Ok half of my last post never posted b/c duh, I live in West Africa where the internet is horrid. I'm going to continue my latest blog.
I’ve seriously lived five lives since arriving in Africa. The other day I had a feast straight out of Fear Factor! Todd’s family and my family took us out to lunch for traditional African food. Dear Jesus. Third-world madness! But you have to grin and bear it. I looked away from the flies everywhere and the spiders on the wall and dug in. I had zero clue what I was eating. One was a weird brown stew, the other was a weird red stew and then fried cheese in red sauce. The meat was unidentifiable, although I did hear “mouton” which means either “goat” or “sheep” here. The goats run around here and eat the garbage, so I did not want to know anything of the mystery meat in this stew. Well, I ate it. The Beninese eat with their hands which is crazy. So anyway, the cheese was really good and me and Todd had our Fear Factor moment haha. I posted pictures and if you can identify anything in this food, be my guest!
When I hear my family talking loudly to each other in Yoruba in the next room or I see naked African babies running around, it’s such a trip to be like; “Oh my God. I am in goddamn Africa!”. But I genuinely like it here. It makes me sad to think that Americans have horrible stereotypes of Africans as sex-crazed AIDS patients running around stabbing each other in squalor. It’s totally not true. There’s so much more to this place and pictures really do not do it justice. Hahaha I’m turning into a Peace Corps hippie.
As I’m typing this, I totally realize I’m losing my English skills as well! I spend so much of my day speaking French that I’m really becoming fluent. Hahaha but West African French has such a different accent it makes me laugh! My language school in Paris would literally weep. Sometimes, when I get mad at my language teacher I whip out my best Parisian French just to spite her hahaha.
So what’s happening in the US? I’m a little worried because the BANK OF AFRICA just stopped accepting American dollars, which if that isn’t an indicator your economy is going to shit, I don’t know what is. Also, the Beninese are obsessed with Barack Obama because he’s half-African and they love Michelle as well. When I met my family, the first thing they did was ask me about Barack and show me pictures of Michelle! I think it would be a really great thing for Africa to see an African in power of the richest country of world. He has to win!
Love the gossip- Kaye and Jacobs- totally weird, and are we sure Moser hasn't killed them both? Allie I can't wait to share a bed with you again and kick you into the wall. Oh and by the way, sorry if it takes me a long time to respond to questions, I have to type my emails out the night before and just send them off when I get to internet, otherwise the stupid computers freeze or whatnot.
-Nora
PS- Teresa this country is calling your name. A) the biggest celebrity here is Celine Dion, singing her stupid heart out in French and B) Guess what they watch over here via satellite TV from Nigeria? MEXICAN SOAP OPERAS DUBBED IN ENGLISH! I’m in heaven! Hahahaha and they’re just as stupid as you think they would be.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
TIA: This is Africa.
First things first. TELL ME EVERYTHING ABOUT ANGELINA'S TWINS!!!!!!
hahaha and god bless globalization because I can pretty regularly use the internet. I'm at an internet cafe right now in Porto-Novo, the city where we are doing our training. I'm living with a host family, the Akande Family! They are a pretty wealthy family here. They have three daughters, Alethea, 22, Diana, 20 and Josette, 18 and a boy, Joseph, 12. I adore them. They are the nicest people ever! I have my own private room and as the Peace Corps loves to remind us; "This is Porto-Novo 90201" because the Akandes have TV, Nintendo from the 1980s, a refridgerator and a DVD player. We watch MTV Nigeria everyday as you can imagine, very interesting! hahaha. Oh and for Teresa, Celine Dion is honest to God the most famous person in Benin, singing her stupid heart out in French hahaha.
Outside of the other volunteers, I have yet to see someone of another race in Porto-Novo. It's hysterical. People openly drop whatever they're doing and just stare at you. To my host brother, I am an alien from the Planet White Freak. My host sisters and the little kids are always grabbing my hair, hahaha but I just grab their braids and everyone laughs. They are seriously the sweetest, most kindest people ever. Everyone in Benin knows what the Peace Corps is so it's really cool. The kids scream "Yovo! Yovo!" when they see you. "Yovo" means "Whitey" in Fon, the native language. They also chant this song; "Yovo! Yovo Bonsoir! Ca va bien? Merci!" but it's not mean-spirited, its just like "hey there white girl". I always just smile and laugh with all the people and they totally just eat it up because they're the nicest people ever. It makes me sad that Americans just have horrible stereotypes of Africans as sex-crazed AIDS patients stabbing each other because it's really not true!
