So after Greg's departure, we loaded up onto the NTS bus and headed up to sweet home Tchaourou to show off some real Beninese living.
Arriving after dark and in a rainstorm, we luckily found a few kids who were willing to help us drag our luggage to the house and we were home. Mom did well with the setup - even the latrine at night didn't scare her too much. We slept well in anticipation of greeting dozens the next day.
And greet we did, up and down the main road, every shopkeeper and workshop had to welcome Mom to town and ask if she arrived well.
Ann in the market:
After many hours of this, we arrived at our destination - Steve's Sunday savings group/ Kasim's house for a dinner of AmiWo (pate rouge) and chicken
We were so warmly recieved and can't thank Kasim enough for the hospitality.
Sadly, the next day was Ann's last, but far be it from us to let it go out with anything less than a party. In celebration of our guest we teamed up with the neighbors for a big chicken dinner under the stars. The whole day was spent in preparation of the fest, and of course, here chicken dinner here involves a few extra steps:
Steve killed four chickens to honor his mother-in-law (and asks "what have you killed for your loved ones?") - two to be baked and two to be fried soul-food style (side note: Breaded and deep fried wasa new but VERY well received recipie).
Ann with the kids:
Giving cadeaux
Ann with Eric and Eric's card
Sadly, the next day we returned to Cotonou and said good bye to Ann, who as we assured everyone in town afterwords, arrived home safe and sound.
Good trip all around.
Arriving after dark and in a rainstorm, we luckily found a few kids who were willing to help us drag our luggage to the house and we were home. Mom did well with the setup - even the latrine at night didn't scare her too much. We slept well in anticipation of greeting dozens the next day.
And greet we did, up and down the main road, every shopkeeper and workshop had to welcome Mom to town and ask if she arrived well.
Ann in the market:
After many hours of this, we arrived at our destination - Steve's Sunday savings group/ Kasim's house for a dinner of AmiWo (pate rouge) and chicken
We were so warmly recieved and can't thank Kasim enough for the hospitality.Sadly, the next day was Ann's last, but far be it from us to let it go out with anything less than a party. In celebration of our guest we teamed up with the neighbors for a big chicken dinner under the stars. The whole day was spent in preparation of the fest, and of course, here chicken dinner here involves a few extra steps:
Steve killed four chickens to honor his mother-in-law (and asks "what have you killed for your loved ones?") - two to be baked and two to be fried soul-food style (side note: Breaded and deep fried wasa new but VERY well received recipie).
Ann with the kids:
Giving cadeaux
Ann with Eric and Eric's card
Sadly, the next day we returned to Cotonou and said good bye to Ann, who as we assured everyone in town afterwords, arrived home safe and sound.
Good trip all around.
3 comments:
Jaren, Your Mom shared your blog with us. I loved seeing her visit. We are thinking of you and Steve and enjoying your journey. Good luck to you both as you wind up your next year. See you at the lake next summer! Carolyn and Russ
Jaren & Steve-
Glad to hear things are going well- just dropping you a line from cold (and getting colder) Upstate New York...
Bill Patrick
Hey kids, just met with BUIR girls today (Ellen, Jessica, Marie and Suzanne). We were talking about you and seems no one has heard from you much lately. What is going on over there?
Love, V
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