Home » Benin » Le Petit Four, 16 Septembre, 2006

Since I asked to publish their journals (yes, I asked), both of my visitors left their notebook at home Friday morning, leaving two days completely blank. That is not acceptable in my writing, so while eating a late lunch/early supper at Le Petit Four, I asked a few questions to fill in the holes.

Le Petit Four, 16 Septembre, 2006

Erika Kraus
2006-10-07 13:45:31

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my pop fly and I fielded her grounder to second base that was an easy toss-out at first. After the interview, and eating, we walked to the bookstore (oh books!) and then the ocean. We chilled and chatted for a couple of hours, Grandpa getting more impatient to make it to the plane by the minute, then caught the taxi to the airport. I dropped them off, after hugs all around, and Greta and I wiping two tears a piece from our cheeks. That night, alone at the hotel, I answered the same questions…

What we did Friday? We had a pleasant and direct taxi ride to Cotonou in a nice car. Breezed through the Peace Corps office to meet administration, then found hotel and checked in. Ate a magnificent cheeseburger for lunch, then napped until calling a taxi to take us around town. Stopped at one bank, then continued to Artisan’s Center and spent all of Grandpa’s and Greta’s money. Had fun haggling prices. Dropped Greta and Grandpa off at hotel to go run errands on my own feet and by zemidjan. Ate at Secret Schwarma, a Lebanese butcher, while drinking a bottle of cheap wine. Back at the hotel, we mocked movies. Crochet sticks are dangerous. Went to sleep.
The food and drink? La pate and la pate rouge are boiled corn flour, pate rouge made with the stock of the meat, plus tomatoes and peppers. Yam pilé is pounded boiled yams. All are eaten forkless and with a sauce. Sodabe is good, but STONG. Palm wine, especially when cold, is as drinkable as fruit juice. Yum.
The most disgusting? My bathroom. One person (me alone) is bad enough, but with two others? Kinda scary…
Not expected? To spend so much of Grandpa’s money. The reception my friends, and even the mayor, gave my family. To take a zemidjan less than usual. I thought Grandpa would get used to it.
Best memory? Saving Grandpa’s butt [while climbing the waterfalls of Tanongou]. Drinking with Grandpa. Guillaume asking to take Grandpa, and Grandpa alone, to the river. Late night bedtime talks with my big sister.
Advice? Prepare stomach by eating four large meals a day, each with two beers, and no sugar.
Travel plans? Niamey, Niger for softball perhaps. Any chance of starting an ‘Erika Plays Softball in West Africa’ support fund?