I would definitely recommend that if any of you ever wanted to venture to Africa at some point in your life, DO IT! The airfare is around 2000 dollars, but once you are here, you are seriously spending pennies! Pennies! An hour at this internet cafe is a dollar. A taxi ride on a zemidjan motorcycle is a quarter. Its ridiculously cheap even with the crappy euro. And obviously, free place to stay with me!
Safari season in Benin starts in November and ends in March. At the national park up north, Benin has the big five: lions, elephants, rhinos, water buffalos and one other I forgot. Also there's huge waterfalls there and baboons! I think me and some other volunteers are doing a safari over New Years this year.
My best friend is actually a boy volunteer which is weird because I always have a million girl friends. Oh and before I forgot, Kate, that guy in the picture with the beard and stick for a bat went to high school with Dan and Joel in Omaha! How weird is that?! We found that out the first day. Anyway some of the girls in my training class are ridiculously stupid so I end up liking the boys the better. Theres like two or three girls I really like though.
hahaha and god bless globalization because I can pretty regularly use the internet. I'm at an internet cafe right now in Porto-Novo, the city where we are doing our training. I'm living with a host family, the Akande Family! They are a pretty wealthy family here. They have three daughters, Alethea, 22, Diana, 20 and Josette, 18 and a boy, Joseph, 12. I adore them. They are the nicest people ever! I have my own private room and as the Peace Corps loves to remind us; "This is Porto-Novo 90201" because the Akandes have TV, Nintendo from the 1980s, a refridgerator and a DVD player. We watch MTV Nigeria everyday as you can imagine, very interesting! hahaha. Oh and for Teresa, Celine Dion is honest to God the most famous person in Benin, singing her stupid heart out in French hahaha.
Outside of the other volunteers, I have yet to see someone of another race in Porto-Novo. It's hysterical. People openly drop whatever they're doing and just stare at you. To my host brother, I am an alien from the Planet White Freak. My host sisters and the little kids are always grabbing my hair, hahaha but I just grab their braids and everyone laughs. They are seriously the sweetest, most kindest people ever. Everyone in Benin knows what the Peace Corps is so it's really cool. The kids scream "Yovo! Yovo!" when they see you. "Yovo" means "Whitey" in Fon, the native language. They also chant this song; "Yovo! Yovo Bonsoir! Ca va bien? Merci!" but it's not mean-spirited, its just like "hey there white girl". I always just smile and laugh with all the people and they totally just eat it up because they're the nicest people ever. It makes me sad that Americans just have horrible stereotypes of Africans as sex-crazed AIDS patients stabbing each other because it's really not true!
I would definitely recommend that if any of you ever wanted to venture to Africa at some point in your life, DO IT! The airfare is around 2000 dollars, but once you are here, you are seriously spending pennies! Pennies! An hour at this internet cafe is a dollar. A taxi ride on a zemidjan motorcycle is a quarter. Its ridiculously cheap even with the crappy euro. And obviously, free place to stay with me!
Safari season in Benin starts in November and ends in March. At the national park up north, Benin has the big five: lions, elephants, rhinos, water buffalos and one other I forgot. Also there's huge waterfalls there and baboons! I think me and some other volunteers are doing a safari over New Years this year.
My best friend is actually a boy volunteer which is weird because I always have a million girl friends. Oh and before I forgot, Kate, that guy in the picture with the beard and stick for a bat went to high school with Dan and Joel in Omaha! How weird is that?! We found that out the first day. Anyway some of the girls in my training class are ridiculously stupid so I end up liking the boys the better. Theres like two or three girls I really like though.
Well hello everyone!
I'm a bum and totally forgot to check out the blog until yesterday. But nicely done, this is a good idea. Love the stories so far, my favorite being that the Wizard man actually seemed freaked out when you pointed out to him that he did indeed look like a wizard. Hah!
Also congrats on the jobs girls! And leens with looking for a roommate, I know it seems a little strange, but I have heard that Craig's List is not a horrible way to go. You will probably get a bunch of responses then you can pick and chose with interviews. And I think the best possible form of interview with you two is taking them out, force feeding them rupplemans and seeing where things go...
Things are good in the Chi burbs though. I am taking the dreaded GMAT in a few weeks.... going to be hard as hell. The math section makes me want to cry. But I just want to get it over and done with while I have some time to study. Other than that I'm selling my soul to California Pizza kitchen and living the post-graduation-no-true-job dream. Highlight of waitressing was the other day when I had a surprise visit in the form of Pat kelly, Sean Whalen's bff, because he works accross the street. Loved seeing him, however, the longer he looked at me wearing a tie and covered in torani syrup the more I felt like a Marquette bum without a real job. Oh well.
