tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50847635047018293792024-03-19T02:44:35.746-07:00Two Years as a YovoPeace Corps Disclaimer: The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace Corps.Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-20662095923886720672014-05-05T06:22:00.000-07:002014-05-05T06:22:09.365-07:00Au revoir!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My Beninese adventure is almost over, so this will be my last post. Thank you to all of you who followed my blog over the last two years. I hope to see many of you shortly in the US. Au revoir!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXW9hjm_yG3so8TrzNdDqB2BxsWQXjDp4HxfCAJTUXIkR6t8DEjdN0B9jRN6AZHuz78lKZCLxwIQ0PVIoCOHKioZpmtngvImn_33BzetUrp8mTuiz-OSsfb_yX_jvphcMy9hrNw3FpwI/s1600/DSC02251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXW9hjm_yG3so8TrzNdDqB2BxsWQXjDp4HxfCAJTUXIkR6t8DEjdN0B9jRN6AZHuz78lKZCLxwIQ0PVIoCOHKioZpmtngvImn_33BzetUrp8mTuiz-OSsfb_yX_jvphcMy9hrNw3FpwI/s1600/DSC02251.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodbye!</td></tr>
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-38021403509519869272014-05-04T05:24:00.001-07:002014-05-04T05:24:48.013-07:00Tobacco<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When I was visiting a farm a few weeks ago, I got to learn how they prepare tobacco. Essentially, the leaves are woven into braids, hung up to dry, then pounded into powder. In northern Benin, tobacco is consumed by being snorted up the nose.<br />
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As for cigarettes, there are packs of commercially packaged cigarettes for sale in village. Curiously enough, it is nearly always Peulh men who smoke cigarettes. Bariba men rarely do, and it is socially unacceptable for any woman to smoke.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu15ZjZHFuQDhr1-ORO48_tk3EeJBwZmqtklnAKElQydUcc2jsGudYYi_pcV-42NvZaJce3v0QO9K4p2SiTGVyLzaTvbywSfcLCcvnPLN1oSgy85twAtPGwwHfj4UDPzhumPKQTZEbsg/s1600/DSC03138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKu15ZjZHFuQDhr1-ORO48_tk3EeJBwZmqtklnAKElQydUcc2jsGudYYi_pcV-42NvZaJce3v0QO9K4p2SiTGVyLzaTvbywSfcLCcvnPLN1oSgy85twAtPGwwHfj4UDPzhumPKQTZEbsg/s1600/DSC03138.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The braids of tobacco are hung up to dry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JDiXo78q0NKEm8Ub_0EIG85L6VrUCMv2jnpci6CTPK4s2KN3pWAHN5CDXKhT0dQKVkR3-zxFB0Q7E6f4YRDn5ZnEIPmd5irQJKu8BukyyLTK9kqceY-pz5EjxNmrLGwHB1-FmLUfRGM/s1600/DSC03137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JDiXo78q0NKEm8Ub_0EIG85L6VrUCMv2jnpci6CTPK4s2KN3pWAHN5CDXKhT0dQKVkR3-zxFB0Q7E6f4YRDn5ZnEIPmd5irQJKu8BukyyLTK9kqceY-pz5EjxNmrLGwHB1-FmLUfRGM/s1600/DSC03137.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bundle of tobacco braids</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen4-LHQTEf0c3g3yLuB7zZ1aDkW2J928rErVZ67gioh_cd-PUuIpQcEUrRbqa6FRk9vyq6Afb0VNGizTVjNV5AoZ2q2LkdihZHgkg62Bke7qsLJotldon-b9HnNwkM3a7-4_jcwmVKsA/s1600/DSC03139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgen4-LHQTEf0c3g3yLuB7zZ1aDkW2J928rErVZ67gioh_cd-PUuIpQcEUrRbqa6FRk9vyq6Afb0VNGizTVjNV5AoZ2q2LkdihZHgkg62Bke7qsLJotldon-b9HnNwkM3a7-4_jcwmVKsA/s1600/DSC03139.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A man pounding the dried tobacco into powder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Mv87PtDAioCKZb3MA6xdCEfWg8q8TLbpBs9UqSiQcdkrn1kIk8Fq6xUnZCIAIq-Kqx8uhUnaSegLWrs3E9sRUsdfvTADSYmZBVkf9hGQJjL5nXcJDH9cLuskY63JcbrE06v82SSFc30/s1600/DSC03140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Mv87PtDAioCKZb3MA6xdCEfWg8q8TLbpBs9UqSiQcdkrn1kIk8Fq6xUnZCIAIq-Kqx8uhUnaSegLWrs3E9sRUsdfvTADSYmZBVkf9hGQJjL5nXcJDH9cLuskY63JcbrE06v82SSFc30/s1600/DSC03140.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loose tobacco</td></tr>
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-62265063701770093702014-05-04T02:18:00.000-07:002014-05-04T02:18:13.616-07:00Sam Girls' Camp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few weeks ago, I led yet another girls' camp, this time in Sam. We covered the same material as the Sonsoro camp, but this time we invited every girl in the Sam Middle School, and nearly every girl came (around 50 girls). Another innovation was that we brought four girls from the Sonsoro camp and had them run many of the sessions. We are hoping that this experience will allow them to take a leading role in subsequent editions of the Sonsoro camp (when I will not be around to coordinate).<br />
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The Sam camp was a roaring success, and my co-organizer (the person who originally asked me to do a camp in Sam) is planning to run such a camp twice a year indefinitely. At the request of some parents, he also wants to organize a few days of camp for local middle school boys.<br />
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Below are a few pictures from the camp:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNru7GKgsXhDJNM7UbFZtZKvSSEkSfzOS0bm_MXtR6P7ATGVpPza7iwcBegXOQXF7T02OXOkWlpRgVuO7VPK0GPMLhyqzfJbfKg9mkJUhjl9Tf512PFujdUwSYAd332syPbCvTp5feCs/s1600/DSC03090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNru7GKgsXhDJNM7UbFZtZKvSSEkSfzOS0bm_MXtR6P7ATGVpPza7iwcBegXOQXF7T02OXOkWlpRgVuO7VPK0GPMLhyqzfJbfKg9mkJUhjl9Tf512PFujdUwSYAd332syPbCvTp5feCs/s1600/DSC03090.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two girls from Sonsoro are teaching the campers how to make a fuel-efficient mud stove</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vTLkZlBpupHqjBzJsZgtbsy_GyMQkldJTtUVSGL3lBEMpBIwn7NrjuFJkpZDaY38nk4oVp1U0_6DPLTufYP2eTUAVZxOTLnMemMhWIwixI7h6Gg2p5jc4yrdhRSWgpGET3mOmV3qJeY/s1600/DSC03110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vTLkZlBpupHqjBzJsZgtbsy_GyMQkldJTtUVSGL3lBEMpBIwn7NrjuFJkpZDaY38nk4oVp1U0_6DPLTufYP2eTUAVZxOTLnMemMhWIwixI7h6Gg2p5jc4yrdhRSWgpGET3mOmV3qJeY/s1600/DSC03110.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Sonsoro girl is leading the group in song at our closing ceremony</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDO9zY1qNv9Py66VFyOljtC4qCNDbyTXbWR_sgeoBF3EVLz6xCSVzMlw5SEReUea9IKCIKJ7IcyHd0TAWqpDhJSqbucKkI12PkSbu1mXcbil2LL7OJObA6T61OZKle7S27xoQy93raUk/s1600/DSC03115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDO9zY1qNv9Py66VFyOljtC4qCNDbyTXbWR_sgeoBF3EVLz6xCSVzMlw5SEReUea9IKCIKJ7IcyHd0TAWqpDhJSqbucKkI12PkSbu1mXcbil2LL7OJObA6T61OZKle7S27xoQy93raUk/s1600/DSC03115.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated the end of the camp with traditional local dancing, accompanied by drummers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yYNhJ_K9hW9ZdZWALumwTwycr2wyMq2N6F-Bd1XFvmaiIHmydr6yD_zGSofeCgwkTBn1SoK6r8toDX8SLV1aN9KpjxS4A3lquF98vWVJAHQqALfFlvW7rK8iKPQZvwnVfUcuTTo9S4A/s1600/DSC03121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yYNhJ_K9hW9ZdZWALumwTwycr2wyMq2N6F-Bd1XFvmaiIHmydr6yD_zGSofeCgwkTBn1SoK6r8toDX8SLV1aN9KpjxS4A3lquF98vWVJAHQqALfFlvW7rK8iKPQZvwnVfUcuTTo9S4A/s1600/DSC03121.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four girls from Sonsoro and my camp co-organizer</td></tr>
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-15075249302119816892014-05-03T12:42:00.000-07:002014-05-03T12:42:05.862-07:00Cabane<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few months ago, I decided to construct a millet stalk structure in front of my house in order to have a shady spot to relax during the hot season. Below are the photos of the construction of my <i>cabane</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0hOSyqMLsc359AsPUUzR_E5k-bs1kTtCbi3iul_3m54aJD9S9h7NgcnTc7i5vthzrYq970pUL_L7vj-mr0ruHHW1FABYmRdPGcxcgjhRNJpiaKxnwDbGQk0yhTL9uRezRj-UTgPtdqI/s1600/DSC02891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0hOSyqMLsc359AsPUUzR_E5k-bs1kTtCbi3iul_3m54aJD9S9h7NgcnTc7i5vthzrYq970pUL_L7vj-mr0ruHHW1FABYmRdPGcxcgjhRNJpiaKxnwDbGQk0yhTL9uRezRj-UTgPtdqI/s1600/DSC02891.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend is using a special tool to dig holes for the posts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkQkOTwvljXs86Lf00lxEIViBVq_FqRgOQcfdMK_NeDWe1PBpHxi1NPip3x-yDP78iohERSqgUqWdAkMV2FdKA7AD8j29OEXXlC2yZZI0Yidiy1-9YHEi-lz3y895o39iRFiV8LqlpsI/s1600/DSC02894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkQkOTwvljXs86Lf00lxEIViBVq_FqRgOQcfdMK_NeDWe1PBpHxi1NPip3x-yDP78iohERSqgUqWdAkMV2FdKA7AD8j29OEXXlC2yZZI0Yidiy1-9YHEi-lz3y895o39iRFiV8LqlpsI/s1600/DSC02894.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Using a hatchet to chop the posts down to size</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFJ2VwsIKs72CDJogM-5JbqlsE-W46CvvpHpJdNaNM0vxEU0kDszQ6kf9Nrk12MDgn-FevjyR62jmNbCJUlF-JlABe5mtKlLC0CB8ZhbVzzy2UCcNXcxCxYSplX-e4vJ0IvuIhM2y9pk/s1600/DSC02920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFJ2VwsIKs72CDJogM-5JbqlsE-W46CvvpHpJdNaNM0vxEU0kDszQ6kf9Nrk12MDgn-FevjyR62jmNbCJUlF-JlABe5mtKlLC0CB8ZhbVzzy2UCcNXcxCxYSplX-e4vJ0IvuIhM2y9pk/s1600/DSC02920.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The framework has been set up and a millet stalk roof has been installed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6joTjqEqSmDV6uQqv_U3iewy2_iAWnB7dj654rO6wbe3TzJ5q4XpuJvaJZLR7dbTW5wRj7mofHhhLK2m_LF2PLxQ4XPhZIxgTmbIEVJfAV7jCinakj3CZP6lS688cjSNmiwWQ7WC0uL4/s1600/DSC02919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6joTjqEqSmDV6uQqv_U3iewy2_iAWnB7dj654rO6wbe3TzJ5q4XpuJvaJZLR7dbTW5wRj7mofHhhLK2m_LF2PLxQ4XPhZIxgTmbIEVJfAV7jCinakj3CZP6lS688cjSNmiwWQ7WC0uL4/s1600/DSC02919.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chopping the millet stalks to the appropriate length using a machete</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDvI70c2He40vX7VvOsLlFp5vsXbqEgLtjw4KdyIx2fbnVB3CYB7WeeWD7VWvcp7lZewe1omx9KKMFO3P_KPkrv9TMZLPbO2UQ1RUpYdbKM2lwMIxN6w-5mBdsJnGESr8y_yoB-US0cs/s1600/DSC02925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuDvI70c2He40vX7VvOsLlFp5vsXbqEgLtjw4KdyIx2fbnVB3CYB7WeeWD7VWvcp7lZewe1omx9KKMFO3P_KPkrv9TMZLPbO2UQ1RUpYdbKM2lwMIxN6w-5mBdsJnGESr8y_yoB-US0cs/s1600/DSC02925.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A local child tying the millet stalks together</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cEHK0GftG8dnmuKcBUpAr07fhsaFvFrb44Y5G3kZQAtFgDe4AeFNPGM4JhnMq7yQDv2MfPKZzCv0UPaulSVOBitUFBbpBuVmlo5Q2QxSis3xIx_NmLj1to-1xvQLxb8nw0r9U1r-AwY/s1600/DSC02928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_cEHK0GftG8dnmuKcBUpAr07fhsaFvFrb44Y5G3kZQAtFgDe4AeFNPGM4JhnMq7yQDv2MfPKZzCv0UPaulSVOBitUFBbpBuVmlo5Q2QxSis3xIx_NmLj1to-1xvQLxb8nw0r9U1r-AwY/s1600/DSC02928.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two people work simultaneously to tie the stalks together</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZfhC5iBS_wr5H6cnE54257fBgsbs7jEeac6y1ug7e_jlcm2NaUBFetJlhCYN9WhyjgiEmte7cgFAqwIH7RTK-Lc_fb-gqxl2fqa2CX74PHXn2uGcwMnNhj0XJzYDb0uBbBiLgppsZjA/s1600/DSC02917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZfhC5iBS_wr5H6cnE54257fBgsbs7jEeac6y1ug7e_jlcm2NaUBFetJlhCYN9WhyjgiEmte7cgFAqwIH7RTK-Lc_fb-gqxl2fqa2CX74PHXn2uGcwMnNhj0XJzYDb0uBbBiLgppsZjA/s1600/DSC02917.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My neighbor boy trying to help</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJ22ZlHknTMM3TZTC0a-I5Kzw2-Y-OvZUmdON9aSXK7ELYSMR0sHy0qAfnuPiAK8GhlSWQbYAjCbvhBdUZT1cCogX9o_QrETocbAd_KORpabf5fDNGkQkfc4vfiL5Boee7jUBm2wnfFo/s1600/DSC02932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJ22ZlHknTMM3TZTC0a-I5Kzw2-Y-OvZUmdON9aSXK7ELYSMR0sHy0qAfnuPiAK8GhlSWQbYAjCbvhBdUZT1cCogX9o_QrETocbAd_KORpabf5fDNGkQkfc4vfiL5Boee7jUBm2wnfFo/s1600/DSC02932.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product! All of the walls are attached like curtains, meaning they can be rolled up or pushed aside</td></tr>
