Hey everyone! So, here I am in my fourth week in Togo! The weeks are starting to go by a little faster as we get further into our technical instruction and my French progresses. In the past two weeks we have been to observe a few classes in the Togolese schools to see the ratio of girls to boys and watch the participation of the girls in class. Tomorrow two other trainees and I have to go teach a club activity to a group of about 80 (gasp!) middle school students about setting goals and how to achieve them…oh and did I mention it’s in French! Eek! We have also had many hours of French instruction, and we have a mid training test in two weeks to assess our progress.
The kids around the village are starting to grow on me. Everywhere I walk, I have about twenty kids following me and wanting to hold my hand, and they are all just precious. They are all starting to learn my name too, which is better than being called “yovo” (means white person) all the time. Sometimes, though, there are the kids who are just terrified of me. I went to buy a coke the other day, and the baby behind the counter saw me and just starting screaming and crying with terror, haha. I guess the white skin freaked him out a little. His mom thought this was hilarious.
I am now very comfortable at home with my host family. I really enjoy coming home and spending time watching them cook, eating dinner with them, and just generally asking them a billion questions about Togolese culture and families. Today my host sister made me this awesome peanut butter candy (think Butterfinger) since she knows how much I love it. She also showed me how to make it, so hopefully I will be able to make it for myself at post. After living with Fernanda in Italy, I didn’t know how any host family was going to compare to her but I must say, they have stepped up to the plate.
In more exciting news… I found out my permanent site today!!! I will be in a large city in the Central region of the country. It is actually the post I wanted, but didn’t think I would get so I am thrilled! I think I will have the opportunity to work with several schools in the area, do some teaching, and there are several NGO’s in the area that I could work with. Our site visit is in a couple of weeks, so until then I won’t know specifically what I will be doing, but I have a rough idea.
Thank you to everyone for leaving comments! I love hearing from you all. The turnaround for emails from me looks like about two weeks. I go to the internet once a week and take the emails off of gmail and write responses during the next week. So if you have emailed me, fear not! I will get back to you in two weeks. Let me know if there is something you are curious about, or would like me to write about. Life here is starting to seem more normal to me, so I know there are things I am forgetting to write about! Also, as some of you know, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays so I would love to hear about/live vicariously through all of your awesome costumes this year! Send me your pictures please! Okay, no more exciting news, but I miss you all so much!

I made it!

Okay, so I apologize to everyone for the infrequent blog posts so far and I promise I will try to do better in the future. I had a lovely post all typed out on Sunday, but of course the computer wouldnt read it, and then I ran out of time and money to try to re type it. So, I will try from now on to type the posts on my computer and post them more frequently.

So, I made it to Togo! The last couple of weeks have been somewhat exhausting with all of the information I have been getting from Peace Corps and my ten hours of class per day. I am slowly adjusting to life here, and although I cant say it has been easy, its coming along day by day.

The first few days here were spent at a hostel in Lome with all the other PCTs (Peace Corps Trainees). IT was pretty much like summer camp except that instead of fun games and horseback riding, ze learned how to not get parasites and take a bucket bath. Then we moved out to our homestays a few days later and the real cultural adjusting began. My host family is really nice, and they are trying their hardest to teach me how to be Togolese. Needless to say, there have been some awkward moments, but I tend to just laugh at myself in order to difuse the situations.

I wake up around five thirty every morning to the roosters crowing and African music blaring outside my window. I then go to the latrine and take my bucket shower, then I eat breakfast, and go to class. Every day I have language and technical training, which is all coming along pretty well. My French gets noticibly better every day which is very exciting! I then come home, eat dinner, and hang out with my host family. I get in bed and read every night around eight and go to sleep.

So, that is the simple version of my current life. Every day is full of surprises and challenges, but I am just taking things one day at a time.

I really appreciate all of the emails and support I have gotten so far. I hope that once I am done with training I will be able to respond to everyone in a more timely manner, but right now I have very little time and money. I love you all and miss you every day!

Oh, also, I have a cell phone! If you would like to call me, email me and I will give you the number and instructions. Its kind of expensive for you, but free for me so I would love to hear from everyone! I also got some advice about packages from a current volunteer. She said that in her experience the flat rate boxes are more likely to make it here than the padded envelopes so keep that in mind when sending things (sorry, I know that is contrary to prior advice I had recieved).

okay blog post to come... maybe tomorrow. I have to figure out this internet.