Thursday, July 2, 2015

Life skills 101

When you join the Peace Corps, you have a vague idea of what you're getting yourself into. You know you're going to live with a host family in a foreign country, learn a new language and meet new people from different cultures and traditions. What you don't know is what types of experiences you will have: the little moments that make bucket baths, distance from family and endless mysterious foods worth it. 

Today started out as just another day in Sé. I woke up, got dressed and sat down for a breakfast omelette and some Nescafé (this still doesn't count as coffee but it'll do the trick). Christiane walked me to school in time for my 8:00 French class. While waiting for class to start, I tried out some of my new Abadja dance moves with the kids, only to embarrass myself terribly. But c'est la vie! 

Mark and Leland are attempting to teach all the kids about Crossfit and decided to give a burpee demo this morning too! Everyone was thoroughly amused. 


Our first French class ended by 10 and we left the school for a field trip to the market. This week the main market day in Sé was Thursday, and our teacher wanted us to have the real market experience.  

I love open markets. The variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, the piles of fabrics and the odd collection of animal heads remind you of the intricate beauty of a new culture. We walked around for over a hour, bartering for our first pieces of tissu (traditional Beninese fabric) and snacking on fresh grape tomatoes. 

Stowing away our goods, we returned to the school, grabbing a quick lunch of avocado and omelette sandwiches en route. 

Unlike most days, when we spend the afternoon participating in general lecture sessions, we spent this afternoon with Papa Velo (his real name is Mustapha), learning everyone you would ever want to know about bikes. 


So, I now know how to replace a tire, fix a chain, check the brakes and repair a leak. Thanks peace corps for these valuable life skills (that I hope I will never have to use!)


As we were getting ready to actually practice riding the bikes, the sky opened up and we had our first major rain storm here in Benin. The rain was so loud on the roof of the school that we couldn't hear the person next to us, so we just stopped and watched the rain fall, and quickly flood the school yard. While most kids would shy away from the mud and pools of murky water, the Beninese students began sliding through the puddles, savoring the opportunity to play in the rain. 


When 5 o'clock rolled around, I decided to brave the storm on my bike. Leland and I headed off towards home, struggling to navigate the mud, sand, pothole, puddles and animals on the dirt path. Needless to say, I may not do that again, but I received a warm welcome from my family when I arrived caked in dirt. They are the best!

Tomorrow we leave for Lokossa at 6 am for more classes and a big 4th of July celebration on Saturday. We are planning a huge American style feast, outdoor games and a fashion show! 

Off to pack and find some red, white and blue!


96 comments:

  1. Learning second language would give one self confidence to look the world in a different perspective. You have made me to realize that in a moment on reading this article. Thanks for sharing this in here. By the way you are running a great blog.
    French Classes in Chennai | French Training in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have read your blog its very attractive and impressive. I like it your blog.

    Java Training in Chennai Core Java Training in Chennai Core Java Training in Chennai

    Java Online Training Java Training in Chennai Core Java 8 Training in Chennai Core Java 8 Training in Chennai JavaEE Training in Chennai Java EE Training in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing this informative content that guided me to know the details about the training. CCNA Training Institute in Chennai | CCNA Training Institute in Velachery.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is excellent information. It is amazing and wonderful to visit your site.Thanks for sharing this information, this is useful to me…
    Java Training Institute in Chennai | DotNet Training Institute in Chennai | Web Designing Training Institute in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your very own commitment to getting the message throughout came
    to be rather powerful and have consistently enabled employees just
    like me to arrive at their desired goals.



    Selenium Training in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  6. I simply wanted to thank you so much again. I am not sure the things that I might have gone through without the type of hints revealed by you regarding that situation.
    Besant technologies Marathahalli

    ReplyDelete
  7. I believe there are many more pleasurable opportunities ahead for individuals that looked at your site.
    rprogramming training in bangalore

    ReplyDelete


  8. I believe there are many more pleasurable opportunities ahead for individuals that looked at your site.

    Selenium Training in Bangalore

    ReplyDelete
  9. After reading this whole article I wanna say one word yet thanks for the suggestions that you are contributed here.
    Best Online Software Training Institute | Data Science Training

    ReplyDelete
  10. Appreciation for really being thoughtful and also for deciding on certain marvelous guides most people really want to be aware of.

    DevOps Training in Chennai
    DevOPs Online Training
    DevOps Training

    ReplyDelete
  11. mytectra placement Portal is a Web based portal brings Potentials Employers and myTectra Candidates on a common platform for placement assistance.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is very useful for me to learn and understand easily. Thanks for sharing your valuable information and time.

