Transportation

Trip Start Feb 02, 2007
1
6
18
Trip End Mar 30, 2007


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Flag of Benin  ,
Sunday, February 18, 2007

Transportation is always a bit of an adventure here! Taxi-moto or zém is the main-only form of transportation.  In Cotonou these are easily recognized by their yellow shirts with a number on the back, however in Porto Novo they don't wear anything identifiable.  To find one you can wave your hand or call kékénon.  They only stop if they're a zém.
 
From this point I have to describe where I want to go (literally).  For example to go home I say I live in quartier djirado (past ouando market) near the mosque across from the car wash!  Often the zém will say they know how to get there, but this isn't always the case.  Just about every night last week I was at least a bit lost.  It's particularly hard to find your way when the power has gone out.
 
Before getting on a moto you need to establish the price of your ride (barter).  Being yovo requires a bit more effort to get a reasonable price.  Sometimes en route your moto will stop for gas, however the gas stations here are very different from home.  They are roadside stands with gas in bottles and jars.  The gas gets poured through a cloth and funnel.
 
After this the GO train seems a bit dull :)

Dana
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Comments

pat2
pat2 on Feb 24, 2007 at 04:12PM

Transportation
Hi Dana
Well it certainly sounds a very different experience than we are used to back home. Even in Cuba they had scooters or lots of other transpo, i.e. backs of trucks, local buses, bicycles, horse drawn cart and of course the 'foot-mobile'. Can't wait until you get back with your stories in even more detail. Take care of yourselves. Be safe.
Mom

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