This is just a short hello, I miss all of you, and I'll get back on a write some good drunken tales soon.
xoxo,
Dan
ps did Madden and Bridget really break up or is that just on facebook???
I'm a bum and totally forgot to check out the blog until yesterday. But nicely done, this is a good idea. Love the stories so far, my favorite being that the Wizard man actually seemed freaked out when you pointed out to him that he did indeed look like a wizard. Hah!
Also congrats on the jobs girls! And leens with looking for a roommate, I know it seems a little strange, but I have heard that Craig's List is not a horrible way to go. You will probably get a bunch of responses then you can pick and chose with interviews. And I think the best possible form of interview with you two is taking them out, force feeding them rupplemans and seeing where things go...
Things are good in the Chi burbs though. I am taking the dreaded GMAT in a few weeks.... going to be hard as hell. The math section makes me want to cry. But I just want to get it over and done with while I have some time to study. Other than that I'm selling my soul to California Pizza kitchen and living the post-graduation-no-true-job dream. Highlight of waitressing was the other day when I had a surprise visit in the form of Pat kelly, Sean Whalen's bff, because he works accross the street. Loved seeing him, however, the longer he looked at me wearing a tie and covered in torani syrup the more I felt like a Marquette bum without a real job. Oh well.
This is just a short hello, I miss all of you, and I'll get back on a write some good drunken tales soon.
xoxo,
Dan
ps did Madden and Bridget really break up or is that just on facebook???
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Why Hello everyone,
I figured I should finally write something on this, even though my life is boring. I do nothing during the week, besides maybe have an interview, otherwise I'm a lazy piece of shit that watches tv all day I really do feel like a waste of life. Then on the weekends I either get completely hammered in Milwaukee or in Chicago, I mean I know what you are all thinking Mo never gets drunk, I am usually am the one who has the most control over myself when we drink. Ha! My fourth would definitely be classis. I was hanging out with my friends from home and we were drinking all day, I ended up having my brother come get me later that night (it was only like 1030) when I got home my dad was wide awake and I had an hour long conversation with him, nothing of which I remembered, so the next morning I get up around noon, and start talking to my dad again and he started talking about what we talked about the night before, I obviously had no idea but tried to act like I knew what he was talking about finally he caught on and was like Mo, you don't remember anything we talked about last night, sadly I had to admit that I had no recollection of anything we talked about the night before. God my life is just great!
Oh also during the week I have taken up golfing. My dad made me take golfing lessons and I actually enjoy them so I think everyone should learn so when we all get old and make lots of money and belong to our country clubs we can all get drunk and go golfing together. Oh I also bought Fit Flops they were on Oprah's favorite things for the summer, they are supposed to tone your butt so I'll make sure to let everyone know if they work.
Leens and Kate obviously congrats on your new jobs I am definitely jealous! Leens when you move to Chicago we need to hang out all the time!
Maura good luck with school!
Nora Benin sounds awesome and I'm so glad that you love it!
T and Allie we should all be in the same city to do nothing together, and Dool you too just get rid of your class and work! ha
Miss everyone!!!
~Mosy
I figured I should finally write something on this, even though my life is boring. I do nothing during the week, besides maybe have an interview, otherwise I'm a lazy piece of shit that watches tv all day I really do feel like a waste of life. Then on the weekends I either get completely hammered in Milwaukee or in Chicago, I mean I know what you are all thinking Mo never gets drunk, I am usually am the one who has the most control over myself when we drink. Ha! My fourth would definitely be classis. I was hanging out with my friends from home and we were drinking all day, I ended up having my brother come get me later that night (it was only like 1030) when I got home my dad was wide awake and I had an hour long conversation with him, nothing of which I remembered, so the next morning I get up around noon, and start talking to my dad again and he started talking about what we talked about the night before, I obviously had no idea but tried to act like I knew what he was talking about finally he caught on and was like Mo, you don't remember anything we talked about last night, sadly I had to admit that I had no recollection of anything we talked about the night before. God my life is just great!
Oh also during the week I have taken up golfing. My dad made me take golfing lessons and I actually enjoy them so I think everyone should learn so when we all get old and make lots of money and belong to our country clubs we can all get drunk and go golfing together. Oh I also bought Fit Flops they were on Oprah's favorite things for the summer, they are supposed to tone your butt so I'll make sure to let everyone know if they work.