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-77199219213313121402014-04-22T04:08:00.002-07:002014-04-22T04:08:54.161-07:00Flora and Fauna of Benin: The Lorax Tree: Part 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Loyal followers of my blog might remember that I posted photos last year of a tree I dubbed the Lorax Tree because it looked like it belonged in a Dr. Seuss book. Last Friday, I finally had a chance to take a picture of what this tree actually produces, and it turns out that that has a story of its own. Also, I learned the real name of the tree: the nere tree (pronounced nay-ray).<br />
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As you may remember from last year, after producing something that looks like orange Koosh balls, the tree produces large green pods. Inside the pod is a bright yellow material (as seen in the picture below) that seems somewhat like cotton or styrofoam.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp0Q4um-SmsGrxbi-9Ot975AzPSpZcEqMHoCFcUryntCNRUqc05pYOz_85RRwZJID4xyWuPsPeJ3vhuZOZwoG_SXKupSj_1f_MD6qABF4FCbZ-5ZQx-7euyqmmurLVshknqgzCS7_4e4/s1600/DSC03134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp0Q4um-SmsGrxbi-9Ot975AzPSpZcEqMHoCFcUryntCNRUqc05pYOz_85RRwZJID4xyWuPsPeJ3vhuZOZwoG_SXKupSj_1f_MD6qABF4FCbZ-5ZQx-7euyqmmurLVshknqgzCS7_4e4/s1600/DSC03134.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A girl eating the sweet yellow substance that her family harvested in large quantities from the pods</td></tr>
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Within the yellow cotton-like material are small brown things that are prepared for transformation into what the Beninese call 'mustard'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSM-_PTEbkCrExoXbVfvj7FqC8HwtU5P4fLnBb1qA7jhZ1Jx0AN00ENPQI1KIuAL-JaUSFbV3Tm3n145rLLWOnLxg0dI-Fe8nLDD2iYedmelbBaEvEeIEMPa_sesCi15s5i3chnr3r1o/s1600/DSC03136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSM-_PTEbkCrExoXbVfvj7FqC8HwtU5P4fLnBb1qA7jhZ1Jx0AN00ENPQI1KIuAL-JaUSFbV3Tm3n145rLLWOnLxg0dI-Fe8nLDD2iYedmelbBaEvEeIEMPa_sesCi15s5i3chnr3r1o/s1600/DSC03136.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These small brown things are separated out and collected</td></tr>
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The small brown things are cooked and then set out to dry.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOj9UqVmxgXQq8cDmLeMN92ka0xKYD1F5tNL-agwKPbXTciGjJiw11bcItEVxoTWi4rssknkeAqz-nQzJz_GMqldZut4pyIAlq3XZGywVFiZ6H-vOyxVJ-smI5ZUk-6eK7MomEGzfeT8/s1600/DSC03148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOj9UqVmxgXQq8cDmLeMN92ka0xKYD1F5tNL-agwKPbXTciGjJiw11bcItEVxoTWi4rssknkeAqz-nQzJz_GMqldZut4pyIAlq3XZGywVFiZ6H-vOyxVJ-smI5ZUk-6eK7MomEGzfeT8/s1600/DSC03148.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried and ready for pounding</td></tr>
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Then they are pounded with a mortar and pestle and eventually formed into a round disc, which is sold in the market as 'mustard'.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnaWo-t25MCeCss0uSLZO9MWnkShwAIt1F3QUG2d_-HvEGJgk8Ar7dCj_hgMgVHh03ggwBfoYyieGd_EKL-CUctj13NRzDdCx_bE2z61IUFLa47FFQXiBJyiFQyu-2S5AqLAd7N1U-Ps/s1600/DSC03135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnaWo-t25MCeCss0uSLZO9MWnkShwAIt1F3QUG2d_-HvEGJgk8Ar7dCj_hgMgVHh03ggwBfoYyieGd_EKL-CUctj13NRzDdCx_bE2z61IUFLa47FFQXiBJyiFQyu-2S5AqLAd7N1U-Ps/s1600/DSC03135.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final product: "mustard"</td></tr>
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This 'mustard' can be broken off into small chunks and added to sauces for extra flavor. In reality, it tastes nothing like mustard. You could really just consider it to play a role of a spice because it adds a new flavor to the sauce.<br />
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For those of you who never read my earlier posts on this tree or want a refresher, you can view them here:<br />
Part 1: <a href="http://twoyearsasayovo.blogspot.com/2013/02/flora-and-fauna-of-benin-lorax-tree.html">http://twoyearsasayovo.blogspot.com/2013/02/flora-and-fauna-of-benin-lorax-tree.html</a><br />
Part 2: <a href="http://twoyearsasayovo.blogspot.com/2013/04/flora-and-fauna-of-benin-lorax-tree.html">http://twoyearsasayovo.blogspot.com/2013/04/flora-and-fauna-of-benin-lorax-tree.html</a><br />
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-77163700312329145362014-04-19T13:35:00.000-07:002014-04-19T13:35:15.398-07:00Safari<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few weeks ago, I went on safari in Pendjari National Park in northwestern Benin. Below are some of the animals we spotted.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNpuG4QF0R1qwzMrX-d4jo2MPIlVo_EYeDnP724y6pTNt0UWBoRedNo4hbWBqul1j0-L9UlzQqVTslTojC54X9jwNxdQkLib04MEw1PL-jGpWaMWWCL0bm3JCnj5f_uBNB2RhP9j3K1w/s1600/DSC02966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNpuG4QF0R1qwzMrX-d4jo2MPIlVo_EYeDnP724y6pTNt0UWBoRedNo4hbWBqul1j0-L9UlzQqVTslTojC54X9jwNxdQkLib04MEw1PL-jGpWaMWWCL0bm3JCnj5f_uBNB2RhP9j3K1w/s1600/DSC02966.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crocodile calling out to a friend</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfKz3gKYn1098lwql_6WIfjprhB0daUfNBZtfaXcLW1ZIWWMruqNOaBGLSgaF3akUpkfwuvHaVoDOvI-SQEKkxOLtA8eWpvLR9C44PTbweCk_aO9UaYeO_0MA2oe_7HJhMfNMCdCbviQ/s1600/DSC03001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfKz3gKYn1098lwql_6WIfjprhB0daUfNBZtfaXcLW1ZIWWMruqNOaBGLSgaF3akUpkfwuvHaVoDOvI-SQEKkxOLtA8eWpvLR9C44PTbweCk_aO9UaYeO_0MA2oe_7HJhMfNMCdCbviQ/s1600/DSC03001.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thirsty baboons come to the watering hole for a drink (note the baby on its mother's back).</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32t82UZtGDP9duOwnrwV3wxBfUAWHeGz94q1cVY3yQyNW_ju3BKIppcp-tXa_wso0iepfrjYp7j3txQhoibR0BQmzsyw5YZHrMULCMLNRVDWsJlJM1VmO9AplBGrhQyxdGIN7updwkmo/s1600/DSC03025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32t82UZtGDP9duOwnrwV3wxBfUAWHeGz94q1cVY3yQyNW_ju3BKIppcp-tXa_wso0iepfrjYp7j3txQhoibR0BQmzsyw5YZHrMULCMLNRVDWsJlJM1VmO9AplBGrhQyxdGIN7updwkmo/s1600/DSC03025.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While waiting outside the toilets at a hotel, I heard a noise and found this viper at my feet. It is apparently very venomous and dangerous. It was my most dangerous encounter of the trip.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGp5pSJNzFYGdP-y1bwjW0SzTn-bTn4n-sC9TtmsgGRDLOuiqZh6xzG368xCYttzUMAIJNmzxQkZ4-VAOnbs1ScSC4skNXIabnpGhVlsPsKCfno_P_F58IQVlT6oRbh6efcYiB3mqVt4/s1600/DSC03027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGp5pSJNzFYGdP-y1bwjW0SzTn-bTn4n-sC9TtmsgGRDLOuiqZh6xzG368xCYttzUMAIJNmzxQkZ4-VAOnbs1ScSC4skNXIabnpGhVlsPsKCfno_P_F58IQVlT6oRbh6efcYiB3mqVt4/s1600/DSC03027.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The park is home to many antelope, which did not seem particularly exciting because many varieties look quite like deer.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsC05f4Q2_fMAJUF0mCzHiIAcQB_N_W6fV4nnQ4zov5gE9PIsh2O2co7my3AkF25hxV8x_ltPEmkpZSME-V4NTmoqoH-S3hdXoX2MvsrnzM_lWKSkLbc9GIOH8GS0V6oUJe2u8AJzOeFI/s1600/DSC03032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsC05f4Q2_fMAJUF0mCzHiIAcQB_N_W6fV4nnQ4zov5gE9PIsh2O2co7my3AkF25hxV8x_ltPEmkpZSME-V4NTmoqoH-S3hdXoX2MvsrnzM_lWKSkLbc9GIOH8GS0V6oUJe2u8AJzOeFI/s1600/DSC03032.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffaloes resting in the shade</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwP8Yjso9zx7kH5nCvE-LzszTIBej1q1cTDrVMaxnFY8OCGNek5vHSoHLJHOr2En88zDZgDBs-IrAp1HOSBB9E5le3T_H5rw4k9x92H7wcpSkpwZeyNBoUSrgU7M55OrU3NQdKBJqUYU/s1600/DSC03033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwP8Yjso9zx7kH5nCvE-LzszTIBej1q1cTDrVMaxnFY8OCGNek5vHSoHLJHOr2En88zDZgDBs-IrAp1HOSBB9E5le3T_H5rw4k9x92H7wcpSkpwZeyNBoUSrgU7M55OrU3NQdKBJqUYU/s1600/DSC03033.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A warthog family</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrtxhGB46xmnfjXRLnMIGpJTQ8EEeiN340nFs4OwIDkpIugRaJ4CLzxBewAvK6JSNtukt4m6gSEvGR9fj_BhiyQltPsUYZYUhAByeadAgfRYOuIi-eQUfvC2SzttNdrLFdRUQqEarsKM/s1600/DSC03061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNrtxhGB46xmnfjXRLnMIGpJTQ8EEeiN340nFs4OwIDkpIugRaJ4CLzxBewAvK6JSNtukt4m6gSEvGR9fj_BhiyQltPsUYZYUhAByeadAgfRYOuIi-eQUfvC2SzttNdrLFdRUQqEarsKM/s1600/DSC03061.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lion getting ready to hunt</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2Tg5u7PMv8F0mHVrMiir7iLBzfL8h6-xYoenSbQXoiRHBXEoWi_eJW-VduszP7bUALtefg6cVE6f7N0Mp358wR1GjsqURyz03BQZ5e1yt2Pa8M_wnRrzg0dVQcX1QYTMDApYPtrzlAo/s1600/DSC03073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2Tg5u7PMv8F0mHVrMiir7iLBzfL8h6-xYoenSbQXoiRHBXEoWi_eJW-VduszP7bUALtefg6cVE6f7N0Mp358wR1GjsqURyz03BQZ5e1yt2Pa8M_wnRrzg0dVQcX1QYTMDApYPtrzlAo/s1600/DSC03073.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hippos</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgcCmfayQcAjdsxiwinxVJojVLZ4aHkOUeQ__5InFc8vAhBLqFYCu1-LxK1ZEGUibpfWckuncfKZsOAD0DeW4jBua71DhxQI_S2OfJb02g8h3D7c3Fx06-q0H5DuImUV8kIPNzvV6Oc0/s1600/DSC03076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgcCmfayQcAjdsxiwinxVJojVLZ4aHkOUeQ__5InFc8vAhBLqFYCu1-LxK1ZEGUibpfWckuncfKZsOAD0DeW4jBua71DhxQI_S2OfJb02g8h3D7c3Fx06-q0H5DuImUV8kIPNzvV6Oc0/s1600/DSC03076.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guide and his car</td></tr>
