life update

so, here's what's been going on since porkfest. first of all, had to detox all the protein out of my system. overload! good thing there isn't much back in Guinagourou so fasting was super easy. some of you may be aware that there is a global food crisis happening. well, it's definitely here. everything has gone up and i'm actually seeing changes in the way people are eating. there's not much i can do except stand by and observe, not the best way to feel empowered. also, felt incredibly guilty about porkfest but hey, every now and then is ok...right? i headed back to post and since then we've been working to get these walls up for the library. rains are here!!!!!!!!! good god, i've never been so terrified of storms before. it's not because of the noise but of what it will do to freshly cemented bricks that need to stay put. we have had to patch some holes up but honestly, we're making way more progress than i had anticipated. time here is flying, every week when i take my mefloquine (anti-malaria) i realize it's one more week that i don't get back. i'm starting to take notice of things that have become so normal in my life but were once odd or different, right when i got here. trying to lock up the moments in my memory but am really afraid of loosing them too quickly. i'm on my 6th journal so i'm documented but i don't think there's anything that can replace the actual taste of street food, the smell of my neighbor's dinner cooking, or the sound of yams being pounded from sun up to sun down and after.
i just came from Porto Novo, the actual capital of Benin. the newbies are there and i met my replacement. she is a total rockstar and is psyched to get moving. we have post visit next week so it should be full of meet and greets with me loosing my mind trying to make sure i give her enough info and introduce absolutely everyone. how do i wrap two years up a few days to pass on?! to each is own and she will for sure find her own way as we all do. i must release my post, i must release my post. david is excited and really this will be a new page in his life as well. i'm in cotonou now for a med checkup to make sure i'm just as clean as when i came in...take that as you will. tomorrow i head to a town called savalou for the big yam fete that celebrates the new yam harvest every year. it's supposed to be a big deal and i love me some yams! i'm out of here in 3 weeks or so, around the world tickets are bought and secured! excited to have something to look forward to, to make this transition a little easier, if not a bit drawn out. www.boozerswithoutborders.blogspot.com is where we'll be at, don't take it at face value, there will be more said than just beer reviews ( but oh so many of those!) hope all is well with everyone and the school year kicks off well. abby goes to kent in a few days and i can't believe i'm not there to help move her in...though it may be better that we don't hit the town at once...