I arrived last night to our house finally about 11:30pm... it was a long 30+ hour journey but without any major issues- Praise the Him! Judy, Rita and then my roommates Alyson, Rachel and Rachel all met me at the airport.
My first day in Mali and after the traveling afforded me a hot shower. The tank takes about 30 minutes to heat and it's expensive so we don't use it all the time. It was a busy day with unpacking and to begin learning the lay of the land, culture and language. First you have to figure out where you are... interesting because there are no street signs and all dirt roads just like similar.. women are great at directions here because you have to use landmarks for everything.
First stop, the yellow market (named such because it has a big yellow roof over it but it's an outdoor flea market type with stalls) to buy material for ponyas (said oh), which are the African staple wrap around skirts. It was kind of funny looking for something that I like because they all started to look kind of similar. For those of you who know me well, I'm not a real clothes person anymore... and to make it even more strange.. you don't have to match here so you just wear whatever you like! (Where's Mia and Heidi when I need them). Then off to the tailor to get them made - total bill for 3 ponyas and 2 complete outfits - $40. I experienced my first Malian restaurant for lunch of a Spanish Omelette (real similar to home).
I met several of the other workers tonight as Judy had us for coffee and desert. Tomorrow, we will get to meet others at a Messiah concert.
A bit of my language learning for today:
ee-KNEE-chey pretty much covers hello, thank you and a general greeting for everything!
jolie don (as in so) = how much?
Kah-m-bay= bye
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