    CEH Training In Hyderbad

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello, I read your blog occasionally, and I own a similar one, and I was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me insane, so any assistance is very much appreciated.
    Data science Course Training in Chennai |Best Data Science Training Institute in Chennai
    RPA Course Training in Chennai |Best RPA Training Institute in Chennai
    AWS Course Training in Chennai |Best AWS Training Institute in Chennai

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am really enjoying reading your well-written articles. It looks like you spend a lot of effort and time on your blog. I have bookmarked it and I am looking forward to reading new articles. Keep up the good work.
    VMware Training in Chennai
    VMware course in Chennai
    Vmware Learning
    Automation Anywhere Training in Chennai
    AWS Training in Chennai
    Azure Training in Chennai
    VMWare Training in Velachery
    VMWare Training in Tambaram
    VMWare Training in Adyar

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh, that's Great Post Thanks for sharing with us.
    This Big Data Hadoop Training in Pune Platform helped me to learn advanced concepts of all the trending technologies out there in the current IT market. really worth trying them.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.
    ExcelR Data Science Course

    ReplyDelete
  18. Post is very useful. Thank you, this useful information.

    Upgrade your career Learn Oracle Training from industry experts get Complete hands-on Training, Interview preparation, and Job Assistance at Softgen Infotech Located in BTM Layout.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I feel really happy to have seen your webpage and look forward to so many more entertaining times reading here. Thanks once more for all the details.big data analytics course malaysia
    360DigiTMG data science course malaysia
    data analytics courses
    360DigiTMG

    ReplyDelete

  20. Hi,Great information.Thanks for sharing.I always read your blog and get lot of useful information.Are you trying for deep data preparation and analysis?Then learn tableau, a data visualization tool from tableau training institute in bangalore

    ReplyDelete
  21. This is a very knowledge and informative blog..
    Thanks for sharing with us,
    We are again come on your website,
    Thanks and good day,
    Please visit our site,
    buylogo

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Howdy, I suppose your weblog may be having net browser compatibility troubles. When I take a look at your web page in Safari, it appears best however, whilst commencing in IE, it is got some overlapping troubles. I just desired to present you a brief heads up! Aside from that, super web sitepage!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your Website is very good, Your Website impressed us a lot, We have liked your website very much.
    We have also created a website of Android App that you can see it.

    http://damodapk.com/

    ReplyDelete
  25. I just got to this amazing site not long ago. I was actually captured with the piece of resources you have got here. Big thumbs up for making such wonderful blog page!

    data science course

    ReplyDelete
  26. wonderful article. Very interesting to read this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. This article resolved my all queries.
    Data Science Course

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very interesting to read this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. This article inspired me to read more. keep it up.
    Correlation vs Covariance
    Simple linear regression

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is a great high resolution screen which you have shared for the users. Making a website is not an easy task but managing a good website is really a hard work. As far as this website is concerned, I am very happy. Aegean College

    ReplyDelete
  29. Such a very useful article. Very interesting to read this article.I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. data science training in coimbatore

    ReplyDelete
  30. Nicely explaned thanks for sharing..keep posting such a amazing post.
    Movie4me
    Manikarnika full movie

    ReplyDelete
  31. Really nice and interesting post. I was looking for this kind of information and enjoyed reading this one. Keep posting. Thanks for sharing.
    360DigiTMG

    ReplyDelete
  32. Amazing Article ! I would like to thank you for the efforts you had made for writing this awesome article. This article inspired me to read more. keep it up.
    Correlation vs Covariance
    Simple Linear Regression
    data science interview questions
    KNN Algorithm
    Logistic Regression explained

    ReplyDelete
  33. A Computer Scientist figures out how to plan programming frameworks and gains top to bottom learning of the hypothesis of calculationdata scientist courses

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thank you for sharing wonderful information with us.Really useful for everyonedata scientist courses

    ReplyDelete
  35. I need to communicate my deference of your composing aptitude and capacity to make perusers read from the earliest starting point as far as possible. I might want to peruse more up to date presents and on share my musings with you.
    big data training

    ReplyDelete
  36. This was a very informative article, indeed loved to read and clear my doubts. Keep us posted a lot more blogs. Also check out our blog pages too.

    data science training in chennai

    ccna training in chennai

    iot training in chennai

    cyber security training in chennai

    ethical hacking training in chennai

    ReplyDelete
  37. One can get employed in food preservation production unit of any hotel, tourist resort, restaurant, food industry or take up a career in sales promotion of food products, baby foods and ready to cook foodstuffs. data science course in india

    ReplyDelete
  38. Such a very useful information!Thanks for sharing this useful information with us. Really great effort.
    data scientist course noida

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wow. This is amazing site for me. Good work on this webpage. Here is a detailed article on Earn money from youtube. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thanks for Sharing such an amazing article. Keep working. Here is a detailed article on Earn money on fiverr . Thankyou.

