only a few more days!!!!

im so excited t,mmw were going to grand popo and ill be able to get some much needed sun on my legs!! plus no classes! and model school is over! and i had my last language exam! and only a couple more days till swear in! im so happy for this break.. ive been stressing myself out lately, working xtra hard for model school. but now im going to go to the buvette and have a nice grand FLAG……

In Cotonou

In Cotonou…

So I’m in Cotonou right now getting some medical tests because I’ve been sick for a while. It’s nothing too serious, I think. But I had to do a stool stample and a blood test (I KNOW you wanted to know that). The doctor already gave me her diagnosis but we’re still waiting for the tests to come in. YAY. But I’ve been getting some quality internet time and I’ll be on the shuttle back to Porto Novo this afternoon. Yay! Tommorow I teach two hours of model school so I have a lot of lesson planning ahead of me. Only two more weeks till swear-in!!

3 weeks till swear in…

…and it couldn’t come any sooner. Model school has been really draining. All of TEFL is really stressed out (overworked and underpaid!). That isn’t to say that I don’t love it here. I’m starting to love teaching which is totally bizarre on so many levels. But i do, and I love being around the other stageaires, I’m going to miss them so much after swear-in. Basically, if you didnt know, swear-in is when we officially become volunteers and are moved to post. My post is pretty isolated and we aren’t allowed to leave for three months. Which I know will be hard but I feel like I can do it. I’ll also miss my host family!! I was thinking to myself just yesterday…. what will I do without Mamans pate rouge? I eat it like its going out of style. I pretty much eat anything and everything here. I’ve probably gained a little weight, tommorow I’m going to step on Sarah’s scale and we’ll see what the bottomless plates of cous cous and fried bananas have done.

Have I ever mentioned the weather? So far here the weather has been great. I live a little far out into the countryside where city becomes forest. It’s always really tropical and beautiful which I dont think a lot of the other stageaires get to see since they’re more concentrated in the center city. I love it, even if it gets a little scary at night. As I’m pulling out water from the well to take a bath after school, sometimes I just watch the sun set over the trees. The wind rustles through the Sacred Forest which is across the street from my house. It’s always on the verge of raining. I love it. It’s really peaceful, and relaxing after a long days work.

So I finally got some clothes made here. They’re….interesting. You’ll see them in photos soon, I promise. But for now imagine a big blimp with the most bizarre colors you’ve ever seen splashed all over it. Throw in a few images of Virgine de Guadaloupe on the blimp, and you have an exact image of what I look like. See? You don’t need photos.

Workstation and Post Visit

So I’m totally excited to be writing on an American keyboard at the Natitingou workstation in the Atakora region of Benin. It’ll be my workstation from now on; a place I can come to surf the internet, pick up books, use an actual toilet, etc. It’s a few hours away from my post, I believe. I’m not really sure. It’s frustrating because I speak french but for some reason I cant understand my director when he speaks! Other than that he seems really nice and helpful.

 So I realized it takes about 10 hours to get to the workstation from Cotonou. But the ride was amazing! (relatively speaking) We weren’t very crowded and I was with a couple of other stageaires, so I was able to talk a little. The countryside is so green and flat, it looks like it just goes on and on forever. You can see a rainstorm miles off in the distance. Every now and then a giant rock formation juts out of the landscape. It just seems so much cleaner here than in the city. The air is fresh. It makes me so happy that I got placed out here. 

 So I only travelled about 2/3 the distance yesterday. Now I’m going to actually travel to post. Which, I mentioned before is Tobre. A small little town (village?) near Pehonku. From what I hear it’s an awesome post, and I already have my house because there was a volunteer before me. From what I heard she loved it there and did lots of amazing things. I hope I can live up. I’ll do what I do I guess;) But tommorow I’m going to be just hanging out with people since its the Independance Day celebration. I’ll meet the mayor and doing lots of other things I really didnt catch when my director explained them to me. And I’ll be checking out my house and thinking about interior decorating (yay!). Saturday night I’ll be in Parakou workstation hanging out with some other stageaires….which ill write more about when im over there!

 

As for now wish me luck with my post visit!

Letter Home

Hello everyone!

