Location Cotonou, Benin

Blog Summary

December 18th was a big day. I picked up my Nigerian visa, and that alone felt like a small victory worth pausing for. I’d heard too many stories about people being denied an E-visa, which is exactly why I chose to do this in person. With visa rules constantly shifting, it felt good to walk out successful—especially knowing some applicants were asked for a Benin residence card. I wasn’t, and that made all the difference.

With that weight lifted, it was time to celebrate. I stopped at Pura Vida for a croque monsieur, Benin style, and a ginger drink. Simple, but meaningful. It reminded me of Ryan, who loved that treat when we traveled through French-speaking places. He’s no longer with us, but moments like that keep him close and quietly fuel why I keep moving forward.

The rest of the day was about recalculating the route ahead. I’d planned to pass through Ibadan, but that connection no longer made sense. I still need my Cameroon visa—an e-visa first, followed by a physical sticker issued in Calabar, one of the last Nigerian towns before the Cameroon border. It’s not the shortest route, but knowing this now saves a lot of wasted miles later.

I wandered the neighborhood a bit more and found it genuinely pleasant. I wish I had more time to linger, but time is the one thing that always seems scarce on a journey like this—even when it feels abundant. Thanks for coming along. More tomorrow.