Wrapping up

With only a few weeks left to go, I am headed to Bamako for our close-of-service conference. This is supposed to help us get ready for adjusting back to life in Ameriki, getting ready to look for jobs, go back to school, etc. Lately, I've been having very mixed emotions about leaving. I know it's going to be really hard to leave the people here, especially since I know there is a good possibility I might not ever see some of them again. Up until this past week, I was pretty much avoiding tell anyone exactly when I was leaving, instead simply saying "soon, soon" which in Mali could mean tomorrow or next year. However, since I effectively have about two weeks left in Djenne, this past week I decided it was time to be a little more specific, but unfortunately it didn't go exactly as I hoped. While many of my friends said they would miss me, and wanted to make sure I would still call, about an equal number took the opportunity to ask if I was keeping all my buckets, if I had any clothes I didn't want,if I could help them get to America too, or if I was going to wire them money from America. While I know this isn't meant to seem rude, even after almost two years here, it's still hard not to react like an American. It makes me wonder, were we really even friends, or are you just using me? Do you even care that I'm leaving or do you just want my stuff? I know a number of other volunteers have had similar experiences, but it's just a little discouraging after all this time. That said, just as many people have seemed genuinely sad (which in some ways is almost harder, because then I can only be sad as well, instead of mad/annoyed, which I am when people ask for things). Should make for an interesting last two weeks, but for now off to Bamako!

It's been a while!

How the time has flown by since my last post! I know I've been a bad blogger, but with limited internet time, something else always seemed to be more important than updating my blog, but now I'm going to try and post a few more things before I leave! And speaking of leaving...I am officially closing my service as a Peace Corps Volunteer on July 2! That means I should have a few months at home before I have to start graduate school. I'm still holding out for some sort of miracle in which at the last minute another school offers me a full ride, but if not, I'll be heading to Denver in the fall. I'm really excited to get back to America and good food, hot showers, etc, but I'm also going to be sad to leave my friends in Djenne. Especially since I might not see them again for a very long time (if ever!). That said, I'll be trying to put in some quality time in the next two months.

As for work, I've been trying to keep up with the schools, but they seem to be either on strike, on vacation, or playing soccer (the latest reason for cancelled school this week). Also, I've been hoping to finish up an art project, but the teacher has been on vacation since she just got married! Hopefully when she gets back we'll be able to finish everything up.

A few weeks ago, I went on vacation with Shelby (a friend from college) to France and Italy. It was absolutely amazing and extremely COLD! A very nice break from the ridiculous weather we've been having in Mali, but I was definitely not prepared or well dressed for the cold! We hit up all the major tourist spots in Paris and Rome, and made a few other stops along the way. I'm going to post some pictures to my Picasa account now if the internet cooperates, and I'll try to update again soon!