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-81167417891753499532014-04-14T13:31:00.000-07:002014-04-14T13:31:32.488-07:00An Announcement about Mail<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Given the speed of transatlantic mail, anything sent to me from now onward is unlikely to reach me before my departure. If you had the intention of sending something, please do not waste your money on postage.<div>
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While I am on the subject, I would like to say that there are few things that make a Peace Corps volunteer happier than receiving mail. To those of you have have written to me or even sent packages over the last two years, you cannot imagine how much it meant to me. I always tried to write back after receiving mail, and I hope I expressed my gratitude sufficiently in those letters.</div>
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Thank you all very much.</div>
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-43234917012477842372014-03-28T08:39:00.001-07:002014-03-28T08:39:34.831-07:00Cashew Nuts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This time last year, I wrote about cashew fruit. When cashew season came around this time, I decided to experiment with the cashew nut itself, and I recruited a Beninese friend to help me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m1YBDMbI7wPl1VLmn_6fBN-8ydqz1EeL1oU0JhzDRHtGQGZzndol8MVxdpA2btm2_a4tz1oV-baI5tiCiccKZE7OQdMxmak0hQRmF4ev0BNlJJ7SAB2QRRWlI16i-j5_41KsofTJOCE/s1600/DSC02848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8m1YBDMbI7wPl1VLmn_6fBN-8ydqz1EeL1oU0JhzDRHtGQGZzndol8MVxdpA2btm2_a4tz1oV-baI5tiCiccKZE7OQdMxmak0hQRmF4ev0BNlJJ7SAB2QRRWlI16i-j5_41KsofTJOCE/s1600/DSC02848.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely and you can see a cashew nut hanging at the bottom of this cashew fruit.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Mo2ahfZmbMSkFYBEln9I7O_jR7BLhY502U8vzPgOsHYaP1ecX_UtiB8fuJOG0Hkm873X5bkZaBduXrhfKppJHpPP3IbcwPEmzxRh5hZmVCJ9DTxq6UyejRRz29BFVLdOsxGul2TF8-U/s1600/DSC02860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Mo2ahfZmbMSkFYBEln9I7O_jR7BLhY502U8vzPgOsHYaP1ecX_UtiB8fuJOG0Hkm873X5bkZaBduXrhfKppJHpPP3IbcwPEmzxRh5hZmVCJ9DTxq6UyejRRz29BFVLdOsxGul2TF8-U/s1600/DSC02860.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the cashew nuts I collected from the ground beneath the cashew tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The cashew nuts are enclosed in a hard shell that must be removed to get at the nut. The shell contains a toxic substance, so it must be removed with a special process. There are actually several means of removing the nut, but in Benin, we use fire.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YsJUKS5KrjTvLPzY5qlV7S8V71b6nIqQFi7agvHU7p0WNCukHCQVyuwbVdkQAw6NWn_Ki9SdVEFrJ9gzw50HDkwPVrabpphUxvnXzBBgefgZQlJFISOvZKb4MsOP9v0rtt7SdSr8RQQ/s1600/DSC02862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YsJUKS5KrjTvLPzY5qlV7S8V71b6nIqQFi7agvHU7p0WNCukHCQVyuwbVdkQAw6NWn_Ki9SdVEFrJ9gzw50HDkwPVrabpphUxvnXzBBgefgZQlJFISOvZKb4MsOP9v0rtt7SdSr8RQQ/s1600/DSC02862.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A can of nuts is perched on three rocks so that we can light a fire underneath.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuD8SZl67MaTt_xSQYM3NTEshCriCvjKY2uRAS-it98K7EaGKsaoQkxRz98thNa65L_TFvBP_Loar-ikaLgBBauXH3SUu4QKeYtriwedNuKhTkxU7Q-ZP2repuHTviaZlz5AoMrMBSfQ/s1600/DSC02864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuD8SZl67MaTt_xSQYM3NTEshCriCvjKY2uRAS-it98K7EaGKsaoQkxRz98thNa65L_TFvBP_Loar-ikaLgBBauXH3SUu4QKeYtriwedNuKhTkxU7Q-ZP2repuHTviaZlz5AoMrMBSfQ/s1600/DSC02864.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend changed his mind and decided to use corrugated tin instead of the can in order to roast all the nuts at once. Here, he is poking holes in the tin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15z5gRLwUHpXx-tD-vSZjmPzsVkiQ85WMhohlgosPyShCnIsHZxO1SpmK6LA53wLCeBamXHwPrTWhGZVm537CXlhHZ1XKFAeObXDq0aXCfauzWdzEpNfWf_QEU5D9eUpPmVlCEatyjx8/s1600/DSC02868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15z5gRLwUHpXx-tD-vSZjmPzsVkiQ85WMhohlgosPyShCnIsHZxO1SpmK6LA53wLCeBamXHwPrTWhGZVm537CXlhHZ1XKFAeObXDq0aXCfauzWdzEpNfWf_QEU5D9eUpPmVlCEatyjx8/s1600/DSC02868.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend has lit the fire under the tin. See that smoke? That is a toxic gas released by the burning shells.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqqKdaqC1IlgsyWXQr7Na3Hd44AuMzxJkiPcfv2KSxiwWYbR3Vt524fiEIgEYeKpc-AJ2nH9nyQC-eWdJnZUZSPW-nRjfWi-t5QC64krK8_R9WTd-zS60FUEbzTGBBsePej3Uy5YzrXo/s1600/DSC02872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqqKdaqC1IlgsyWXQr7Na3Hd44AuMzxJkiPcfv2KSxiwWYbR3Vt524fiEIgEYeKpc-AJ2nH9nyQC-eWdJnZUZSPW-nRjfWi-t5QC64krK8_R9WTd-zS60FUEbzTGBBsePej3Uy5YzrXo/s1600/DSC02872.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nuts are on fire! The oil in the shell is highly flammable.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC_zhYpu_rouT-2tOAl617RnhkJI1ZFZotDGTTpzZOpehJ741QcOqM_ICbjcfzgHB1-mMeyZWRmBWTsb4TCzy1GL1TQ3ThdmkWaYz5-8a0CyZnd23hGsuSMhG470b1y33XlzCsYL5Wag/s1600/DSC02874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJC_zhYpu_rouT-2tOAl617RnhkJI1ZFZotDGTTpzZOpehJ741QcOqM_ICbjcfzgHB1-mMeyZWRmBWTsb4TCzy1GL1TQ3ThdmkWaYz5-8a0CyZnd23hGsuSMhG470b1y33XlzCsYL5Wag/s1600/DSC02874.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend rubs the nuts in dirt to extinguish the fire and make them stop smoldering.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next step, not pictured here, is to whack open the shells and extract the nut. After having been burned, the shells look like charcoal and are just as brittle. Inside is the nut.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, our experiment did not produce many viable nuts. My friend said that he let the nuts burn too long.<br />
<br />
As I shared in my cashew blog post last year, it is rare to find cashews for sale here because most cashews are sent to India for processing. I was told that when the Beninese do decide to process the cashew nuts, it is usually just done by teenage boys who enjoy a little pyromania. In particular, it is said that few women attempt to process cashew nuts because of the danger involved. </div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-61684188296667397362014-03-28T06:43:00.000-07:002014-03-28T06:43:06.864-07:00Pâte Rouge + Eba<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here are some more photos of local foods, one Beninese and one not.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I-C7McwaNxFVw5iInDUU-24VHHZAuku_mDSc6EhwNLBne4uWlyU4Vzx0IeoNhKPJN5f5t5h8ewizfwQSManE0W5Ybb7d2oj5Dn05ATisaIEcEeh3hYSbx5WNX2NxhCclfU0Gnqy7cx0/s1600/DSC02833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I-C7McwaNxFVw5iInDUU-24VHHZAuku_mDSc6EhwNLBne4uWlyU4Vzx0IeoNhKPJN5f5t5h8ewizfwQSManE0W5Ybb7d2oj5Dn05ATisaIEcEeh3hYSbx5WNX2NxhCclfU0Gnqy7cx0/s1600/DSC02833.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pâte rouge: this is a delicious variation on the traditional pâte (corn mush) that is the basis of Beninese diets. A bit of the sauce is mixed in with the pâte as it is being prepared, which is what gives it its red color and makes it so tasty. Then it is eaten with the sauce on the left. This sauce has tofu and hard-boiled eggs in it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpOIo4lTlZmXJ4L_TjUjbrlIhyphenhyphen24nKFmnmnqv8qH6wpXcIM4uJlqp2FP013ufj5yaoYoTysfphCRRLCluF9OSTWQYoEQ5dp8dlFoUaPYTfCHWujoom-SuNsp-h2noVRQnBkYAxhGQXJA/s1600/DSC02949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYpOIo4lTlZmXJ4L_TjUjbrlIhyphenhyphen24nKFmnmnqv8qH6wpXcIM4uJlqp2FP013ufj5yaoYoTysfphCRRLCluF9OSTWQYoEQ5dp8dlFoUaPYTfCHWujoom-SuNsp-h2noVRQnBkYAxhGQXJA/s1600/DSC02949.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eba: this is a Nigerian dish that is similar to pâte rouge. The major difference is that gari is used in place of corn flour. Gari is a sort of flour produced from cassava, a local tuber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-12904474959930370312014-03-23T10:07:00.000-07:002014-03-23T10:07:15.107-07:00Snot<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Here is a question I am sure you have never considered: how do the Beninese blow their noses?<br />
<br />
Well, for starters, they do not use tissues. So the natural assumption would be that they use handkerchiefs, right? Wrong again.<br />
<br />
The answer is actually pretty gross when you have grown up with American standards. If the snot is dry, they just pick their nose. It is perfectly normal to do that in public and no one is offended by it. If the snot is wet and mucus-y, they do a "snot rocket." For those of you who do not know this term, that means that you hold down one nostril with your finger and blow hard through the other nostril to send the snot flying out of your nose and onto the ground.<br />
<br />
And what if your baby has a stuffy nose? Well, the technique I have seen is that the mom puts her mouth over the baby's nose, sucks the snot into her mouth, and then spits it out onto the ground.<br />
<br />
You will be glad to know that on the subject of snot, I have retained my American habits and still use tissues to blow my nose. This is one area where I have decidedly refused to follow Beninese practices!<br />
<br /></div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-70851143020809403402014-03-16T05:22:00.002-07:002014-03-16T05:22:40.985-07:00A Good Friend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few days ago, a friend was at my
house and he noticed a funny smell. He went investigating and
discovered its source: a lizard nest in a large empty clay jar next
to my house. The problem is, while the lizards easily got in the jar,
they never figured out how to get out, and a few dozen had died in
there. No wonder it reeked!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We were busy on a project and forgot
about the jar, but remembered it the next day. The jar is too heavy
for me to move, so my friend very willingly came back over to help.
