Arrival

So it took a full day to go from Cotonou, Paris, ATL, to SRQ. It was tiring but it was fine. I did not know that you had to re-check bags once you came back into the US. Had a tasty Taco Bell taco once I landed and my grandma had a bunch o people over for my homecoming, which was nice. Since this was a Benin blog this will prob be the last post. Peace out.

Final countdown

In the Office finishing up final reports, medical, returning equipment, and transferring my million CFA to the new PCVL. The office is closed today due to Ramadan so next week I start up again. Sent my itinerary to people and look forward to seeing everyone when I get back...and eating a new Taco Bell 'volcano' configuration.

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.

Back down south

I am in Cotonou again for a little while to help train the incoming class of PCVLs. After that there is a National VAC meeting here....and after that the new stage come into Benin. Everyone is excited to welcome the newcomers...and a few of us are excited to be on our way. I think 2 Alibori PCVs are out the 1st week of Aug. I come back down at the end of the month for medical. I think I really need to start on my resume and start spamming those employers. Maybe next week. I hope to get a round of golf in with Elliot before he heads out. I lost a temp guard the other day to illness (as in he is dead), and another guard is getting married so I think they will want me to attend the festivities (funerals are reasons to party here). Recently Kandi hosted a girls camp...girls were brought in from all over the Alibori. They really enjoyed themselves with all the singing and activities and informational sessions. They liked the soccer training the best...especially the header drills.

Still running deaf and blind in the Alibori

Still no internet in the WS. I am lucky enough to be typing on a computer linked by USB key...but it is leaving later today. Spent the fourth (our 2nd anniversary in-country) in Djougou. Many PCVs come out to battle a group of German volunteers in Soccer and Football (american). We tied in soccer...and the ensuing p-ks, which was impressive since we Americans are not known for our soccer affinity nor prowness. Only a little over 2 months to go over here. Trying to wrap things up. Thanks to Kims mom (I think it was Kim's mom) for the info on the warthog tusk....I have one and want to bring it home but I still have not found anything restricting me from bringing it. Warthogs aren't endangered or anything, so I think it will be fine. June was a busy month and July is shaping up to be more of the same...lots of traveling. Ready to get back to the US to be poor and jobless (here in Africa I am only one of those 2 things)

out of contact

My part of the Alibori has been without internet connection for over a month...it makes work only slightly more difficult. Just approved the construction on the new WS house for the incoming PCVL. Sched. my Oral Assessment for the State Dept in the middle of Oct. Does anyone know if a warthog tusk is ivory? Watched the US Vs. Algeria world cup match today. A beninoise was making noise at the ajoining table. I told him the Beninese squirrels weren't playing and he said he was rooting for the 'African' team. I didn't think I had to explain to him that the US team had more players of 'his' african descent compared to the arabic algerian team.