Two weeks in Bamako

Brett had to do a 2 week course on pediatric HIV so that we could (one day) become a site for treating kids. The process to become a site is long. Hopefully it will happen in this next year. We had a great time there. We've found more things in Bamako to do so it was actually quite fun for the boys. I taught Dawson kindergarten. I enjoyed it, getting to see what he learns and actually watching him learn new things, but I was clearly aware that teaching is not my gift. Thankful for Brian and Julie who are here now teaching him. Such a blessing.

There is a new park in Bamako. It's awesome. You step in and you think you are in America. We sadly didn't bring our camera that day. I find lately that I don't take many pictures. Keeping up with three kids is enough. Can't also keep up with a camera. We got to eat ice cream and went to a restaurant that has hamburgers. I mean American hamburgers. It was so good. Even Kenan, who isn't a meat eater, ate a full hamburger. It was supposed to be shared between me and him. I got like 4 bites. It was great.

We also went to our nanny's sister's wedding. Anne works at the hospital, or did. She was the best nursing assistant we had (at least in our opinion). She is now living in Timbouctou. The wedding was fun. It was also the first time the boys ate Malian style. You share a common bowl and eat with your hands. Since it was 2 in the afternoon, the boys were quite hungry and ate very well. Except that Kenan kept walking around the bowl and eating in everyone's portion. (you are supposed to eat just the section in front of you). Here are the boys before the wedding in the wedding cloth for all the people from Koutiala.

We are thankful for the break we had there in Bamako but thankful to be home!