from distant foreign lands, we had as our first stopover, the Togolese (Togo is said only in French!) capital Lomé picked out where we wanted to visit a German volunteer, the Nico and I have become familiar to the Preparatory Seminar . Also
"Petit Paris" rushes, Lomé's reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in West Africa ahead. That must have seen it.
26.12.2009, 03:30: My alarm clock rings. Bastard! Well well, it torments more or less willingly staggers out of bed, into the shower and can wake up to the first ten minutes of cold water. Tighten remaining throw things into the backpack, even if some of it still is not as dry. This one has thought of it until the night before if you get the idea to wash. Large backpack, small backpack, barbecue and a few cooking utensils are stored in the car. "Papa" to say goodbye and give Abeln exit towards Ouando to Caro and Nico. After
has difficulty making everything packed in the car and our dry-bread-from-yesterday-breakfast is finished, ready to hit the road to Cotonou. On the way is still just tanked, now nothing can stop us!
what you think! The nearest sandy hole is determined and so we just stuck in quick Cotonou on Route de Ouidah Pèche towards the first time. Blades is called for, then look for stones, palm leaves or similar to put under the wheels and then bring the box with a lot of feeling in the clutch and just right amount of gas back on solid ground.
is arriving in Ouidah then had breakfast at first, omelette, of course, what else?
The road continues as quickly as possible, We are already to be of good cheer around noon in Lomé.
Up the road is suddenly gone. He gets lost in the sand and was not seen. Detailed studies of the environment to point out that only close behind the end of the road is a river mouth - without a bridge course. Even if there had been one, we would have along the way probably mercilessly and irrevocably fixed in the sand. We note: Whoever told me the route de Pèche would still have to go to Ouidah to Grand Popo - either against better knowledge or bad faith - lying.
We turn to go and focus on the 25 km return trip to Ouidah, but then probably take the tarmac road to have. On the way we do then the car, it is to be be worth it. With seven people (three front, four in back) and Luggage, the sand holes are even more insidious, however, so that, in spite of optimized drive technology to dig two more times necessary. But what you have the people of it? Unfortunately
starts on the way the clutch again to spin. If yes maybe so that they would have fixed the previous day, but since the mechanic has done well crap. Well, he wanted no money ... The first stop back in Ouidah then, is the garage of Saturin, which for the second time in three weeks replaced the clutch hydraulics. can slow ego itself as often as I have seen the thing open:
The hour wait will be put to good use with other travel planning and organization of our first sleeping quarters in Lome and then we're back on track, paved this time and just insane. To get from Ouidah to Lome, you have to actually hold only the steering wheel, with 90km / h more towards the West:
The next stop is Grand-Popo, just eat what for lunch. During the meal once again be made interesting cross-cultural experiences: Caro is the object of desire and Nico and I learned that ten sheep for a bride very, very unfair. In the end, they agree to thirty, but I also believe that we have still been too cheap. Never mind, the guy has the sheep just before present, so that Caro stay with us. Once again had luck!
Shortly after Grand-Popo then to the border. Amazing red tape and fast, I had honestly expected worse: One hour later, and by 36,000 francs (! Three times ten thousand for the visa and six thousand for the car, we had to bribe actually no one) easier, we can use our trip - now in Togo - continue. The further we get away from the border, the greater are the differences: Opel displace the preferred Peugeots in Benin and the petrol is no longer on the road but at the gas station sold.
Shortly before Lomé then comes the crass shock: This city has a real industrial belt! I had honestly forgotten that there is something. Extremely impressive, just as the subsequent free port, is already not a good deal larger than that in Cotonou. know
In search of Selvi, our first host, we then learn involuntary nor the Grand Marché Lomé: Once too early bent and already we're right there in the throng of taxis, one-way streets, propagandists, millions of people and motorcycles. Well, since you have to be well-or rather, as soon as possible, get out! After a fumble find
Selvi then we still and will be guided by it to our first night's lodging. Since her room with wardrobe, double bed and a stove, however, filled in quite decide Nico and I summarily us out there to install in the yard. A mattress is not found, dadrüber installed our luxurious mosquito-Dome and then the interior even designed stylishly with straw mats (who already knows what in the mattress lives all?): Finish the cozy camp for the first night:
For dinner there are couscous with vegetables Targin followed by the watermelon and not so much later, it then goes to bed, after all we do explore the city tomorrow!
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