Bon Arrivee
After three wonderful, relaxing weeks at home in the U.S., I’m now back in Benin. I’m stuck in the capital for an extra day, and have been wandering about, jet-lagged and slightly disoriented.
I don’t think the disorientation is culture shock, after so many days in the lap of luxury in California. I think it really is from jet-lag and plain old just being tired. Actually, it’s a little weird how not weird it is to be back.
Mostly Benin is just how I left it, apart from a few minor, yet exciting changes I’ve noticed in the last 24 hours:
1. There’s a new flavor of Fanta in Benin! Fanta Fiesta – strawberry flavored.
2. Some of the horrendously pot-holed roads in Cotonou have been repaved. Bravo to the Cotonou mayor.
….
….
And that’s about it. The weather is a little cooler too, which is a relief. I’ve been struck all over again by how beautiful people here are. Physically, I mean. While they do sport some crazy outfits (even boarding our plane in Paris I noticed a number of men wearing tight pants and pointy shoes), people here are strikingly beautiful. Luckily with my American haircut and new t-shirts from Target, I don’t look so shabby myself.
Benin is still Benin. I’ve already taken crazy zemidjans (taxi motos) around Cotonou, had several conversations about development and politics with fellow PCVs, and tomorrow will get a 50 cent pedicure. The only thing that might take me a few days to re-adjust to is the food. Somehow greasy omelets and Nescafe aren’t as exciting after my mom’s cooking. Well, that and of course, missing my friends and family.
Tomorrow I will make my way up North, with my two overweight pieces of luggage in tow. I should soon sit down to make a list of all the things I have to do now that I’m back – grade tests, set up the optometrist’s visit to Tobre, start looking into a library project, etc. I also never had a chance to sit down and make some New Year’s resolutions while home, but there will certainly be time to do that when I get back into the rhythm of life in Tobre. I got the sense while home that a lot of people are disillusioned with New Year’s Resolutions, but I always seem to relish a chance to make new goals. Then again, I may just like making lists.
Probably those of you who make resolutions have already done so, but here are a few things I’d like to encourage people to do.
1. Keep yourself informed. Everyone’s life is busy, but it is a privilege and a real luxury to have a myriad of news sources at your fingertips. Caring about certain issues and places (like Africa) doesn’t necessarily mean writing a check to a charity, but may mean educating yourself on such topics. Maybe fifteen minutes a day for news? Just a thought.
2. Enjoy the little things. This is, as my youngest sister would say, CLICHÉ! But relish your cup of coffee. Pet your dogs. Not everyone can do these things.
3. Continue to keep myself, and other volunteers you know, in your prayers. Cynicism, intestinal parasites, and just plain laziness are always lurking around, and I’d like to avoid these things as much as possible.
Hopefully my three requests aren’t too pushy or preachy. Mostly I’d like to say, Happy New Years! And I’ll see you in nine months.
I don’t think the disorientation is culture shock, after so many days in the lap of luxury in California. I think it really is from jet-lag and plain old just being tired. Actually, it’s a little weird how not weird it is to be back.
Mostly Benin is just how I left it, apart from a few minor, yet exciting changes I’ve noticed in the last 24 hours:
1. There’s a new flavor of Fanta in Benin! Fanta Fiesta – strawberry flavored.
2. Some of the horrendously pot-holed roads in Cotonou have been repaved. Bravo to the Cotonou mayor.
….
….
And that’s about it. The weather is a little cooler too, which is a relief. I’ve been struck all over again by how beautiful people here are. Physically, I mean. While they do sport some crazy outfits (even boarding our plane in Paris I noticed a number of men wearing tight pants and pointy shoes), people here are strikingly beautiful. Luckily with my American haircut and new t-shirts from Target, I don’t look so shabby myself.
Benin is still Benin. I’ve already taken crazy zemidjans (taxi motos) around Cotonou, had several conversations about development and politics with fellow PCVs, and tomorrow will get a 50 cent pedicure. The only thing that might take me a few days to re-adjust to is the food. Somehow greasy omelets and Nescafe aren’t as exciting after my mom’s cooking. Well, that and of course, missing my friends and family.
Tomorrow I will make my way up North, with my two overweight pieces of luggage in tow. I should soon sit down to make a list of all the things I have to do now that I’m back – grade tests, set up the optometrist’s visit to Tobre, start looking into a library project, etc. I also never had a chance to sit down and make some New Year’s resolutions while home, but there will certainly be time to do that when I get back into the rhythm of life in Tobre. I got the sense while home that a lot of people are disillusioned with New Year’s Resolutions, but I always seem to relish a chance to make new goals. Then again, I may just like making lists.
Probably those of you who make resolutions have already done so, but here are a few things I’d like to encourage people to do.
1. Keep yourself informed. Everyone’s life is busy, but it is a privilege and a real luxury to have a myriad of news sources at your fingertips. Caring about certain issues and places (like Africa) doesn’t necessarily mean writing a check to a charity, but may mean educating yourself on such topics. Maybe fifteen minutes a day for news? Just a thought.
2. Enjoy the little things. This is, as my youngest sister would say, CLICHÉ! But relish your cup of coffee. Pet your dogs. Not everyone can do these things.
3. Continue to keep myself, and other volunteers you know, in your prayers. Cynicism, intestinal parasites, and just plain laziness are always lurking around, and I’d like to avoid these things as much as possible.
Hopefully my three requests aren’t too pushy or preachy. Mostly I’d like to say, Happy New Years! And I’ll see you in nine months.
posted by betsie at 11:05 AM
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