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Hear about journey to the West African nation of Benin because the Novice Traveler talks to Rachel Decoste who traveled there as a part of a journey to find her roots.
Rachel says, “I did a DNA take a look at two years in the past, I’m African Canadian, which means my ancestors got here right here as enslaved Africans, we don’t know the place from. And I believed the DNA take a look at can be a great way to seek out out the place my origins have been from, after I did the DNA exams been in was one of many high nations together with Togo, Nigeria, the entire area, actually. After which I took a visit there for six months in Benin was one of many 5 nations I visited.”
“What I cherished about being in Benin was that it was genuine, by way of it hasn’t but been too Americanized to Western eyes remains to be put on the normal garments, drink their conventional teas eat the normal meals. And it actually felt such as you have been transported again in time. They’ve saved their tradition nearly intact. That’s why you’d need to go to Benin versus one other nation that may be extra westernized. There’s one thing genuine about Benin, that’s so heartwarming.”
Benin is roughly the identical measurement as Ohio. Rachel lays out a one to two-week itinerary that explores the southern a part of the nation together with Cotonou, Ouidah, Ganvie, Abomey, and Porto-Novo.
Rachel begins us within the largest metropolis of Cotonou. This can be a metropolis on the shore. She doesn’t advocate its seashores like Obama Seaside or Dream Seaside for swimming due to the currents however she cherished seeing the households there carrying their matching colourful garments. You may get your personal garments made by one of many tailors within the Dantokpa Market. Each native can advocate somebody.
Rachel loved the meals in Cotonou, whether or not it was the lady promoting fish-based road meals or the flowery restaurant with high-end delicacies.
The subsequent metropolis she visited was the town of Ouidah which was the place lots of the slaves departed Africa for different elements of the world when the slave commerce was energetic. You may go to the Door of No Return which is a monument for individuals who have been bought into slavery right here. You can too go to the Portuguese Fort with a museum on the slave commerce.
Ouidah is also called a middle for Voodoo. You may go to the Python Temple or you’ll be able to come to the town for the Fête du Vodoun to study extra in regards to the apply. Simply don’t ask Rachel to the touch any of the snakes.
Ganvie is an uncommon African lake village. The individuals of Ganvie fled to the middle of the lake to keep away from the highly effective tribes that have been capturing their fellow Africans to promote to the slave commerce.
Town of Abomey is the previous capital of the Kingdom of Dahomey (1600–1904). The Royal Palaces of Abomey are a UNESCO World Heritage web site. The native Fon individuals have been a significant energy within the area for hundreds of years.
Rachel ends our itinerary within the capital of Porto-Novo. Right here she directs us to a pair of museums that interpret African tradition and the battle for freedom of African individuals in Africa and elsewhere.
Rachel additionally recommends two aspect journeys. The primary is the seashores of Grand-Popo and the second is the nightlife of Lomé within the neighboring nation of Togo. If in case you have extra time she has heard nice issues about Pendjari Nationwide Park within the north if in case you have extra time.
Whether or not or not your heritage contains Africa, Rachel recommends the nation of Benin, its individuals, and its tradition. Rachel tells of her go to within the audiobook Yr of Return.
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Present Notes
Yr of Return: a Black Girl’s African Homecoming | Audiobook | USA
Benin
Cotonou
Le Privé Restaurant (Cotonou)
Obama Seaside (Cotonou)
Dream seaside (Cotonou)
Dantokpa Market
Ouidah
Door of No Return, Ouidah
Ouidah – Benin’s Route of Slaves
Temple des Pythons
Fête du Vodoun
Fort of São João Baptista de Ajudá
Ganvie
Ganvie Lake Village – Cotonou, Benin – Atlas Obscura
Abomey
Royal Palaces of Abomey – UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Porto-Novo
Ethnographique Museum of Porto Novo (Porto-Novo)
da Silva Museum (Porto-Novo)
Grand-Popo
Pendjari Nationwide Park
Fufu
Lomé
Neighborhood
On Journey to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador – Episode 755
Chris, I’ve been listening to your podcasts for a couple of months now (largely whereas I’m mountain climbing.) I benefit from the number of locations and visitors, and particularly your dry sense of humour!
The Galapagos episode was nice – a stroll down reminiscence lane for me. We have been there in 2013 and simply cherished it! I agree with you that one of the best Galapagos experiences are within the water. We snorkeled with turtles, sea lions, iguanas, and even penguins! (Sure the water was positively chilly sufficient for the penguins.) It was an actual thrill to be so shut to those superb creatures, sharing their pure habitat.
You didn’t point out that there’s a e-book (Floreana by Margret Wittmer) in regards to the individuals from Floreana Island that tells the unbelievable story of the German physician and his mistress, together with a German baroness and her two consorts. What a forged of characters! I learn the e-book earlier than our journey however I admit the tales and individuals are tremendous bizarre so the e-book won’t be for everybody.
By the best way, we adopted up our Galapagos journey with the Inca Path trek, which made a pleasant double-destination trip bundle – for energetic travellers that’s!
Debra
On Journey to Florida’s House Coast – Episode 756:
Two feedback on the episode. At NASA’s Kennedy House Middle is the congressionally designated Astronauts Nationwide Memorial (AKA House Mirror) licensed 5/8/1991 which honors the 25 astronauts who misplaced their lives on house missions. And, simply north, is Canaveral Nationwide Seashore for seashores and sea turtles.
Jeff Ohlfs
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