A few stories for you.
Yesterday I was doing the dishes with my host sister. This looks pretty normal for you Americans. Two sinks, running water, a sponge that is like a loofa, and a small white soap. My sister said that you need lots of suds to really clean your dishes. You rub the soap vigorously to make suds. I did this and the soap slipped out of my hands and jumped all the way across the kitchen. My sister started laughing so hard. I had to grab the soap and try again and I dropped the soap AGAIN on the floor. We just giggled and continued.
At my site there is an old man that is my neighbor. He doesn't speak english, or french, only the local language. He is so happy to see me all the time! He gives me a big handshake and says hello. A few days ago I greeted him and he took me to meet his wife. He was very happy and started to sing a song and dance and then he invited me to dance. There I was on the dirt, standing under the shade of a palm hut dancing with this old man to "a day dagbeya-ahahah, a day sey go" something like this which I think means something like i am doing good and I dont know what else. IT WAS so funny and sweet. Then not only was his wife laughing at us but also my three neighbors. At least I will get a reputation for being a dork and funny!
I have an entire crowd of children facinated by me in my village. There are about 8 of them and it seems to keep growing. I thought it was all one family but really the kids jsut all hang out and then find me and stay with me all day.
The first few days of the week they were so shy with me. I was a new white person. I finally got them to play with me while I wasnt even trying to. I was sitting in my chair and two kids hid behind me and I whipped my head around and stared at them. They screamed and ran away. I continued to do this all all the kids would hide behind me and my chair and hide in different ways then run away when I looked at them. This game continued for 30 min and I tried out different ways to scare them away. We all turned into a giggly mess and it was great.
After this day I played with the kids each day and they would help me that leads to my next story.
I started local language class last week and its just me and my tutor. Or so I thought.....
Each day as I walked to my class the kids would follow me. At first they were shy, but the following days they would fight over who got to carry my notebook, my waterbottle, and my purse. I let them because it was so cute how they wanted to help me. My little host sister Joani was holding my hand and talking to me in local language that I never understood but it was adorable for a 5-6 year old. My classroom brings all the kids to learn with me by accidnet. They will participate in my classes and also give me the answers in local language so I dont have to be embarrased. When I pronouce something wrong they giggle and it is just a safe and fun learning environment. I also like that they walk with me and back with me so I always feel safe.
Final story of the day wow!! What shall it be???
Ouidah the trip to see the snakes!!
We had one field trip scheduled with Peace Corps. This was to Ouidah the capitol of Vodun and also Slavery in Benin. We had a historical tour and also a beach stop. The part that I was the most excited for was the Python Temple. This temple is ran by a very special family for generations. You can tell who the family is by the face scarration. This is also common in Benin for some well known families. The Temple is also just across from a church to symbolize the connection of all religions. But anyways inside the temple are many many pythons, big and small. Katie and I both patiently waited for a python to be placed in our hands and around our necks. As you saw above it as a sucess. The snakes were watched and had no chance to hurt us. I felt its muscles and movements it was so cool!!