Voila here is my first mass email! So I’ve had a hard time writing this email, only because it is so hard to describe Benin adequately and to give you a good description and accurate account of my time here. I first want to apologize that there have not been pictures posted yet, I can’t find the plug between my computer and camera so it might take a bit longer that I thought to get all of you photos! I guess I’ll start from the very beginning, Philadelphia. I got in to Philly after a pretty long flight (longer than I thought it would be) and was able to meet a few people at the airport, by chance entirely. It’s so easy to find a PCT (Peace Corps Trainee) we’re in brand new Chacos with humongous backpacks and a scared look in our eyes. So we all took the shuttle to the hotel, got settled in and walked around town. Sadly I didn’t have much time but I did pass by Independence Hall and eat some pretty darn good falafels from a roach coach near UPENN. UPENN is such a nice campus! So old and ivy-league-y! That’s pretty much all I did in Philly. The rest of my time was spent in the hotel in staging listening to people talk about Peace Corps and meeting everyone in my stage, PSL 21!! There were 64 people starting out; all split out pretty evenly among the 4 sectors (Environmental Action, Health, Education (me!) and Small Enterprise Development). I also got vaccinated for Yellow Fever which was just the first of what was to become, and is still occurring, a plethora of different shots. I also got my Malaria medicine (bring on the trippy dreams!).

Ok, fast forward about 36 hours later. I’ve arrived in Cotonou! The plane ride was long but it was nice to be with other people who I could talk with. So we arrived in Cotonou at night so it gave us a little bit of a respite from the humidity. There were about 20 volunteers and admins to cheer us on as we walked through the gates. (yay!) We loaded up all our stuff into big trucks, crammed into some buses and headed to the compound. It was actually an old monastery but I call it the compound because we weren’t allowed to leave it without being accompanied by an adult (i.e. a volunteer) so it was creepily like being in a cult. Already our first day someone dropped out. She got here said a quick ‘hell no’ turned around and hopped back on the plane. Well not exactly like that but pretty similar. On the bus to the compound it was so weird looking out into the streets. My eyes were just glued to my window. There were people everywhere, at buvettes, on the street corners, selling oranges, mangos, pineapples, tissues, whatever they can find. The poverty was real, there was no trash system, and everyone just throws their trash on the ground, it was dirty and dusty and humid and I can go on. I can see how someone could look at that and just not want to even start to try. But, luckily, I was not the same way. I’ve been here for more than 2 weeks now and I love it more and more everyday. It’s amazing the fluctuation of emotions I have within a day. I can be really sad and missing home and I can be amazingly happy with my new life and totally excited to become a volunteer and move to post. But I’m getting ahead of myself; let me talk more about Cotonou.

Ok, to be honest I didn’t really like Cotonou. It’s the largest city in Benin but its dirty and overcrowded. We were only there for a few days however, because we moved to the capital of Benin, Porto Novo, to move in with our host families. Porto Novo is much nicer: smaller, more tropical and less dirty. When I say dirty I mostly mean free from exhaust. The exhaust that comes from the zemijohns (motorcycle taxi drivers) is toxic. The actual ‘dirt’ part, meaning the sand, is not too bad and easy to get used to. So Porto Novo has less people than Cotonou and I like it a lot better. When I arrived in Porto Novo the first thing I did was meet my host family. I met Papan and Maman and two of my host sisters and my host brother. They seemed really nice and happy to meet me. So we hopped into the shuttle to go back to their place. They live pretty far out in the outskirts of the city where city starts to become farmland. In fact we have a pretty sizeable farm with cows and goats and chickens. There is electricity (thank God!) but no running water. So squat toilets! And bucket showers! Yay! It was pretty hard getting used to squat toilets but now I consider myself intermediate low, I still haven’t mastered the squatting without leaning on something. Bucket showers suck in the morning when the water is ice cold, but it wakes me up in the morning better than coffee ever did so I guess there’s a bright side to everything! I also have to haul all my water from the well, hand wash my own laundry, and always, always boil my water before drinking.

So this is the second half of my letter written about a week later. Two days ago we found out our post assignment which is the place we will be living for two years as volunteers. We move there after swear-in. So I got……Tobre! It’s a small town/large village. I really don’t know much about it except I’m replacing a volunteer that COS’d (Close of Service) a couple weeks ago. From what I hear from the volunteers she really liked it there. My workstation is Natitingou if you want to look it up on a map. That’s the closest ‘major’ city. It’s in the north Atakora region of the country, right by the Pendjari National Park (safari!!). I’m so excited for people to come visit and we can all go on a safari! One drawback is I don’t believe there is electricity which I’m really bummed about, I’m one of the few volunteers without electricity. It’s just like Peace Corps of the 60s! I’m actually pretty bummed about it. Now I have to go into the workstation to charge my cell phone, computer, etc. But that’s the only thing I’m concerned about so I guess I’m pretty lucky!

