Our New Temporary Home

There are many similarities between our experience in Liberia and that in Benin so far. There are also a lot of differences. Some of these changes are easier to manage than others. Some of my observations concerning the differences that affect us most are listed below:

1) Unlike in Monrovia, our dock in Cotonou is a working dock busy with vehicles and movement of cargo and other hazards. The kids on the ship are much more recreationally limited in the evenings. This is a definite disadvantage for us.

2) Cotonou is more developed than Monrovia in its present state with more modern shops, goods and services available. There is also widespread electrical power here. The standard of living for many may not be appreciably better, however.

3) The beaches nearby are apparently not safe. Hotel pools are available for water recreation, but they are fairly expensive and crowded.

4) There is more to explore closer to the ship here. We are closer to the main part of town.

5) There are no nearby fields to play ball in. There may be one about a 20 minute walk from the ship - much further away than in Monrovia.

6) There is no visible U.N. presence here.

7) Traffic is a bit more intense. There are thousands of motorcycles (called "zemidjans") on the roads here - far more than in Monrovia - making being on the roads feel a bit like robbing a beehive.

8) Most of the main roads are well paved with few potholes to contend with. The sidewalks are still a bit questionable with very large holes here and there so you still have to watch when walking.

9) The weather seems to be a bit hotter here. The sky has been very hazy since we arrived.

10) We have a fishing village at the port here, so we get to watch the fishing canoes go in and out past our ship at various times throughout the day.

11) Last for now, but certainly not least, French is spoken here along with native tongues, making communication for us decidedly more difficult. We are working on our French as much as time will allow.

John