Well, believe it or not, I made it to 23! This was my first birthday outside of the United States, one of very few birthdays outside Ohio, and I believe the only birthday I have celebrated without my family. On the 23rd we swore in and became official Peace Corps Volunteer; we recited the same oath the President takes when swearing into office. Swear in was held in Lome at the country director, Brownie Lee's house. The American Ambassador to Togo was also present. It was all very formal and official and all of the volunteers were dressed in traditional Togolese fashion, it was really quite beautiful. That night we went out dancing to celebrate and at midnight Aimee and Nori (my two closest friends in Togo) got the DJ to wish me a happy birthday. The next morning we slept in, did some shopping, slept a bit more, and got ready to go out to dinner at a nice Chinese restaurant. Because Lome used to be quite a tourist destination, there are many things you can find here that you can find very few other places in-country (including Chinese food). The atmosphere was very nice, the food was delicious, and all thirteen of the CHAP girls were there. We had a nice long dinner and as we were finishing up they turned off the lights in the restaurant; being a server myself I got a bit indignant, "are they trying to tell us we have to leave?? Its not even that late! There are still other people in here! That's a little ridiculous." In the midst of my ranting I looked up to see that a cake (or the closest you get to it in Togo), baked by Natasha and Danielle, was being carried over to the table ablaze with 23 candles. Now those of you who know me are aware that I am not easily surprised, but this caught me completely off-guard and was so sweet I started to cry. Everybody sang happy birthday as I tearfully blew out the candles.
When I was getting ready to come to Togo there were many things I was anxious about. My main worry was that I wouldn't find really good friends (especially since my friends at home are so wonderful and therefore I have high expectations). However, I couldn't have asked for a better group. I really feel a bond with all the women of CHAP and will be very sad to be separated from them tomorrow. Having a training group made up entirely of women was a bit unsettling at first, but as the weeks went by I found that I could count on each and every one of them for absolutely anything. Having a birthday away from friends and family is hard, but my girls made it great and it is definitely one for the books.
Now it is probably going to be a while before I will be able to post more pictures on my blog. The computers at the PC bureau are ridiculously fast (in Togo time) and therefore I am able to do this, but it is still a process. So here are some pics just to give you an idea of where I am and what I am doing and to remind you what I look like in case you have forgotten.
Pictures from our climb up Mount Agou and the view from the top
My host sister, Essie, who does not enjoy having her picture taken, and my little nephew Rodrigue who absolutely loves it.
My unfinished house (well hopefully its finished by now since I'm supposed to move in tomorrow) and the beautiful surrounding area.
You know those African bugs they talk about on the Discovery Channel? Yeah...they're not kidding.
The view from my back door as Rodrigue prepares to take a bath.
The three mukateers, Aimee, Nori and me (left), and the beautiful ladies of CHAP
(from left; Nori, me, Ashley, Aimee, Kate, Linda, Becca,
Alicia, Tig, Danielle, Natasha, Helen, and Steph)
My host sister and host mother came down to Lome for swear in (left). Nori, Aimee, and me with our French teacher Francine.
After all the hard work it took to get here, we enjoyed our well-deserved day at the beach.
I love this pic!
This is the sign we saw in the airport minutes before we took off on our Togo adventure. On the days when I feel as if time is creeping by and am asking myself if I can make it, it helps to remember that time always passes faster than we expect.
I miss you all terribly and think about you often, but I am also loving it here and doing my best to savor every minute. Tomorrow I will leave Lome to begin my life at post. I am sure I will be fumbling my way through the first few months and will have amusing tales to tell so stay tuned.
Until next time!
7 comments:
My Pooh's third full moon in Togo! So glad your friends helped share in your happy birthday celebration. Thank you for the pictures!!! It is wonderful to see you (since I have forgotten what you look like!) and wonderful to see you looking so well! (I am writing on Monday, your moving day up to Kara.) Love you so much and so proud of you! Stay sharp; stay alert; stay safe; stay well!!
Oh my you are such a beautiful girl! I am so happy to see your smiling face. Thank you for the wonderful birthday present! All of you look so fabulous in your African clothes. The fabrics are beautiful and the workmanship is amazing. I love you so much!
Well, I wasnt the first to post but i am posting from iceland, so i consider myself first. love the pics, helps me get a better idea of things. glad the birthday bash went well. love the clothes. time is up at the internet cafe will email more soon. love and miss!
Dearest! While I was in the little health-food store near the flyshop, a very nice little old lady looked at me and said, "You have a daughter in Togo, don't you?" Of course, the cool folks who work at the health-food store already know about you and are always interested and so supportive of your work, so we all turn to look at this kind of elegant old lady in matching floral print dress and hat. She said, "I worked with her at the polls; I pray for her every day." It was very sweet. I thanked her and told her you were well.
Do you think I can send you seed packets for your vegetable garden? Or gardening handtools?
Googgle Earth has some great resolution over Lome, but not so much around Kara, so I can't see your house from here!
You probably don't have much available in the way of newsstands, but I think you could probably find The International Herald-Tribune at the better hotels in Kara. It carries AP, UPI, and Reuters, and is also available online at http://www.iht.com The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com might take too long to load, but the IHT is out of Paris.
Thinking of you constantly; love you so much and so proud of you and the work you are doing!
cappy, well this will be my last message from my crazy scandinavian trip, i am flying back to scotland shoortly. so we will both be transitioning together, thhough you have had a little head start. miss you like crazy!! zoom zoom zoom!!!
so my friend was logged in so it signed under her name. . . anywhoo love and miss and whatnot!
So glad you had a fabulous birthday. You look great & very happy! All of the Haeger girls have been thinking and talking about you! The pics really tell it all and its great to be able to show them to my Mom and Bonnie.
I love you and have you in my heart--always....
Aunt Jonus
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