The taxi ride

1/6 Bamako

I’m feeling much better about my homestay today. As selfish as it may sound, it was really reassuring to hear that everyone else is having a rough time adapting too. The thing I dislike the most about my family, how much TV they watch, seems to be a common thing among others as well, and even worse, which is kind of nice to know. I’m really glad I got placed with this family. No, scratch that, my family. I took a taxi to Point Sud this morning, which ended up turning into quite an adventure. First, my host dad gave the taximan, as they’re called here, the wrong directions, so he pulled over and asked me where I was going. I had no idea where I was or where I was going, so I called Cherif and had him talk to the taximan. Between the two of tehm they figured it out, but then the taxi wouldn’t start again. The taximan got some Malians off the street to try to help him push start it, but after 3 or 4 tries, they gave up. By this point, the other person who was taking the taxi with me gave up and hailed another cab. I, however, not knowing where I was or where I was going, didn’t really want to give up on the taxi driver who knew both of these. Finally, after about 20 minutes of awkwardly standing by the road, gas added to the tank, and a push start by another taxi (yes, a taxi pushing another taxi. Quite a sight to see!), he finally got it started again, and after a bit of ridiculous Bamako traffic made it to Point Sud. Then, of course, I find out I can’t pay the taximan because I only have a 10000 CFA note, and he can’t break it, so Soumaila has to pay for it, with a promise of a repayment soon. The actual time spent at Point Sud was fairly uneventful, just talking and a short movie on Soundjata. I split a cab with Julian and Haley on the way back, and got off with them at their house. I knew it was nearish mine, but had no idea exactly where mine was from there, so Haley’s host brother gave me a ride on his moto, which was more than a little frightening, not gonna lie. I got back home and hung out for a bit, not really knowing what to do, until Fatoumata invited me to come with her to her friend’s house. We hung out there for a bit, and I got my first Malian hairdo. We then stopped back home and immediately left to go pick up fish for dinner, which was literally just cooked and served. Head, fins, tail, skin, and all. After dinner, I watched a bit of TV with Fatoumata and Tamani, then gave my family the few little gifts I had. I sat and talked with my parents for a bit after that, and then Baba showed me lots of videos and stuff about his school, and we talked construction. It was nice to actually be able to talk to him for a bit, and start to connect.

My sister just kept buying my street food this day. I got a bit nervous about it, having been warned, but suffered no ill-effects. My sister and her friend also walked around with me for a while trying to find somewhere where I could break my 10000, but didn’t end up finding anywhere.