He lowered the jar onto its side, prodded out the few living lizards
who were near death, then tilted the jar further to dump the dead
lizard bodies onto a piece of plywood. He carried the plywood over to
the fence and dumped the dead lizards on the other side.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Someone who offers to help you dispose
of a heap of dead lizard bodies, now that is a true friend! I have
found many people in my village who are exceptionally kind to me,
going well beyond what I could have imagined. The northern Beninese
are widely considered to be much kinder than the southern Beninese.
In particular, the Bariba have a code of extreme generosity towards
guests and foreigners. Not a bad place to be!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUjsQaxRnVQvMyMkAampQ9UriUuXMc2Ib25W-BacW73KHucN5e_ysomER8jZRoAbd1jwB-o8gri9sVmXBmhu1hPZ6wO4MxpQ7JwubwWRw0iW2D2sKnkqRocyEIYLeTINbRcXrLV0Y1Xc/s1600/DSC02935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUjsQaxRnVQvMyMkAampQ9UriUuXMc2Ib25W-BacW73KHucN5e_ysomER8jZRoAbd1jwB-o8gri9sVmXBmhu1hPZ6wO4MxpQ7JwubwWRw0iW2D2sKnkqRocyEIYLeTINbRcXrLV0Y1Xc/s1600/DSC02935.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few live lizards and many dead lizards, several of which had already disintegrated into dust</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkBiAWdRQmIh5VDS-QsVkzFKiZ8RuSwbYwsMdRmncur1z4s_cj4mLpIOrdgNjiISIRZmH763TEA5bxJTaT-Ge2j3w4sJEfiVl9THwqk0Q9LUjdSXz0hpFzoaXJ-ISDRu7zBZMlIqiEPI/s1600/DSC02937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkBiAWdRQmIh5VDS-QsVkzFKiZ8RuSwbYwsMdRmncur1z4s_cj4mLpIOrdgNjiISIRZmH763TEA5bxJTaT-Ge2j3w4sJEfiVl9THwqk0Q9LUjdSXz0hpFzoaXJ-ISDRu7zBZMlIqiEPI/s1600/DSC02937.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend ready to move the jar... it's much heavier than it looks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIv3r7Rpwsy2BGpWRE0YxJOeB5b2xeFmVp7cZIvsHcxp5cgmjzWtrWPlaVFpWkaydXuRBFP_eawe8DD1ixxxqu8-J3UiT-ty1XFGZDY6eHUbZ0JAWDCRD_cyEgPJIZCdISpg2clU6VFI/s1600/DSC02938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIv3r7Rpwsy2BGpWRE0YxJOeB5b2xeFmVp7cZIvsHcxp5cgmjzWtrWPlaVFpWkaydXuRBFP_eawe8DD1ixxxqu8-J3UiT-ty1XFGZDY6eHUbZ0JAWDCRD_cyEgPJIZCdISpg2clU6VFI/s1600/DSC02938.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrying the pile of lizard bodies to be dumped</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-23003628739705456472014-03-09T06:09:00.002-07:002014-03-09T06:09:54.436-07:00A Mystery Vegetable<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
The vegetable below is one that I have encountered periodically on trips to Cotonou. It tastes somewhat like a potato and is fibrous. It is served prepared (cooked and sliced) as shown below and is always accompanied by slices of coconut. Since I had only seen it in this form, I have always wondered what the actual vegetable looks like before preparation and what it is called.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPy2Vju9sjF3_SfYr1j_byDyeKTlGrTpNfNWU-hsXOzfD41sim6oRCAaikYiuvHeC01VzphoDOdAjR1W5iCova2g6smj8HtaXI0VI3rsesTzBXZet8LG4C-Ul-1a4X-r7VhIEU60hXVA/s1600/DSC02885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPy2Vju9sjF3_SfYr1j_byDyeKTlGrTpNfNWU-hsXOzfD41sim6oRCAaikYiuvHeC01VzphoDOdAjR1W5iCova2g6smj8HtaXI0VI3rsesTzBXZet8LG4C-Ul-1a4X-r7VhIEU60hXVA/s1600/DSC02885.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Then, a few weeks ago, I came across this vegetable in village and I finally got to see it in its natural form. The photo below shows the vegetable after it has been pulled out of the ground and boiled, but before it has been peeled and sliced.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C2jtyTZn4k4y3utS3rL4tai6QOa1DvVGOTzOUgN59qzIpj4mS6fFwEPXTc1-lm4J7uhbfr6PQBEyz1A8O8mF6QsAhfU35eRRrIHt0Cmprt0HgsHlJKSNPmWsP7KC9aTf3u0ambRN2-w/s1600/DSC02883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_C2jtyTZn4k4y3utS3rL4tai6QOa1DvVGOTzOUgN59qzIpj4mS6fFwEPXTc1-lm4J7uhbfr6PQBEyz1A8O8mF6QsAhfU35eRRrIHt0Cmprt0HgsHlJKSNPmWsP7KC9aTf3u0ambRN2-w/s1600/DSC02883.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj5vzyx39aV_KenCCVvBDzyqvlbWXye9dKE_xnoXxpdnpfXC3HZCvretpHP_ypFcuzPAGhcaVPhyphenhyphennK-iSEvhmq3EOWByOmGm4r12PYfod8OwoIazIs6sjIFbGOxk_Vycnae4rTZB_zEqg/s1600/DSC02884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Now that I have seen the vegetable in its natural form, that just leaves the question of its name. Do any of you Africa aficionados out there know what it is called?<br />
<br /></div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-71506659030291869922014-03-08T10:24:00.000-08:002014-03-08T10:24:03.170-08:00A-Hunting We Went<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Thursday, I went hunting for the
first time in my life. I had called a friend in the late morning to
see if he could help me with a project at home, but he was
unavailable because he had plans to hunt, so I convinced him to let
me tag along.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My friend warned me in advance that
there would be a lot of walking, yet I was unprepared for the death
march it turned out to be. We were out during the hottest part of the
day, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm, in triple-digit heat under the direct
sun. We walked at a fast pace, the fastest I could walk without
jogging. The terrain was rugged nearly the entire way and most of it
was through plant life with thorns and burrs. I was wearing sandals
and capris, as I always do, and my feet got sliced so much that they
were bleeding most of the time and I had to pick splinters out of my
feet when I finally got home.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Given that I was already exhausted simply from
walking so quickly under the hot sun, I could not fathom how the
others found the energy to run at prey when they spotted it. There
were perhaps 40 people in our hunting party, along with 10 or so
dogs, and the group spread out to cover more territory. Each person
was armed with a few branches, each 2.5 feet long, and often a
slingshot. The branches were often weighted on one end with a knot of
wood, and when prey was spotted, these batons were flung into the
air, spinning round and round like a boomerang. After a few batons
had struck the prey, often, but not always, a dog would charge in to
finally catch the animal.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoJkv5659xgePZf5tfIwQy3xyeFxU8UdvqCgHz8hkDhKOhL43rzKJr8rS65ikSFrbRTwt3wIQs2ZJzdxS7YmbLVOWq8TjeNlSRo_V9EeDwBP54oCr4P1W_b6VDXn2P4ylLWZOhVebhes/s1600/DSC02922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoJkv5659xgePZf5tfIwQy3xyeFxU8UdvqCgHz8hkDhKOhL43rzKJr8rS65ikSFrbRTwt3wIQs2ZJzdxS7YmbLVOWq8TjeNlSRo_V9EeDwBP54oCr4P1W_b6VDXn2P4ylLWZOhVebhes/s1600/DSC02922.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunters running after an animal that has been spotted</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ultimately, most people in our hunting
party seemed to have caught something, either a rabbit or bird, from
what I saw. My friend killed two animals. He said he usually eats his
kills, but sometimes he sells them instead. I came home with nothing,
as I intended. I had simply wanted to witness the hunt.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEhAzzdEcpgTZ1b5UIDoYurTZXpSJinP89zg8ytrNqjfDrOrVYxbOGdgSNP0GfjY4SD3WDAuTYXhINn6BFzDgN2pgbwvfnPCoddhC677sxbxHzXDkEvVRE_YD7w1nG8ePaemW6OBqPW0/s1600/DSC02923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEhAzzdEcpgTZ1b5UIDoYurTZXpSJinP89zg8ytrNqjfDrOrVYxbOGdgSNP0GfjY4SD3WDAuTYXhINn6BFzDgN2pgbwvfnPCoddhC677sxbxHzXDkEvVRE_YD7w1nG8ePaemW6OBqPW0/s1600/DSC02923.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two hunters displaying their kills: a rabbit for the man on the left and a bird (somewhat hidden by his hand) for the man on the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The next day, I was fascinated to
discover that my participation in the hunt was the talk of the town.
