Hello again. Your favorite PCV is back in Benin. My three week vacation was good, a little long, but on the whole a very enjoyable trip. I now have visited five countries other than Benin. My passport is almost full and I consider that an accomplishment. In general, I found it so interesting how each country had its own little nuances; own quarks, own hassles, and own charm. However, there was something still connecting each place. I still cannot put my finger on what exactly that could be, but I am looking forward to finding out.
Niamey, Niger
This was pretty much five days of chillin for me, but part of a vacation is surrounding yourself with good people and that is exactly what I did. I cannot tell you how neat it was to see Abby, Al, and Rajai my fellow DPUers. They have a completely different experience than I do, but yet we all are a member of something bigger together once again. Its almost like the high school kids who already have something in common and then chose to go to the same college. Anyway, I spent time with them - shopping, eating good food, and attending a fundraiser complete with dancing and a talent show.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
After my time in Niamey I met up with Katherine and Asha, fellow PCV teachers, and we took an eight hour bus to the capital of BF. We imediately went to get our Mail visas and then had to wait the weekend for our extensions to Burkina for an entire year. It was free so why not right? The weekend was mostly spent in the American Recreation Center they have there for Ex-Pats. Oh my it was glorious eating a real bacon cheeseburger and a chocolate shake. They have a satelite dish, so I spent an entire day transfixed watching CNN, the Today Show, Sunday Football, and of course a reality TV show or two. I know, not your idea of a vacation, but the pool table and the swimming pool were used a little too.
Okay....to be continued...I have to go! I know you will wait patiently. The best is yet to come!