Benin day 2 continues

Officially named the Sacred Forest of Kpassè or Kpassè Zoun, the semi-wild woodland is dedicated to King Kpassè, the 16^th century ruler of the African kingdom of Whydah that once encompassed the area of modern-day Ouidah. He was being chased and did not want to die, so he fled into a forest and turned into a tree. The pythons delayed the attackers and he got away. His line is still in power

There are many sacred statues some honoring metal workers, some dedicated to to thunder, fertility and one keeping Small Pox at bay.

Our next stop was the end of the slave trade road. It is now a meeting area for the Voo Doo ceremonies held once a year.

Next stop the Village of Ganvie

This stilt village, located in the lagoon of Lake Nokoue, was created for the Tofinu people to stay safe from slave hunters. It has become part of their culture and way of life. The teetering houses, schools, churches and other structures form a ramshackle village. The villagers live almost exclusively from fishing. The men fish, the women sell the fish. Kids are on their own when not in school.

I was not feeling well. The first stop was someone’s house. This woman is an entrepreneur. She opened a souvenir shop shop, sells beverages and rents out two rooms with bathrooms. My guide, started to say we can see the toilet first and I immediately said, can I use it? Lol. Yes a toilet, no pipes to or from the toilet. I know the drill, just pour water from the nearby bucket to flush, like India, but they have pipes, this just went into the lake where they fished.

Bedrooms 1 toilet here was just a bucket

She was rich so she had electricity,some had solar, most nothing. Fires were wood burning

About 35,000 people live here, some have never left. They like to have many kids so that they can help with the chores!

A traditional was that if you were in someone’s house and they didn’t offer you water, you were not welcome. Then you had to drink the water or pretend and dump some on the floor. Tough choice.

I really wanted to go my hotel was hot and tired and sweaty and not feeling great, but they insisted that I see the monuments.

One we drove by, it was of a guy that brought communism to Benin for a few years. They didn’t like it. I asked why they kept the monument up and he said because it’s History! But not in America.

Hotel is nice but a bit stuffy. AC did not work great. I think they fixed. I find an insurance card in the electricity saver where you put you key, works great to keep the AC on when I am gone.