Almost to the end!

Well, I am coming down to my last three months here in Benin. Here in Lokossa. Today is May 6th, 2012 and I am showered and feeling good. I actually have a show going on in my house. My dogs are jumping around like maniacs, running room to room, bed to bed; it is quite the show. The sun is shining, but not too brightly for me to sweat to death right after taking a cold shower. So, I have to tell you, I have been to the hospital a lot lately; not for me, no. There have been family friends’ who have been really sick with stomach problems and two very important babies being born. The hospital is not the place to be. The people who know me know that I cannot stand the hospitals in America; I practically pass out being there. But, here in Benin, it is awful. Not so clean, let’s say. I can’t count how many times I used hand sanitizer just standing in a hallway not touching anything. The smell could really make you sick. The patients have a little room shared with many others; they bring their own food and water, and wear whatever panya they have come in. It is a very different system.. Needless to say, the family friends turned out just fine. They were able to scrounge the money from their family and friends in order to pay for their medicines, vitamins, syringes, and nights in the hospital. It costs about 4 dollars a night to stay in the hospital, the doctor prescribes medicines and vitamins, syringes, IV’s etc and you or a family member are to go buy them before they can be treated. So, you guessed it-no money, no service. There is not an insurance plan here for the Beninese people. Well, not that I know of. Every time, I just see people scrounging around for money here and there. Okay, back to the very important babies! There was a baby girl born and her name is KAYLA! Well, that is part of her name. She has a village name, plus Kayla Violet (Violet was a French girl who came to Benin and worked in the forests up north for a couple of months). Isn’t that so cool? I was super happy about my name finally being able to stay in Benin! I have been trying and trying to convince that Mama’s to name their child, Kayla. It happened. She is a beauty too! But, she seems to have a belly ache quite often. I asked the Mama if she burps the baby and she had no idea what burping was! It is true; they do not burp their babies here. I have not seen a single baby being burped. Okay, and then there is the second very important baby. A baby born was born on May 4th, 2012. On the French calendar, which Benin uses, there are names next to each date. Guess whose name is next to May 4th? Sylvain’s! So, the baby could be named Sylvain, but instead he was named CURTISS! I do not know the rest of the name, but baby Curtiss it is! Great! My first and last name will be in Benin forever! I feel accomplished! He is super cute too. I hope to go take pictures of him today. Well, now I have to tell you about my experience in the maternity ward for the first time here in Benin. What a crazy place, but really normal for everyone here. It does not faze them one bit. Okay, so when I first was walking up to the maternity “open way” because there is no door so I cannot say “doorway,” the sign said “Bonne Maternite” which mean Good maternity. I bet every woman wants to rip that sign down! They are in labor and they aren’t very happy and they see a sign that is kind of mocking them. I don’t know, I wouldn’t be happy to see the sign. Also, here in Benin, the men stay outside, practically on the curb. They are not to go into the maternity ward until the mother and the baby are taken to another room. They do not get to see the baby for awhile. It is very different. Anyways, during their time waiting, the men have to go to the pharmacy right around the corner to pay for medicine for the wives. So, what if the money wasn’t available? That would be a difficult situation. Okay, now here is a question! How do baby girls pee better than I do? I mean, if I pee outside or in a latrine (because there is no other place to pee) it is an accomplishment to not splash pee on my feet! They are professionals. Find a spot (anywhere because they are baby girls and that is accepted here), pull down the panties (usually all they are wearing), squat, pee, pull up panties (no they do not wipe), and go on their merry way. Can you imagine? Professionals, I tell you! Also, how many flies can land on the table where I am eating before I get angry? I still have not gotten over this disgusting fly problem here. I mean, who could? Gross. I have washed my own table with soap and water many times and the waitresses never get it! There are whole families that come join me for lunch almost every time! Little ones all the way to queen flies. Gross. Ew is right! So, I am glad April is done and May is here. April was a long month. I took one week of vacation and I was in Cotonou for one week sick. All better now. Anyways, May is here and now we have one week of tests. Tomorrow is the last day (Monday) then one day of class, one day with a meeting, and the rest of the week Culture Days (Thursday, Friday and Saturday). Friday and Saturday I am going to head to Lobogo to hang with Dione while we do a world map painting at her CEG (school). It should be lots of fun! Can’t wait! And then there is the COS (Completion of Service) conference. We are going to be staying at Hotel du Lac which should be really nice. I hope there is a pool there. I will take my swim suit just in case. At the conference, we are going to choose COS date! How exciting! I am hoping to get a date in August so I can go to Paris and Spain for a couple (2) of weeks. I have a friend who is living in Spain with her husband. I went to college with her and would really love to see her again! Also, during the conference, we are going to be going over all kinds of paperwork that needs to be done before the COS date. I am going to have to go through all of my stuff and return a lot of things to Peace Corps. I am also going to have to give away a lot of my things including my dogs. I will not be able to take care of them in the states, plus my sister is allergic. They will stay with Sylvain. They love him. So, yeah, I am counting down the months even though it is going to be difficult to leave, I have my future to look forward to. I have to get back to school and get back into the swing of things soon. I am not getting any younger you know! Haha! But, for now, I get to enjoy the smells of incents that I bought the other day so my house smells good and eat lots of carbs. I still have Fourth of July to celebrate before I come back to the states. I have my flags, flag plates and napkins, and some decorations to put up. Will give an update later gator!