C’est BON

I’m gonna need some pressure to be a blog writer. I wrote that last part and then lazily went to bed without describing what I was looking forward to. And NOW I’m already in Benin!!! AND it’s incredible.

I think I was looking forward to creating some of the same experiences I had in Niger, here in Benin. Like playing with children, attempting to make traditional sauces (minus the massive amount of oil they use), and walking up to strangers and trying to make conversation. The longer I’m here, the more I realize that I don’t necessarily and shouldn’t be trying to search for the same sensations and experiences of Niger. My experiences in Benin are as unique and different as each person is individual and unique in their own ways. I can’t imagine my impressions of Niger ever leaving me and I guard PC Niger close to my heart. However, the new adventures of Benin have already been incredible.

Meeting all the new stagiares/trainees in Philadelphia was filled with that amusing nervousness and chit chat that surrounds all great liftoffs. In Benin, there are four groups Health, Business, Education, and Environment. All four groups undergo training at the same time, thus that makes about 53 of us!

My first impressions of Benin sounded something like this: “Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! No WAY! Is that water? What?! Look at all the greeeeen down there. No WAY! Yayayayayaayaay!” The climate here is definitely tropical. Warm humidity that quickly creates a thin layer of sweat, along with lush trees of the banana, mango, and coconut variety. We spent a couple days in Cotonou and despite feeling minorly isolated from real life, some volunteers who’ve been here a year took us on some foot tours.

First, let us discuss the market. Not even the BIG market. Your average market in the South is filled, FILLED with produce. Giant avocados, green leafy lettuce, plump carrots, palm nuts, crabs, fish, oranges, BANANAS, PINEAPPLE, chickens, huge arrays of spices, peppers…I could continue. And probably will on other occasions. Btw, pineapple=100cfa (around 500cfa=$1) =life is goooood.

We then moved out to Porto Novo where we live dotted throughout the capital with our host families. There was a juice cocktail gathering for our first encounters with the fambam (family). My encounter went something like this:  Having just come back from the bathroom I hear fellow trainees calling my name. They have found my family. I walk over and there’s a sassy petite 18 year old grinning at me with open arms. Her name is Larissa and she is so fabulous, words do not describe. She immediately gave me a bisou on each cheek and ushered me over to meet 16 year old Jomeo.

Let me give you the break down on the familial situation. Mama is a midwife and works 1 day for 24 hours and then has 2 days off. Papa does something with business management regarding potable water and is away during the week only to return on weekends. Jomeo is NOT my real brother (but kinda as that’s what I call him.) I have two little brothers. The youngest I have not yet encountered, but the 14 year old named Leodoric (Leo), just came back yesterday! And he was first in his class for English this year. Oh heyyyyy!

So far we haven’t done many sessions on teaching. It’s been mostly French, French, and more French. Which is great! I def need fine tuning and improvement, so I appreciate it. It’s fun to have interesting discussions (what is the most essential in life: love, work, honor, money, health, etc.), to chat, to learn new vocab, and to have those “aha” moments about things that have always been confusing. And Beninese French is beaucoup different…accents, word choice, etc. Overall things are great. I feel happy and awkward and laugh at myself each day. La vie est belle. Ou bien?

All in all, Benin is incredible!

Next Step

One of my favorite memories from college was when my dear friend dragged me on a 22 mile backpacking trip through Death Valley. This being my very first backpacking trip, with just the first few steps carrying the pack on my back, I made a dramatic “ugh” noise. As a watched the landscape change from reed marshes to grass fields dotted with hills to canyon walls, I was amazed at how easily the landscape changed with the simple placement of my feet.

Imagine how the great pioneer women must have felt crossing the continental United States! They probably felt worn down and weary at times, but they pushed through. Thanks to my friend Lindsay’s mother, I now have a yellow sun bonnet (matched only in greatness by Lindsay’s green sun bonnet.) Clearly, I now have the wardrobe to move forward once again.

I feel changed by the heart wrenching (and sometimes gut-wrenching…literally) experiences I’ve been fortunate enough to feel my way through.  In a way, I am grateful for them because they make me feels alive. Like my spirit is lighting up and growing.

That’s all a bit abstract, I know, so let's commence with some concrete Benin adventures!