Back by popular demand...

I’ll start with the cliché of saying…where do I even begin??

Here is the conversation the I have with myself on a weekly basis:

I have been in this country for almost a year now. Really? 12 months has passed? Yes, Lauren, 12 months has flown by quicker than anyone can imagine.

Oh yeah and I’ve been to America and back and truly feel like I have never left. Is this a good thing? Bad thing? Something not worth dwelling on? Well, whichever it is I suppose it is time to give a bit more info about what I actually DO here. When I was in America for the nuptials of Mr. and Mrs. Jones (Congrats btw) the top questions from all who were curious were as follows: 1^st: “So how do you like it?” 2^nd: “I hear you have a boyfriend…how is that going?” and the 3^rd question: “What do you over there?” I guess I’ll take some time to answer these 3 inquiries as best as I can…

Oh and THE OTHER QUESTION…WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE PEACE CORPS??

On the matter of how do I like it?:

Honestly, my experience in Benin has been a 10-month long rollercoaster ride. I have said this before but it truly is the best way to describe the extreme ups and downs you can feel all in one day, one week, one month… the funny thing is that not having electricity or running water are the “easy” things to adapt to. It’s the constant feeling of being an outsider…no matter how much Beninese food you eat, Beninese clothing you wear, or how much local language you speak; your every move being scrutinized by the “villageoise” (village people), they notice EVERYTHING and are not shy about making comments; and, last but not least, not having a schedule to fully fill the days. This last point is both a blessing and a curse...

But, all these difficulties aside, I am truly happy here in Benin. I like to think that I have learned to live with these people and not against them. Understanding their culture and their way of life is crucial to integration. If you don’t accept the way certain “cultural things” are here, you will always be frustrated. You have to remember that volunteers are here to promote new ways but not expect complete and utter abandonment of the old ways. Initiating change here is the most difficult thing that I have ever faced. On the other hand, people normally want to here what I have to say and are interested in the information. But, just like in America, we all know what we really need to do in terms of change but we stumble when it comes to taking action and actually CHANGING. We say “petite au petite” (little by little) we initiate change.

Once you understand “how” to live with these people, live is not so difficult. That’s what I mean when you have to live with and not against them. Accept the things you can’t change and be thankful for the little victories along the way…

Basically, this place is entertaining. The best thing is that if you’re bored just find a place to sit and people watch. This is an acceptable way to pass the afternoon, as is laying on your floor listening to music or pondering about how it is the kids outside are managing to make wailing noises for hours and not tire of it. The kids. Oh man, the kids. They are my best friends and my biggest nuisance. Kids are ALWAYS excited to see you, will ALWAYS take your bags for you even if the bag weighs more than the kid, will ALWAYS jump at the opportunity to help you, especially if it has to do with housework or manual labor, which is pretty awesome, and will ALWAYS bother you after you give them candy, but what little kid doesn’t?

So, yes, I like it. I am happy. I am sometimes frustrated and bored and lost but give it some time and something always turns you day or week around.

I’ve compiled a list of things that will always make me smile, no matter what…

-A child yelling Fatima (my African name) as I walk by. Simple and sweet.

-Kids rolling tires down the street.

-Old Mamas greeting me in local language.

-The look on their face when I respond.

P.S. LEARNING LOCAL LANGUAGE IS THE WAY TO A BENINESE PERSON’S HEART!!!! French is NOT their first language…

-Baby goats.

-Seeing how many people we can fit in a 5-seater taxi. My record? 10 people + 2 chickens and a goat.

-Women carrying mass amounts of stuff on their head. Seriously, it is amazing how much they can balance.

-How stunned people are when I go to the “farm” with the girls in my concession. They really think white-folk are fragile as glass.

-Eating igname pilee and wagashi (my favorite dish here…glorified mashed potatoes and their “cheese”)

-Going to bed a little cold! NOT HOT!

-Waking up to light rain on my metal roof.

-Watching my cat hunt for lizards.

There are hundreds more I can write but for now I think this will suffice.

Didn’t mean for this entry to be a cliff-hanger but I have to run and get on a taxi to go to Djougou…about 10 of us volunteers are putting on an empowerment camp for high school girls in our region this week. Should be pretty awesome and I will be writing more next week! So I gues this is ta ta for now!

TO BE CONTINUED…