Benin

Benin symbol and flag.

The view from my hotel window.

It looks idylic, but in reality you can only go on the beach with a guard, due to muggings and robberies.

Myself (far left) and my IMF colleagues and our guide, in a fishing village outside of the capital (Cotonou)called Ganvié.

The village is built entirely on stilts.

Children in Ganvié. It was hard to pass them by, but giving them money was discouraged for encouraging begging.

We did give them a few pens (highly valued) and candy.

The local Benin office.

Burkina Faso - more pictures coming!

Flag of Burkina Faso.

The local Burkina Faso office.