The rest of Mémère's visit

The fun continued while Mémère was here. I thought about making this several posts, but I decided to just do one really long one. So hold on, there's a ton of pictures coming...

Sunday, Anne went to the Bambara service to hear the music with Brett. Then she went again with me to the French service.

Brett with our neighbor kids that come to church with us. I don't know why the girl, Ami, has her head down. I don't think she was upset.

After church each week we always go and buy bread at the "bakery."

That evening we went to eat with one of the nurses' at the hospital so Anne could have a real Malian meal in the Malian way- with your hands!

A meal always begins with good hand washing.

Anne eating with the nurse's father, Batoma, and his wife Djenba.

The boys ate with the nurse, Esai.

Kenan showing off his really big belly after eating. He kept saying, "I'm full...okay, just one more bite..." The boys love nzamé!

Mémère watched Kenan build this masterpiece. It's standing on only two blocks- all those toys on top are not attached. I don't know how he did it.

We also had the pediatric nurses over on Tuesday night. No pictures, though, but it was a fun time. We actually watched Amistad in french. I think they liked it.

Then on the spur of the moment at 1 pm on Thursday, we decided to go to Teriya Bugu. Anyone who has been here knows that you can't just pack up clothes and get in the car. You must get water, food, blankets since the beds in hotels rarely have anything thicker than a sheet and many other items. Amazingly, we were out of the house two hours later and on the road.

As we were pulling into Teriya Bugu, Kenan just said, "look, a camel." It didn't register with me at first but then I looked and lo and behold there was a camel. Dawson was amazed and in disbelief, "how can a camel be HERE? Camels live in the DESERT! This isn't desert!" It's a little closer to desert than you think, D. But he is right in that camels are rarely seen around here so it was a fun treat.

Taking a picture by one of the many statues. All lined up by height. I'm wearing a sababu shirt by the way- you should check them out. www.sababuclothing.com Our friends started this company in Bamako.

We did all the normal things we love to do at TB- feeding Fast Eater...

playing on the playground...

feeding the monkeys...

and looking at the funny statues...

we also went and played games while waiting for dinner.

here we are at dinner

this time with Mémère

then the boys and Mémère had breakfast the next morning.

Brett had coffee and the boys "da" juice which they love.

We love TB! I think it is our favorite place in Mali. A home away from home!

On the way out we headed toward Segou instead of going home. We saw a lot of different things going the other way.

A lady cooking in her kitchen...

Then we kind of got lost. Here's the "road" we were following.

Pretty scenery sometimes, though.

though other times there were blocks in the road.

Finally, we made it to Segou. Anne and I went to the mud cloth place where they show you how they make their mud cloth.

A little town right beside Segou.

Then we went to eat dinner by the river.

We had a great time with Mémère and are sad that she has gone! Thankful for the time we had together and the opportunity to show her our life.