Well, I am 12 days from the end of training, which leaves me filled 
with mixed emotions.  On the one hand, I am thrilled at the possibilities 
that getting to site and beginning my Peace Corps service in earnest will 
afford.  On the other hand, I am nervous about my skill with the Bambara 
language and sad because most of my close friends in our PCT group will be 
five hours away or more once I get to site.  I am sure that I will grow 
closer to the Sikasso folks once I am there, but I still feel strange about 
preparing for our group to split up.  Ah well, all will be fine in the end 
since there are many opportunities to travel within country and meet one's 
friends for holidays, in-service training, etc.
     Random Malian culture note: there is no word in Bambara for 'late', 
since no one shows up for meetings at the appointed time and most folks are 
fine with this.  There is also no word for 'love' since marriages are 
arranged and dating is not culturally accepted.  Therefore, the only way to 
translate the English phrase 'sorry, my love, but I was late' would be to 
change it to 'excuse me, one who has me, but I was not early.'  Just goes to 
show that you can understand the norms and customs of folks in other lands 
much more by speaking a bit of their language.
     Anyways, in the next 12 days we will have our final language test, 
throw a St. Patty's day bash, and host the entire country's Peace Corps 
community for our swear-in day bash.  After that, that is after March 25th, 
I will be bussed down to the Sikasso Peace Corps house, where I will stay 
for a week while I shop for stuff I need for the house, continue studying 
and preparing to enter my village, and relax and watch some films.  Thus, 
this week when I am at the Sikasso house will be the perfect time to call 
me.  There are letters in the mail and more coming... thanks to all for your 
love and support, and I hope to hear from you all soon.  Right now I am 
reading Tad Williams, if anyone has any comments to share about the Memory, 
Sorrow and Thorn series.

      Well, peace out for now, and best wishes to all.

       Regards,
       -Eric