Hmm Christmas ... well yes it happened. It really didn’t feel much like Christmas as I was alone and the boys weren’t coming for meals, but I did have a really nice Christmas dinner with my Norwegian friend. I went to church Christmas Eve and Christmas day; both services started with all the women cleaning rice and peeling onions (the men sat around talking) for the meal after church. There was no one to translate for me so I got very well acquainted with the grass mats on the walls and ceiling.
A Christmas movie night with Sandra, we had a projector and big screen set up on the roof at her place and we slept there after the movie - a very nice night but it as you can see the night air affected me and left me a little strange in the morning.
Christmas day at church peeling onions with Sandra and then Christmas dinner prepared by Sandra, it was VERY tasty too!
New Years was also interesting as I went to a combined church meeting, I was the ONLY white person there and I felt it, especially when one of the locals came up and took a photo of me during worship!
As you probably know I quite like chocolate but that is one of the vital foods you just can’t get in this town... but I had heard this new shop in the bigger town nearby has Snickers and Twix bars. So I got all excited and at the first chance to go to that town I bought some but when I took the first bite of Twix I was severely disappointed, it tasted exactly like mothballs – no exaggeration, and going by the taste of the Snickers the main ingredient in it is washing powder! They were so bad I couldn’t eat them; I can’t even lick the chocolate off them (I tried) because that has the same taste. So I am back to my only source of chocolate being Nutella which is ok but nothing like the real stuff. Life is tough in Mali!
On another note, I had my first trip to the market without my colleague the other week. I went with my friend who is a teacher for the Norwegian missionary kids, and neither of us speak French or Fulani. It is truly chaotic on Sundays (the main market day) but I knew where to go for what and with both of our limited French and Fulani we managed to get what we needed, and the best part is that we weren’t too ripped off!!
The following week I went to the market all by myself, I had been dreading the day when that would happen but it went very well, I got almost all that I needed and again got reasonable prices. So now I feel more competent in the community, all I have to do now is buy some material and get clothes made by myself.
Here are some photos from the last few weeks...
6 comments:
But why do you need a motor bike/scooter when you can have a handy dandy bicycle? Just pop the sick kids in the wheelbarrow and you're set :D A few cushions & it'd be luxury! Obviously, it's a bit of Malian ingenuity you need :p
Luv ya, Ma
So when you come home and have babies of your own, are you going to carry them "African style"? You could start a new trend i think. It is so great to see the love that you are giving the boys, i have no doubt that it is making a difference to them. Bless ya and the work you are doing. Love Pora
Bex I just had to leave a comment again.. I feel like I always tell you the same things but I am checking your blog and following the best I can :) and I love the photos.. especially seeing the projector - good work :) I am living in Grimerud now,enjoying the good days and the challenging days, God is so faithful. I hope I will be able to write you a longer e-mail to tell what is going on. Lots of hugs to you and I hope you are enjoying having the DTS team over there! love,hannabanana.
Bex I am so proud of you, going shopping at the market all by yourself!!! Oh Bex...I totally get the feeling back of the sundaymarket!!!! Hope you are having a good time in Bamako now!!! Enjoy the Luxury living and the Norwegian team!!!
I am proud of you!!!!
Lots of Love, Lenneke
hi Febekah! It was great to catch up on your news and see your awesome photos. I can't wait to get over there and see you. If I can bring chocolate, I will babe!!
xo,
Charlotty
I must say, I am sooo impressed by you. Good work with the projector! Enjoy :)
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