Bamako Belly and Time at "Home"

My kitchen as seen from the door

 So yesterday, I had my first case of Bamako Belly.  This is a pleasant way of saying I was sick and spent the majority of my morning in the bathroom thankful that I had a real toilet and a plastic trash can.  I was very grateful for my apartment and real bathroom yesterday! (pictures included)  Pardon my frankness, but this sort of talk became very normal when I was in Mali before, and it is something that is bound to happen again before I leave.  At first, I thought maybe I had poisoned myself by making couscous and veggies for dinner the night before (it wasn't that great... but with the addition of Lawry's seasoning salt, it's not bad today!).  Now I suspect that the shwarma poulet (soooo good!) that I ate on Saturday afternoon at a restaurant, Amandine, was not as good as I had believed.  I ate at Amandine many times in 2009 and our teachers often took all of the students there after trips.  However, lately it has apparently left several weak-stomached Americans ill.  Bummer.

My sitting area... bedroom to left and door on right

So instead of going to the market yesterday morning as I had planned, I stayed home.  I slept on and off and Faye, the owner of the guesthouse, brought me a little extra soup and some pepto bismol tablets.  Things shaped up enough for me to go to my meeting at 2pm at the Embassy.  I met the Public Affairs Officer, Kate, and her assistants.  They were all very nice and sympathetic, as well.  I go back to the embassy tomorrow morning for a security briefing.  I will also get a badge (how official!) so I can go in and out of the embassy more quickly and walk around without an escort.  I also hope to be able to meet with some USAID Health program directors soon (maybe next week) to talk about my research and maybe get some ideas.  I look forward to going back and to getting to know the embassy community a little better.  I should start getting the embassy newsletter by email and I am going to try and get a temporary membership at the “American Club.” 

Bathroom!

After my meeting, I just did a lot of resting at home.  Yaya came by and brought me papayas.  He is such a sweet guy and I am lucky to have him around!  I slept 11 hours last night despite resting a lot during the day, and today I feel much better!  My fever is gone, my stomach feels almost normal, and I am less achy.  I did some yoga this morning after I got up, cleaned my apartment a little, and made plans to visit my research site on Thursday!  I am really excited!  This afternoon I get to attend a baptism/naming ceremony with my friend Daline and our friend Assita’s family.  More to come on that soon!

My bedroom as seen from the door

My bedroom as seen from the corner