In Cotonou for visa again, but it all worked out!

Going to Cotonou I am always taxed by the white man has money theory. In Cotonou there are quite a few foreigners, and many do have money. It is especially difficult when dealing with the motorcycle taxi's. They are not selfish, they are businessmen looking for the highest prophet possiblebut for me they will start higher, although I think they do try to rip eveyrone off. Nonethelessthe difference is that if I try to lower the price they'll beg me to help them, that life is hard and gas prices high. It is somewhat true (not the high gas prices though). I was once tryingto lower the price and the guy just kept say my friend, white man, help us, help us. I wouldn't budgeand he consented to the lower price. In the end you have to detach yourself and say it's all business.But once after a bargaining session, I climbed on the motorcycle and breathed a sigh, thinkingto myself, why should I have to bear the burden to their problems. I had nothing to do withcolonialism, the economy, and the like. But then I thought that really that's why I camehere to help share their sufferings. I like Paul in 1 Corinthians 9 have given up my rights and beallthings to all people. When it is appropriate I do try to help people be moreracially senstive. Here since the major majority is black, they do not how to think culturally diversebeyond different tribes, so if it's appropriate, I may teach someone, mostly those younger thanme to be kind to everyone, to treat all people the same. I realize it is easier for me, since I amused to a dealing with a diversity of people I can look at everyone as equal. for them they are usedto people of their own skin colour. So no one is racist here, just a little misguided. But all in stride!