Disclaimer:
I know if I keep this type of writing up it will spoil people's image of what Peace Corps service is really like, but its been that kind of month.
In Cotonou there is a middle aged, “rough around the edges” guy that might be a little scary in a dark alley if it weren't for his huge grin and accommodating nature. He is know by volunteers as “DVD Guy.” He is in fact our mainline into the junk that is popular culture and entertainment during our two years in Benin. I know, you don't have to tell me, I thought people left the US to get away from all of that dirty consumerism and disgusting mind-numbing Hollywood drivel. When you catch some intestinal parasites, get a staph infection, or develop some mysterious rash that looks like a deity; we'll see how you cope.
For us, DVD Guy keeps us sane. He is there and happy to see us. He can spot us coming half a kilometer away and even if he's just closing up shop he'll open those boxes back up and even get you a stool to sit on while you rifle through them. He will never complain or become impatient, no matter how long you sit and look.
He's got it all. You want nature shows? How about a disk of 80 assorted episodes of various documentaries. What about the third season of Desperate Housewives? No problem. Oh and what if you meet some sad individual who has never seen an Indian Jones, Star Wars, or Lord of the Rings movie? Well you can have them all on one disk, if you don't mind taking some Harry Potter. The best part? You can make requests, he will activate his vast piracy network to find you that 2nd season of some show that you missed. And its all fresh. Yesterday I saw the new Indian Jones movie, Speed Racer, and some other things I had never heard of because I'm so villagois.
It gets even better when you decide to buy. There is no 30 minutes of discutéing. The price is set. Its 2,000fCFA ($4.18USD) per disk no matter what. The disks themselves are sent over from Nigeria, or sometimes China and they come in cellophane-wrapped cardboard sleeves that mimic the DVD covers themselves. Some disks are better quality than others but when faced with no alternative they're heaven.
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2 years in Benin, West Africa's Collines
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed here in no way reflect those of the U.S. Govenment nor Peace Corps.
The Author
- M. Banbury
- After a first career in part-time, M.Banbury is currently serving in Peace Corps Benin as a TEFL volunteer. These are the writings, rants, observations, critiques, and affairs of a sane man struggling to remain so in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Glossary
- APCD- a PCV's boss. They are the heads of the various PC divisions.
- Cyber- (see bear)- internet cafe.
- Glazoue (glaz way)- my own heaven, 12k from Ouedeme, I can use the email and eat a croissant.
- H.C.N.- Host Country National or local.
- Igname (yam)- tuber grown throughout West Africa, a dietary cornerstone.
- Igname Pile (yam peelaye)- pounded igname dish, think mashed potatoes, served with either sesame or peanut sauce.
- Marche- (marsh ay)- market, of the open air variety.
- Ouedeme (Way dai mai)- home sweethome, all the well water I can drink and no annoying electricity. Situated in the department of the Collines. Largely an agricultural village.
- Palu (paloo)- Malaria.
- Pate (pot)- comes in three flavors: white (medium gross), black (extra gross), and red (almost palatable). No, its not so bad, some is even really tasty with the right sauce. Red and white are corn-based and the black is made from igname.
- PCV- Peace Corps Volunteer
- Snot Sauce- a gumbo-based sauce often combined with a palmoil based sauce and served with pate (see entry).
- Villageois (villazhwah)- durrogatory term used to imply the inferior quality in a person, place, thing, or idea.
- Yovo- white person. Often sung, chanted, or screamed at white people usually combined with a demand for a gift.
- Zemidjan (Zem ee jon) or Zem- a moped/motorcycle taxi common to West Africa.
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