Time is an 'unknown variable, of course, but here in Benin is much more variable. The factors of change are almost always multiple, but certainly always ill-defined and unclear.
The only certainty is that no one comes early. No person who is working or hanging out will leave his place of departure, in time to arrive on time at arrival.
People do not like to wait in a familiar place, why does waiting for the others.
In these few months I started to calculate the time of Benin, African Time alias, cursed African Time. Trust me, not an invention, is a time that no existing clock can be calculated with precision, but after a bit 'of time, which always bust you have to wait hours and hours, you are entering a second and you hit on the head and you're good if you manage to get one at the same time, with whom he had an appointment.
Haste is instead the greater evil here in Benin, the rush you crazy, for you can quickly shake in an exaggerated way, the rush you feel sick, do not resist the rush in such a place.
happens that you remain on foot and you're told you that you pass to get to 15.00. politely to get ready with 10 minutes early, it expects 20 you do find the door, there's too hot and after 10 minutes he returns and other aspects 15. Then call and say you feel Quiet here I come! 10 other issues I have just arrived, trumpets wildly, almost Scazzi to wait two minutes running. Exit, politely say hello and you understand that when you're told to 15.00, it can pass safely at 15:45. at the bottom are always 15.
happens you have to go for a night-awareness, self is not there and then rent a zemigiang, a motorcycle taxi. The start is at 19.00. Do not think quell'orario or at least pretend to think, delays as much as possible, knowing that he had told the first 18 and then for the 19 could go. But now it has changed, it is said to 19.00 to 19.00 as we go. And then on time, without advance with the 19 split arrival. The crew, the team, I do not know what to call it is sitting on the bench, quiet. Lacks a promoter and zemigiang, normally the only punctual.
ask him. I am told that no one has notified us that he intended to transport the material.
My proposal to call the day before had been severely fucked up, because I was told you can not call somebody one day in advance.
feel better last, too bad that now the line is not working well, is weak Adjohoun here to work and finally when you find that it has zemigiang the phone off. But no one is agitated, sitting on the bench, in silence, drinking a sip of sodabi , the local grappa and laugh with your neighbor and as every day comes to get some 'air now that the sun has left.
quietly decide to find another taxi driver, but always very calm. It's called someone, a relay race of voices across the country.
Half an hour later a guy comes, we can finally load everything. First let's look at the material and the computer is missing here, where there is a film project, the subject most important, irreplaceable.
is with the social worker, who this morning went to a meeting and although he sensitizations to plan today, Wow, he's forgotten.
I called to ask me why I do not have the movie on my PC, cabbage is now my fault!
I had just had dinner at 18 for not having stomach problems. But what am I doing here?!
Greetings all, are 20:30!
The other properties remain on the bench, as if nothing had happened, they have to do at home. They have the bottle in his hand, talking and laughing, they laugh taste .. I wonder what are said to laugh like that!
I turn on the bike, a little 'horn to warn the world of my imminent departure.
Some nod in agreement, I set to 20 km / h the streets of the old market. Dozens of women with their wares for sale: vegetables, fruit candy.
smarter ones have prepared something warm to throw down in the stomach. Any child, fills several dishes to take home for the family.
am referring only 3 hours after dinner.
Now is the time of Benin, viva l ' African Time.
