Ouédo

While we were standing in a market in Cotonou, a man suddenly approached me and kissed me on the cheek. This was Issaka’s friend, Maurice. He mentioned that he had been waiting for us all day and was happy to finally meet me. Maurice had come with a friend who owned a car (a rarity in these countries), so we got into the car and headed to his house. We drove out of town and onto a rough dirt road. Eventually, we turned onto narrower side roads until the path became so tight that we had to park the car and continue the journey by motorbike.

When we finally arrived at the house, a group of excited kids came running up to me. I found out that they had been eagerly waiting for several days to meet this unusual white visitor. This must be the closest I have felt like being "Carpenter Andersen".

Even though this was a small house far out in the country with no electricity, I was treated like an emperor. I lost count of all the dishes I got to taste. The kids followed me with flashlights to light my way, and I wasn’t even allowed to put on or take off my sandals myself.Read more