My host family speaks Goun, which is a variation on Fon. Most of the kids speak some French because their schooling is in French, but the only adult who knows any French is the father, who was educated through elementary school.
I have no idea how much gas costs for motorcycles. Prices are never written and I have never asked. But motorcycles are the ubiquitous means of transportation here. Cars are very rare. There are a few bicycles, but most people get around by motorcycle or by foot.
Thanks for the pictures, they're really worth a thousand words. I don't believe that's really you in the first picture. The Alex I know doesn't wear skirts.
We have electricity, but it is only used for a few things: lights after dark, TV, speakers, and charging cell phones. The kitchen has absolutely no modern appliances or conveniences, thus no refrigerator. They consume very little milk and it comes either in powdered form or as sweetened condensed milk. All food is consumed immediately and there are no leftovers.
What a cute picture of you with your host mother. I hadn't seen you with your hair down before. Very nice!! Your blog is fascinating. The house looks much more substantial than I had imagined. Is the father the only one working in the family and what does he do? Have you had an opportunity to see the school where the children go? Electricity and television before indoor plumbing, how interesting . What are your feelings about this new experience at this point? The recipes are great. I think I could shorten the recipe for peanut brittle a bit by buying peanuts already shelled and skinned, but that's probably not an option there. I assume that peanuts are grown there, so you could show them how to make the American all time favorite. Jean Ralley
In Beninese families, everyone works. The father is a driver in Porto-Novo. I do not know if he works for himself, for an individual/family, or for a company. I also do not know whether he drives a car or a motorcycle. But like all families here, my host family is engaged in a number of economic endeavors. My host mom is leading the charge on a home construction project. Her children are providing the labor, and the house will be rented when finished. My host parents are landlords for at least one other rental. They also produce palm oil and sell it on the market. They sell a number of food products from their home, such as fruit and peanuts. They purchase the peanuts in another village, then take orders and shell them when they have a purchaser. Last night, ten of us spent an hour shelling peanuts that someone was to purchase.
Additionally, the family has a field, where they have palm trees, corn, beans, and cassava, depending on the season. I am sure they have other money-making projects that I am unaware of.
I have seen my host sister's secondary school, but I have not seen the elementary school. I periodically have Bariba class in the private (religious) school. What most struck me is that there are no maps or special school supplies in the room. There are lights, but we always use natural light there. Nearly all of the host families in Dangbo have electricity and perhaps less than half have running water. One Peace Corps trainee here has no electricity, but her family can watch TV by hooking it up to the motorcycle (indoors).
It has been a very enriching experience so far. I find the Peace Corps training long and cumbersome, but I like Dangbo and my host family. Originally, the photo with my host mom was to be just of me, but my host mom came up, stuck her arm around me, and said, "Mon enfant! Mon enfant!" ("My child! My child!"). I will miss them when I leave.
I am certainly interested in any recipes that can be executed here. I know peanuts can be purchased already shelled, and I am sure they can be bought roasted and skinned for a slightly higher price.
Great pictures! What language does your host family speak?
ReplyDeleteHow much does gas cost (for the motorcycle) in Benin?
ReplyDeleteMy host family speaks Goun, which is a variation on Fon. Most of the kids speak some French because their schooling is in French, but the only adult who knows any French is the father, who was educated through elementary school.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how much gas costs for motorcycles. Prices are never written and I have never asked. But motorcycles are the ubiquitous means of transportation here. Cars are very rare. There are a few bicycles, but most people get around by motorcycle or by foot.
Thanks for the pictures, they're really worth a thousand words. I don't believe that's really you in the first picture. The Alex I know doesn't wear skirts.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you expect? It's hard to bike in a skirt.
ReplyDeleteAt least some of my future outfits will have to be wrap skirts instead of tailored skirts. Otherwise, I don't know how I will straddled a motorcycle.
Alex I work with your Mom and she shared the link. Your blogs are great and I love the photo's. Thanks
ReplyDeleteYou mention that they have electricity - does that mean that they have refrigeration for milk and things like that?
We have electricity, but it is only used for a few things: lights after dark, TV, speakers, and charging cell phones. The kitchen has absolutely no modern appliances or conveniences, thus no refrigerator. They consume very little milk and it comes either in powdered form or as sweetened condensed milk. All food is consumed immediately and there are no leftovers.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute picture of you with your host mother. I hadn't seen you with your hair down before. Very nice!! Your blog is fascinating. The house looks much more substantial than I had imagined. Is the father the only one working in the family and what does he do? Have you had an opportunity to see the school where the children go? Electricity and television before indoor plumbing, how interesting .
ReplyDeleteWhat are your feelings about this new experience at this point? The recipes are great. I think I could shorten the recipe for peanut brittle a bit by buying peanuts already shelled and skinned, but that's probably not an option there. I assume that peanuts are grown there, so you could show them how to make the American all time favorite. Jean Ralley
In Beninese families, everyone works. The father is a driver in Porto-Novo. I do not know if he works for himself, for an individual/family, or for a company. I also do not know whether he drives a car or a motorcycle. But like all families here, my host family is engaged in a number of economic endeavors. My host mom is leading the charge on a home construction project. Her children are providing the labor, and the house will be rented when finished. My host parents are landlords for at least one other rental. They also produce palm oil and sell it on the market. They sell a number of food products from their home, such as fruit and peanuts. They purchase the peanuts in another village, then take orders and shell them when they have a purchaser. Last night, ten of us spent an hour shelling peanuts that someone was to purchase.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, the family has a field, where they have palm trees, corn, beans, and cassava, depending on the season. I am sure they have other money-making projects that I am unaware of.
I have seen my host sister's secondary school, but I have not seen the elementary school. I periodically have Bariba class in the private (religious) school. What most struck me is that there are no maps or special school supplies in the room. There are lights, but we always use natural light there. Nearly all of the host families in Dangbo have electricity and perhaps less than half have running water. One Peace Corps trainee here has no electricity, but her family can watch TV by hooking it up to the motorcycle (indoors).
It has been a very enriching experience so far. I find the Peace Corps training long and cumbersome, but I like Dangbo and my host family. Originally, the photo with my host mom was to be just of me, but my host mom came up, stuck her arm around me, and said, "Mon enfant! Mon enfant!" ("My child! My child!"). I will miss them when I leave.
I am certainly interested in any recipes that can be executed here. I know peanuts can be purchased already shelled, and I am sure they can be bought roasted and skinned for a slightly higher price.