09.07.02 - 17:02

Hello to all! Here's hoping you had a wonderful winter solstice/Christmas/Boxing Day! I did, of course. I am in Aioun with PCVs Jarad, Jared, Hectorvieve (married couple Hector and Genevieve), Madi, Brock, and Andrew. We had a fabulous Christmas Eve cocktail party at a French ex-pat's house, along with assorted French, Belgian, Burkinan, and German folk. Highlights: all Amercians spending the day creating 15 dishes or so, the Christmas-themed talent show, Brock's homemade eggnog, Christmas cookies, taking a hot shower, and dancing the hours away to Abba etc with the party. We spent the night at the ex-pat's house.

Then, Christmas day, we opened presents, played Trivial Pursuit, and ate canard a l'orange prepared by The French. (We spoke like this the whole time. "I'd like to thank the Americans for the meal." "The French, and Germans, must also participate in the talent show so that the Americans aren't the only ones who look stupid." And, for the record, despite the French backlash after the Iraq situation, I really treasure the French, especially for their contributions of wine and cheese.)

Right. We also watched "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street." It was like being in a Western city! At least for little while. And we all needed the break.

Today, we're headed to Nioro, Mali to begin our Malian vacation. Notably missing from the journey: my MiniDisc player, camera, and phone charger, which were stolen from Luke's house in Kiffa while we slept. A Christmas miracle!

Anyhow, as you might be able to tell from my prose, I am currently a bit rushed. So much to do before out 4 o'clock taxi ride!

ps, this was the first Christmas in known history when I didn't have a cold or any sickness at all! Now if I can just get rid of the nausea and diarrhea I got the 26th...

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