tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44020268487273001042024-03-14T08:18:44.066-05:00On the Road Again...Currently living life in Douala, Cameroon, feeling blessed and enjoying a series of adventures, one day at a time.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-60265275247293929672017-11-12T08:25:00.001-06:002017-11-12T08:25:59.645-06:00On the Road Again...<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
Two and a half
years in Douala, Cameroon, four and a half years in Lagos, Nigeria, two years
in Mexico City, Mexico (one year at a time, two separate moves), three years in San Juan,
Puerto Rico, many months of refugee status in Aberdeen, Scotland (and the Canary Islands), two years
rotation for Charles in Copenhagen, Denmark - totaling twelve/fourteen+ years living
outside of our home country as expats – and exploring the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
adventure, the expeditions, the travel, the excitement of living in a new land,
the cultures, the world-wide friendships, the exotic foods and the experiences
have been amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Our
current life in a third world country makes us appreciate things we used to
take for granted (electricity, water, generators, paved roads, air
conditioning, consistent internet), and we are especially grateful for our friends,
since we need each other to survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This lifestyle has taught us flexibility and adaptability and patience
along with satisfaction in little things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our fears have lessened, our worries have decreased, the world has
become smaller, and our views have grown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have learned compassion and how to cope with poverty all around
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have discovered how to function
and to thrive in many languages and cultures and we have learned how to make a
home anywhere in the world, wherever we land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have learned that we can’t help everyone, but we can make a
difference in the lives of some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
learned that there is no waste in Africa too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Things I throw away are taken from the garbage and recycled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food, which is molded and old, is eaten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chicken bones are devoured… <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
humbling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Filth is everywhere and the
poverty can be overwhelming. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there is a mass of humanity every place we look with people sleeping and surviving in every little nook and cranny around. But,
it all has an energy to it, and it makes me feel alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people work hard and the injustices are
frequent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I listen to the stories of
those around us and admire the resilience which is required.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve cried at many heartbreaking situations,
which are daily life in poverty-ridden areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve watched animals slaughtered for
sacrifice, participated in tribal ceremonies, and held a baby found under a
bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the last few years, we’ve seen
the last passage for the slave trade in Benin, walked across the canopy bridge
high over the trees in Ghana, dealt with hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes,
watched our home burn in Mexico, been deported from a West African country,
ridden camels through the desert, flown falcons in Ireland, climbed pyramids in
Mexico and learned to sail in the Caribbean and in the waste-filled waters of
Nigeria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve shopped in Dubai, been to
the souks in Tunisia, purchased fabric in Cote d’Ivoire, explored the Holy City
of Jerusalem, climbed sand dunes in Namibia, camped with elephants and have
been robbed in Argentina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve visited
temples in Bali, eaten fresh lamb on a ranchero in Chile, been to the beaches
in the Congo, flown on bush planes and been on safaris in South Africa. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve explored the Cliffs of Moher, the streets
and farms around Budapest, culinary travels through Croatia, Bosnia and
Montenegro, and enjoyed time with family in St Petersburg, Russia. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve been blessed and humbled
by these experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is happiness
weaved around all of these locations and travels; simple things have made
all the difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kindness from
strangers has meant so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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When
I moved to Africa, I prayed on the plane that God would take away my (many) fears
and that I would see beauty in this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He has answered that prayer a thousand times over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beauty is found in unexpected places; in the
smiles of children playing in the villages, in the faces of weathered locals
with few teeth and huge grins, in the orphanages, in the hospitals, in the
streets and in our homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had
the opportunity of helping others, yet we have been the ones blessed through
these experiences, pressed down, shaken and running over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stand amazed in God’s presence in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have learned much, and mere words are incapable to totally express the things we have seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a saying
here, that your imagination cannot match the reality – that you can’t make this
stuff up – and it is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Words cover
such a minute part of this experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We interact with nationalities from around the world, different races
and different religions – and they are all a “<i>same kind of different as
me</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We strive to understand and accept
and learn….and while we don’t agree on some things, we agree on most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
been able to view our home country through foreign eyes and learn that the
world is wide and vast with so much to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The people that we meet may look different on the outside, but they have
the same hopes, the same dreams, the same fears and the same desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They want the best for their children, they
deal with schools, safety, jobs and health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my opinion, the key to racism
of all types is to sit down and get to know the people who are around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are more alike than different….and oh, how
we have been blessed by these special friendships!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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But…we
have missed home and family….and at some point, we simply make the decision
that it is time to go home to our families and just walk away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will never again be the same, but we are
better for the experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank God
that my husband was strong enough to take risks, and that I had just (barely) enough
courage to follow him to worlds unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have been overwhelmed, scared, ecstatic, humbled, giddy, terrified, happy, heartbroken….and the emotions have been intense. Yet...we leave with thankfulness and awe at the world and we appreciate so
much. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not brave (nor insane)
but have simply taken the steps in front of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seized the opportunities
and in the process learned much about others and ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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While we are looking forward to our next
move, we also know that our adventures will continue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adventure is a mind-set and an attitude of
wonder and an appreciation of God’s beautiful world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are global citizens and we still have much
to experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our life goals include
visiting all 50 states and 100 countries…and we are almost there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We feel a mix of bittersweet emotions, yet excited to walk
into our next chapter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we left the
USA we were beginning the ‘empty nest’ period with both boys in college, yet
now we are returning with our nest full, adding two wonderful daughter-in-loves
and one sweet little granddaughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
mothers are in good health and we are ready for adventures back in the USA, centered around our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Thank
you for allowing us to share our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are truly overwhelmed with appreciation and glad that many of you
have been on this journey with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
We
are “On the Road Again” moving to Houston, Texas just in time for
Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-52125993425998864922017-11-08T08:47:00.002-06:002017-11-08T08:54:33.122-06:00Oh - Chicken Feathers! <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've fallen in love with some beautiful African treasures.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrqsK3UStG5FO-dN3IKFlPL2RXwKrfJgJ8lzeEJrcL3mMfC88bsefk4Wpvz2cdziV7-IYeNhQ4mQ6ia6sdTf77kh9iy-gtQes1F3BRtgVwlBsxWpFbw8oqT1Sy4nckpGOiczk8pO9R3W_/s1600/Juju+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="640" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrqsK3UStG5FO-dN3IKFlPL2RXwKrfJgJ8lzeEJrcL3mMfC88bsefk4Wpvz2cdziV7-IYeNhQ4mQ6ia6sdTf77kh9iy-gtQes1F3BRtgVwlBsxWpFbw8oqT1Sy4nckpGOiczk8pO9R3W_/s400/Juju+7.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These stunning creations are made from chicken feathers (& guinea fowl) and hand-tied </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with raffia and bamboo. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYmKJg1UwfKzBTbAA9Bxuzu2Ny9BJjHiUxLZvGzvnjEaAMQ9qAFzj_no9vrQaB72aeAWWBHm1LYFCbN8ErAeBb09Za1l7icVp-L0dXRwyZnzy2HridGiPfbMjVWaeBxJkgYwt3RTT6iFR/s1600/IMG_2475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYmKJg1UwfKzBTbAA9Bxuzu2Ny9BJjHiUxLZvGzvnjEaAMQ9qAFzj_no9vrQaB72aeAWWBHm1LYFCbN8ErAeBb09Za1l7icVp-L0dXRwyZnzy2HridGiPfbMjVWaeBxJkgYwt3RTT6iFR/s400/IMG_2475.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hats were originally called Tyn Hats - but now mainly referred </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to as Juju hats - with the name designated by the Europeans. There are many options of where the name originated, but I like the French translation of toy (joujou) the best. :) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkPvMVc9_BuwlaynvPtAx8W6Q76Ma8uG2SbhW5-oPUNGiCvDYRNr2HWWvNzI1_xWrG6NHK7__EPai216Y-mLaTEntLCGads5m2_NfnvN6QnmVLOygQTe7svGwT-No5QgOq6mtH-kcQ9ki/s1600/ju2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="483" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkPvMVc9_BuwlaynvPtAx8W6Q76Ma8uG2SbhW5-oPUNGiCvDYRNr2HWWvNzI1_xWrG6NHK7__EPai216Y-mLaTEntLCGads5m2_NfnvN6QnmVLOygQTe7svGwT-No5QgOq6mtH-kcQ9ki/s400/ju2.jpg" width="277" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They are traditionally worn by tribal chiefs, royal families and dignitaries during </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tribal ceremonies in Cameroon, designating power and wealth. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWROuFVluBoXVEr0V-F0QxGyo3QWLyR1i1r3zVx07P_OfJbMIFXSXloNFdAGILmpy11LbuxvUF82ETqPUCgQeuw4egMkwbAnZtbAr1dIRe6GpK-Dxovh7L5t_y9xY8P6SwXDWv-OA8LEF/s1600/Ju1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="484" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWROuFVluBoXVEr0V-F0QxGyo3QWLyR1i1r3zVx07P_OfJbMIFXSXloNFdAGILmpy11LbuxvUF82ETqPUCgQeuw4egMkwbAnZtbAr1dIRe6GpK-Dxovh7L5t_y9xY8P6SwXDWv-OA8LEF/s400/Ju1.jpg" width="277" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The elaborate plumages are also worn during local festivals and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for regional ceremonial dances. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILxORmvTa2MtR1JnELWQd-0vBoYuD6bMnplxBFVRVYT_r7fvANafD0P6NJjv0HOvyBOlCAH2ukWl3wXrP-IMEdO0hxkCM21m66Z8GtQNrz2bfr5ysyMBMUZf6YpXJaiIV-QDXutlhgRRz/s1600/IMG_2541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILxORmvTa2MtR1JnELWQd-0vBoYuD6bMnplxBFVRVYT_r7fvANafD0P6NJjv0HOvyBOlCAH2ukWl3wXrP-IMEdO0hxkCM21m66Z8GtQNrz2bfr5ysyMBMUZf6YpXJaiIV-QDXutlhgRRz/s400/IMG_2541.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hats are constructed by the Bamileke tribe, who have been making them for </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hundreds of years, passing their skills down through the generations. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRy4dScqgmfIu_oaajsu5kr7-48phgR-ZB0LB2WrLeV71Qn0B9an7_t1303CAzCC4W0yaonxfBPAkK7ovpamsfKbcR6AiGolG0beBo-c5EPXOpAxqi5iuZ-L0c9w98M_FM0OrOt78zaEs4/s1600/IMG_2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRy4dScqgmfIu_oaajsu5kr7-48phgR-ZB0LB2WrLeV71Qn0B9an7_t1303CAzCC4W0yaonxfBPAkK7ovpamsfKbcR6AiGolG0beBo-c5EPXOpAxqi5iuZ-L0c9w98M_FM0OrOt78zaEs4/s400/IMG_2478.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Each hat is unique and takes 2-3 days to complete. Raffia is woven around bamboo slats or woven palm tree fibers - and fitted with naturally dyed individual feathers arranged in a circular fashion. There is a leather strap attached to the back to pull the hat out to its full size. The diameter of the hats range from approx 18 inches to 36 inches. The hat folds up into a basket shape making it very easy to store or transport.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eJfNzxAb3FtIa0Hm0QZHdHASE1LCNeLIkjEtKU_QUL2hkkzFPa2FdO1aAFRXzxLVyXXJYJUTwdehxRBoAAe3upxqNKpOV7bachoRbEV4VI39-N5Q3D04Ws8tmko0hZmGwGW1vMLays8v/s1600/IMG_2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1eJfNzxAb3FtIa0Hm0QZHdHASE1LCNeLIkjEtKU_QUL2hkkzFPa2FdO1aAFRXzxLVyXXJYJUTwdehxRBoAAe3upxqNKpOV7bachoRbEV4VI39-N5Q3D04Ws8tmko0hZmGwGW1vMLays8v/s400/IMG_2476.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Even though they are still used today in the villages throughout Cameroon, they have become a modern and colorful wall decoration for homes, hotels, restaurants and businesses. They were recently featured on HGTV and the picture below is from House Beautiful, August 2017. The hats are shown and displayed by renown interior designers all over the world - and these authentic pieces are ONLY made in Cameroon! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhB_IbZJy4X8cx46itne1lMRLY_-tuG7IdD7DBd4ajZAQTrulLcizZLP2emuri5DKFMgGiKsnr0qOChEfAwBhOGGlr2vu7LEHFv5G4dwVULjmE_kDnUxmMMaUW7-BMoeCTtvveFcI-hbg/s1600/IMG_1698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhB_IbZJy4X8cx46itne1lMRLY_-tuG7IdD7DBd4ajZAQTrulLcizZLP2emuri5DKFMgGiKsnr0qOChEfAwBhOGGlr2vu7LEHFv5G4dwVULjmE_kDnUxmMMaUW7-BMoeCTtvveFcI-hbg/s400/IMG_1698.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The hats add texture, color and design to any wall space. They give both a tribal and contemporary appeal to many rooms. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY225fM6WcUpUlcWCOG1AgyUZg23XcM8U8RAGBeIaIM6nUmMlziQ7Pg6R8WHtCfNsfElsUzX4vWdCFfBe5roTJ8IpYqONQRfMOwNu3FYmekxbw1HN60V1gqd-fx_T8TYpNYudKIx1enATv/s1600/IMG_0871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="236" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY225fM6WcUpUlcWCOG1AgyUZg23XcM8U8RAGBeIaIM6nUmMlziQ7Pg6R8WHtCfNsfElsUzX4vWdCFfBe5roTJ8IpYqONQRfMOwNu3FYmekxbw1HN60V1gqd-fx_T8TYpNYudKIx1enATv/s400/IMG_0871.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The juju hats are a global decorating trend, and they look stunning </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">on the wall in groups or by themselves. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TSowqtCOc0XWh0EwSpTNKatkSZTtI2si668txLitLU2alPsWz8TH0ir-a6HTnpCh0BNk-lbGjfBsKCYNvwe6AT8CvhHRAk5MPCs2Mx89ORwPkpauf5YI8C0ieF567hqk5gTRrOwIjL8n/s1600/IMG_0865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="874" data-original-width="610" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0TSowqtCOc0XWh0EwSpTNKatkSZTtI2si668txLitLU2alPsWz8TH0ir-a6HTnpCh0BNk-lbGjfBsKCYNvwe6AT8CvhHRAk5MPCs2Mx89ORwPkpauf5YI8C0ieF567hqk5gTRrOwIjL8n/s400/IMG_0865.jpg" width="278" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The depth of texture and the abundance of colors and sizes, make </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">this an iconic designer piece, that few can own. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf6xQnf0VACcPskJHmuQ1IGYgsv5k5asfFzMNMQaeyXpA3ZXdM8tBlhrbsUXeOmjVLs_rGn2y9v3Rdh6v-BI5xJaCqr_EdSiYE1Aecj_V8sJe-MC2HvQqf4fg7_GFmJSYzNXYOh45G6sm/s1600/ju3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbf6xQnf0VACcPskJHmuQ1IGYgsv5k5asfFzMNMQaeyXpA3ZXdM8tBlhrbsUXeOmjVLs_rGn2y9v3Rdh6v-BI5xJaCqr_EdSiYE1Aecj_V8sJe-MC2HvQqf4fg7_GFmJSYzNXYOh45G6sm/s400/ju3.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you would be interested in a juju hat, just let me know. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">They are truly African treasures and a fabulous statement piece for your home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrtKtWiN7mhkgQCCP7WJp_FokFarMEPKCyj3vuz7_YkW_GIMPAbCa-H9uz-m6pbg8N00Hm4aYUL9Agq9EJMIwyGkcm15ZvQ8rB6SHwLpsIBdvzamA31TBFlS0X-SCyg1enyB8BeowmyfJ/s1600/ju5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzrtKtWiN7mhkgQCCP7WJp_FokFarMEPKCyj3vuz7_YkW_GIMPAbCa-H9uz-m6pbg8N00Hm4aYUL9Agq9EJMIwyGkcm15ZvQ8rB6SHwLpsIBdvzamA31TBFlS0X-SCyg1enyB8BeowmyfJ/s400/ju5.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What a find! </span></div>
