Today it was 109 degrees Fahrenheit at the crest of the afternoon. When I took the picture of the thermometer it was a chill 107 😅.
The dogs have found the shadiest spot and stretched out as thin as they could to the ground, panting. The chickens are walking around with their wings away from their bodies, wooing the breeze to cool down them down.
And there I was, in the kitchen, making a couple loaves of bread and a cake to celebrate International Women's Day, the gas stove putting out the heat to exaggerate the sweat coming from my brow. We make bread and cakes with a dutch oven technique here. Not fancy cast iron, just a big pot with a tomato can on the bottom so that the cake pan doesn't rest directly on the flame.
To all those women out there reading this newsletter, Happy International Women's Day! I honestly didn't know this day existed until I was in Peace Corps. They see it somewhat as a "mother's day" here, at least where I am.
We are celebrating the day, as you could have guessed, with a delicious vanilla cake. Oh, and there is more - la pate rouge, fried fish, eggs, and beer. A Doppel for my grandmother-in-law, mother-in-law (Ina), and me. I just have to say there is nothing more satisfying than a nice cold beer at the end of a very hot day.
It has been a wonderful day. Errands in the morning with the whole family, picking up fish, eggs, butter, and drinks. Then we stopped at a buvette (a bar) to have some cool refreshments.
I just have to say thank you to everyone who has been reading and listening to this newsletter/audio blog. Thank you for your patience as I figure out how this new endeavor is going to unravel itself. I thoroughly have enjoyed putting it together for you, sharing what our life is like in the tiny country of Benin.
This newsletter is short today. I have one request: please send rain this way! It has been over three months since the rain clouds have blessed us with their presence. The ground is starting to crack and the cashew and orange trees need a bit to drink in order to produce a good harvest.
Please remember to send any questions my way!
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And now, time for cake!
Bon appetit!
How I keep up with US News!
The Morning Brew - "Awesome daily email that delivers the top business news in a way that's informative and entertaining!"
Marketplace - daily podcast "providing context on the economics news of the day" hosted by Kai Ryssdal
