I Would Have Servants I've often wondered what it would be like to live in another era - perhaps during the Renaissance or in the Middle Ages. In many ways, life then seems so much easier. I could have a farm and grow my own food easily. I could barter, so I'd be less dependent on money. If I were a doctor, my patients could pay me in food, goods, and services, rather than cold hard cash. There would be fewer gadgets and gizmos to distract me. Family, frie...

On Dehydration and Travel Togo is a hot country. Yes, I know it is in Africa, close to the equator, and I should have been aware that it was hot. I was. I was prepared for heat, for sweating, for sunburn, for changing clothes throughout the day. But, I was unprepared for dehydration. I used to think that drinking water would prevent dehydration. Boy was I mistaken. I drank water. I drank water nearly all day. While traveling in Togo, I drank "purewater&qu...

Impressions of Kougnohou Nestled into the rolling hills of Togo's plateau region, Kougnohou (pronounced coon-yo) is a relatively big village, home to the largest market west of Atakpame. There is no running water and only limited hours of electricity, so Kougnohou has been the perfect place to unplug and relax. Reaching only 122 degrees in the middle of the afternoon and being blessed with cooler weather most mornings and evenings, Kougnohou is a haven of nice w...

On Transportation in Togo Bush taxi, taximoto, taxi, bus… what's the difference? Togo has four main modes of transportation throughout the country, each with its advantages and disadvantages, and each with its own dangers! I'll start with the smallest and most prevalent: taximoto, or moto. As the name implies, a moto is a motorcycle. Some are more like powerful scooters, and some are larger more full-sized motorcycles. Don't let your mind think of nice Ha...

Arrival in Togo There were at most 50 people on my flight from Casablanca to Lome, and about 30 of them disembarked in Lome, the rest continuing on the short hop to Coutonou, Benin. We landed at about 11:30 pm, and my worst fear was that Ortencia had been detained and could not make it to the airport. With apprehension and excitement, I entered the arrivals hall, filled out the necessary forms, and was the first one to the immigration window. Luckily, having o...