Photos!

The photo albums from our trip are finally ready. We consolidated our pictures and videos, waded through the more than 1,800 options, and put together two online albums:

Click HERE to see the LIFE IN KATI album (which includes our 3 weeks volunteering at the Institute for Popular Education, our production of the Malisadio legend, our host family, the wedding we crashed, and weekend trips to Bamako)

Click HERE to see the TRAVELS IN AFRICA: CASABLANCA, DJENNE, AND DOGON album (which includes our one day stop in Casablanca on the plane ride to Mali, and our week long journey at the end of our trip when we visited Djenne and Dogon Country)

Thanks again to everyone who read our blog. Enjoy!
-Sara and Zoe

Back to America

We made it back to the States, where we are catching up with family and friends, and appreciating long missed foods like salad, fresh fruit, and smoothies. It's great to be back!

I posted photos on my balloon twisting website, www.globetwisting.com, with 5 mini albums of balloons in Mali. You can link directly to the Balloons in Mali page by clicking here. In particular, check out the last 3 mini-albums, which highlight Djenne, Dogon, and our last day in Kati --- all of those have spectacular balloon stories that we missed blogging about, because we didn't have internet access at that time.

We plan to post other photos of our adventures during this last week, as well as favorite photos that didn't make it to the blog. This might take a little while, because we have over 1,800 photos to sort through!

Thank you to everyone who's been following our blog. It seemed a little like we were just writing for our own enjoyment, so it's good to know that there were people actually reading along. I feel lucky to have such wonderful friends, family, and colleagues supporting me. It makes it easy to come home from this crazy adventure in Mali.

-Sara

Adventures in Djenne and Dogon Country

Hello!

We're back from our travels and fly back to the States tomorrow! This might be our last blog entry from Mali. We hope you're not too sad.

Our adventure began last Saturday. We started on Bani Bus (the fanciest bus company in Mali) in Bamako and broke down about three hours into our trip. Even though we bought our tickets in advance we got the last seats and had to squish in the back of the bus; so breaking down wasn't that bad because at least we got fresh air. We made friends and played cards in the shade. When we got to Djenne Carrefour we had to hop on an open air truck to Djenne. Did you know that Djenne is a peninsula? We didn't, and suddenly found ourselves on a ferry (because during rainy season, Djenne becomes an island). Zoe took a few steps in the River Bani and hopefully she doesn't have a flesh eating virus. Sara opted for a piggyback. We finally made it to Djenne and stayed at the nicest hotel there. Djenne is famous for its giant mud mosque and Monday market. We enjoyed both, even though it was pouring. For the record, it's not the best idea to travel to a city of mud in Mali during the rainy season, but what can you do?

After the Monday Market in Djenne, we made our way to Dogon Country. Dogon country is absolutely gorgeous. Driving in, it felt like we were looking at pages of a National Geographic magazine, only when we waved out the window, the people waved back. The area is comprised of all these little villages in the countryside. Originally, lots of the villages were built into the cliffs of the escarpment, but now those are abandoned. The villages where people live now are on the plains below the cliffs, and up above on the plateau. The Dogon people mostly practice animist religions, and they live a very traditional lifestyle. Women pounded millet and men went into the brush to hunt. We walked through with our guide, who was Dogon as well, and we got a hands on view of life there. We even got our palms read by a hunter / medicine man who said that Zoe should sacrifice a chicken, and Sara should throw a nut on a path. It was sort of like an African Plythmouth Plantation, only it's real life.

In Dogon, the scenery was spectacular. We've never seen stars so beautiful. The birds were amazing too -- bright orange, red, metallic blue, and lime green. We hiked below, through cliff villages, up the escarpement and along the plateau. Incredible.

We just got back to Bamako and we are writing from an internet cafe at the University. There are lots more stories and photos from our trip to Djenne and Dogon, but those will have to wait until we get home. We can't wait to see you so soon! We fly home on Sunday.

Love and hugs,
Zoe and Sara

What you missed in the last 24 hours...

Since we last wrote, we had a lot of celebration / closing events for Camp Ciwara. Highlights included...

1. The Prom (i.e. closing party for the Student Teachers from Sikasso), complete with a DJ, a photographer, slow dances, and soda

The Sikasso women dressed to the nines and we wore matching skirts and headscarves from our friend, the tailor (who still hasn't finished all of our dresses -- perhaps it's those zippers...)

Group Photo -- Sikasso Student Teachers, IEP Teachers, Interns, and Tubabus (Americans)

2. Camp Ciwara Graduation Ceremony and Celebration

Sory gets his camp certificate. Even though he is sometimes left alone in rooms while everyone goes outside for a snack, we like that IEP makes a concerted effort to include all types of students. Sory is a valued member of the community, and students take turns wheeling him home after camp.

3. Malisadio Performance (aka Hippo Play)

The legend is set at the junction of two rivers, one white and one blue. Notice the beautiful backdrop and flower garlands made by the students in art class (with our creative vision).

While washing her laundry at the river, a pregnant woman encounters a hippo who promises to befriend her unborn child.

The Traditional Hippo Mask of Mali

All of the Creatures of the River -- fish, frog, crocodile, and snake

The woman has her baby, and her name is Sadio. She becomes best friends with the hippo. Even when nobody wants to marry her because of this friendship, she stays true.

The story ends, and of course, there is dancing for all! (It just so happens that Koumba, the girl who plays Sadio, is the best dancer in all of Kati. She leads the boys, who are begrudgingly participating so that they can get their balloon hats.)

4. Celebrating Our Successes
During our evening stroll, we felt pretty cool because we kept running into people we know. For example, our "brother" Moise came by on a motorcycle and pretended he was going to throw a live chicken at us. Zoe screamed. She would like to point out that we had chicken for dinner. Perhaps this one, or the one in a cage in the kitchen (where the car is parked at night).

Anyway, we're feeling really good about our work, and the community feels really caring and cohesive. We also ran into Koumba on our way home, who said that her mother wanted to see us. So, off we went to see her family. We walked through her backyard first, where they had many turkeys, a dog, kittens, and three donkeys. Then we sat awkwardly in the living room (or maybe kitchen?) while her mother asked us to bring Koumba to the U.S. Eventually, we had to dance for them, because those Malians love to see white girls dance. Also, Koumba is quite a dance teacher and she is responsible for many of our new moves.

Koumba and her family and us (thanks to self-timer)

Hamburgers

Once a year, the family at Maria's house has hamburgers -- on Debbie's birthday. Today was the day! They set up stations in the courtyard, each of the kids with a different condiment. Pictured here is Sebastian with the ketchup station. Sita, who is one of our master cooks (and mother of Boi, Christiane, Maria, and Catherine) partakes in some ketchup. Around a big table, the other kids waited with onions, tomatoes, and all the necessary hamburger goodies. It was quite an event.

Now, we are headed to Mississippi (one of the classroom areas at the school - don't ask) for a big fete with the Sikasso women. It is their last night, and we promised them dancing. Hopefully, Mr. Sogodogo will be able to work the stereo system. One can only hope.

Tomorrow there will be lots of balloons for Mali Sadio (our hippo ballet) - stay tuned.