Saturday, October 18, 2014

What Makes Me Happy!!

Ok! Can I start with this tune?
Song: "Happy" Pharrell
Hi! Everyone
 I have been busy these past few months! It's almost the end of the year. Yay! New good things are coming!
In this new post I thought I could be sharing with you what I like that makes me happy. I believe that we are ourselves responsible to create this feeling of happiness. In fact we should avoid to think negatively and always think positive even when things tend to be bad or difficult. I realize that every time I think positive good things happen to me but when I start thinking negatively bad things happen. Which means that what you project or think is what is going to happen to you.
Also these past few months I learned that I should stay away from toxic relations such as hypocrites, false people, people who like to gossip (gossip is poison), people who are undecided in their lives, people who have no vision.

Nice pic from a Paris facebook page. I Love it!!! Yay!!!!
    Then stay away from people who cannot value you and  who cannot see the good qualities that you have. Trust me it will be a waste of time trying to please such people. They will really drain you. Just be who you are do NOT be rude with people but stay who you are. As Mother Teresa said "Life is a journey Enjoy it". It is important to grow wise and wiser than before. It is also important to learn from our mistakes and to give place to positivity in us. I have learned to like myself and that really makes me happy. To be happy is a decision. Do not wait for love coming from the outside but from your inside.
At the end you will see that once you love yourself you will end up loving people and people will likely accept and respect you. There will always be mean people but I decided to ignore the negative people. It is good to know who you are as a Person. Feel good feel beautiful because you are the best piece of Art that has ever been created. Be "You" that person  not influenced by people's comments, gossip, judgments, magazines, etc.
It is good to read some quotes from people who share their own experiences, thoughts  and vision of life .Because they have succeed you can learn from them..
For instance this is a quote from Oprah Winfrey that I like just to feel inspired:
  Just think about it I am sure you will agree with her

Also I want to share this one from Anne Klein that I have recently found online. I like it because it teaches me that clothes don't wear me but I wear them . Which means that beauty must come from me and shine but not the clothes because even though I can wear high brand clothes and that I do not love myself, nothing is going to make a difference. Therefore everything must come from me (inside) from the way I see and accept myself.
This is definitely true even Coco Chanel said the same thing
ok! Now back to the main subject of this post "What makes me happy". Humm..Let's say, because it's true, I want to go on a trip to Disneyland!! I like this fairy world  I am a good dreamer that's why I like every work that Disney has made. I want to have a trip to the islands like the Bahamas, Jamaica...I know it will happen but for now I think there are little things that can make me happy too. Little things that I do not necessarily need to spend huge amount of money. Let's start by saying that It is good to be thankful for the fact that I am alive and enjoying life. Good health  yes because I can still do some things by myself  I am grateful and so many other things. Life itself is a gift that makes me happy and I am thankful that I can still see the blue sky as in Louis Armstrong's lyrics for his song "What a wonderful world!".
Then what I want to share with you are all of these other things in my post. Some pictures are mine others are not. I found them on the web and I thought they could fit with what I share here.

Let's start with smoothies@!! I like smoothies!! Yay!!! Smoothies are so refreshing! Especially during Summer!

I like the Starbuck's ones. Sometimes I make mine at home  but when I really want to

I like pictures and the pictures that I especially like to see are those of Fashion and perfumes advertisements because simply I like perfumes so much! It is so fresh! Whenever I smell perfumes It makes me feel good! I can go to the mall and spend hours in a boutique just to try new perfumes.
A floral and fresh scent of  Marc Jacobs "Daisy Dream"

Daisy Dream by Marc Jacobs. How nice is it!
Oulala! Chanel 5 (Chanel's lucky number) pour les chic ladies!

Pamper myself! Yes! That definitely makes me happy! Sometimes I can be lazy because so many activities in the week but when You have time, just do it! We need moment like that and it's so important. It feels so good to pamper oneself!


yes yes! 
 

