The whole group took an excursion to Ouidah. Ouidah is one of the voodoo capitals in Benin. We went to the sacred forest, the python temple, the history museum and then we went to the “point of no return.” It was quite a moving day. The point of no return is where many of the slaves left West Africa for the Americas. The sacred forest included a lot of voodoo statues and sculptures that are meaningful in the Beninese culture. The python temple houses at least 50 pythons, these serpents are very sacred. They sacrifice animals there to the pythons among other rituals. I had one of the pythons around my neck. I will try to post the picture soon.
Tomorrow we leave for our technical visits until Saturday evening. I am going to Dassa which is in the Zou/Collines department. It is about 5 hours north of Cotonou. My first traveling experience in a bush-taxi, I can’t wait! Dassa is supposed to be extremely beautiful and we were told to bring some comfy clothes that are appropriate for hiking. I am going with two others to stay with one current volunteer. Friday…August 1st is Benin’s Independence Day. Apparently the whole country has a party, it should be a good time.
We went to a village yesterday afternoon a little outside of Porto Novo. We had meetings with the majority of the village to do a community map, daily schedule and seasonal calendar. It was really fun and something different. It was nice to finally be in a village. We have been kind of spoiled thus far with what we have seen of Benin. The people of Porto Novo and Cotonou are significantly wealthier than the rest of the country. It was hard working with a translator, especially since his French accent wasn’t anything that I was used to. I survived and it was good practice for me and everyone else in my group.
Today was the first day I bargained for a moto! It went really well. I was scared at first, but I did everything by myself in French…the price, the directions, etc. It was wonderful. I did it twice today—on the way to school and the way back. Well I have to get packing for the rest of the week. Hope all is well!
Au revoir!
3 comments:
Felicitation
Je suis un artiste plasticien tu peux visite mon mon BLOG.
Je suis de porto-novo.
http://expolignes.blogspot.com
I loved the info on your trip - except for the python... Also enjoying all the pictures. BUT write when you can, but keep most of your mind "in country" you will be back with us before you know it so make the most of your every minute of being there. Do Journal (I was going to say paper journal, but I don't know if that make sense to you young kids...) everyday. I love looking back at my notes from 30+ years ago. I will try to get myself paper writing to you. I am thinking it does not mean as much now in the time of internet and email, but getting mail was HUGE back in the day. I am getting old - I can't tell you how many times I find myself saying "back in the day"...oh well. You are the best. Anne
aw...kaili in a do-rag (i know it's not actually one...). keeping it real in africa.
you can call your sisters mon petit saucisson. i think it would be endearing. i like saying that word.
liro (liz)
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