Okay, I just typed out an extensive email and then lost it, so here's 
the short version: 

    I find out where I'm being assigned to on Friday; my first choice is 
the Gao-Mopti region, but we'll see. 
    Today we're in Bamako, where we get to see FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY 
CARTER and hopefully hear a short speech from him. 
    Happy birthday, Karen!  Sorry I can't be there to celebrate, but I'll 
be sure to send you something nice and I'm thinking about you. 
    My host family in Samanko adopted a kitten!  He's a sweet 
white-and-black baby, and I named him Samwise, Sam for short. 
    ...


    Peace and love, 
    -Eric