I still live

Once again, I'm able to make a post, though this one will likely be brief.

I've been trying to upload pictures, sans success. This makes me miss my laptop all the more. But there have been pros to me not having my laptop here. Mainly, I've written a lot in my journal (which I likely wouldn't have been doing as much if I'd have had my laptop here).

It's actually rained a lot since I've been here (it's the rainy season). And rain is certainly a good thing. It drops the temperature by roughly 10 degrees.

My host family is nice, but at times, it can be awkward when my host sister flirts with me (apparently, this is not uncommon). Other than that, things are still going well. I do miss toilets though.

On Friday, I was able to observe a couple of classes at the Teaching School (essentially the school of education). I have my work cut out for me, but it'll be good.

These last too weeks at homestay have been taxing. Food is... interesting at times (I eat a lot of potatoes for lunch, and usually spaghetti for meat). I've not eaten a lot of protein though. Being back at Tubani-So has been quite exciting for my digestive system (as I've actually been able to injest protein).

In another week, I'll go to site visit for a week. That'll be when I actually get to spend time in Bamako, set up a bank and get familiar with FLASH (where I'll be teaching).

Speaking of teaching, I saw the library at the teaching scool and was greatly disappointed. My personal library is bigger. I'll just have to make do as well as possible.

The full extent of culture shock still hasn't hit me yet. There's a part of me that hasn't quite acknowledged where I am. Of course, when I take moments to pause and think about things like the fact that I add bleach to my water, it helps to remind me at least a little of where I am.

Then, there's the pass of time. I'm in a weird flux of time where I feel both surprised that it's already been 2 1/2 weeks and dismayed that it's only been 2 1/2 weeks (seriously, I feel like I've been here for a few months at least).

I'll try to post again the next time I'm in Tubani-So (in about a week). In the mean time, everyone stay safe and enjoy such things as air conditioning, food that isn't full of rocks, candy bars, protein, regular internet... and be jealous that you can't watch the French dubbed Brazilian soap operas that we get to watch here every night.