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<br />Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-26694692872231729032017-10-25T10:02:00.002-05:002017-10-25T10:02:07.367-05:00Fish Tales <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truth be told, I am not really a fish person. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like to eat fish, but I don't really want to look at them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like to pretend that the food on my plate just appears. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPz4D7X4L0MKj7p-0n89tNxOsbMPLNFADTWVfXAUKCE70-tPEcjaC5JkyMXLNLR1wAx9TJZq2laIOen7eWg9JNXfN3-EKpcj8HoRFJ2aw5fsRVompuDgTMP4GzdqPxH6K7n-Jut2sgi8c/s1600/IMG_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPz4D7X4L0MKj7p-0n89tNxOsbMPLNFADTWVfXAUKCE70-tPEcjaC5JkyMXLNLR1wAx9TJZq2laIOen7eWg9JNXfN3-EKpcj8HoRFJ2aw5fsRVompuDgTMP4GzdqPxH6K7n-Jut2sgi8c/s640/IMG_0070.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, living life in foreign places has broadened my horizons and encouraged me to try new things - and I am grateful for my growth. Some days, I cling to the norm. Other days, I throw caution to the wind, and surprisingly now, I will try most anything. Overall, I have come a long, long way baby! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SMYt0274S2q4ku0YemdzxyozBoZsWA5-J3Sq8XtkdAdgaisyDVQXwqsmQOtk5mgAGLwy0N_TcfLuoidTXV2_5gTFdQ0jZ4K3T3iXSPLbGEMLUpO9jUOI2RRtCU9ibKdz0bOnYOKwBYD7/s1600/IMG_2079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SMYt0274S2q4ku0YemdzxyozBoZsWA5-J3Sq8XtkdAdgaisyDVQXwqsmQOtk5mgAGLwy0N_TcfLuoidTXV2_5gTFdQ0jZ4K3T3iXSPLbGEMLUpO9jUOI2RRtCU9ibKdz0bOnYOKwBYD7/s640/IMG_2079.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enter ... The Fish Market. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPz2HzviONjUUkNA4VotF47swdwI0UkMviLUsBVaElYYVYss2nR4LO1Lai-ywabNtvp60g8V6qSD054tH18OQPjwbE0Hd2w7_sCcx8tDj1Mv22m_3qx0eVjhltfoupvTnQmV63qMSF2w_/s1600/IMG_2092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPz2HzviONjUUkNA4VotF47swdwI0UkMviLUsBVaElYYVYss2nR4LO1Lai-ywabNtvp60g8V6qSD054tH18OQPjwbE0Hd2w7_sCcx8tDj1Mv22m_3qx0eVjhltfoupvTnQmV63qMSF2w_/s640/IMG_2092.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was not just any fish market, but a market in the middle of remote Africa with the sanitary conditions - or lack thereof - to go along with it. Over the last few years, I have been in several similar fish markets and have learned to quietly observe and not be as squeamish as I used to be. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm6-OuYB0EcZt6SI7p7vBCVPfmJaCCpYaojN7s1FooEwdkuHrp8zkwWgy7lPeWay6BL-InrNyPo_L4ZUHoIBazUo9yfW1Y_JLYfhvRUbOFcQofm3hBSLniprUHBBJeDdqH63O6CU7RICf/s1600/IMG_2140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="640" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm6-OuYB0EcZt6SI7p7vBCVPfmJaCCpYaojN7s1FooEwdkuHrp8zkwWgy7lPeWay6BL-InrNyPo_L4ZUHoIBazUo9yfW1Y_JLYfhvRUbOFcQofm3hBSLniprUHBBJeDdqH63O6CU7RICf/s640/IMG_2140.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">But this market might have challenged my squeamish (deep down inside) nature just a little bit. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwMsdQFcL6Ut_GrXsSqg-ONkLh2uxUSC6-iIKikVjvN6-3GAK7j-N5TZvfdoimVhhqidK3PXK0SQlV-ZszVl56mEw89dhNLcqae3LsHsBiOGThAOjLBLoPc8e6nm4oyyM2MUr-0tFBIsF/s1600/IMG_2096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="640" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPwMsdQFcL6Ut_GrXsSqg-ONkLh2uxUSC6-iIKikVjvN6-3GAK7j-N5TZvfdoimVhhqidK3PXK0SQlV-ZszVl56mEw89dhNLcqae3LsHsBiOGThAOjLBLoPc8e6nm4oyyM2MUr-0tFBIsF/s640/IMG_2096.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really - truly, I have learned to walk around and view my potential food choices from a foot or so away with no problem - and no outside evidence that I was even a little bit uncomfortable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But the fresh fish flopping, the crawfish escaping, the women slapping the fish around...might have...potentially...caused a bruise on my husband's arm from me squeezing a bit too tight. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ah9cW1pYhB5Z9h6muvFQpH7SqijhgvVHvgMTPD5_lm3WochuaDtCHUPvcOqckpb5shUqjl8HseyDAvnBTsZT7CW4KBrI4Ldio0LEJRNgdu6DRmf0om7WBAV4FtdD7LLeAsClBGxwgLAg/s1600/IMG_2121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Ah9cW1pYhB5Z9h6muvFQpH7SqijhgvVHvgMTPD5_lm3WochuaDtCHUPvcOqckpb5shUqjl8HseyDAvnBTsZT7CW4KBrI4Ldio0LEJRNgdu6DRmf0om7WBAV4FtdD7LLeAsClBGxwgLAg/s640/IMG_2121.jpg" width="420" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were also cleaning the fish using a machete and I watched fins and scales and heads jump into the air - right as I was walking by. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was really fine until THAT point! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsy_LoWnkXzEuadbvrQBkL6ExwjbG-mGyX3QIqKI42tU7Sci0_GLm_7EIQVUVxFxP2NvOD9HWEWRmol5ICSS37wJXahvN1zpEWSlwaB7V_JWjIkaxVqyWRHwNb8AExRLLTyxNybz2pHv9/s1600/IMG_2122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="504" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsy_LoWnkXzEuadbvrQBkL6ExwjbG-mGyX3QIqKI42tU7Sci0_GLm_7EIQVUVxFxP2NvOD9HWEWRmol5ICSS37wJXahvN1zpEWSlwaB7V_JWjIkaxVqyWRHwNb8AExRLLTyxNybz2pHv9/s640/IMG_2122.jpg" width="504" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The sights, the sounds, the smells and the chaotic activity was incredible - especially adding in the mud and the rain around us. With all the frenzy converging, I felt a mix of thankfulness (that I don't have to do this every day) and excitement (loving every minute, even though a few minutes were freaking me out!) Thankfully one of our friends is Cameroonian, so we were able to observe while she chose and negotiated for our lunch. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59Rbz3poBAC8-pafqenviwy0r1it36AfVqes21a4cSL8NGRLZ6apcen3JAP7BOtey6XON-FmRDFgZw9SpcsdpDkcLN8Q_LCNagMv1Sus8PDRlhUpX3wvPV2zrnP3aCDb-BvYwLNs6inog/s1600/IMG_2131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59Rbz3poBAC8-pafqenviwy0r1it36AfVqes21a4cSL8NGRLZ6apcen3JAP7BOtey6XON-FmRDFgZw9SpcsdpDkcLN8Q_LCNagMv1Sus8PDRlhUpX3wvPV2zrnP3aCDb-BvYwLNs6inog/s640/IMG_2131.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A huge perk at the local market, is that the guys will clean the fish for us. My initial (naive) thought was that we would have filets. Ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somehow this was not what I thought they meant when they mentioned cleaning. The man in the yellow pants was busy scrubbing our fish in the dirty water. The same man....relieved himself right before the fish cleaning. Yup, right in the same area of water. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSte2TtrbyJwgxLgZiJJhLwjwbmyjrIP98KOlO0-Vm4BE043ueiHBGkDNnvewedKvwWbBuwiQvsa66g6F2us4BnVbY64MwiMmL_57WV5uVFSAInwY8A8JtZ9tBqpyOZ1zVUiF1hI3dGE9/s1600/IMG_2108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="640" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSte2TtrbyJwgxLgZiJJhLwjwbmyjrIP98KOlO0-Vm4BE043ueiHBGkDNnvewedKvwWbBuwiQvsa66g6F2us4BnVbY64MwiMmL_57WV5uVFSAInwY8A8JtZ9tBqpyOZ1zVUiF1hI3dGE9/s640/IMG_2108.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After 'negotiating' with some locals to allow our car back down the street, we took our catch to another location. We met Marco Polo (yes, seriously), at a beachside location, who took our bucket of fish and promised to cook it while we explored the area. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VlMedI7fAbLYK2EzuoghTrXqMHspBVWU94XhjyLk9XzV-kEmP1L9X9DeyxbIUTgstwVZKl2zBBI-lNoGI8MQSE-HkazE8zDg_2LRFkBaaKCSyC9i8mZjBu4z6V-_Q12I8mX_fwFgUXCY/s1600/IMG_2188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VlMedI7fAbLYK2EzuoghTrXqMHspBVWU94XhjyLk9XzV-kEmP1L9X9DeyxbIUTgstwVZKl2zBBI-lNoGI8MQSE-HkazE8zDg_2LRFkBaaKCSyC9i8mZjBu4z6V-_Q12I8mX_fwFgUXCY/s640/IMG_2188.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our 'eatery' was right next to Lobe Falls </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and the beautiful chutes were filled to capacity.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius05EwyiK4zntmp8FrKq8moFIlAxapjfmyilAdRiSBfQH9ieXqU9Hy2HjCubjQS92gqW6lpYMtsd-gQ1w2DiidH5E3YaKg1sfMCEPrysmm676Q9ti03-yC7NCF3-lmkL2a1a0AE7VwmPX/s1600/22688628_10156558925204918_6111279158310055522_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEius05EwyiK4zntmp8FrKq8moFIlAxapjfmyilAdRiSBfQH9ieXqU9Hy2HjCubjQS92gqW6lpYMtsd-gQ1w2DiidH5E3YaKg1sfMCEPrysmm676Q9ti03-yC7NCF3-lmkL2a1a0AE7VwmPX/s640/22688628_10156558925204918_6111279158310055522_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a view! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZnXkmdyGMAW5cpf11TRgx30hyZAkvc_QRc4vrnIJ7DfKjQ1wvb-8-cF5KU5skHdGbOinMvBmVf1swmNwK1wKr1CmM52NHnyHttKgA1JHU9ZNQQiD8wWJ4dduzLFQoOHQqhhzHg-rczuO/s1600/22688446_10156558928019918_7505930937352299920_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZnXkmdyGMAW5cpf11TRgx30hyZAkvc_QRc4vrnIJ7DfKjQ1wvb-8-cF5KU5skHdGbOinMvBmVf1swmNwK1wKr1CmM52NHnyHttKgA1JHU9ZNQQiD8wWJ4dduzLFQoOHQqhhzHg-rczuO/s640/22688446_10156558928019918_7505930937352299920_n.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there were vendors selling art and African treasures</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> right on the beach (surprise! :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7s1lxOYYn1TOyPSw9Va0UyJL5plrtVSSRdgLbvGa49ZxU4McrgN6qMVYUSkrUuXVmhRbN3szAY5ajl4SDVU6juu34yuV1Y6fyWmMwhN_4pziNxwXaatOWjp52qnFKJ7oNXD3rRY0JPgE/s1600/IMG_2155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="640" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7s1lxOYYn1TOyPSw9Va0UyJL5plrtVSSRdgLbvGa49ZxU4McrgN6qMVYUSkrUuXVmhRbN3szAY5ajl4SDVU6juu34yuV1Y6fyWmMwhN_4pziNxwXaatOWjp52qnFKJ7oNXD3rRY0JPgE/s640/IMG_2155.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When our food was ready, they brought water and dish soap for us to wash up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUBmeYur10CaisRg8h0k4NoXsOLm_TxK7fwljeyPR29Y9A6gATr-srlKYnqmMn7uknkoINq1oWMJ7Nwp8fFX4zdRZQLI4asmC4TPRp_jhHRZ8d1qiobEyt8-AXB8bJs-XCkNhH6CciwNS/s1600/IMG_2178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="546" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUBmeYur10CaisRg8h0k4NoXsOLm_TxK7fwljeyPR29Y9A6gATr-srlKYnqmMn7uknkoINq1oWMJ7Nwp8fFX4zdRZQLI4asmC4TPRp_jhHRZ8d1qiobEyt8-AXB8bJs-XCkNhH6CciwNS/s640/IMG_2178.jpg" width="546" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First course was fried plantains and pommes frites (french fries).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHFvEN2bbEMSjE3Dnn4FEfG_rOKHHYe64edB3y6oxpFd9Jqp2yo_sxGw9SXu_Tu6Hsg3yA3Jb_eC8pf59IAvc9vSQRzf0xwPixjANBTey39M3sutTtfXi-jN12iybw3iWIyjn74z1mm0N/s1600/IMG_2160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHFvEN2bbEMSjE3Dnn4FEfG_rOKHHYe64edB3y6oxpFd9Jqp2yo_sxGw9SXu_Tu6Hsg3yA3Jb_eC8pf59IAvc9vSQRzf0xwPixjANBTey39M3sutTtfXi-jN12iybw3iWIyjn74z1mm0N/s640/IMG_2160.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Course two was seasoned crawfish. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-p5W0WiFgknj144R-erCKBXObekEobxtyifj0B9opaWvLmx_WpB_Buymvm65rXgOmJ7zvykU3rJ5WBm0uCnqiI_bV_O_TRKJsNPmc1pIn56cjH0trPOGjxUR2Ja_POZkXqMBwUyF0ArVl/s1600/IMG_2159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-p5W0WiFgknj144R-erCKBXObekEobxtyifj0B9opaWvLmx_WpB_Buymvm65rXgOmJ7zvykU3rJ5WBm0uCnqiI_bV_O_TRKJsNPmc1pIn56cjH0trPOGjxUR2Ja_POZkXqMBwUyF0ArVl/s640/IMG_2159.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next platter contained a mix of gambas (prawns) and lobsters. Due to the size, it was hard to tell them apart. They were AMAZING! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHpdBWYoaMWizM1dEQIb3Qq8t6DUqW7dN8-lVKbiRQWYKMMW09rJgnIgUPMjxiHLTgr19m3L6XSLzsTFjgaoz25HyxTjWqykIzh50xGT8QiJpPcf2oi4B2S531-_UNm1-BzKZPt6wO2I3/s1600/IMG_2161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHpdBWYoaMWizM1dEQIb3Qq8t6DUqW7dN8-lVKbiRQWYKMMW09rJgnIgUPMjxiHLTgr19m3L6XSLzsTFjgaoz25HyxTjWqykIzh50xGT8QiJpPcf2oi4B2S531-_UNm1-BzKZPt6wO2I3/s640/IMG_2161.jpg" width="474" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also enjoyed grilled calamari (squid) with onions and olive oil - YUM! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI5czCqjpFT1NW6TKcaTSsaAQA6F0UtQgywCojY1k4a2LHPYX6KS8d5jR80gpKZKXx6vkQMgRxpnLhBqpQwryI5OWQEWPOtRMWTBr4klg-F-P1ais9bfoRYPok-_zfNeZvDCsfvW4xt9g/s1600/IMG_2165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBI5czCqjpFT1NW6TKcaTSsaAQA6F0UtQgywCojY1k4a2LHPYX6KS8d5jR80gpKZKXx6vkQMgRxpnLhBqpQwryI5OWQEWPOtRMWTBr4klg-F-P1ais9bfoRYPok-_zfNeZvDCsfvW4xt9g/s640/IMG_2165.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the creme de la creme...Whole fish (eyes and all). On the right is a BAR fish, which is a typical sea bass found locally. On the left is Capitan. It is rare for locals to use utensils, so we just dug right in with our hands and enjoyed one of the best meals ever. I would have never chosen this, but I am so glad that we did it. The food was truly some of the best ever. There is something good about eating fresh food, on the beach with good friends - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">even when fish eyes are looking back at you! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsN26hvHaSQQ67ZqT3WDxQcfcPLjJG2URo3Jm4RG4Dv66iXXxb2hqsVrGF7NXKZ80rE-Q0onQqN0EhvaRsSG-wix7fkGFlCSn3YCHSLbA0cz_oeLjRNHwFlWfGJ9DRlVkAdH912rh4zgn/s1600/IMG_2166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsN26hvHaSQQ67ZqT3WDxQcfcPLjJG2URo3Jm4RG4Dv66iXXxb2hqsVrGF7NXKZ80rE-Q0onQqN0EhvaRsSG-wix7fkGFlCSn3YCHSLbA0cz_oeLjRNHwFlWfGJ9DRlVkAdH912rh4zgn/s640/IMG_2166.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After lunch, we walked around the scenic inlet</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkmW9mi6aRETqMXcRn750EMHQwwEWqbXkXpZ9Q-lyUQBLqbm1qHfH8qWNSfnNnWDfNa-ByEcsCE6oKfbmwBgkNsDup1R2EGRSKQP1B7L8K67xstvk4iareEMc6n0AZX9PNifsCXXvTytb/s1600/IMG_2203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkmW9mi6aRETqMXcRn750EMHQwwEWqbXkXpZ9Q-lyUQBLqbm1qHfH8qWNSfnNnWDfNa-ByEcsCE6oKfbmwBgkNsDup1R2EGRSKQP1B7L8K67xstvk4iareEMc6n0AZX9PNifsCXXvTytb/s640/IMG_2203.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am always impressed with the hollowed out wood canoes and amazed that they are the transportation of choice in this area. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooNRknCEGV4mmm8T1ChNygEW1Lgb-ZjJowX0iwPFrbvsy5Iqf9vyoL-gqevNBZONanEkkXuNUqV6lHpPfyIfLEsUdsoZ3OqiSiyHEpsltH4LmLqVPSpEGGQFpc5QuJ7LdHu0JL2lkq2z5/s1600/IMG_0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooNRknCEGV4mmm8T1ChNygEW1Lgb-ZjJowX0iwPFrbvsy5Iqf9vyoL-gqevNBZONanEkkXuNUqV6lHpPfyIfLEsUdsoZ3OqiSiyHEpsltH4LmLqVPSpEGGQFpc5QuJ7LdHu0JL2lkq2z5/s640/IMG_0065.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back at our hotel (Kribi - Hotel du Phare), we had time to rest and then enjoyed a late dinner of pizza - and chocolate mousse. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uGiMH5501TtaOOCCWtZZmCOuezdMo_d8tAOKf8Huih2eQDkNX-gAx9q5c9QrpCrceT4q4EN4Q1kOELlrB3bXJT4UbaAwSm81_TAWcQdOY_Fohn-tutlge7eQ3ewmB2Ojb1Tlca5M7HWh/s1600/IMG_2249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uGiMH5501TtaOOCCWtZZmCOuezdMo_d8tAOKf8Huih2eQDkNX-gAx9q5c9QrpCrceT4q4EN4Q1kOELlrB3bXJT4UbaAwSm81_TAWcQdOY_Fohn-tutlge7eQ3ewmB2Ojb1Tlca5M7HWh/s640/IMG_2249.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our view from the room was beautiful and peaceful as we listened to the roar of the waves all night long. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DFDYjoj9H1UhfjAoEWZLQaGO0RzABui3k5SYvSs5Zj03MoOV5G9ZvI0Zta7OTTKsPL8JNajFKMJWYc49J1gLXV-UqkCjafZkzuSIMJC2RbpcBr_wgFXAHTlN36icGM8Io73xual0unLP/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DFDYjoj9H1UhfjAoEWZLQaGO0RzABui3k5SYvSs5Zj03MoOV5G9ZvI0Zta7OTTKsPL8JNajFKMJWYc49J1gLXV-UqkCjafZkzuSIMJC2RbpcBr_wgFXAHTlN36icGM8Io73xual0unLP/s640/IMG_0071.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And since we were eating our way through Kribi, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we went out to San Marcos and had a special breakfast </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the following morning on the beach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a restful, fun weekend exploring Cameroon with friends!! </span></div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-79632273293302236902016-07-03T09:05:00.000-05:002017-07-03T09:09:49.761-05:00 Maneuvering through the Mangroves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>We had an opportunity to visit the African mangroves in Cameroon - up front and personal. We started our day by meeting our canoe and guide at a local market located right by the shore. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4tGwb4g8CTe9-bCu7zdURZn_AdDZmKuThcA7M2K1cdoq_pMBQ4CgwbmWiVKatJsvS2S_R-NLeT9zx0xsFy3GVzFQd7bEjRwAiX6xQA3iXy21A3jZgOJC0NxUKuwVWCtJvQZDBGSfwGsg/s1600/DSC05326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU4tGwb4g8CTe9-bCu7zdURZn_AdDZmKuThcA7M2K1cdoq_pMBQ4CgwbmWiVKatJsvS2S_R-NLeT9zx0xsFy3GVzFQd7bEjRwAiX6xQA3iXy21A3jZgOJC0NxUKuwVWCtJvQZDBGSfwGsg/s640/DSC05326.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After walking across the mud to the boat, we boarded with a little bit of help from the locals. :) </span> </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWifAwKYPpj6ZplCFYJZg21ATHZcKnZDcHBd4HFdBcBaIuIsA-8SbE8hyphenhyphenTbEX2qosaxWYvqHDxBm9EOV2j_dIofvFbHv1hJjYqeH1nzy2sm9Borekv9sHfTw-xTzD18Ch9AhwmuLKwDIEe/s1600/DSC05329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWifAwKYPpj6ZplCFYJZg21ATHZcKnZDcHBd4HFdBcBaIuIsA-8SbE8hyphenhyphenTbEX2qosaxWYvqHDxBm9EOV2j_dIofvFbHv1hJjYqeH1nzy2sm9Borekv9sHfTw-xTzD18Ch9AhwmuLKwDIEe/s640/DSC05329.jpg" width="640" /></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Our group consisted of 7 adults, three children and two guides </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>which was perfect - and probably over the maximum number for the boat! </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rDg770bz1HK3Cp8Q5P1ZrhcEGo-aI146yMArsgWJ8bBmU1HTV1HYmnbSwNvJt482-X3_foySCtOLUMQJPFmmMk2zLMUMZd0-Y4bISFIcAMWFZgeBnG-OftmAzwcYaHsys9CHMbtP4Jr3/s1600/DSC05328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rDg770bz1HK3Cp8Q5P1ZrhcEGo-aI146yMArsgWJ8bBmU1HTV1HYmnbSwNvJt482-X3_foySCtOLUMQJPFmmMk2zLMUMZd0-Y4bISFIcAMWFZgeBnG-OftmAzwcYaHsys9CHMbtP4Jr3/s640/DSC05328.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The 'canoe' was comfortable overall, but there were a few spots where the seawater seeped through the rustic boards at the floor. Occasionally our captain would use a bucket to remove the 'excess liquid", but it didn't seem to slow us down. :) </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSB_760-3XE8j-YWS0JD7te6SkbsyuUTXdPVcfaLaEphuD1CzktMqEILtiN6zQlWzF8aKbj6nNH4VaEedmjUlCnEtMcKiq5tjL0LrW0QX-nEPRZAfRKJ0e0n3R-VViAUuaDpt-Vle86fL/s1600/DSC05332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHSB_760-3XE8j-YWS0JD7te6SkbsyuUTXdPVcfaLaEphuD1CzktMqEILtiN6zQlWzF8aKbj6nNH4VaEedmjUlCnEtMcKiq5tjL0LrW0QX-nEPRZAfRKJ0e0n3R-VViAUuaDpt-Vle86fL/s640/DSC05332.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The view on the water is always interesting with lots of boats, which have seen better days. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkmAC1E-LiPk8Mox44jn43Le9EdCok7Y3CGIlU9LZPu0dNbYWjTsqePHJtdePct3zAEb7rKmYHywSpl13ti5eDuaBsDtBA-_oXD4rRS5kVikzaYczJc-ArDm-A9KfHeVHYH9pzaPLmsBp/s1600/DSC05584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkmAC1E-LiPk8Mox44jn43Le9EdCok7Y3CGIlU9LZPu0dNbYWjTsqePHJtdePct3zAEb7rKmYHywSpl13ti5eDuaBsDtBA-_oXD4rRS5kVikzaYczJc-ArDm-A9KfHeVHYH9pzaPLmsBp/s640/DSC05584.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>These men were collecting sand from the bottom of the river. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>You can see how heavy the sand is as it weighs the boat deeper into the water. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>They will sell the sand locally in order for concrete blocks to be produced. