So I have completed my first full week at site! It went by both fast and slow, if that makes sense. I can’t believe its been 2 weeks since swear in, but every day seems like a challenge to get through. The people are amazingly nice and patient, and they always put me in a better mood, but its still hard trying to adjust to a new culture and language and such. Getting up and knowing that I’m going to have to struggle to understand what’s going on makes the mornings tough, but usually I go to bed thinking that I can totally do this for 2 years. As my host family and I are getting used to each other, I like them more and more. At first I felt like they didn’t really know what to do with me, but now they talk slower for me, and get really excited to have post-dinner chat time. They joke around with me and like it when I come to sit outside with them even if I’m not really talking. And my host brother speaks French, as do his friends (he’s probably about 30), so that’s always a relief to talk to them. The other day, we had a conversation about how men and women can’t do the same things. I, of course, was trying to say that men and women can do the same work, which Amadou (my brother) and all of his friends vehemently denied. Mali is a VERY patriarchal society, so I’ve made it my personal mission to make Amadou believe women can do everything men can. Hahaha. I managed to get him to admit that men and women can be as smart as one another. So that was a step.
Im already restarting the project that began with the last volunteer so that keeps me busy. I am on a french keyboard now so this isnt going to be too long, usually i can type my posts on my comp first but i was too lazy yesterday after writing some emails so the next one will be longer. I promise. Miss everybody so much. AND EMILY I LOVED LOVED LOVED THE MAGAZINES
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3 comments:
Yay! A new post. I was wondering when another one of these would come up. Glad to see an update =)
First things first, I'm so glad that the magazines made it there!! I thought you would like to get caught up on everything from politics to womanhood so I did the best that I could manage. Its so weird, I'm surrounded by news and politics all day long and I cannot imagine what it must be like to not be hearing constant updates on the elections.
As of today, Obama picked up a lot in swing states. The Sit Room had a segment showing the differences, it was pretty cool. But as always, nobody knows where the chips will actually fall so I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens to our country... OH and the wall street bailout was passed by the senate just a few hours ago, which is good news.
As for you missy, sounds like you're starting to get settled! Thats awesome. I'm glad to hear that the days are worth your while. Also, I really do hope that you prove those boys wrong and show that women are just as capable as men.
I guess thats all I've got to say atm. The VP debates are tomorrow night which should be crazy, and I wish you were here to discuss them with!!!
Stay well and I'll talk to you soon.
We figure Amadou will figure out over time that not only can women do what men can do but that women - at least one from NJ - can do things most men can't. We love the photo you put up... Some of us can appreciate the feeling of waking in the morning and feeling like you're starting at the bottom of the mountain each day. None of our family have been to Africa, so we have no idea what it's like, but if it's like parts of Asia or Central America or Europe (or Newark, or Ithica...) then we're hoping you'll find that while the size of the mountain is the same, where you are and the effect you're having is not.
Loved reading this - and we'll keep reading as long as you're writing!
Chris, Anne, Connor, Ryan
We figure Amadou will figure out over time that not only can women do what men can do but that women - at least one from NJ - can do things most men can't. We love the photo you put up... Some of us can appreciate the feeling of waking in the morning and feeling like you're starting at the bottom of the mountain each day. None of our family have been to Africa, so we have no idea what it's like, but if it's like parts of Asia or Central America or Europe (or Newark, or Ithica...) then we're hoping you'll find that while the size of the mountain is the same, where you are and the effect you're having is not.
Loved reading this - and we'll keep reading as long as you're writing!
Chris, Anne, Connor, Ryan
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