Salutations,
So, as the title states, I'm just about done with Pre-Service Training in Mali and about to be sworn in as a volunteer, 2 days from now to be exact. My time at homestay with my host family has come to an end and they will surely be missed. I look forward to visiting them again one day when I'm actaully able to have a full conversation in Bambara. Speaking of which, I've passed my final language test and scored intermediate-mid (whatever the hell that means), so I'll be able to survive on my own when I reach my new digs. We're not supposed to leave our site for the first 2 months once we're installed. This is to ensure we get a strong grasp on our new community's culture and improve language skills right off the bat. While 2 months away from another english speaker (not to mention other luxuries) is a bit daunting, I'm certainly looking forward to being an actual volunteer... a process I started well over a year ago. Before that begins, however, there are some festivities at hand. There's not much on my schedule for today aside from laundry... which takes a bit longer when you use a washboard. Tomorrow is our swear in party. Normally this takes place the night we get sworn in but because our class is being sworn in by President Amadou Toumani Touré at the Presidential palace, there's been some logistical issues. So, as you might imagine, tomorrow will be a pretty massive party. From what I understand, most if not all of the 150+ volunteers already in country will be joining my class of 61 soon-to-be volunteers. We'll be starting the day at the Ameriki Club... a former Marine house that's been converted to accomodate American expats. There's an in-ground swimming pool, barbeque, bar, tennis and basketball courts, etc. After that, we're free to do as we like and we've all reserved hotel room in Bamako. Then on Tuesday we'll arive at the President's pad at 5:00 pm for the swear in and then return to Tubani So (training compound) for a nice dinner with all the senior staff and admn from Peace Corps Mali as well as the U.S. ambassador.
A lot has happened since my last email update, but unfortunately nothing really flows together as a single narrative like my site visit. It's all been a bunch of mini adventures and inside humor/experiences that probably won't translate that well via email, but I'll try my best. I will say that my class has really bonded quite well in the last week. There's definately a plurality of people that you would "expect" to be in the peace corps. That being said though, I'm still surprised by the amount of diversity in our group. When we all first met in D.C. I couldn't imagine what business some of my fellow volunteers had volunteering for the peace corps. Everyone seems to bring their own unique experiences and abilities to the table though, and I think we'll all be able to do some good work over the next 2 years.
I'm getting more familiar with navigating Bamako. In the last week, I've gone into the city using public transportation several times. Usually, I'll take something called a sutrama into town. There are thousands of these all over Mali. Imagine one of those molester vans you see in Law & Order, but painted green, gutted aside from a metal floor and a wood bench that raps around the interior, and open holes where the windows should be. These sutramas cruise around on a certain route picking people up whereever they can. Oh, you're also usually sharing your ride with about 20+ Malians by time you reach your destination. The sutrama line ends in what's called the Sugu ba...translation: big market. Big is an understatement. I'm not sure if any of you have had the pleasure of visiting a major 3rd world market. I can assure you, it's an experience you won't forget. You're surrounded by the lovely aromas of burning garbage, rotting sewage, animal shit, pollution, and exhaust. There are taxis, sutramas and motor-bikes flying by everywhere, a million people meandering about in every direction, and a million more people trying to sell you whatever they can. It's fun for awhile, but more than an hour or so and I can't wait to get the hell out of there.
Well, there are certainly more stories to tell, but I'm struggling to get them across via email... that and it's breakfast time. I'll leave it there for now. I leave Tubani So for good, bright and early Wednesday morning (late Tuesday night for yinz guys). Hope all is well in your worlds!
Peace & Love,
Rege
