December 3, 2001 Letter
12/3/01
Hey there!
I came down to Cotonou for the weekend to participate in Peace Corps Benin's annual bike race that raises money for and awareness of AIDS work in Benin. Many of us are taking advantage of the internet access here in the city. The bike race was interesting to say the least. The route started off fairly harmless, but eventually took us into downtown rush-hour traffic. I kept thinking I had gotten lost and had gone off the route, but then would see a policeman waving me ahead as cars and motos sped past. The exhaust fumes were especially nice. Anyways, it seems like the event was a success, and the Beninese liked it so much that I spent the rest of the day refusing requests for my Peace Corps issued event t-shirt:)
Before journeying down to Cotonou, I spent the past week at my post where I got a glimpse of where I will be living and working for the next two years - Djougou. I actually spent four days living with my homologue (my Beninese counterpart that Peace Corps connects us with in our community)in Djougou and then three days with a volunteer in Ndali, located in northeastern Benin. I have a lot to say about Djougou and the kind of work I will be doing but this will have to wait until my next letter. I would refer to be detailed and thorough.
So I have my most interesting Benin story thus far... I suggest that the weak of stomach and the lovers of livestock practice discretion in proceeding. On my way up to Ndali, I piled in the back of a bush taxi with Carrie (another volunteer) along with two other people, expecting only the usual occurrences on the roads here that cause me to fear for my life. About halfway to Ndali we were forced to stop and allow a herd of cattle to cross the street. There were probably about fifty, and they streamed across and essentially surrounded our car. I was a bit amused by the interruption and took out my camera to capture the moment. As I placed my camera back in my bag, Carrie grabbed my arm and told me to look ahead. Just as I raised my head, a semi-truck coming in the opposite direction that I later was told had no brakes, barreled through the herd. The two women to my left screamed and jumped onto my lap as the car shook. Thankfully everyone was fine, and we pulled up about 100 yards to survey the scene. The taxi driver simply got out, checked out his car which had been beaten up pretty badly, then got back in and we drove off like nothing had happened. I guess there is no recourse for something like this here in Benin. I doubt anyone has insurance and the fact that someone had no brakes I guess is not a huge deal. Everyday an adventure I tell you.
Otherwise, life here has been calm and safe. Training is proceeding well, though I think we are all anxious to get to our posts and begin our work. A notable part about training were the computer trainings that we held a few weeks back. We have been meeting with local cooperatives and NGOs to gain a better understanding of how they function here in Benin, and then we organized a computer session for a couple of members of each group. Most of the participants had never even sat down in front of a computer before so it was a frustrating at times but very rewarding experiece. The individual that I worked with was wide-eyed with excitement as he learned what a computer is and what it can be used for, and how to use a few of the functions of Microsoft Word. We were all exhausted after the two hour tutorial, but content with the results. I will write more about this as well in my next letter.
I must go now as I have a taxi waiting. I'm heading back up to Allada today to rejoin my host family for the next month before I am sworn in as a volunteer on January 4th. Our stage has yet to lose a member, which I believe is pretty rare, and were are all looking forward to the next step. I hope all is well back in the States, and I will send a letter out soon.
Love,
Matt
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