May…And life goes on…

About a week after last writing, my whole world changed. I realize that everything now seems to be through the lense or perspective of the death of my friend Kate. Almost two months after the event, things seem to be normalizing again to some level, although I do not know what normal really means anymore. Emotions are certainly torn. I think about her constantly. Trying to spend my last few months here in memory and honor of the service Kate did here – she loved the Peace Corps and she loved Benin. She reminded me always to be positive and taught me how to treat others better, and I hope we all can continue her legacy.

                 

To summarize, I went down to Cotonou immediately after hearing of Kate’s death. Almost the entire Peace Corps volunteer population gathered in Cotonou within a few days, and there was a Peace Corps Volunteer memorial for her during that next week. A group of us, her really close friends, put together a slide show for the memorial. It was cathartic and allowed for us to celebrate Kate’s amazing life. Kate was one of the most amazing people I had the honor to know and call a close friend and I miss and think about her every single day, every moment. My life will forever be changed as a result of her death, but I know her spirit will continue to inspire me, just as she did in her life. I don’t really know how to put into words everything that has happened, and the different circumstances and emotions that have occurred since this event, so I will just leave it at that at the moment. I don’t know if there is a way the world can fully recover after something like this. The investigation surrounding her death is going slowly. There are apparently four people in custody. The Beninese government claims that this case is of up most importance; however, it seem that a trial concerning this sort of case may not happen until early January 2010, at the earliest. So it is just a waiting game right now…. As a result of this, I was away from post for a little over two weeks…in Cotonou for memorials, up north spending time with my friend Megan and others. Getting back to post was a transition, but I was actually very pleased how my community responded. It was difficult to get back into the swing of teaching and other work, but I think it has also provided a good distraction and allowed me to normalize my life here. I explained to my students what happened, as they had no idea why I left for a week of classes (the second week were exams, so I did not miss teaching then), and I think to some level they understood. I definitely was frustrated many a time in class, but overall it went better than expected and I made up some classes. Anyway, a week and a half after returning to post, the “spring break” started, and I was off to Cameroon! Cameroon was one of the more amazing countries I have ever been to. It was also very exciting, because we got to fly there (we are not allowed to drive through Nigeria)! It was a nice relief from taking crazy taxi rides everywhere you go in West Africa! We (Lauren, Rima, and Evan and I) spent time mostly in Limbe, lounging on the black sand beaches, and climbing Mt. Cameroon. Cameroonians were incredibly nice, and the country was gorgeous. We mostly spent time in Anglophone Cameroon (Doula was mostly Francophone), as it is a country with a history and current language make up of English and French (more heavily dominated by French). We really only saw such a small part of the country – I hope to return for more later on in my life. Limbe was beautiful, and relaxing, and the water was heavenly and warm enough to swim. Mountains surrounded us, and across the water you could see Equatorial Guinea! After relaxing, we began our three day hike up to the summit of Mt. Cameroon. We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Mt Cameroon is almost as high as Mt. Whitney, which I think is the second highest mountain in the United States. Mt. Cameroon includes a variety of terrain, which is amazing. This includes rainforest, entropic forest, savanna, currently dormant volcano and dried lava flows from 1999! Crazy! It is 13,000 ft, or 4,000 meters. There were times when we felt like we were rock climbing, and almost did slip and slide through part of our descent. One of the more harder physical things I have ever done, but it was worth it, and it was an experience I will never forget. We ended our vacation in Doula, the economic capital, with some great food, and then back to Benin it was. Coming back from Cameroon was a bit difficult, and it seemed as if I was being “yovoed” (foreigner, white person) more than usual. But things improved rapidly, and life has been really great at post. I have actually really been enjoying my last few weeks of teaching, and it all seems so bittersweet that it is coming to an end. I have one more week of class left ( which is actually my choice, I could have been done last week), and it has been wonderful spending time with friends in Azove. Last weekend, my neighbor and friend Fati had a fabulous little birthday party for her son El-Arif (he is one, incredible, and insanely cute), and Allison (my postmate) and I, along with our Beninese friends Marceline and Jocelyne, had a fun meal and dance party (awesome seeing Beninese women get down with American hip-hop!). Spending a lot of time with neighbors, friends and kids…and starting to get a little sad already about leaving, although excited to start a new period in my life. Now that I will be home in August (I leave Peace Corps July 16th, and then travel to Egypt and Turkey for an end of service trip, before coming to San Francisco August 11), I keep feeling like I have to treasure these moments more than ever. This weekend there was a fundraiser for the GAD (Gender and Development) in Cotonou, which was a blast, and now I am hear until Monday to see Allison off to the United States for good, which will be sad. This weekend after teaching, up to my friend Megan’s post, a visit to Kate’s old post, and then our COS (Close of Service) conference. Lots of quality time at post, ending the school year and marks, National Spelling Bee in Parakou, and preparing for Camp GLOW (Girls Leading our World – national girls camp) which I am in charge of, will hopefully keep me busy and happy until July 16th! I dedicate everything I do now in memory of Kate. She will be loved and forever missed – beautiful friend.

Love and peace to all, Jordan