What about humor? Yeah! Funny pictures that makes me laugh are good to me! You can use this one for your friends or family. If you need to say something special to them with humor use pictures. Laughing after a morning prayer is a good recipe to start a good day for sure.

Do you know my little bird?  My little bird makes me happy every time I am back home. Lil' One likes to listen to my playlist on youtube.

 There we go! lol!!!

I like Ice Cream yay!! Yes! Ice cream! Ice cream people but I must say that I consume it moderately because too much consumption of sugar is not good for health. Right!?
  I like to cook on my free time. Woo Hoo! I can cook any meals that I like. However in this picture I show you my favorite buns but I also don't make them every time You don't need to eat them every time. Once in a while I can make  them.
They look good already!

Even I reduced my consumption of fried plantains even tough they are so good! Still they are in the list of my favorites really! It is easy and fast to make and It is so good and exotic! You can eat it with anything!
My fried plantains
 How can I forget my cold Frappucino!! I like it so much!!!
Thank you QT! Whenever I go there I need to buy me some.

I can share the recipe of the buns if you want me to. You just need to drop the comment below.
Ok! Guys it's good to volunteer. Volunteering gives me a feeling of fulfillment  because bringing your contribution is something good to the society. You don't have to do too much but giving your time for a good cause or to help is really important. I stop volunteering these past few months because I am so busy with my activities but whenever I will have my vacations I will definitely doing that again. Yes! volunteering makes me happy!

  If you are like me you are probably an adventurous person sometimes. Going on a trip makes me really happy! I like to travel I want to travel more often and it will happen. However we don't always need to go on a trip out of the country there are nice cities not far from your area I am sure.  So discover those cities go for a weekend with friends or alone but be safe when you are on your own. Yes, you can go on a trip for a little change to relieve the pressure, the stress etc.
 A Trip to OKC

Washington DC, sweet memories!
Paris France

Go shopping makes me happy! woo hoo! Women like shopping so yes! Have fun but don't spend too much Ladies! Spend what you can really afford to not feel or be financially too tight. So ladies spend smartly! Going to the mall is also good just to spend time looking around and see new and nice things. You don't always have to do shopping but you can just enjoy walking around, go to movie, eat something special that you have never tried before. You can go to smell some perfumes, candles, discover new natural products for the body and clothing trends  It's always good to know and maybe who knows? You might meet Someone special there (smile) That's for single ladies of course. You might also meet new nice people or opportunities. So yes going to the mall makes me happy!

At the mall


 I like to see new make up things or try something new even though I am not a professional (make up artist) but sometimes it feels good to be at the cosmetic line( Flaner dans les Rayon) Just looking at the different colors of lipsticks...There are always new things at the shop for sure.  Women are queens that's why we have all of these made for us only (Smile) I always learn from other ladies who know best so...yes I like it! 

Kim Kardashian having her make up done

What about gym?! Yes! Sometimes I can be lazy but when I am excited to go to gym it makes me happy because I know that at that point I try to control my weight consequently my health is good.
I put music on my ears and I enjoy working out for few hours.


Flowers are nice beautiful they smell so good!! They really make me happy whenever I see them and hold them! There is something good about them . They are sensitive and fragile. Flowers are like women.
Nice roses freshly taken in the yard! See how beautiful they are.

Why don't you go to a concert? It's good sometimes. 


Looking at nice and relaxing pictures like these ones. I really like it! Whenever I found such pictures I keep some of them in my pictures folder. Photographers are really talented!

 This one is so refreshing! It makes you want to be happy and enjoy life. It's like a fresh breeze in a morning. 

I like reading magazines while nibbling at some cakes or cookies with a nice warm cup of green tea! I like to drink tea just to help to flush the excess of sugar sometimes and to clean my system but still water remains the best allies.
Naomi Campbell



reading Lupita Nyong'o in Glamour Magazine
Going to museums I really enjoy going to museums. Visiting monuments or going to places like for instance the Kennedy Center in Washington DC makes me happy!

I don't recall the name of the artist who did that Art work but I fell literally in love with his talent it was actually exhibited at The Hilton Hotel in Dallas. The paint looks so real!