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLGeCSONoWp-Hc173-97Pms6Gdo-v9dLz30Vg57SaYaCQq89oBf9_SVnG3jKLoghIoUaqd3XeT_VBr9A-dCI3lqDuNZsyJJ_-m_6aPWbLuynD2WyTYFTF283ZzPDjC43Ltlt7-y_vroSa/s1600/DSC05348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLGeCSONoWp-Hc173-97Pms6Gdo-v9dLz30Vg57SaYaCQq89oBf9_SVnG3jKLoghIoUaqd3XeT_VBr9A-dCI3lqDuNZsyJJ_-m_6aPWbLuynD2WyTYFTF283ZzPDjC43Ltlt7-y_vroSa/s640/DSC05348.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>We turned the corner into the small tributaries and we were impressed </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>with the peacefulness of the water and the serene views. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV9jz13Pc4A59eBE-fKejVnQjshKnAU2FCDcbwoGIqtMslB868iQdCW-TbjKMHf9NvX1hG3ID7DPFHXc3TthvPiineAMNcEUJ1Xawj1p2On1ResklB5CYVsQxecHMESzP_tIE5ArRVZhb/s1600/DSC05351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwV9jz13Pc4A59eBE-fKejVnQjshKnAU2FCDcbwoGIqtMslB868iQdCW-TbjKMHf9NvX1hG3ID7DPFHXc3TthvPiineAMNcEUJ1Xawj1p2On1ResklB5CYVsQxecHMESzP_tIE5ArRVZhb/s640/DSC05351.jpg" width="480" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The reflection on the water was mesmerizing </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>and it was a wonderful break from the hustle of Douala. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0KXGtHimFe36G4imXEr1VHh48sbmajHX6i8FuJf9W8kD1_oz7lbm9kyIS9rdZcK5Q32O9LsbUuqeE0kHur1KHb86e_GjqsXb8wNzmZkaxCmDiYUrgwZD8d8-x3T7y8VTtQy8hGWLFmVR/s1600/DSC05380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0KXGtHimFe36G4imXEr1VHh48sbmajHX6i8FuJf9W8kD1_oz7lbm9kyIS9rdZcK5Q32O9LsbUuqeE0kHur1KHb86e_GjqsXb8wNzmZkaxCmDiYUrgwZD8d8-x3T7y8VTtQy8hGWLFmVR/s640/DSC05380.jpg" width="480" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Entering the mangrove swamps are only possible in the mornings, when the tide is low. </b></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The tide varies as much as 6 feet as it ebbs and flows. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwi5TZj0S8W3V4f5sR3YA0sPPbJn00w74u5dM3UDkGCWB2tpi9OprVuZwqsNtT8hofBwVnc2bDuP8w748FFfDwpveKDGTivxhvDsPxLRNNC3h4kNrJ2TMZ5FCwXN6jcxNrvLER33YpdTgB/s1600/DSC05371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwi5TZj0S8W3V4f5sR3YA0sPPbJn00w74u5dM3UDkGCWB2tpi9OprVuZwqsNtT8hofBwVnc2bDuP8w748FFfDwpveKDGTivxhvDsPxLRNNC3h4kNrJ2TMZ5FCwXN6jcxNrvLER33YpdTgB/s640/DSC05371.jpg" width="640" /></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mangroves are small trees or shrubs which grow in salt water within coastal areas. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>These swamps are found worldwide, primarily in tropical and subtropical climates. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Most mangroves are congregated within 15 degrees north and 15 degrees south of the equator. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyEBP-X04mFus6f0HxhMtBUbbg9fQn5ntzxxEcoLF_yChYb4y_Ud2nht1CITjsGagfSGiEGEx3H4UJE03_yNGqF89oVGSu19R7pK97Nm4JDII2zsM-6V0hbi5dQhXiZ7UTnITsQyykgKy/s1600/DSC05354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyEBP-X04mFus6f0HxhMtBUbbg9fQn5ntzxxEcoLF_yChYb4y_Ud2nht1CITjsGagfSGiEGEx3H4UJE03_yNGqF89oVGSu19R7pK97Nm4JDII2zsM-6V0hbi5dQhXiZ7UTnITsQyykgKy/s640/DSC05354.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mangroves have adapted to harsh coastal conditions</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> due to their complex salt filtration system and an elaborate root system. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7LSLJKyKi2MOugG3n-Hf8KKEIsrHKzOj13lU9yB9nnK6l5p0PD0bOEqzihNEPTa9NY1QD1UaGwxo4AArwo-wbEQlh6z2o7psGl0oqn8pSr7jPz_bnCPYTeDXNnQ6f-t_cMHfu68UMgab5/s1600/DSC05360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Avx5QQKDThrR7SupywacW-XDeglWHHtVPv1lN-FKjQJKuB5zkyQ-elPnytuPbm9C-ASF5UBLp_nxUaY0ucLqpMSkpFz5J8DzkEuYgW3oUJ_cM5R6O_-pgG59c23jrNETK-WioZyYVI69/s640/DSC05376.jpg" width="480" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>High tide brings salt water from the sea into the swamps. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> (The dark line shows the high tide levels). When the tide recedes, solar evaporation of the seawater in the soil leads to further increases in salinity. The return of the tide flushes out the soil, bringing the saline level back equal with seawater. At low tide, the plants are exposed to increased temperature and dryness, then are cooled and flooded again by the tide. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3arvAeSM-zKspN2EUj9fl9dOPyFhk1rphL82mwqyYMz2g62GU6jzAPZFLZWeth_oAoBmlyBJyYICPB2bWf5BT7jDhoEYsy27u9_sh60dkV1MV94ZX7-8Ryp1Q1p7W27A6ZvNi5T5VRytT/s1600/DSC05361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3arvAeSM-zKspN2EUj9fl9dOPyFhk1rphL82mwqyYMz2g62GU6jzAPZFLZWeth_oAoBmlyBJyYICPB2bWf5BT7jDhoEYsy27u9_sh60dkV1MV94ZX7-8Ryp1Q1p7W27A6ZvNi5T5VRytT/s640/DSC05361.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>For plants to thrive in this difficult environment, they must be able to tolerate wide ranges of temperatures, moisture levels and salinity as well as other environmental factors. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Because of this challenging and constantly changing surrounding, only a few species</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> flourish in a mangrove community. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Since saltwater can kill plants, the mangroves extract freshwater from the seawater which surrounds them. Many species filter out as much as 90% of the salt as it enters their roots. Other trees and bushes excrete salt through glands found in their leaves. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>These leaves, especially those found in the red mangrove family, are covered with </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>dried salt crystals. Some species store salt in their bark. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mangroves also store fresh water in their leaves. A waxy type coating on some species of mangroves minimize evaporation and then help seal in the water. Small hairs on the leaves deflect sunlight and wind, which reduces water loss. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Some mangroves grow thin roots that stick out of the wet ground like snorkels. These roots, called pneumatophores, allow mangroves to 'breathe' and cope with daily flooding by the tides. The roots take in oxygen from the air. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjASiF8GBiPWIvN-CAXnsG88hW2-xfg0KZKSPMgrNKeC-XfyuJNyEu88OGbfVaQNlgwuAYWjD4ofdSdEDctiUoapbneGzaJ3-BhsyuFI1LblExOcT8dOWj1MCME0Xb6xMjtb6axnGh2iQ/s1600/DSC05382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjASiF8GBiPWIvN-CAXnsG88hW2-xfg0KZKSPMgrNKeC-XfyuJNyEu88OGbfVaQNlgwuAYWjD4ofdSdEDctiUoapbneGzaJ3-BhsyuFI1LblExOcT8dOWj1MCME0Xb6xMjtb6axnGh2iQ/s640/DSC05382.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Once mangroves are well established, the roots provide a good environment for heavy sediment. The swamps protect coastal areas from erosion and can dissipate wave energy, helping with storm surges. They also slow down tidal water and help protect the land around them. Mangroves have a unique ecosystem and are often the object of conservation programs. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFcQ2sjyUEXwZp0NPb5N077D4TTF6-gGQVztoSrwvIZQQMyWqqGTTQsO2Ys3i1EFZEBK621AdFuQbZ0uoIDUKVjhlzbGGdNHtgLvRefUMJu6P_D-TKm9Q0KDfR8kMeVYQfNPPSQqy2YjS/s1600/DSC05369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFcQ2sjyUEXwZp0NPb5N077D4TTF6-gGQVztoSrwvIZQQMyWqqGTTQsO2Ys3i1EFZEBK621AdFuQbZ0uoIDUKVjhlzbGGdNHtgLvRefUMJu6P_D-TKm9Q0KDfR8kMeVYQfNPPSQqy2YjS/s640/DSC05369.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Joanne, Wyatt and Janet are enjoying the peaceful journey. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The hats were much needed as the sun was very HOT! </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eCuSmmGHIMNkeJ2usS0qmy8GBugTPPYR0nKGDqYIWaJJQj3emrhO4m01u5WjF96WFPd7qwWdkkY1xq93sblcfodADuvetpWJ0Rx-dIebvvp_7qd_ey6KGw1SOiBV9FfGaI3blF13p8fg/s1600/DSC05366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eCuSmmGHIMNkeJ2usS0qmy8GBugTPPYR0nKGDqYIWaJJQj3emrhO4m01u5WjF96WFPd7qwWdkkY1xq93sblcfodADuvetpWJ0Rx-dIebvvp_7qd_ey6KGw1SOiBV9FfGaI3blF13p8fg/s640/DSC05366.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Laura, Adrianne and Charles enjoy the relaxing ride, </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>while someone else does the paddling of the canoe. :) </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H4ISCX0zeVN2yk7rvcREW3PWc2I0G1mWOUc6pIKxWsj9tsT_30fKvYZzjduGTHQYkOIZJ6vy48zAnQXIXH-XA5E_bwRhp_OXZ83iT6c24_xbJwB0O_a9BU2IiU-cuj189mkG5lyePz8c/s1600/DSC05388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H4ISCX0zeVN2yk7rvcREW3PWc2I0G1mWOUc6pIKxWsj9tsT_30fKvYZzjduGTHQYkOIZJ6vy48zAnQXIXH-XA5E_bwRhp_OXZ83iT6c24_xbJwB0O_a9BU2IiU-cuj189mkG5lyePz8c/s640/DSC05388.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Ferns grow massively in this region. This is the largest one I have ever seen! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>We were able to stop midway to visit a Nigerian village (yes, in Cameroon). </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The chief bale was out today, but we came prepared with small gifts for the village</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> and lollipops for the children. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSigKO_m1G7b2UY7QmeLplmn2s5u_mMG6r7IvtLX1B5EpeoIGZn7pyakdkxUp0zv9pj9yxzLY_p4UBq2KXcuubEKhM1LO1LyFnttaJtE8wsk6M_fwdCMkN3z9YVddYV9FK9CorX0S5FLh/s1600/DSC05391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnSigKO_m1G7b2UY7QmeLplmn2s5u_mMG6r7IvtLX1B5EpeoIGZn7pyakdkxUp0zv9pj9yxzLY_p4UBq2KXcuubEKhM1LO1LyFnttaJtE8wsk6M_fwdCMkN3z9YVddYV9FK9CorX0S5FLh/s640/DSC05391.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>This was our greeting party. The children seem to enjoy visitors. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2NtrbJMxnGrfDoaxUk0qILDt5H-ikURgb4tvXOxdYtiG9vVChC6KPrLOo59bYcvOgxPmHARgv5fpbeFf8x_gwsTJ59vjgJPUxpvbWG0_NY6dCRg4jnG0RmNXBgLHpV5BpeE1XSRjFERq/s1600/DSC05397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2NtrbJMxnGrfDoaxUk0qILDt5H-ikURgb4tvXOxdYtiG9vVChC6KPrLOo59bYcvOgxPmHARgv5fpbeFf8x_gwsTJ59vjgJPUxpvbWG0_NY6dCRg4jnG0RmNXBgLHpV5BpeE1XSRjFERq/s640/DSC05397.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>As we pulled up in our canoe, the children came running to watch. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlSLQAYYobHnhjM-cSvGSy9pXEN8e8goMWdmrJ6xdQEd-UpSlRwoMCjBh2uH8jnQOaStfaOGIr7LIrypKUrPiIM8CdBF9PgOH8qi_REXsnyAwx05xtc4BJzHkPkUoGkC8wasX7Y3mutq-/s1600/DSC05398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlSLQAYYobHnhjM-cSvGSy9pXEN8e8goMWdmrJ6xdQEd-UpSlRwoMCjBh2uH8jnQOaStfaOGIr7LIrypKUrPiIM8CdBF9PgOH8qi_REXsnyAwx05xtc4BJzHkPkUoGkC8wasX7Y3mutq-/s640/DSC05398.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> Getting out of our canoe was an experience and we had an audience. We climbed from our canoe, across the top of a second canoe, then jumped down on the mud. The men put sticks into the ground, so that we would have a place to hold on. It was obvious that we didn't have the same balance as the locals! The boat 'captain" came into the water to get the youngest child and carried him onto shore. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn6xxe9FrrJDyePd2hslsXo0Lo_76lSdo30KoVFErhs8t53Clc4wr7y8vdhzOD-7C-X0dG1FpDcPlGFf2IOBPs0slx9n0loqf-mJfsFAdZkt0ob-A6XdjAKS4b6dDCkLXA5yzvMpuvhod/s1600/DSC05415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn6xxe9FrrJDyePd2hslsXo0Lo_76lSdo30KoVFErhs8t53Clc4wr7y8vdhzOD-7C-X0dG1FpDcPlGFf2IOBPs0slx9n0loqf-mJfsFAdZkt0ob-A6XdjAKS4b6dDCkLXA5yzvMpuvhod/s640/DSC05415.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The children immediately gathered around us, </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">exhibiting both friendliness and curiosity. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Rr1z-0pqKPnQC1KbvwtVOdEqq25V_fAWJl5s2lKyLeMiJ0hI3NSDCBH5krnHVnz8lIucBoOlZaTmT4RQ3VY0otHnlaBT_AEF4tA00L3Rdz54f0Zrto5YEWiQlo-_GGJo5lzADgISo2xH/s640/DSC05419.jpg" width="496" /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>We showed them the pictures from our camera, </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>and they would laugh and ask to pose for more. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNFD3VeXuYExZq06azQUh2dgse1gPCz9DJEcXWxPswXe0BfaqfSDF_rzl39rZOdLmvmyNTe7QR2jO4tvTkcycg69h_RRSK0EcLRlW6F2-ruMVmHt_kfvTLfcnvx5bO7YpW5UY7e3W27-e/s1600/DSC05420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNFD3VeXuYExZq06azQUh2dgse1gPCz9DJEcXWxPswXe0BfaqfSDF_rzl39rZOdLmvmyNTe7QR2jO4tvTkcycg69h_RRSK0EcLRlW6F2-ruMVmHt_kfvTLfcnvx5bO7YpW5UY7e3W27-e/s640/DSC05420.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Then the children were anxious to lead us into the center of the village. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDLONW4nl_S-K4YvSQSEsYBRkkdI7MA2mo4_qqePHwA06zzFwsGJn7aedpIZ0LN22V2ATQxPTeR5MH6IfILmfv4kbiMCU-Ksa0zrX7kqmZSDHCwERmM0CU8fZDlzRPA9v72hHOAB_BGcv/s1600/DSC05438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDLONW4nl_S-K4YvSQSEsYBRkkdI7MA2mo4_qqePHwA06zzFwsGJn7aedpIZ0LN22V2ATQxPTeR5MH6IfILmfv4kbiMCU-Ksa0zrX7kqmZSDHCwERmM0CU8fZDlzRPA9v72hHOAB_BGcv/s640/DSC05438.jpg" width="480" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The raised wood planks took us along the shoreline. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>We really had to watch where we walked! </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbLlftG4HbnjB9besnOIXowZZxJQiklSVr4ex3SV-hMBFcasBUP05d07cdrHBz8J1GwnfiKV1iP5eOCQ0P71rgXgOrwaAfXMbuEP7CyvuQNXD_0EQUnWJzsDPIk9LI99zIMFOAEsgTNKk/s1600/DSC05507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b></b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV6CpeFnKLLUBSI8bs5R781uNIZj8ec6rv1_FnTKmX6OZsfr6uhyG1tVsFW2zEk0sPY4cJcUTbAuSiN4UWfdmNTI7deqeZXM8Or8QecYVM5JaHcSPH-TcyCrWO-w82IB15Fm3z2n_kFrI/s1600/DSC05512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuV6CpeFnKLLUBSI8bs5R781uNIZj8ec6rv1_FnTKmX6OZsfr6uhyG1tVsFW2zEk0sPY4cJcUTbAuSiN4UWfdmNTI7deqeZXM8Or8QecYVM5JaHcSPH-TcyCrWO-w82IB15Fm3z2n_kFrI/s640/DSC05512.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>We were invited into one of the houses to greet some of the residents. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TDxmPn879Z8KjHB2XnV3k1kIo6V76PissUqnoZtfj_DVAatMOJgCtx19R8QNYTlwkaM9Xh7hX8SNt_kJQ-Em_03qPwDwPtLDYXjmlBkQZUtrl89dxFx3B8m0IzivPRmDWwLxYHlW1AsI/s1600/DSC05423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TDxmPn879Z8KjHB2XnV3k1kIo6V76PissUqnoZtfj_DVAatMOJgCtx19R8QNYTlwkaM9Xh7hX8SNt_kJQ-Em_03qPwDwPtLDYXjmlBkQZUtrl89dxFx3B8m0IzivPRmDWwLxYHlW1AsI/s640/DSC05423.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>This lady was all smiles and was happy to show us her work. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Her job was to untangle fishing line so the lines and hooks were ready to use again. Their diet mainly consists of fish and plants - so this is an important part of life for them. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qcdxgTqD9Xho7mKgJVOfZJQ4lED9nQhE5lw7bDeoVHXKifWm_vKzEtADYyVe3e_16OC9AdA6HrV06GdILAOdKhDErZkM7Sgt0VBtXKFcYuyb6SbuicaX21gRwW5ZIvsdnYtPftjay4Au/s1600/DSC05424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qcdxgTqD9Xho7mKgJVOfZJQ4lED9nQhE5lw7bDeoVHXKifWm_vKzEtADYyVe3e_16OC9AdA6HrV06GdILAOdKhDErZkM7Sgt0VBtXKFcYuyb6SbuicaX21gRwW5ZIvsdnYtPftjay4Au/s640/DSC05424.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I wonder how long the same line and hooks have been used? </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlV-vL-juyxYtStRSwkjKwxp_7Xa1W2W2_oGYpRjZoN-VvgIYi20yeHjjBXWbJmjDE28oYsLGd2orGeWQNu7qIPR-fIHwC2pRINZCp8PKNvSDdipJNo1lN_8eMmD7-t6w0yhE1eKoEQ_-/s1600/DSC05514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlV-vL-juyxYtStRSwkjKwxp_7Xa1W2W2_oGYpRjZoN-VvgIYi20yeHjjBXWbJmjDE28oYsLGd2orGeWQNu7qIPR-fIHwC2pRINZCp8PKNvSDdipJNo1lN_8eMmD7-t6w0yhE1eKoEQ_-/s640/DSC05514.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Floats and nets for fishing were scattered all along the shore. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>There are a few shoes mixed in this bunch. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMoKazWbSL7cqIzHXRkUTsMLOTsWW6670QDpMxDSiB7P0hUwObmtwS0NSMJBaUR2I0Bf8StuMPtx9kcIae-abnSN8vxpBxYyuMEu7KNoSePreaUmiVCRPSZrOSFoJXWtFXwhGwBuAfCCy/s1600/DSC05441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMoKazWbSL7cqIzHXRkUTsMLOTsWW6670QDpMxDSiB7P0hUwObmtwS0NSMJBaUR2I0Bf8StuMPtx9kcIae-abnSN8vxpBxYyuMEu7KNoSePreaUmiVCRPSZrOSFoJXWtFXwhGwBuAfCCy/s640/DSC05441.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b> The children were happy to get lollipops! </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3qfMEehENGT7vuEiTLJTAFIQMuvup48-7nQTMkxKMy_FASTLZKgpTPYbXzu0zTP1HJni-xqbquqVEzBsk_e-MXXRX6VEwIrDUMMSRyVg65JR3OvYpIIGl7JDZH-TqCYMkRc6rZGlRB3K/s1600/DSC05453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3qfMEehENGT7vuEiTLJTAFIQMuvup48-7nQTMkxKMy_FASTLZKgpTPYbXzu0zTP1HJni-xqbquqVEzBsk_e-MXXRX6VEwIrDUMMSRyVg65JR3OvYpIIGl7JDZH-TqCYMkRc6rZGlRB3K/s640/DSC05453.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Every village seems to have a central gathering point, and the church most often is the main building. The loud speakers let the community know when something is happening. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4xZQg7LUOn4uop6We-wdQ7HGFta_t1OdN_YEMvf4PMTz0qOCQw5OqJz1SrwbCn3W-jCN_2dKLUw1xelWE4VogZfMlXPkWoCcHmaF-qsZZgSXIQLyosaTr8M-fv_mv5Q5PG1xar9U_VoS/s1600/DSC05466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF4xZQg7LUOn4uop6We-wdQ7HGFta_t1OdN_YEMvf4PMTz0qOCQw5OqJz1SrwbCn3W-jCN_2dKLUw1xelWE4VogZfMlXPkWoCcHmaF-qsZZgSXIQLyosaTr8M-fv_mv5Q5PG1xar9U_VoS/s640/DSC05466.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The church has no windows or doors, but it appears to be a more solid structure </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>than the rest of the buildings we saw. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WyBxBq7zB5AOdrdfR8BMyInsiCStx6tN59kEz1u23doLljZKyweFytG-Su9DTadLaJEf7Zsh6p5DPbZBwhSdfXQ1AMnEXXaB5xgOfmdjFwdWzreRNCWLTHOcazj2cR9mX1wL-z5sIR_G/s1600/DSC05470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WyBxBq7zB5AOdrdfR8BMyInsiCStx6tN59kEz1u23doLljZKyweFytG-Su9DTadLaJEf7Zsh6p5DPbZBwhSdfXQ1AMnEXXaB5xgOfmdjFwdWzreRNCWLTHOcazj2cR9mX1wL-z5sIR_G/s640/DSC05470.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The main stage/altar contains some gourds and other flowered items. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SIQSzrrK55K15LZOICIkAhazUfKtXlN9PtcvcO30wjg5WmokCEhpfMTXNDp2WlfbqrBCJXTnYTaI_brKtpZVREOn_SrUzuQRyGwb8n-wziN2V4_kUS_lqyqAnJIR31fbIRcCwIfGQu5M/s1600/DSC05467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7SIQSzrrK55K15LZOICIkAhazUfKtXlN9PtcvcO30wjg5WmokCEhpfMTXNDp2WlfbqrBCJXTnYTaI_brKtpZVREOn_SrUzuQRyGwb8n-wziN2V4_kUS_lqyqAnJIR31fbIRcCwIfGQu5M/s640/DSC05467.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>This is inside of the church hall. The space down the middle is often used for dancing and for ceremonies. The benches are along the side of the room to conserve space. I liked the Happy New Year sign still UP too! (Bonne Annee) </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYllA-rKewNresRWgJfqVcSFw1YaqK21XcZXLiO9b8Ps3lYy2xL0wArH4Z22zGNJl-ujqpZRL9-0uXEOJ3tiAYq2h3nJUrC80qn9Ynbd8f2vFRWlXmdlI_wypnFsG8eFQeUiIpl3jU_mF/s1600/DSC05469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYllA-rKewNresRWgJfqVcSFw1YaqK21XcZXLiO9b8Ps3lYy2xL0wArH4Z22zGNJl-ujqpZRL9-0uXEOJ3tiAYq2h3nJUrC80qn9Ynbd8f2vFRWlXmdlI_wypnFsG8eFQeUiIpl3jU_mF/s640/DSC05469.