What I didn't like about Benin Republic

I am going to start sharing my Benin Republic story by talking about what I didn't like about our beloved neighbors. I went to Benin Republic with an open mind, I didn't even Google the country, I left all the planning to my friend, Sandra, which is very unusual for me.

The one thing which made my skin crawl was the poking and extreme touching. This touching/poking is worse that when Yaba boys drag you to come buy those okrika clothes by force.

Imagine you're standing on the road and the next minute some hands touch your skin and you are simply moved an inch from a spot and the next thing you see the culprit walk right pass you. No words, no glance, nothing.  I was standing in a spot and next thing I know, I was been moved by a man who could have just told me to please move myself. Like I was literally carried from one spot, just so mister man can pass.

I told one to stop touching me and he said, "Na for Nigeria una dey carry Ebola, no Ebola for here",

I was speechless.

All through the 3 days I spent in this nation, I was to suffer the fate of "illegal touching".

I also found Beninese to be very aggressive, not as aggressive as Nigerians but aggressive all the same. I was on the street and the next thing I felt tire on my skin, I turn expecting the man to at least apologize or something, mumu started abusing me in French.

Oh and those people, telling the world Nigerians are the ones desecrating their land are just busy deceiving themselves. These people are equally as greedy. I was charged N500 to register my passport on my way out of their country, after paying N1300 to get it stamped. The man practically seized my passport and said if we don't pay, he won't give us our passports.

To be honest, I was irritated most of the time and vowed not to visit the country again. But then, my friends and I are planning another trip down there, this time wiser.

Mum said Seme border is the worst border ever and that I should have gone in through the Idiroko border, hoping I have a different experience when next I visit.

Till the next post, au revoir.

Have you been to Benin Republic? What was your experience? If you haven't been, would you be interested in going?

♥Lara

Hello 2015: The year of happiness and new beginnings

 at Porto Novo, Benin Republic

Hello Blogsville.
I know I am late to the Happy New Year bandwagon.
But better late than ever they say.

So here I am wishing you all an amazing and achievement filled 2015.

I welcomed the new year in Cotonou with one of my besties, Sandra Ayika, post on this coming up soon. It was just a crazy experience and I can't believe that upon all my smartness, I was scammed by at the border. Tori plenty inside next post.

So 2015 is going to be my turn-up year.
It is my year of happiness and new beginnings.
and the year I turn 30, like I am so excited.

A lot of new chapters is starting for me.
So excited about what the year has to offer.

Saying goodbye to Cotonou

This year is so going to be a busy one for me professionally and academically.
I begin my Masters programme in my course of choice this year,
Hello student life.

In between all these hectic schedule, I hope to get chance to travel and explore new places this  year. How this is going to work, only time will tell.

So after  my experience in Benin Republic, I have resolved to learn a new language. Guessing I should pick up from where I stopped in Spanish or I learn French, yet to decide on which.

I hope to stop my procrastination with blogging and put up more posts during the year.

Thanks to Toin for the recharge card,  To be honest, I wasn't expecting it and was happy to see the pin in my email.

Cheers to a beautiful year.

♥Lara