Several people told me that they heard I had gone hunting and asked
if it was true. Only men hunt in Sonsoro, which made my participation
even more unusual. One woman told me that I should never go hunting
again because as a woman, I have no business doing so. That, of
course, only made me want to go hunting again to prove a point, but
given how miserable I found the experience, I think my hunting days
are indeed over.</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-15302575460240274832014-02-28T11:46:00.000-08:002014-02-28T11:46:00.270-08:00Benin on Jeopardy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"Benin There" was a category on Jeopardy! last night. Do you know the answers?<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
$800</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Majestic elephants & this
scavenger, Canis Aureus, share W National Park, named for the shape
of bends of the Niger River</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
$1000</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If a tree grows in Benin, it might be
the karite, which produces the skin restorer called “shea” this</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
$600</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Vodun, still the faith of many in
Benin, came from the area to the Western hemisphere, where we call it
this</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
$400</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On a December morning, your sinuses may
be irritated by a harmattan, this, but it only lasts until March</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
They ran out of time for the $200 question.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you want to watch the episode yourself, here is the YouTube video:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrI3kfFMLsk</div>
</div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-24478839741429742822014-02-28T10:38:00.001-08:002014-02-28T10:38:06.764-08:00Sonsoro Girls' Camp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last June, I wrote about a girls' camp hosted in Kandi by the region's Peace Corps volunteers. I was very pleased with the camp, yet disappointed to only be able to send three girls, so this year I decided to host a girls' camp in village. This three-day village camp was held at the beginning of this week, and 29 girls attended.<br />
<br />
In many regards, the camp followed the same format as the Kandi camp. We taught the girls about health (malaria, hygiene & sanitation, nutrition, HIV/AIDS, puberty, and more), we brought in guest speakers to inspire the girls to continue their education and pursue dynamic careers, and we threw in a few fun activities (friendship bracelets, frisbee, etc.).<br />
<br />
However, I changed one major thing about the camp: I designed it so that it would be easier to replicate by my community even without a Peace Corps volunteer. This meant one major difference from the Kandi camp: no external funding. While the Kandi camp was funded with a $2000 grant, I intentionally had no grant and instead sought community donations. We saved money by holding the camp in village (meaning no money needed for lodging, transport, or food), and we received donations of t-shirts for each girl, free snacks for the last day, free use of a sound system and generator for a post-camp party, and more. <br />
<br />
Another innovation is that I turned my star camper from the Kandi camp into my assistant. We met weekly to plan this camp and she helped me develop the schedule and decide which guest speakers to invite. During the actual camp, she taught and led songs and games, conducted a lesson on malaria, and provided organizational support.<br />
<br />
Overall, the camp was a roaring success. Some members of the community are already discussing how to run such a camp every year (without the help of foreigners, Peace Corps or otherwise). Now <i>that's</i> the kind of sustainable development we are supposed to be promoting as Peace Corps volunteers!<br />
<br />
Here are some photos from the camp:<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDA6Rr3t-MK7s82dMmUOjIT4HeKg1WA1APKEB3TVIOr9Vl3D4SfL4z5X2pdHLN2H09r4OYYVxQmJwHKoC2rpLCf4gDJ0_MHn0AoHFhtKQ7gFA6vrk_808IRm7uXb66i8st9KU7uMyB97k/s1600/DSC02900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDA6Rr3t-MK7s82dMmUOjIT4HeKg1WA1APKEB3TVIOr9Vl3D4SfL4z5X2pdHLN2H09r4OYYVxQmJwHKoC2rpLCf4gDJ0_MHn0AoHFhtKQ7gFA6vrk_808IRm7uXb66i8st9KU7uMyB97k/s1600/DSC02900.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls are making friendship bracelets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCnaFuwMGPnmqAJYnjXd5ZUzSBJa6IWDIU6hdUfnfBzhrJ4HFW3v_YyC00ZXKFjXIM19uNuh5twdb4VemWwMfBHdRFQIkR5XC0eIN82rtcIiH5C_HPFaDhzW68ijQVlaCW-GxVN9BxmU/s1600/DSC02905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCnaFuwMGPnmqAJYnjXd5ZUzSBJa6IWDIU6hdUfnfBzhrJ4HFW3v_YyC00ZXKFjXIM19uNuh5twdb4VemWwMfBHdRFQIkR5XC0eIN82rtcIiH5C_HPFaDhzW68ijQVlaCW-GxVN9BxmU/s1600/DSC02905.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls just finished making a mud stove. This design saves trees by using less wood (as fuel) than the regular model.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79-zHKsXatmAeZWnBo42Jd4QpY-nktFD-wETu2pMbPk3pIn1npR_ab9fhOT-bsl1AAXOVW-Bvjr-Ao6PbOrRD6BiSHPWUWlN4H9G7umXBdsff3GtU_KIGRerU5cVD0oaKuP8vqofrxsM/s1600/DSC02909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj79-zHKsXatmAeZWnBo42Jd4QpY-nktFD-wETu2pMbPk3pIn1npR_ab9fhOT-bsl1AAXOVW-Bvjr-Ao6PbOrRD6BiSHPWUWlN4H9G7umXBdsff3GtU_KIGRerU5cVD0oaKuP8vqofrxsM/s1600/DSC02909.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our guest speaker is singing with the girls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV22BGwoU1HKfshtrYpoo1RtZl9ll4hLm43bSA7nbCh2TXL8JMT736dQWTZXiM43OIXl1egys3kcXMhVvcOnD71T84cUZpc75J3fOxP0xdoWmInfowyAeGbwIx7BlolwZQS0F8BCrXEHo/s1600/DSC02912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV22BGwoU1HKfshtrYpoo1RtZl9ll4hLm43bSA7nbCh2TXL8JMT736dQWTZXiM43OIXl1egys3kcXMhVvcOnD71T84cUZpc75J3fOxP0xdoWmInfowyAeGbwIx7BlolwZQS0F8BCrXEHo/s1600/DSC02912.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls are performing a skit about mosquito nets during our closing ceremony.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZnsJ6mijsXXuj5z0H53z1LZ3ahcevKZdUHhkR41qfafR0UXxpIXigy9HHSCy5zKg1ysykm6EpwtNWeSJtYPtFL33FU-NIFd5rNuBwKwt7ZAA9kZtDGAxdpVLX0wfL81h90gfADXTGGg/s1600/DSC02914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZnsJ6mijsXXuj5z0H53z1LZ3ahcevKZdUHhkR41qfafR0UXxpIXigy9HHSCy5zKg1ysykm6EpwtNWeSJtYPtFL33FU-NIFd5rNuBwKwt7ZAA9kZtDGAxdpVLX0wfL81h90gfADXTGGg/s1600/DSC02914.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another improvement I made to the camp model was to invite the girls' parents to the closing ceremony. The parents are seated on the left while the girls sing on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-92108539690148787122014-02-20T04:49:00.000-08:002014-02-20T04:49:42.524-08:00Living without Electricity - Part I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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For those who wonder how we get by in Sonsoro without electricity, today I am offering you a small glimpse. Below are two photos of our vaccine refrigerator at the health center. The cooling is powered by kerosene, hence no electricity required.<br />
<br />
A similar system applies to the refrigerators in the town's <i>buvettes</i>, the local drinking establishments that offer beer and soft drinks. Instead of kerosene, they attach a gas tank to their refrigerator, the same gas tank that would be used to power a gas stove.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM5bfprQJhdPtE_ECg8_ixXg7VAo5sU34FZjVchhhNo24cPJyU865tx8Eu5ktkvOgg3viPzvbAIbRU4bxhimMfokLJvlIcXS4LZU8ZfoDEieY-JMs3NgNX7XYD5u55zr3cznWLvwwZ54/s1600/DSC02687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqM5bfprQJhdPtE_ECg8_ixXg7VAo5sU34FZjVchhhNo24cPJyU865tx8Eu5ktkvOgg3viPzvbAIbRU4bxhimMfokLJvlIcXS4LZU8ZfoDEieY-JMs3NgNX7XYD5u55zr3cznWLvwwZ54/s1600/DSC02687.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My colleague is getting ready to add more kerosene.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2I6ZKZkvsxbk3C5Aq81tAf2spblacyGHB1aRe24uetEjrSUOQgISf693cXmPZl89sYwSX91Xvf4UV_fbfAllZllCw9M3sRQRO7w7pPbIDVQJsw0ZGttJHFd0v_FlnophL9tEnniaIe4/s1600/DSC02689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2I6ZKZkvsxbk3C5Aq81tAf2spblacyGHB1aRe24uetEjrSUOQgISf693cXmPZl89sYwSX91Xvf4UV_fbfAllZllCw9M3sRQRO7w7pPbIDVQJsw0ZGttJHFd0v_FlnophL9tEnniaIe4/s1600/DSC02689.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closely on the left and you can see the flame.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-43084098428589268282014-02-09T05:04:00.003-08:002014-02-09T05:04:41.179-08:00Red Flower Sauce: Part II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is the second half of last week's post. This week, cooking the red flower sauce itself.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Qng7RezmUOMG2D9pZf5KoR6hjQA0RbE_wp_U5qUio6HZ3XXwOjVb1m4piA-NhZkGU8zIc41QtleOp61R1fCGI5E6FOvT1UwMt_Ps1MfWHykt7_4JOaDObZhQbOceG1F3w-MMuQaqlm0/s1600/DSC02782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Qng7RezmUOMG2D9pZf5KoR6hjQA0RbE_wp_U5qUio6HZ3XXwOjVb1m4piA-NhZkGU8zIc41QtleOp61R1fCGI5E6FOvT1UwMt_Ps1MfWHykt7_4JOaDObZhQbOceG1F3w-MMuQaqlm0/s1600/DSC02782.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First, pound the dry flowers into a powder.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv54Pf1trnvBM-x2FfqHlVCjPLjvIXmMiG2eN39rdGgwulNytz6zJfy3Ij1an_x0C1Vz7YU0sWPQqFFM7QRR-wsBmll8iPOpvS-LTNbZcZGMLD82j0BGRxfkzDDNKawtzWyh6B6EC2gA/s1600/DSC02784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv54Pf1trnvBM-x2FfqHlVCjPLjvIXmMiG2eN39rdGgwulNytz6zJfy3Ij1an_x0C1Vz7YU0sWPQqFFM7QRR-wsBmll8iPOpvS-LTNbZcZGMLD82j0BGRxfkzDDNKawtzWyh6B6EC2gA/s1600/DSC02784.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Those once brilliant red flowers end up in a powder like this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1JLd85ykPS0Gba7uQRI6Wf2Wub-nOoIDi9gytCQvHJkkRTo5zb2zVMxQqOOUfGzbbhvOB7w2HnD88q3fXLQUX5Mfk-18B61d4R365fe25hkNaWMrejlTu3wHyumaNJwNBkwNLFVpg0E/s1600/DSC02786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1JLd85ykPS0Gba7uQRI6Wf2Wub-nOoIDi9gytCQvHJkkRTo5zb2zVMxQqOOUfGzbbhvOB7w2HnD88q3fXLQUX5Mfk-18B61d4R365fe25hkNaWMrejlTu3wHyumaNJwNBkwNLFVpg0E/s1600/DSC02786.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puree the sauce ingredients (peppercorns, garlic, etc) on this grinding stone.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lOLBMIJWhQ8ZsC8TUKYDcqGhu4xaEHFHXR8des48hvlT9dDFHakmH88PZaUIMFeBVRppjha3mJrA3t1E6ybSesEvvkmQw0nDKncpFu3-7xwNgckL0_0pokABZSPwTn-hNh5hwsilHV4/s1600/DSC02788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5lOLBMIJWhQ8ZsC8TUKYDcqGhu4xaEHFHXR8des48hvlT9dDFHakmH88PZaUIMFeBVRppjha3mJrA3t1E6ybSesEvvkmQw0nDKncpFu3-7xwNgckL0_0pokABZSPwTn-hNh5hwsilHV4/s1600/DSC02788.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One by one, add the ingredients to the sauce: first oil, then tomato paste, then the pureed "sauce ingredients"...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKGCE1y3pitDhT5UYoV7zmg61_Mm3Gzqo2l-h7vYrnNSaNV5k9HligAwtFPCRya8l_O8AD1DPyW6r2QRTgUAMUo5saX8XghODU-0riFJnTho6ULSVSXDZtLRDwPGkMrEQnZre4TlFwAs/s1600/DSC02790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNKGCE1y3pitDhT5UYoV7zmg61_Mm3Gzqo2l-h7vYrnNSaNV5k9HligAwtFPCRya8l_O8AD1DPyW6r2QRTgUAMUo5saX8XghODU-0riFJnTho6ULSVSXDZtLRDwPGkMrEQnZre4TlFwAs/s1600/DSC02790.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and finally the red flower powder itself. We did not use much (1/8 cup at most). The powder thickens the sauce, so too much would make the sauce too thick. The rest of the powder was saved for another day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvBcdKnWEjoLHz9RZ44R7ud3pLg8SKblMkwYjLkY2DIxJoDQQ4mUpKf-3fcIbu7UoPsFSuyzh7ojcZEMblfnPQi5i9DNZPaMpctfSNek6KojsG_DiZJOtObze01xP6kcR9CNduY-jD3I/s1600/DSC02792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvBcdKnWEjoLHz9RZ44R7ud3pLg8SKblMkwYjLkY2DIxJoDQQ4mUpKf-3fcIbu7UoPsFSuyzh7ojcZEMblfnPQi5i9DNZPaMpctfSNek6KojsG_DiZJOtObze01xP6kcR9CNduY-jD3I/s1600/DSC02792.