Update

Been looking for small knick-knacks to bring back to people commemorating my 2 years in Benin. Unfortunately Benin really doesn't have much outside of Voodoo that is exclusively Beninese. I have been traveling a lot in the Alibori the last few days and I have the taxi tans/burns to prove it. Saw a semi trailer split in half due to it MAERSK container weight. Also saw Benin in the news http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/19/world/africa/19benin.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=benin&st=cse&scp=2 I saw this crowd in Cotonou when I was down there a couple weeks ago. There is one of those investment offices across the street from where I pick up the bus line. People asked me a long time ago if my money was there...the company was telling people they were from America. I told people it was a scam...anywhere that promises 50-100% returns OR MORE is just silly. But apparently lots of people wanted to get in on it. I like how the article seems to link the many poor people in this country with the few rich, rich functionaries who actually invested funds in this scheme. I'm lucky to be getting out of here now, in case there are any uprisings in the upcoming election.

Winding down

It has been almost a month since my last post...sorry about that. Been busy traveling and wishing the 1st groups of PSL 21 safe travels back home. We started sending people back last week. My boy E and I did a lot of neat (and pricey) things for his last week in Cotonou, including massages and golfing. 7 mille for an hour massage was awesome and I will be back. Golfing was interesting @ the Marina Hotel. It was the most grass I have seen for 2 years....greens were packed oil sand....4 holes were on the beach. I've played better. Tomorrow I head back up to post to finish off my last month. Only 1 more up/down trip until I never have to ride that road again! I want to order some furniture for the incoming PCVL so his new house seems more livable. Met some of the new trainees and they all seem excited to get going...they are still soo clean (clothes/hair). After watching the first departures I'm eager to head back and start all over again.