Hey everyone, just sending out a quick message to let you know that I am
back safely from site visit.  I have begun to work on writing more
letters, so many will be arriving in the next few weeks.  Kelly and Julia,
thanks for sending word, my reply is going out in the next few days.  Tim,
God bless Peter Jackson, and may he long enjoy his well deserved Oscar.  I
guess the academy can wisen up after all...  As for Sikasso and Sheouba,
the words to describe it are picturesque, verdant, lush, rainy and MUDDY. 
I have a really nice house with an oven and gas stove, so I will actually
get to cook and eat well here. There are already a bunch of valuable
projects for me to work on, more about that in my letters.  As for
training, I have a language test on Monday and more preparation for
installation, such as learning how to use an incubator to increase the
production of chicken eggs at my site.  I take the oath on March 25, and
get officially placed in Sheouba on April 2nd.  The greatest adventure is
what lies ahead...

Oh yeah, by the way, the volunteer that I am replacing offered to take my 
instant camera and memory stick back to the states, so dad, be ready to 
start a photos web site in a few weeks.  Oh yeah, and for anyone planning 
to visit, the best way to do so is to fly to Sevare in the Mopti region.  
It is about a thousand bucks cheaper than flying to Bamako, and Mopti 
is where much of the interesting tourist stuff is, particularly Dogon 
country.  Dogons are famous for their cliff dwellings and artisans:
picture Mesa Verde except with people still living there.

What else: John Kerry... not my first choice, but he will do. 
Massachusetts pride!  Martha Stewart was convicted, I hear... how about
also going after the folks responsible for Enron, WorldCom, and the
cronyism involved in rebuilding Iraq?  Just a thought...

Anyways, I should be going, but I miss and love you all and will be
writing letters to just about everyone who reads this email in the next
few weeks.  Peace and be happy, -Eric


    Eric Severson
    Corps de la Paix
    BP 227
    Sikasso, Mali