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the sauce is done, eat it with a ball of akassa. Bon appetite!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-67372429530562951802014-02-02T03:07:00.003-08:002014-02-02T03:07:32.982-08:00Red Flower Sauce: Part I<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few weeks ago, I collected flowers with a village friend for a sauce we later made together. Since I have a number of photos for this process, today I will just post the flower part and save the cooking of the sauce for a future post.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1Cq-bMhDGR0BADq5GmLC0s23nqf_ms7eDehyL9xsfT7uyn1rHIAcgJj8g-BBZmrwGNpKOl4oqpG86KnPu-0x22EEnnC_JLj3rDp-WEhfSkldZgkJgL-Xythzgo6ZXibf21e4s4E8L34/s1600/DSC02731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1Cq-bMhDGR0BADq5GmLC0s23nqf_ms7eDehyL9xsfT7uyn1rHIAcgJj8g-BBZmrwGNpKOl4oqpG86KnPu-0x22EEnnC_JLj3rDp-WEhfSkldZgkJgL-Xythzgo6ZXibf21e4s4E8L34/s1600/DSC02731.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the tree that produced the flowers for our sauce. We collected the flowers that fell on the ground.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qcIly6wtJ0BgO1ZHxzoAHsiKqFKBDGhCU9ifMTNDiLKgHWLol64aoRklEVXnylpWtlqm_bE-YSOnqR9PsZlFx4Dqi2RDXlq29p_W5Suj-zpCSN4eNPMqSe5rnuUvHLyr88K1XnqAu4I/s1600/DSC02732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qcIly6wtJ0BgO1ZHxzoAHsiKqFKBDGhCU9ifMTNDiLKgHWLol64aoRklEVXnylpWtlqm_bE-YSOnqR9PsZlFx4Dqi2RDXlq29p_W5Suj-zpCSN4eNPMqSe5rnuUvHLyr88K1XnqAu4I/s1600/DSC02732.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of a flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PatC93HCNbG78iMX4f6MzxBOsfvQVPlA4zy-LsgPCjQyvG6BVUovvRRzjP2OlnFiCmQZPK84TKmVCcYueuQ0eWVIjjjI_bOa4dlb2dxVokYm2kKjbh8aScntdj4c76FVMGFJJcEi0dM/s1600/DSC02734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3PatC93HCNbG78iMX4f6MzxBOsfvQVPlA4zy-LsgPCjQyvG6BVUovvRRzjP2OlnFiCmQZPK84TKmVCcYueuQ0eWVIjjjI_bOa4dlb2dxVokYm2kKjbh8aScntdj4c76FVMGFJJcEi0dM/s1600/DSC02734.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many flowers for our sauce</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOgVdV2_leozzn4E4_8zoFHTyJ-MgPbaRMXu37WKtwKxXTmcLXYZSFMsW3rGdpuxvVC0Sgg0k5V1Rl_SSfmqxIV1WCf2nXt_fS7nIecLs9WfTKkvZbKIqoqR5GdgHQR6t-4Ps8g0QS5o/s1600/DSC02735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOgVdV2_leozzn4E4_8zoFHTyJ-MgPbaRMXu37WKtwKxXTmcLXYZSFMsW3rGdpuxvVC0Sgg0k5V1Rl_SSfmqxIV1WCf2nXt_fS7nIecLs9WfTKkvZbKIqoqR5GdgHQR6t-4Ps8g0QS5o/s1600/DSC02735.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We separated the bottom part of the flower from the petals. Only the bottoms are used for the sauce.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1V8UmC3yMidirQHyHYsWEynqeYKLtVZZ6fIfFJDfqUDndO8HeMlI_OWb-JWi6nWCxaRQIPHwU-u4-mNaBlEF5UDNb2DMlhqVzWcdR3ZoYnmL0ynq29c6r_rSNiFMlKchpu1MbVncJII/s1600/DSC02736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1V8UmC3yMidirQHyHYsWEynqeYKLtVZZ6fIfFJDfqUDndO8HeMlI_OWb-JWi6nWCxaRQIPHwU-u4-mNaBlEF5UDNb2DMlhqVzWcdR3ZoYnmL0ynq29c6r_rSNiFMlKchpu1MbVncJII/s1600/DSC02736.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We set the flower bottoms aside for a few days to dry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHM1PiLt0cdtSpXH_vy5b1WoTs8ixjYzCtLnH7e1tImYWEUswnKqEDYrtGA7MVvTG26R8UEiPQcjDnBFeN5HcYka2HrwdMJinU2qoKLf89dI0QGOTiySFLnFY0H7IJXU20mmOZbNtpk0/s1600/DSC02785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHM1PiLt0cdtSpXH_vy5b1WoTs8ixjYzCtLnH7e1tImYWEUswnKqEDYrtGA7MVvTG26R8UEiPQcjDnBFeN5HcYka2HrwdMJinU2qoKLf89dI0QGOTiySFLnFY0H7IJXU20mmOZbNtpk0/s1600/DSC02785.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several weeks later, the flowers were all gone from the tree. Good thing we collected them in time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_1055429086"></span><span id="goog_1055429087"></span><br /></div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-8160016066621364122014-01-30T12:29:00.000-08:002014-01-30T12:29:24.668-08:00An Industrial Bakery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few months ago, I posted pictures of a bread oven in Sonsoro. Recently, I toured a new bakery in Kandi. As you will see in the pictures below, there is quite a difference between the two!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVINjNojd3xLJDWA3tgHxZJNMofbZFlCP8FDY6W1HSs1MbI1_qrkHW_Md5-xkGM-4vRCQu63qKr5WtTeF9OL0M_gAPvqT5OSruQGR7SQmzRA91rnKLlx7g74FdxxeiakNDd32b8t0BFs/s1600/DSC02777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVINjNojd3xLJDWA3tgHxZJNMofbZFlCP8FDY6W1HSs1MbI1_qrkHW_Md5-xkGM-4vRCQu63qKr5WtTeF9OL0M_gAPvqT5OSruQGR7SQmzRA91rnKLlx7g74FdxxeiakNDd32b8t0BFs/s1600/DSC02777.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The storefront</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This bakery is the recent creation of a Kandi entrepreneur who also manufactures potable water and is the leader in technology centers in the city. At the present time, the bakery only produces baguettes, but the owner plans to eventually make pastries such as croissants and pains au chocolat.<br />
<br />
Bread production starts around 6 pm and fresh baguettes are available as of about midnight. The owner intends to eventually run a second shift of bread production, but for the moment, there is a shortage of trained bakers to work in his bakery.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xRmYcARXJQRRHp-CMFzxTaFkzeloRLpFaMdfW7eIwnaXn3D2JwTy7JUDJb4kAkP7q6nRB4NngB7CyKmIXfeLL88NfJ-ENwNbLhUFHN-cfI8LA_gvV4iHUxCdcC2GZ-IffRIC5SigFso/s1600/DSC02773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xRmYcARXJQRRHp-CMFzxTaFkzeloRLpFaMdfW7eIwnaXn3D2JwTy7JUDJb4kAkP7q6nRB4NngB7CyKmIXfeLL88NfJ-ENwNbLhUFHN-cfI8LA_gvV4iHUxCdcC2GZ-IffRIC5SigFso/s1600/DSC02773.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The giant electric mixer (the top of the bowl would come up to your waist)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The bread is made using a yeast that requires cold temperatures, thus dozens of blocks of ice are required each night. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTOzX7l1jGySrr2LzYppqclrrafZ6-5N1EMFvVIwhzv3NbiJeOMXBzTxK4ppKfKgZSYrc5KIRrabs2wVCP2DDraUpDEdonJNVp8GC7RGkv5mVTRAd4AHOtJ50CZlzS36mTZfJXh3lQXc/s1600/DSC02776.JPG" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100 lbs bags of flour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTOzX7l1jGySrr2LzYppqclrrafZ6-5N1EMFvVIwhzv3NbiJeOMXBzTxK4ppKfKgZSYrc5KIRrabs2wVCP2DDraUpDEdonJNVp8GC7RGkv5mVTRAd4AHOtJ50CZlzS36mTZfJXh3lQXc/s1600/DSC02776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br /> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPVqDDfBHZaFL4vid9qz2g-kIGflONJPulZ9qRuEDvsjV3T2qhtmVqAW9fOwx8Jmc8fOXQY4gqmtdhQotcJ2pfeJB9WSJyOKP5blTTLndVjv6snuo5jsWEL9HA9j3rf813_a1Zm7mS3Q/s1600/DSC02774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPVqDDfBHZaFL4vid9qz2g-kIGflONJPulZ9qRuEDvsjV3T2qhtmVqAW9fOwx8Jmc8fOXQY4gqmtdhQotcJ2pfeJB9WSJyOKP5blTTLndVjv6snuo5jsWEL9HA9j3rf813_a1Zm7mS3Q/s1600/DSC02774.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kneading table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When the bread is being produced, an enormous blob of dough (at least 3 feet across) sits on the end of this table as several bakers work on rolling it into snakes of dough that will eventually become baguettes. Then the baguettes are placed on long cloths that have been folded like accordions, with two baguettes in each fold.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUTf-cl1SbUidWjyCu_Q6pLQUSSKwhp5ZEEJITrRuvsBjCpHlI1hByoVFgjpNLNLbaLF-NzYqrwD1xJFS927K8NDnBMkpcbqt9pEk7YwGBe_I1-Ain4ljXiiCiXh1WVOp7UPUIVLwGKc/s1600/DSC02772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUTf-cl1SbUidWjyCu_Q6pLQUSSKwhp5ZEEJITrRuvsBjCpHlI1hByoVFgjpNLNLbaLF-NzYqrwD1xJFS927K8NDnBMkpcbqt9pEk7YwGBe_I1-Ain4ljXiiCiXh1WVOp7UPUIVLwGKc/s1600/DSC02772.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bread oven</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwij1i8W5wjsteYzVfQFBk4a9KCOq27Getrk-CTNK-iYoYWB7GeDIsBe2cbOSiQvPhk6dCT505LS1-7RfCFNvlOVhus6A4TyJ3lw6PM1leO4WuCB-L7fMrEps0x6XIGP6DidhUo4DCWn8/s1600/DSC02775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwij1i8W5wjsteYzVfQFBk4a9KCOq27Getrk-CTNK-iYoYWB7GeDIsBe2cbOSiQvPhk6dCT505LS1-7RfCFNvlOVhus6A4TyJ3lw6PM1leO4WuCB-L7fMrEps0x6XIGP6DidhUo4DCWn8/s1600/DSC02775.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final product</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hundreds of baguettes are produced each day. Their sale price is 125 CFA (25 cents). Some baguettes are sold in front of the bakery, while others are distributed to individuals who will sell them throughout Kandi. When the baguettes are sold wholesale, they are sold for 110 CFA (22 cents), meaning the vendor will get a 15 CFA (3 cent) profit on each one.<br />
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Bon appétit!</div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-44465952920535291422014-01-20T09:11:00.000-08:002014-01-20T09:11:37.177-08:00An American's Take on Benin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I recently came across this blog post from an American college student doing a month-long study program in Benin:<br />
<br />
"It is hard to travel to a place like
Benin and not have a sense of guilt when you leave. I want to do more
to help but it is hard to know where to start. I hope that this trip
will somehow change the way I live my life. The simple things that we
take for granted on a daily basis are amazing……like having a
clean place to go to the bathroom (or any place to go to the bathroom
really), being able to drink the water, being able to feed our
families. The poverty I have witnessed is just not fair…….and it
does bring me some guilt. [..] These people live in
completely unsanitary conditions all the time. The children are
literally playing in garbage. [...] I hope that I will
be able to help my own children understand that “we” are all the
same….nobody is better than anyone else, and we should all be doing
more to help others in need around the world."<br />
<br />
This blog post made me cringe. Here's why:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Don't insult the Beninese by pitying them. </b><br />
Benin is a wonderful place and the Beninese are a dignified people. This post's author pities "these people" because she has a superficial understanding of how their culture works and because she is viewing Beninese culture through American lenses. When I look at the Beninese, I do not see impoverished people. I see proud people who have a strong network of friends and family to take care of them.<br />
<br />
<b>2. She misidentifies the problems.</b><br />
The author writes about the lack of bathroom facilities, lack of access to clean water, and the "completely unsanitary conditions" in which all Beninese supposedly live. She is wrong on every count.<br />
Let's start with the issue of latrines. While there are few latrines in my village, that is not the problem. Even when latrines exist, they are rarely used. The villagers prefer defecating in fields because that is what they have always done and because they do not understand the health implications of open-air defecation. All of our public schools, for instance, have latrines, but many children still bypass the latrines to defecate in the fields behind the schools. Some well-meaning foreign organization built latrines for our public market, but they are not used. The issue is not the absence of latrines, but rather that the villagers are not convinced of the importance of using a latrine.<br />
