I'm horrible at this blog thing. So I'm just going to say random things
-I sweat A LOT. More than I ever have in life! Its crazy! Right now its rainy season so it rains like everyday/every other day. I've never been a fan of rain in the states but I love it here bc it cools off considerably after a rain.
-I take bucket baths! And use less than a full bucket. It converses water and its very refreshing. I ususally shower twice a day bc its hella hot (see above fact ;-) and a bucket bath helps me to cool down
-I was asked to breast feed a child. I know random right?!
-A little boy told me a was chinese! Never got that one before.
-My sector is extremely new here in Mali. My training group is the second one in the Community Development Education. Ther e a only a few other volunteers doing education. We have five objectives: literacy, youth developement, girls development, community development, and supporting/working with local and international NGO's/USAID.
All for now
Kisses!
~V
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Homestay/ Cell phone
It feels like I've been in Mali forever! There's so much to say but I guess if I leave anything out or you want to know something specific comment or msg/email me!
My Malian name is Kadiatu Cisse. I almost dont answer to Veronique anymore :-)
Right now I'm in training and I officially become a volunteer in Sept. I train at a training site but I live with a host family for two week stints. There I do intense language classes and cross cultural lessons. I'm learning Bambara, which about 80% of Malians speak and A couple neighboring countries speak it as well.
Oh yes, I HAVE A CELL PHONE. I dont have anyone's numbers bc my old cell is stateside. But you can call me and its free for me to get calls or texts. So here's my number 011-223-78455481. There's a five hour time difference from Central time. So its 10am here but only 5am in Chicago or IC. So get skype or something and call me!
Thats all for now.
Lots of love!
~V
My Malian name is Kadiatu Cisse. I almost dont answer to Veronique anymore :-)
Right now I'm in training and I officially become a volunteer in Sept. I train at a training site but I live with a host family for two week stints. There I do intense language classes and cross cultural lessons. I'm learning Bambara, which about 80% of Malians speak and A couple neighboring countries speak it as well.
Oh yes, I HAVE A CELL PHONE. I dont have anyone's numbers bc my old cell is stateside. But you can call me and its free for me to get calls or texts. So here's my number 011-223-78455481. There's a five hour time difference from Central time. So its 10am here but only 5am in Chicago or IC. So get skype or something and call me!
Thats all for now.
Lots of love!
~V
Sunday, July 12, 2009
I'm here!
In Mali! I am really happy! I have small points of overwhelming-ness then I step back and I feel great again!
And often I have moments of deju va! They are small and usually insignificant moments that happen again. But I believe that its God's way of telling me I made the right decision/ confirmation.
So one of the volunteers was teaching me and three others to play Pitch (card game) as we waited for immunizations. And suddenly, there was deju vu! The volunteers in front of me, the cards, the table, the whole room was the same as before (before as in a dream??? idk). So it was my small confirmation that I was makong the right choice!
I know- lame right. =)
I left the states with 6hours of sleep (over 48hours-ish) and had like 30hours traveling. Yeah, I wass on crack (not really- just an expression). Anyway, here's good ole' Charles de Gaulle airport.
I was able to watch "Madagascar 2" and "17 again" which I enjoyed! Then I vomited (tmi?- my bad) so the rest of my flight sucked. I slept while in Paris and then on the next flight.
Now to the good stuff: MALI!
So it's like 9:30pm here. We had a cultural festival and it was soooo fun! Dancing, drinking Malian juice and bargaining. I had to bargain for anything I bought. I was going to buy clothes but I ended up getting a mirror and a ring. The mirror is bc I have no concept of what I look like; its brown leather w/gold accents and custom patterns. And I also bought a ring to wear on my ring finger. Its super cute with lots of fine details and a dark red stone. I wanted a ring for my left hand to say I'm married when I travel (eventually). Its like in the states and women out and a dude wants to talk to her/get her number and she's like "no, I have a boyfriend" Yeah, like that- I have a husband! lol
I also bought a Malian braclet and got henna done! I'm so excited to be here!
ttyl!
FYI: its Mali-an (for the ppl: Ma-lay-n)
I keep trying to upload pics but the blogger upload thingy sucks! So they'll come later.
And often I have moments of deju va! They are small and usually insignificant moments that happen again. But I believe that its God's way of telling me I made the right decision/ confirmation.
So one of the volunteers was teaching me and three others to play Pitch (card game) as we waited for immunizations. And suddenly, there was deju vu! The volunteers in front of me, the cards, the table, the whole room was the same as before (before as in a dream??? idk). So it was my small confirmation that I was makong the right choice!
I know- lame right. =)
I left the states with 6hours of sleep (over 48hours-ish) and had like 30hours traveling. Yeah, I wass on crack (not really- just an expression). Anyway, here's good ole' Charles de Gaulle airport.
I was able to watch "Madagascar 2" and "17 again" which I enjoyed! Then I vomited (tmi?- my bad) so the rest of my flight sucked. I slept while in Paris and then on the next flight.
Now to the good stuff: MALI!
So it's like 9:30pm here. We had a cultural festival and it was soooo fun! Dancing, drinking Malian juice and bargaining. I had to bargain for anything I bought. I was going to buy clothes but I ended up getting a mirror and a ring. The mirror is bc I have no concept of what I look like; its brown leather w/gold accents and custom patterns. And I also bought a ring to wear on my ring finger. Its super cute with lots of fine details and a dark red stone. I wanted a ring for my left hand to say I'm married when I travel (eventually). Its like in the states and women out and a dude wants to talk to her/get her number and she's like "no, I have a boyfriend" Yeah, like that- I have a husband! lol
I also bought a Malian braclet and got henna done! I'm so excited to be here!
ttyl!
FYI: its Mali-an (for the ppl: Ma-lay-n)
I keep trying to upload pics but the blogger upload thingy sucks! So they'll come later.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Contact info
I've been in Chicago for about two weeks. I've said my goodbyes in Iowa city then and now everyone is like "When are you leaving?!" The answer is tomorrow!!!!!!!!
So I'll be up all night tonite knotting all my loose ends and then off to Philly for a day. Fly from Philly to Bamako, Mali by Friday July 10.
I feel like I havent gotten anything done today!!! Oh no!
Well, no worries, it'll get done ;-)
I've gotten lots of love, support, words of wisdom, FOOD and additional blessings from multiple sources. THANK YOU!!!!
For reference: here's all my info:
Veronique L. Porter, PCT
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 3
Niono, Mali
West Africa
veroniquelporter@gmail.com
Skype: laniseworks
Phone: 011- 223- 78455481
...Suddenly I'm feeling like I have nothing to say. Wow, thats unusual! ;-)
Love, Hugs and Kisses
~V
So I'll be up all night tonite knotting all my loose ends and then off to Philly for a day. Fly from Philly to Bamako, Mali by Friday July 10.
I feel like I havent gotten anything done today!!! Oh no!
Well, no worries, it'll get done ;-)
I've gotten lots of love, support, words of wisdom, FOOD and additional blessings from multiple sources. THANK YOU!!!!
For reference: here's all my info:
Veronique L. Porter, PCT
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 3
Niono, Mali
West Africa
veroniquelporter@gmail.com
Skype: laniseworks
Phone: 011- 223- 78455481
...Suddenly I'm feeling like I have nothing to say. Wow, thats unusual! ;-)
Love, Hugs and Kisses
~V
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