Be Here Now

So, first off, I’m sorry for being so lax on my blogging to all my supportive friends and fam who have requested an update. I’ve just been on a crazy roller coaster here and whenever I find the time to sit down and write I’m usually on the upside down part of the roller coaster…where you’re holding on for dear life hoping your seat belt doesn’t just snap and let you loose.

So, Materi (my post). I strongly believe that it is Benin’s secret paradise; hidden from everyone, except the rare few who have the patience to venture 12 hours north of all the action. The bus ride was ok because it was in an air conditioned bus…however…the whole time they are playing African music videos (just imagine) at a volume level that could kill a person. Luckily, they did stop the music videos a couple of times for a one of my all time favorites – a Jean Claude Van Dam movie. I just couldn’t decide which one I preferred to watch. :)

So I was on the moto driving into Materi thinking about how I could convey the beauty to all of you back home. I’ve decided it’s impossible…so you all have to come visit. :) All I could think about what that John Mayer song “3x5”. For those of you unfortunate souls who don’t know it he says: “Didn’t have had a camera by my side this time, hoping I would see the world through both my eyes, maybe I will tell you all about it when I’m in the mood to lose my way with words.” Ok, but really I can try but it won’t do it justice. There are mountains, or maybe just really big hills, everywhere. When the sun is shining you can literally see every single color of green that ever existed. It was spectacular. Every now and then we would pass a cart full of children who were being pulled by a donkey. They have every tree in the whole world. Sometimes I would see a little group of palm trees. And then there would be a big cluster of big tall African trees. And then, the most exciting, I saw a lone tree standing out in the distance that looks just like one of those trees you see in all the cliché photos of Africa. And Lord knows I love a good cliché. What else? Oh and the people are sooo much nice there. Almost everyone smiled when we looked at eachother, which was a nice change from the usual angry glares I get in Porto Novo followed by a loud “YOVO!!” Oh and they don’t call us Yovo up there so that’s nice as well.

All in all it was great. However, meeting everyone and spending so much time alone was a little overwhelming. Also, my house is tiny! Hopefully I can make it work though. Anyways, that’s all I have now. I will write again later. We are going to Ouidah this Saturday! It’s a very historical city where all of the slave trade was going on. I’m pretty excited about getting to see it.

Thanks again for all you guys out there reading. Sorry I’m such a lazy blogger. Love y’all!

Je suis arrivé!

I have arrived! And its everything I thought it would be. Crazy. I have had many ups and downs and I've only been here 4 days! I'm the most happy when I'm hearing about the amazing things we will be doing and at my most low when I think about being away from Pig and my family and friends. But then I get happy again when I get on a zem and ride through the streets of Cotonou. I feel so independent and so dependent at the same time. Training is like summer camp and jail. Its like all I do is have contradicting emotions. But that's pretty normal for me though.

Anyways, there's not much more to write...although we did have a kick-ass dance party the other night and I felt like I was back at Woodmere for a second. It made me happy...which is odd because Woodmere never EVER made me happy.

Anyways, I'm here and happy and healthy so things are good. I miss you all so much and I love you sooooo much!

I'll post again soon!

XOXO,
ray

1 week

1 week!

Really, this is my test.