Good morning, Happy Monday!
My fabulous friend Laura sent me a question - What did I like least about Benin, and what do I like least about Mercy Ships?
Well, in Benin, probably the hardest things I had to deal with and thus the things I liked the least had to do with very agressive people in the south, usually in Cotonou. Going to the market or even just leaving the Peace Corps office in Cotonou was always a hassle. Getting grabbed in the market, followed, items shoved in your face, and people quoting exhorbitant yovo prices on all items are just a few of the hassles that faced me every single time I left the safety of the Peace Corps office. It wasn't like that in my village at all, people knew me and I usually liked getting out of my house. But Cotonou was a totally different story. It's one thing I noticed here in Sierra Leone right away, the markets are very tame and people are not nearly as pushy or grabby as they are in Benin.
The other big thing I didn't like at all in Benin was transportation - there is never a good option, unless you get lucky enough to land a seat in a new air conditioned Peace Corps vehicle! Otherwise, you are on the back of a crappy moto getting your leg burned or shoes melted by the exhaust pipe, or crammed with 8 others in a 5 person taxi with no upholstery left, no window cranks and definitely no air conditioning, or on a filthy bus with no ventilation and hygiene-deficient passengers. I am very much looking forward to being in control of my own transportation again once I return to the states!!
What I like least about Mercy Ships - I haven't really been here long enough to have strong opinions yet! I mean, alot of people complain about the food or other things that they are missing out on, but thanks to my time in Benin, I am thankful for everything I have and will never take those things for granted. I guess it's hard that everyone seems to come and go so frequently - every week we have new crew arriving and other crew leaving. I've been surrounded by people here on board but have felt lonely; it's hard to develop anything more than surface friendships. I think coming out of the isolation I had in Benin I feel very needy here and I don't like that feeling!! So I try to keep to myself. But anyway, I'm still so very thankful for my time here and trying to hold on to every moment and every blessing possible.
SO there you have it! Today I was planning on going to the craft market, but it's raining and I am not really interested in going out in the rain, so we will see what the weather holds in the next few hours. I have to do laundry this afternoon, and I'll see if I can find or take some pictures of what the inside of the ship looks like so you have some reference to what I am talking about! Tonight is the weekly French class that I am helping to teach (we went from about a hundred participants the first night to about thirty last week!) and then we'll see what other adventures find me in the next few days. I didn't sleep well last night so I might try for a nap sometime today. We'll see.
Send in your questions! if you can't leave a comment on the blog (sorry to those of you having technical difficulties), send me an email to krissypeacecorps at gmail dot com. I look forward to hearing form you!! Hugs to all - Krissy
Yes, I realize I am no longer in the peace corps and will change my email address eventually... but not today. :)
My fabulous friend Laura sent me a question - What did I like least about Benin, and what do I like least about Mercy Ships?
Well, in Benin, probably the hardest things I had to deal with and thus the things I liked the least had to do with very agressive people in the south, usually in Cotonou. Going to the market or even just leaving the Peace Corps office in Cotonou was always a hassle. Getting grabbed in the market, followed, items shoved in your face, and people quoting exhorbitant yovo prices on all items are just a few of the hassles that faced me every single time I left the safety of the Peace Corps office. It wasn't like that in my village at all, people knew me and I usually liked getting out of my house. But Cotonou was a totally different story. It's one thing I noticed here in Sierra Leone right away, the markets are very tame and people are not nearly as pushy or grabby as they are in Benin.
The other big thing I didn't like at all in Benin was transportation - there is never a good option, unless you get lucky enough to land a seat in a new air conditioned Peace Corps vehicle! Otherwise, you are on the back of a crappy moto getting your leg burned or shoes melted by the exhaust pipe, or crammed with 8 others in a 5 person taxi with no upholstery left, no window cranks and definitely no air conditioning, or on a filthy bus with no ventilation and hygiene-deficient passengers. I am very much looking forward to being in control of my own transportation again once I return to the states!!
What I like least about Mercy Ships - I haven't really been here long enough to have strong opinions yet! I mean, alot of people complain about the food or other things that they are missing out on, but thanks to my time in Benin, I am thankful for everything I have and will never take those things for granted. I guess it's hard that everyone seems to come and go so frequently - every week we have new crew arriving and other crew leaving. I've been surrounded by people here on board but have felt lonely; it's hard to develop anything more than surface friendships. I think coming out of the isolation I had in Benin I feel very needy here and I don't like that feeling!! So I try to keep to myself. But anyway, I'm still so very thankful for my time here and trying to hold on to every moment and every blessing possible.
SO there you have it! Today I was planning on going to the craft market, but it's raining and I am not really interested in going out in the rain, so we will see what the weather holds in the next few hours. I have to do laundry this afternoon, and I'll see if I can find or take some pictures of what the inside of the ship looks like so you have some reference to what I am talking about! Tonight is the weekly French class that I am helping to teach (we went from about a hundred participants the first night to about thirty last week!) and then we'll see what other adventures find me in the next few days. I didn't sleep well last night so I might try for a nap sometime today. We'll see.
Send in your questions! if you can't leave a comment on the blog (sorry to those of you having technical difficulties), send me an email to krissypeacecorps at gmail dot com. I look forward to hearing form you!! Hugs to all - Krissy
Yes, I realize I am no longer in the peace corps and will change my email address eventually... but not today. :)
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