Yesterday we had an excursion to Ouidah. It’s about 2 hours west of Porto Novo and it’s where the Portuguese used to ship off slaves to the New World. The whole trip was interesting and the ride there and back was an adventure. They shove us all in 3 vans (about 70 people!), vans that would sit about 18 people comfortably in the 70s when they were made. Now they’re falling apart and with about 10 people extra in them, their not very comfortable. But I got to know my neighbors a lot better, and I’m just glad it wasn’t livestock that was sitting next to me (which will happen eventually). Anyways, when we got there it was cloudy but the water was so warm and it was relaxing to have everyone together.

I’ve been getting used to school which is all day and mostly Language Classes. I tested Advanced-Mid for French and I was really excited. I’ll soon start learning Bariba which is the native language in the North. It’s pretty similar to Yoruba which is spoken in Nigeria. I can’t wait to be able to whip out some sentences in Bariba. I can speak a little Fon already, mostly just greetings that my host Maman taught me.

Going around anywhere in this country is an adventure all its own. Wherever I walk/bike/moto children follow me shouting YOVO!! (whitey) They’re so amazed and so excited to see me. It definitely takes getting used to; always being watched, every move followed. I haven’t really been out at night time yet. It’s a little scary. Not that I’m afraid of being attacked or robbed but because I can’t see two feet in front of my face at night time! I rode my bike home the other night at around 9h30 and it was the scariest day of my life! I could only see about a foot in front of my bike with my headlight pointed directly at the ground. Speaking of biking, I’ve been pretty much biking everywhere in town. The other day it was pouring rain, and I mean pouring, the road down from my house was a river and I had to pretty much carry my bike through this torrent to get to school. THAT was an adventure. But I was prepared; I had my giant poncho, my Chacos quick-dry sandals and a will to survive. I made it to school in one piece although soaking wet.

Well I cant think of anything else to write right now although I’d really like to hear from all of you. Again I’m sorry for no pictures but I’ll get some up as soon as possible. I miss you all! Oh please write to me! It’s the easiest way for me to get info from back home! Tell me how you are!

Monica Stam, PCT

Corps de la Paix

O1 B.P. 971

Cotonou, Benin

Afrique de l’Ouest

Can’t wait to hear from all of you!!!

Love, Monica

I like lists. Here are some.

Things I will miss (not in any particular order)

1. My mom
2. Easily accesible Mexican food
3. Sushi (Spicy Tuna Rolls! Salmon Sashimi!)
4. My sisters and brother.
5. Mes amies
6.  M&Ms
7. Phil

 Things I won’t miss

1. Paying my student loans
2. My car
3. My uncontrollable craving for Taco Bell (DAMN YOU!)
4. Feeling like I have so much to do even when I don’t.
5. Downey
6. Gas Prices
7. Feeling unfulfilled at work.

Things I need to buy still

1. A head lamp.
2. A portable alarm clock.
3. Passport Protector (NERD)
4. Teflon frying pan
5. razors
6. A good purse
7. Spices for cooking. Plus seeds for growing. Cilantro?

Things I’m looking forward to

1. Meeting everyone in my group
2. Meeting the PCVs that are in Benin now
3. Meeting my Benin family
4. Finding out what town I’ll be sent to
5. Travelling after my first 6 months.

Things that will be interesting

1. Seeing how I can handle the heat.
2. Seeing how I handle big bugs.
3. Me handling 60+ kids in one classroom.
4. Me adapting to the culture.

 I’m constantly adding to this list….

Shopping

Yesterday was a shopping extravaganza. I looked everywhere for ankle-length skirts and couldn’t find them (even online!). Finally Phil and I stopped by Ross and score! long skirts far as the eye can see. I bought three good quality skirts, and only spent about 35 dollars. I heart Ross. They saved me in the Rainboot Fiasco of January 2008, and they saved me now. I’m really trying to be conscious of what I’m wearing in Benin, part of me wants to go fuck it, its going to be hot, give me spaghetti straps and some daisy dukes (not really), but then I understand the cultural differences so I am making ways.

