So, this is a video taken by another PCV of me and Ben Fouty (PCVL in Parakou) performing at the All-Volunteer conference Talent Show back in March. We are performing a song entitled C-U-B-A, by Irving Berlin...though not in the original style. (Shout out to the Austin Lounge Lizards!)
An ongoing monologue about my experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Benin.
Happy to be Here!
- Steve
- My aspiration is to bring more of the world's advantages to more of the world's people.
A happy day in Benin
Disclaimer:
The contents of this website reflect my own experiences and opinions only. Nothing herein should be construed to be the position of the US Gov't or the Peace Corps.
The Weakest Links
- Peace Corps
- Peace Corps - Benin
- PCMI Program - Univ. of Washington
- Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs
- Congressional Hunger Center
- ANSA - The Association of Nutrition Service Agencies
- The Program in the Comparative History of Ideas
- MCA - Benin
- Millennium Challenge Corporation
- Post Secret
- Ann in Ecuador
- Anna in Ethiopia
- Incurable Wanderlust - Danielle in Benin
- Ma Vie - Carly in Benin
- Za Za Zoom - Abby in South Africa
Glossary of Terms in Franglais
Bouffe: to steal
Bureau: literally, the office – used to refer to the PC office in Cotonou.
en Brousse (on broose): literally, in the bush - used to refer to someone who lives way out in the middle of nowhere, as do many volunteers.
Cadeau (ca-DOH): Literally, a gift. Depending on the context it also refers to a handout or a bribe. I get asked for a cadeau almost every day.
Essence: Gasoline
Fete (Fet): A party
Homologue: Literally, counterpart. A "French" word that PC uses to describe a PCVs primary Beninese work partner. Ideally, your homologue is the Beninese person you work most closely with on PC projects.
Marche (Mar-SHAY): Market
Moto: Two wheels and a motor.
Pagne (PAHN-ya): A large piece of tissue, 2m x 1m, variously used as a skirt, a sheet, a towel or a drapery. Also used to make Pagne chairs - basically a fabric deck chair.
Piment (PEE-ma): literally, pepper. THE primary ingredient in most Beninese sauces.
Repos (ruh-PO): Basically, an African siesta lasting generally from around 12:30 until 3:00
Saluer (SAL-u-ay): To greet, especially in a long and involved ritual exchange of information with no particular significance. Very popular in Benin.
Stage (stahj): Training
Stagiaire (STAHJ-i-air): Trainee
Supermarche (SU-paer-mar-SHAY): Yup, supermarket. Also known as the Yovo-Mart (see Yovo, below). Where you can get Western products and various goodies, should you be feeling homesick. There are several in Cotonou.
Tissu: Fabric and/or the clothing made from the fabric. (Benin has AMAZING tissu!!!)
Villageois: Anything typical of rural village life.
Yovo: This isn't actually franglais. It's a Fon word that means, literally, "white person." It has a broad range of connotations, however, from friendly to sarcastic to downright hostile. I am a yovo.
Zemidjan (ZE-mee-john): Zemi or zem for short. A moto-taxi; the easiest and cheapest way to get around in the city. Zem drivers in each city where a distinctive color shirt: in Cotonou they're yellow, in Azove they're blue and in Abomey they're orange.
Bureau: literally, the office – used to refer to the PC office in Cotonou.
en Brousse (on broose): literally, in the bush - used to refer to someone who lives way out in the middle of nowhere, as do many volunteers.
Cadeau (ca-DOH): Literally, a gift. Depending on the context it also refers to a handout or a bribe. I get asked for a cadeau almost every day.
Essence: Gasoline
Fete (Fet): A party
Homologue: Literally, counterpart. A "French" word that PC uses to describe a PCVs primary Beninese work partner. Ideally, your homologue is the Beninese person you work most closely with on PC projects.
Marche (Mar-SHAY): Market
Moto: Two wheels and a motor.
Pagne (PAHN-ya): A large piece of tissue, 2m x 1m, variously used as a skirt, a sheet, a towel or a drapery. Also used to make Pagne chairs - basically a fabric deck chair.
Piment (PEE-ma): literally, pepper. THE primary ingredient in most Beninese sauces.
Repos (ruh-PO): Basically, an African siesta lasting generally from around 12:30 until 3:00
Saluer (SAL-u-ay): To greet, especially in a long and involved ritual exchange of information with no particular significance. Very popular in Benin.
Stage (stahj): Training
Stagiaire (STAHJ-i-air): Trainee
Supermarche (SU-paer-mar-SHAY): Yup, supermarket. Also known as the Yovo-Mart (see Yovo, below). Where you can get Western products and various goodies, should you be feeling homesick. There are several in Cotonou.
Tissu: Fabric and/or the clothing made from the fabric. (Benin has AMAZING tissu!!!)
Villageois: Anything typical of rural village life.
Yovo: This isn't actually franglais. It's a Fon word that means, literally, "white person." It has a broad range of connotations, however, from friendly to sarcastic to downright hostile. I am a yovo.
Zemidjan (ZE-mee-john): Zemi or zem for short. A moto-taxi; the easiest and cheapest way to get around in the city. Zem drivers in each city where a distinctive color shirt: in Cotonou they're yellow, in Azove they're blue and in Abomey they're orange.
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