End of day 2 in Sikasso. We found out, last night, that the teachers attending our workshop would be expecting us today....just as well, I had little time to fret. I need not have fretted at all because our students are lovely, attentive, affirming and willing participants.Note to teacher friends: doesn't that just sound like a description of our own dear students? :) These adult learners nod, softly murmur agreement, "yes, yes" and sometimes repeat the last bit of your sentence back to you. It's neat.

We have 30 teachers with us---there are 7 women, I think. Many of them are happy to answer questions aloud but I could tell that some were nervous about their English skills. I hope I put them at ease with my self effacing joke about having the same problem in Canada when I teach. I can only use about half the board. That got a good laugh.

Before we began our workshop the local Save the Children manager spoke, then an official from the CAP or the local area school board and then the Education Coordinator spoke. All thanked us profusely and welcomed us to Sikasso in the warmest possible terms. The CAP official spoke about the need to open their minds to new ideas. The education manager spoke of the prevalence of English and how it will equip Malians for the future----in business, research, travel etc. Sort of felt like I was part of something important.

The first day was short and went quite well, I think. We got to know each other. Broke the ice...not culturally accurate...but for you guys it is, eh?.....Tom tells me it is -18 in Ottawa. About 40 C here!

Supper was had at a small, local restaurant. No more than a few chairs. One thing I liked, there was a barrel of water with a spout andbasin below where you could wash your hands in the centre of the room where we ate. Supper was grilled lamb, frites and green peas and onions and a tonic water (no gin, Mike!!). It was tasty and well prepared. All for the kingly sum of about $3.50Cdn.

Some facts about Mali I learned today:
1.In the south, where I am, the rainy season starts in about 2 months. It occasionally rains before that. When it does, they say that that is the rain that cleans the mangoes. (there are lots and lots of mango trees in this area). Some older people will not eat mangoes until that rain comes.
2. there are many native languages in Mali. I was speaking to 3 students at lunch today and each spoke a different language (all from Mali) and they did not understand each others language. Of course, they all speak French. Our driver was telling us that many people speak Bambara (spelling?), a native tongue,in addition to their own native language. In the rural areas, I don't know if everyone understands French.

More tomorrow.....

Bye for now.