The well-documented chicken incident

My good friend tanté and her son Frank

Chicken Stuff II

Hello my friends.

All I can say on this second part was that it was a semi difficult experience, and I was sad afterwards ;-(
And NO, I didn’t succeed. My kind neighbor came over to help me finish the job; she is a tough gal! I ended up giving pieces to all my friends and neighbors, as you will see on my photo site.

Wednesday-Saturday I was at a conference with all of the volunteers in Cotonou. We stayed in a nice hotel with a pool and let me tell you, I have never eaten so well! I’m talking buffets with scrambled eggs, chocolate croissants, salad, pizza, gyros and on and on. It was a good time, and even had a PCV male auction where proceeds went towards a gender development program. Saturday we held a fundraiser dinner for the same program. This annual dinner is like the Peace Corps Prom. We all get dressed up in traditional wear and have a nice dinner and dance. I volunteered to be a ticket taker, therefore I got to greet everybody as they arrived, including the US Ambassador to Benin who has a wonderful relationship with Peace Corps here. It was all really great!

work and chicken stuff

~~WORK STUFF~~

I talked with 20 young apprentices at Benito PHOTO VIDEO for a couple hours. The owner had approached me about giving a class in marketing. I agreed to come in, and Thursday I explained about myself, took questions, learned about their shop, and made a game plan. Which is gonna keep me busy. On top of everything else, I’ll begin quite a bit of work with them – four hours a week teaching marketing and two hours of English lessons and also maybe teach basic computer skills (what my NGO provides) if I can find some open computer time.
Friday morning I had my third accounting class with the women’s group in Sado. I usually catch a moto taxi, but I biked over there this time-- about thirty minutes, 4 km each way. The path is gorgeous and was exciting-- and luckily not too hot. I already wrote on this, but I have fifteen women and teach basic accounting using symbols. Under a tree. It’s beautiful. They have their babies with them. And as I become more and more comfortable, I realize I sort of like teaching.
On Friday the women were once again great; I had individuals come up to the posters and explain to the others. They had obviously done their homework. I am delighted when I consider how they remain so dedicated despite all of their other daily chores. I begin to feel lazy when I think about all the various, time consuming tasks they do each day in village.

~~CHICKEN STUFF~~

Yesterday I had basketball and then did two hours of laundry- which I am rather strangely beginning to love. Then, A CHICKEN STORY part I. Amadou and I finished a tutoring session which consisted of us joking around and him preparing me for what was to come after à he took me to the market, and when I laid eyes on the assortment of chickens all clumped together I about turned back. But I had to. I grabbed the rooster by the wings after we agreed on the price and I made it back with him like that – luckily he calmed down after the first minute. Then I began having fun in the yard, and even started to like him over the next few hours. I wish I could kill my neighbors’ chickens instead. Mine, on the other hand, is calm and handsome and of course, tied up, therefore I like it OK and is becoming a pet which I feed gari and water to. I am going to keep it a few days before ‘the attempt’ occurs. Anyway, I was late on this posting and wanted to get it up, so its part I only. In the meantime, I’ll be playing with him in the yard. I put some other photos on my flickr site. Wishing you a splendid day!