En Route to Natitangou

Last month I biked to Natitangou, site of the nearest bank. I could've taken a bush taxi, but I just prefer the freedom and flexibility of bikin. And it really ain't that much slower.

170 km of dirt roads took me through some pretty brilliant scenery

This was my first foray into the Atacora region in Northwest Benin - where small mountains rise up from the savannah landscape I'm accustomed to.

Atacora sunset

the Kota Waterfall

gathering firewood.

they gave me cashew apples after I took their picture. it's the fruit that grows above the nut part of a cashew. seriously. who woulda thunk? tastes like a chalky peach.

5 bikes, on a bike.

handmade gravel.

Sights like this fuel my thoughts as I pedal my bike - why isn't this kid in school? Well, at least he's making a living, right? Do you label it desperation, or enterpreneureship? Is he better off making gravel than working the cotton fields? How much does a pile of gravel cost? I don't know. I'll ask next time. Maybe he'll earn enough to send his own kids to school one day. And perhaps he'll be better off than the folks habituated to taking handouts from misguigded charities. Better bangin' rocks than stretching out a beggars hand.

Food for thought, at least.