Merry Christmas

Hello to all. I've made it back to Sikasso after spending a month at site. While this may not seem like a lot, if you lived in Kouoro you would feel like it was. I love Kouoro and I was sad to go but I wanted to come in for Christmas to be around other volunteer friends. Also a volunteer finishing her service in March is getting married in her village on Thursday so we're going to head over there for the celebration. I'll be back to site in time to celebrate Tabaski with the people of Kouoro.
A lot has happened since I last wrote. Firstly, when I got back to my village the day after Thanksgiving I was saddened to discover that my host-dad had died. He was old but I didn't realize that he was so sick. It was sad for me and it was the first time someone I knew and cared about in Mali had passes away. I new something was awry the moment I arrived in my concession. My host-brother who studies at university in Bamako after leaving just weeks before and my host sister didn't answer me when I asked if the 'cekoroba' or old man was there. They told me he was dead and then moments later wanted me to go into the house to greet my host-mom. I was shocked and upset; thus not able to control my emotions and began to cry. I was immediately surrounded by people telling me not to cry (crying is a very serious deal in West Africa-you're not supposed to do it). Anyhow, I cried with my host-mom and tried to gather myself together while my host-bro was like, "don't cry, it was the work of God." I was mad at him and wanted to tell him that I didn't care if it was the work of god, I was sad and I couldn't help crying. After, that I was then brought to greet the new 'cekoroba,' my host-dad's younger brother. All this while I'm trying to recover and give out the proper blessings for death. It was a sad affair and I miss seeing his smiley face. He was very kind, successful, and a well respected-member of the community. To top it all of for fourty days after his death my host-mom has to be in mourning. She wears all blue and has had to be sitting in her room. She can only go out to go to the bathroom and even then someone escorts her. When I get back from Sikasso she should be out of the house!
But let's fill you in on some brighter notes. I biked 60 km the other day, something I never thought I could do in America. Albeit, I was exhausted afterwards, it was fun and challenging. I've been doing yoga and pilates every morning for the past month and I feel great.
Reading the LOTR trilogy-very exciting.
My house is furnished. I bought a canary on Wednesday and now I have cold water at my house! It's so amazing the temperature difference between keeping water in a plastic bucket and a ceramic canary.
A week after my closest teammate Jenn left for America, her village got a replacement. Brooke, who came to Mali in my stage, got a site change to Sokorani; now she's a 20 min bike ride away.
Michele is recovering well from Bell's palsy, despite the setbacks her and Tim have faced in village. Glad to have them around for Christmas.
I made a Water Sanitation survey and went around to every concession in my village. I found there are about 53 concessions and almost 700 people in Kouoro. The outcome of the survey: concrete evidence that the village needs some serious health and sanitation education and training. I asked if people who drank well water treated their wells, it was about 50/50. Someone asked me to come back a few days later to show them how to treat a well with chlorine, so I did. It's nice to have actually done some work even if it wasn't much.
A language professor from Bamako came out to site for a week to work on language and cultural integration. I learned a lot and the villagers enjoyed having him there. I'm doing ok in Bambara and I think even better in integrating. Credits for this must be given to my homologue, Abdulaye. He has helped me so much with language and cultural matters. He's always patient with me and I appreciate all that he has done for me.
It's that time of the year again: markets are PACKED, tailors are busy, and sheep are everywhere, it can only mean one thing- Tabaski. I'm looking forward to slaughtering numerous sheep and eating their yummy meat, while dressed to the nine, followed by dancing to the balafon. It should be a fun two-day celebration and I'll be sure to take pictures.
Well, I'll be headed to Tubaniso for post pre-service training in early January so hopefully I'll be able to post before then. Take care everyone. Happy holidays! Enjoy yourselves and be safe. May the new year be full of health and happiness for each and all of you. I miss you all back in America, my thoughts are with you this holiday season! Call me if you want: 223.515.29.88.