For my last post in Togo, I figured why not end on a happy note as I’m sure my trip home will be a doozy. My site-mate Katy Todd and I worked on two lists before we left Dapaong: Things we’ll miss about Togo and things we’re looking forward to in the U.S. So if you notice that I smile over the little things, please don’t find me odd…just content to be home.
Things we’ll miss about Togo:
- An excuse to repos/take a siesta
- Drinking (tchakpa) in the morning
- Kids excited to see you
- The simple life
- Muslim call to prayer
- No one is afraid to break out in a dance no matter how bad he or she is and if you wiggle your butt a little it’s like you’re the coolest person in the room
- Children yelling your local name from corn fields as you walk down streets
- Motorcycle taxis
- Relatively inexpensive means of transportation
- Frequency of bars/buvettes (although I don’t think that’ll be a problem for me in NYC)
- Togolese food—it really is quite good
- Open air buses :)
- Playing with stranger’s kids without asking—yep, it’s not creepy here
Things we’re looking forward to in the grand ‘ol USA:
- Customer service
- Using debit cards
- Change of climate
- Stores having change ($$)
- Trying on clothes before buying them
- Reliable menus
- Varied meals—(If you make me pasta or rice within the first three weeks that I’m home, don’t be surprised if I sigh and/or shed a tear.)
- Sleeping on a real bed and not a cot
- Fixed prices
- Having something to do other than eat and drink
- Not sleeping under a mosquito net/applying insect repellant
- Posted hours of operation
- Monthly cell phone plans/no worry about buying phone credit
- Reliable electricity
- Reliable wifi
- TAP WATER
- Anonymity/not having to say hi to everyone on the street
- Cheese/milk/rice and almond milk
Well, there you have it. This soon-to-be Returned Peace Corps Volunteer is signing off of this African adventure and ready for the next adventure stateside.
Much love and perhaps I’ll see you soon,
Samantha