Leens and Kate obviously congrats on your new jobs I am definitely jealous! Leens when you move to Chicago we need to hang out all the time!
Maura good luck with school!
Nora Benin sounds awesome and I'm so glad that you love it!
T and Allie we should all be in the same city to do nothing together, and Dool you too just get rid of your class and work! ha
Miss everyone!!!
~Mosy
Monday, July 7, 2008
I miss you fuckerrrrrrrrrs
Heyyy ladies!
Well I'm horribly devistated that I missed Mo and Al this weekend...and moreso (no offense) devistated that I didn't see the WIZAAAAAD!! I was livid when gabs told me! Home was so fun though...aside from the HOURS UPON HOURS of planning the bachelorette party & bridal shower for Rachel's. If one of you bitches asks me to be your maid of honor I'll beat you. I feel like thats one of those things you're not supposed to say, but I dont care!
Nora- i got really sad at the end of your 1st post thinking it was the last time i would hear from you in awhile and that you were gone...then I scrolled up and saw another, and then another, and another. haha kidding, I love it, keep them coming! I'm soooo jealous. And will you please marry that hippy bearded man in your pictures who is holding the stick playing baseball? i feel like that would make my life!
T-when are you coming up? this coming weekend?
I'm getting my wisdom teeth out on thursday :( if you are my true friend you will know before I even write this that I've thus far had 2 nightmares already...about the IV they'll put in my arm to knock me out! Seriously guys I'm terrifyed!!
Oh! and I road the mega bus for the first (and FINAL) time home this weekend. Summary: 2 hours late picking us up on the way there, 1/2 hour late on the way back, and a woman changed her child's diaper across the isle from me! Enough said?
Alright ladies we are going to need a girls weekend in Milwaukee or Chicago VERY soon! I miss you bitches and I'm going to be in deep depression about not going out this coming weekend...and I will have chipmunck cheeks
LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Gelly man (for those former lovers of "aisha, aisha, passing me by"... stop looking at the screen like I'm crazy those who do not know what I'm talking about)
Well I'm horribly devistated that I missed Mo and Al this weekend...and moreso (no offense) devistated that I didn't see the WIZAAAAAD!! I was livid when gabs told me! Home was so fun though...aside from the HOURS UPON HOURS of planning the bachelorette party & bridal shower for Rachel's. If one of you bitches asks me to be your maid of honor I'll beat you. I feel like thats one of those things you're not supposed to say, but I dont care!
Nora- i got really sad at the end of your 1st post thinking it was the last time i would hear from you in awhile and that you were gone...then I scrolled up and saw another, and then another, and another. haha kidding, I love it, keep them coming! I'm soooo jealous. And will you please marry that hippy bearded man in your pictures who is holding the stick playing baseball? i feel like that would make my life!
T-when are you coming up? this coming weekend?
I'm getting my wisdom teeth out on thursday :( if you are my true friend you will know before I even write this that I've thus far had 2 nightmares already...about the IV they'll put in my arm to knock me out! Seriously guys I'm terrifyed!!
Oh! and I road the mega bus for the first (and FINAL) time home this weekend. Summary: 2 hours late picking us up on the way there, 1/2 hour late on the way back, and a woman changed her child's diaper across the isle from me! Enough said?
Alright ladies we are going to need a girls weekend in Milwaukee or Chicago VERY soon! I miss you bitches and I'm going to be in deep depression about not going out this coming weekend...and I will have chipmunck cheeks
LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Gelly man (for those former lovers of "aisha, aisha, passing me by"... stop looking at the screen like I'm crazy those who do not know what I'm talking about)
bored out of my mind
hey biotches....
sorry i have been mia from this thing but i have been away from the internet for about the past week and am pretty much technologically retarded and didnt realize i had to set up a g-mail account before doing this even tho it says right on the invite you need to.
so the mitten (michigan) is so unbelievably boring! i do not do anything but sleep and watch tv. basically i am living in a house sized lair but feel guilty about it bc there is no one with me to be lazy and smoke cigs. i cannot believe how much i miss school and mil town and everyone.
we just got back last night from dc dropping off lil drewbie for les aspen... he was so nervous and cute and nerdy it was funny. the house they live in is huge and is literally a block and a half from the captial building. if i would have known about the program i totaly would have done it- im super jealous of him right now. dc is unreal how cool it is. we went like 5 years ago so it wasnt my first time there but this time i like really appreciated everything i was seeing (as cheesy as that sounds)
norbs- im so happy for you! im so glad that you love it and i know you will... thats so exciting! ps make a beautiful mixed baby to bring home to us in the next year. o and i still need to talk to marquette high about the pen pal thingy but as soon as i know you will.
