Happy Fourth of July!
I was trying to remember what I did last year at this time. I believe I was in Greencastle with Alyson and Amanda Link watching the fireworks done by the Grable family. Then, we got ready for Alyssa's wedding. My how things change in a year. Not in the level of "fun" of course, just in what I am doing and where I am in my life.
This past week has been two training sessions. The first was TOT - another Peace Corps acronym for Training of Trainers, which is another ambiguous code for those who help train the next group of volunteers. It was helpful, but also a bit repetative of the other training I did in Cotonou about a month earlier. Then, these last two days have bee PSN training - Peer Support Network. There were nine of us who signed on as official members. We are just a resource for other volunteers who would want to talk with us about issues they are having with administration or at their post. So, yeah, that was really good though much like RA training and the like.
Other than that Cotonou has been okay. It is hard to get used to the hustle and bustle of the city, traffic, rude people, etc. when you have been living in the rolling hills of a tiny village in the North. I love eating ice cream on a regular basis and of course pizza, but the best part has been seeing other Volunteers. I think I have said before that these relationships are probably more important and longer lasting than the ones I have made with other Beninoise. I am not sure this is the point of Peace Corps, but I also know it is a completely natural reaction to want to feel supported and loved. Other Americans understand me on a deeper level and yeah, it has been cool to catch up after two months at post.
I will be staying in this lovely rainy city that has given me a cold with the air conditioning until next Monday. I have to write a grant, have my engrown toenail removed, and then meet the newbies on July 7th. Then, Katherine and I are headed out to Togo and Ghana. Needless to say, I am looking forward to that trip and will keep you all updated.
Okay, much love,
Annie