Orange Season in Vogan!This week has been quite the rollercoaster, in a good way. Martha moved out, which was sad and surreal (I can't believe that will be me in 2 years!) However, I feel like I'm finally starting to get my feet under me. I was actually busy (aka had at least 1 thing to do each day) and I find that really helps me. A few interesting experiences:
Michel took me to his church service on Sunday. One might imagine, as I did, a service full of energetic music and vibrant colors. One would be wrong. Michel had mentioned that there would be a minister from Nigeria who would be preaching in English. Turns out my French isn't as good as I though. The minister from Nigeria was actually a TV with a VERY bad sound system and a man yelling Ewe over it with a microphone. In order for me to hear the English, the church members promptly kicked people out of the front row for me to sit. This was a nice gesture, but I couldn't understand a word. Then they decided it would be best to give me headphones. So there I was, the yovo in the front row, wearing headphones, a cord reaching over the laps of my Togolese neighbors. The service ended up being an hour and a half message from God (aka scripture study), another half hour "a pieds" (standing and swaying and praying) and then announcements (in Ewe) and a durge-like song from the choir. I was quite out of place and uncomfortable, but how many people can say they've been to a West African Pentacostal church service?
The day Martha left, I attended a festival with David and some Togolese friends. It was labeled "La prix d'independence" but David and I realized it was kind of like the Togolese Grammy Awards (music, not old women like my mom thought). There were groups set up all around the perimeter, dancing and drumming. I truly believe there's nothing more energizing in this world than West African drumming. My face hurt from smiling so much. I was then given a plate of food with very little that I could identify. However, I polished off the best chicken I've had in Togo. When I remarked about it, my friend informed me that it was not, in fact, chicken. There was then a loooooong awards ceremony under a brilliant African sun, but I had an adorable 4 year old boy napping on my lap, so who can complain??
Finally, I started with my young women's group. I was told in stage that drawing women out of their shells to talk about their problems would be difficult. Not the case with these women. Michel had to translate from the Ewe, so it was slow going, but I had a group with some dynamic women. They were open and honest about the prevelence of "patrons" (basically sugar daddies) and the necessity of having one, sometimes just to get money to eat. They discussed the dangers of HIV/AIDS and early pregnancy. It was a great conversation, although I admit the problems are daunting. And I'm realizing more everyday that many, if not all health problems are a direct result of poverty. So how can I help break the cycle?Despite the looming questions, I am beginning to feel more at home as I make friends and find things to do. Vogan is alive with campainging as parliementary elections are to take place ina couple weeks. It's really interesting to see. As a security precaution, I will be staying in Vogan the next few weeks, so texting is the only way I'll hear from you. Feel free to do so....just remember the time difference! As it begins to get chilly for all of you, the cool rainy season is ending here. It's averaging 85 degrees inside with the fan on and raining only once a week!
