Two whole months have passed - July in summary
Hello all!
Yes, it has been a whole two months since I have written and even longer since I've sent a letter. I deserved to be disowned, but them again perhaps its okay to be selfish from time to time.
Anyway this month has been crazy - so let me give you a quick calendar synopsis. Like Julie Andrews...I'll start at the vary beginning.
July 9th - World Cup Time
Soccer came big time to my village and really to the entire world. The world cup started right around the time school stopped, so it gave me an evening activity almost every night. I liked have an informal way to say goodbye to a lot of my fellow teachers. It was also a great excuse to go into Togo, especially when they were playing. I actually was on Togolese soil when the first goal of their world cup was scored. The people in the streets of Kara went nuts, cheering on their team, wearing flags, it was neat to be apart of that. It was also neat to see how my friends got behind the US team - except them they got beat by Ghana. Now, that was a battle that no matter how much I had done for Badjoude, that I didn't and won't
July 18th and 19th - Peace Corps Olympics and Glam Rock 80's Prom
Once and a while we volunteers need to let loose a bit and that was just what our doctor probably didn't necessarily approve of, but ordered. The Olympics were held in a village near Abomey and consisted of drunkish PCVs doing Beninese sports - like Akassa eating contests, hitting a bike tire with a stick, racing with buckets of water on our heads, etc. I was captain of one of the teams "Mr. Rodgers Bizzos" - Don't ask. Anyway, we won with a very good team moto, if it is a choice between finishing the competition or finishing your beer - Drink up!
Then the next day we had a mock prom dance. I dressed as Annie Lennox - wearing a jacket and tie. Everyone went above and beyond the call of duty when it cam to costumes. Seriously, we had Tina Turner, Ike Turner, Jessie Spano, Bevis&Butthead, and plenty others. A really fun night.
July 21st - 59 new trainees come
They came, I ate well with them. And I felt yet another year older. It was neat to see...again, just how much the US has changed. New clothes, shoes, heairstyles. But, then also to see how much has stayed the same. They look clean, fresh, and at the same time ready for 2 years that will change their lives. Obviously, lookin ahead 6 have decided PC is not for them. AND badjoude is getting a new volunteer - Maliaka. She went to school at UVA and already speaks French. Her father did Peace Corps and her brother did as well in Cameroon. Her sister is curently a volunteer as well in Mali. Yep, it runs in the family. She will do an amazing job in Badjoude and has aleady met the director and spent three days there for Post week live-in.
July 23rd - 28th Trainings
I went through two trainings - one for Peer Support Network and the other my PCVL training. PSN took place on the beach with Amanda, Alison, and Brendan by my side right next to the beach in Grand Popo. It was so nice to relax and chill learning new things and savoring our last months together. PCVL training was quick and in Cotonou. Ben, a second year volunteer will be in Kandi and Richard, a third year extendee like myself will be in Natitingou - my old workstation.
K....then I went to Parakou for a Goodbye party for ellen and the rest of the PSL 17ers and finally made it back to Badjoude for my last week at post. But, that is my August update...which you will have to wait till next time.
Love and miss you all,
Annie
