Blogs from Athiémé, South, Benin, Africa

In the last week of my Peace Corps Volunteer experience in Benin, I realize I have not yet posted these photos. I might even have some more later... I went exploring in the ruins of Athieme. I went the first time randomly, and without the camera. The second time I went, someone warned me that snakes like to hang out in ruins, so the dogs accompanied. I was assuming a snake would find the dogs before me. The other photos are of things dear to me- mangoes and small children.... read more

With elections approaching I find myself much more often with Beninese friends who have satellite television. Via satellite I can follow the American presidential campaign. Fortunately I don’t have to bribe them with cake to be allowed to watch; even they are interested in the campaign process. Benin is also preparing for elections, so my friends and I profit from the news by discussing political systems in Benin and in America. My friend Mathurin, who I also call Mr. Know-it-All, is a candidate for elections, and is my well-informed resource on the Beninese political system. I am not as qualified of a resource on the American system, but I do my best. As a Peace Corps Volunteer I am apolitical, but I am interested in the comparisons between the two systems. Thus I do a little ... read more

I hadn’t slept well and still woke up early. I decided to go to morning mass at 7h, as a means to get out of the house and in search of motivation. Arrived at the church I discovered there was no mass for some reason, so I turned to walk home. I decided to take the short path that passes through light brush from the river to the church. As I passed a smaller path that lead away from town into more fields, I wondered what was beyond and said to myself that someday I would follow it. Then I double-backed on my steps saying there was no reason that someday couldn’t be today. The path first lead along the river through a defeated corn field, nothing more than beaten down grass showing me the ... read more

When I was a little kid I spent a lot of time playing in the dirt. I eventually had a backboard to shoot hoops, but it was on our gravel driveway; to this day I can make a basket like an ace but I dribble like my only fingers are left-hand thumbs- though not said to be ungrateful, Dad. I was able to make do up to a point, but I only really learned the game of basketball when I joined the junior high basketball team and had instruction and a flat surface. The local basketball teams here are in a similar position as I was as a beginning basketball player. We have made-do with what we have, but have reached the point that to really improve the game, we need better equipment. For more ... read more

I awoke from my nap thinking, ‘I might like some coffee.’ My next thought was, ‘Coffee? Are you ill Erika? It’s the middle of the afternoon!’ A third and more coherent thought was, ‘Oh, the breeze picked up. I feel cooler. That’s why I dreamt of coffee.’ I stretched, woke up Bubs who was lying beside me, and kicked us both off the mat. The best nap spot in my home is on the mat in front of the wide-open double doors, with the curtains drawn. I pull the curtains so that visitors can act like they don’t see me sleeping, and I can act like I am not seen. Sometimes the breeze pushes the curtains so far inside that they brush the arm thrown over my face, or the pulled-up knee, and I awake enough ... read more