 I like animals I like pets! I like their loving company and it makes me happy!
my young sister's baby (or my kind of" nephew" if you want lol!!


I like watching good movies! That makes me happy! You learn from good movies
Movie: Free Willy

I like to listen to music at night or in the afternoon the weekend. It makes me happy  I like to get busy with music on. It really makes me feel relaxed and inspired especially when I listen to my favorite artists.


 Listening to The Temptations"My Girl" When I work I need music on

I like to look at fashion pictures! Just to see the creativity and talent of Fashion designers: New style, new trend, new shoes, new purses...It is so fine and that makes me happy!

Rihanna


Model Kate Moss posing for Vogue magazine. She looks "Glamour!"

Who doesn't like candles?! Of course We all like candles! Candles or incense in my place makes me feel happy and relaxed especially after a long and stressful day.
candle



 Just walking outside of your home, apartment. I like to take a stroll anywhere as long as it is safe It can be at the park or somewhere safe and nice. observing the beautiful landscape. It's really good!
Thanks God for this wonderful things that You have created for us!

Now let's listen to Louis Armstrong "What A Wonderful World"

I like Betty Boop! I like to see her. I think she is a sassy pin up lady because she is glamorous and she is so cute! I like Betty Boop's pictures, items and fashion clothing. Yes! Seeing Betty Boop makes me happy! Since my younger age she was one of my favorite cartoon. Do you like Betty Boop too? I am sure you do!




I Love Christmas!!
 As the song says:"It is the most wonderful time of the year!!" Christmas always makes me happy!!     Family spends good time together. We go to church for the Nativity we always need to remember the real story behind Xmas. It is not a commercial event I dislike when people doing it for commercial purpose because they kill the essence of Xmas. Christ was born and was given to the world so that people who believe in Him will be saved. It is very sad to see that people has made Xmas a Santa's story first when it is all about Jesus Christ well C'est la vie...During Xmas family members, friends exchange presents. Family members are blessed to be together and share good meals. Xmas is all about love! People have fun sharing to their children how baby Jesus was born in a manger . The Christmas songs and decoration at home are everything!!  People Xmas is so good! I also like my birthday  too!

Xmas at Washington Dc! There was this Xmas tree at the White House

We made it ourselves! we were so happy that day

Nativity
 yes!! This is the end of this post! I hope you like it! Yes as you can see God makes me happy! He is everything to me! Now that I am done I will simply say to conclude that whenever I keep my mind in a positive mode everything sounds to be perfect and nice. Being happy is the best remedies for our soul as the bible says sadness "will dry out your bones." My strength and the way I started to learn all of these about keeping a positive attitude a positive mind. I learn it from the Bible a really rich book, from Christian preachers and speakers Also from people on Facebook who have developed a positive attitude. It is not only good for your soul but it is also good for your spirit. Trust me once you start to sit and really study this book the Bible your mind will completely change for the best you will have hope and success and salvation. You will start to know more about yourself.
Yay!! Be Happy and Live happy!
 (One of my favorites song of Des'ree. If you have time, just take a little time to listen to the lyrics. What she says in this song is true fact and it helps to grow wise and wiser) I don't know but I remember reading in an article that Princess Diana really loved that single . "You Gotta Be" was popular in the 90's Enjoy!
Des'ree "You Gotta Be"






When I Feel Inspired I Do So!


