Grueling route with a paradise of a destination.

So basically, THIS CITY BURNS WITH THE FURY OF THE SUN!!!!!! Hahaha! I’ll explain to you guys why I think that way, lol! So, we were talking with two of the DRIME leaders here, and Janna really, REALLY, likes the beach, so she asked them if there was a beach close by. To our surprise, he said there was the ocean beach front like only 2 kilometres away from our house! So Janna jumps up in excitement, telling us that we are now going to go to the beach every single day...since it’s so “close”.

So we decided to walk to the beach, thinking it would be a nice refreshing relaxing outing... THAT’S A LAUGH!.....lol

It ended up taking a whole hour to walk to the beach. I mean, to some of you, it might not seem that long, but with the heat and humidity, it felt like forever, and you honestly are like lucky to live! Bahahah. We finally had reached the ocean, and it was so nice! The cool breeze from the water, the crashing waves, incredible! I’ve never seen anything like it before, even though I live close to the ocean back home, it looks nothing like what it does here in Benin, so incredible! No nothing in the water, just a huge long beach with perfect sand, and water as far as you can see! Spectacular!

After all that, we remembered that we now had to walk home....Ugh! We all came home to insane sun burns (luckily mine turned into a tan woot! Hahaha), and these like intense heat rashes on our arms, almost looked like our skin was boiling on our arms haha! Was definitely interesting bahaah! But were all good now, and are probably not ever going to the beach again, unless we get a ride there hahah! So basically, I wish for a giant ice comet to come to earth and collapse on our house, and for someone to destroy the sun! Hahah! Jk. We are slowly getting used to the heat though; it’s to the point where sometimes it feels nice!

Through thick and thin, it was still a really neat experience. Walking across the town, getting more familiarized with our area, being a part of their culture, buying stuff from street vendors...suffering through the heat with them haha. More and more each day I feel a part of the Beninese culture.

I had something really honouring happen to me today! The thing with this culture is that physical interactions are seen in a different light. Here, when someone holds your hand, or hugs you, it’s a sign on respect or friendship, communicating to that person that they are respected or considered a good friend. Today, Olivier, one of the DRIME leaders held my hand! Which was really weird because of my Western upbringing, but at the same time really cool because of what it means here in Benin!...but still a little awkward in my mind, haha!

Praise Report: My allergies have not bothered me at all! Like at all, at all! Even though it’s hazy and dusty during the day, my allergies have not acted up at all, and I haven’t had to use my puffers yet either! Praise God!