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>We were impressed with the portable drum with the map of Cameroon on it. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Note the linoleum floor used for the aisle. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQHuS-3_UgGTKNuY34JmTDoMjnUkq5t_6kwGgsBTmZxPDVMHgZTMgvpxyusClViQlxs42QfAs7z-TF55P60UmrKgbYXie-spBO10pwdgO2Y97ezHRszbrHuZ4-RStx2DZkrqcflB7k9b3/s1600/DSC05487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQHuS-3_UgGTKNuY34JmTDoMjnUkq5t_6kwGgsBTmZxPDVMHgZTMgvpxyusClViQlxs42QfAs7z-TF55P60UmrKgbYXie-spBO10pwdgO2Y97ezHRszbrHuZ4-RStx2DZkrqcflB7k9b3/s640/DSC05487.jpg" width="428" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Every village needs rules. I enjoyed seeing the rules posted here - 'approved' by the General Commander of the SalvEtion Army. It says, "Please follow the Rules and Regulation. No stilling, Fighting, smoking, Disterbance. Order by The Most Senior Kelubu Akeme. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>For translation purposes, "stilling" is stealing and "Disturbance" is typically yelling. The Most Senior Kelubu Akeme is the head chief of the village. Apparently this chief has many many wives. Most of the children are his - or related to him. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmDAd4cO2d-j2HGuRHa3ACjcCXbtx1hF2AAL1LQc37GmiICsi2ttTq__EZ5qznUGRXtQNXKet7eAG5fdPKll1cTdOeZp7etyxI5qfVRVMHMZ_X26u2ogPYGyR9GE6tkDqtqzV4Nk7cFvB/s1600/DSC05461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmDAd4cO2d-j2HGuRHa3ACjcCXbtx1hF2AAL1LQc37GmiICsi2ttTq__EZ5qznUGRXtQNXKet7eAG5fdPKll1cTdOeZp7etyxI5qfVRVMHMZ_X26u2ogPYGyR9GE6tkDqtqzV4Nk7cFvB/s320/DSC05461.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>This is one of the chief's wives. She just had a baby a week ago and they invited us in to greet her. Her bedding was beautiful and the baby was precious.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRGEvJauGQaYygJcDiXIZ4zZVvFUJbTMp3Gf4ZQCYLuGb6Oaleeif7yvO-MGVRc9zwr80Hkp_pxSCCSfIFrTjU78kRZWu2mS6ikWesyANqe-EXctDg1Lmpu0nljjDQUS0cRYTjinyjZM1/s1600/DSC05412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRGEvJauGQaYygJcDiXIZ4zZVvFUJbTMp3Gf4ZQCYLuGb6Oaleeif7yvO-MGVRc9zwr80Hkp_pxSCCSfIFrTjU78kRZWu2mS6ikWesyANqe-EXctDg1Lmpu0nljjDQUS0cRYTjinyjZM1/s640/DSC05412.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>There's only one place in the village where reception is found. Cell phones can be used RIGHT here only. Most of the residents will hang their cell phones by a string and leave them here. THIS is a modern day "phone booth". :) </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2RrAUY7iX49w-rCd1p1Ea2BUDAeeS-58-oEhBfgFtI79dlG1IWckCsieD1F8p1wW4EnMMqxyiDiCR80eKx0U498oJ0fNp2c5-2LJTteJsdFFc5sMwX3zK9cMjbGabvLnofUhXfaK-KjD/s1600/DSC05394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2RrAUY7iX49w-rCd1p1Ea2BUDAeeS-58-oEhBfgFtI79dlG1IWckCsieD1F8p1wW4EnMMqxyiDiCR80eKx0U498oJ0fNp2c5-2LJTteJsdFFc5sMwX3zK9cMjbGabvLnofUhXfaK-KjD/s640/DSC05394.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The children ran out to tell us goodbye. This was the wood that we walked around the village on, many held up by a few wobbly boards. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nGJyBu2VeuH81aKmiNrX5CANP60abHRQQptN2yVMtvxCoFRyNzN8mWtWd03e_4DEftahVsbdy6lPmrlIp0d-asTUW6g_N_VNPKbXZGnCJ9fE3rkVDrHmpiBUUSXSlfG7L7RpOO-f91nA/s1600/DSC05406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nGJyBu2VeuH81aKmiNrX5CANP60abHRQQptN2yVMtvxCoFRyNzN8mWtWd03e_4DEftahVsbdy6lPmrlIp0d-asTUW6g_N_VNPKbXZGnCJ9fE3rkVDrHmpiBUUSXSlfG7L7RpOO-f91nA/s640/DSC05406.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>As we were leaving the fisherman cast his net. I am amazed every time I see this! </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRYB2PzlfNBWvN6VmgsOOroeEE3K044VQ4NBxkCTF_wsIx2u5Wpryr86IpmlfPp1zDtHsZEp8-ynAGs7sj9N4PbvHQQKgfvswiZwOhqCiA9C1hJ1KInK75zq6xs-jyilwrR2L5GftctAe/s1600/DSC05554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCRYB2PzlfNBWvN6VmgsOOroeEE3K044VQ4NBxkCTF_wsIx2u5Wpryr86IpmlfPp1zDtHsZEp8-ynAGs7sj9N4PbvHQQKgfvswiZwOhqCiA9C1hJ1KInK75zq6xs-jyilwrR2L5GftctAe/s640/DSC05554.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Father and son are pulling in the nets. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHufHq5QHkphyphenhyphen1DLDN-JgmrepQkYS4CREzRW2HB1tbH1bqltMfyxBlBrdSjZP_ilcKcKB30WRgN97kcY7WFSDxcIPJgEumVZS8pVoSWIuyCpGDife4muQIIBhRZcPClU19qG7a1kO0o3fj/s1600/DSC05519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHufHq5QHkphyphenhyphen1DLDN-JgmrepQkYS4CREzRW2HB1tbH1bqltMfyxBlBrdSjZP_ilcKcKB30WRgN97kcY7WFSDxcIPJgEumVZS8pVoSWIuyCpGDife4muQIIBhRZcPClU19qG7a1kO0o3fj/s640/DSC05519.jpg" width="480" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Joanne and John enjoy the ride back. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKnRrytbaL9w6UmZGV8fi8tzYUCyQCfGwdOl-o0fo1km9-rPdOQuxz2kbNE0QNbhab-LFKqJqAOVsaptjAQT1kCQv9VCMVWGZmwA7VzxvbVGYMmAKG8Y1Be0Rg30IWJiTG4j12kgL2YpS/s1600/DSC05558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijKnRrytbaL9w6UmZGV8fi8tzYUCyQCfGwdOl-o0fo1km9-rPdOQuxz2kbNE0QNbhab-LFKqJqAOVsaptjAQT1kCQv9VCMVWGZmwA7VzxvbVGYMmAKG8Y1Be0Rg30IWJiTG4j12kgL2YpS/s640/DSC05558.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>As we got closer to Douala, we enjoyed the sights of homemade sail boats. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-r7dLllstu_Ij1Ch5-YOhHqMWerdiNKSF-isQj3w26Kwqf4iVaZ09J3b2HDYWS9gz7S6zqiVvjhqiMryB7ANi3Utlvcho4J2RbcqCr4Q4VLOOX4WMRXcjYMHtFYM7JJXJrsOxH7miCAy/s1600/DSC05561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-r7dLllstu_Ij1Ch5-YOhHqMWerdiNKSF-isQj3w26Kwqf4iVaZ09J3b2HDYWS9gz7S6zqiVvjhqiMryB7ANi3Utlvcho4J2RbcqCr4Q4VLOOX4WMRXcjYMHtFYM7JJXJrsOxH7miCAy/s640/DSC05561.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>I am always impressed with the ingenuity in the region. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA0N9GZ_CkKAQcRKYAt6tpwJINyF7Jf11nJP81fDqDXzwBt5Kt2vTIJrcieoogOUgIvKdd328HnWc_f1Y9cIaC4TKkCMb5BVxFmadlCiKf1FQCCVOJJwt8zcRtA2zVDWo-CW05awzPrRF/s1600/DSC05578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA0N9GZ_CkKAQcRKYAt6tpwJINyF7Jf11nJP81fDqDXzwBt5Kt2vTIJrcieoogOUgIvKdd328HnWc_f1Y9cIaC4TKkCMb5BVxFmadlCiKf1FQCCVOJJwt8zcRtA2zVDWo-CW05awzPrRF/s640/DSC05578.jpg" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>We passed some Tidewater vessels docked close by too. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn04kAPoLEkbGhLiwP9ysb7w-0ACcBhcmXW-526ufkQkfNNCL13GsUsJTpdAaSLdNXdCetVwPrfKqwj__rQsDTyGw80UJei9wAwn60OKiASez_qGIZD95eH_aMeadHwlDNauN_eMPPUk6/s1600/DSC05594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn04kAPoLEkbGhLiwP9ysb7w-0ACcBhcmXW-526ufkQkfNNCL13GsUsJTpdAaSLdNXdCetVwPrfKqwj__rQsDTyGw80UJei9wAwn60OKiASez_qGIZD95eH_aMeadHwlDNauN_eMPPUk6/s320/DSC05594.jpg" width="240" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>The locals grabbed the rope to help pull us into shore. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>They didn't want us to walk in the water, so we teetered along the side of the boat rail, </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>across a thin piece of wood and jumped to dry ground. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>What a fun, fun day! </b></span></div>
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font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 6951px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 6951px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 6951px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-51383099743945800422016-06-12T18:38:00.003-05:002016-06-12T19:02:18.339-05:00It takes a Village...<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>It takes a village to raise a child - and also to take care of the "Hall" family in Douala.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi799qSdhEy5kOhTfyrU4IfikMPOHmjOYGlaxhAKOQwPX4YK5XT3-bcJuFF7kDoe6mqqM1HCc0ozLEu-WyHhzejzCK5uHwgdfAs5DWTGixwUO5p7Nq5l3u7647FtbypzUfy9UA3pcTmPen1/s1600/5498f50e9612911d3960f24a65954b54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi799qSdhEy5kOhTfyrU4IfikMPOHmjOYGlaxhAKOQwPX4YK5XT3-bcJuFF7kDoe6mqqM1HCc0ozLEu-WyHhzejzCK5uHwgdfAs5DWTGixwUO5p7Nq5l3u7647FtbypzUfy9UA3pcTmPen1/s320/5498f50e9612911d3960f24a65954b54.jpg" width="320" /></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Our village is incredible. It's been a journey to get to this place, but we finally have it together - and we are grateful. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">"It Takes a Village" is actually attributed to an African proverb. It was adapted by Hillary Clinton as the t</span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">itle of her book, but it was also a book title by Jane Cowen-Fletcher published in 1994. </span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The statement refers on a broad scale to the concept of communal living and support. In Africa, especially, it takes a village to survive since we are all dependent on one another for the basics. We have learned the importance of this statement and know that we could not easily live here alone. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Let me introduce you to our village. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Julienne</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL1lmLSuLvyQa9Vj7OXym45tdCSTcLtCVPLlZFcBvutWE0YA_hGDXcMU7McTpW_cSfYsAlRh3sCdq4UJzP2KBxGBXcLZ1n0tLdapcLOs6x5ZOtOnWdQ60DoHe3m_a76CHQnVh_8ubxJKY/s1600/IMG_4634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyL1lmLSuLvyQa9Vj7OXym45tdCSTcLtCVPLlZFcBvutWE0YA_hGDXcMU7McTpW_cSfYsAlRh3sCdq4UJzP2KBxGBXcLZ1n0tLdapcLOs6x5ZOtOnWdQ60DoHe3m_a76CHQnVh_8ubxJKY/s640/IMG_4634.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Julienne works in our house every day cleaning, doing laundry, cooking and helping to manage our home. She knows the local vendors and has opinions about most of them. Her eagle eyes help me around the house - both inside and outside. While we had a rocky start, I am glad that we both stuck with it. She desires to please and has a very kind heart. When I was sick recently and Charles was traveling, she was worried. She kept coming to the couch and feeling my head, commenting, "Too hot, madam. Fever. Need hospital". She confirmed with the nurse when she came by to check on me and then refused to leave until Charles arrived home late that evening, staying about 3-4 hours longer than her regular hours. </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Julianne is a single mom and has 4 children and 2 grandchildren, which she supports on her small salary. She has two biological children, (ages </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">26 and 30) and two children (ages 11 & 14) that she adopted after her brother died. Her brother had 6 children, so different family members each took a child or two to raise after his death, which is very common here. She struggles financially and constantly runs into issues with her electricity bills and other needs. However, she has a positive attitude and seems happy most of the time. She speaks French and pidgin English, so our conversations are always interesting. Initially, there was a question of who was cooking on a daily basis (You cook...no YOU cook), but we have managed to get meals on the table along with a weekly loaf of homemade bread, which she is very proud of learning. Overall, I appreciate her willingness to try things out of her comfort zone and her dedication. She has a good sense of humor and I seem to be the main source of entertainment for her, especially as I work on my French 'sounds'. :) She comes in on her days off happily if needed, and she has never been late or missed a single day. We are thankful to have her here. She is active in her church ladies group and tries to leave early on Fridays to go to the church next to our home for mass. Her smile is priceless. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Peter</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDIg-cvSRyOsmKJI06msI9YatI5E2r9yV2xqQxt61hbwPWfS3OG_d8b_DneLjTc8BJVsnRTpYs9Wg6oKBsiWKLQ6MmT4VwpNo_WPH8XUJn1sUomajyrTY9WOjbZ8NQ4J1TRhdCFnVPOWK/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDIg-cvSRyOsmKJI06msI9YatI5E2r9yV2xqQxt61hbwPWfS3OG_d8b_DneLjTc8BJVsnRTpYs9Wg6oKBsiWKLQ6MmT4VwpNo_WPH8XUJn1sUomajyrTY9WOjbZ8NQ4J1TRhdCFnVPOWK/s640/IMG_0145.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Peter has 2 daughters, a son and a wife. He brings me local foods to try and likes to teach us about Cameroon. He is the main caregiver for our dog, Fletcher. He feeds him and bathes him weekly - and makes sure that the vet is called when needed. Peter is very serious about his job - and he knows EVERYTHING that happens on our street. If he misses anything, he knows where to go on the network to find out. He is a social butterfly and everyone in our neighborhood knows him. He is proud to say that he has worked for our home for over 7 years. He has not had a vacation in three years, and is looking forward to taking a few weeks off this summer. We discovered that he had initially planned a vacation during April, but when he found out that my Mother-in-Law was coming, he cancelled it. He wanted to be here to greet her and make sure that she was well guarded. He walks around our house and knows where I am at all times. He has been known to peer in and knock at the window where I am sitting inside to ask me a question. It really makes me feel like I live in a fish bowl since we have a lot of windows downstairs. One day he knocked at the window to ask me if I was ok since he noticed that I had been sitting in the same place for a few hours. It was the first day I was sick and he was worried. His job is our day guard but he also helps out in the yard with the plants as needed. He is a Godsend - and we are grateful for him. Peter is an Anglophone - which means that he comes from an English speaking territory. He also speaks French, which is helpful. He often asks (pleads and begs) for a second dog and keeps offering to find a puppy for us. He promises to feed it and wash it and take care of it (and name it George) and train it as a guard dog. He also washes the car every evening - RAIN or shine. He cleans out the water tanks every 3-4 weeks and keeps our gates and walkways tidy. He has a positive attitude and is happy almost all the time. He and Julienne are like brother and sister. They get frustrated with each other and argue, but they take care of each other well. I asked Peter recently what he will do on vacation since he is really looking forward to the time off. He explained that he would not be resting, but he needed to return to his village to repair the roof of his house which fell in a few months ago. I am constantly humbled.....</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Theo</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Theo has two children with his first wife and just had his first babies (TWIN boys!) with his junior wife (#2). Julianne gets frustrated with him often and says that he doesn't have enough money to feed himself and didn't need to have babies. She commented that people having too many babies with too little money was what was wrong with Cameroun! 😳 Theo was in a bad motorcycle (taxi) accident last year and took some time to recover. He is very thin, and often hungry, which also frustrates Julianne. The rule in our home is that none of our village goes hungry - ever. So she cooks for him and he always wants more (which he always gets). His job is a day guard and he mainly sits in our carport at the guard desk all day. He checks outside of our gate often and opens the doors as needed, but he doesn't have a lot to do. The prior person gave him 1000xfa to mop the carport floor and we have continued that practice. 1000xfa equates to $1.72 USD and he is always so very grateful to receive it. He opens both hands and bows every time I give him the money. It really is heartbreaking. Theo is Francophone (speaks only French), so our conversations are very limited. His salary is paid by the guard service that we have hired and he has worked at our house for many years as well. As in all our 'village', we try to help out in addition when needed. </span></i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Mishak </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Mishak always wears a baseball hat, every single day, even with his uniform. The day that I took the picture above was the first time I have ever seen his head. :). (If you look closely, you can see the bill of his hat on the table.) Mishak is one of our night guards and works from 7pm to 7am. In addition to guarding our home, he takes care of the "right side" of our yard. He is paid by the guard service and then we pay him extra for the yard work. Mishak has three children - a boy (age 4) a girl (age 2) and a baby son, born a few days ago. The baby has been a great source of concern recently since he was breech, and his wife was very afraid of a potential surgery. I've seen the local hospitals and can certainly understand her fears. His wife has been in the hospital for weeks and finally had to have a c-section on Monday She will stay in the hospital another week - but he needs cash to pay for it before she leaves the hospital. Medical insurance is not common and most families work together to pay for procedures needed. They get loans and gifts from friends and employers and are able to pay the bill. It is an amazing system. Mishak doesn't know his child's name yet, since it is the decision of the grandparents and they will announce it on the 8th day after birth. Depending on the tribe, they may have a naming ceremony at that time as well. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Mishak is quiet and hard working and takes his job very seriously. He explained that I shouldn't worry about when his wife would have the baby since he did not plan to miss a day of work. He was true to his word, but came in as a proud father excited to tell us the news. Mishak speaks both French and pidgin English. He is often found during the day asleep in a storage closet behind our house. He has to stay up all night guarding, so he sleeps during the day - and also does the yard work before he starts his guard duties. It is probably easier to sleep at our house in the afternoon, rather than his own. Most of the guards clothes are also washed at our house and they have a clothesline out back. During the rainy season, we often find clothes hanging in front of our a/c outside units since it blows hot air. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg026Ca1P2Kigrb9f_b-mEMY7nLl8Y0CkPqPyv0D-JoRZrptonxKvV8lMOIWjPCZNLj4mmHVBzW5UiaPj4hIH4PDlCjM2w0NY4MF60Mh9GadFNmBW2YFG5A1a3VDrVBO8RDSOd58kJzK1Xa/s1600/DSC05659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg026Ca1P2Kigrb9f_b-mEMY7nLl8Y0CkPqPyv0D-JoRZrptonxKvV8lMOIWjPCZNLj4mmHVBzW5UiaPj4hIH4PDlCjM2w0NY4MF60Mh9GadFNmBW2YFG5A1a3VDrVBO8RDSOd58kJzK1Xa/s640/DSC05659.