After a series of setbacks in the SF airport, we finally got to board our plane. It was definitely not a rehearsal for the discomforts we were going to later experience. Iakopo couldn’t stop talking about how cool everything was. Air France truly pampered us.

So, almost 24 hours later, we arrived in Bamako. We descended the plane to a welcoming 96 degrees, and it was only going to get hotter. After waiting through a long line for customs, we were greeted out front by Debbie and Sylvain (the Mali trek coordinator), along with many volunteers to put our bags on the roof of the van. Then we were off to our hotel for the night: The Christian Boarding House.

It was very nice, a little hot, but overall quite comfortable. We even had a shower! That night, Debbie and Andy taught myself, Iakopo, and Miguel how to pump water. It’s harder than it looks!

The next morning, after meeting our translators (who turned out to be very cool), we got on the bus and began our unknowingly amazing trip to our village. We were quite cramped in our 5 row bus (seating 5 where American cars seat 3), and we planned a on a long voyage. At first, everything was pretty much uneventful, a couple bumps in the road, a few interesting stories, and then something happened that would live in our minds forever:

As one of the translators was explaining to me how the school system in Mali works, the bus driver slammed on the breaks. We skidded to a stop accompanied by screams and moans. It was obvious we hit something, but what? We could only hope it was an animal.

As a man ran to the front of the truck, we knew we did not get lucky this time. It was a little girl, whom we later found out was named Aminata.

The group went silent, and then things happened in a blur. Debbie, Andy, and the 2 translators jumped out and awaited the verdict. The village doctor said she was okay. No broken bones, just a little skinned. They declared it an accident. However, we had to wait for the police so we ended up staying in the village (Keleya) for about 3 hours.

We soon made friends with the children, teaching each other dances, playing foosball (they had 3 machines; you had to pay to play), and singing. One girl, who seemed to be the children’s leader, was very inviting and playful. She loved to joke around, and before we left, she asked me to dance. I had to leave, but they said if I had she could have married me. We were all surprised.

The rest of the day was long and practically uneventful. Lots of dirt and bouncing, headaches, and pains. And then, just like that, we arrived.

All the children in the village were at the front to greet us, and with the music and dancers leading us, we headed to the center.  Debbie, Sofia, and Iakopo gave speeches after everyone announced their names to the group. Then we were split up into our rooms, rested there for an hour, and then came to a dinner of noodles. After we went to a drumming circle, leaving at 11:00 for bed.

Just today was enough of an experience to make this trip worthwhile, but I’m sure there will be many more to follow.