My last 11 days as a Diarra

So home-stay is over, as of this morning. I'm back at Tubaniso. I'm not ashamed that I cried, although I did the culturally appropriate thing and hid in my room to do it. All my 16 year old boys, Nanyuma, and Dura walked me and my stuff to the bus and I wanted to hug them all so tight they squeaked, but I didn't. I just shook their hands a lot and tried to look happy. But I was sad.
Last weekend I was bad and went to BCamp to drink with the Ameriki boys and didn't tell my family I was going. Every one of my brothers saw me, because they were all coming back from the soccer game in Camp as we were heading over, but when I got home Host Mom #2 had to wake up the Dugutigi to tell him I was home and so I could explain where I went. It was Colleen's birthday. We HAD to celebrate. And I had a ton of fun, so I don't regret it.
I did do some quasi regrettable things later in the week, but mostly I hung out, made twine bracelets for all of my boys (they're ballers, they can wear jellies and hot pink bracelets and look damn good), and practiced Bambara by drinking a lot of tea. I gave out all my Ameriki bracelets and all my Ameriki tea to my family (well actually I gave Dulai the tea, but he said he would share it with everyone, and he sleeps in my concession so I think he counts as family). We left at 9:20. I missed a call from the Dugutigi's phone at 10 this morning, only half an hour after I left. I don't think anyone missed me for real that soon, so either I left something behind or Dura wants to argue with me some more. I'll get some telephone credit later and call back. For now, I'm off to study for my final culture and technical tests, and mentally prepare for my language test tomorrow. I'll post pictures on facebook later today.