Rachel Décoste embarked on a transformative journey of self-discovery when she arrived in the Republic of Benin in West Africa in August 2018. Little did she know that this trip would change her life forever. Being the daughter of Haitian immigrants in Ottawa, Canada, Rachel was always curious about her ancestry. After submitting her DNA to an online ancestry site, she discovered that her roots could be traced back to countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast, Togo, Ghana, and Benin. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Rachel set out to explore these countries, with Benin being her final destination.
Arriving in Benin, Rachel booked a room in a bed and breakfast in Cotonou, the country’s port city. Her plan was to work remotely while also exploring the country during her free time. On her first day in Benin, Rachel wanted to visit Ouidah, a historically significant slave trading port. Unsure of how to get there, she asked a passerby for directions and came across Honoré Orogbo, a local man who happened to be passing by. Despite her initial hesitation, Rachel decided to trust Honoré and hopped on the back of his motorcycle, embarking on a day of adventure.
As Rachel and Honoré arrived at the taxi rank in Cotonou, they realized that the taxi to Ouidah was nearly empty and would take some time to fill up. Not wanting to waste her day, Rachel expressed her disappointment to Honoré. In a generous gesture, Honoré suggested that he could take her to Ouidah himself since he had the day off. Rachel agreed, and they set off towards Ouidah.
Once in Ouidah, Honoré showed Rachel the way to the Slave Museum and the bush taxis for her return trip. Before parting ways, Rachel invited Honoré to brunch as a thank-you for his help. Over their meal, Rachel learned that Honoré didn’t know the country’s history well enough to act as a tour guide, but he agreed to drive her to her desired destinations. Rachel saw this as an opportunity to support Honoré and enlisted his services for the next few days.
Throughout the week, Honoré took Rachel to various important sites in Benin. The experience was powerful for Rachel, particularly when visiting the slave fort in Ouidah’s Museum of History. The realization that her ancestors had survived such cruelty left a profound impact on her. Rachel’s journey not only connected her to her roots but also reminded her of the resilience and strength of her ancestors.
Traveling through Benin with Honoré by her side, Rachel experienced a life-changing adventure that made her appreciate the miracle of her existence. She vowed to live her best life as a tribute to those who didn’t have the same chance. Rachel’s journey in Benin taught her the importance of embracing her heritage while also opening her eyes to the vast history of the African continent.
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