Wander Lust Diaries – Journey To Republic Of Benin.

Road Trip’in.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately of long endless roads and open spaces
Of people, love and endless laughter flowing around. Of good vibes
I’ve always had a mild case of wanderlust but of recent it has become increasingly present determined to be noticed at all cost….

That’s the beginning of one of my many scribblings that I somehow never got around to finishing…

I’m currently on a road trip en route one of our neighbouring countries – Benin with two other people – Alabi of Urbane Hanger and Lola, who I just met but immediately bonded with (We were initially meant to be five, but the others didn’t come through) and I thought to share a bit of the journey with you.

I’m seated right next to the window trying to take in all of the journey, whilst listening to a variety of old Nigerian songs I haven’t heard in a while and thinking of Chris Daughtry’s song about the start of something new and I can’t help but think about how much beauty there is to see out there.
I want to see all of it someday, to experience it all.
Right now though, we haven’t exactly passed any “beautiful place”. Our route takes us majorly through Ogun state and It’s been a lot of brown muddy roads, vegetations, school children running amok and rural type houses.

Although this wasn’t one of the African countries I had in mind when I wrote my bucket list, I’m pretty excited to be doing one thing off my 25 before 25 list so soon already, especially since I never saw it coming (check out the bucket list Here)

We got in through the Idi roko border and I hear it could have been worse but we had to pay both on the Nigerian side of the border and again at the Benin side. I paid N3000 at the Benin side to get in because, apparently that’s the fee for first timers, as opposed to N300. I also had to pay N2000 to get a yellow card.
My first experience of the people of Benin wasn’t exactly pleasant – after the unexpected fees and the way they kept looking for an opportunity to scam us, we got in to meet a lot of rowdiness  – crazy drivers with zero regards for human life and people who had no problems with invading your space, touching you without warning and basically just being all over you. (Picture Yaba market but with more aggressive looking people.)

Driving from the border to the city proper, I started warming up slowly to the country. We are staying in a really nice part of the city ( Haie Vive) and its a break from the Lagos scenery I’m used to. The only downside of staying in a nice area is that there are majorly only high-end restaurants around. Getting food has been a struggle, both due to the price and language barrier (Not being able to read the menu and communicate well with the people). 



I’ll be here all through the weekend, so guys!
Have you ever been to Benin? Please let me know where to check out or what to try!

Also, please what would you guys love to see? Should I document it daily? The people, lifestyle, and places? 

Let me know, please! 

I’ll be sharing snippets on my snap chat : @cassiedaves
Let’s connect.

Author: Cassie Daves

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