Where Does the Time Go?
February 15, 2006
Where does the time go? I sound like a broken record, but I never imagined we would get to be this busy out here. So much has happened since the last time I wrote. I’ll try to remember everything.
I lost a second grader. He was a great kid and an awesome writer. I’m sorry he’s gone. We had a big party for him at the club and later there was another party for the whole family. That really translates to a party for the father. Even though mom worked for the mine as well, there was really only recognition for dad.
Last week several more students left on holiday so our numbers are dwindling. I have four in my room while Carrie only has one. Most of those kids will be coming back, but in the meantime we have had to shift things around a little to make it all work.
It’s ironic that while the population of the mine village keeps increasing, our student population keeps decreasing. It has been made clear to us (although not officially) that our school is reserved for ex-pats. Since most of the new population is Malian, their numbers will not effect ours. This is one of those things that we cannot change. To attempt to do so would be detrimental to the school as a whole as it could damage any relationship AISB has with the mine. We just have to accept it and move on.
Last weekend we had a visitor. His name is David. He’s a German fellow we met at the Dakar Rally. He is currently working as an accountant at a mission in Kayes. He called us several times to come visit and it finally worked out. He rode his motorcycle up on Saturday morning and left Sunday afternoon. He was amazed by what he saw. The house he stays in has no glass in the windows. There is no air conditioning or hot water. He immediately took a shower.
We took a long walk around the village, pointing out all of the “sights”. We fixed a snack in the afternoon; we asked him if he wanted Mortadella. We explained that it was a kind of bologna and his mouth dropped open. When we asked if he wanted cheese he started to drool. Apparently neither of these commodities is available in Kayes. After lunch we went to the market to purchase them.
We played volleyball that night. David was astonished by all that we had. He ogled at the tennis courts and shook his head in disbelief when faced with the pool. We ate at the club and David and I stayed late drinking and jawing with some of the guys. Sunday we went for a drive although we weren’t able to get into the mine. We looked around a bit then headed home for more sandwiches and naps all around. He left later that day, promising he would be back up.
This week is hectic. Today (Friday) is Carrie’s birthday. We planned a gathering that turned into a full-blown party. We are now expecting twenty people to our house for a barbeque. We ordered most of the food from the club, but I had planned on fixing a few things myself. Last night at dinner Mohammed announced that he had bought a sheep for our party. Now we have way too much food, but I don’t need to cook the fish I had bought. Zachary was excited though, he wanted to know if he could pet and feed the sheep.
I think everything will be okay. We have plenty of practice at throwing parties. I am a little stressed out by the whole thing though and will be much happier when tomorrow comes (hangover and all). Then I can turn my focus towards break…
MJR
Where does the time go? I sound like a broken record, but I never imagined we would get to be this busy out here. So much has happened since the last time I wrote. I’ll try to remember everything.
I lost a second grader. He was a great kid and an awesome writer. I’m sorry he’s gone. We had a big party for him at the club and later there was another party for the whole family. That really translates to a party for the father. Even though mom worked for the mine as well, there was really only recognition for dad.
Last week several more students left on holiday so our numbers are dwindling. I have four in my room while Carrie only has one. Most of those kids will be coming back, but in the meantime we have had to shift things around a little to make it all work.
It’s ironic that while the population of the mine village keeps increasing, our student population keeps decreasing. It has been made clear to us (although not officially) that our school is reserved for ex-pats. Since most of the new population is Malian, their numbers will not effect ours. This is one of those things that we cannot change. To attempt to do so would be detrimental to the school as a whole as it could damage any relationship AISB has with the mine. We just have to accept it and move on.
Last weekend we had a visitor. His name is David. He’s a German fellow we met at the Dakar Rally. He is currently working as an accountant at a mission in Kayes. He called us several times to come visit and it finally worked out. He rode his motorcycle up on Saturday morning and left Sunday afternoon. He was amazed by what he saw. The house he stays in has no glass in the windows. There is no air conditioning or hot water. He immediately took a shower.
We took a long walk around the village, pointing out all of the “sights”. We fixed a snack in the afternoon; we asked him if he wanted Mortadella. We explained that it was a kind of bologna and his mouth dropped open. When we asked if he wanted cheese he started to drool. Apparently neither of these commodities is available in Kayes. After lunch we went to the market to purchase them.
We played volleyball that night. David was astonished by all that we had. He ogled at the tennis courts and shook his head in disbelief when faced with the pool. We ate at the club and David and I stayed late drinking and jawing with some of the guys. Sunday we went for a drive although we weren’t able to get into the mine. We looked around a bit then headed home for more sandwiches and naps all around. He left later that day, promising he would be back up.
This week is hectic. Today (Friday) is Carrie’s birthday. We planned a gathering that turned into a full-blown party. We are now expecting twenty people to our house for a barbeque. We ordered most of the food from the club, but I had planned on fixing a few things myself. Last night at dinner Mohammed announced that he had bought a sheep for our party. Now we have way too much food, but I don’t need to cook the fish I had bought. Zachary was excited though, he wanted to know if he could pet and feed the sheep.
I think everything will be okay. We have plenty of practice at throwing parties. I am a little stressed out by the whole thing though and will be much happier when tomorrow comes (hangover and all). Then I can turn my focus towards break…
MJR
posted by Bronx to Timbuktu at 11:58 AM
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