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Devine is also one of our night guards. He is married with three children and is from the Bamende area of northwest Cameroon, close to Nigeria. He comes from an Anglophone tribe, and speaks English and French. He also takes care of the yard - the left side. The guys have divided out the tasks, so we try not to get involved. :) I wonder how they decided where the line for the middle would be? Devine also comes in early one day a week in order to mow the lawn since his guard duties don't start until 7 pm. Divine is quiet and works hard. He is pleasant yet stoic, but seems to have a good sense of humor when we are fortunate enough to see it. He loves futbol (Soccer) and enjoys his collection of futbol shirts when he is not in uniform. They have a TV outside and we can hear the games loudly some nights from inside of the house.</span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Samson is also one of our night guards. He is always, always smiling - and has great enthusiasm for his job. He is young - about 28 - and speaks mainly French, but knows enough English to communicate. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRHe5YBmtZSgvw0vdIrH4UVrafe_yAG24M6HJNgWuZqyf-T3y6urbtdlU6MabJIky_upgroTb529-_3hdINrSHeVfGj77NXy5MfHHv7pSXhEa25fVRemwV03cSNhLQ6xxg98e2-CI3XV1/s1600/DSC05654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRHe5YBmtZSgvw0vdIrH4UVrafe_yAG24M6HJNgWuZqyf-T3y6urbtdlU6MabJIky_upgroTb529-_3hdINrSHeVfGj77NXy5MfHHv7pSXhEa25fVRemwV03cSNhLQ6xxg98e2-CI3XV1/s640/DSC05654.jpg" width="526" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ernest is our driver. He has three children and is very proud of them. His oldest is 12 and in boarding school, which is very common here. He also has a 6 year old daughter and an 8 year old son. Ernest is here every morning at 6:30 am to take Charles to work, then back at our house by 7:45 many days to take me to the gym. He drives me wherever I need to go during the day and is a fabulous source of information. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> I think that he can locate whatever I might possibly need in Douala. He travels with us </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">out of town when necessary </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and run errands. He is totally bilingual in French and English which is VERY helpful and helps me translate at times. He assists us in understanding all things Cameroun. His favorite subject is politics, both inside and outside of Cameroon. When he is waiting for us, he is always reading and dreams to go to the USA one day. </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Johnson / Theo / Elvis / Dennis / Emmanuel / Remi / & Emmanuel II are our weekend and night drivers. We work on a rotational basis for the weekends unless we have something specific planned where Ernest needs to be here. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrkat9ZK1ZVIVRD2lrUKMeENlqSHKaecx2QHvYJtvLLnc2aDAHI5k_SAZ2tVDSfJSRMGzZ40-BSOwhU8jGFXEx7M7Al7_MSLCVtYwQIU8w_gtLdiZIdDl_mtFG-hayENYD9lbAJwtQXBX/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrkat9ZK1ZVIVRD2lrUKMeENlqSHKaecx2QHvYJtvLLnc2aDAHI5k_SAZ2tVDSfJSRMGzZ40-BSOwhU8jGFXEx7M7Al7_MSLCVtYwQIU8w_gtLdiZIdDl_mtFG-hayENYD9lbAJwtQXBX/s640/IMG_0409.JPG" width="499" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Daniel is our pool guy. He is at our house three days a week for a few hours each day. He manages our pool pump, cleans the pool and takes care of all maintenance for us.He tends to hang around with our guards and seems to fit in with our little village well. He rides a motorcycle to work and carries long poles with skimmers on the back along with additional pool equipment. During the rainy season, he cleans the pool in the rain. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-yKIF1wUOnnmmJzatWMOdExhovoZR_wfOj5TIMzn-FD_S1-f9_S_RUX-3HSCubvOl1tnKft_mBxGRPUVtD-d5TM6-mI4K0auLomSntuPlwiAdc8hqMLg0Vhq3TNeXxDvZo8MEiT08U3k/s1600/IMG_4663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-yKIF1wUOnnmmJzatWMOdExhovoZR_wfOj5TIMzn-FD_S1-f9_S_RUX-3HSCubvOl1tnKft_mBxGRPUVtD-d5TM6-mI4K0auLomSntuPlwiAdc8hqMLg0Vhq3TNeXxDvZo8MEiT08U3k/s640/IMG_4663.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Victor is our painter and one of the maintenance guys. He was at our house for about 7 MONTHS after we first moved in - almost every day. He is the slowest, but best painter around. I figure that the air conditioning, the food, and the environment contributed to the speed of (not) getting things down. He always has a smile and works hard. He has three boys - and the newest one, FREEDOM, was born a short time after we arrived. He wears an brown jumper every day and is happy to please with whatever we need. He also likes to eat our leftover chicken bones. We were going to give them to the dog and he asked to eat them for lunch instead. Afterwards, Julienne started saving the bones for him. Wow.... We still see him often in our village since there is always extra work to do. Sometimes he just stops by to say hello. :) </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3ebyCCg-2UpJL5KSaPces2IIkWwR6TdhBp2f9E3cEP8k60gunRHUG76WWfhhNSH4BO-MrebC28G_zT2_SiBI-0jtiRMOi2Ke_KsKTMYqj0D4FNgScuG6z6XPg3CmPewPi81se5U-OCGc/s1600/IMG_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3ebyCCg-2UpJL5KSaPces2IIkWwR6TdhBp2f9E3cEP8k60gunRHUG76WWfhhNSH4BO-MrebC28G_zT2_SiBI-0jtiRMOi2Ke_KsKTMYqj0D4FNgScuG6z6XPg3CmPewPi81se5U-OCGc/s640/IMG_0118.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvWVHXRqS4oLq60obh9OOe41spjjUzS_XVeQj9PSQCWCU_ZBVtBRBhbH_ZQ0r73gqJ6r9-alz3vX8-O7X7T78-rNg9q8gCUXtmGHDuODbmhivGhIbRhfskbMm-hm5ckSAUGTM1I-B4pZ5/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvWVHXRqS4oLq60obh9OOe41spjjUzS_XVeQj9PSQCWCU_ZBVtBRBhbH_ZQ0r73gqJ6r9-alz3vX8-O7X7T78-rNg9q8gCUXtmGHDuODbmhivGhIbRhfskbMm-hm5ckSAUGTM1I-B4pZ5/s640/IMG_0119.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our village wouldn't be complete without Fletcher. He is 9 years old and an excellent guard dog. He doesn't like women overall, but has always wanted extra attention from me. The guards tell me that he knows that I am his mother and that I buy the food. Ha! Fletcher also knows that I will pet him every time I pass and he patiently sits right in front of me (blocking my way sometimes) until he gets my attention. To me, he is a loving dog and very obedient. To others, he has a growl that comes from deep within and a bark to prove he means business. Most people are afraid of him, and we promote his fierceness to any strangers that visit. I think that he would be hard to restrain if provoked, but we are grateful to have him here. He is up to date on his rabies shots, which is good to know. 😳<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #444444;">I have a lot of respect and admiration for our village. It is a miniature society of typical life in Cameroon and we have learned so much from them. While they earn a higher-than-normal living working for us, we are the ones who benefit by their care, their smiles and their kindness to us. We couldn't function without them and yet we are amazed with the lives that they lead on a day to day basis. They are a part of our extended world and they never complain, and always happy in the face of much despair and poverty. </i></span><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: #444444; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;"> </i></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: start;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>When I moved to Africa, 5 1/2 years ago, my prayer was that I would see beauty in this place. My prayers have been answered since I see beauty often in the people who live here, and especially in the eyes of our village. We are so blessed. </i></span></span></div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-11809416174815480882016-04-10T15:47:00.000-05:002016-04-10T15:47:10.589-05:00Ape Action Africa <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2Q6wDD_rQuUZSJVAhHwtjMgVLlceJi6KjBw_UTrXBkx6fr_4969Huhx5o_0JmlaQmIcbOwjct41R6R2y7AsyMKbZQB62Brb5AY5-YdBpXW65TJ4x12pSYYHvrfbueRun4MQjdNx7OPge/s1600/DSC01399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2Q6wDD_rQuUZSJVAhHwtjMgVLlceJi6KjBw_UTrXBkx6fr_4969Huhx5o_0JmlaQmIcbOwjct41R6R2y7AsyMKbZQB62Brb5AY5-YdBpXW65TJ4x12pSYYHvrfbueRun4MQjdNx7OPge/s640/DSC01399.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were invited by friends to go to Cameroon's </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mefou Primate Park, close to Yaoundé. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDLKIN0z6V_6-oInVRUPd4or7BHNZ31fHPnZLgCM5GLXK6OyuJtMV-NWMHQ1wjiHZj2iXVCIHg6U_zx9Wx53KJ6LLgIuC-JHieB_1TvP9DMgJN2G7w1bv0LbFQyG8up3e7QdBhMJIKQFg/s1600/DSC01396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDLKIN0z6V_6-oInVRUPd4or7BHNZ31fHPnZLgCM5GLXK6OyuJtMV-NWMHQ1wjiHZj2iXVCIHg6U_zx9Wx53KJ6LLgIuC-JHieB_1TvP9DMgJN2G7w1bv0LbFQyG8up3e7QdBhMJIKQFg/s640/DSC01396.jpg" width="598" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The park is operated by Ape Action Africa, which is a nonprofit NGO dedicated to primate rescue and rehabilitation. Their goals are to address threats faced by gorillas and chimps in Africa and to work with communities to develop long-term solutions to ensure the animal's survival in the wild. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the main issues in Cameroon is that primates are used by the locals as food. In fact, eighty percent of the meat eaten in Cameroon is killed in the wild and is known as "bushmeat". The nation's favored dishes are gorilla, chimpanzee or monkey because of their tender flesh. According to one estimate, over 3,000 gorillas are slaughtered in southern Cameroon every year in order to supply the commercial (albeit illicit) demand for ape meat. This does not only affect the adults, but the babies are then left as orphans with many dangers around them. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFUZqU1oz4GH6Jt3Hd9i5n6XR5Zp-_L50frwXnlHqSBd6SlG9Dq-A4nr7qP4yWcigHPoqvS0u0GtthryIf6BA7SUL04lHUPUTxfe01CdVgSI25z_lFLOblBQVKr2acK6MnJYTtUNbY81t/s1600/DSC01402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFUZqU1oz4GH6Jt3Hd9i5n6XR5Zp-_L50frwXnlHqSBd6SlG9Dq-A4nr7qP4yWcigHPoqvS0u0GtthryIf6BA7SUL04lHUPUTxfe01CdVgSI25z_lFLOblBQVKr2acK6MnJYTtUNbY81t/s640/DSC01402.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ape Africa wants to change the way that Cameroonians view primates. Their organization goes into the schools and into the communities to educate the local population. Not only do monkeys carry the Ebola virus, they also harbor many other diseases, which are passed on to the humans that consume them. In fact, AIDS, the worst pandemic of modern times, is thought to have begun in the rainforest of West Central Africa as a result of the bush meat trade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3WfI1VrAC9lJEbh0cJN0lJFdWdzaR5eI1yPHUCga2gYlfnLBOSsiO8IBjnhrx0sybwDCFV1rc4dIOoKugssyuHLKwjOqC0ULiw6Mr1EUJNllTkGSBN-DT36Eqe0q_4q4xMx8YcIGQmNn/s1600/DSC01400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3WfI1VrAC9lJEbh0cJN0lJFdWdzaR5eI1yPHUCga2gYlfnLBOSsiO8IBjnhrx0sybwDCFV1rc4dIOoKugssyuHLKwjOqC0ULiw6Mr1EUJNllTkGSBN-DT36Eqe0q_4q4xMx8YcIGQmNn/s640/DSC01400.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> In order for Ape Africa to do the rescue and rehabilitation work needed on a limited budget, they solicit the help of international volunteers. Willing participants come for 1-2 months at a time to assist in the care of the animals. The very rustic building above is where the volunteers live during their stay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the volunteers were cooking a meal when we arrived, so </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we could clearly see that this is a labor of love and conviction! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ9nUKP8kpLzPxL-uDa10nWzH0TBfUHfN6DwVsEz2wlM-TXPokbU6uRGg6aDMvDZAqMd3sReskBiFJLF-iVY01MFP_GEw3CoMdtT07hG8Wgw4mlrYLlsgMgC7PHqqQ8KgTqvAN34m0tLU/s1600/DSC01406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQ9nUKP8kpLzPxL-uDa10nWzH0TBfUHfN6DwVsEz2wlM-TXPokbU6uRGg6aDMvDZAqMd3sReskBiFJLF-iVY01MFP_GEw3CoMdtT07hG8Wgw4mlrYLlsgMgC7PHqqQ8KgTqvAN34m0tLU/s640/DSC01406.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other animals are seen in the Mefou Park, including this goat </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">standing right off the main path. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuR2zovOOOr-jI2tuOqoeAERIWbSwCjuwtpfYA3YkybidlO_XwyGFqeNZhAZx3s60J1jmuIVRW0J2kU37Tcrpm5OSPqAcYzt3f0fLHe5YM5ihyphenhyphenL8broGTJSCRcDCicNJ2tG7aY2l9a86kQ/s1600/DSC01388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuR2zovOOOr-jI2tuOqoeAERIWbSwCjuwtpfYA3YkybidlO_XwyGFqeNZhAZx3s60J1jmuIVRW0J2kU37Tcrpm5OSPqAcYzt3f0fLHe5YM5ihyphenhyphenL8broGTJSCRcDCicNJ2tG7aY2l9a86kQ/s640/DSC01388.jpg" width="476" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The signs point the way to the main attraction of the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">park - the primate living areas. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA2-CmC9dAUzxIuocjL78SZ2mgS6uJdR0AYhvcjagmK2co5TyBSuaAM4JJFRtLzYgqkLnofL-WsCJKKbI05e-NPLB2CghGcmJzT_7BLZeCNe2uDdG7Fx1QmV2e_0LvHDpRtf85DHv87Z2/s1600/DSC01479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEA2-CmC9dAUzxIuocjL78SZ2mgS6uJdR0AYhvcjagmK2co5TyBSuaAM4JJFRtLzYgqkLnofL-WsCJKKbI05e-NPLB2CghGcmJzT_7BLZeCNe2uDdG7Fx1QmV2e_0LvHDpRtf85DHv87Z2/s640/DSC01479.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The jungle in this area is lush and it seemed surreal to walk </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">where scenes of "Tarzan" episodes could have been filmed. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJMxD7VsR6scsCh0_TOUFsbJzI6Ahc38cNN04TPMQ-wbbQQ5Xh82d9nvtrKuHrO3-aWKwTbQzT3xBUKuOFa_SYxseoEhfbydPp0uW4YzieG_0xfEo9D2sKL6mUym8XATEkY0u0vudvtWk/s1600/DSC01421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJMxD7VsR6scsCh0_TOUFsbJzI6Ahc38cNN04TPMQ-wbbQQ5Xh82d9nvtrKuHrO3-aWKwTbQzT3xBUKuOFa_SYxseoEhfbydPp0uW4YzieG_0xfEo9D2sKL6mUym8XATEkY0u0vudvtWk/s640/DSC01421.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We rescue orphaned and injured gorillas and chimpanzees, some only days old, hours from death. Once they are in our care, we work around the clock in the Mefou Primate Park to give them urgent veterinary care and nourishment." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"In the protected zone at Mefou, safe from poachers, the animals are cared for by our trained experts, many of them local community members who have joined our team. Eventually, when the young orphans are strong enough, we reintroduce them to groups of their own kind in safe and controlled environments." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> www.apeactionafrica.org </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZAGfGazyb_wAD3NNnpjn8ntHvXab9b2EifpVvO2ybZwgTul6XigsbwCCOnCfNlAY5nb3ePOA-2ChVAb_Xx-i7y-wbCTTBz2CH_G5W0xS4iILfuTPVy0qyZ41DWVzjRk_c26hNoZYL6Zl/s1600/DSC01418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZAGfGazyb_wAD3NNnpjn8ntHvXab9b2EifpVvO2ybZwgTul6XigsbwCCOnCfNlAY5nb3ePOA-2ChVAb_Xx-i7y-wbCTTBz2CH_G5W0xS4iILfuTPVy0qyZ41DWVzjRk_c26hNoZYL6Zl/s640/DSC01418.jpg" width="598" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The organization has different primates separated by breed and age groups in large, natural enclosures. It was interesting to watch how they interacted with us as we came by. Some of them watched us intently, while others were clearly bothered by our appearance. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUtNpIyM6g7f29pEbVbYMDsvJOnu-kSusnFNFogGr5XnZRjJnGz9ypvzkhRIaz6SDjrh403NFzKYS-1DmsY8BmIHJWs1CANGPVJ0RyRipTzDV-17LIG21l_tFjfsW02miG9GwjPywbLPv/s1600/DSC01410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUtNpIyM6g7f29pEbVbYMDsvJOnu-kSusnFNFogGr5XnZRjJnGz9ypvzkhRIaz6SDjrh403NFzKYS-1DmsY8BmIHJWs1CANGPVJ0RyRipTzDV-17LIG21l_tFjfsW02miG9GwjPywbLPv/s640/DSC01410.jpg" width="488" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We are committed to identifying areas that can be set aside as protected habitat for rescued gorillas and chimpanzees. It is our hope that one day the great apes and monkeys in our care will be released back into the wild, where they belong." </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> www.apeactionafrica.org </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GjG5AcGHYQTnQXViyqMJxAFFZVaexEh5F1uFHxcwwd0uUGc13jiHvAjr172XYJdVO_ZTK4lEIDzlS9-CAub0ERdZyNH-B6XAz8_FZZ7BjCtgXHGAY-hsW93euYD7aYrpUWt1jLz_poFN/s1600/DSC01429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5GjG5AcGHYQTnQXViyqMJxAFFZVaexEh5F1uFHxcwwd0uUGc13jiHvAjr172XYJdVO_ZTK4lEIDzlS9-CAub0ERdZyNH-B6XAz8_FZZ7BjCtgXHGAY-hsW93euYD7aYrpUWt1jLz_poFN/s640/DSC01429.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your U.S. tax dollars are at work in Cameroon - for a very worthy project. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Protecting the primates help in protecting the people of West/Central Africa, which in turn protects us ALL from the spread of preventable diseases. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDwpNpdF_xapWSJadPfrovViXz8saQsr6Ldc6698EeGOYLj3zwoVX2pK2FDGBjLRVVhdpc6d_t9y62Nr3CsHEGzwAsmhHdubTuzTbgkkC1ifGyTJCZlNc1IvXjkm7IDuJdUG6tESzlSVp/s1600/DSC01431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDwpNpdF_xapWSJadPfrovViXz8saQsr6Ldc6698EeGOYLj3zwoVX2pK2FDGBjLRVVhdpc6d_t9y62Nr3CsHEGzwAsmhHdubTuzTbgkkC1ifGyTJCZlNc1IvXjkm7IDuJdUG6tESzlSVp/s640/DSC01431.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are teenage chimpanzees and they provided the most interesting interaction of the day. After the largest male watched us for a short time, he jumped up, grabbed a stick and bellowed. He then ran about 20 yards across the front of the pen, drawing a line with the stick across the sand. We were clear that the <i>line in the sand</i> was his way of marking off the area that we should not cross. He ran back and forth a few times 'threatening' us with his voice and clapping loudly before he settled down - turning his back to us for the rest of the 'visit.' I've always heard about the proverbial 'line in the sand'. Now I have seen it firsthand! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqC3OZhHLVatDLiqAffgMU55-6dvjd7GP4hpQ6RBkxg1qNjwBt8NCxxLAGOaATSZ9tPtRpA-yMghIuDbIZ4lCLFgotqtQxryiegZrjnBQ9LXvkmZ5jnhW0aLssQUd1fBCmn8MK-VzJ7Or/s1600/DSC01434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqC3OZhHLVatDLiqAffgMU55-6dvjd7GP4hpQ6RBkxg1qNjwBt8NCxxLAGOaATSZ9tPtRpA-yMghIuDbIZ4lCLFgotqtQxryiegZrjnBQ9LXvkmZ5jnhW0aLssQUd1fBCmn8MK-VzJ7Or/s640/DSC01434.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The park has approximately 350 primates in their care with 110 chimps and 20+ gorillas. Once they leave the veterinary care and go into the pens, it is sometimes a struggle to keep them in. These animals are smart and constantly figure out how to get out. Electric fences help - and most of the pens have two separate barriers. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHLZuzyl3hyphenhyphenc5L6DW24hM_VSI0SqYQxAgSzBUqMlzzXLqmrZvLK_sE3JR_6TEUNHVqzqMqPkoOPg5SDZCTziGK6Ja6wirIxWfeuyoWsM4vggC2K_Mp5iloEwvf33eCApBq0cuKx3NuE67/s1600/DSC01423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHLZuzyl3hyphenhyphenc5L6DW24hM_VSI0SqYQxAgSzBUqMlzzXLqmrZvLK_sE3JR_6TEUNHVqzqMqPkoOPg5SDZCTziGK6Ja6wirIxWfeuyoWsM4vggC2K_Mp5iloEwvf33eCApBq0cuKx3NuE67/s640/DSC01423.