I Have My Clothes!

Tuesday, July 12, 2005 Bonjour! Cava? Benin smells like petrol exhaust, sewage, and body odor - but it's all fabulous! I started French class Sunday, and I have another today. Yesterday I got trained to ride the Zemijohn (moped). Oh my God! I am going to have to get used to it, but I feel I'm going to die at any moment. Today this girl from Rhode Island and I attempted to find the super marche (Mayfair) - and it was successful! I bought Diet Coke, chicken noodle soup, and laundry soap. The women here wear crazy bright sarongs and tops all of the same "tissue". I saw a tissue with a tumbprint pattern and a tea pot pattern. Very colorful. I got my luggage on Sunday, and I finally got to change my clothes - YEah! It's so humid here - I'm never actually dry ever. But I can't complain because the weather is really cool here. No one knows why. The food is mostly bread, rice, tomato/onion goo, and fish. I hate fish...so I'm telling everyone that I'm a veggie. The vegetables here are mostly avacados, tomatoes, carrots, and onions. There is this weird fried cheese that is great, and so I think I'm going to be eating that for protein. I was told there is tofu here, but I can't find it. My training has been moved to a village called Dogbo. We go there tomorrow. Have to go now. I have a meeting. More later.

Hello From Benin

Saturday, July 9, 2005 I finally made it back to Africa, and it is fabulous! The plane trip over was unbelieveable long. I did spend 6 hours in Paris airport - which isn't as cool as it sounds. I did manage to go outside for a bit and sit on the sidewalk. A bunch of French people got mad at me on the plane for blocking the TV, and they refused to get over it - even after I apologized. My big green suitcase is missing - it has all of my clothes in it, so I have had the same clothes on for about 3 days now. My ankles are really swollen due to the plane, and I got more shots today. I don't have to have as many because of Morocco. We got fitted for our bikes and helmuts today. Benin Peace Corps is the one of three countries allowed to ride on the back of mopeds, so I have a crazy moto-helmut to carry around everywhere. The weather is VERY humid, but overcast and cool - which is apperently odd. I have to go now but I'm doing great, and I miss you all.

Hello From Philly

Wednesday, July 6, 2005 I'm in Philly, and having a great time! I get shots tomorrow at 730am :(. But I leave for Africa tomorrow at 1100am :). We have a six hour layover in Paris. I'll write more in Benin.

Retrospect

I've never done well to keep a consistant journal...but I don't mind retrospect. I will be attempting to enter the backlog of my "Sunday" emails from Benin...Mostly because I feel that they are the most honest account I have at the moment. I'm too clouded with emotion to write objectively about my experiences in West Africa...and I wish to write fresh material when the pain has subsided to a dull ache.