything I had in the states to find a new home in West Africa. The greatest thing about it all was that I found my second home.  I tried to balance both and leave one to visit the other; I now cannot return to Mali to finish my service and life that I began there. Due to the unfortunate circumstances in Mali, Peace Corps decided to evacuate its 180+ volunteers from Mali and temporarily close its program. I was already in California when I got the call. But after reading the news daily since the coup, I had a feeling Peace Corps Mali would not be able to operate effectively and safely. Now I am back home, finishing my "vacation", with loving family and friends. But to all my family and friends I met in Mali, we will see each other again! Ala ka san here caya!

http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=1998

I'm a refugee

I leave Mali for a vacation and then there is a coup, fortunately a bloodless one.
NY Times "...uncertain grasp on power"
NY Times "Soldiers overthrow Mali government..."
CNN article "Renegade Mali Soldiers..."
NYtimes "Soldiers declare coup in Mali"
"Yahoo "Soldiers loot Mali presidency..."
I have received several emergency messages from the U.S. Embassy as well as messages from the Peace Corps Country Director continuously updating us on the current situation as further information is released.
It is really surreal. I was just in Mali a little over a week ago and never expected this could happen. A friend left Mali a day before me; he sent an e-mail informing me that we are both currently refugees. I guess he's right, my home is in Mali right now and I am just on vacation.
Keep Mali in your prayers. I hope this situation settles down soon and hope everyone is safe.
Ala ka Mali denw ani Ameriki denw kolosi. May God take care/watch over Malians and Americans.

"Operation Jacquely is a success!"

I am back in America!

My Beautiful Family
Ne Somogow Tie kaŋi det!
Mi Familia, Qué hermoso!

I've killed a snake, let's eat it

I ate snake meat. It was over salted, but it was not bad. Kind of like eating fish, because I had to be careful of the bones. Which my friend kept telling me how dangerous they are and that is why kids do not eat snake and one of the reasons many adults are afraid to, on top of their fear for living snakes, which is great. It was hilarious right after dinner and tea I went to my homologues house and after greeting her and asking about the fam; I blurted out “I ate snake meat for dinner!” We laughed together about that and the fact that I seemed so proud to have done so, she told me she never had snake before. It was a great end to my day of reading and playing with baby Amneta. I received a text message around 4 pm; “I’VE KILLED A SNAKE I’LL BE HOME AT HALF PAST 17”. Yes he can speak English and always types his messages in CAPS, my reply; “Ok cool, I’ll come over to check it out when you get home”. He knows I used to work with kids and show them live animals like snakes and birds; so I figured he just wanted to show me his kill and hold it like I did when a man was walking around my village with a live python. He is too sweet though; he invited me to eat the snake with him, because I told him I would like to try it one day. So now I can say I’ve eaten bugs, pigeon, and snake while in Mali. What next? He tells me dog meat is good for you and that cat tastes very good.

He went hunting in the bush to look for rabbits. Unfortunately, the rabbit hunt was unsuccessful. He did come upon a snake so he shot it, cut it and cleaned it and drove the 27 kilometers back to our village. Sometime in the next few months I think I’m going to make a hunting trip to, but instead of a gun I’ll use a sling shot. : )

Good eats!