Hey! Everyone / Salut a tous!
The title of this post is "When I feel inspired I do so!"
I say it because I thought I could do something different. That I could be sharing some of "what I like" to do in my free time. I am not a  professional in Fashion clothing but I am like every women in love with it. It's the first time To tell you the truth I was kind of reluctant about doing it but then I thought :"why not?" There is nothing wrong with it. Then  I took the baby step (lol!) to create a kind of "look book" because I felt inspired to do so. I hope you will like it, enjoy it and that it will inspire you for good! If not well...Then there is nothing I can do about! (Wink) At the end I just hope you have fun reading it. I will put some links below at the end of this post. I personally buy no expensive clothes for the moment. It is just a matter of taste and choices I think.
Ok! Without wasting too much time let's start with the first outfit from Missguided: I have to say I discover Missguided through some beautiful youtubbers lady. I really like this brand. I mean Missguided is good from professional clothes to any day clothes.
 Outfit #1
I like this knitwear blue ensemble. I intentionally chose the blue color because I like blue. Blue is my favorite color its relaxing peaceful and I will probably take the grey one of this outfit because I really fell in love with it. I Like it really much I show you the top and the skirt. It's comfortable and warm perfect for the beginning of autumn. You still want to look sexy but in a decent way. So there it is!




It's mostly made with cotton. That's why I like it

That's ok!









Outfit #2
It is actually not an outfit but just a tee shirt from forever21.  I like some of their original tops. This one is written in French "Crème de la Crème"and I like the simplicity and the original way they printed it. I am a crème for sure!(smile)






Outfit # 3
Like I said in a few lines above I like Forver21 tops and this is a black top from Forever 21. I bought it I like the shape the fabric ( cotton)that they used for. The jean is from H&M and that jean is really simple and easy to wear. 


Outfit # 4
Well this is a little story behind this one because the animal printed thing that you see here is actually a scarf. I saw a link sent to me by a friend of mine. In that link a creative lady showed us how to use a scarf  I tried it too and it gave what you see here. I really like it! I don't recall where I bought my scarf but I like the print. The top is from bebe and the black short from Forever21

This is how it looks from the back. It's really like an ethnic style. I also put a belt on it and this is how it looks like (in the picture). I guess this kind of simple outfit is good for an afternoon when you are not going to some places special just going out, doing groceries...
back


From the back
Outfit #5
The vest is from Akademiks. the jean and the white top is from H&M Yes I like H&M!



Outfit# 6
 the dress is from Great Glam website. What I mostly like with it it's the back of this dress.



This is cool!
Outfit# 7
This nice jumpsuit from Forever. When I saw it I fell in love with it! It's simple and the color is good.

I thought that these shoes would fit with the color and the jumpsuit. I Bought these Kenneth Cole shoes at Macy's

Sorry for the belt I didn't put it right..lol! It happens!

Outfit# 8
This is a special skirt from H&M. Special because my mum offered it to me. The dress is styley! My mum has good taste. The animal print makes it classy...(Smile) I wear it with Steve Madden shoes that I like really much!



Bebe's top

Outfit #9
A dress from Bebe. Once again It looks like an ethnic style. I like this dress because of the stripes and the color


I thought I could cover my shoulder sometimes to change the style with a vest that I bought at Macy's. Hum...What do you think? Good idea? I guess yes...the vest is kind of neutral color so that fits!


From the back
Outfit # 10
A black dress from Missguided. I fell in love with that dress!! Look the design! This dress is everything! I am Not disappointed at all. the dress from the back


 Closer, it gives that

Ok! 10 outfits! That's enough  for a first time.
Did you like this post? Let me know If you like it.  I can do more of this if you want me to but remember I am not a professional...That post was just something that I decided to do for a little change Something different in my blog.
Thank you for reading and watching...
 Voila! C'est fini. Je ne suis pas une professionelle mais bon je voulais poster quelque chose de different dans mon blog. Merci de deposer vos impressions dans la partie commentaires en dessous si vous avez aime et si vous voulez que j'en fasse un autre comme ca.


