I'm so fortunate to have an amazing village - not the romanticized Africa from the movies - but the real hard livin' joyful energy of a small town.
I haven't wielded the SLR camera yet - but I took a few snapshots to share the feeling of my neighborhood:
The main dirt road through town - don't let the power lines fool you - they're high voltage lines that don't actually deliver any current to the village. Such is the irony of rural African development.
Cotton trucks frequent the road, fully laden with fluffy stuff to be processed in factories in Central Benin. In one week I've seen three of these big boys tipped over. One of them dumped cotton all over the center of a neighboring village. When I stopped to take a picture a guy approached me with a diamond mining proposal. I politely declined and scurried away on my bike.
Every fourth day the market gathers in the center of the village, bellow the big tree.
Herders come from miles around to gather at the cattle market - one of Goumori's primary attractions.
Peace Corps doesn't like us to post pictures of the outside of our homes online, but things are shaping up quite well inside. It's cozy - a newly built concrete structure. I'm waiting for the local carpenter to craft a table, bed and some other furnishings. In the mean time cinder blocks and 2x6s shall suffice.
and I scored some sweet patio furniture from the Fulani artisans.
4 comments:
Graeme and I are glad to see that you are getting settled into your village. You've been going such agreat job at upadating your blog, and the photos are unbelievable.
We would like to send you something but are without your mailing address. I am also without you email address. Mine is rossetto23@gmail.com.
We hope you are safe, happy, and making new friends as you continue to make a difference.
Lots of love! Nicole
P.S. School was cancelled today because there is dusting of slea-ice. Awesome:)
I've followed you since you were a skinny pro so I had to check up on you now that you're back in the saddle. Wow. What amazing photos. Truly. I loved looking at them, if only for the colors. I know that's some great subject matter but you did it justice. Great job! Stay well.
Claire
Hi Christoph,
My name is Ray, and I am a seminary student in Philadelphia.
I came across your blog and wanted to ask you about Benin.
I recently received a grant to learn French in West Africa, and I was also hoping to do some service work while I was there. My girlfriend would also be coming along with me. Do you know of any places in benin where I could take some French classes (in a group or pay a tutor?) and also volunteer? My email is onlyrr21@hotmail.com.
Thanks!
~Ray
Hey man!
Have my first UVA cycling team race tomorrow at NC State. Have been keeping up with your posts, keep 'em comin. Hope all is well.
Tbone Canu
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