Sorry for the tardiness..

I have been really busy for the past week going on post visits all over the Alibori...it is a big department. I can't even stay here long because I have to bug out to a nearby department to go banking (there is no bank in the Alibori which has benn causing problems since we switched to monthly pay periods in June). Happy Birthday to my Grandmother! What is everyone doing for Halloween? I have to run back here to meet up with an official form the Embassy (that busy). Hopefully many of you have already migrated to my facebook page to see all the neat photos of W.African life I saved off the Cotonou WS HDs. I will be putting an album up of some christoph herby's shots, he is a fellow Alibori PCV that has an awesome camera as wel as some photography classes (I think). I am above .500 in fantasy, so that is good. I have to go; I hope everyone is enjoying the weather change (even in the Alibori it is cool right now due to rains last night!)

Package goodies...

I want to thank my family for the cranberries, cards, and other goodies necessary for the upcoming holiday preparations. I am still on the lookout for Kelli's package. I have been in the south for a while processing receipts and hope to make it back up to post at the beginning of next week. The operational money for Peace Corps was slow to get here (probably due to Columbus day).

Gardening ideas...

Thanks for the ideas. There are very hot peppers in the Alibori (called piment) and I might just start cutting some up in a bowl of water and then sprinkling it on the plants. I know while cutting or washing the peppers your hands can burn and you don't want to touch sensitive areas. I was avoiding natural pesticides/animal deterrents due to the fact you have to re-apply fairly often. But I think the next try will include these measures. Also I will start making a Neem pesticide. I guess I'm going green.
I just did my first exchange of receipts, so I'll find out in three days if the government wants me for fraud. Also, 3-2 in FF...tied amongst others for 2nd place.

Garden Disaster/Update

So I'm located in the Alibori...there is not much in terms of vegetation here, and the small amount that is here is seasonal. There are also large lizards...they routinely get over a foot long (nose to tail). This is apparently a horrible combination for fledgling gardens. Many of my plants sprouted, but within days I notice leaves missing and many times entire plants! I caught a couple lizards munching away and now the only survivors are 2 green bean plants. Anyone have any suggestions? I am currently hunting lizards with a blowgun but they just run away with the darts in their hides. I am also entertaining the idea of buying a cat or placing a screen tent over the developing plants until they are big enough to survive the lizard onslaught. I will try to get a picture of the lizards so you have an idea what I am dealing with. (NOTICE: I just went outside to get a picture of a lizard...I nearly caught one with my hands...when I noticed the 2 plants have dwindled to 1)

Getting Regular

So I think I've survived the bumpy transitional period...we'll see after I write my first monthly review. I planted a victory garden with the seeds people have been sending me and a few rows have already started sprouting (I hope it is the jalapeno but I forget what veggies are planted where :(. A new PCV TEFL will be moving to my town so I'm going to drop by her house to make sure everything is set for move-in tomorrow. It is starting to get hot again now that the rains have tapered off. Eagerly awaiting the harmattan so the temps will drop...not looking forward to another chaleur.

Welcome back to the Alibori!

So, I have a couple updates:

1: I found my IDs and bank card...sweet
2: I'm back on facebook, it should be easy to search me (a million bucks says I'm the only Michael Chadsey in Cotonou Benin
3: My first few days at work have been hectic and scary.

It isn't that I didn't get that much training...I'm sure Kelly did tell me everything I need to know. It was just that it was already a month ago when I did the 2 days of shadowing...watching and doing are different things entirely! Already I have been setting up post visits, arranging for gas bottles to be shuttled, getting the plumber and electrician to call me back, picking up packages at the post, buying supplies for the guards, paying the guards...did I mention I do this all in French? I really need to brush up on my phone French...when I can't see a person's lips it makes it harder for me to understand. It will all work out in the end, and I'm glad I was chosen for this job because at least I'm DOING SOMETHING! The new PCVs are now all in their posts. I told them to chill/readjust this week (their first time being without Americans in-country) and we will arrange post visits next week...I'm bringing candy.

Super Busy...

I have had a very busy past couple weeks. First: not last Friday or the Friday before that, but the Friday before that I lived through my first earthquake. I was sleeping in Cotonou (the quake hit around 4 AM) when I heard a rumbling. I first thought a bomb was going off at the gate to the Bureau but then as the sound continued I thought it was a low airplane or dump truck outside. Afterwards for a few seconds it felt like the room was wobbling. Only the next morning were we informed that we had experienced an earthquake. After that I headed to Porto Novo to help train the new stagieres. I spent two weeks helping with and instructing the technical sessions. Yesterday we swore-in 50 new PCVs. 11 of whom are new Environment volunteers... unfortunately none of them will be coming up to the Alibori. My region will be getting 4 volunteers after one ETed last week. I am now fully fledged as a PCVL and am going to spend the next week just reviewing manuals and old monthly reports before I go on my first post visits so that I don't screw up an expense reimbursement or fail to pay the guards correctly.
Recent News:
I might have lost my PC ID and copies of my no-fee passport as well as my African bank ATM...maybe.
I am 1-1 in fantasy football due to the fact that the Steelers can't seem to run the Bears into the ground.
I inherited 5 'scholarship girls' in my new post. The scholarship girls program encourages girls to succeed in school by providing tutoring and paying for school fees and basic supplies for selected girls. My 5 girls are in terminale...equivalent to our 12th grade.
I tore two large holes in my feet playig touch football with the new PCVs ( it was RCH/EA Vs. SED/TEFL... aka REACH vs. DEF SLECT)
Hope everyone had a great September