Monday, August 4, 2014

Memories of Benin


Today I thought inspired to write a post about Benin. O! Get ready guys because it's going to be  a long post! I have so much memories attached to that country. I have thought about doing it many months ago but I could not find times and enough words to write because Benin has been a really important part of my life. I felt like I should take my time to read and write before publishing this post. I went to Benin in the early 90's I was not far to become a teenager when I first went there then later I became a young lady. Being in that country really means a lot to me since I grew up there without my parents and I had to learn so many things in order to become a " complete adult ". The reason why I decided to write about Benin is not because I want to talk about my personal life but the people,the culture, the beauty of the landscape and the memories related to that special African land. . My Carnet de Voyage is about this type of experience it's a Carnet de Voyage of life, of countries, some experiences and Arts. I have lived there and I enjoyed living in Benin! I hope to go back to Cotonou for my next summer vacations. I miss the local dishes and the atmosphere. I simply want to take time to walk once again in the streets of Cotonou and see the people around talking and being busy with their daily activities. The charming ladies driving their motorcycles in the city. Yes! It will remind me of some good times spent there. I can still hear the voices of the ladies selling some "dokos" and some local soups on their tables put along the street with some small lanterns at night. Some customers would simply be sitting there eating and talking to each other.I can still hear the noise of the vespas (a type of motorcycle) driving in the quiet streets and not forgetting on a funny note the "agluzas!" (a type of pork) I got used to them time after time.
       The first time that I felt and saw the harmattan, it was in Benin. I am originally from the central part of Africa the weather is different and the "harmattan" was a phenomena that I have never experienced before only in the books until I got there (people told me that dry wind was coming from the Sahara.) Early in the morning the city was completely covered with white fog and it was so chilly! Once out,You could barely see the person coming in front of you. To me, it was such an exciting and funny experience! So clearly in this post I want to talk about the most exciting things to do  (What I did) and what to go visit.
        Benin is a country in West Africa which was formerly called "Dahomey". The Republic of Benin is bordered by Togo, Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and the Atlantic Ocean on the bottom. The official language is French but on my own experience as far as I remember "Fon" was the language mostly spoken but still people use French for those who do not know how to speak Fon and at school too. Others could speak Yoruba as well.Of course! I had to learn Fon because it was important for me to understand and to speak a little bit. Even though I have lost a lot since I didn't practice it again for years, I can still understand some words (Like for example I can still say good morning: "Afon Gandji a" or goodbye its: "o Dabo" or this one "Evivi gandji" meaning "very good" or "Asea?" meaning "Do you listen?" or "Gosifine!" which means "Get out of my way!" "Awi" I think it's the cat.etc ok! these are just few examples of the words that I can still remember)
Benin on the map of Africa

 Benin had originally a kingdom named the "Kingdom of Dahomey". After the French colonization, Benin got its independence the 1rst of August1960. The currency used is the CFA.The country also had a History of slavery trade during the 17th century like many other countries on the African coast. I also remember reading that a certain period the country went through a lot political turmoils but when I was there it was really fine! Things were changing and my friends recently told me that Cotonou has changed a lot after I left. They told me there are so many constructions everyday in the city and it is getting bigger and better than before.
the port of Cotonou

I used to live in Cotonou the active city of the country because of its economic and politic activities. However many people make the confusion between Porto Novo and Cotonou being the capital city and I did too. The fact that Porto Novo is a quiet city compared to Cotonou and the fact that the government is in Cotonou may probably explains the reason why we think this way but do not get confused! Porto Novo is definitely the capital city of Benin. According to Wikipedia in the city of Cotonou  you will see the ocean because it lies between the Atlantic Ocean and a lake. This statement is true! I remember most of the weekends in the afternoon with my host family we used to spend our afternoon at the "beach" actually it was not really a beach but the ocean because there is a huge difference when I compared the beach of my country and the one in Cotonou. The waves are big and strong. I guess people who like surfing will find their happiness on these waves! Yes it is definitely the real Atlantic ocean.We were there for picnic, to also play on the sand and the water but we needed to be really careful.
What can I recommend you to do for fun in Cotonou as a tourist? Well! First You should book a room in a nice hotel. There are many of them with different prices. It will be good to have a tour guide. The people are nice in general.