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we walked in the jungle, we were amazed at the different types of trees and plants. I looked up and couldn't resist a picture of the light shining through. What beauty! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M7NVLBozYx8sQ8gV3OLYy5l-hkhtjTqCe2y3ngfSF-3x_SQYW-I-0Wz0b1iwCbp0yTVy9a0YI1am48EIgwpdmqNh7JfYdt6bCzyjTGYwSjS0lhKtrHJ6Ci4mlnnHS0befsNN_o4Jv0yf/s1600/DSC01416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9M7NVLBozYx8sQ8gV3OLYy5l-hkhtjTqCe2y3ngfSF-3x_SQYW-I-0Wz0b1iwCbp0yTVy9a0YI1am48EIgwpdmqNh7JfYdt6bCzyjTGYwSjS0lhKtrHJ6Ci4mlnnHS0befsNN_o4Jv0yf/s640/DSC01416.jpg" width="482" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a male mandrill - one of the largest monkeys in the world and related to the Baboon family. They live only in the rain forests of equatorial Africa and they are endangered since many Africans consider them to be a great delicacy. Their faces are hairless with a very distinctive red and white color, which becomes brighter when the animal is excited. Their cheeks have built-in pouches that are used to store food for later consumption. They also have yellowish or golden beards and are considered to be the most colorful male mammals. The females are lighter in color with less distinctive tones. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2myHf4lfTz9Ppf3CQVmZCv0UQvTugsIo5DA_P-1oPVlIpY_AAs9bm08fcVtK0I33ZD3Pv3lgRqKze3sTE8iPdWfIef2aFulW95V5S1KZxc8XNivf10D3RuOE9yPQNogtO9jCSHEJech3b/s1600/DSC01415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2myHf4lfTz9Ppf3CQVmZCv0UQvTugsIo5DA_P-1oPVlIpY_AAs9bm08fcVtK0I33ZD3Pv3lgRqKze3sTE8iPdWfIef2aFulW95V5S1KZxc8XNivf10D3RuOE9yPQNogtO9jCSHEJech3b/s640/DSC01415.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mandrills (males) are also known for their colorful rumps, which are bright blue and pink, depending on age. The colors make it easier to follow in the jungle and apparently the colors attract the females. Mandrills live in troops (or hordes), which are headed by dominant males and may include a dozen or more females and young. They are mainly terrestrial monkeys and they move with long arms to forge for fruits, small animals and roots on the ground. They typically climb up into the trees in order to sleep. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="color: #333333;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEzOT0TJhLFM7oUjXiL0CcdYZoJ9aD8ogRfooJ5uOqn0MXrnrRwqCMU69ZA3d8QRlBh80F_H809LEeNIH1JntrpbH-YoDzRblQ50f3zKI3V5FCq2eVETIHCk2h_V0ntwknN9fk4AboViX/s1600/DSC01446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEzOT0TJhLFM7oUjXiL0CcdYZoJ9aD8ogRfooJ5uOqn0MXrnrRwqCMU69ZA3d8QRlBh80F_H809LEeNIH1JntrpbH-YoDzRblQ50f3zKI3V5FCq2eVETIHCk2h_V0ntwknN9fk4AboViX/s640/DSC01446.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Ncarla, a female gorilla, was rescued as a baby and still lives in Mefou. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is her footprint in 2009. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxf5xx95KE1C8HMmJ6fRPqLHt5_QpGaGqnEov7vvVq1FFaGrGdl_9HziUAdgwr3eMvfeH4u6ltcJ9lwGTozfwTrwtJKs-dIUigyFshwTlbDpTbbCqEn9kIlOikpVwMnqJpMopUNVN-8av/s1600/DSC01470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxf5xx95KE1C8HMmJ6fRPqLHt5_QpGaGqnEov7vvVq1FFaGrGdl_9HziUAdgwr3eMvfeH4u6ltcJ9lwGTozfwTrwtJKs-dIUigyFshwTlbDpTbbCqEn9kIlOikpVwMnqJpMopUNVN-8av/s640/DSC01470.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This baby was stressed when we walked up. He went to his mother for comfort. We were clearly bothering them to be close by. Many of these animals have seen men slaughter their family members, so seeing a strange human could be bothersome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIkSpst4eWbbeQCvLkZw5Kh0Y7XOrxgbovljiPspbEaIb3SqzP_E0MCjN_BYHXiePQJORIC8VpHpUBr0hgd25sHqGJAizQ3GP-Fxp0z-wJoVR9fQ24H-_5aX48FyUjHDGAPpB0cCGjBG0/s1600/DSC01464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIkSpst4eWbbeQCvLkZw5Kh0Y7XOrxgbovljiPspbEaIb3SqzP_E0MCjN_BYHXiePQJORIC8VpHpUBr0hgd25sHqGJAizQ3GP-Fxp0z-wJoVR9fQ24H-_5aX48FyUjHDGAPpB0cCGjBG0/s640/DSC01464.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These chimps were holding hands, probably as a comfort move around us. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n2TlfyugI2kiKWBwPnhr9uM2IsxHxLEjeO0cqcoTbscsj6MjczrkEcy-iuZz3LgTITBhwccQbPKQQ09GW2wwD1BjgIOVTTZFNOTNsa4EO0CvVEkpR7yo_c31YleEFnGwaF9lte5K0rB6/s1600/DSC01468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2n2TlfyugI2kiKWBwPnhr9uM2IsxHxLEjeO0cqcoTbscsj6MjczrkEcy-iuZz3LgTITBhwccQbPKQQ09GW2wwD1BjgIOVTTZFNOTNsa4EO0CvVEkpR7yo_c31YleEFnGwaF9lte5K0rB6/s640/DSC01468.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, this little guy was most interested in entertaining us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was comical in showing off for our group! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntIDi3XV-cxf_xybdSqfOB3rhO0qLloF-6g1Y7phjQH-Ewa7WcDqTVX8oG1x1xFPNoi9a8AlHLAXr4gTM_JDhjMRft_pXkmEWkwxR3LewIxVPndybYU6FCB9PZ3CxJQmvYnwaNuU28jOk/s1600/DSC01503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntIDi3XV-cxf_xybdSqfOB3rhO0qLloF-6g1Y7phjQH-Ewa7WcDqTVX8oG1x1xFPNoi9a8AlHLAXr4gTM_JDhjMRft_pXkmEWkwxR3LewIxVPndybYU6FCB9PZ3CxJQmvYnwaNuU28jOk/s640/DSC01503.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Mefou Primate park was well marked with paths </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">through the jungle to the next enclosure. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56sqP0-rlAZbBG-1P99WZa7cKGKh7q8fnCY6JP_i-ui4Gx69r7nU2iegLNNfRe7709DHvFXFrMT-2kpjNbHSYP_XePWX45fObCeVTTZltIc445MXgZy-QLpEDp1_z45oSWyux_KffEvsA/s1600/DSC01480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56sqP0-rlAZbBG-1P99WZa7cKGKh7q8fnCY6JP_i-ui4Gx69r7nU2iegLNNfRe7709DHvFXFrMT-2kpjNbHSYP_XePWX45fObCeVTTZltIc445MXgZy-QLpEDp1_z45oSWyux_KffEvsA/s640/DSC01480.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While the park is rustic and true to nature, it was also well done overall. Emphasis was placed on the care of the animals instead of the surroundings, which was impressive. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZD0yfJAaMqZIOy6561TXh2RSema1m1SLCRC8vhzgvPFF_ibbmZLPnIkrK9PHTEMSe1F4o8fBqDaO1lxTJmxlq_up6GK8NZD_V4WLFm1JWNdQrxBEtWKTY7_wlNe32YzOR5pcesJ2GeKf/s1600/DSC01443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZD0yfJAaMqZIOy6561TXh2RSema1m1SLCRC8vhzgvPFF_ibbmZLPnIkrK9PHTEMSe1F4o8fBqDaO1lxTJmxlq_up6GK8NZD_V4WLFm1JWNdQrxBEtWKTY7_wlNe32YzOR5pcesJ2GeKf/s640/DSC01443.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a Western Lowland Gorilla which is indigenous to equatorial Africa. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrxLPY4pw1PtOYmxPETGktdjnq8wxM4On5P_cuX0BYtbikBFQKBoQWIcvkvEi9ZCgnL_dIjv3m19HwDWaIijV9YSPtbu_4XwWCxyDjK6WKUA4x-O5pYd7Muox29_7WTFMZgGCQn_oE-xD/s1600/DSC01448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrxLPY4pw1PtOYmxPETGktdjnq8wxM4On5P_cuX0BYtbikBFQKBoQWIcvkvEi9ZCgnL_dIjv3m19HwDWaIijV9YSPtbu_4XwWCxyDjK6WKUA4x-O5pYd7Muox29_7WTFMZgGCQn_oE-xD/s640/DSC01448.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">The gorilla is the largest living primate, characteristically a stocky animal with broad chest and shoulders, large hands, and forearms which are much shorter than the upper arms. The face is hairless and black in color, with small eyes that are close together and large, very prominent nostrils.</span><span style="color: #222222;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yOyxAs05b2YsiIaBYmV_kENAFh4tDUnpZ0a4XmBMP7gEGhsCwUvVoc3fFfa_HABu_p2Mn2-UUjcvwSgdM3pCbGOorZOOyUB-j2VjFr66-dW7VnYWlW2zLNv5ZWh6xO1QeI6kf4Dx5gOZ/s1600/DSC01453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9yOyxAs05b2YsiIaBYmV_kENAFh4tDUnpZ0a4XmBMP7gEGhsCwUvVoc3fFfa_HABu_p2Mn2-UUjcvwSgdM3pCbGOorZOOyUB-j2VjFr66-dW7VnYWlW2zLNv5ZWh6xO1QeI6kf4Dx5gOZ/s640/DSC01453.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This male just stared at us, finding us as interesting as we found him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found it informative to learn that the gorillas are emotionally more fragile than the chimps - especially after trauma. They respond like humans and can shut down completely and die of a broken heart. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZ0ddOKfsUf_qTrr9ung-5RPJ6wcL73tlTDWYpEgAeMw_HExGUGOWk_UkUyQjkiUDeio4ZvPC0fl4eA1p_n-wsu0mwN1S2PyIQZzDKhkhwfA_74ctMkUOWhzmumlG2dns0iMjuwRBo0b9/s1600/DSC01487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZ0ddOKfsUf_qTrr9ung-5RPJ6wcL73tlTDWYpEgAeMw_HExGUGOWk_UkUyQjkiUDeio4ZvPC0fl4eA1p_n-wsu0mwN1S2PyIQZzDKhkhwfA_74ctMkUOWhzmumlG2dns0iMjuwRBo0b9/s640/DSC01487.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This HUGE male gorilla is referred to as a Silverback, which is the mature, experienced male leader of the troop in the wild. The silverback is responsible for the safety of his group and also makes the decisions for food and shelter. The silverbacks <span style="color: #333333;">frequently show off their strength by tearing off branches and shaking trees.</span><span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonHZRpCj5y5ssUe6JUsbULyc7dA-bVWYdvhmKDDZc3rUODNjxF9f7J11-fdXqQDNRxbfnT0BOAnHFybhgBpO2ZtEC_OJr82z__NsjUJhXRrXW7u8VbcjfCAXQpiJwfP5ZrKCR3gaSbNuV/s1600/DSC01485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonHZRpCj5y5ssUe6JUsbULyc7dA-bVWYdvhmKDDZc3rUODNjxF9f7J11-fdXqQDNRxbfnT0BOAnHFybhgBpO2ZtEC_OJr82z__NsjUJhXRrXW7u8VbcjfCAXQpiJwfP5ZrKCR3gaSbNuV/s640/DSC01485.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were fascinated with this gorilla. She discovered that wood was not a conductor of electricity and used the branch to lift the electrical wires. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuDcjQXji7qQSQ2lf2uK1C5ywGy1RWSssXh1Cjb6OC-xqPSlAmsoBWRGGGWTQoS6iFMmX6eSFPN0wjEVxAK41noGsTyCk9MPuRuqGg5vNr8ybL7VEse_T1wj4i8s7A1X6T7VwmRnVgfqG/s1600/DSC01500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuDcjQXji7qQSQ2lf2uK1C5ywGy1RWSssXh1Cjb6OC-xqPSlAmsoBWRGGGWTQoS6iFMmX6eSFPN0wjEVxAK41noGsTyCk9MPuRuqGg5vNr8ybL7VEse_T1wj4i8s7A1X6T7VwmRnVgfqG/s640/DSC01500.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She wanted something right outside the fence and was able to stick her hand through with the help of the wood and retrieve it. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankfully there were two sets of electrical fences, but my guess is that she could figure out a way to get out if she really wanted. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Klc_sV1dCf3uXs3VYQPauyzrmp55A5Ib7xlpFIIJ06yTHGsC9Kk34uAKzTceoxJ5we0shvenHs5Sd0KRBsIKuR3i7MmQ6ZL25ODb9dV0bWGizT1N0DpBvhh0Wq-CTpGrJ5KDRW50OQ6b/s1600/DSC01473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Klc_sV1dCf3uXs3VYQPauyzrmp55A5Ib7xlpFIIJ06yTHGsC9Kk34uAKzTceoxJ5we0shvenHs5Sd0KRBsIKuR3i7MmQ6ZL25ODb9dV0bWGizT1N0DpBvhh0Wq-CTpGrJ5KDRW50OQ6b/s1600/DSC01473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Klc_sV1dCf3uXs3VYQPauyzrmp55A5Ib7xlpFIIJ06yTHGsC9Kk34uAKzTceoxJ5we0shvenHs5Sd0KRBsIKuR3i7MmQ6ZL25ODb9dV0bWGizT1N0DpBvhh0Wq-CTpGrJ5KDRW50OQ6b/s640/DSC01473.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we were leaving the forest, we were amazed at the size of the Obeche trees. These hardwoods grow only in the tropical part of West Africa and are used for lumber, both locally and as an export product. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trees grow to over 100 feet tall and have a trunk diameter of 5 feet. We often see these huge trees loaded on trucks going through Douala. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd0m8BNSBAANhiTBZ_mFyvgZCkDZcs0Mdt9UR9iQbDLH1GOTAy2bpbslmgWvGbwGBvZbZUcAy_vs6W0WMNbj87K0dKNzwBx9LfUCgv9hUVgYULj9h7lmJ-1d3e-f_4-NygNB6Si6TpCa-/s1600/DSC01391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLd0m8BNSBAANhiTBZ_mFyvgZCkDZcs0Mdt9UR9iQbDLH1GOTAy2bpbslmgWvGbwGBvZbZUcAy_vs6W0WMNbj87K0dKNzwBx9LfUCgv9hUVgYULj9h7lmJ-1d3e-f_4-NygNB6Si6TpCa-/s640/DSC01391.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> At the exit of Mefou Park, I was happy to see some traditional mud houses up close. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMzbqKYT1gBjvHE_4IHnWPC6rzBVwcGHfdvdzud1mUdCuJnk6iiZOVzbtfDkkevmK174T_N2EJeaJI1F-76DAJz07WGmDH71YwnElxxsZxeHYPIpJXeWu0K8ku_EP4dLbt3n1TPNOmObR/s1600/DSC01392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMzbqKYT1gBjvHE_4IHnWPC6rzBVwcGHfdvdzud1mUdCuJnk6iiZOVzbtfDkkevmK174T_N2EJeaJI1F-76DAJz07WGmDH71YwnElxxsZxeHYPIpJXeWu0K8ku_EP4dLbt3n1TPNOmObR/s640/DSC01392.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The houses are rectangular structures made of dried-mud bricks and thin posts. Roofs are sometimes made of thatched </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffia" style="background-image: none; color: #0b0080; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;" title="Raffia">raffia</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #252525;"> palm, but more commonly seen with corrugated aluminum or tin.</span></span><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eP_1FZb9Cfb_Vck3FX43siPx7iXmXVXPmCZJQc3Qo1x5ssuadEAOVBrBOJv1rN5J_EdGjMRqYG4tJefdK5LCbIvtQULXalqnFekZV-R1GUCmVwjBac_6HpnCUKlVhsWsAUsMJzqHZL_q/s1600/DSC01404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eP_1FZb9Cfb_Vck3FX43siPx7iXmXVXPmCZJQc3Qo1x5ssuadEAOVBrBOJv1rN5J_EdGjMRqYG4tJefdK5LCbIvtQULXalqnFekZV-R1GUCmVwjBac_6HpnCUKlVhsWsAUsMJzqHZL_q/s640/DSC01404.JPG" width="640" /></a>I liked this picture of the Park workers' laundry hanging outside one of the houses. This is so typical of what we see and a good example</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">of daily life in this part of Cameroon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our day at Mefou Primate Park was wonderful and a rare glimpse into the life of the bush. What a great opportunity to see life in the wild up close and personal! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Yaoundé is the nation's capital and lies approximately 140 miles east of Douala. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C2B97THJTRRyuhKdwTybr1bdkN53dHnJCKgXfGCYG9pAol8URlscpKgwjnWTtE9_otd6P5j1Fgl-M9ZzAvcTcZ4Puv-oEy9WCEbUhBtptDfyuEqO8HK2BtGoet0CizenGg9MX2od0JDA/s1600/came-MMAP-md.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1C2B97THJTRRyuhKdwTybr1bdkN53dHnJCKgXfGCYG9pAol8URlscpKgwjnWTtE9_otd6P5j1Fgl-M9ZzAvcTcZ4Puv-oEy9WCEbUhBtptDfyuEqO8HK2BtGoet0CizenGg9MX2od0JDA/s640/came-MMAP-md.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The road from Douala to Yaoundé is a two lane, rural road known for its many accidents. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The volume of traffic, the trucks and the winding turns make it dangerous. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3QRDCj_QvtoRb3bVvBB1UyR9DZ7Dlw0flhRWtZi0U1UHoH8l6b9_LOZg_DVyh0_BCGK2uulbnWvQl71WNrO3AXiXGwNNWMX5-rHV9jzI447Syi0HjE_-IbQ1RI8O60Ez4DVaobW91hjr/s1600/DSC01326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3QRDCj_QvtoRb3bVvBB1UyR9DZ7Dlw0flhRWtZi0U1UHoH8l6b9_LOZg_DVyh0_BCGK2uulbnWvQl71WNrO3AXiXGwNNWMX5-rHV9jzI447Syi0HjE_-IbQ1RI8O60Ez4DVaobW91hjr/s640/DSC01326.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Getting out of Douala can also be a challenge. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took us over an hour to go the first 15 miles. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBBIMvUBrNK3zUAeFMLzWtXaludh2Xv0MwCyfXkQcjMlFDYfYtBaupzVtY8CJOVdo1IDiN6FeEI5f9GpwQReYRF7-BMRaNpmOPgMjosYiZ4t_YjGFMpEjbEjBN78zkhsskmgt2Am9jbVE/s1600/DSC01332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBBIMvUBrNK3zUAeFMLzWtXaludh2Xv0MwCyfXkQcjMlFDYfYtBaupzVtY8CJOVdo1IDiN6FeEI5f9GpwQReYRF7-BMRaNpmOPgMjosYiZ4t_YjGFMpEjbEjBN78zkhsskmgt2Am9jbVE/s640/DSC01332.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The journey is sometimes more interesting than the destination - especially in Africa. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7859bHWok5rmdah4ygDTm-HavvXM4IaIzgtHoXhX717ZuuDJev2yjBAF_W30jb1U5-s7kMkCNSBZIaejMqSUv-316OlxGX8NoZfBdE6Agj2e407yo1y9kQnBV5e8E6NtgLJmMl39gcKj/s1600/DSC01334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7859bHWok5rmdah4ygDTm-HavvXM4IaIzgtHoXhX717ZuuDJev2yjBAF_W30jb1U5-s7kMkCNSBZIaejMqSUv-316OlxGX8NoZfBdE6Agj2e407yo1y9kQnBV5e8E6NtgLJmMl39gcKj/s640/DSC01334.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Palm oil, a type of edible vegetable oil mainly used for frying and for </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">cooking beans, is sold by the side of the road all over West/Central Africa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The red oil comes from the palm fruit of the African oil palm </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">tree and is very high in saturated fat. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSExiuoDNy2kpcUR3waHMN0YM3QGKvP1lDC-z0pxSAZwrASPFRVeLk1H35CVTXfK6o-oAe5gEFUApv_BDNHOB1B03WTZwlBhUjgb9mech21CHkIZAujA_0qfsvxsNKWwIQHJnbsr5xcDEt/s1600/DSC01335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSExiuoDNy2kpcUR3waHMN0YM3QGKvP1lDC-z0pxSAZwrASPFRVeLk1H35CVTXfK6o-oAe5gEFUApv_BDNHOB1B03WTZwlBhUjgb9mech21CHkIZAujA_0qfsvxsNKWwIQHJnbsr5xcDEt/s640/DSC01335.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Roadside cafe - Cameroonian style. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG64IzivrFmFCzxCmjUAnKpv5v7kQiy51ythMOybPx5c3xZ74Ed4m0CXEx-0aO84eVd3azcCK7b6fFXt22irRFrNFXLCnJp3KtpbE_v3i-SgwBtFWxcGsfMeV1YFWYFTCAi5V1XqByOFQe/s1600/DSC01347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG64IzivrFmFCzxCmjUAnKpv5v7kQiy51ythMOybPx5c3xZ74Ed4m0CXEx-0aO84eVd3azcCK7b6fFXt22irRFrNFXLCnJp3KtpbE_v3i-SgwBtFWxcGsfMeV1YFWYFTCAi5V1XqByOFQe/s640/DSC01347.jpg" width="518" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Traffic continued normally while this truck was on fire. We could feel the </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">heat </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">inside of our car while we passed. Abandoned and wrecked vehicles tend </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">to be left by the side of the road - and then burned by "officials" to get rid of them. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQEJghyP6C6YZ7QDkopL4r9jKjwJs6LGXHesCjs0tvyRZ0ghAovdajh3ISOxSDoqnS4SFRjbIgurheEcv1Hh8Tzd6Iq89PzKoO_L7jy1T04bch1RD0ED2TJc8u2SpSpW9FZu3O-IWqSMt/s1600/DSC01349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQEJghyP6C6YZ7QDkopL4r9jKjwJs6LGXHesCjs0tvyRZ0ghAovdajh3ISOxSDoqnS4SFRjbIgurheEcv1Hh8Tzd6Iq89PzKoO_L7jy1T04bch1RD0ED2TJc8u2SpSpW9FZu3O-IWqSMt/s640/DSC01349.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We assume that this one will be set on fire next. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1oQkM14MbQSkQgSJgulOOrHtfx1SJpjm6WTdwzj6R_rLMhc5TJhLRJvVHiAzSoHyNR7mg5XjQaRBXw3DdMBMSdGtuJi0Fq-7_rGf756clc6JnRC29AqXb7DUM8pJIB9Q4nfwJtv5xwWS/s1600/DSC01343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd1oQkM14MbQSkQgSJgulOOrHtfx1SJpjm6WTdwzj6R_rLMhc5TJhLRJvVHiAzSoHyNR7mg5XjQaRBXw3DdMBMSdGtuJi0Fq-7_rGf756clc6JnRC29AqXb7DUM8pJIB9Q4nfwJtv5xwWS/s640/DSC01343.