On the question of clean water, most disease-causing organisms can be removed from water simply by filtering the water through a clean piece of clothing. Thus, relatively clean water is available to all. Therefore, there is not a problem of access to clean water, but rather a lack of education about how and why to make water clean.<br />
As for her claim that the Beninese live in "completely unsanitary conditions," the villagers I know would find that insulting. They take great pride in sweeping their homes and courtyards and doing everything they know to keep their homes clean.<br />
<br />
<b>3. The Beninese don't need her help.</b><br />
This author's heart appears to be in the right place, but what she does not realize is that so much of the help she might be inclined to give would actually be destructive. Too much aid is distributed by foreigners with no or little understanding of the local culture and circumstances, and therefore much aid can even be damaging.<br />
How can the Beninese be the drivers of their own development when Westerners are running the show? How can Benin ever hope to be self-sufficient if Westerners are always offering handouts?<br />
<br />
The author of this blog post wrote in the way that Americans are <i>expected</i> to write. When you go to Africa, everyone back home expects you to write about how miserable the Africans are, how poor they are, how needy they are. <i>Ooh, isn't that dreadful?</i> That kind of writing denigrates the proud and wonderful people that you find here. They deserve better.</div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-31695545339919601692014-01-18T07:19:00.001-08:002014-01-18T07:19:40.171-08:00More on Savings in Benin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After I wrote my last post, I came across two more systems for savings and loans in Benin.<br />
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One system is quite familiar: purchasing goods on credit. I was at my friend's dry goods shop earlier this week when a customer bought larger quantities of spaghetti, tomato paste, and bouillon cubes. Since she did not have enough money for her substantial purchase, she bought the goods on credit. She will use the ingredients to make spaghetti to sell, and once she has sold all of the cooked spaghetti, she will have enough money to pay her debt. The shopkeeper records the debt in a notebook and provides a receipt to her customer. I assume most debts are ultimately paid off because otherwise, my shopkeeper friend would surely discontinue this practice.<br />
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During another visit to the shop, I learned of another local loan/investment practice, as described by a customer. Farmers can find it difficult to make their harvest money last until the next season, so when a farmer is in desperate need of money, he can sell future sacks of corn in advance for a low rate. In this case, the investor had bought 15 future sacks of corn from a strapped farmer for 5000 CFA each ($10), knowing that when the corn was finally harvested, the sacks would already be worth 12,000 CFA ($24). Through this investment, she thus stood to make $210 in profit, a handsome sum in a country where the median daily wage is $1.25. Unfortunately for the investor, once the corn was harvested, the farmer refused to give her the sacks she had paid for! I do not know what recourse she has, but when the system works, it is a fantastic investment opportunity.<br />
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Do not forget either an investment practice I described in the fall: buying goats for cheap in the spring when demand is low, and selling them for top dollar right before Tabaski when demand is high. Since the upkeep of goats is nearly free during the rainy season when plants and water are plentiful, this, too, can be a great investment opportunity.<br />
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Another common investment is to buy land and rent it out to field hands. Some teachers, nurses, and other professionals who do not want to dirty their hands in the fields will do this.<br />
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As you can see, income in Benin is more complicated than meets the eye. While it may be tempting to label the Beninese as helplessly poor, there are a number of investment, savings, and loan opportunities that an American onlooker might never know existed.</div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-21518195826615735122014-01-11T00:48:00.005-08:002014-01-11T00:49:48.393-08:00Savings in Benin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As you all know, Africans are nearly always portrayed as impoverished. While this is a reality for many Africans, there is an African middle class and even an upper class, though the latter is rarely seen in rural communities. Still, even members of the African middle class can find themselves with scarcely a dime in their pocket. That is because the notion of economic class here is not necessarily a function of how much money you possess at a given time. The Beninese have monetary habits that are largely dependent on their social practices, notably interdependency.<br />
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Beninese spending can be summed up this way: "spend it while it's hot". Savings are rare here because if you have an unexpected expense, you simply borrow money from a friend. Because of that, many Beninese are eager to spend their money while they have it rather than see their money whisked away by a friend in need. Less prudent Beninese spend their money on fancy clothes, beer, and other luxuries, while more prudent Beninese invest the money in a construction project, often a home. If you put your money in bricks and mortar, your friends and family cannot borrow it from you, yet you are still investing in your future.<br />
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To illustrate Beninese spending habits, I'll take the example of a teacher friend. As a teacher, he makes an amount of money that is luxurious in a village like Sonsoro. Yet he said that as soon as he gets his money, he goes on a spending frenzy, buying nice clothes and other luxuries, so that two weeks after his monthly payday, he is already down to his last $2, even during months when a bonus doubled his salary. Essentially, no matter how much money he received, he would still spend it all every month.<br />
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Some clever Beninese come up with systems that allow them to accumulate assets that can be liquidated when they need a lot of money for a big purchase. For instance, most of the summer's crops have been harvested by Christmas. The corn is stored in sacks to be sold, preferably in the spring when prices are highest. Twenty sacks of corn, for example, is enough to buy a motorcycle if the corn is sold when prices are good. However, some people who never have a dime in their pocket and want to celebrate the holidays with fancy clothes and expensive beverages will sell a sack of corn in December to afford their celebration. These sacks of corn only fetch half of what they would in the spring, so forward-thinking Beninese buy these cheap sacks of corn in December and wait to sell them for a handsome profit in the spring.<br />
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Another system to save money for large expenses is a <i>tontine</i>. One of my friends is in a <i>tontine</i>. Every market day (once every four days in Sonsoro), each woman deposits $4 with my friend, who acts as their treasurer. In all, she collects $40 (six participants pay at the normal rate, and two pay at a double rate of $8 each market day). After two market days, once my friend has collected $80, she gives the money to one of the women, who uses it to pay for a large purchase that she needed to save up for. Each woman gets a turn to receive the money until everyone has had their turn, then the <i>tontine</i> cycle starts again. The order in which each woman will get her share may change every cycle, giving a woman who knows she needs the money at a specific time the opportunity to request to be the beneficiary around that date. My friend's <i>tontine</i> has existed for at least eight years, and obviously the system requires a lot of trust. Members of the <i>tontine</i> are not chosen lightly.<br />
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As a Peace Corps Volunteer, the Beninese spending and borrowing system works against me. When a Beninese person needs to borrow money, they target wealthy friends, relatives, and even strangers, believing they can give most easily (hence the importance of hiding your wealth or spending your wealth). Because of my white skin, I am automatically considered to be wealthy, regardless of whether it is true. This means that I am expected to be a lender, but never a borrower. Furthermore, because I follow American habits of setting some of my money aside in savings for a rainy day, that means I am far more likely than a Beninese person to have money on hand to be borrowed. Also, since American values expect self-sufficiency, it is hard for a volunteer to accept the Beninese system of interdependency to the point of asking someone else for money. Hence, Peace Corps Volunteers generally have nothing to gain and everything to lose from this system.<br />
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While some Beninese hate being targeted as lenders, others do not mind because of the local expectation, particularly rooted in the Muslim faith, that all good deeds on this earth will be rewarded by God after death. Therefore, while some Beninese actively hide and spend their money to avoid lending, others are glad to share in anticipation of divine reward.</div>
Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-89728558039724916332013-12-29T03:55:00.002-08:002013-12-29T03:55:47.120-08:00Recipe: Sinri Flower Sauce<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Over the past month, I have repeatedly been served a sauce containing sinri flowers. Last week, I asked my friend to come over and teach me how to make the sauce. An illustrated guide is below:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhd1_B8vwbsQ3O5upWSUhZKcqFhf9eTNHxATPw8YTDM9DwnHMR4g0X0tUEXov2EcpIfa5YLoz8MfZ7kHdbg0yEI2mxlz5v4zteNElGgrs4OHn9FmZFSLkUxQOzeUKpJpq_-2BeZrMTujY/s1600/DSC02718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhd1_B8vwbsQ3O5upWSUhZKcqFhf9eTNHxATPw8YTDM9DwnHMR4g0X0tUEXov2EcpIfa5YLoz8MfZ7kHdbg0yEI2mxlz5v4zteNElGgrs4OHn9FmZFSLkUxQOzeUKpJpq_-2BeZrMTujY/s320/DSC02718.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collect the sinri flowers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3y3lW2-OX09QpHWDeCP_kvi2TSJQdMb5PW2lNXeJacEr48MrgzpisECskJjAZSTG3cZXNijVZMWKc2BjO7mhSfxfI9LFULWWoJpRV18h5F-Ai8p71vLjOo68nGkiMn3td57qIeFAC2s/s1600/DSC02724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj3y3lW2-OX09QpHWDeCP_kvi2TSJQdMb5PW2lNXeJacEr48MrgzpisECskJjAZSTG3cZXNijVZMWKc2BjO7mhSfxfI9LFULWWoJpRV18h5F-Ai8p71vLjOo68nGkiMn3td57qIeFAC2s/s320/DSC02724.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our flowers are plucked and ready for cooking. If you don't have fresh flowers on hand, you can use dried flowers that you harvested previously.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvVkOVNrNw34ZEvRr02aBAo4TpTV98kG0_nhq_wD4znZSDRN_ljqov-ZzJKM8e218uymT1fP3F2glqijXdgR4LXx8u8cS6LrWKhYQdeWrNBR52X9McFnP7I0r6ug8zBZuzigKKH8CNew/s1600/DSC02725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvVkOVNrNw34ZEvRr02aBAo4TpTV98kG0_nhq_wD4znZSDRN_ljqov-ZzJKM8e218uymT1fP3F2glqijXdgR4LXx8u8cS6LrWKhYQdeWrNBR52X9McFnP7I0r6ug8zBZuzigKKH8CNew/s320/DSC02725.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We washed and boiled the flowers, then drained them and set them aside.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyUYyWDI724IkazwCK_u17EyIgCoyrT5C0zu6J4mvCenrnPs2Ayrw0y5V2El341Rx1li53cNy3tLLveptH9yZyiAtDm821udob3eid3Aw9Z8Hc_ikx_PT24BoTGwbbvV3gzuTKKR4eLI/s1600/DSC02730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyUYyWDI724IkazwCK_u17EyIgCoyrT5C0zu6J4mvCenrnPs2Ayrw0y5V2El341Rx1li53cNy3tLLveptH9yZyiAtDm821udob3eid3Aw9Z8Hc_ikx_PT24BoTGwbbvV3gzuTKKR4eLI/s320/DSC02730.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This particular recipe calls for beans. You do not want the skins on your beans, so you must pound them to loosen the skins, then place them in water so that the skins float to the top. These beans have already had the skin removed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A2hO4yKvPvf1Piec23B11iwreFk9Ro-YWIjw7ek60v4z36K3gq-9rBIyeQr3k2opR_pLn2DRVMa_5KWbrmICA-xI3PuMQMT3eKCHsshUdPEmHGJYKUUzuO-vuODMILHS55_3IwSekgQ/s1600/DSC02727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7A2hO4yKvPvf1Piec23B11iwreFk9Ro-YWIjw7ek60v4z36K3gq-9rBIyeQr3k2opR_pLn2DRVMa_5KWbrmICA-xI3PuMQMT3eKCHsshUdPEmHGJYKUUzuO-vuODMILHS55_3IwSekgQ/s320/DSC02727.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next, you cook 1/3 cup of beans in water, then add the "sauce ingredients" (pureed garlic, pepper, salt, hot pepper, and special Beninese condiments).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZR8BzEQzjoS1hKsZF00eN6gbr-eHMPs7ryIMLP0xlYJhDlX61XDDr3FF4XTgP4w6n-slN-jmDdY9bJlAB70KbEOcg4_Q5hBSur7paPaRxMrfCIgnVZpe4dsLfqmfPV-mg1iS27LhsuI/s1600/DSC02744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZR8BzEQzjoS1hKsZF00eN6gbr-eHMPs7ryIMLP0xlYJhDlX61XDDr3FF4XTgP4w6n-slN-jmDdY9bJlAB70KbEOcg4_Q5hBSur7paPaRxMrfCIgnVZpe4dsLfqmfPV-mg1iS27LhsuI/s320/DSC02744.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the beans are cooked, you add the flowers back into the pot, and then it is time to eat! This sauce can be enjoyed with pate or akassa.</td></tr>
