There is very little that beats hearing the jingle of an ice-cream van on a hot day, so in the relentless heat of Togo we were delighted to discover the poop-poop of the fan man. Across Benin, Togo and Ghana, in virtually every town, village, and city you will find a troop of saviours wearing the Fan brand proudly and providing the population with sweet iced treats.
They deliver their goods in either push carts or on bicycles with cool boxes attached to the front. The poop-poop of their hand held horn is fan joy to the ears and often an inducement of hysteria! Although they have a variety in their cool boxes (including Fan-ice, Fan-choco, Fan-joy, Fan-dango, Fan-yogo) Fan-vanille pronounced fanny (giggle-giggle) has become an obsessive favourite.
An oblong sachet is filled with such delicious mini-milk flavoured ice-lolly that you can hardly wait for the corner to be sliced by the Fan man. Seriously delicious and refreshing we have roamed many a street in search of the Fan man and have unashamedly chased many a poop-poop shouting ‘Fanny’ at the tops of our voices.
It is a particular delight to spot a Fan man on long distance journeys. As our vehicle slows we desperately seek the blue waistcoat we love so much through the hoards of women pushing to sell bread, chicken and water through the windows. With the correct change always ready we have yet to fail! Hail to the Fanny-man!
