We are docked at Cotonou, Benin. At first I though we made a wrong turn and docked in Bombay. This place looks so much like Bombay however no sacred cows roaming through the streets. I was amazed at all the motorcycles everywhere. It seems that they are very economic to drive instead of cars. The main streets are paved but the side streets are dirt with many potholes. The buildings here are primitive in their building. Generally they fall down before being completed. Today we boarded a broken down, unairconditioned bus for a tour of metropolis. The temperature being ninety and the humidity being eight-eight, we were off. The traffic here is terrible and the pavement is very rough with lots of holes. Lots of unfinished buildings that are basically falling down. The air is polluted from all the motorcycles and I guess they have never really seen a catalytic converter. We were taken to a river to board little broken down boats to see the houses on stilts. Oh yes, real prime real estate. The smell was a little overwhelming. The water, again, was really nasty with the horrible aroma of smelly fish. Our little boat ride lasted for almost two hours. On the way back, we stopped at a market. The place was too clean and it looked like your typical tourist trap. I stayed on the bus, stupid move, the bus was like an oven. We didnt stay there too long and was glad to get back to the ship. I must say that South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia were very nice. But Benin is really what I pictured what Africa would look. Not a place that I would like to live. Anyway, Barbara and I are patiently waiting for another delicious dinner. Barbara and Larry
Posted on: Fri, 16 May 2014 16:26:47 +0000
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