Hey all, my classes are finished, so I am now enjoying a leisurely day 
in Bamako, having just sampled my first Chinese restaurant here and gone out 
for cake and real coffee, the latter being VERY hard to find in Mali except 
for Nescafe Instant stuff.  Assuming that I passed the final language test, 
I take the oath during a ceremony at the U.S. ambassador's house tomorrow, 
to be followed by a massive celebration at the ambassador's pool.  I will 
have four days to hang out at the training center and get organized and 
relax before heading off on the great adventure in Sikasso.
     Let's see, what else:
     Last week I got my hair done in Malian-style braids, after which my 
buddy Thor said I should become a white rapper named '50 CFA.'  I thought it 
looked really cool, but it's also near impossible to wash braided hair, so I 
took them out.  I've got pictures for those that wish to see...
     Last night was one of those times when it really hit home that I was in 
Africa.  I woke up at 3 a.m. and badly needed water, and being out, I got my 
bucket, grapped my oil lantern and walked one third of a mile to the pump 
past four howling dogs, five braying donkeys and several chickens running 
about and sqwuaking and pecking at bits of discarded food on the street.  
Just as much as studying the language and culture here, little moments like 
this teach me how utterly different the Malian village life truly is.
      I have also been grocery shopping and preparing to decorate and add 
some furniture to my house.  My house is truly lovely by Peace Corps 
standards; more about that in future messages.  I hope you are all well, and 
now that the hectic schedule of training is almost over, you should be 
getting more letters from me.  Peace and be happy, and best wishes in all 
that you are doing.
      Au revoir for now,
      -Eric