Leaving Benin Today

Today is our very last day in Cotonou - we are heading to the airport in a couple of hours. All of our luggage is in the lobby of the hotel, and we have checked out of our rooms.

This morning was rather interesting - a group of us took a couple of taxis (car taxi's not motorcycle taxi's) to one of the main markets of Cotonou. Having very little overseas experience - I found it way overwhelming. I don't know how big it was, but I'm guessing at least a couple of miles, with back to back booths and people everywhere selling everything you can imagine. And,you have to bargain for everything which is something we are not used to doing. The taxi ride itself was interesting because it gave a whole different view from the bus, as you are at the same level as everyone else. When you stop, everyone comes running up to you trying to sell things - and anything can be bought. Judy ended up buying some material and a dress, and I bought a dress and a couple of bracelets. After an hour of that - I swear you could be in that market for a year and not possibly see everything - we went back to the artisan market that we visited the first day. It was another opportunity to spend money and pick up a few last minute gifts.

Checking out of the hotel went smoothly, which was a pleasant surprise. Staying here is not cheap. The only charges to our room was for my laundry (which my husband suggested would be cheap) and one meal, with soda's. The bill came to 38,000 CFA's. The current exchange rate is 440, so I think the bill was about US$80. Not cheap!

We have a couple of hours left before boarding the bus to the home of the Ambassador to Benin from India. He is going to provide us with refreshments and appetizers before we go to the airport. The flight leaves Cotonou at almost midnight and arrives in Paris at 6:00 am. We have a considerable layover in Paris before our flight to San Francisco.

We are both looking forward to getting back to Kona and eating some fresh vegetables and fruit. The one really good food here is the bread, and I for one will miss it.

I will try and do another post from Paris.