TRAVEL BLOG THURSDAY - GANVIE || BENIN || July 2018
WE ARE SAVED & WE HAVE FOUND PEACE || GANVIE || BENIN || July 2018
Day 13 – Tuesday, July 31st, 2018
Okay so Ganvie…
We traveled from Ouidah to Ganvie. This is a town on the water that was established by African attempting to escape capture. One of the elders in the community was sent the knowledge of this location in a dream. This place was effective in hiding the location of the Africans and because the captors were unable to navigate the waters they were unable to get to the Africans. The village consists of houses all built on stilts. All transportation is by canoe which is also how we traveled to and throughout the area.
Port at Lake Nokoué
We took a boat on Lake Nokoué to Ganvie, the town on the water.
Ganvie means “we are saved and we have found peace”.
The people of Ganvie make their living by fishing with traps. The fish farm traps are made by taking branches and putting them in barriers for 3 years until they rot. That becomes the food for the fish who swim in and get trapped. Men typically capture the fish. Women take the fish in the boats and sell them.
We got a tour of the Hope for Africa clinic which one of the students from the community the organization put through school, now a doctor, came back and built. We also learned about the great work the clinic does in the community. It is the only clinic for miles in the area. They work with very little supplies and are funded by the kindness of donors with supplies and funds. To donate please contact Hope for Africa.
We had a super delicious homemade meal of grilled with Akassa which is fermented corn dough served with a sauce. It was made by the doctor’s wife. We were also escorted to and from the town by the doctor’s father, also a doctor. It was a family of medical professionals running the clinic which was beautiful to see.
After our meal and a few pictures, we made the journey back. On our way back, our bus broke down on side of road. We passed the time by singing 90s songs. That was fun! We made a great time out of a stressful situation. At this point we were sups tired and it was at least midnight.
We went back to Baba Morpheus’ compound for dinner. His daughter cooked and we got to the compound super late but she was so gracious. Everything she made was absolutely delicious. We had green salad with potatoes, carrots, cucumber, and a Beninese creamy dressing made with anchovies.
Inspired by the delicious salad and homemade dressing we had in Benin…
We had rice, fresh tomato and onion sauce, spinach sauce, spicy fish, and a dish with a texture similar to Nigerian moin moin. I didn’t catch what it was called but it may have been amiwo like moin moin (steamed seasoned bean pudding) but made with corn, chicken stock, and tomatoes.
Inspired by the delicious sauce that was served with mostly every meal I had in Togo and Benin…
On his compound was also the Temple of Ato-Ogun and the divinity Maman Tchamba. Folks who were interested learned more about that as well.
After a late dinner we checked into a new hotel; MB Hotel in Porto-Novo. I showered and knocked out in a gigantic bed
I think there may only be 2 or 3 more blog posts in this series so until next time… Goodnight!
Thanks for reading all these words!
Love ya!
Taste Tutor