Travel to Africa Series: Part 3
Turkish Airlines had one suitcase delivered! I hoped it was mine. So that Sunday we drove into Cotonou, the capital, where Nzamujo says Mass every few weeks in English. I was thrilled to hear him since I had never had the chance to hear him preach.
As I was being driven out of Songhai onto the streets of Porto-Novo, I started praying, which was unusual for me. Unheard of actually. The two-lane road, which physically remained a two-lane road, seemed to grow into a four or six-lane road as cars and motorcycles weaved in and out of traffic with no concern. The motorcycles outnumbered the cars by about a hundred to one. A good horn is vital for survival. I asked what the few red lights meant, since no one- and I mean no one- stopped at them. Nzamujo just shrugged his shoulders and smiled. But everyone was polite and got out of the way without any angry looks or gestures. In fact, most people smiled as they moved over to the side! What a contrast to LA, where we might have been shot!
Roadside stands are everywhere, with stalls selling food, palm oil for heating, flip-flops, cassava, colorful material, shirts, dresses, jewelry, yams, pineapple, fish, everything you could imagine, for miles and miles. And the women- and men- and children- walk with huge loads balanced on their heads and don’t even use their hands to hold onto them. I was so impressed that I told Nzamujo I wanted to learn how to do that before I left and he just smiled and said,” No, you would have had to start a long time ago, when you were a child.”
We got to the airport in Cotonou and luckily they had my luggage. I was relieved that I didn’t have to go shopping for a whole new wardrobe for the two weeks in Benin.
Drive into Cotonou
Nice balance!
Roadside stands & food stalls
Balancing a basket
Streets of Cotonou