leens- way to go on the job front. call me soon and let me know when you are going to chi for sure
kate- congrats to you too lady
maura- good luck with school baby!
milwaukee lads i think i am coming to the fair city this weekend as long as i dont have to go to a family funeral. i know if i come im going to the brewers game on friday but would love to meet up with you after since we didnt get to last time i was in town. ps found out that weekend (2 weekends ago) that kaye and jacobs are dating again. thought that would be a fun little gossip nugget for you all to chew on. im guessing some of you already knew that tho.
speaking of gossip this blog lacks some juicy stuff. i miss the days of lying in the lair talking about other people. we need to stop being pretend adults and start chatting about people who arent as good as us. i unfortunately live in a prison cell with georgie as a gaurd so i dont have much to share- sorry.
when are we all getting drunk together again? please let it be soon. i miss you guys
love,
carmen
sorry i have been mia from this thing but i have been away from the internet for about the past week and am pretty much technologically retarded and didnt realize i had to set up a g-mail account before doing this even tho it says right on the invite you need to.
so the mitten (michigan) is so unbelievably boring! i do not do anything but sleep and watch tv. basically i am living in a house sized lair but feel guilty about it bc there is no one with me to be lazy and smoke cigs. i cannot believe how much i miss school and mil town and everyone.
we just got back last night from dc dropping off lil drewbie for les aspen... he was so nervous and cute and nerdy it was funny. the house they live in is huge and is literally a block and a half from the captial building. if i would have known about the program i totaly would have done it- im super jealous of him right now. dc is unreal how cool it is. we went like 5 years ago so it wasnt my first time there but this time i like really appreciated everything i was seeing (as cheesy as that sounds)
norbs- im so happy for you! im so glad that you love it and i know you will... thats so exciting! ps make a beautiful mixed baby to bring home to us in the next year. o and i still need to talk to marquette high about the pen pal thingy but as soon as i know you will.
leens- way to go on the job front. call me soon and let me know when you are going to chi for sure
kate- congrats to you too lady
maura- good luck with school baby!
milwaukee lads i think i am coming to the fair city this weekend as long as i dont have to go to a family funeral. i know if i come im going to the brewers game on friday but would love to meet up with you after since we didnt get to last time i was in town. ps found out that weekend (2 weekends ago) that kaye and jacobs are dating again. thought that would be a fun little gossip nugget for you all to chew on. im guessing some of you already knew that tho.
speaking of gossip this blog lacks some juicy stuff. i miss the days of lying in the lair talking about other people. we need to stop being pretend adults and start chatting about people who arent as good as us. i unfortunately live in a prison cell with georgie as a gaurd so i dont have much to share- sorry.
when are we all getting drunk together again? please let it be soon. i miss you guys
love,
carmen
AFRICA!
Hey guys! I finally have time to write! Im at the Peace Corps office hanging out because I tested out of all my language classes so I don't have to go for the next two days! Yay! Still, I have weeks of intensive French ahead of me, and then I'll take classes in the local language. OMG though, Parisian French was just drilled into my head at the Sorbonne and this is sooo different! West African French makes me laugh, and its definitely going to take some getting used to!
So far, this experience has exceeded all my expectations. It keeps getting more and more fun. Benin is so poor you really cannot understand it unless you come. The capital is basically a shanty town, and the people are so poor and so sick. Still, they're constantly smiling and are so happy to see you its so amazing. To explain how poor it is, let me explain.
For instance, we have not had water for three days. I, Nora Kaitis, have been taking a bucket showers. Oh yes, washing my body and hair from a bucket. Electricity is completely sporadic, going out about 2-3 times/day. And, a guy in my training class broke his ankle last night. It's the second day. How did he do this? He was sitting on the roof (everyone was on the balcony and roof slants down), stood up and fell straight through to a classroom below him. He has to be medvacked to Senegal or South Africa because they can't fix it here. Poor lad. But yes, roofs cave.
For some reason, we all just take it. I don't even really miss it, because we're all in the same boat. I told you, this is basically like the best summer camp ever for 22-year olds. The food is also really bad. I mean, it's ok, but just not good. Still, you eat it.
The people in my group are amazing and I'm obsessed with them. I also love the other volunteers and staff members. We have so much fun!