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This car in front of us has a LIVE goat on top strapped down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I suppose they want the meat to be fresh when they arrive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Notice the oncoming car has a CASKET strapped to the roof. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You just can't make this stuff up! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWUX4c3DlHJ4lPy-NnE-n-nIdjYvfHjEqncsCmyuB9tEec8PBLuclYfV9_a_hFrHGNAdjwYp7N2BIB5AEWev5lCKA-fdx-ZsQ_CW2-3j5Qre9t_8DIGZRWAS2XRhYHMBR6zSW7GTvrRKN/s1600/DSC01353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWUX4c3DlHJ4lPy-NnE-n-nIdjYvfHjEqncsCmyuB9tEec8PBLuclYfV9_a_hFrHGNAdjwYp7N2BIB5AEWev5lCKA-fdx-ZsQ_CW2-3j5Qre9t_8DIGZRWAS2XRhYHMBR6zSW7GTvrRKN/s640/DSC01353.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There were scenic parts of the countryside too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rOSUoB1CsZK_ACcY5ZAzdoatR3iYoks-xC5aof3p9VPJB3axyOpWspZA3oI0xp6bVgIdBTu3bcr38CNQUWzStxFAKxI37BAlm9YJhCGFtuxaU7nAPmKb7N-Sdhg6zCR-znK9hIr90BlJ/s1600/DSC01545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rOSUoB1CsZK_ACcY5ZAzdoatR3iYoks-xC5aof3p9VPJB3axyOpWspZA3oI0xp6bVgIdBTu3bcr38CNQUWzStxFAKxI37BAlm9YJhCGFtuxaU7nAPmKb7N-Sdhg6zCR-znK9hIr90BlJ/s640/DSC01545.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we passed this area, we saw freshly killed grasscutter (similar to a super-sized rat) hanging </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">by the road. We also saw smoke in the distance. Our driver explained </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that they were </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">setting fires to run out animals in the bush to catch them easily. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Bush meat is very </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">popular here and includes monkeys, snakes, grass cutters, rats - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and everything else that </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">might live in the bush. When they catch it, they just hang</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> it on a pole by the road and </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> someone will buy in within a short time. A few </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">minutes later, we saw an ENORMOUS fish </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hanging by the side of the road too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I guess if you stop, someone will happily sell it to you. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drive by, bush meat - at your service! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN80DV_evWYyNRAj1oOkswwVaGmqZw7BNf0aa1VbmdI2omkCdfwOeqItTjrn2ypknlKOsymZqJJL8r_HX_RcJ6KbPZER0a29VWmqvSd9pDW7Iiio8kK-rdRcFZzH3PGjfbviFD7iC89ipL/s1600/DSC01359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN80DV_evWYyNRAj1oOkswwVaGmqZw7BNf0aa1VbmdI2omkCdfwOeqItTjrn2ypknlKOsymZqJJL8r_HX_RcJ6KbPZER0a29VWmqvSd9pDW7Iiio8kK-rdRcFZzH3PGjfbviFD7iC89ipL/s640/DSC01359.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each little village along the way had a person collecting a "toll" to drive on the road. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There were also LOTS of vendors selling wares as the cars slowed down. I wanted to </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">get a close-up view of the ladies selling bobolo, but this was the best one I had. Bobolo is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">mashed up cassava steamed in cassava leaves and tied in a string. It is usually eaten with fish. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The people behind them are sitting in an outdoor restaurant. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCCcyzr4t6j8yTlUXwSHJf-kGKEkCSiwvwnuc_igtQaic2wLaq6EyhZJujPrEemlOtsAMrM4zKKfLubR9x9iUvCfIcKuoibhburjavafdjOz56megiQSaXrvaQLdyzhFyVpIeopZOIKv9/s1600/DSC01333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCCcyzr4t6j8yTlUXwSHJf-kGKEkCSiwvwnuc_igtQaic2wLaq6EyhZJujPrEemlOtsAMrM4zKKfLubR9x9iUvCfIcKuoibhburjavafdjOz56megiQSaXrvaQLdyzhFyVpIeopZOIKv9/s640/DSC01333.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Firewood can also be purchased easily. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jNlw42ti9NoKYOl7cLV8LF2sFcEATtwnwNosGkzRZq6l6r_qRRCiSnznPzxi-Ki527YCDs6yUoOjnL_mnPsTEKRDXdhUrCDf_bM3spYvcYqdJ6b3cUczrnsjZq7Exfq32vMkOMRqIgp0/s1600/DSC01528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jNlw42ti9NoKYOl7cLV8LF2sFcEATtwnwNosGkzRZq6l6r_qRRCiSnznPzxi-Ki527YCDs6yUoOjnL_mnPsTEKRDXdhUrCDf_bM3spYvcYqdJ6b3cUczrnsjZq7Exfq32vMkOMRqIgp0/s640/DSC01528.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Baskets grow on trees in some villages. :) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagixi2OPKUwmz2iSjaEahrt3AD-vh6Bn1J4DQK3CsSpLhGGVzGePYn5lvW0_PN1628XBbQLc786Di-x-pxIpO4Fl7yJnwOqag6ZegadkBnkvFpQ2mx2MIEgvh9PczJUPk64c5rpBGooEF/s1600/DSC01533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagixi2OPKUwmz2iSjaEahrt3AD-vh6Bn1J4DQK3CsSpLhGGVzGePYn5lvW0_PN1628XBbQLc786Di-x-pxIpO4Fl7yJnwOqag6ZegadkBnkvFpQ2mx2MIEgvh9PczJUPk64c5rpBGooEF/s640/DSC01533.JPG" width="430" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bananas are sold right off the branch. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt554pnD_-H-qnJpmKTHeQJVknZ2ejSHw87cls4js3WRi43zbYHPyE4vdSiYgmvGV0pzy-0Khqtst3TerJjclb0U2SmVH41ER8PXM8fz_t2qpAHszoBVO9WVhaeeaiVTr-j4Yj5NeSs2h/s1600/DSC01339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzt554pnD_-H-qnJpmKTHeQJVknZ2ejSHw87cls4js3WRi43zbYHPyE4vdSiYgmvGV0pzy-0Khqtst3TerJjclb0U2SmVH41ER8PXM8fz_t2qpAHszoBVO9WVhaeeaiVTr-j4Yj5NeSs2h/s640/DSC01339.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> One of the rivers we crossed on the way showed the diversity of the landscape.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCsRvVixtKgXcX2dY4jN6nH5YBoxcpWI2r_kVMn6FHqAM9-E1j58o5AwyGxyICGfZJM1GUi882zKIoOYZcoR4qhN1lQRWy-AshRGEkHck_-GvCa0ymyjlgiaBNxcrKPSdVOooWZWc_qvw/s1600/DSC01372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCsRvVixtKgXcX2dY4jN6nH5YBoxcpWI2r_kVMn6FHqAM9-E1j58o5AwyGxyICGfZJM1GUi882zKIoOYZcoR4qhN1lQRWy-AshRGEkHck_-GvCa0ymyjlgiaBNxcrKPSdVOooWZWc_qvw/s640/DSC01372.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we came into Yaoundé, it seemed to be dramatically different from Douala. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4J6Ryfrs6N3XoJeRfQYkuOlH2WYIFJS4bTNqyZRfvj-SQ4lJYLVofG5p74ip98e1eBNwQIZM3nvwAf5VsD0hGJIgN_uQKEHaLuZyaInpMPH8bml79ShqXDtQuJcgMXygRrK589tomVMoP/s1600/DSC01361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4J6Ryfrs6N3XoJeRfQYkuOlH2WYIFJS4bTNqyZRfvj-SQ4lJYLVofG5p74ip98e1eBNwQIZM3nvwAf5VsD0hGJIgN_uQKEHaLuZyaInpMPH8bml79ShqXDtQuJcgMXygRrK589tomVMoP/s640/DSC01361.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The streets are well paved in Yaoundé and more crowded, yet its chaos seems more </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">organized then Douala. Yaoundé is greener and spread out on a plateau over seven hills, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">which surround the city. It is also cleaner and boasts many 1970 style buildings, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">giving it an unkempt, dated appearance. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ScNKmRnohKqhOrtA1L9rPTMkzNXLXc-qzFt0wHwKCBBt6C62hI9b1z6xcpXaBfKXfKp4xdDdw9KLhyphenhyphenm5l3rP9KUI48KBq-AdbOOIkZC4AuXiUhCxbktRdwmiPfipMOeRhmnLdgtmp9tD/s1600/DSC01365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ScNKmRnohKqhOrtA1L9rPTMkzNXLXc-qzFt0wHwKCBBt6C62hI9b1z6xcpXaBfKXfKp4xdDdw9KLhyphenhyphenm5l3rP9KUI48KBq-AdbOOIkZC4AuXiUhCxbktRdwmiPfipMOeRhmnLdgtmp9tD/s640/DSC01365.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> The motorcyclist is wearing a hard hat - backwards - as his helmet, and this is not uncommon to see</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Notice the oncoming </span>bentiskin<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (motorcycle taxi) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">has a military man as his passenger. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDVecIvVKDPGuemcRkqE__3EP-4zz7NuZUqlGVutfvR5vgd_dXCyu94gREamoFr9IyTR_kHEKOicdsMNCKdlf3MJX40LIHW-7bSAcjvZrRDtgxw7-IhQukTs-Do3aTVQNtmGUQS5ft4Ge/s1600/DSC01373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDVecIvVKDPGuemcRkqE__3EP-4zz7NuZUqlGVutfvR5vgd_dXCyu94gREamoFr9IyTR_kHEKOicdsMNCKdlf3MJX40LIHW-7bSAcjvZrRDtgxw7-IhQukTs-Do3aTVQNtmGUQS5ft4Ge/s640/DSC01373.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wiring always makes me stare in wonder. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZSuia434eNK_LFMniIGCUOuE2AZD9qhHjiEwOyROAc6UYSksmoQJA9lXWI53xgPOZfXuA8Tis-XOfyJHrbpJ3JMHhTHZJqrJb9iTAQBkoQI0hary2DuxaJpWB1f91qiH1hQ3X8PzX1ee/s1600/DSC01362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZSuia434eNK_LFMniIGCUOuE2AZD9qhHjiEwOyROAc6UYSksmoQJA9lXWI53xgPOZfXuA8Tis-XOfyJHrbpJ3JMHhTHZJqrJb9iTAQBkoQI0hary2DuxaJpWB1f91qiH1hQ3X8PzX1ee/s640/DSC01362.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's such colorful activity on these African roads. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34N015eMF3t6DYV8T7uenUKmO8c0nLDvKApEQnjZN2MWj1__9dzDcmEdPEkiGytxLlXh61w1_4ntWUmAhB6vqCGv-GuHlAgYwHXqyyJRviNk-UGQpM3yU1n87wb5cyDYrkZxv4jNo1B2E/s1600/DSC01363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj34N015eMF3t6DYV8T7uenUKmO8c0nLDvKApEQnjZN2MWj1__9dzDcmEdPEkiGytxLlXh61w1_4ntWUmAhB6vqCGv-GuHlAgYwHXqyyJRviNk-UGQpM3yU1n87wb5cyDYrkZxv4jNo1B2E/s640/DSC01363.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I might mention that it is HOT here - and we are in the dry (hot) season in Cameroon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Even though Yaoundé is less humid and a tad bit cooler than Douala, it is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">still in the mid to upper 80s. I am always amazed when I see motorcycle </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">drivers wearing long sleeve jackets and wool caps. We were sweating! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XgxkwEQT8pb-bzbuGFNC1yVsfd5qleORBDwY-o1G1EMYWdXiZYeig8bHPJp_eBPU5xQmlsT7Dku4LbWuU0eENhVgZHUrDa1KEsiwHkgrKR0a4hFjw6TwLYBxmrGUr8nVgmxkG8BA5w2x/s1600/DSC01364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XgxkwEQT8pb-bzbuGFNC1yVsfd5qleORBDwY-o1G1EMYWdXiZYeig8bHPJp_eBPU5xQmlsT7Dku4LbWuU0eENhVgZHUrDa1KEsiwHkgrKR0a4hFjw6TwLYBxmrGUr8nVgmxkG8BA5w2x/s640/DSC01364.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We also noticed that the traffic overall in the capitol city is MUCH worse than Douala. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQOCKx55zgsxO0OyULw3sEGQpaD3sMBQbhTU7PNLLdswZ4VKYoO4hUo1bivaTYQ26T_ysEy6HCd3qUcZeR1k2Nf9FWpRP40vySFpuSGPktmBWi2Xpz8p9lEkICFTtiFIQPcz_bUOBlCI2/s1600/DSC01377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQOCKx55zgsxO0OyULw3sEGQpaD3sMBQbhTU7PNLLdswZ4VKYoO4hUo1bivaTYQ26T_ysEy6HCd3qUcZeR1k2Nf9FWpRP40vySFpuSGPktmBWi2Xpz8p9lEkICFTtiFIQPcz_bUOBlCI2/s640/DSC01377.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We sat in this traffic for a LONG time trying to get to our hotel. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXi1shGWq2LXQ_zVi1TvMjjbcKmmdh6n_afchRFD6o6-m5t-Hm86FO5xCnpiiEOgEOf8WE3WpvnbUkEYMPdo9uLkLpJc00b9dNEXYBScys8770Yow0E0hTlESjTxuJAGKAh3zmpWqUzTh/s1600/DSC01378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXi1shGWq2LXQ_zVi1TvMjjbcKmmdh6n_afchRFD6o6-m5t-Hm86FO5xCnpiiEOgEOf8WE3WpvnbUkEYMPdo9uLkLpJc00b9dNEXYBScys8770Yow0E0hTlESjTxuJAGKAh3zmpWqUzTh/s640/DSC01378.jpg" width="472" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We stayed at the Hilton in Yaoundé, which was very comfortable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I'm not sure that this particular bronze statue made us feel very</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> welcome. Possibly a man waving a machete with a head on a stick is </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">not the warm, fuzzy feeling that I expected from the Hilton Hotels. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> However, our room was spacious and clean, and it is the nicest </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">place we have</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> stayed at in all of West -Central Africa so far. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZcv2Hnur6gMFtCT96AE2n-DfdD7i7vob7Q5SM5ieUzdrOwl4xn0T8v1TkF99DNnNSOTjHZ7A52lBSlxg72GW291fxhYTBobPQP_Lvw-TvCh8D7iApccwhWhiWm3PcIPbSrvZq3kkSvh6/s1600/DSC01382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZcv2Hnur6gMFtCT96AE2n-DfdD7i7vob7Q5SM5ieUzdrOwl4xn0T8v1TkF99DNnNSOTjHZ7A52lBSlxg72GW291fxhYTBobPQP_Lvw-TvCh8D7iApccwhWhiWm3PcIPbSrvZq3kkSvh6/s640/DSC01382.jpg" width="538" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Driving around Yaounde brought typical scenes we have seen in other areas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However it still amazes me at the electrical lines. I think that many of the little </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">shops just add a cable to the main line and connect it directly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the original world wide web. :) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXwLl3fdbcrYSB0bSTw-THLVvGlYaxGSdz4-mRNFFHMRk6v1RVcFza4hxt8IfmcNhzPzHsxxHP4OspXiOIa4hsjouaOryrRcDc9onfZXzf7qMJ9Nsanx6tViUx1nwAtCJSZGWs79exmTY/s1600/DSC01327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXwLl3fdbcrYSB0bSTw-THLVvGlYaxGSdz4-mRNFFHMRk6v1RVcFza4hxt8IfmcNhzPzHsxxHP4OspXiOIa4hsjouaOryrRcDc9onfZXzf7qMJ9Nsanx6tViUx1nwAtCJSZGWs79exmTY/s640/DSC01327.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even with sand and rocks, you still have to make a living. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcFQms3KjVaU9owLVtbn9jIjNAxDacsus2n20gXKuIGPhYakndLvC3T-PKfFBlBaNLT1NdgqvUXiaI_-rB4il7YKs-tL2V19aoTh4cPMlBO4RElP35zeZoCpGVUqrANkf6D2Q-SUkUJaZ/s1600/DSC01329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcFQms3KjVaU9owLVtbn9jIjNAxDacsus2n20gXKuIGPhYakndLvC3T-PKfFBlBaNLT1NdgqvUXiaI_-rB4il7YKs-tL2V19aoTh4cPMlBO4RElP35zeZoCpGVUqrANkf6D2Q-SUkUJaZ/s640/DSC01329.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Throughout Cameroon (and other places in this area of the world), mattresses </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and furniture pieces are sold by the side of the road - rain OR shine. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ohQgnfMrnFzDBGimXB8pbungrBITm0kKUtXr3OyiVCupQckx4nje3FSosWfxeWBghWk5iks5nU9kWnZLcr_sRVLD3Cb_24F8xxtUlX8Gz8j7yQCoiJQsiWDge6bdibqMoWA7D3nzjCZp/s1600/DSC01532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ohQgnfMrnFzDBGimXB8pbungrBITm0kKUtXr3OyiVCupQckx4nje3FSosWfxeWBghWk5iks5nU9kWnZLcr_sRVLD3Cb_24F8xxtUlX8Gz8j7yQCoiJQsiWDge6bdibqMoWA7D3nzjCZp/s640/DSC01532.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We passed many colorful, busy markets in Yaoundé. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJXN1DVO6D27bLAMTrJjBoBJ24rCLQ9An7NaxIYAY6X9f4fDftCzrdcx3g5Kro4DxddDHcWA7Ddq4mmw8ZZBiSZatHs8Hn3CV4Tb00CncneBnwPnzcxWYrmLRlXwDydK7Zee4qT81LGmz/s1600/DSC01514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLJXN1DVO6D27bLAMTrJjBoBJ24rCLQ9An7NaxIYAY6X9f4fDftCzrdcx3g5Kro4DxddDHcWA7Ddq4mmw8ZZBiSZatHs8Hn3CV4Tb00CncneBnwPnzcxWYrmLRlXwDydK7Zee4qT81LGmz/s640/DSC01514.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It seems like women wear more traditional dress here than in Douala too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBcRSE6FaWyE_kFf3D5S3ynhfHAB1dz9WFkdlILaaAknQQ55wwg52NijHdjUI8bH4i3e48F_gYN8hkruOEjodbmMNzYjW1YWvaVu5fMrmg3J_15PVpYAoV-KmjndCr5-FyCrXaK04EBfD/s1600/DSC01383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBcRSE6FaWyE_kFf3D5S3ynhfHAB1dz9WFkdlILaaAknQQ55wwg52NijHdjUI8bH4i3e48F_gYN8hkruOEjodbmMNzYjW1YWvaVu5fMrmg3J_15PVpYAoV-KmjndCr5-FyCrXaK04EBfD/s640/DSC01383.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The green hills of Yaoundé were really different than the flat landscape of Douala. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> It was a nice change for us and we had a wonderful visit to the capitol city. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNL9kqUrh70fBrzDdWA9B7p5LToIAg8jts9fwW6lpMGWtMlHsVuhCNAWWTK3agzO67P3oyqe2CqBKqZgpRDz6UgHDFfxhU6pfn4hGhZrDaDsqmYjG9N2jXGIEKZEq-ymilXcEK8ym3eT_/s1600/DSC01519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNL9kqUrh70fBrzDdWA9B7p5LToIAg8jts9fwW6lpMGWtMlHsVuhCNAWWTK3agzO67P3oyqe2CqBKqZgpRDz6UgHDFfxhU6pfn4hGhZrDaDsqmYjG9N2jXGIEKZEq-ymilXcEK8ym3eT_/s640/DSC01519.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just in case we wanted to take the train, it runs daily between Douala and Yaoundé. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWIE2mPthcDadMaI07sgqDeggBUSv4wnlLn4DWAd-Ef9hnrl8juKoiC1bRl8ni7EPdKnhWoZjXMCdjusyIPH9TszY7y3fxI-brdket5TEft2n7d35aareYHL5PT-EItwVLyUhvbvBqbGl/s1600/DSC01521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWIE2mPthcDadMaI07sgqDeggBUSv4wnlLn4DWAd-Ef9hnrl8juKoiC1bRl8ni7EPdKnhWoZjXMCdjusyIPH9TszY7y3fxI-brdket5TEft2n7d35aareYHL5PT-EItwVLyUhvbvBqbGl/s640/DSC01521.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We also enjoyed a wonderful diner at a unique restaurant called Cafe de Yaoundé. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7-qXpCDEdoIWbwXbHuTIOigKLgF5zxXgiA0_cp9oaRXQhCniPxWkCNI10W1a7YFCfA-YiCxbYd96PgwOL-UE2Yb7Gm5SGoVxx8JXGhK0pG8BAgR5vArdpxTi_kGUxXYGnmfheHIs-P-_/s1600/DSC01522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7-qXpCDEdoIWbwXbHuTIOigKLgF5zxXgiA0_cp9oaRXQhCniPxWkCNI10W1a7YFCfA-YiCxbYd96PgwOL-UE2Yb7Gm5SGoVxx8JXGhK0pG8BAgR5vArdpxTi_kGUxXYGnmfheHIs-P-_/s640/DSC01522.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was open to the outdoors with levels of gardens and a variety of seating. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic74j7LJZF2XpFAmK-mGAbzmIumMfG-oAYc2nLYy_OZZcPI28ZwTNgFYKOBOxsqXfJQHPhYBltQfN4r6dHrfvSwCqf_-kWrGlFQZob2ZdrrYF0b04hzijMwn7HX4QUNrJw15Bf9CVIwycW/s1600/DSC01523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic74j7LJZF2XpFAmK-mGAbzmIumMfG-oAYc2nLYy_OZZcPI28ZwTNgFYKOBOxsqXfJQHPhYBltQfN4r6dHrfvSwCqf_-kWrGlFQZob2ZdrrYF0b04hzijMwn7HX4QUNrJw15Bf9CVIwycW/s640/DSC01523.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We enjoyed the dinner with friends in the wonderful ambiance of this eclectic cafe. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> It was a nice ending to a fun weekend in the capital city of Cameroon. </span></div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-53771042766059582282016-02-06T15:34:00.004-06:002016-02-06T15:34:45.029-06:00Burns Night Supper <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>One of the advantages of living as an expat is being </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>included in </i></span><i>wonderful traditions from around the world. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IBwRQGj79dnzMOwH6wZhv4ObzLKSUz3fLKGxVvL17_0MgOyBzr5m8Q7sD8yG7WW1EZbcoRXs1TRkGjdYQz1MDZbef7tifTcvUYyPwmU5FHlePB1oVw9-ThdUaf7OfFMX0wKj_un7C-N_/s1600/DSC01187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IBwRQGj79dnzMOwH6wZhv4ObzLKSUz3fLKGxVvL17_0MgOyBzr5m8Q7sD8yG7WW1EZbcoRXs1TRkGjdYQz1MDZbef7tifTcvUYyPwmU5FHlePB1oVw9-ThdUaf7OfFMX0wKj_un7C-N_/s640/DSC01187.