Take a time to go to the beach you will like it! You will relax on the sand and see the coconut trees! You can eat some of them if you want (wink)
the beach

There are good tearooms in the city such as "La Caravelle", "Les Delices" "Maison Rouge" and many others (It has probably changed since I left the country for years but don't worry you will find good ones) You won't be disappointed because the bakery and pastry are fined and so well done there. If you want to eat traditional and local dishes you can go to good restaurants in the city. Here is a web link about the Beninese gastronomy: http://www.recettes-cuisine-afrique.info/?Benin 

 If you like artistic works museums you will find them also there are some monuments to see. If you want to have fun, in this case instead of taking a taxi every time, try to take the "zemidjan (s)" which is a moto taxi. I and my friends had so much fun with it and it is cheap and fast!(Smiling) The first time that I tried it, I was scared but later I got used to the zemidjans.
you can see the zemidjans  with men wearing yellow blouse (people call them kekenon!)


If you are into religion a lot, then you  can visit the cathedral "Notre Dame" where the statue of the virgin Mary cried some real blood tears (if somebody has more details about this event  and want to share it please drop them in the comment box  I will really appreciate it). I used to go to this cathedral on Sunday too. I remember that the train used to cross the city at this area. You can also go to the big market called "Dantokpa" you can buy whatever you want but there are also some supermarkets in the city if you want specific things or food. You can go to the artisanal village where they sell some nice African Arts like handcrafts and many other things and activities in the city. Don't forget to buy some postal cards and some souvenirs! I like to do it too.
Cathedral "Notre Dame des Apotres" in Cotonou
 The mysteries, the History of this country, the stories told by people, superstition  tradition and many things like that make that place really special. Just thinking about it I always remember a book that I read there. The book was entitled "L'Arbre Fetiche" (The Fetish Tree)  written by Jean Pliya  ( I like this author I also read another book that he wrote it was a playwright the title was "La Secretaire Particuliere" It was so funny and interesting! I even remember some students did the play at my high school.) Ok! Back to my thoughts: Now if you read the book entitled "L'Arbre Fetiche" you will understand my point and you will be taken into the universe of the country itself. For instance, around Christmas and new year period I remember there were some groups of children wearing masks and dancing in the streets of the city with some drums singing "Caletta! caletta!" I think it's a tradition and probably still happens. Everybody in  the streets had some little fireworks I did like that atmosphere a lot! 
Jean Pliya's book

I also remember that at a certain period of the year like "out of the blue" adult people wearing some black torn and old clothes came out of nowhere and run between people everywhere in the streets and markets (Sometimes they wear colorful clothes). Then you could see the people around running away escaping from them running there and there saying these men were some "walking deads" they were called "Egungun" something like that and that if you look at them you would die. I heard that it was a tradition but I was thrilled and scared to death because I have never heard stories like that. I didn't understand either but I got used to it later with time and I knew whenever I saw them coming I had to avoid them as much as possible. A classmate told me later that he never believed they were real "walking deads" He thought that it was just a way to scare people and he told me that surprisingly one of them asked him for water because he was thirsty (Then tell me guys how is it possible that a walking dead could ask for water to drink?) Like seriously??! Then I started to think differently about these so called "Walking deads" but seriously guys if they are comedians I mean they were really excellent in the play because it looked so real and it was scary! 
Recently I checked the news about the "Egunguns" I read on an article that one of them was arrested and kept at a police station. Really!? A walking dead kept at a police station? Ok! This is where I still get confused about this phenomena but if you know something about it please drop the comment in box below I really want to understand what it is. To tell the truth I am still in a questioning mode: Are they real or false? However I can never think about going close to them and try to see their faces or closely stare at them because I don't know what is going to happen to me after. Let's change the subject...

