Let’s start with some math, shall we?

How many times a day to you think about Togo?

Of course, go ahead and count. I’ll wait

Yup. 0 + never = Where is Togo?

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Togo, a small West African country to the east of Ghana, west of Benin and south of Burkina Faso, probably wouldn’t win the prize for the most popular country in Africa but it has its fabulous points.  So much so, in fact, that I’ve been given the distinct pleasure of interning in Lomé, Togo for the summer. Have been here for a little bit, testing out the whole 9-5 thing, working on a bunch of development/public affairs related projects, sort of learning French and enjoying a different part of the world.

Being that this is a “learning experience,” I’ll entertain you with the Top Three Things I’ve Learned since touching down in Togo:

1. All Africans are not made the same.
2. America is the center of the Universe.
3. Nigerians seem to be a different breed of African. The kind that many know of and are petrified by.*

* by many, I mean everyone.

1. All Africans are not made equal. The Togolese are ten times more calm and agreeable than any Africans I’ve ever been around. Compared to the spirited* people I’ve come to know and love, the Togolese are almost exactly opposite in terms of demeaner. No one shouts or gets extra loud on the phone when they are using it.  And at lunch, they sit, maybe 3 or four to a table, and converse at almost inaudible levels. This was especially interesting for me to see because I’m used to the noise level rising about 16 decibels higher than normal when family gets together.  You leave the conversation/event/church smiling yet almost deaf. 

*“Spirited” has become a politically correct way of saying loud. Here, at afiive, we’ll have it mean loud, argumentative, entertaining and ridiculously wonderful.

2. In case you thought otherwise, America is the center of the Universe. The other day, I was sitting with a few mid-career people who will be traveling soon to do masters fellowships in the US. Over lunch, we were discussing the education system in Togo versus the States when I almost choked on my rice. One of the students informed me that when she was in school, students were required to draw out maps of the US. Complete with rivers, lakes, states, capitals and major cities. And they couldn’t not do it because they were tested on their knowledge frequently. Not only geography, they had to know everything about the States – the language, the people, the history, current news and events, leaders, etc.

I sat there chewing on my food, sipping on my Fanta, thinking how much do I, myself,  know about the rivers and mountains of the United States? I can name several major cities and capitals but definitely not all.  And that’s the country I was born and raised in, talking less of another part of the world.  Ask me about the mountains and rivers in France; as soon as I’m done Googleing or Wikipediaing it, I’ll have an answer for you.

Interesting stuff. Here, in a different part of the globe, these students could tell me everything about my country. Everything.  I suspect this isn’t unique to Togo, either.  

3. Last, but certainly not least, Everyone is afraid of Nigeria.

Everyone who I’ve told that I am also Nigerian has had the exact same reaction:

GASP!!!! – accompanied by a look of fear and angst – followed by a more controlled and pity-filled, “Oohhhh.” Some even begin to mildly hyperventilate (on account of their memories of Lagos.)

Over the years, I’ve come to expect that from Americans and Europeans who only know Nigeria via the email scams, but in the last 10 days I’ve learned that many Africans have the exact same reaction. Apparently my dear, sweet, innocent Naija is simply ”huge, with lots of thieves.” A few people I talked to so far haven’t actually gone but they have heard about the “thugs and gangsters” and are not ready for all that.

If I didn’t love the country so much (and only enjoyed good times while there), I might actually be a little petrified.

That’s it for now. Hope you are well & more about Togo (and pictures) soon!

Related posts:

1. Internet Blackouts, Angry Children and Future Presidents – Summer in Togo Part Deux
2. on afiiveTV: Tabi Bonney