While you were gone...

While Heather was out gallivanting around Morocco for the past three weeks, eating delicious food and meeting famous people, I was in Bohicon, working on projects and whatnot.  Here are the highlights:

·          

Learned a few new words of Fᴐn

·         Played soccer with my neighbor, Gilles

·         Had training sessions with my girls’ soccer team

·         Received approval for free soccer balls for girls’ soccer team

·         Spoke only French and Fᴐn for three weeks—I don’t know how all the other volunteers do it!

·         Read 5 books

·         Worked on website for my archaeological park

·         Started application for funding for uniforms for girls’ soccer team

·         Cleaned the house

·         Baked a bunch of cakes—then ate them.  By myself.  Delicious!

·         Delivered applications for girls’ camp we are planning in July

·         Hung out a lot with my work partner and best Beninese friend, Arimi

·         Took a lot of pictures of the artisans at the archaeological park for the website

·         Ate a lot of beignets (French doughnuts)

·         Watched all of the Star Wars movies in the order that they were released (I see what the fuss is about, but I don’t get it)

·         Went on a bike ride to Abomey, a big tourist town about 10 km away from Bohicon

It all sounds like a lot, but I spread it out over 23 days, so I had a lot of down time (hence the 5 books that I read).  I feel like I improved my French, and I made a few new friends around town…maybe some new work partners for future projects?  Heather was nice enough to get me some goodies from Morocco: lots of candy, a necktie, a new leather wallet, a leather satchel, anti-perspirent deodorant, and body and face wash; plus she bought lots of fresh olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Moroccan cumin, and other goodies.  She definitely made her 23 days worthwhile!  Projects are coming up soon.  We have a girls’ camp in July (11-15) that we are working on, plus I am trying to get this website up and contact travel agents in Benin, France, and the United States before the next tourist season starts!  We also might have some things coming up soon with the Maison des Jeunes (youth center).  Until next time…

Cheers.