Finally Internet access

So this was written last Saturday 7/24/10…just so you are up to date...but I didnt get to post it until today....sorry

I figure it would be a good time to explain what my day to day activities will be like for the next 8 weeks during stage. I am staying at my host family Araba. There is Landry (Lance as I like to call him…that’s for you Yara!) the Papa and Elizabeth my Mama. They are so freaking awesome! Both are headmasters at schools. They have three children; two older daughters Carole- 28, Hervy- 25, and Rock-22. The girls are both married and live away. The son lives next door to me and goes to University so he is usually very busy but still has time to come and chat with me every now and then. I basically have my own house! I have my own sitting area with stove top to boil my water, so I don’t get sick, and a television which I never turn on (weird for me I know). I have my own bedroom and bathroom! Overall I have it pretty good!

There are a few things that I will eventually have to get used to: Climbing in and out of my mosquito net so I don’t get Malaria, going to the bathroom in a hole in the ground, my Mama and Papa saying I don’t eat enough…they give me the biggest portions ever, all the children yelling “YOVO YOVO YOVO” which basically means foreigner or white person. Today was interesting because we received our bikes, and they expected us to be able to ride home when Porto Novo is basically a maze! I’m good with directions but no one uses maps here so I can’t even picture where I am in my head! This is how I know how to get to school: Go out of my house and turn right; turn left at cell phone store; turn left at main dirt road; go all the way down and turn left at house on corner with red painted gate; then turn right at naked mannequin in the road (seriously no joke) and my school is a head on the left.

Close your eyes….Imagine me with my backpack and helmet on sweating uncontrollably while riding my bike…hilarious I know and imagine if I am the first white person you’ve ever seen in your life! Pretty entertaining right?!?! All along the main road small children come running yelling “YOVO YOVO” so I say hello and wave trying not to fall off my bike! This will definitely take some getting used to!
[I would like to insert as of 7/30/10 I have officially ridden my bike in a skirt! After two years I will be a pro-bike rider]

Cold showers sound nice but really are difficult. I can’t sleep with a blanket or sheet because it’s positively too hot. Last night at dinner I talked with my Papa about the weather and apparently December-April is the hottest time of year therefore they think its cold right now….trust me its not at all. They also laughed at how sweaty I was after my bike ride. My French is getting better; sometimes my French lesson is like a long game of charades. I’m going to be awesome at that game when I get back…watch out!

I think I was supposed to talk about my typical day…sorry. Rooster wakes me up around 5am. Then I sleep on and off until 6:30. Breakfast alone prepared by my Mama, most trainees have said they eat alone. At least my mama turns on the television and we either watch the news or Beninese music videos. Class at 8 which usually consists of language, cross-culture, and technical training. Lunch between 12:30-1:30 then more classes until 5pm. Dinner at 7:30, sit and talk with parents until 9, even though lately I’ve been tired and gone earlier.

My brother Rock wants to visit the US and he was showing me pictures on his computer of Akon, 50Cent, and Beyonce. I told him Beyonce was from Houston like me and he didn’t really seem to care, oh well. Everyone thinks its funny how the dictionary is my best friend when we communicate.

So August 6th is the big day we find out where we will be posted for two years. I’ve already spread the word we are meeting at a bouvette near my house to have some beers so don’t worry my birthday will be great! The following week we get to visit another volunteer at post to see what it’s like! There is a volunteer who is leaving in a few weeks and she was telling me about her post and project and a trainee is supposed to replace her….she is the only SED volunteer that doesn’t have electricity or running water…$50 that’s where I get posted!!!!! Anyways her project sounds cool and she loves her village and the people she works with….I’ll get back to you after the 6th!

That seems to be everything in my daily schedule…if you are ever sad just think of how ridiculous I look on my bike!

August 1st is the 50th anniversary of Benin’s independence so there is a huge Fete (party) in Porto Novo and the President is giving a speech and there will be tons of people! Its really cool to be celebrating in the historical capital of Benin! I’m sure this weekend will be a good time! I’ll try and take some more pics so you can see what I am doing!