zemidjian training

We did zemi training today, which are the motorcycle taxis. We are required to ride them with a helmet and not allowed to drive them. If we are caught doing either we are administratively separated. Zemis, or zems, are the primary way of transportation around the country.

We practiced today and it was amazing! It was so cool! We ride around on the back, holding onto the moto but we're not supposed to touch them, especially as a woman because it can seem like a come on if we're too touchy. We have to greet them in French, tell them where we're going, ask them the price and then haggle for a better one. They try to overcharge the yovos, but we have to explain that we're not tourists and that we know the price. My french is just...adequate at this point; I was placed in novice high and have to get to intermediate high by the end of training.

We got white moto helmets and I can't wait to decorate mine with my rainbow markers.

I'm on the lookout for tissue for my wedding dress and I would really like a cool, subtle African design on the bottom...preferably something rainbow. I saw exactly the length that I want (ankle length) and the flowy design of it on another volunteer, so I'm pretty much set.

Anyway, I am starving and can't think anymore haha.

I'm excited and really nervous to meet my host family tomorrow. I hope they are nice! Porto Novo is about an hour ride from here, so next time I get on here I'll tell you all about them! Yippie!

Au revior pour maintenant.

I also hear that pingo.com or keepcalling.com might be cheaper options than skype for getting in touch with me, so check that out!

God, I want a latte.

E

it's just a little vacation

We have about an hour until check out from the hotel and then there's a few hours of "free time" to explore Philadelphia/find a starbucks before we have to hop on a bus and drive the New York airport where we will hang out until 11:30pm tonight when we climb aboard the aeroplane that will deliver us to the mother land by way of Paris.

Until then, I am chillaxing for a bit. I need to send a couple things back home (birth certificate, etc) and find a Subway because I have decided my last meal is going to be a foot long veggie sub sandwich with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumbers, banana peppers, green bell peppers, olives, mayonnaise, and mustard on wheat! Mmmmmmmmmmm.

I woke up early, called C, wished I could conjure coffee, showered, and repacked before heading off to the federal building down the street for shots, and not the fun ones. It actually wasn't bad; we went through security, saw some cool FBI dudes with guns, and got one yellow fever shot. It ain't no thang.

Missing you know who like mad, texted with brother Zach for a bit and realized he'll be a teenager the next time I see him, cried a bit in the shower, but all in all, I'm feeling better than yesterday. I was hungry and tired (well, i'm still hungry I guess) and for some reason the immensity of this whole thing seemed a bit more...well, immense than it really is. But in reality, it's not too bad and it's going to be a great adventure. Colt says to take it one day at a time and I think I just might be able to do that. Talking about him a bit has made me feel a lot better, too. I chatted with my roommate about being engaged and what he's doing for school and strangely enough, missing him doesn't feel so sad in this moment. So yay for that!

Ok, I think I'm off to discover a starbucks. Mmmmm, coffee. Gonna miss that almost as much as DIET COKE.

Elaina