You know you're in Benin when...

…there are more “zems” (motorcycle taxis) than cars, you have a large helping of bread, pasta, couscous, or rice with each meal, you sleep under a mosquito net, when you turn on your computer there aren’t ANY wifi connections to be found, your first shower is actually out of a bucket, one word: vaccinations, the people are incredibly friendly, colorful “tissue” (the traditional fabric) is highly sought after by all new volunteers, myself included, the women can and will carry anything and everything on the heads in baskets, and oh yeah, it’s HUMID. I love it!

Not only are my fellow volunteers absolutely amazing, but the Peace Corps staff here in Benin has been so supportive and the current volunteers are wonderful. They greeted us at the airport and have been hanging out at our compound (I wouldn’t call it a hotel) during our first few days of training. We have basically been grilling them on all things Peace Corps/Benin. It’s been really helpful to talk with current volunteers, though in order to get a realistic idea of what we will be experiencing.

Sunday, the US Ambassador for Benin came to speak with us and his security officer gave us a briefing on safety. And, supposedly the Ambassador lets Peace Corps volunteers use his pool on Saturdays from 2-5, I’ll be taking advantage of that I believe. Let me reassure all of you that there is no doubt in my mind that Peace Corps volunteers are SAFE here. The Peace Corps security officer works really closely with the regional police officers and they are fully aware that a volunteer is in their region. Don’t worry I’ll be well looked after by members of my future community as well. Peace Corps has been in Benin for 43 years, one of the most successful and long-running programs. This means that the government CHOSE to have us and will do their best to look out for us.

We also started language training! I was interviewed, speaking the little French I know, in order to be matched with two other volunteers that match my level. There are only three of us and one “facilitator” so I’ll be fluent in no time! (I hope.) We took a little tour of the Cotonou Sunday and I failed at bartering for some earrings but I guess it’ll come in time. Things here are verrrry cheap, but I will only be making about 200 US a month so that’s a very good thing =) The exchange is about 500 francs to $1.

There are 60 volunteers total in my class and we are working in four sectors; environment (ME!), small enterprise development, rural community health, education, and there is one girl doing technology. There are 14 of us in the environment sector and they are all very cool people. I’ve even met three fellow geographers!!

Today, I learned all about my environmental sector and there are so many cool things I can do! For example, building mud stoves to reduce timber use, environmental education stuff, forming environmental clubs..etc. More on that to come =)

I move to Porto Novo this week to be with my host family. I cannot wait to meet them!

Pictures coming soon too…(it’s difficult to take pictures in public because people are superstitious about the camera stealing their soul and it is forbidden to take many pictures of the buildings in Cotonou because they are government operated so I’ll do my best to get some in the next few weeks).

PS: You can say “Beh-nin” OR “Beh-neen,” both are correct!

Au revoir!