Maybe it is okay to go off the path...sometimes..

Well, I made it back from safari! We left Sunday morning and got to Nati but 5pm. It was a long, hot trip on the bus. I slept some, but the roads get the better of me. After we got to Nati, I was able to meet up with the other volunteers who were going on safari with Sylvain and I at the workstation. We decided on going to eat smooshed yams and wagashi cheese/meat for dinner. During that time, I was able to purchase a handmade airplane and yam bowl and smoosher….that is the best I can describe it to you…haha. There was a man who was selling them as he walked by; he made them himself, I am sure. And we only paid 2 dollars! Can you imagine working so hard and only making 2 dollars? Man, I start thinking..how did he eat today? Was he able to take a shower with soap? He didn’t smell bad, but really if we have to choose between eating or bathing, I would choose eating. The following morning at 5:30am I was up and ready for our trip for safari! We brought plantains, apples, peanut butter, bread, peanuts, crackers, and lots of water. We were set, but probably going to be a little hungry during the trip. We heard that the meals were going to be 12 bucks a meal! Are you serious? I guess that is how they make their big bucks! I mean, the people who do not bring anything to eat are forced to either go hungry or buy some food. The drink prices were outrageous as well. So, we were on our way in the back of a truck. We had a cushion seat with a roof in the back with no seat belts of course. Who needs those, right? We were on the road for a couple hours bumping all the way to a town called Batia. We saw village life at its best with mud huts, people building mud huts, and lots of people, children and adults, waving with a smile on their faces. Some didn’t have any teeth, but the smile was beautiful! I am telling you we take too much for granted in the states. I have a new respect for beauty and kindness. We went from pavement to red, dirt roads. My body was not too happy with me traveling in the back of the truck, but I made it just fine despite the semi trucks and skeletons of vehicles that were on the side of the road from previous accidents. We made it to the entrance to the park after 75km of dirt road. The foreigners had to pay 10,000cfa (20$) and Sylvain got to pay 5,000cfa because he was a host country national; from Benin. We took pictures and got a trash bag from the front desk. There was to be NO littering in the park! Thank goodness. It was a rare scene to see no trash in the park though. I was not used to it because everywhere else in Benin was dirty with trash. The first animal we saw was a huge baboon! Sylvain spotted it right away. He had eagle eyes. I think that is why I brought him along-haha-just kidding! The rest of the morning we saw lions, wart hogs, antelope, gazelle, some birds, and more baboons. Most of these animals were at a watering hole with lots of crocoldiles. They were just peeking their heads out of the water because of the heat, but don’t put your toe in-it will get chopped off along with your leg! It was amazing being that close to the animals. I took some video and lots of pictures. The videos take forever to load here in Benin, so I will show them when I get back, but enjoy the pictures on facebook. After the morning session, we had “repo” from 1pm-4pm. I saw so many WHITE people! I saw so many people wearing short shorts, tanks with no straps, and speaking French that I am not used to. The proper French, you know. Everyone slept except for me. I was just super excited and sweaty. Yes, we were in the north and in the dry season. It was HOT! No other words about it. Right after “repo” we came across two elephants, so we thought! They were really close to a watering hole and we heard a HUGE SPLASH! So, of course, having the great driver and guide, we went off the path on foot. We walked to the watering hole and took pictures of 5, yes 5 elephants. They were huge! Their tusks were outstanding and there might have been a lion watching me from behind. Who knows? I took that chance and am okay today. No worries. For the rest of the afternoon, the sun was shining and the storms were rolling in. We had the option to get down from the back of the truck and get into some shelter, but I waited until the last minute and enjoyed every minute of the wind and tiny drops of rain. But when the rain started (which is rare for Feb. in the north) it STARTED! It was muddy in the snap of a finger. We were driving on “ice.” Thank goodness we had a good driver. We didn’t get stuck on the first day. Mission accomplished. He was used to the weather after many years of driving foreigners around to see the animals. He knew all the spots where we could see the animals. What times the animals would pass through and all. It was great. We were lucky we saw the things we did. There are groups who see absolutely nothing. After the adventure, we took showers in the outside areas (there were doors) and ate a nice meal of pig and potatoes. I splurged on one meal! ;) Sylvain had some noodles and chicken for dinner. We drank some boxed wine (one glass) mixed with fizzy cocktail and went to bed in our bungalow. It was so hot in there. I tried not to drink so much water before I went to sleep because I didn’t want to have to go outside in the dark to urinate. Yes, I said urinate. You know there are baboons plus out there. Let your imagination wonder…I didn’t want to get tasted or eaten by the curious WILD animals. Okay, so on to the next day! Woke up at 5:45am to wash, brush my teeth, put on some clothes and go looking for LIONS! I ate some bread with cheese spread and a plantain. I was set to go. We didn’t see any lions, but we saw water buffalo. It was scary because the sun was not up yet, and all we saw big black things in the distance. What is that? Oh my..we need a picture!” is what we were saying! It was great! The sun didn’t shine very much on the second day because of the rainy skies and there were a lot of clouds. I can actually say I was kind of chilly even though it was probably 65 degrees. I stuck it out though. There was no time to think about the cold. The girls (Jenny, Claire, Sam, and Lissa) were drinking some boxed wine during the safari. The talking gradually got louder and louder! The driver dropped them off at the hotel at 11:15am and Sylvain and I continued on after a pit stop at the toilets. We went to a hippo watering hole and Burkina Faso for a minute without a visa. We saw monkeys who were very shy by the way! Again, we got off the path and I toughed it out. I am a changed person. Haha. After “repo” we saw some more antelope and wart hogs. There were so many antelopes! Too many! The lions eat well, I am sure. Probably to make sure that they do not eat us humans! The girls wanted to go in the “log” to see the hippos up close today, but the guide forgot! So, they did it on Wednesday (day three). Sylvain and I stayed on land and got really close to them (three hippos) who kept popping their heads up from the water. We got some good pictures and videos. I was not too fond of the idea, but Sylvain was the adventurous one and the guide kept telling me that the hippos will not come on land until nighttime. Let’s just say I had a lot of confidence for some reason. Maybe an error on my part, but I am here-safe and sound!-After the hippos, we left the park and traveled to the waterfalls in Tangueita. They were beautiful. I jumped in the water in my jeans and shirt. I was soaked, but if I didn’t do it, I would have regretted it for sure. I changed my clothes and we headed back to Nati and got a hotel for the night. I was so worn out from the sun and lack of nutritional foods. I was tired of bread, but thank goodness we had fruit and peanuts! You can never go wrong with bringing food along. It is better for the budget and health. Now, we made it back to Lokossa and I got the pictures up yesterday. I spent around 4 hours putting them up and I hope everyone enjoys them! It was a great experience and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Now, I have to give Kea and Timone a bath and clean the house. Hope all is well at home. I will be there within the next 7 months or so. Take care. Love you all! Xoxox BISOU!!!