Tech visit tomorrow!!

So past weeks have been a blur. Pray that I have lots of conversations to practice my french with. I have not really been sick stomach wise, I had a fever but it passed quickly, no malaria dont worry. We have had two formation sessions teaching personal savings and also accounting for illiterates. Both times our groups taught in french and one of them we had a translator speak it in local language. Grammar is hard; I havent studied verb conjugations alot so it is difficult speaking in different tenses. We will get it, but pray for my motivation to study and for time as well. My host family thinks it is strange when i am alone but it is hard to study with them there too.

Tomorrow we are leaving for technical visit where 3 other stageieres and myself are going to another volunteers post to hang out. He is going to take us to some of the places that he frequents alot. Hopefully there will be lots of french practice and also some rest; they work us pretty hard here.

Overall things are awesome. Tired alot and I miss you all but it is amazing to be here. Please send me letters. It would be nice to get an envelope even if you are bragging about drivethrus and airconditioning. Love u dad and mom!! keeping it real in africa; peace out

Two Weeks and many more to go =)

Hello all. There are lots of things that I wish i could say but i am typing on a french keyboard and only have 10 minutes. I live in Porto Novo right now. It is the technical capital although most things happen in Cotonou where we were before. The host family I am staying with is Moslem although they seem to be Moslem as many Americans are Christian. There is a mama who stays home alot and cooks and manages the house; a papa who manages a car moto wash and is a 'souderer' welder. there are 2 boys; Ismael and Nassif; and a daughter and 3 other girls, one who is the domestique or house maid; Machkourath, Folake, Silifah.

Food/ lots of fish; patè; rice; noodles; tomatoes; onions; eggs (oeufs); Fan milk (woot) or tampico which tastes like tang amazingness; bee sap with hibiscus and fanta: both frozen; fruit and other items bought off of the femmes heads.....

Long days and nights. I had to switch my malaria meds because of the dreams. I love the fam; little kids are great when they are not keeping me awake when i try to sleep. i taught papa how to play uno. everyone is extra hospitable; i am exhausted but happy to be here. School or training is tres (very) hard. French; cultural; technical; safety; emotional support==yes its a class; health. Mostly the first three but they seem to put the others in once a week. well i will write more when i can. if anyone wants to call or text (i dont have voicemail) my phone number is 229==96735916. it is hard to skype because i have not found wifi; i am at a cyber. please pass this on to those who don't have facebook: a tout a l'heur