TOGO AND BENIN AND #3 IN THE NATION

The Togo and Benin trip was so good...got to see great places with a really hilarious group of people. Went straight to Cotonou, Benin by car which is this fantastic place and the largest city in Benin. This guy, Rodrique, hooked us up with a cheap, decent hotel in town. The next day, we went about exploring and took motorcycles all around town. They are used instead of taxis and are much more fun. That is until you severely burn your leg on the exhaust. After this, it stays pretty well in your head to get off on the left. Went to the grand market where there was so much cloth it was ridiculous. Overall, I loved the city and the French influence in language and maybe food too (haha im such a prop). From there, went to Ouidah, the center of Voodoo culture in Benin. Didn't see much evidence of Voodoo, but did take the Route des Esclaves to the beach. Such a beautiful walk and beach and a monument to the people lost. From Ouidah we went to Lome which was quite a hit. Went to a fetish market where they had heads of all sorts of animals for magical purposes. Gorillas, horses, dogs, hippos, cats, birds, etc etc etc. I was a tool and bought a good luck charm and a stick for potency in bed for a gift back home...Apparently you will have the strength of a buffalo. Be excited. Went and took illegal pictures of the Presidential Palace and to the beach before going to Kpalime for the night. Found a fantastic hotel for like ten bucks for all four of us. Really heaven. Didn't see much of the place because we left early for a hike through the rainforest and this mountain of butterflies. The butterfly man was the cutest ever and showed us how he makes paints of natural materials and taught us about the flora and fauna. Highlight was seeing a green mambo snake...one of the deadliest snakes in the world...and right near my face. SO cool. Saw waterfalls and talked with some people in the nearby village before setting back to Kpalime and then to Accra. On the way back, found out that rugby made it to #3 in the country this weekend at Nationals. Such good news and the bitches even put me in the role call. Nice to feel included...love u guys. Good trip overall.