Here I am. In Africa once again. I'll attempt to make this post a short summary of the past 13 days, but I'm bad at summary's and at being short (especially with this kind of stuff). So we'll see.
So after my departure on Dec. 1st and 3 days of traveling - Two nights, one spent on a plane and one spent on an airport bench (which I spent 18 hours at, in between flights), twenty of hours in the air, and 2 hours on the ground traveling - I made it to Mali, West Africa. I have to admit traveling alone is not all too great, especially if you don't know the language, but I managaed to make a few friends (one of which is going to take me out for wine when I reach France - free ninety-nine).
The past 13 days have been jam packed full of experiences, traveling, and new relationships. I spent two days in the capital, Bamako, with Ashely and Joe - we ate pizza, ice cream, drank wine, and walked the city. Then traveled 15 hours, with Joe and Ashely and around 10 other Peace Corps volunteers to a Bandigara, a town that Joe and Ashley live 3 Km from. Biked to Ashely and Joe's village "Kalibombo". National Geographic style the town is home to 500-600 Dogon people, the historical cliff dwellers of Mali. No running water, electricity, or fast food; the village life has been a BLAST!
Eating communal style and utilizaing our hands as utensils with the chief of the village and his family three times a day is a experience of a life time. Toe - a starchy, dough-like substance that taste like dough, dirt, and pesticide all combined together in a bowl or rice are the usual dishes of non-choice. Toe, i will state may be the worst meal i've ever had, which the flies, dirty hands colliding together, and the mystery sacues do not help make it easier. It's awesome. After we are done eating, we are given the opportunity to simply just hang out with the family and other community members - My favorite so far.
In addition, we've witnessed the slaughtering of goats, i've danced Beyonce style in a circle surrounded by women and drums, participated in a festical called "Tabaski", joined in a muslim prayer ceremony with the town's men (obviously I was praying to Jesus), took bucket showers, played 2 hours of soccer with the guys of the village, every night drank hot choclate on the roof while discussing Jesus and life, and was given a naming ceremony - which my Dogon name is Ansegeramo Djigiba. I love the village, it has been such an awesome experience and challenging as well - but it's all about making memories and "Enjoying the Journey".
Last two days we traveled to a city called Mopti, which the Niger River runs through. We met up with some of Joe and Ashley's Peace Corp friends - which are a lot of fun. As we were sitting at a Restaurant/Bar overlooking the Niger River as the sun started to set and drinking a beer, we were approached by a couple of Malian men. They asked us if we wanted to accompany them on their boat to float across the Niger, wait for less then a dollar? Ummm....Yeah. So there we sat Joe, Ashley, I, and their 4 friends floating across the Niger river, in Mali West Africa, as the sun was setting, just living the dream and enjoying the Journey. It was incredible.
Alright Alright, i'm almost done. Very briefly with a lot of events and detail left out that is the sum up of my last 13 days. Crazy part is that, I still have a month left. Exciting.
Now depth: What has Christ been doing? He has been asking me a few questions: Where is the Holy Spirit in my life? Where do I fit in the World of Development? Shoot, What is even development and how does me being a follower of Christ shape that answer? Big one always in Africa is Community - What is Africa teaching me about Community? As I work through these questions i'll be sharing my thoughts. Probably after the trip is over - more time and dependable internet.
Love you all. Know that I am safe, with family, and having a blast!
Joe and Ashley's blog, with Photos:
http://www.wollersheimtime.blogspot.com/
Boarding the boat with my Turban on, one with the people!
The sunset as we floated across the Niger River
Just the usual day of work - in actuality i took that bale from a kid, took a picture with it, and gave it back to him
Every night we sip down some hot choclate on top of Joe and Ashley's roof
