Parents in Benin

After wondering if they had missed the flight from Paris, I caught view of my parents in Cotonou International airport after they had to make a claim on a lost bag. We finally had our long awaited reunion and progressed to a nice hotel in Cotonou where we ate pizza and mashed potatoes on the terrace of the hotel with a nice view of the lagoon and ocean. They were naturally tired, but we had so much to talk about, beginning with their fabulous two days in Paris. It was so exciting to be with them after more than a year.

Thursday morning we rented out a driver I know and did a tour of the city and greeted all of the staff at the PC office. Later we ate in Porto Novo and bought coconuts and sugarcane for my friends for arrival at my house in Avrankou. My neighbor kids greeted us and my little friend Keme gave mom and I some flowers to put in our hair. It was so sweet. We greeted my friends in the area and had a relaxing evening. The next morning we hung out on my terrace while many people came and went. Dad played frisbee with the kids, we took photos and my friends put on quite the gymnastics show for us. Later they got the true Beninese market experience before hopping on motorcycle taxis and going to my NGO where we had a nice gathering of people and activities. We talked with the orphans that my NGO works with, and the girls club we are forming. Then we had a graduation for the computer training that my parents were able to observe and participate in. After that, we walked into the forest 10 minutes to see my small garden project; twas a beautiful evening. There they saw different rural fetishes and we visited a village with lots of kids running around. They sort of then saw the “real Africa.” The way everyone welcomed them was just so wonderful, and made me feel really good. Came home and had dinner of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Wow, did that taste good. REAL PB from the states. With sugar! Hehe.

Saturday we did a short tour of Porto Novo with a car from Avrankou. Saw some sites and ate lunch. I demonstrated the traditional manner to eat pounded yam and peanut sauce with your hands. Later mom bought some local fabric that was beautiful at a small store near the grand market. That evening we had an English lesson with Raouf and Keme on my terrace with my parents helping which was really cool.

Sunday we took it easy- hung out all day and cleaned up house, talked, played with kids who came around. At 5pm we got a taxi to Cotonou by chance on the road outside. What luck really, just a couple of kids who happened to be in their dad’s taxi and took us for a decent amt of money.
Hung at the same hotel in Cotonou and had nice meal. Pizza and fries! Watched some TV and had nice showers. I hadn’t had a warm shower since last April.

Monday we had a nice breakfast after sleeping in a bit. Got taxi at noon and went to Ouidah (birthplace of voodoo and was a main port for the slave trade), with our same driver Galbert, who is great guy and a really good, safe driver. Went to snake museum after crazy roads out of Cotonou. Dad held a ‘scared python’ and they explained the history of the place and how the snakes are worshipped. Then went to beach and saw the old holding areas for the slaves and monuments. The beach was empty as it was a Monday; we walked and took photos for 15 minutes; was quite warm. Took scenic drive along ocean all way back to Cotonou. Was beautiful with the coconut and palms and fishing huts. Had a coke and I some rice at a typical Beninese outdoor bar. Back to hotel after buying a few souvenirs. Had a nice meal and then showered and headed to airport at 8 pm. Helped them get their luggage that came in on another flight during our stay. Then had a quick goodbye and had to leave as the shuttle waiting for me. I stayed that night and then headed to Avrankou the next morning after sleeping 10 straight hours. Weird coming home to the empty house. It was so great having them around.

Well, as you can now imagine, it was an amazing 5 days with them. So great to see them, and I’m so grateful that they could experience Africa and what I am living. They amazed me in how they participated in things, their general interest and generosity. I am beaming and now gearing towards an even stronger second year here. And I want to thank everyone who donated things for me, my friends, and the orphans. Your generosity will never be forgotten.

I apologize for not writing this sooner, and for it being somewhat messy. I have been catching up with things the past few weeks yet still feel behind. The new volunteers swear-in today, so busy partying over there. That’s a priority. ;-) Good luck to all of them!

Have a good day everyone. Love Sara