T minus 48 days

It's been a while since I've posted anything on here. The last few weeks have been eventful yet very boring as I countdown the final days here in Mali. I have seen my 3rd group of new volunteers arrive in Segou and ask the same questions we all asked 3 years ago. I have been replaced by a young lady who will be working at the health center in my village. My hope is that she will continue some of the work I had started with NOMA and the Cleft Palette surgeries. I am sure she will figure it all out soon enough, she definitely lucked out with being place in my old site, I am pretty sure I had the greatest host family in Mali.

So, now I am living in the regional capital in an apartment with electricity and running water which, after some serious arm twisting, will be paid for by you the taxpaying public of America. Thanks, but next time spring for an AC why don't ya. The school is wrapping up as we speak. We are planning a painting party very soon to put the final touches on the school and add some color.

I wanted to share something that I found very interesting. The other day I was on a bus heading north and I noticed a billboard for Maggi. Maggi is a food seasoning that is sold and very widely used throughout Mali. It is produced and distributed by Nestle. Anyways, as we passed the billboard I read it without thinking and chuckled to myself at the difference between the two worlds I have lived in. The billboard said, " buy Maggi and win!...3rd prize is 100 new cell phones!, 2nd prize 10 new motorcycles!, 1st prize a trip for you and a guest to attend the Hajj in Mecca!" The Hajj is a pilgrimage that all Muslims, if able, should make to Mecca. I sat on the bus for the next hour imagining what an equal billboard in America would read. "Snickers wants to send you to Nazareth!", "Snap into a Slim Jim in Jerusalem!", "Enjoy Pepsi in Galilee!". I have no editorial comments here, I just thought it was interesting.

Ok, I am currently at 48 days from departure of Mali. I have been searching for jobs in NOLA and reapplying to Law Schools, but honestly I'll probably be working at the movie theater on Vets. when I get back. I think I'll look pretty good in a little vest, but if anyone knows of a really high paying and prestigious job that requires no real skills except for a sarcastic sense of humor please forward the address to me here in Mali. Well, that's all for now I will be talking more about the school with some photos soon. Have a good weekend and if you send care packages this week they will probably arrive before I leave, Just saying...