We arrived late on the Sunday evening. Bee had managed really well on both flights. Kath and Faith met us with 1 driver and 1 4x4 but the other driver couldn't be located. It was really hot and we were all tired so in the end we all bundled into the 1 car with Ryan sitting on the bags in the boot.
Our airbnb was spacious and clean and the garden and pool were really pleasant. The guards and maintenance men were friendly and Google translate came into play a lot during the week as we had power cuts and had to keep topping up the electricity meter.
Faith worked really hard all week to help our trip go smoothly and he got his cousins boyfriend Ken to be a translator for us on our trips out and at meals out.
The week went really quickly and was full on.
Monday we went shopping for fabric for our wedding outfits and also to the expensive supermarket for food. The ladies tailor, an aunt of Faith, came to measure us up. Later we had dinner with Faith's parents. We were entertained in the formal sitting room and dining room.
Tuesday we had 2 cars to drive us around the sights of Cotonou. The men had to run out to the mens' tailor to get measured up. This included a visit to the artisan market where we bought some crafts. In the evening our dinner was delivered to us.
Wednesday Jess and Ryan went out for the day with Kath and Faith whilst we minded Bee. We went to Faith's parents for dinner and this time we ate upstairs in the room open to the night at each end which was lovely.
Thursday we went for a day out in Ouidah which is where millions of slaves were deported from. We had a guide as well as Faith and Ken. It was dark tourism but also interesting. We ate lunch in a restaurant where many of the items were not available and it took absolutely ages and food came out at different times. We also had a big dinner delivered in the evening.
Friday - our dresses arrived and the men went to collect their outfits. We also went out to the massive market and visited Pelagie at her pharmacy. In the evening we went to an uncle's house, Cyriaque, for dinner which was served so late Jess and Ryan had to take boxes of food back to the Airbnb to put Bee to bed. Typical african timekeeping!
Saturday we had a chill day until the party which was supposed to start at 3 but we weren't collected until after 4. We were met in the street by African warrior dancers and drummers which is typical when a set of parents visit another to do with the marriage of their offspring. A wedding in Benin usually lasts 3 days but because Kath and Faith had already married in the UK and Pelagie's mother had recently passed away it was decided that and evening party was best. About 60 people came and there were more dancers during the evening together with modern music.
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