So, my school ended up being closed for a total of 3 weeks because of the war. Then it was a huge debate on whether French schools should reopen. The main French school stayed closed and is doing distance courses while my school and another French school reopened with increased security. We used to only have 1 police officer and a few regular guards at the school. Now we have 6 police, 6 military, 6 private security guards. It's pretty intense. They are posted at the entrance and around the perimeter of the school with AK-47s. They check our cars, in the trunks, etc every morning. It's definitely a different ambiance at school.
Plus, there has been a lot of drama at school regarding salaries. Legally, they are supposed to pay us (at the very latest) by the 8th of the month (we only get paid once a month). Well, the January salaries came on February 12th. The school had no money and had to take out another loan just to pay us. They're in major financial trouble and it definitely makes me nervous for me job next year. We just got a letter today saying that they definitely cannot pay us by the 8th of March. Great. Thank God we're on vacation as of today and I can push the money worries to the back of my mind!
So speaking of vacation, some of you may remember that my parents were supposed to come visit us in Mali. Well, my parents got too nervous to come because of the whole situation here (understandably), so we decided we'd all meet in Senegal. My husband did NOT want to come. He is such a stick-in-the-mud when it comes to convincing him to travel. But then, once you push him out the door, he is happy and loves it.
So he decided not to come for his various reasons. I was disappointed but also I understand. He gets really nervous thinking about being around my parents because he forgets how awesome they are
Plus he didn't want to leave the house/car unattended. I told my parents and they were super disappointed. They really really wanted to see him and get to know him better. Especially now that we're married! Long story short, he surprised me last weekend and said that he's coming
So we are buying his plane ticket tomorrow morning and then surprising my parents at the Dakar airport with him! I am so excited about this trip. This will be our daughter's first time on an airplane, first time seeing the ocean, first time out of Bamako really. She hasn't seen her grandparents in over 2 years but they've built a really sweet relationship on skype, so I'm excited to see that in person. And so excited to travel with my husband! And can't wait to see my parents- it's almost been a year now. Yayyyy vacation
I agree with Miri, I find anything you write super interesting cause it's so different over there than in here. Obviously you think it's just boring everyday life but it really isn't boring! I mean having men with rifles checking your car every morning and patrolling the area... Not something that happens to everyone
And YAY for vacation! I can't imagine what it's like to not see your parents for a year! I'm so happy you get to go and that your SO is coming as well. It'll be a great surprise!
Keep blogging!