first post in country!

ok, so i've been in Benin a month, i think it's time to start using this thing. it's WAY easier than updating a billion people separately. ok so quick recap of what has happened: i left for philly july 18 (my 22nd birthday) we then went through staging and began the process of flying to Africa. We were a group of about 59 or so, large group to travel with but it went surprisingly smooth. we landed after 8pm in Cotonou and were met by applauding volunteers wearing some sa-weet African get-ups. it was off to St Jean Eudes for a week to slowly get used to whatever was going on around us, i was already on information overload by then. we spent a week there getting issued bikes and shots then off to Natitingou where the business kids are training. this is probably one of the most beautiful cities in Benin. there are mountains everywhere and waterfalls a bike-ride away (or so they tell me). there are so many stories already, many of which involve potty humor so we'll save those for later. tonight we have our pre-cooking class...we're killing guinea fowl. vegetarian anyone?