11.03.2007

Well, I have gotten used to my constant sweating; I keep hearing that it’s the hottest part of the year – but when isn’t it hot?! My friends here make fun of me for not taking the heat well. Yet when they see my freckles they get concerned and they agree the umbrella is necessary. Hehe. Still, I’m patiently waiting for the rainy season to begin- some kind of relief. It’s been mid-nineties with the normal humidity, so it feels like about 115 degrees in the intense sun. But it could be worse weather-wise, my friends in the north say. Other than the constant heat and resulting dehydration and fatigue, and I am well. The incredible Beninese people give me strength during tough times. Work is generally OK. I am working on two projects – writing for a PC grant for an orphanage (but have learned some new information that is slowing the process considerably), and planning a big handball tournament that is a continuation of my predecessors’ events. I’ve been trying for almost a month now to get my classes together. It’s never easy. Meetings don’t happen; schedules get pushed back because everyone is busy with other things. But I am finally scheduled to begin with my first women’s group (teaching accounting for illiterates using symbols), this coming Wednesday. Hopefully smooth sailing from there. These women are way out in the bush, illiterate, don’t speak French, organized and are amazing! I still help out with ongoing computer classes at the NGO. Basketball is going well. My team is improving but it’s hard when we only have a few practices a week. There is just never enough time to get done what I want to accomplish. Since my last post, we have had two games and did fairly well. The wonderful support I get from the high school physical education teachers and my team is definitely needed, as sometimes during games in Porto Novo the crowd can hardly believe there is a white WOMAN coaching this male team. The fact that they want to improve so badly, and trust me that I know what I’m talking about gives me the needed strength. Even though it’s not a big social thing like high school games in the US, it’s still challenging. An interesting and dynamic challenge I will say-- the kind that some of us have constant need of.

Yes, I posted photos last week of my house. I often wonder—am I in Peace Corps or Posh Corps? With my big concrete apartment (sorry folks that wished a mud hut for me), complete with running water and electricity 50% of the time, it’s pretty easy living compared to volunteers in other regions.

Revisiting the chicken situation – I have laid all the groundwork for buying and killing my first and probably only chicken. I have lined up a friend who will coach me and provide moral support. The other day at the office, an old man on an old bike appeared with a tied-on cage full of little chickens he was selling. Pierre was “in the zone” negotiating the price when I jumped in being silly:

-Maybe I should get one as well? I mean, I have them in yard now, but want my OWN to grow big and eat!
-No, you would have to build a cage first.
-But my neighbors’ chickens remain with the family.
-Non, il va sortir.
-It won’t like me?
-You will tease it and it will run away to another yard.
-Oh OK. Merci.
;-)

I admit, I do chase and throw beans at my neighbor’s chickens, but only once in a while when I am feeling a bit rowdy and need to amuse myself.

One big hurdle will be carrying the live chicken back from the market. That is almost worse than killing it- when it’s alive and kicking and barking at me for the 20 minute walk! I know, I know-- I am in Africa and this stuff should not be a big deal for me, but I need to just do it to do it. For the faithful, I promise to complete this before next time on here, and maybe have a photo to go with the post!

au revoir
Love, Sara