Amadu to Boo to Jeremy and back

DISCLAIMER: This blog states only the opinions of a Peace Corps volunteer and in no way states the opinions of the Peace Corps Organization or the US gov.

Wow! I don’t know how to even begin to describe my trip to the good old USA. It was amazing, overwhelming, sad, and so many other emotions all rolled into one.

I have never had a harder time leaving a place, for many reasons, than I did leaving the Newark Airport. I generally try not to cry when saying goodbyes, but my whole family was there to see me off, and finally all the emotions I’d been holding inside came pouring out.

I told my sister (who graduated!) just before I left that I was feeling so emotions at the same time that it was almost too much to process, and instead of feeling any particular emotion, I was so overloaded that I was instead just left feeling numb.

The support I received from everyone I saw back home was incredible and very encouraging. There is however, something I want to get off my chest. A few people told me things like they would understand if I decided to go home. That I’ve been here almost a year now and no one would fault me if I went home.

Now, I understand that if you said something along those lines, that it is because you want to see me doing well and happy.  Maybe I made the mistake of telling all of you that it is in fact a lot tougher than I thought it would be. However, when I decided to do Peace Corps Mali, I definitely did not sign up because I thought it would be easy. Believe me, I’ve done easy. Sitting on the couch in Richmond watching an entire season of Scrubs in one day.

I actually think that from talking to most of you that I think I tend to sugar-coat things way too much, so in the future I’ll try and not only tell how great it is, but also how much it sucks.

The first couple days back here were incredibly hard mentally. Although it did help that I watched I think 16 or 17 episodes of Glee.

I’m really looking forward to getting back to my village and seeing all those people in Dialafara.

All I’m trying to say, is that what I need from all of you is words of encouragement. Telling me I should give up and go home does not help me one bit. It is very tough here, and at times yes, I do get depressed. But, most of the times I’m really happy, sometimes even happier than I’ve ever been.

So, I had a great little run at home, but now it’s time to bear down and get back to work.

I definitely had a couple incredibly overwhelming moments in particular. I had a couple of pretty crazy moments in the supermarket, especially when BK pointed out to me that the entire aisle was all cereal! I forgot how much I love this country.

I ate amazing food and a ridiculous amount of it. I traveled all over the place and saw so many people.

There were also so many things that I missed that I didn’t even think about. I was somewhat worried about coming home, being the center of attention, and trying my best to answer the many questions I was sure to get. What I found was that I ended up mostly enjoying telling people about Mali and the work I’m doing. Then, once I was finished answering I could just “be.”

What I mean by that is that in Mali, there are very few times when you are not being stared at and your every move is being watched just for being a toubab (white person). It was so nice to just be able to relax and not have everyone staring, judging, and calling you names.

It was also nice being able to speak English for such an extended period of time. Generally, aside from weekly phone calls home, I sometimes go more than a month at a time without speaking any English.

I definitely forgot how much I love New York City, that place just has a certain magic to it. I also, forgot how much fun it is driving a car. And especially when I’m not crashing into my own car or punching open a window. People knowing how to stand it lines is also a plus. Having several choices of beer. Having so many choices of what to do.

More obvious things included showers, electricity, A/C, good weather, nice houses/buildings, roads, obviously people, and most importantly food. So without further ado, here is my tribute to the food I have missed the most.

Ode to the Chipotle Burrito

Oh Chipotle Burrito,

I forgot how much fun you were to eato.

Here in Mali I am eating only rice,

Which is really not very nice.

But just one of you full of veggies and steak,

And I am so full that I think I might break.

Just before I take the last bite,

I stare you down with all my might.

Oh how happy I would be,

If you could just come back to me.

It also dawned on me from talking to people that at some point I need to post some maps, so that you guys actually understand where I am.

Well, I’ll be back in my village, Allah-willing, by this weekend. It should be a really good month. It’s the last month of school and the 9th graders have to pass a nationwide exam in order to get their degree. Some of them will move to a bigger city to continue their studies.

It also should be a lot of fun watching the World Cup from a soccer-crazed nation. In Mali they are a million times more hyped up than we are back in the US, and their team isn’t even in it. They’ll be rooting hard for any African nation that did make it.

I’ll probably be back here in Kayes by the end of June. Until then, take care everyone. It was so amazing to see all of your smiling faces, and thanks again for all of the support.