I made Thanksgiving dinner this last Tuesday at the San house. After Thanksgiving this year, we have been talking about how much fun we had and how great the food was, and how surprisingly easy it was to make it all. So through out my last few months, I have slowly collected random ingredients to go into our feast. Of course, it helps when my mom sends me a large Trader Joe's box of instant mashed potatoes, or when past volunteers send us pie crust and filling in a well thought out care package. Add to that a box of stove top that Alyssa offered up, an extra large can of green beans from the boutiki (local store), and some je (pumpkin) from my favorite vegetable lady in market, and you've got yourself a feast.
Knowing that Henry and Alyssa would most definitely be in San, we decided to get Lindsey to come in as well. And by chance, our three newest volunteers Hannah, Chrissy, and Michelle were also in. With seven of us, I had decided to pick up some extra mangoes in town and so we had a mango pie and a raspberry pie with mango on top. At the last minute, just as we were about to start dishing up, Tom came back from having tried to catch transport out to his village all day. (Africa wins again!)
With the boys out on the front porch, us girls had a great time catching up on village stories and each others' lives. When I let it spill that my conversation with my mom earlier that evening brought the unfortunate news of my school plans not coming through, it was my great friends who were there for me. "Well, lets have another drink!" said one. Others offered sympathies and support, helping me to see the bright side of it all, and letting me know that it was ok to be sad about it. And to top it all off, every one of them said "well, that means you can stay in Mali!"
I can't write the right words to convey the way it made me feel, to be surrounded by so many great people. People that a year ago, even months ago, I had not known. Is it the way that this experience throws us all together and makes us form quick bonds? Or is it that the people that choose to volunteer 2 years of their lives to a group of people half-way across the world are of a like mind and would bond together anyway? What ever it is, I thank who ever is responsible for the opportunity to make life long friends that are great for a good laugh, and a good cry, and who I could never have done this with out.
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