Blogs from Benin, Africa - page 13

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Africa » Benin » South » Aplahoué September 16th 2005

I like to write in the morning, sitting at an old school desk on a bench on my porch. This morning Papa brought me two fresh baguettes; I am in the process of eating some with honey. I am not alone; Maman is sweeping in front of her door, and Papa and my “sister” Valerie are going in and out, getting ready for the day. Last night I played an endless game of UNO with Maman and Evarise, well, endless until 23h, an hour after I usually go to my room. Yesterday was a very active day for me; I met Jacy to go running at 6h30 and had a good run. We saw a hunter coming back from his night’s work, probably hunting bush rat. He was wearing a headlamp; that is, a floodlight attached ... read more

Africa » Benin » South » Aplahoué August 29th 2005

Funny how food inspires me: today for lunch I was eating peanut butter (which is no surprise, thanks to mom and dad!) with bread and fried bananas. I would have taken the bananas fresh over fried, but Maman beat me to it. Maman brought the bananas to my door and almost caught me living my secret life; I was dancing to Dispatch in my second room. There is no real reason why I do not ask Maman if I can play my music on the family’s stereo, except that I would attract far more attention dancing in the family room than I do by myself. I attract enough attention by walking down the street. Actually, by existing. There are little things that make me appreciate my life in America. Most prominently on my mind is ... read more

Africa » Benin » South » Aplahoué August 16th 2005

I am eating peanut butter with a spoon. Beninoise peanut butter. What’s funny is that peanuts are a staple crop in Benin, but aren’t used much in cooking, and as far as I know, not for peanut butter either. I bought this peanut butter from a woman who works for the Peace Corps. She recognized the opportunity to earn a little extra, and learned how to make peanut butter for all us deprived Americans. Of course, the peanut butter doesn’t have the sugar I am used to, so I will still appreciate some good p.b. from the U.S. Until then, this is pretty darn good. I have a latrine story for you. Excuse me if I offend someone, but I really think it is too funny to not share. The latrine is a distance from my ... read more

Africa » Benin » South » Aplahoué August 16th 2005

I am continually impressed with how similar my life in Benin is to my life in America. Granted, as my cross-cultural professor says repeatedly, “culture” is an iceberg, and there is a lot I have yet to see. But so far I am a little disappointed in the lack of shockingly different lifestyles. I have four distinct examples to share- The first is the Independence Day parade held August first. Just like any parade, I had a special seat in the grandstands with the other Peace Corps people and the mayor and all the dignitaries. Also, since there were about 20 people in all the couple hundred or more present that spoke English as their primary language, there was a special translated summary of all the speeches. After waiting four hours for the parade to start, ... read more

Africa » Benin » South » Aplahoué July 23rd 2005

So this is Africa. The Peace Corps does a very good job of masking reality, to some extent, to prevent culture shock. I spent five days in Cotonou before traveling to Aplahoue with eight other stagaires. In Aplahoue, we met our host families. My name now is Asse Beth Erika. I was told I would become the eighth child of this family, but I think there are only four children actually born from my mother and father. The definition of family here is very inclusive; I think the other children are cousins or friends who have families not as capable of providing for their children, so my family welcomes them. This is a very typical family in African culture. My family Asse is wonderful, and maybe one of my greatest sources of comfort. Considering the circumstances, ... read more

Africa » Benin May 25th 2005

Hello Hello, Première semaine au Benin, plus précisémment au Centre Songhai à Porto Novo. L'endroit est magnifique mais ne reflète pas la vrai réalité du Benin, ce pays très populaire pour l'ancienne pratique de la traite des esclaves et pour le culte vaudou, le centre accueille plusieurs étrangers occidentaux et est plus ou moins adapté aux besoins de cette clientèle difficile. Effectivement, plus de 300 stagiaires sont accueillis annuellement pour différentes formations allant du microcrédit à la culture du riz. Le Centre a comme objectif premier la formation et l'éducation à l'agriculture, première source de revenu pour plus de 80% de la population béninoise. Pour plus de renseignement sur la mission, vision et autres du centre, voir ce site: http://www.songhai.org/. Nous n'avons toujours pas de projt défini et ce n'est pas faute de faire des pressions, ... read more

Africa » Benin April 14th 2005

Benin was for a short period after independence called Dahomey, in honour of the Dahomey empire. Dahomey was famous for its Amazon female warriors, who were far more vicious than the men. The other main attraction I've just visited is the stilt village of Ganvie, built in the middle of a lake, which is Benin's main tourist destination. So to catch up with recent events... WED 6th By the time I'd booked into a Hotel in Cotonou, I was too late to get to the Niger Embassy. I needed to be in Cotonou in order to get a Visa. I lazed around for the rest of the day. THURSDAY 7th I found the Niger Embassy and sorted out my Visa. They asked me to return the next day at 5pm. I had some difficulty finding the ... read more
Cotonou
Ganvie
Ganvie

Africa » Benin April 6th 2005

I've just returned to Cotonou, the capital of Benin from Ouidah. Ouidah is the centre of Voodoo. It was also a place from which slaves were sent to the Americas taking the Voodoo religion with them. I'm back in Cotonou in order to sort out a Visa for Niger. I'm watching the situation in Niger, as there has been considerable political unrest in Niger in recent weeks. A General Strike had been called for the 5th of April but it was called off by the political opposition at the last minute. At the end of the last blog I had just arrived in Cotonou. So, on April 1st when I wrote the last blog I was in Cotonou the capital of Benin. FRIDAY APRIL 1st First thing I had breakfast of Pain au Chocolat and coffee ... read more
Porto Novo
Porto Novo
Porto Novo

Africa » Benin » South » Ganvie January 24th 2003

Benin was much the same as Togo, only a 48 hour transit visa but we did do a little bit more. We went to Ganvie, a stilt village on a lake just outside Cotonou. We took a pirogue trip out for a look around. That was ok, except that the first few places in the village we stopped at were tacky souvenir shops! The village was interesting, all the houses, churches, shops, schools etc on stilts about 2m above the lake. The market was great, all these women in their canoes floating in the "market place" selling their wares the same as in the markets in dry land. We saw fuel stations, fresh water pumping stations (take along your empty container and get it filled), all sorts. They survive on fishing, but the fish they are ... read more
Market at the Stilt Village
Sailing back out to Ganvie




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