COTONOU

Getting Around
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Damian:
Becky: The zemis are the main form of transportation, and I've written before that it was amazing the things people could carry on them, mainly small children. Damian told me he once carried two turkeys for Thanksgiving on one. We saw people carrying a large pig, and huge bundles of produce, etc. I liked these bananas in this picture. I also saw a few people getting around in these bicycle-looking things that I realized are wheelchairs. They turn the gears with their arms, like bicycle peddles, which makes a lot of sense. The first thing below is a video clip of the crowded intersections in Cotonou.




Moov
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Damian:
Becky: This was my favorite billboard, and it was all over Benin. It is an advertisement for a cell phone company, and the lady is talking on a phone that is actually a mini-person.

Hotel du Lac
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Damian:
Becky: At the bookends on our trip we treated ourselves to a a nicer stay at the Hotel du Lac. This hotel had air conditioning, television, hot water, and western food, all ammenities which I take for granted... This hotel is where Damian and other Peace Corps volunteers would stay in Cotonou sometimes when they needed a break. The artist and his subject in the second photo: Damian brought his really nice camera with a telescoping lens, so he got some amazing shots. I can't wait to see how his film turns out. The last photo is a view of the river and some garbage swept up to the bank next to it. After a really strong rainfall one night all of the garbage was washed out into the river. It was really sad to see so much pollution; I saw similar scenes in Thailand. Below this picture are some shots Damian took from our hotel. You can see what a bustling city it is, but also some of the pollution.

Homecoming
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Damian:
Becky: Air France - Damian counted 8 times that our passports were checked. We took a shuttle out to the giant plane and our bags were checked one more time. Air France is the only western airline that flies into Benin.