A place to dwell is a necessity in our lives wherever we reside in the world, so finding suitable accommodation to suit our pocket and preference are two vital requirements worth considering for a place to be called home.
Accommodation in the Republic of Benin, what is it like? I have a few experiences already that I can’t wait to share.
I sent money to my cousin to find accommodation for me before I arrive in Benin to avoid the guest house and save money on setting up my place. While still in South Africa, I kept wondering why it is taking long for him to find a suitable place for me, living in SA where finding accommodation is fairly easy since one can just get onto the internet and find options, I kept wondering what it is like in Benin.
My Experience
My cousin couldn’t get me a rental accommodation, so I am staying with him and his family at his place until I find accommodation for myself. I must give him credit for his hospitality and his wife’s. They have been taking good care of me and each time I try to help out financially they refuse to accept money from me. And he tells me not to accept accommodation I am not entirely pleased with it because I want to get out of his house sooner. So I am grateful to them.
After the day of my arrival, I was taken to view accommodations, since my cousin is at work and a very busy man. His wife and friend took me to view accommodation.
The first one is in a place called Kokotome, which is about 15km from my cousin’s place of residence Fidjrosse. I like the accommodation but not the area, it is a bit untidy for me and it worries me when it does rain and secondly, it is a bit of an inland, unlike Fidjrosse which is about 10 minute walk from the beach. Which is what I want, I want to be a stone's throw away from the beach.
The second place isn’t far from my cousin’s place in Fidjrosse, it is probably +-6km from his place. I like the area, the accommodation is okay, also a major turn off was the road which my cousin’s wife also agreed.
It was my second day in the country and I have been taken to view two accommodations. Over here you pay to view accommodation which is unlike South Africa which doesn’t attract a fee. Also, you pay 3 monthly deposits while in SA, you pay for just a month.
From what I gathered, It would have been tougher finding an accommodation on my own without guidance, unlike SA, and with me being an English speaker in a French country I need guidance and I am thankful that I am getting it.
It is now exactly a week in Benin and I have found accommodation which I am going to write about soon.
