234 Years And Counting

Independence Day! The Fourth of July! Founded on hotdogs, fireworks, and the smell of gasoline. Soccer matches against foreigners count too right? They did for me this past week as the good ole' US of A (represented by a bunch of skinny left leaning Peace Corps Volunteers) took on Germany (represented by large strapping young blond people). It was a game for the ages and was even carried on local radio from the Djougou stadium where we played. I'll state that fact again, our game was broadcast, unknownst to us at the time mind you, to the denizens of the greater Djougou metropolitan area.
While lacking in soccer skills when compared to our competition we made up for this dearth of technical skills with an abundance of patriotic pride, not to mention we were somewhat older than the younger germans, who are preparing for university by volunteering in Benin. Due to this age deferential we beat them up with our superior "dad" muscle, also known as old man muscle in the medical community.
Never before has there been a more glorious tie for the USA, going right down to the penalty kick off. Our German brethern joined us in western European fellowship at the bar afterwards and there was much merry-making.
How strange, to be spending the Fourth with young Germans and Americans in Africa. An environment decidedly unAmerican, at least in my experience. And yet, as the call to prayer sounded from the numerous mosques around the city, and the motos zoomed by, sounding like jet skis, passing the young Beninese pushing their push-carts, I knew that star spangled banner yet flew, over my home, and I was glad to be American.

Summertime

The end of the school year has always held a special place in my heart, perhaps as I havn't yet outgrown the student mentality yet. Well, it seems that that feeling is all the more present in teachers, speaking from the end of my first year of teaching.
As oppossed to the American big boom finish style, the Beninese schools prefer to limp slowly to the finish line, prolonging the academic angst. Our final exams were taken at the end of May with a month left of teaching. This was mainly due to the strike earlier in the year but this fact did not make the going smoother as us Volunteers were teaching throughout the year, strike and all.
That being said, it was nice to have more time opening up and have the joy that is summer vacation slowly reveal itself until its sunny demeanor is the only thing noticeable. It's also helpful to see some more of the problems in the system exposed to me, as I'm a first-year I hope to take better advantage of the system next time around or at least be better prepared for it.
Ah, summertime! My old friend returns and is reinvigorated by the excitement on the looks my children give me. "No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers (or students), dirty looks." For now the many summer camps of all us teaching Volunteers looms and the new trainees coming from America to join us in a new world.