I am also so happy to have this blog because Peace Corps reads my other one! So we can't write anything!
So I'm staying at a Catholic Missionary with everyone for five days. They have a bar, so we drink Beninese beer at night with sand and palm trees. Yesterday was Sunday, aka church day, which lasts all day. There were kids everywhere! They were so cute. And among 80 children, not one had a toy. Not one soccer ball, not one doll. They hunt lizards all day and go crazy for digital cameras. You take pictures of them in different poses and then they fall on the floor laughing when they see themselves. I posted pics on facebook. The people here are absolutely gorgeous. The have this dark flawless skin, and they wear traditional African clothing. They're very proud. On the other hand, they're very humiliated by their status in the world and have this sad inferiority complex. 2% of Benin's population has AIDS, which is actually lower than the USA's 5% HIV/AIDS rate (Gabby you might wanna back me up on that).
Today was so much fun because the vast majority of taxis in Benin are motorcycles! So we had training on the zemidjans, the taxi motorcycle. You have not lived until you are on a motorcycle in Africa hahaha. So much fun! They zip through the streets and miss trucks and stones by like inches. Its soo cool. We have to wear helmets and the Beninese think you're crazy for wearing it haha.
Soon I move in with my host family and train for nine weeks and then I get my post! Crazy! There are so many hidden perks to joining the Peace Corps and I love it. Sorry if this email is a little crazy, there are a million people around me right now distracting me hahah. Like right now the volunteers that have been here for a year are freaking out over a People magazine someone brought over haha.
Love you all! I'm doing great and I'm having so much fun.
-Nora
So far, this experience has exceeded all my expectations. It keeps getting more and more fun. Benin is so poor you really cannot understand it unless you come. The capital is basically a shanty town, and the people are so poor and so sick. Still, they're constantly smiling and are so happy to see you its so amazing. To explain how poor it is, let me explain.
For instance, we have not had water for three days. I, Nora Kaitis, have been taking a bucket showers. Oh yes, washing my body and hair from a bucket. Electricity is completely sporadic, going out about 2-3 times/day. And, a guy in my training class broke his ankle last night. It's the second day. How did he do this? He was sitting on the roof (everyone was on the balcony and roof slants down), stood up and fell straight through to a classroom below him. He has to be medvacked to Senegal or South Africa because they can't fix it here. Poor lad. But yes, roofs cave.
For some reason, we all just take it. I don't even really miss it, because we're all in the same boat. I told you, this is basically like the best summer camp ever for 22-year olds. The food is also really bad. I mean, it's ok, but just not good. Still, you eat it.
The people in my group are amazing and I'm obsessed with them. I also love the other volunteers and staff members. We have so much fun!
I am also so happy to have this blog because Peace Corps reads my other one! So we can't write anything!
So I'm staying at a Catholic Missionary with everyone for five days. They have a bar, so we drink Beninese beer at night with sand and palm trees. Yesterday was Sunday, aka church day, which lasts all day. There were kids everywhere! They were so cute. And among 80 children, not one had a toy. Not one soccer ball, not one doll. They hunt lizards all day and go crazy for digital cameras. You take pictures of them in different poses and then they fall on the floor laughing when they see themselves. I posted pics on facebook. The people here are absolutely gorgeous. The have this dark flawless skin, and they wear traditional African clothing. They're very proud. On the other hand, they're very humiliated by their status in the world and have this sad inferiority complex. 2% of Benin's population has AIDS, which is actually lower than the USA's 5% HIV/AIDS rate (Gabby you might wanna back me up on that).
Today was so much fun because the vast majority of taxis in Benin are motorcycles! So we had training on the zemidjans, the taxi motorcycle. You have not lived until you are on a motorcycle in Africa hahaha. So much fun! They zip through the streets and miss trucks and stones by like inches. Its soo cool. We have to wear helmets and the Beninese think you're crazy for wearing it haha.
Soon I move in with my host family and train for nine weeks and then I get my post! Crazy! There are so many hidden perks to joining the Peace Corps and I love it. Sorry if this email is a little crazy, there are a million people around me right now distracting me hahah. Like right now the volunteers that have been here for a year are freaking out over a People magazine someone brought over haha.
Love you all! I'm doing great and I'm having so much fun.