On everything else I’m essentially starting from scratch. Before Peace Corps blogs/lists I’d never heard of chacos, or solar powered battery chargers, or surge protectors. I didnt know leatherman vs swiss army knives. I couldnt imagine a use for knife sharpeners or carrot peelers (wtf? carrots are peeled?). Breatheable fabrics in L.A. means wearing less clothes. Work clothes meant heels, a skirt, tights and a nice blouse. Now I have to find a hybrid of presentability and comfortableness. This whole process of packing and preparing for two years has been sooo stressing yet at the same time totally exciting! It’s amazing how far out of my box I’m stepping. I thought Paris was a stretch. Moving to France was stepping out of my box, moving to Africa is jumping out of my box and running out of the freakin box factory.

 

*UPDATE* I forgot to mention Las Vegas! I actually went but it was very underwhelming, it probably would have been better to go when I had just turned 21 with a bunch of girls. Instead I went a little older and wiser…but pretty much too old for that shit. 3-Foot long Margaritas…it makes me sick and not in the fun way, in the ‘this is way too much sugar’ way. And buffets aren’t as good as I remember them. I did have fun though. I love the concept of ‘free’ drinks even though I just spent about 10 bucks in 5 minutes on the slots waiting for that drink. And might I add that drunk frenchmen are just…GREAT!

 

California

Just a quick note before I get back to my work. I’m so proud right now to live in a state that, under a heavily Republican influenced State Supreme Court, ruled in favor of gay marriage. It has helped pave the way for the rest of the United States to follow suit. I know it’s not over…that enough signatures will be gathered by the religious right to put up an amendment on the ballot in November, and it does scare me a little. But it also motivates me. Still…kudos CALI!

 

In PC news. I dont mean to sound snobby or superficial but I went to REI yestrday to look for some ‘breatheable fabrics’ and clothes….the prospects are NOT good. I know I need it…because in the end I need to sacrifice look for comfort but JEEZ.

BENIN

The months of anticipation are finally over! I’m heading to BENIN!

 

I had sort of guessed this is where I’d end up…but it doesnt make it any less wonderful;) Can’t wait!

 

Shit….now I REALLY have to start getting everything ready! Selling my car, quitting my job, buying loads of crap, visiting friends/family, saying goodbye!!!!

San Diego

Last weekend I went to San Diego for Kim’s birthday it was super fun. Only I didnt study for my GRE which is in two days and I know I’m going to blow it big time. Ugh. I hate Geometry! I hate Word Comparisons!

I STILL haven’t gotten my Medical Clearance from Peace Corps and its REALLY starting to worry me now. I only have two months till my anticipated departure date….what if I get bumped? What if I can’t go till next year!? What if I can’t go to Africa? omgomgomg. These are all the thoughts that creep into my mind and keep me up at night. In the Application process they said patience is key… so I’m really trying very hard to not worry. But everyone else on the facebook group is getting their countries! ughh…im gonna stop thinking about it because it will start to worry me even more.

Anyways…San Diego was great and there will be pictures soon. Kim got wasted and danced by herself in the middle of the dance floor. There is an amazing photo of her giving a gangsta face but she didnt post it on facebook. boo. I didnt drink too much because of the “Long Beach” incident last week. Long story short there was an open bar and I took full advantage. So this week I really wanted to have a fun time and remember everything. And I did; fun times at the club, wine bar, din din;). FOOD FOOD: Eritrean, Vietnamese (which phil reminded me I HAVE had before in Paris w/Brandy…totally forgot) Mexican (scarfed down at 3am), Sushi…yummie!

We hung out at the beach swam in the pool summer stuff. fun fun. I’m so excited for it to be warm again. I got a henna tatoo of the wings that I want…and its really making me consider getting a real one.  I just can’t imagine commiting to anything for my whole life.

 

Ok sorry this blog is totally random and all over the place. But really thats where I am in life right now. 2 more weeks till I’m back in SD, for Ali’s B-day and I’m trying to convince Phil into a trip to Vegas on Memorial Day…probably wont work out….but still! I really wanna go!

I’ll leave you with an image of the club…as we were about to leave….

kim: alone and intoxicated but still P.I.M.P. Happy 22nd!

ok peace