I finally made it to Natitingou! Yay for me! It’s been an interesting first week here at post! Let’s see if I can recap: Arrived Sunday evening 9/19 around 5pm, I mainly cleaned/unpacked/organized my things then went to sleep Oh I also spilled powdered soap every where, broke the kitchen food cabinet thing, and got two serious blisters trying to open my back door…I almost broke it too. Other than that pretty uneventful first night! Tuesday I woke up to a huge pile of standing water from this plastic jug I filled up so I went to get a broom and some other house things that I needed at the Marche. I continued to clean and organize my house. Tuesday my homologue, Philippe, called me to see if I had made it into town. He stopped by and greeted me then asked if Wednesday I could come in to the office to do “some work”.
Wednesday went into the office and gave him my resume and information to send to some of the board members of BEF so they can get to know me. Then he gave me some spreadsheets on the students that BEF supports so I can start learning more about BEF. After that went home relaxed and decided that I didn’t want to cook any more meals so my post mate Jonny and I went for dinner and drinks. I am so happy to have a post mate and I am so happy that it is Jonny! He is hilarious, encouraging, and down right awesome! I have a feeling the next year is going to be great! Thursday was the big marche day (i.e. more ladies come to sell things so there are a bigger variety of things to purchase) and my homologue offered to take me to the marche. I am pretty sure he thinks I am helpless but at least I am excited to have someone eager to help me! So we walked around the marche and I purchased a few other things I needed for my house. After that one of the other new volunteers who is in SED named Josh, who lives in Boukoumbe about 30 miles away, was in Nati to get some work done. He asked if I wanted to go to dinner so we met up and ate at this awesome restaurant which is on the side of a hill that over looks Nati and it was absolutely beautiful! The food was really good too! After dinner, Josh, Jonny, Clay (the PCVL who runs the work station in Nati) and I got drinks and hung out for a bit. I’m not sure how many times I’ve posted this but I know I’ve said it a lot…I feel so lucky to be in Nati! I am so happy I have 2 post mates and will have other volunteers coming through so I won’t be too lonely!
Friday I decided that I was going to have “Fitness Friday” (cheesy huh?) and I rode my bike around Nati for an hour from 12-1 during the hottest part of the day! I know I am super smart huh? I was so dead tired…just for the record I almost broke my ankle twice and hurt my baby maker once. It was really good to get out and start getting familiar with the town. Two people stopped me and asked if I was looking for a specific house/person and I said Nope, just for the sport! And they looked at me like I was crazy! Which clearly I am. Then I went back home and did some crunches/push ups and turned my music up really loud and had a dance party! I am so sorry that all of you missed it! Today Saturday I am going to go to the tailor and try and get some clothes made. I also have a dress I want fixed. I think tomorrow I am going to do some laundry. I was thinking about paying someone to do it but since I really don’t have anything to do I might as well do that tomorrow morning! I think either this evening or tomorrow evening I am going to make a big effort to talk with the family that lives next door to me. I need help finding a tutor and I need to practice my French. They have three children the youngest baby is 7 months old like John-David so I will get to see that baby grow up for a bit like John-David! I miss and love you JD! Don’t forget about your aunt!
Side note: I am trying not to eat popcorn every night but it’s so delicious!
It also tends to rain everyday and the town shuts down so I’ve been stuck a couple times in my house, during the wet season rain shuts down the town and during the hot season the heat shuts down the town so that will take some getting used to! My power also goes on/off about 3 times a day.
School starts next week here for the children so it will be interesting to see how the town changes a little. Also there might be more work to do when the kids go back to school. I will keep everyone posted but I am pretty sure the first couple weeks are just going to be figuring out my surroundings and getting to know people. Still can’t believe October is next week…so crazy.
Sorry this was short, I promise when events happen I will start recounting them immediately so I can share every detail.
Thanks to all my Delta Zeta girls for making that sign and showing their love for me! I really do miss y’all! Congrats on a great rush, I heard y’all did great!!
I send my love to everyone!! Send me emails if you get a chance!
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