    ReplyDelete
  41. This is exactly the information I'm looking for, I couldn't have asked for a simpler read with great tips like this... Thanks! ExcelR Data Scientist Course In Pune With Placement

    ReplyDelete
  42. Truly mind blowing blog went amazed with the subject they have developed the content. These kind of posts really helpful to gain the knowledge of unknown things which surely triggers to motivate and learn the new innovative contents. Hope you deliver the similar successive contents forthcoming as well.

    data science in bangalore

    ReplyDelete
  43. Thanks for posting the best information and the blog is very important.data science interview questions and answers

    ReplyDelete
  44. Wonderful article with great piece of information. Thanks for sharing this with us. I'll take reference from your blog. Do share more such informative articles.
    Data Science Training in Chennai
    Data Science Online Course
    Data Science Training in Coimbatore

    ReplyDelete
  45. Stupendous blog huge applause to the blogger and hoping you to come up with such an extraordinary content in future. Surely, this post will inspire many aspirants who are very keen in gaining the knowledge. Expecting many more contents with lot more curiosity further.

    Data Science Certification in Bhilai

    ReplyDelete
  46. Extraordinary blog filled with an amazing content which no one has touched this subject before. Thanking the blogger for all the terrific efforts put in to develop such an awesome content. Expecting to deliver similar content further too and keep sharing as always.

    Data Science Training

    ReplyDelete
  47. UNIQUE ACADEMY FOR COMMERCE, an institute where students enter to learn and leave as invincible professionals is highly known for the coaching for CA and CS aspirants. One of the India’s best academy with the finest faculty aims to provide quality education for a better future. It is recognized as the best online classes for Company Secretary Course.
    cs executive
    freecseetvideolectures/
    UNIQUE ACADEMY

    ReplyDelete
  48. Trade FX At Home On Your PC: roboforex login Is A Forex Trading Company. The Company States That You Can Make On Average 80 – 300 Pips Per Trade. roboforex login States That It Is Simple And Easy To Get Started.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Login Your exness login Account To Read The Latest New

    ReplyDelete
  50. This is an excellent post I seen thanks to share it. It is really what I wanted to see hope in future you will continue for sharing such a excellent post.
    data scientist training in malaysia

    ReplyDelete
  51. OctaFx Review has been proven to be an extremely valuable investment tool. Traders can identify trading opportunities using action of market participants through charts, patterns and indicators.

    ReplyDelete
  52. During a OctaFx Review workshop, each attendee will learn how to interpret market action using proven charting techniques, searching for reliable chart patterns and indicators to help them identify trading opportunities.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Your OctaFx Review Account Is Good For You. Give It A Try Today.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Your Fxtm Review Account Is Good For You. Give It A Try Today.

    ReplyDelete
  55. VT Markets Provides Traders With The Best Possible Trading Conditions—from Low Minimum Deposit Demands To Tight Spreads And Fast Trade Execution Speeds. Read More Here.

    ReplyDelete

  56. Extremely overall quite fascinating post. I was searching for this sort of data and delighted in perusing this one. Continue posting. A debt of gratitude is in order for sharing.data science training in gwalior

    ReplyDelete
  57. Nice Article, I Really Like The Way You Set Things Out In An Easy Way To UnderstandFreelancer Ecosystem Keep Up The Good Work

    ReplyDelete
  58. It is extremely nice to see the greatest details presented in an easy and understanding manner.
    full stack web development course in malaysia

    ReplyDelete
  59. Find the list of Top 10 Forex Broker Nigeria Based On Independent Ratings, Reviews, And Online Presence. Find Out Which Broker You Should Choose.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Your work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts
    cyber security course malaysia

    ReplyDelete
  61. I feel very grateful that I read this. It is very helpful and very informative and I really learned a lot from it.
    cyber security course malaysia

    ReplyDelete
  62. Very efficiently written information. IFuturetechnologies.in - Best Cloud Computing Courses in kalyan & Thane.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Adobe Creative Cloud Crack Free Download latest. Adobe Creative Cloud 2022 Serial key offers up-to-date great creative applications. Adobe Creative Cloud .Download Creative Cloud Desktop App

    ReplyDelete
  64. Discover the latest news, updates and system updates from the number 1 homeopathic software in the world, RadarOpus.Radar Opus Homeopathic Software Full Cracked

    ReplyDelete