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!