Today was truly an “I live in Mali” day! I woke up thinking I was going to take a nice daylong bike ride to wherever the paths took me. It didn’t turn out that way. My host mother came to my house, as usual to say goodmorning to me and ask how everyone in my family is doing, and if I am ok. After the greetings were answered and asked in return she invited me to go out into the fields with her. They were going to the women’s field to plant sesame and some beans. Going to the fields is always an experience and I don’t always get specially invited so I decided to go….the bike ride could always wait. I got dressed and one hour later we were on our way. This time I said I was riding my bike, and not taking the donkey cart since last time I ended up walking the 5mile journey and couldn’t get back home because I would have gotten lost in the cornfields! So, off we went, I followed behind on my bike, myself and the baby donkey that didn’t want to leave his mother.
We arrived at our destination to find that field hadn’t been plowed yet! All that way for nothing. So, we sat, the ladies ate their lunch and then we chatted for a bit. They said the field couldn’t be plowed until it rains again. This is rainy season, but it hasn’t been raining too much here. So, back to Kamona for me. I came back home, and sat on my hammock to read. As I was reading I heard the laughter of little kids coming….’ugh’ I thought. I just wanted to relax and finish my book I was almost done with. Then I see legs, and 2 little girls sitting in the wheelbarrow! I couldn’t help but start laughing. How much fun they were having! Pushing each other in the wheelbarrow! Then I stopped to think how lucky these kids are! They have a rough childhood, no doubt, but they also have a childhood that I never had, or that I know my kids probably wont have. They have the freedom to walk around in their village knowing that they are safe and people are always looking out for them. They have the blessing of being able to play with their cousins 24/7. Family. Something that is so important to me. I remember as a child growing up I would love the time I spent with my cousins, which I was lucky that we were all the same age and girls! Poor Brian stuck with 5 screaming young girls when we all got together! Hahaha!
Well, later that afternoon I decided I should entertain the kids and myself and I brought out bubbles left over from Janels visit. They absolutely LOVE the bubbles! Both the adults and the kids think they are just the coolest things! I remember also as a kid enjoying bubbles the same way. We just had to pop all of the bubbles that came floating our way! I think we did this for about one hour! What fun!
That was my day more or less, or what is worth writing about at least. As I’ve said before, everyday in Mali- but especially in Kamona is a surprise and I never know what will happen.
We arrived at our destination to find that field hadn’t been plowed yet! All that way for nothing. So, we sat, the ladies ate their lunch and then we chatted for a bit. They said the field couldn’t be plowed until it rains again. This is rainy season, but it hasn’t been raining too much here. So, back to Kamona for me. I came back home, and sat on my hammock to read. As I was reading I heard the laughter of little kids coming….’ugh’ I thought. I just wanted to relax and finish my book I was almost done with. Then I see legs, and 2 little girls sitting in the wheelbarrow! I couldn’t help but start laughing. How much fun they were having! Pushing each other in the wheelbarrow! Then I stopped to think how lucky these kids are! They have a rough childhood, no doubt, but they also have a childhood that I never had, or that I know my kids probably wont have. They have the freedom to walk around in their village knowing that they are safe and people are always looking out for them. They have the blessing of being able to play with their cousins 24/7. Family. Something that is so important to me. I remember as a child growing up I would love the time I spent with my cousins, which I was lucky that we were all the same age and girls! Poor Brian stuck with 5 screaming young girls when we all got together! Hahaha!
Well, later that afternoon I decided I should entertain the kids and myself and I brought out bubbles left over from Janels visit. They absolutely LOVE the bubbles! Both the adults and the kids think they are just the coolest things! I remember also as a kid enjoying bubbles the same way. We just had to pop all of the bubbles that came floating our way! I think we did this for about one hour! What fun!
That was my day more or less, or what is worth writing about at least. As I’ve said before, everyday in Mali- but especially in Kamona is a surprise and I never know what will happen.
2 comments:
Monica, what a great story about the kids! I love kids. Kids thru-out the world enjoy life even if they live in poverty. I grew up in poverty as you know and Uncle Felipe, Aunt Cruz and Aunt Lupe and I all had a lot of fun playing in the dusty, paveless streets with other kids! We especially had fun when it rained because rain was so rare!!! Switching topics, I am up to 86 miles this month riding my bike but I have to admit it is so frustrating because I don't get anywhere (stationary bike). Thanks for sharing those great picts of the kids. Tu me manques comme toujours, ton pere (dad).
Estoy de acuerdo con Julian sobre las historias. Tu la verdad es que tienes un don de retratar lo que escribes, puedo imaginar a los chiquitos empujando el dron. Cuando eramos pequenos no teniamos muchos juguetes y recuerdo buscabamos lo que fuera para entretenernos. Estoy TAN feliz de que puedas disfrutar de esta experiencia que te dejara marcada para siempre, de forma muy positiva. Cada vez que ayudas a algunas de esas mujeres ayudas a levantar la consciencia del planeta a un mejor estado. Siempre te tengo a ti a y a todas esas personas maravillosas que comparten contigo esa vida en mis pensamientos y oraciones.
besos siempre, Kanki
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