-Nora
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Maura, you're right and I'm idiot. I remember thinking "that doesn't sound like Mo" when I read the post. Hey loons I'm in the Philly airport waiting for my connecting flight to Paris then Cotonou. I've already puked all over my hotel and almost fainted and I'm not even in Africa yet hahaha! I went out drinking last night with the other volunteers and between drinking and chugging coffee, I got myself extremely dehydrated and seriously almost fainted at vaccinations at 7 am this morning. I broke out into a cold sweat and seriously things were going black until I was; "Do NOT faint, do NOT faint". Luckily it passed and then I saw the nurse and they helped me get rehydrated again. After that, the vaccinations made me puke all over my hotel after an extremely violent taxi ride back to the hotel. So far, things have been so great. Really. There are already two girls talking about leaving, but I'm annoyed by them anyway. Sayonara! haha. The boys are also great and we have had so much fun! Last night we partied with the Benin volunteers and with the volunteers leaving for Kyrgestan or whatever. Ok well I love this blog because I can actually say whatever I want, Peace Corps reads my official blog and reprimands us for writing bad stuff or whatever. Alright, last few minutes of internet, I'm thinking my posts may become more and more sporadic, but keep it up! Love you and Maura, you're gonna make a fab teacher!
-Nora
-Nora
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Summer Camp
Hey homies-
I decided to sneak away during my lunch break and take advantage of the hotel's free internet. I'm in Philadelphia for three days of orientation. So far, I have seriously had like the best time of my life. Imagine a summer camp for 22-year olds, only its in Africa and all you learn about is languages and international development. I'm in heaven. I'm also the most uninteresting person here, comments like; "I sailed around French Polynesia for 5 weeks" "I did two semesters in Japan" "I did wildlife conservation in Tanzania" are completely common. I do luckily have a little leg up in the fact that I know French. But anyway, it's been so fun, everyone is so interesting and from all over! Montana, Hawaii, NYC, San Diego, Alabama! It's crazy. There's also two British kids (they have American parents and are citizens and the English equivalent of the Peace Corps is harder to get into). So anyway, tomorrow we do vaccinations and health all day and finally depart for Paris at 7 pm. We spend some time in the Paris airport (its going to take all self-control not to bust out of there, but all I need is to miss my flight haha) and then finally land in the capital of Benin at like 6 pm on July 4. Then the rest of the volunteers there are picking us up and taking us to the ambassador's house for a 4th of July party! yay!
Anyway, it's so great to hear from all of you. Mo, what exciting news! We'll both be teachers except my kids live in a hut in the bush! hahahah. And Leenie! Yay! I heard the Hyatt in Benin is one of the classiest.... hahah not.
Leens there's also a girl that looks like you whose from Boston so I obviously want her to be my best friend hahaha. My mom called and we just got your package! Boo, but its ok! Alright you guys, take care, we'll talk soon!
-Nora
I decided to sneak away during my lunch break and take advantage of the hotel's free internet. I'm in Philadelphia for three days of orientation. So far, I have seriously had like the best time of my life. Imagine a summer camp for 22-year olds, only its in Africa and all you learn about is languages and international development. I'm in heaven. I'm also the most uninteresting person here, comments like; "I sailed around French Polynesia for 5 weeks" "I did two semesters in Japan" "I did wildlife conservation in Tanzania" are completely common. I do luckily have a little leg up in the fact that I know French. But anyway, it's been so fun, everyone is so interesting and from all over! Montana, Hawaii, NYC, San Diego, Alabama! It's crazy. There's also two British kids (they have American parents and are citizens and the English equivalent of the Peace Corps is harder to get into). So anyway, tomorrow we do vaccinations and health all day and finally depart for Paris at 7 pm. We spend some time in the Paris airport (its going to take all self-control not to bust out of there, but all I need is to miss my flight haha) and then finally land in the capital of Benin at like 6 pm on July 4. Then the rest of the volunteers there are picking us up and taking us to the ambassador's house for a 4th of July party! yay!
Anyway, it's so great to hear from all of you. Mo, what exciting news! We'll both be teachers except my kids live in a hut in the bush! hahahah. And Leenie! Yay! I heard the Hyatt in Benin is one of the classiest.... hahah not.
Leens there's also a girl that looks like you whose from Boston so I obviously want her to be my best friend hahaha. My mom called and we just got your package! Boo, but its ok! Alright you guys, take care, we'll talk soon!
