You're not in America any more!

In just a few days we'll be in Togo - and we have a lot to prepare for!  Did you know that . . .

-Greetings include a handshake and verbal "Hello" in French (Bonjour), Ewe (Woezo-lo!), Kabiye (Alafia-we) or another tribal language.  
 -Togolese carry everything on their heads - one banana, a fully-assembled ceiling fan, up to 300 eggs, firewood, a big basket of chickens, or a 5- gallon pan of water.

-You are expected to bargain for everything you purchase at market. You should offer about one-half of the first price quoted by the vendor.

-Togolese houses are made of concrete or of mud or brick with straw roofs.

-Soccer is Togo's favorite sport. People go wild during World Cup competition.

  
-Togo's traditional religions stress fetishism and idolatry. Ancestor worship is common, along with the worship of snakes, trees, rainbows, fire, etc. Fetishes are used as protection against evil spirits and against other men. (A fetish is an object that is considered holy or as having some special power.)

-Fresh fruits and vegetables are available in abundance, along with meats, fish, dairy products, pasta, and nuts-- plenty to maintain a balanced diet.

-Togolese eat lots of starchy foods--rice or fufu (boiled, pounded cassava root) with spicy tomato sauce and sometimes fish or meat.

-Worn-out tires are recycled into sandals, toys or fuel for smoking meat (love that burnt-rubber flavor!)

 -It is disrespectful to give or receive things with your left hand. Always use the right hand.

 -Eye Contact -  Interesting to know, when an elderly person is talking to a young one, it’s disrespectful to look into the persons eyes. The eyes are lowered. 

-Again, if someone older than you is carrying heavy stuff, as a sign of respect you should take it from them immediately. Don’t leave them carrying it.

            

-Crossing your legs when you sit or talking to someone with your hands in your pockets is considered condescending.

-Togo is hot and humid most of the year and the temperature seldom drops below 70 F.

-During Fall and Winter months harmattan winds bring dirt and sand from the Sahara Desert.

-During Spring and Summer months is the rainy season.