Meme Tissue!!! and Why Benin is awesome

So Jason, the world spoke, quite loudly I might add, including moms comment of He will get over it. Woody likes it too. Everyone else enjoy. I am actually wearing the outfit today, the picture was taken about 5 minutes ago. People wear clothing made of the same faberic on the same day to symbolize unity. Families, organizations, husbands and wives, kids, Peace Corps Volunteers... the list goes on and on. Of course this is not something that happens on a daily basis but rather something that happens on special occasions. There you have it, meme tissue of my brother and I.

For potential incoming volunteers who may find my blog heres a list of reasons why Benin is awesome for a PCV

You can eat with your hands

If you look like a fool dancing it doesnt matter here actually people like it better

If youre a woman you are told that you are pretty almost everyday

No need to ever wear shoes and socks, flip flops all the time

You have complete freedom to style your hair how you want, always wanted a mohawk but now youre an adult thats not ok for work, ha ha peace corps doesnt care go for it! Always wanted to shave your head, buzz away!

You have the ability to feel like youre dressing like a fool everyday then you come accross someone who is wearing a crazier outfit than you were

Motorcycle taxis

Yam pilea

Wagashi

The amount of babies there are to play with, for example you see a really cute baby and you begin to hold it and it starting crying, just give the baby back to its mom and turn to the next baby in line

Ive never felt cold here

No icy roads

3 hour break during the afternoon where youre expected to take a nap

Life moves slower, this is also a curse sometimes

Its ok to be late

Youre carbon footprint is about 10 times less

You use a whole lot less water

You gain sick arm muscles from having to haul all your own water

You get some awesome leg muscles from having to ride your bike everywhere

Most days you live under a dollar a day, and thats eating all your meals out.

Luxeries arent that expensive, air conditioned buses, cheese, yam pilea, shower, cold beer, note you will only find these things to be luxeries and not something your entitled to after living in Benin for awhile

People here are super friendly

Youre treated well everywhere you go, because youre american

Bisap, or iced tea made from hibicus

Mangos

Bannanas

Oranges

All tropical fruit

If you somehow suceed in making a fool of yourself, I do this a lot, people dont mind, they think its just some weird american custom, ie tripping or saying something really stupid.

Cell phones with flashlights, Trust me this is one of the more awesome things ever invented

The recession in the states doesnt affect you during your service, steady job, excellent health care, and a living allowence thats enough that if you run out before the next pay period, your really freaking dumb

Benin is full of work opportunities

You learn and speak french during your two years

Its possible to learn an obscure local language, like Anii

No need to worry about people thinking your dumb for not speaking french correctly, French is their second language too! People are much more tolerant here of those who dont speak the same language than in the states

You have a whole lot of time to read all those books youve been meaning to

Care packages, its like a surprise christmas or your birthday

Everyday is an adventure

and finally, You get to share this awesome expirence with lots of others back in the states