-Nora
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
I feel bad for Hyatt....
oh and PS i got offered that executive marketing position for Hyatt in downtown Chicago. I'm moving in three weeks...as of now I have no apartment haha so we'll see what happens! I know my friend Megan from home is going to be moving with me, but if any of you or anyone you know is looking for roommates, it lowers apt prices so much to have three opposed to two.
keep your eyes and ears open!! and some of you get your booties down (or up) to chi-town...NOW!!
love,
George W. Bush
keep your eyes and ears open!! and some of you get your booties down (or up) to chi-town...NOW!!
love,
George W. Bush
Accidently Got Sauced and Embarassed Family...
Hey guys!
Okay first things first.........allie prayed silently in a church for ten minutes...
im going to let that sink in.
Haha, second of all Larry, Mo, and Curly your stories were hilarious and I felt like I was literally talking to you in person. All i can say about everything that happened to Dool is.....obviously.
So I'm going to begin to weave my tale. Last weekend was my cousins grad party, and it was a fine/normal event.... until I started drinking grey goose and lemonades. Now, this is the o'shaughnessy side of the family..the crazy side and everyone came in from out of town. Keep in mind that I am the oldest of 26 grandchildren. Needless to say I got sauced out of my mind and continued to literally guzzle the Goose while at the same time telling my 14 year old cousins they better do the same. of the 26 cousins I am the only one that can legally drink. I would say that about twelve were belligerant. No wait, I just counted, 10. Ten of us went crazy. we brought out this wierd wooden board and set up an impromptu beer pong tournament...started blasting irish jig music and forced our dads to be our partners. Tim O. (dad) had a poor showing......until we started filling the cups with Great Lakes.
Now if you guys haven't had Great Lakes, it's this very potent beer that's like an ale..and it's notorious for being pretty good and SUPER strong. Tim O's talents were honed and he ended up winning the tournament with me as his partner.
His 15 year old son with his temps had to drive us home.
Needless to say Crazy Col (my mother) was not thrilled when I was imitating my aunts dance move in the family room in my 10 inch wedges and wiped out knocking over a wooden chair. apparently i'm an "embaressment"....haha I told her she was forbidden to look upon me. didn't end well. I was forced to do lawn duty the next day and prrooooobably would have chosen death.
I think I convinced about 9 more of my cousins to come to Marquette and continue the legacy. There are 4 of them that are going to be seniors in high school and are all thinking of coming. how hilarious would that be...if you went to college with three of your cousins. I'm laying on the peer pressure pretty hard so we'll see
So anyways, what are your guys plans for SummerFest...im debating coming up this weekend....everyone's thoughts?!
i honestly miss you guys so much, and i love you all!
sincerely,
Nala the Lioness.
Okay first things first.........allie prayed silently in a church for ten minutes...
im going to let that sink in.
Haha, second of all Larry, Mo, and Curly your stories were hilarious and I felt like I was literally talking to you in person. All i can say about everything that happened to Dool is.....obviously.
So I'm going to begin to weave my tale. Last weekend was my cousins grad party, and it was a fine/normal event.... until I started drinking grey goose and lemonades. Now, this is the o'shaughnessy side of the family..the crazy side and everyone came in from out of town. Keep in mind that I am the oldest of 26 grandchildren. Needless to say I got sauced out of my mind and continued to literally guzzle the Goose while at the same time telling my 14 year old cousins they better do the same. of the 26 cousins I am the only one that can legally drink. I would say that about twelve were belligerant. No wait, I just counted, 10. Ten of us went crazy. we brought out this wierd wooden board and set up an impromptu beer pong tournament...started blasting irish jig music and forced our dads to be our partners. Tim O. (dad) had a poor showing......until we started filling the cups with Great Lakes.
Now if you guys haven't had Great Lakes, it's this very potent beer that's like an ale..and it's notorious for being pretty good and SUPER strong. Tim O's talents were honed and he ended up winning the tournament with me as his partner.
His 15 year old son with his temps had to drive us home.
Needless to say Crazy Col (my mother) was not thrilled when I was imitating my aunts dance move in the family room in my 10 inch wedges and wiped out knocking over a wooden chair. apparently i'm an "embaressment"....haha I told her she was forbidden to look upon me. didn't end well. I was forced to do lawn duty the next day and prrooooobably would have chosen death.
I think I convinced about 9 more of my cousins to come to Marquette and continue the legacy. There are 4 of them that are going to be seniors in high school and are all thinking of coming. how hilarious would that be...if you went to college with three of your cousins. I'm laying on the peer pressure pretty hard so we'll see
So anyways, what are your guys plans for SummerFest...im debating coming up this weekend....everyone's thoughts?!
i honestly miss you guys so much, and i love you all!
sincerely,
Nala the Lioness.
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