Monday evening my cell phone rang.

My boss: Hi there. How are you settling in?

Me: Very well, thanks! Everyone’s been really great about showing us around town. We visited the beach, went to a few grocery stores and went out to dinner. And we’ve made a good dent on our unpacking too.

My boss: And you’ll get to do even more unpacking tomorrow!

Me: Wait, what? Am I mixed up about what day it is? Today is Monday, right? Benin’s Independence Day? And I go back to work tomorrow?

My boss: Well, yes, that was the original plan, but the government decided to declare tomorrow a holiday too, so we all have another day off.

* * *

A half day of work on Friday followed by a four-day weekend? I could get used to life here (although I’m sure this weekend is spoiling me for the future).

So… yes, we all survived the long journey to Cotonou and are settling in well. The short version of the story: Our house is amazing, people are super friendly and helpful, and the city is nicer and more developed than we expected. More details later when our Internet situation isn’t so dicey.