Monday, October 03, 2005 I finally moved in to my house!!

Whew, this whole weekend was really good actually. Lots of activity at the workstation because there were two big meetings. I believe on Saturday night there were close to 17 people sleeping at the workstation. That's a challenge, since there are but 12 beds, but in typical Peace Corps fashion we managed well with what was on hand; couch cushions, mystery mattresses and any manner of soft thing placed on the ground. I was very surprised to see quite a few of PSL-18ers come in for the meetings (as well as to do some emergency banking... turns out most of us had no idea how much money we would need during our first week at post). It was fun to see everyone and hang out, especially now that I'm no longer a stagiare, but a full-blood volunteer with a whole WEEK at post!

In any case moving in was quite the experience. The plan was to move in Friday night, but we didn't have the keys to the house and the property manager wasn't around to give them to us (which we found out AFTER having packed up 90% of my stuff and going down to the house). So, it was back to the workstation with me. The next morning the driver for the mairie came to collect me again, and we were off! Shuffled everything quickly, got the keys and had the intention of coming back within 15 to 20 minutes so the property manager could install some lights in the back. Then, it rained like no other. So I didn't end up going back until the next day, but got the key to the main gate to the house and all that jazz. All in all the house rocks. The kitchen and bathroom are smaller than I remember, and oddly designed (I can't put my stove on the counter!) but all in all I'm very happy. In addition I was surprised to see a double-bed (no mattress yet) and a 6 person dinner table with chairs already included with the place. That really rocks, because I was going to order the bed, and was thinking about having an Asian style dinner table (sitting on the ground). This frees me up a lot, financially and stress wise. Rock on.

Last night marked the first time I got to use the meat grinder. All in all, I'm pretty impressed! It does in fact grind meat, and it didn't break or anything, so far totally worth it. It is messy, but I think it has a lot of potential. Hmm. I think I might even be able to make applesauce with it. I will definetly be experimenting now that I have my own place.

While it's probably a bit premature, Cindy asked if I had any suggestions for getting ready to come to Benin. Well, I'd say first check out the travel guide over at fon-is-fun.org. I think that most of the things covered there have proven to be fairly accurate. Also check out the Lonely Planet Guide to West Africa. There are about 10 copies of that book at each workstation from past PCVs, and I can say for the most part it's accurate and fairly informative. Of course your PCV will be 10 times better by the time many come, but I learned quite a bit about Parakou during my stay at the workstation just from the book itself. Finally, just prepare yourself mentally to be frustrated. Things don't work here like they do in the states. You may wait around for hours, people may not come when they say they are going to, and few things that ought to be easy will be. Beyond that, I don't know... maybe find a friend with a motorcycle and practice riding on the back, because you will for sure be doing that here. Zemis are completely unavoidable if you want to get anywhere. They aren't bad at all once you get used to them, but the first few rides can be a bit terrifying. Beyond that, I'm not really sure yet. I've only been in country for a few months (I believe tomorrow will mark exactly 3 months since I left home).

Oh yes, and one excellent funny story. This occured the other day in the marche with Ly. A youngish boy (around 14 or so probably) was carrying these bizzare looking whip like things through. I approached him

"What are those?"
"Whips."
"Like, for domestic animals?"
"Yeah, wanna buy one?"
"No, I don't actually have any domestic animals"
"That's okay, you could use it in the bedroom."

Bam. That was quite possibly the funniest thing to happen me so far in country. For that reply he almost earned me buying a whip for him. Almost.

One final note. I think I'm going to start growing another goatee. The last time I came to Parakou I was called "madame" 3 times. In the past week, we're so far up to 2. I'll start as soon as I buy a mirror.