I'M HERE!

07/20/2007. Day one. Mood: exhausted, excited, HOT, and sweaty!

It is currently around midnight local time and I am sitting on my bed under a mosquito net in our training village of Tubaniso. We flew into the airport in the capital city of Bamako about 3 hours ago, and at the moment, I'm very hot and sweaty and about to spend my first night in Africa! A few highlights so far: (1) the toilet is called a "negen" and consists of a 6"x6" square hole cut in the concrete floor of a tiny structure, and we either stand, aim well, and pee into it, or squat, aim really well, and do our deed. Should be interesting; (2) a huge 1-eyed tortoise lives in our village and sleeps right outside of my house. Awesome! I have yet to see him. I'll take pictures when I do. There is also a small gazelle roped up around here somewhere. Haven't seen him yet either; (3) the locals have all been very friendly and helpful so far-- I love it! That's all for now. Long day tomorrow. Goodnight from Mali, West Africa. --Brookeabroad