With my host family we used to run at night around the Etoile Rouge where many people were jogging as well. We were living somewhere not far from the cathedral St Jean (St John) and Gbegamey. I was a student at a boarding school named "College Pere Aupiais". You can visit this school if you want. It was one of the best in the city I don't know about now but I guess it is still the same.
"Francis Aupiais" the high school was named after him
  So, during classes I stayed at the dorm. I was living with my host family during the holidays and during my vacations I was going back home or to another country with my family who came to pick me up. I remember a weekend with my host family we went out of Cotonou to Ouidah a little city on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. I recommend you to go to visit Ouidah.There,You will visit a Fort built by Portuguese people  There is a long story related to it. If you know the darkest part of the History of Africa, you will know that slavery was done on most of the coasts of the continent and Ouidah being a city on the coast of Benin, the slave trade happened in that area. My feeling once there was so heartbreaking and emotional at the same time. You could still hear our ancestors 'voices who were forcibly deported crying in the empty huts. I guess their spirits were still there that is why I could hear their voices and I had some goose bumps. If you are African or if you have some African roots you will probably understand my point. It is something to read the History book and it is another thing to live what the books say. That experience you cannot explain  but it stays deep inside of you forever. At a certain point of the long trip  (that the slaves did by feet for days), there is a type of huge gate with columns and it was written "The door of No return" and I saw the strong Atlantic Ocean where most of the big ships that transported our ancestors were waiting to put them all and left the continent. That part was the most moving and heartbreaking step. As a young African I could not say why and how but I could have some tears falling from my eyes because I understood that there was no coming back. They were gone forever to suffer in some unknown lands.
"The Door of No return" in Ouidah. The slaves were leaving their native land through this door forever

The Temple of Pythons
I could hear the people (the slaves) crying from the ocean. Once again I had some goose bumps because hearing the wild waves of the ocean hitting the shore mixed with the sound of their sad voices hurt me so much and it gave me some mixed feelings. Then suddenly some scenes of the movie "Roots" came back in my mind. Therefore, I was either angry of the History which is normal because I could not understand why my people were treated this way and at the same time I had a deep feeling of sadness because there was no way to take them back and the events and damages were already done but all in all it was an important experience.
     Later We went to visit the museum of Ouidah and the temple of pythons.  I didn't go inside I didnt feel strong to try this experience I was scare but I remember something that the touristic guide was saying about these pythons. I think they were sacred and protected on purpose and kept by some special people something like that (If you know the exact meaning of the temple of pythons and the story related to it please feel free to drop the explanations in the comments box below I will really appreciate it. Thank you!)  You also know that the festival of voodoo takes place there. I didn't attend it...Now you know what to do in Ouidah I shared my old memories.
The Fort in Ouidah


the pythons of Ouidah

If you want to know more about the city of Ouidah and the story of these pythons check out this web link below
http://www.museeouidah.org/HistoryOfOuidah.htm
    Back to me being a student in a private board school named college Pere Aupiais. It was a catholic school situated in the area of Cadjehoun or I think "Haie Vive" and....Patte d'oie (something like that)  It has been a while! We wore the "kaki" uniform and our standard was "Ora et Labora" which means in latin "pray and work hard." like study hard you see what I mean?  Every Sunday we (me and the other students living at the dorm too during the school year) were going to pray at the cathedral "Bon Pasteur" (The good Pastor) We had many activities in my high school such as some different clubs etc. I was in the English club and I like my teachers so much!!! Mr Sewagnon and Ms Attolou Aimee were my English teachers really they were the best! La Haie Vive was a really good area with nice fancy houses.  
The lake village Ganvie

    Another of my tourist trip was Ganvie! I also  recommend you to go to visit Ganvie. It is a lake village built by the Tofinou people on the Lake Nokoue.  I remember that when I went there the man  who took us there (the tour guide) told us that the Tofinou people were escaping from the slave trades supported by another tribe from Dahomey. To be safe, they built a village on the lake and lived there for years away from the shore.That Dahomey tribe who were after them, had a religious or superstitious about entering the water therefore they could not catch them. As a people who live on the river their main economic activities beside tourism are fishing and farm fishing. I remember seeing little schools, cemeteries on the water I even saw a church I mean a total life on the river! We ate some local dishes at a restaurant on the water. It was an exciting experience! The people were so nice they welcomed us with warmth and love. They looked happy to see us visiting their village and you could tell that they were used to see tourists coming to their place (My mum and my sister did the same trip years later They really like it!) One of the tourist in our group lost his shoe in the water as we were getting back in the "pirogue" (the traditional little boat that we use in Africa) There is no translation for pirogue unfortunately but this is a picture of it.
Women on the pirogue (the main mean of transportation in Ganvie)

