The week of FÊTES

(Typed back during the week of 11/15-11/21)

So this week has literally been the week of Fetes (parties) there was the Muslim holiday of Tabaski which is about killing and eating goats or something like it. Tabaski is schedule by the placement of the moon so apparently it was time to celebrate it on Tuesday November 16th. Banks, Schools and pretty much every other person in Benin had off. I had just come back from Cotonou so it was perfect timing to have a day of rest and relaxation. That night my postmate Jonny told me that his landlord (who also owns a bar we all visit QG) was having a Reggae concert at his bouvette. So after dinner we went to the bar and waited for the concert. All I can say is how ridiculous it was…everyone was lip-singing and the audience was EATING IT ALL UP! So unbelievable but it was actually pretty funny!

During the concert I learned that apparently one day off is not enough, Yayi Boni the current president of Benin came on TV earlier that day and announced that he was extending Tabaski to Wednesday so everyone had off again!!! It was the strangest thing, you know how when you were younger and you wished that someone would decide school was cancelled again because the holiday just continued another day…well this has always been a dream of mine…its ridiculous I had to come all the way to Benin to have it fulfilled!!! Unbelievable! Wednesday was an encore day of fetes and celebration. I was able to hang at the workstation with my postmate Clay and watch brand new (yes I said BRAND NEW) episodes of GLEE!!! For some reason Glee is the only thing that I can watch right now. It gives me unbelievable joy and takes me away from Benin for a few hours! Anyways we had fun and relaxed.

Today Thursday I met the Mayor of Natitingou, with my other postmate Jonny. We are putting on a World Aid’s day event and we needed to let the Mayor know of our plans. Fortunately Jonny works with the Mayor’s office so he knows everyone and he did all the talking. Little did I know the Mayor’s office was planning a Fete de la Beire (Beer Party like Ocktoberfest) for this evening. There was a legit Reggae band that played pretty good music 5 other volunteers and myself sat drank beer and listened to the band…we also got to watch Beninese people dance and act like fools! I ‘m not sure whats in store for tomorrow or this weekend but I hope the Fetes continue!! I guess if anything next week is Thanksgiving so that will sure be one good fete!

Sorry to jump all the way to Thanksgiving but here is the post I started from Thanksgiving!

My first big holiday in Benin was actually a great success! I was surprised that all the food was prepared before 4pm! I must say that the turkey (Earl…yes we named him) was AMAZING! My soon to be postmate Mary killed him this morning at 5am with the help of the workstation guard. Then my postmate Jonny cooked him all morning and he was ready to eat by 1:30pm!! We also had about 10lbs of mashed potatoes, our version of green bean casserole, stuffing and a TON of gravy. Mary and Jen baked 2 apple pies, 2 pumpkin pies (made of fresh home grown pumpkins) sweet potato pie, and pecan pie…and I contributed with carrot cake. Still not sure why I wasn’t ever a fan of carrot cake before but its so amazing! I hate to say it but my favorite thing we ate was the pumpkin pie!!! It was so much better than store bought! So at about 2pm we (myself and 20 other volunteers) stuffed ourselves silly with all the turkey, potatoes, and pies! Don’t worry before we ate we all went around and said what we were Thankful for! (I of course am thankful for all the opportunities I have been given to see the world and live this amazing life while still having the love and support of my family and friends!!)

Nothing felt too different besides the fact that I feed the turkey apple pieces the day before I ate him!! Oh and Grandma you would be proud I made brownies that could never be as good as yours but sure did come close! Everyone told me they were amazing so I know they would have made you proud!! I was able to spend time with some friends I haven’t seen in over a month so overall great weekend with good food and good friends! Nothing beats holidays like that! I hope that everyone back home had a great day also!!! I was definitely thinking about everyone!! I never realized how much I love Thanksgiving until coming to Benin.

Update as of December 1st:
I just realized that I haven’t posted in almost over a month…I truly apologize but things have just seemed to fly by! I can’t believe that my mom will be here in 17 days! I have fortunately booked the hotel and driver for her visit and am in the process of booking the room at the Parc and the guide! I have also helped my NGO The Benin Education Fund (BEF) aid flood victims this last weekend! It was awesome to go and visit small villages and distribute food to people who have lost their crops due to flooding. I also have the World Aid’s day event that my postmate is planning coming up this weekend Sunday Dec. 5th! There really is so much to do!!

I also just realized that it’s been just about 5 months since I was back home in the states with everyone! Some nights I have dreams about being in Houston and when I wake up I don’t know where I am for a second then I realize “ohhh yeah I joined the Peace Corps and was accepted and was placed in Natitingou, Benin for 2 years”…what a crazy life I live! It’s been interesting to be able to skype with my mom, and best friends Kristen and Tina….it’s weird that even though I don’t have running water in my house I can use satellite internet technology to see their faces and communicate in real time!


I hate to cut it short but I need to get some sleep, the seasons are changing and the Harmattan is here and people have begun to burn their fields so I have had some minor allergies with itchy/water eyes and stuffed up/runny nose! Not fun! I will blog about the World Aids Day event and post pics on facebook! Until then Happy December!!

I send my love to everyone!