October 18, 2001 Letter
10/18/01
Well, it is Thursday, October 18 and I am still in Cotonou. Why do you ask? Out of 37 people, I am the only one to not have yet Cotonou for training (Business volunteers are going to Allada and Health and Environment will be near Parakou) because of health purposes. I feel much better now and will head out tomorrow to join the rest of my group. I picked up a bug somewhere and it put me out of commission for a day. I started to get a fever on Tuesday and that evening we visited the US Ambassador to Benin and then had a party at our Peace Corps Director's home. I was singing and drumming and dancing and probably set myself back due to over-exertion. I guess that would be true to Matt Kopac form. It was a good lesson to learn the first week:) I am told that the hardest part about being sick during Stage (pre-training) is that I will be spoiled by my time in the Med Unit, and the transition will be a bit more difficult. I have been privy to air conditioning, TV, a laundry service, and a per diem. Also, there are a few volunteers hanging around the Med-Unit and Bureau for different reasons, and talking with them has given me even more insight into the journey to come. My host Mama and Papa can't wait for me to arrive in Allada. They were afraid that I would not be making the trip at all. I am the fifth Volunteer to stay with them, and I am told they take great pride in being referred to as "the best host family in Allada." I am excited to meet them, rejoin my group, and take the next step.
I will write again soon, and email if it is available in Allada. I am in communication with my mom, and if you want you can email her letters to me and she will periodically send them out. Any packages should be sent in the packaging envelopes to save money. I hope all is well with you.
Love, Matt
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