The flight and Lomé

Finally on the 28th of February I sat off. First a shorter flight from Amsterdam to Paris, where I had to rush from one terminal to the next in order to just make it in time for boarding.

And then a second flight from Paris to Lomé, which was long, but thanks to AirFrance also very comfortable (own little TV, computer games, blanket, cushion and nice food). When I left the plane I was welcomed by a nice warm prise of air and in the transfer bus by my first two mosquitoes…

When it came to the airport formalities, I had my first taste of the Togolese hospitality. My air plane seat neighbour helped me kindly in a speedy fashion through passport/visa control with his airport contacts … that was nice and quick, though unfortunately followed by a long wait for my luggage. Then customs… which were naturally most interested in my boxes, though after a description of their content they let me pass without much difficulties.

Once outside the airport – which is rather small - I was relieved that at least my hosts knew how I look like, as I could not remember at all the faces on the photos … so far so good. Well, and then the shock: my hosts started talking to me and I understood practically nothing, that is with a lot of effort, concentration and repetition it was ok, but certainly that wasn’t the French I am normally used to from France … now, the people that know me, know that I am not necessarily the most talkative person in the world, though this language barrier really didn’t give me an easy start on a social level.

The first 1.5 days we stayed in Lomé. I stayed at Kamar’s place (the president of the AVECSTOGO) and the two French girls at Jonas’ place (the vice president).

The Sunday was simply boring, as we practically did nothing … which is understandable considering that it was hot, that the French girls had arrived in the middle of the night and that is was Sunday and therefore anyway nothing opened … though I am not used to not being able to do at least something.

Well, the Monday was a lot more exciting. I got introduced to the taxi-moto as a means of transport and I absolutely loved it: cheap and really refreshing :-) We also went to the German embassy (… the German lady at the counter was rather unfriendly, though the embassy is situated at the beach, which was just lovely…) and then we went to withdraw some money, so that I can hold my first Togolese francs.

Later that afternoon – again after a long boring break for relaxation – we sat off to Sokodé.