Well, I haven't updated properly for quite some time, but as I am now in an internet café that hates gmail and no-one is talking to me on MSN, I have 20 minutes to waffle about palm trees and caffeine and then 10 to sit biting my nails, hoping it posts before my time runs out. Ah, it's fun.

Well, I started work on Monday, but I won't go on about it. Suffice to say I've seen a lot of people in awful situations in the last three days, and there's not a whole lot I can do for them, which is rather difficult at times. I'm helping a paralegal (an amazing woman who can make even the most distressed client laugh), so sitting in on consultations and mediations. The consultations are okay, as they tend to be more relaxed and there's time for people to explain to me what's going on, but the mediations tend to take upwards of two hours and there's all sorts of tension flying around. I've been writing lots of reports, but often people speak Ewe or Mina (a lot of women haven't been to school for very long so don't speak much French) and I don't really know what's going on, as my language skills are still limited to greeting people and hailing taxis, and a lot of the problems are very bound up with cultural issues and traditions that still seem quite strange to me. In a way I'm quite glad I didn't start straight away, as it would probably all have been a bit much in the early stages of culture shock.

It's very rewarding though, and this sort of thing always makes you bond with your co-workers very strongly, so I feel very welcome in the organisation. I go to the little restaurant round the corner and buy lunch for 40p every day - plantains, rice, beans, meat, all freshly cooked and yummy. They've adopted the continental working day which means I leave the house at 7.40 and get home about 6, but have 2 1/2 hours for lunch. I'm skiving rather, as I should be back now, but I didn't finish till 13.30 and feel justified in using my full hour here. Have also succesfully bargained myself a bitrhday present for my housemate (earrings in a wooden box) and she's having a big party tomorrow, with some Germans she knows. Went to the 'cinema' with them (Star Wars 3, no better the second time around) on Tuesday and they were very nice - always fun meeting other volunteers.

Anyhow, had better post this in good time! Hope you're all well!

Hannah x