If Paris associates with Eiffel Tower, and Rome with Colosseum, Cotonou should with Zem Zem

If Paris associates with Eiffel Tower, and Rome with Colosseum, Cotonou should with Zem Zem. Yeah I know you're going to ask so here is a map...its the biggest city in Benin, a sliver of land nation in West Africa, between Nigeria and Togo

With a population of about 800k people there are over 150,000 registered moto taxis, also known as Zemidjan or Zem meaning "take me quickly" in local Fon language. Zem taxis are everywhere, recognizable by their yellow jackets, the drivers cruise around in search of customers or are can be found around almost every corner. It's not an easy work; there is no insurance, no social benefits, exposure to pollution, and of course accidents (~400 fatal per year). But, with 30-40 customers a day many can make 150,000-200,000CFA (~$300) per month, which is about 5 times the minimum wage of 30,000CFA.

The city lives because of these taxis. They are the cheapest, fastest, easiest and most common way to travel around Cotonou, although not the safest. So make sure you tell the driver to go slow or gently ("aller doucement" in French)...and wear a helmet if the driver has an extra one.

The cost depends on how far you are going but usually 500-1000, cheaper for locals. As an example I paid 1,200 for a half hour ride to Calavi (boat dock to Ganvie). If anyone starts talking thousands for a trip in the city, just offer him 500, max 1000 or walk away to the next one, you'll find the China effect..the further you go the more price drops.

Get out of my way Blanc! Sidewalks are for riding ...not walking

In case you out of fuel...there are bottled fuel stands everywhere

Nagorno Karabakh - people affected by the conflict don't want more destruction, only geo political players and arms dealers do

I have been to Artsah (aka Nagorno Karabakh), Armenia, and Azerbaijan many times. I met people who took part in the conflict, or at least one way or other were affected by it. I have also seen a level of destruction the conflict caused.

I don't want to talk about history or take sides, but will say that neither Armenians or Azeris have interest in latest flash of violence. Only more innocent people will die, die for nothing. The real interest in stocking this is for the one that sell arms for both sides, and maybe the one that is playing a geopolitical game in the region, think Caspian oil pipeline to EU.

Believe me, people affected in the area don't want more of this....

Once a city of 150,000 people...

3km DMZ bstarts midway through the photo...you can see Azeri side

A giant statue of a man once stood in this fountain...only the legs are left

Nagorno Karabakh-Marko-Moudrak-9542-2.jpg

Missing a train to North Korea and wtf Pyongyang traffic girls

Me laying at the end of a rail road in the port of Rason in the north eastern North Korea

I've been to North Korea several times, taking a train once, flying and by bus but never by foot.

Today I had a vivid dream walking there. All I remember is I was scheduled to go to North Korea from China by train. It was at night or a very early morning as it was dark outside. I remember thinking , damn I need to wait for over two hours...so, just like waiting for a bus I figured I can just walk to the next station. I walked along the rail tracks, across the bridge and somehow ended up inside DPRK waiting at the abandoned station. No border patrol or checks. The train left without me or never came, as I kept sitting at same spot in a fluorescent lit station with grey tiles. As light came all I remember were the young uniformed Pyongyang traffic police women walking by several times and giving me this "wtf is this guy doing here" look without saying a word....It was a very vivid dream and I didn't know where the hell I was when I woke up.

Funny, I actually have an American friend that actually missed a train into DPRK from a small station in Russia.

In any case, here are few images from North Korea with some elements from the dream.