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-74392322937453598542013-12-22T05:38:00.000-08:002013-12-22T05:38:15.566-08:00On the Farm<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Now that the rains have stopped, we are nearing the end of our farming season. Most people will finish harvesting over the next few months and will return to Sonsoro in January.<br />
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During the farming season, farmers (that is, nearly the entire population of Sonsoro) actually leave town and move into their country homes amidst their fields. Most people only return to town on our market day, which is every fourth day. On Friday, I went to visit my friend's farm, which is about 15 miles from Sonsoro.<br />
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My friend has a large farm and hires laborers to help out. He grows cotton, soybeans, corn, manioc, mangoes, edible flowers, millet, and more, and he also raises bees and chickens. Below are some photos from his farm:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-dcXiusOKxgwZxMeiSLTT0Lez2xagZhAlBKxNj1eSlM2mHWG9Rkt-lrxm7M1P-YMYXnGcHcYy-A5t22Z-YXpk1T0pah59mR3rHfPPs93uYRLar1Ex9kw8kUc6mVn4xvixVW36pJx6v0/s1600/DSC02709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-dcXiusOKxgwZxMeiSLTT0Lez2xagZhAlBKxNj1eSlM2mHWG9Rkt-lrxm7M1P-YMYXnGcHcYy-A5t22Z-YXpk1T0pah59mR3rHfPPs93uYRLar1Ex9kw8kUc6mVn4xvixVW36pJx6v0/s320/DSC02709.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A storage container full of millet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCf8LnpP6mmwGu3dph7UXM6eVtiYrdJLXUZmv7em1SrYD0VxiqUHSJw4sUkCAwOED50IFmcHdnFzN0N5nkBJthqDL5-uzu11en2mOEoEwfx2CRX7acDY84VZZEf3KvaA8EeMeQjfFzu8/s1600/DSC02711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCf8LnpP6mmwGu3dph7UXM6eVtiYrdJLXUZmv7em1SrYD0VxiqUHSJw4sUkCAwOED50IFmcHdnFzN0N5nkBJthqDL5-uzu11en2mOEoEwfx2CRX7acDY84VZZEf3KvaA8EeMeQjfFzu8/s320/DSC02711.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm very comfortable in this giant pile of cotton.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfaCp1qnuwnABELec5cUd8vzJHrYiHwlAe6tn5fRXP_veLIE2j7dRhDms6vur4hBJCf9W3D1qGj4jmjujNX_-j8utHbpnj5__Z3voVgs49lKgCb4GUH5BgTZUo3CrG-nLReoKNiSCyZU/s1600/DSC02714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfaCp1qnuwnABELec5cUd8vzJHrYiHwlAe6tn5fRXP_veLIE2j7dRhDms6vur4hBJCf9W3D1qGj4jmjujNX_-j8utHbpnj5__Z3voVgs49lKgCb4GUH5BgTZUo3CrG-nLReoKNiSCyZU/s320/DSC02714.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how tall the millet grows? The top is eaten, and the stalks are used for construction projects.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZbPkQCOGc2ACkf8xjpfsjra-QtXJyTEGk7EsFkJUjMzmpJX9XMFzEVKDI33Um8wgFmc-sThUZrKVcjVuUqzb4HHQxZgCh-iOIssf6Kho6guGH22VhOErMLYQJQgHlyVqQQO9Wt_YG1k/s1600/DSC02715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZbPkQCOGc2ACkf8xjpfsjra-QtXJyTEGk7EsFkJUjMzmpJX9XMFzEVKDI33Um8wgFmc-sThUZrKVcjVuUqzb4HHQxZgCh-iOIssf6Kho6guGH22VhOErMLYQJQgHlyVqQQO9Wt_YG1k/s320/DSC02715.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The top of the millet can be turned into porridge or mash.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY2q4WttW6iL5lUNfwPQgyKkBfmj9gPBDz1QlwhT_DAol-cRlP5MYYPtSgclFnawxbXEQC-eSro-PfSYf5jpLkBbsed01WAO9lcSJAR7c_9j2ZDNsp6PvxYPboWwCp7zSMrvCD45G-5I/s1600/DSC02722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiY2q4WttW6iL5lUNfwPQgyKkBfmj9gPBDz1QlwhT_DAol-cRlP5MYYPtSgclFnawxbXEQC-eSro-PfSYf5jpLkBbsed01WAO9lcSJAR7c_9j2ZDNsp6PvxYPboWwCp7zSMrvCD45G-5I/s320/DSC02722.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A field of cotton. All the related labor is done by hand. No cotton gin here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL0HouUpc7ZuCg6V1-fITBvcHEbNqbPY_y_QmvKw4A3GQnRYYOSZa3FhloA0chuXPJybOLVPscp86O7lZ26LczbU-UkcnwKmyx8vVOr8fF240KUiBWpnOjI8zuBcSZYneKNhn-SiE5EY/s1600/DSC02721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNL0HouUpc7ZuCg6V1-fITBvcHEbNqbPY_y_QmvKw4A3GQnRYYOSZa3FhloA0chuXPJybOLVPscp86O7lZ26LczbU-UkcnwKmyx8vVOr8fF240KUiBWpnOjI8zuBcSZYneKNhn-SiE5EY/s320/DSC02721.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend's house, where he lives during the eight or so months he spends every year on his farm.</td></tr>
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5084763504701829379.post-40113360015540051972013-12-14T14:11:00.000-08:002013-12-14T14:11:24.094-08:00Snake Oil Salesmen and Traditional Medicine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A few days ago, a traveling salesman arrived at our health center with a briefcase full of traditional medicines. He presented us with a list of 60 different ailments he could cure with his products: hepatitis, malaria, incontinence, etc. While he is from southern Benin, he was trained in traditional medicine at an institute in Mali, and he presented a certification to that effect.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQwTQbAc0cBEqrZt6i2wi6pospF2BcCtdbAQ0GWlZBeYMATtk8gwxcDAvMlpXY799GmoQ4Xyer2lZijaruTV0psi-4t9nVxd3xY4b-Da0IGrs88YUr2GWgZPYNiFFQl86ZwI9QMllSQs/s1600/DSC02691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQwTQbAc0cBEqrZt6i2wi6pospF2BcCtdbAQ0GWlZBeYMATtk8gwxcDAvMlpXY799GmoQ4Xyer2lZijaruTV0psi-4t9nVxd3xY4b-Da0IGrs88YUr2GWgZPYNiFFQl86ZwI9QMllSQs/s400/DSC02691.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The traveling salesman with his briefcase of medicines and handful of charm necklaces</td></tr>
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The pharmacist purchased his hepatitis cure for $2 and was instructed to mix the powder with a cup of honey and to consume one tablespoon every morning and night until the product was finished. I later pointed out to her that the product looked like ash, so she tasted it, declared it tasted like ash, and swore she had been swindled.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH_h99zgx8wsC9DMTAKWtQ9WfT4dpEDF-XxlOCFbGdJLxGMsOjEAGXgVVnyxrvb06c6mU1l48K0K846Hfc1s8HH9fKtfWrk49y2Vq-ldoL-ymgAJvXpOzmNT2cerjZkeezeXrSMEXhlc/s1600/DSC02692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH_h99zgx8wsC9DMTAKWtQ9WfT4dpEDF-XxlOCFbGdJLxGMsOjEAGXgVVnyxrvb06c6mU1l48K0K846Hfc1s8HH9fKtfWrk49y2Vq-ldoL-ymgAJvXpOzmNT2cerjZkeezeXrSMEXhlc/s320/DSC02692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hepatitis cure</td></tr>
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The same salesman tried to sell me a powder that he said would ensure that every single person kept every promise to me for the rest of my life. For $10, it sounded like a steal! He instructed me to mix it with lotion and spread it on my skin. He was also selling charm necklaces to put around children to help them with teething and more.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkWxy6WaXTJkjEpcbVZO6FgvMT5INRhgyDVwaKyJ6jIaiGGmCnVaGeeVu0YG1NAT6V3YQUAb7F0-k_-Mtr8WF6jgZTfEcslpbGlI42ljgh0vgmSjSuVXbLjrl4MaeqguGkYc1QYEB9ag/s1600/DSC02690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkWxy6WaXTJkjEpcbVZO6FgvMT5INRhgyDVwaKyJ6jIaiGGmCnVaGeeVu0YG1NAT6V3YQUAb7F0-k_-Mtr8WF6jgZTfEcslpbGlI42ljgh0vgmSjSuVXbLjrl4MaeqguGkYc1QYEB9ag/s320/DSC02690.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This powder will make everyone I know keep their promises to me for the rest of my life.</td></tr>
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Before he left, he made a prophecy to my friend. He said that she was the victim of malicious witchcraft and told her to do kindness to twins in order to set things straight. He himself claimed to be the only surviving brother of a set of triplets, which in the Beninese mindset means that he absorbed the powers of his dead brothers and is now somewhat superhuman.<br />
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While some of the products may be legitimate, obviously parts of what the salesman said would raise a red flag to any American. Traditional medicine, however, is very popular with the Beninese, and it is even recognized by the Ministry of Health.<br />
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One place I often see sellers of traditional medicine is on the bus to or from Cotonou. A salesman always boards the bus about halfway through the trip, and he hawks his wares to a captive audience for 30 minutes until he can catch a bus in the opposite direction. Like many traditional medicines, some of his products are claimed to have six or more purposes: you can cure cavities and have a memory aid all in one bottle!<br />
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However, one need not depend on a traveling salesman for such products. Whenever a Beninese person is sick, his first recourse is generally home-brewed traditional medicine. He will go out and find the necessary roots or leaves to make a cure for his ailment. When my friend's baby was a picky eater, for instance, she prepared a special brew that was to be used in two ways to induce appetite: she bathed her son in it, and she also gave him some to drink.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzMVRMlfF0VgQlYVw2wNObQr9sBIaxfkhVGnpatp56Gb1dl-jHXno6-1w7uSVXwCNcE7j2u143TaHfSgAl0hqwmCEzzsL-u9xsvmw3Xpirk2piBNLbbrqbIdRPQXWQhtXZlAXw4sA0MM/s1600/DSC02629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzMVRMlfF0VgQlYVw2wNObQr9sBIaxfkhVGnpatp56Gb1dl-jHXno6-1w7uSVXwCNcE7j2u143TaHfSgAl0hqwmCEzzsL-u9xsvmw3Xpirk2piBNLbbrqbIdRPQXWQhtXZlAXw4sA0MM/s320/DSC02629.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our pharmacist prepared this drink to cure an ailment.</td></tr>
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Since I work at the health center, I encourage villagers to rely on the proven medicines we sell there, but my advice often falls on deaf ears. Even my colleagues at the health center use traditional medicine. When I described to a school principal the rigorous testing our Western medicine undergoes before being marketed, he dismissed such testing, saying, "In Benin, if you give a medicine to ten people and two get better, we say it's a cure." Given how much cheaper traditional medicine is than Western medicine, it is no surprise that we have a hard time getting sick people to seek treatment at the health center.<br />
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Alexhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11334644926538549625noreply@blogger.com5