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Benin Travel Blogs

Background: Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged.

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By Erika
February 20th 2007

Of the Near Future Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

My eyes met directly with two others this morning. Two blondish ears, kind of over-large for my companion’s being, perked eagerly, awaiting my response. This was the unspoken dialogue: Bubs: “Can we wake up now?” Erika: “No.” His elbows thunked and he sighed as he went back to waiting. The weather has changed again. Harmattan and its dust have left, leaving clear blue skies. These clear blue skies are otherwise known as direct sunrays. Ugh. Hot. My elbows thunk and I sigh as I, and everyone else, wait for the rain. Work is moving, if I translate di [View Full Entry]

By Erika
January 15th 2007

How to Spend a Long Weekend in Cotonou Africa » Benin » South » Cotonou

Step 1: Disassemble plans. They hadn’t really meant anything, anyway. Don’t be silly. I left Athiémé as early as possible Friday morning to arrive on time to apply for a visa for Ghana. I made it to Cotonou by noon, and happened to find a volunteer-friend (she volunteered to be my friend) at the office. She gave me two critical pieces of information because she is a good volunteer: 1) that I needed my passport to have the visa stamped in, but because I am kinda stupid, my passport was still in Athiémé, and 2) that Ghana was on holiday, so [View Full Entry]

By Erika
January 15th 2007

Bonne Fete Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

First Morning in Benin

The Summary: Stuart finally has blue lips. He is the only one of the Kansas family that has been in the West African coastal waters for two hours or more. Three of the remaining four stayed for an hour or so. The fifth waded in until a man cleaned out his sinuses without forewarning. Ew; she went back to her book. Four more Kansans in Africa- the first time leaving the North American continent- to visit another Kansan who has left the States three times: for one night in Fernie, British Columbia, then 12 days in Thailand, and now a couple [View Full Entry]

By Erika
January 15th 2007

Sharp Boogers, or Sharing the Love Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

Imelda's New Glasses

Harmattan has arrived. Harmattan is a wind that blows from the north, from the Sahara desert. The wind carries dust, and it’s the dust that blocks the sunlight and creates “winter” in equatorial West Africa. To me, Harmattan is as close to winter as I will get for some time still to come. I am colder than I was during the rainy season, and more regularly. I close all the doors and cover with a sheet every night. I sleep all the night through, no dripping sweat to awake me, and I get out of bed slowly, wearing two pagnes and [View Full Entry]

By Bronwen
December 2nd 2006

Curling Fundraiser Africa » Benin » South » Cotonou

Curling 1

Thanks to everybody for your support in my fundraising! I managed to raise just under $2000 toward my program fees for Youth Challenge International and Cross-Cultural Solutions and really appreciate everyone's help...I had tons of fun and attached a few photos from the night for your viewing pleasure... Best Bron [View Full Entry]

By Erika
December 1st 2006

On a Bench Beneath a Terminalia Tree Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

They have cut the electricity again! Just when I want to read email. So I sit in Lokossa, killing time at the public park. I killed time at my favorite coffee-flavored sweetened condensed milk stand as well, with an egg sandwich to perfect the breakfast, but all the death was attracting the wrong kind of business. About a week ago I organized an outing with As.P.E.L. and the women’s groups. There is a super-efficient center near Lokossa that produces vegetables, chickens, fish, and rice, an extension of the Centre Songhaï in Porto Novo that I have mentioned before. In hopes of [View Full Entry]

By CA
November 24th 2006

On the final leg Africa » Benin » East » Parakou

Bonjour, We dragged ourselves away from the hustle of Cotonou on Tuesday and in two legs (first stopping at Abomey) are now in Parakou. The journey north, facilitated by the now mandatory Peugeot 504, was without hassle (by African standards) and we soon remembered how different things are up here as the thick forests petered out into harsh, quite barren scrubland. Things are definately heating up with the hot, dry air doing little to cool the cramped interior of the 50 year old car (4 in the back, 2 in the fornt passengers seat). It will not be far north now [View Full Entry]

By Erika
November 16th 2006

RESOLUTIONS Africa » Benin » South » Athiémé

Tomorrow, Tomorrow I will do everything tomorrow. Tomorrow I will wash my bike, though I refuse to wash the tires. Tomorrow I will take an interest in my dog's basic education, assuming he comes home tonite. Tomorrow I will find my morals, or is it my marbles I have lost? Tomorrow I will saluer (say hello to) all whom I have not seen in the past three days. Tomorrow I will quell my Kansan daydreams. Tomorrow I will organize my stuff to be able to eat at a table. Tomorrow I will eat better than caramel popcorn, gari and sugar, and [View Full Entry]

By empeak
November 15th 2006

country number 3! Africa » Benin » South » Cotonou

moto taxi

Now we are in benin and have been doing lots of learning about voodoo and all their kings. Started out in ouidah where ol got a nice shirt made (see photo attatched) and went to some museums. Learning about voodoo and fetishes (doesn’t mean the same thing as in england) is really interesting.. voodoo is actually a religion and is focused on the positive. We in the west have completely demonised it. Fetishes (juju) are actually the bad stuff and involves magic and wishing people dead.. for instance you go to a voodoo priest and tell them you want so and [View Full Entry]

By Wild Eyed
November 11th 2006

Benin by boat... Africa » Benin » South » Cotonou

Ganvie, Benin

I apologize for not posting this blog sooner, but finals, travels, and the common cold have kept me occupied in the last few days. Last weekend I set off to Benin, a small country with a history steeped in the practice of voodoo, the slave trade, and grand empires. We crept into Benin at twilight, after hours of frustrating travel to the East frontier of Ghana and across Togo. The country appeared unremarkable at first sight: flat, grassy earth punctuated by a few modest mud structures and tall palm trees ending, rather abruptly, at the deep blue waters of the Gulf [View Full Entry]

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