May

The hot season is in full swing up here in Malanville. Most days it reaches at least 110 in the shade and sleeping inside is unbearable. It has rained a couple of times since I came back from the south but I have been told that the real rainy season, when it cools down a little bit, doesn't start until mid June. By then I will be heading back to the states for a visit to attend my cousin Kristin's wedding!

I have had a couple of visitors this month including the US Ambassador to Benin who came today to look at some projects that were completed using US Embassy funds. I was taken out to a nice lunch with the Ambassador, his wife and several other US Embassy staff members. Everyone was very nice but most peace corps volunteers here spend a lot of time talking about poop and how stupid Benin can be. I felt that both of these topics were not appropriate so I had some trouble making polite conversation. I expect this to be a problem again next month when I am home. I do not think that I am properly socialized to interact with non-peace corps related Americans.

Last weekend we had a birthday party for three PCVs in Parakou. At least half of my stage was there and we had a great time drinking champagne in a kiddie pool. There was also a tchouk (millet beer) power hour. I had to stop at minute 30 because I was on the verge of vomitting. Clearly it was a fun weekend. I did manage to step on a nail (same foot as before) but other than that I escaped injury free. The doctor assured me that I do not need another tetanus shot so I am not going to worry about it.

At the moment I am back in Malanville sitting outside my house in the dark because the power is out. This happens pretty much every night here and I am thankful that I spent a little extra money to get an extended battery for my laptop. I am lucky enough to have a USB key that acts as a modem to provide internet through a cellular network. It is slow but it is certainly better than nothing!

I will be home in less than four weeks! Let me know if you would like me to bring you anything from Benin!