Ups and Downs

Right now it is difficult to add a lot of content with limited internet access...this is the first time I been online since my last post. There will be “Flash Back” posts sometime in the future.

Training is intense and overwhelming, and there have been days when it all seems to be impossible…especially the FRENCH. The BIKE, the EVERYTHING. I hit a major stress wall and wasn’t able to get over it myself. Finally asked for help and modification has been made for me with the French, in that, the pace has been slowed, content adapted to my learning style, breaks, no more 2 hour long sessions and I have my own French teacher. I don’t have to ride the bike here, my family has been taking me back and forth. Now, that we are at the main training site, I live close enough to walk and the family will walk me back/forth until I’m comfortable with doing it on my own. I don’t think so! The other help is that I was sent to my PCMO (Peace Corps Medical Officer) at HQ in Cotontou make sure there isn’t any medical problems.
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Edited from a recent family email.

OMG, I had a HOT bath last night. I was expecting a hot shower, but, but a tub!!!!! The only bathtub at HQ is in one of the sick rooms and I got it. Thought I wasn't going to get a bath again until whenever I returned.

I will be talking with the doctor this morning and of course I'm anxious about that too!

In Cotonou there is a wide variety of food: Last night I had falafels and a hummus/salad side. Before that, my Beninois family been feeding me, even bringing me lunch to the training site when "Mama" found I was just eating fruit that I brought from the house, because I been anxious about buying vendor food (both the buying of and eating of) Yesterday lunch was white yams with a tomato/onion compote thingy. So last night's dinner was the first time that I spent any of my walk around money that we receive. We just got the second payment. This best 4,000 CFA franks I ever spent...I know, I know, this was the first 4,000 CFA I have ever spent.

Afternoon notes:

Had a good long conversation with Dr. Lomo, first, a mini physical, general blood work to make sure I haven't picked up anything. Also, she changed my anti-malaria meds from Mefloquine to Doxycycline. It might be possible that the Mefloquine was magnifying the general anxiety that is usually expected with an intense training period and being in a different environment etc. A general depression screening... and sometime in the next few days or so I'll be in a phone conference with and a medical health expert in DC.

Peace Corps rocks, for a government agency, that is. I have been quite impressed with the whole operation, thus far.

It might be that Benin or the Peace Corps isn't a good fit for me, the Dr. & I also discussed this and she was impressed with my willingness to make sure all bases are covered and IF I do come home early, there will be no doubts and whatifs to haunt me.

Mood: Quiet and comfortable with impending choices and decisions.

:) Of course the hot bath last night and the anticipation of another tonight that really helps with the mood...a quiet space for reflecting w/o sweating!!!!

I found out that I can really sweat! Use to be, that the most I could really work up to was, dewy. Though I think I remember a few sweaty Army days and recently with the farm work, some light dripping. Now, I'm coated with sweat 24/7, I kid you not.

Thus, which means I'm drinking 2-3 liters or more of water a day...all which has to be filtered and boiled. (by moi)

I lucked out with my Beninois family in that I got a room with my bathroom connected WITH a flushing toilet WITH a seat and a shower. Trust me, besides the fact to have a toilet to have one with a seat amazing! The shower is cold water...but cold is good, very good.

Squat toilets are not as difficult to use as I thought, though public squat latrines can get rather nasty. I forgot my Go-Girl the first day that it was a squat toilet latrine day. The Go-Girl makes a major difference in the quality of the squat experience, in that, well you don’t have to squat for the usual elimination process. So far, Mother Nature has cooperated with scheduling bowel movements in the morning before I leave the house. And when I got hit with food poisoning on Sunday, which was an off day so I was comfortable in the privacy of my own bathroom. No vomiting! Just the other business

Be assured and at ease, your mom is in good hands
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