Last week, I went on my first real trip since I’ve been in Mali. I went with some friends on a hunt of large bodies of water. The bumpy bushy bus ride to get to our final destination got a little out of hand -- my fellow travelers were getting so stir crazy that they started eating giant green grasshoppers right off of the bus window. Not kidding. Weird. But when we finally rolled into the valley we immediately knew that the tortuous bus ride was well worth it. Right away, we caught a glimpse of the only lake in Mali and I knew that this was going to be a good trip.
The first couple days were filled with bonfiring, chilling with pet monkeys, exploring and cruising down the river on tubes (well I guess not really cruising but we were moving). The boys finally followed through with their promise of a barbeque on the river only thing that was missing was cheese on my burger. The last full day of our trip to the valley we walked the long walk to the lake with our tubes only to find out we needed some kind of security clearance to be able to swim. After a few frustrating hours of negotiating in French and Bambara we were finally given the go and dove in (me in my sexy one-piece speedo from the dead toubab) as the sun started easing off.
After satiating our large-body-of-water-needs we headed back out of the valley to meet up with the rest of the crew around our area. Making up for the lack of cheese on my burger on the river, we made HOMEMADE mozzarella and threw it on some toasted bread with sauce. Although I’ll have to admit that I’ve had better cheese in my life, the pizza-sandwich on the rooftop was delicious thanks to the best cook in our stage.
KATHERINE!! ok- it has taken me a while but im here and just read your blog! you look like youre having an amazing experience. thank you for keeping this current! looking forward to reading more. miss you and sending lots of love, andrea
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!!! Glad you got my letter! I've enjoyed catching up on your blog and am so amazed. Can't wait to read more. Also, homemade mozzerella? How?
ReplyDeleteLove you!!!!!!!
OMG!! i did it!! I thought i was so confused about this following the blog thing but i did it!! fuck. omg you look so beautiful!! i miss you like crazy i hope you read my shit splat word vomit fb messages im catching up on your entire blog so ill write more informed and worldly (wordy??) and intellectual comments later (sigh) haah but i love you so much and your picture w the monkey (bonobo?? chimp??) wants to make me send you the picture of me with that fucking monkeys twin in morocco cause i was def not nearly as graceful as you are.. and by "not as graceful as you are" i mean i look like im about to cry while my hair stands out in a giant terrified static frizz halo around my head. no joke. haha ok keep writing cause i love hearing about your adventures and miss you like a yiraf misses eucalyptus after.. lent. (. ??) i think im mixing metaphors but you get the point haha
ReplyDeletelove you sugarnutsquash yargleneflow restrafer ofnoogralop
Hi Kat, sure looks you're having a grand time. How interesting a place this must be. Does the monkey have a name? I'd call him Joey..looks like a joey to me. LOL. Hey package on it's way for the holidays. Everyone here is fine. Finally glad winter is here - temperature is a nice 75 degrees..ah there is life in Florida after a hot hot summer. Take care and keep us posted as to what you are doing. Love ya. Auntie
ReplyDeleteHi Katharine, hey it's nice that you're getting to hear from me. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. Did you catch a buzz of the green grasshoppers? Hope to see you soon. Fitz
ReplyDeleteHey Katharine, It looks like you are having the time of your life. You are one lucky person. I wish I could of done something like that. Things are great here, just getting ready for Christmas. I haven't finished reading your complete profile but they ate giant grasshopers - gross. Did you eat one? I will write later, have to go for the day. Take care of yourself and we love you.
ReplyDeleteKelly