wet skirt

a quick story, since lunch is being served on the balcony as I type:

Yesterday, after a peace corps brunch, we had a couple of hours to kill. We (a few other trainees and I) crossed the extremely busy street in front of our retreat center to pass those hours chatting at a little bar. After a while I asked a current volunteer to ask our waitress if there was a latrine somewhere nearby that I could use, since I had just thrown back a big bottle of water and a beer. So when she got a free moment, the waitress brought me back a few blocks to her house, where her mama was washing clothes in the yard. She motioned towards a corner of the yard where I could take care of things. And you know, no biggee. I've gone camping, I've had to do the squatting business. Piece o'cake.

But I've never done it in a skirt before.

And I got pee on my skirt.

And I speak no French.
The waitress noticed, and somehow I knew how to ask for a little water, but she and her mama had already run over with a bowl of soapy water. They helped me scrub it out, laughing and smiling the entire time. After she rinsed off her face and feet (Beninese are very, very clean), she ran into the house to get me some perfume to spray on my big ol wet skirt.
And though I never expected to be able to say that I'm glad I peed on my own skirt, I'm pretty glad, because this girl and her mom were so nice to me. It was amazing. After saying merci beaucoup a million times we raced (literally, and I lost) back to the bar where I told everyone about how wonderful our waitress is, and how incapable I am of squatting to pee in a skirt.

Something tells me things are going to be alright around here.

cotonou

After over 24 hours of strait travel, I'm in Cotonou, Benin. Safe and Sound. We got in last night at about 8:30. There isn't much time to talk about first impressions (58 new trainees are waiting to email home), but THIS IS AFRICA. Also, I was issued my bike, and motorcycle helmet today. Apparently the only way to really get around is to take a moto taxi, and Beninese volunteers are some of the only Peace Corps volunteers allowed to ride motos.

I also had my french placement test. Eh. Wish me luck, kids.

countdown

After spending four weeks in Germany with my little sister, there are only four days until I get on a plane in Fresno, heading towards Philadelphia, and then heading to Benin. You’d think I’d had enough of airplanes, and maybe I have, but these next few flights will be the last ones for two years.

My Germany vacation was wonderful. The tone for the trip was set the day after we landed, when our uncle took us on a 20 mile alpine bike ride. I was pleasantly surprised with how well I did, but maybe I only did well in comparison with my sister, who did a lot of huffing and puffing up the hills. I think its fair to say that things got easier after that, when we were able to see ruins, castles, art museums, do some driving on the autobahn, see beautiful little villages, some of France, the Black Forest, and almost every World Cup game. I know more about international soccer than I ever wanted to. And Germany should have made it all the way.

Although what we were able to see in Germany was priceless, I think what I most appreciated was the opportunity to get to know that half of my family better. My aunts, uncles, and cousins made the trip. I just hope that I won’t wait another 12 years to go back.

Now that I’ve unpacked though, its time to start packing again. On my to-do list is posting this, and letting everyone know my itinerary and address,
So:
July 17 – fly to Philadelphia for my “staging event” (I’m noticing that the Peace Corps loves lingo). Apparently this is where they pump you full of immunizations and make you play some name games.
July 20 – fly from Philly to Paris to Cotonou, Benin, and begin “Pre-Service Training”. PST lasts three months, and is 9 hours a day of language, culture, and skills training. II won’t officially be a P.C. Volunteer until I’m sworn in at the end of the training. Until then, I’m a “Trainee”.

I’ve been warned that it takes a while to receive mail, so maybe everyone who reads this should send me a letter tomorrow, that way I’ll get it sooner rather than later. Also, only send letters via airmail, since some things sent by boat have taken up to two years to arrive. HA.
So send all AIRMAIL items to:
Betsie Frei
Corps de la Paix
B.P. 971
Cotonou, Benin