So the young man lost one of his shoe in the water. As he was trying to sit back in the pirogue,  suddenly one of his shoes fell and went down in the river instantly a little boy of Ganvie jumped in the deep water stayed there for like more than 10 minutes. We thought something happened to him but then he went out triumphantly with a smile on his face and with the shoe on his hand so we were all impressed and everybody applauded him for his bold and kind act. The man told us that the child was looking for the shoe as much as he could because they are really loyal people. He also told us that in the day the people of Ganvie were going on earth for selling things and fishes at a certain time of the day before night come they were already on their way back to the lake village. They were so independent of the earthly life and I liked it a lot! I even bought some souvenirs from there before leaving the lake village. My last year at the College Pere Aupiais there was an international competition for all the students of the French speaking countries in the world organized by RFI (Radio France Internationale). We were supposed to write an inspiring story. I participated and I wrote my trip to Ganvie. Unfortunately I didn't win they sent me a letter to thank me for my participation. There were so many students of other countries with different interesting stories.  However the best thing that I kept with me was the fact that my teacher helped me to write and I had his total support. I was proud of me trying something different. To me the trip to Ganvie was definitely inspiring...You want to know more about visiting Ganvie click on  this web link here: http://www.amusingplanet.com/2013/12/ganvie-village-on-lake.html

   You can go to Abomey! Yes! go to visit the historical museum and the royal palaces of Abomey where were staying the 12 kings. Abomey was the former capital of the kingdom of Dahomey and you will be amazed by its History. Abomey is on the list of the World Heritage sites in Africa. You will learn about the different kings who bravely protected the land . Those kings such as king Behanzin (You probably heard about him), king Guezo and many others. I will put some links about this special city if you want to know more about it
City of Abomey

the temple in Abomey
  

you can also watch it in this youtube video to have an idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XinLxUEcYbU
Je vous parle de mon experience du Benin dans les videos suivantes:
Video 2 est la suivante mais j'ai le reste dans ma chaine youtube ou vous les retrouverai: Posh Girl
Another of my tourist trip was going to Porto Novo the capital city of Benin. I cannot say a lot about Porto Novo because I went there only once and we went to eat in a restaurant. we stayed the whole day in a type of hotel to entertained ourselves therefore I cannot share a lot about the city I am sorry... But! You can go there and see by yourself and have your own experience. Porto Novo is definitely way different than Cotonou. As we were driving around to the hotel I saw some places which still had the colonial style. 

Another place to go: Discover the "Pendjari National Park" to see the wildlife! Be adventurous! Here is the web link if you want to have an idea of this park:  http://www.pendjari.net/

  Here is a touristic website in case you want to visit Benin and plan your trip in advance: http://www.africa.com/benin/travel/

      In Benin people are really talented like people of Africa in general. You can see the artisanal works (handcraft Arts etc You know I like handcraft Art) and buy some of their master pieces.
   All in all you have an idea of Benin and you can now think about going there and visit the country. You won't be disappointed people are warm and nice! Now I think that I said everything! I will conclude this post with nice music from some Beninese musicians especially my favorite and talented one: Angelique Kidjo! She is internationally known and she even won a Grammy Award! You know my passion for music how I like it!  so sit back do like me relax and enjoy! Have fun!

PS: For those who wants to say something or share a trip to Benin you can drop your comments on the box below and any questions as well. I will gladly reply to them if I can. Thank you!

Angelique Kidjo "Agolo"


Angelique Kidjo "Wombo Lombo"

Petit Miguelito ft Chantal Ayissi (from Cameroon)Petit Miguelito ft Black Kent "Parce que Je  t'aime"



Petit Miguelito ft Teeyah


I like the national anthem. 'L'Aube Nouvelle"