Subject: Hello from Mali <please forward>

    HELLO EVERYONE!

    I am currently at an Internet Cafe in downtown Bamako, using a computer 
that was meant for French or Bambara, but I will try my best.

     So far, I have been doing training at Tubani So <house of doves in 
English> and going on a trip to Bougani and Yanfolila.  The people have been 
incredibly friendly, and I have already used more French in a week than I 
had in my previous lifetime.  The food is palatable but bland, though the 
Farrantone, or local answer to the Habanero pepper, helps with that.  One 
comforting fact, as far as cuisine, is that the locals drink strong green 
tea each afternoon.  The country is extremely hot and dry, but it is also 
safe and extremely friendly; I already have a Malian name, Ibrahim Seasa, 
given to me by the proprieter of a cafe in Yanfolila.  I will have much more 
to tell when I begin training in earnest; until then, I ni che!  Please send 
all news from home to this address, since it is the easiest to check here in 
Mali.

     Much love,
     Eric