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the past few years, we have been a part of the Caledonian Balls in Lagos, </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>so we were thrilled when a good 'Scottish' friend told us that she </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>had brought haggis back in her suitcase!! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It was all the motivation we needed to help create a Burns Night Supper. :) </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>January 25th is the birthday of the great Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Every year - on or around this date - there are worldwide gatherings </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>of Scots, celebrating the Bard's birthday. People come together</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> to pay tribute to the life, works and spirit of "Robbie" Burns. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Five years after the death of Burns, a group of his friends gathered to fondly </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>remember the poet. The event soon became an established tradition. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The first Burns Supper was held in 1801, so we carried on the </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>tradition in Douala that has been ongoing worldwide for 215 years!! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The evening began with John (our Scotsman) giving a welcome and</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> introducing the evening. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Richard (our other Scotsman) gave the traditional Selkirk Grace. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some hae meat and canna eat,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And some wad eat that want it,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But we hae meat and we can eat,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sae let the Lord be thankit.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Then to the tune "Scotland the Brave", we piped in the Haggis. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>For those who aren't familiar with Haggis, it is the heart of a real Scottish </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>meal - and crucial to Burns Night Suppers. Haggis is a mixture of</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> sheep's stomach stuffed with diced sheep's liver, lungs and heart along </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>with oatmeal, onion, suet and seasonings. If you can forget what </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>you are eating, </i></span></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;">it is really tasty. I had it in Scotland twice </i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;">and liked it before I figured </i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-weight: normal;">out what I was really eating. :) </i><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>As the bagpipes played, the Haggis was ceremoniously brought in on a</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> silver tray by Richard and placed on the table. </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>John did a great job with his "Address to the Haggis". </i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Here's part of his 'Address" below in a short 1 minute video. </i></span></span><br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hAb8RgjUgKQ/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hAb8RgjUgKQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;">J</span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;">ohn cut the Haggis and it was moved back to the kitchen for serving later. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMdMxjWOCfxMkH7zsJvhCcq2gRi3lM5biyDKmR_P7KwBhPgr_mKSC_a7opVEi4bzm-03P72Y5N-x1P45r3izi_2oHGYcx7fog6xulOs_lWalqy7YSNwAlDOqbf7ZNRmaZ0UVx00o5BOtg/s1600/DSC01198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMdMxjWOCfxMkH7zsJvhCcq2gRi3lM5biyDKmR_P7KwBhPgr_mKSC_a7opVEi4bzm-03P72Y5N-x1P45r3izi_2oHGYcx7fog6xulOs_lWalqy7YSNwAlDOqbf7ZNRmaZ0UVx00o5BOtg/s640/DSC01198.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The Haggis was toasted with a dram of Scotch Whisky </i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and signified the beginning of the meal. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRPp7qFvk_L3TWJNWK22RQaMXoApM1w_A_dH3tPuZgcJW1vfJezUJWZdPLgfzwH8JRa32LQ6EDxDugWkfiJJgeXCRA7wxneWo6LARIHgr7F7uYZGNpijA7vlxb8JzV8Gkh-wFWE7ayndi/s1600/DSC01196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRPp7qFvk_L3TWJNWK22RQaMXoApM1w_A_dH3tPuZgcJW1vfJezUJWZdPLgfzwH8JRa32LQ6EDxDugWkfiJJgeXCRA7wxneWo6LARIHgr7F7uYZGNpijA7vlxb8JzV8Gkh-wFWE7ayndi/s640/DSC01196.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The first course was Cock-A-Leekie Soup with bread and butter. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Cock-A-Leekie Soup contains chicken, broth, onions, leeks, carrots, thyme, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>parsley, rice or barley, </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">salt & pepper and prunes (to add a sweet flavor). </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was delicious! </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymhONTYvoKwrEoGj5WsUWZnxtzaMQ1pLzczE1b45MHGUFNF9diU9E-Ve2W908yTzYMcDPk7Ica05LdjT-NSCET4McTUEt0tlNcTCdC6DZOV0LDlZx_Ev08y0wZjd_t6zQYxPpTNkOBqTR/s1600/IMG_6391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymhONTYvoKwrEoGj5WsUWZnxtzaMQ1pLzczE1b45MHGUFNF9diU9E-Ve2W908yTzYMcDPk7Ica05LdjT-NSCET4McTUEt0tlNcTCdC6DZOV0LDlZx_Ev08y0wZjd_t6zQYxPpTNkOBqTR/s640/IMG_6391.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Somehow I missed taking a picture of the main plate with food! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The dinner was Burns Night traditional and contained Haggis and </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>minced (ground beef with seasonings and gravy), </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Neeps and Tatties (turnips and mashed potatoes), carrots </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>and green peas. It was a hearty dinner and </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>every single bit was flavorful and fabulous. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And yes, I ate the haggis! :) </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>However, the piéce de resîstance was the Sticky Toffee Pudding</i></div>
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<i> for dessert. This is a decadent piece of deliciousness and one of </i></div>
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<i>my all time favorite desserts. The pudding is made with dates so it is </i></div>
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<i>moist and tasty - but the caramel glaze just puts it over the TOP! </i></div>
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<i>We served it with ice cream (yum!) followed by Scottish Shortbread</i></div>
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<i> and a cheese board. We were stuffed - but very happy! </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tV0OzOGB80-Kc7wtyJdqLC74jFUD364n4Wo7LKP4ztKTQXdAsaUe2nuijJQHD5SNBPGt3wPJ30bg_orFfvssdsvbmbdyxXwPz3Gm0QoHm5RU3vlIs4a-QFOO4lCpDlCnmtM04arJvJ6M/s1600/DSC01199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tV0OzOGB80-Kc7wtyJdqLC74jFUD364n4Wo7LKP4ztKTQXdAsaUe2nuijJQHD5SNBPGt3wPJ30bg_orFfvssdsvbmbdyxXwPz3Gm0QoHm5RU3vlIs4a-QFOO4lCpDlCnmtM04arJvJ6M/s640/DSC01199.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Notice that I did NOT forget to take a picture of the dessert. :) </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>As the night progressed, John kept the comments going and then turned it over to Peter. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuPOwxTdJiIh9orRJMzxo4sCcXDzXbOJdVQxGcIt6aSPBQ7O20FYOBwU4YCT5soMKkmm1DSMskWPqJxmFOVmg2foOlxa2PjoNqSfzUUHBoNRchjSP6N_AoRozcyxzYA03YtXxhTe84q9c/s1600/DSC01205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuPOwxTdJiIh9orRJMzxo4sCcXDzXbOJdVQxGcIt6aSPBQ7O20FYOBwU4YCT5soMKkmm1DSMskWPqJxmFOVmg2foOlxa2PjoNqSfzUUHBoNRchjSP6N_AoRozcyxzYA03YtXxhTe84q9c/s640/DSC01205.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Peter did a Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>He did a wonderful job telling us about the poet and capturing the spirit of the evening. </i></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"So simply and eloquently did Burns express his feelings<br />that they have become part of our everyday dialogue.<br />Without thinking we often use his words and thoughts.<br />How often while reading the morning papers have we<br />pondered "Man’s humanity to man" or resigned ourselves<br /> to the truth that "nae man can tether time or tide" or<br /> steeled ourselves with resolve to "Do or Die"?</blockquote>
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<!--EndFragment--></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIVI37_NPuHuicTKqru2OHT5-sfWLWkES-F50_A9EAXb89y8Q2L29fuStMVxZJCpc5joo8s0x_unfeTPbfg8bfaC0SPfoTZ0R8xoUfC6dZRJ9SWohAkTqgBUqA-1AkNP3d4Mv4DvvvMSz/s1600/DSC01207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIVI37_NPuHuicTKqru2OHT5-sfWLWkES-F50_A9EAXb89y8Q2L29fuStMVxZJCpc5joo8s0x_unfeTPbfg8bfaC0SPfoTZ0R8xoUfC6dZRJ9SWohAkTqgBUqA-1AkNP3d4Mv4DvvvMSz/s640/DSC01207.jpg" width="482" /></i></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Stewart read a "Red, Red, Rose" which was one of Burn's most famous poems. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV7hqjFZYlhaQXVoGLoMsskkCwwyD7CS_BpiqAx0lpXbKH_P5F_Fsr6i3HRC6GmOGwe0GZQTmpV8sFYMea1xyHs4nsM1ByEtkjRJE_B4n5SrJ-F5aTgJ5mOqp3TCq3c6XvOn5mwLc5ogl/s1600/DSC01211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV7hqjFZYlhaQXVoGLoMsskkCwwyD7CS_BpiqAx0lpXbKH_P5F_Fsr6i3HRC6GmOGwe0GZQTmpV8sFYMea1xyHs4nsM1ByEtkjRJE_B4n5SrJ-F5aTgJ5mOqp3TCq3c6XvOn5mwLc5ogl/s640/DSC01211.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Richard recited "To a Mouse" in his Scottish Brogue, which was mesmerizing. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05hYllRIEOPv4cUQQb_bJwKE9UWMoI8IjYtfrSGoDhj3BQF_0hvvtWc2fZq5jIJLS4-x-qFz_7izxcGQmERH4gEzJXrEh6DbNqGw11zXkEUvkiIkbZhKoOR6P8_43rppsX7TT1Inx7gio/s640/DSC01212.jpg" width="480" /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Charles did a toast to the Lassies (women), </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>which was comical and an ode to the "fairer sex". </i></span></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYVDEw2Af2jbkGCRfKqOGSwPtuRKEbq0C9DEaYdk9PaBfy94NszcyhJyOB-dy2WaRYfR0OpFi-eUVzazS-BwaL5A6Wd216wnyRoh9ugnvJd0g4uS_UML65iMohFHqJ06g9u5OlEAqOYAQ/s1600/DSC01216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYVDEw2Af2jbkGCRfKqOGSwPtuRKEbq0C9DEaYdk9PaBfy94NszcyhJyOB-dy2WaRYfR0OpFi-eUVzazS-BwaL5A6Wd216wnyRoh9ugnvJd0g4uS_UML65iMohFHqJ06g9u5OlEAqOYAQ/s640/DSC01216.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Laura did the Reply to the Toast to the Lassies, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>followed by </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Janet reading a poem which showed appreciation for the Laddies (men). </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn2WUvv3c6onVhN4O0kvB1anWndIh7hzGgZjfitJk8bFE9CO5koGWrLwDz3p8ei4C_tv-857X0Qd3Ihy8v-pmQXNdYUEhQCmxnBHuOLyQI0qmyn2-4M5XfKmN_QExBSQ7ikOY6YpbnZFI/s1600/DSC01217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKn2WUvv3c6onVhN4O0kvB1anWndIh7hzGgZjfitJk8bFE9CO5koGWrLwDz3p8ei4C_tv-857X0Qd3Ihy8v-pmQXNdYUEhQCmxnBHuOLyQI0qmyn2-4M5XfKmN_QExBSQ7ikOY6YpbnZFI/s640/DSC01217.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It was a wonderful evening and no one wanted it to end. </i></div>
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnNeeMsrXQdTg-JrJAsQmDnR72LR5wLxCLF6r8MmDOXTncGgS1B3B0M3of2gNkR7HgFzQ5RaPTLpem5EdE75KXjdA6H3PkNZRFu7hbUNNiQO78IH10Wf3nVaBHtlx9cYIAZT7T7J454U4/s1600/DSC01209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnNeeMsrXQdTg-JrJAsQmDnR72LR5wLxCLF6r8MmDOXTncGgS1B3B0M3of2gNkR7HgFzQ5RaPTLpem5EdE75KXjdA6H3PkNZRFu7hbUNNiQO78IH10Wf3nVaBHtlx9cYIAZT7T7J454U4/s640/DSC01209.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><i>We moved the party to the photo Booth. </i></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><i>The sign above says Haggis, Neeps & Tatties along with a picture of Robert Burns. </i></i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><i> We enjoyed our international crowd. </i></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWsIzR97xlQgyW0kVYCmZPU3zr6mW3N4N1Uy3hGqkO8OFl19V6VodM52WdK3LFkyx8pbE4zMJTNibI79oLkizrZMqJBFcqpVOZrRlBPGHG6Jftt62t6FYpWrrGDiFhrEEzdaryou-Dven/s1600/DSC01221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWsIzR97xlQgyW0kVYCmZPU3zr6mW3N4N1Uy3hGqkO8OFl19V6VodM52WdK3LFkyx8pbE4zMJTNibI79oLkizrZMqJBFcqpVOZrRlBPGHG6Jftt62t6FYpWrrGDiFhrEEzdaryou-Dven/s640/DSC01221.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> Madhu and Rudra from Calcutta, India </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8SsZYKJKD2bQMktm-NoAXWp604uHa8-DhD2EQQ4wf-dp0bGgERMazAOwzf9cnminSmSRDDG-ZHjhTWqp8NguOxlR0PTvJRvEMIkRHpZnMQz8tVQT3Rq9KbDgXmdl2jqiJLVXNvYMh6L6/s1600/DSC01244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8SsZYKJKD2bQMktm-NoAXWp604uHa8-DhD2EQQ4wf-dp0bGgERMazAOwzf9cnminSmSRDDG-ZHjhTWqp8NguOxlR0PTvJRvEMIkRHpZnMQz8tVQT3Rq9KbDgXmdl2jqiJLVXNvYMh6L6/s640/DSC01244.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Andrea from Germany - Reuben from Spain </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C1LXU6Whivuv6isM2YdVhQLrMFvNl1zFteuFykeU7cnuwT8SVL7kKb4fTru7-FH5d_mt8qFgh5NJt7ufnZnXp9Vyr4LJX2xjhCASOcyagZvgmRk-nJYapcK117n_qmERgCL0LJt5UiSl/s1600/DSC01240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C1LXU6Whivuv6isM2YdVhQLrMFvNl1zFteuFykeU7cnuwT8SVL7kKb4fTru7-FH5d_mt8qFgh5NJt7ufnZnXp9Vyr4LJX2xjhCASOcyagZvgmRk-nJYapcK117n_qmERgCL0LJt5UiSl/s640/DSC01240.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Laura from Washington DC and Stewart from North Carolina (and Washington DC) </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KFRKhMClFYDQli1fRxlsILP-NR1nJg-EOD8I9G2R4Ur_wQ8FhgOiGBPWZK_RwOTR5LuLBF2rvsDDpGggtwB5IEUiHyjR_9m9HhiAggz3ZtMsjcvXR0TcW3nkZZ_V3cfoMknLLKbgYoiq/s1600/DSC01237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KFRKhMClFYDQli1fRxlsILP-NR1nJg-EOD8I9G2R4Ur_wQ8FhgOiGBPWZK_RwOTR5LuLBF2rvsDDpGggtwB5IEUiHyjR_9m9HhiAggz3ZtMsjcvXR0TcW3nkZZ_V3cfoMknLLKbgYoiq/s640/DSC01237.jpg" width="452" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Sue and Peter from England </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHwaAoDdtOWNgkQ9IYpaZknCeQE8DopdknVsuVsA72hARmT82NMdO2XorK0gDckAZvQHU7tHGbOfk5A7yRVixS-kYDeigx-WTdb-be-w68hGrarCnrFa-AlBPc50at_h3Gva-6Y0Y_dIt/s1600/DSC01235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHwaAoDdtOWNgkQ9IYpaZknCeQE8DopdknVsuVsA72hARmT82NMdO2XorK0gDckAZvQHU7tHGbOfk5A7yRVixS-kYDeigx-WTdb-be-w68hGrarCnrFa-AlBPc50at_h3Gva-6Y0Y_dIt/s640/DSC01235.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Charles and Janet (Texas) </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHrQSLKUkIdvA36Cy2PVJJn5C9Y-NJTRgnlnT8z87-Y4vEXG70TD_Uv9gC84slvA8l1eHj7IJzR_MSBv4Ml_kjJHnrLyBhNyiC6klV_5xj29p7c6UtnwBrumTpAyiECBorQwkBehf70mK/s1600/DSC01230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZHrQSLKUkIdvA36Cy2PVJJn5C9Y-NJTRgnlnT8z87-Y4vEXG70TD_Uv9gC84slvA8l1eHj7IJzR_MSBv4Ml_kjJHnrLyBhNyiC6klV_5xj29p7c6UtnwBrumTpAyiECBorQwkBehf70mK/s640/DSC01230.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Thao (Vietnam) and Thomas (France) </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJwoPPmKzdW-Q5gCimq7lfuKKalb7HOVdmiKeAoXkFGMfbFqRPKKYx7YDV6Bqm1QadaP86XCgIerzPWkgXby-pVwVsTTJ8LmBFT_rcFdsag8U0kStZpGodz9n3gFrrhRE05xeExaVrO8W/s1600/DSC01228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJwoPPmKzdW-Q5gCimq7lfuKKalb7HOVdmiKeAoXkFGMfbFqRPKKYx7YDV6Bqm1QadaP86XCgIerzPWkgXby-pVwVsTTJ8LmBFT_rcFdsag8U0kStZpGodz9n3gFrrhRE05xeExaVrO8W/s640/DSC01228.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Joanne and John - Aberdeen (area), Scotland </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdnrDVr6byI1EWTAfBLoRoW1zmav0ceCzsv1ynuj-0BNHQLmo89rxXthz4iLMIdk_tVvh_h_C2DAM_ZYvXuJuNhin9igG6saDl0N_LeldZP_QQQ6Z93UBZyQfALW1a69hP3hy4CoD4aNC/s1600/DSC01225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdnrDVr6byI1EWTAfBLoRoW1zmav0ceCzsv1ynuj-0BNHQLmo89rxXthz4iLMIdk_tVvh_h_C2DAM_ZYvXuJuNhin9igG6saDl0N_LeldZP_QQQ6Z93UBZyQfALW1a69hP3hy4CoD4aNC/s640/DSC01225.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Leila (Algeria), Peter (England), Kelly (Texas) </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LBF3PqjZhnHtdaRWYNvqx8i78gSb34SGNOCo0d5XAUZvTYXEEQXYcMonrjYf-nrSVga7Mg9Xw4Y0r71_k-GuwG0mO83IzrMyeZC_fIE4d5XWxbmrFO_SkHyujt5FPvA8pwbpYpfRjVzj/s1600/DSC01223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LBF3PqjZhnHtdaRWYNvqx8i78gSb34SGNOCo0d5XAUZvTYXEEQXYcMonrjYf-nrSVga7Mg9Xw4Y0r71_k-GuwG0mO83IzrMyeZC_fIE4d5XWxbmrFO_SkHyujt5FPvA8pwbpYpfRjVzj/s640/DSC01223.jpg" width="434" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Veronica (Singapore) and Richard (Scotland) </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMrOsRt0PlRfLEwQ6r4ZmRBx3bManXnX0GQqvso_fB7y4RtcRg4wVdi5bA1eNAfXbpLXvNjoRdplqsob0NhBp-3lNPHcvGRI3OxyvuOIeMwnrYyIvZ18h3qdYnSPWZhxnwJlaHndo7Viy/s1600/DSC01254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMrOsRt0PlRfLEwQ6r4ZmRBx3bManXnX0GQqvso_fB7y4RtcRg4wVdi5bA1eNAfXbpLXvNjoRdplqsob0NhBp-3lNPHcvGRI3OxyvuOIeMwnrYyIvZ18h3qdYnSPWZhxnwJlaHndo7Viy/s640/DSC01254.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The Laddies looking debonair.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8Ut7L_aFO9DWYdkxb0ZE8ICBbPsJNsQDFX6VchE9eC3M5AfRqSJtaVSnJIx42hlYed5GLNYkg3sY6EIDiXuhzD5FguPdjIqexOsip0GrvCFzdsUhS1YqW5LbtFcIBB0zQX-g7IAibREd/s1600/DSC01249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8Ut7L_aFO9DWYdkxb0ZE8ICBbPsJNsQDFX6VchE9eC3M5AfRqSJtaVSnJIx42hlYed5GLNYkg3sY6EIDiXuhzD5FguPdjIqexOsip0GrvCFzdsUhS1YqW5LbtFcIBB0zQX-g7IAibREd/s640/DSC01249.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And the Lassies enjoying the evening. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwk2vEO4C3De1bX0O4Zt1llUOxvU8N7W7jORwekI6fS5d3yqYZyNCA9OWPUvKVTH_H_6ulpq6MMP-iI7mNk2SRhU81pQ2uQBBANBrdjqCfcygCkID7vkRaLmP5fKNwdjtGTrnxl7_BL5w/s1600/DSC01261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwk2vEO4C3De1bX0O4Zt1llUOxvU8N7W7jORwekI6fS5d3yqYZyNCA9OWPUvKVTH_H_6ulpq6MMP-iI7mNk2SRhU81pQ2uQBBANBrdjqCfcygCkID7vkRaLmP5fKNwdjtGTrnxl7_BL5w/s640/DSC01261.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>The group shot cut off a few people, but this was the best one that we had. </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> :) </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUawkKKPr5GueiHXm2zpfXK7vRgcRKIvZxPBpPPOsl0QgwftazKGfCOFL2DAyKrMxRi1mQA8CDKE5ZpPxT1Yrkr2t-hXB1lRGn71uGueDrkwSbTPCj3mHJbjafvwG4CpHwUdFajqvwLOA/s1600/DSC01263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUawkKKPr5GueiHXm2zpfXK7vRgcRKIvZxPBpPPOsl0QgwftazKGfCOFL2DAyKrMxRi1mQA8CDKE5ZpPxT1Yrkr2t-hXB1lRGn71uGueDrkwSbTPCj3mHJbjafvwG4CpHwUdFajqvwLOA/s640/DSC01263.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>In true Highland fashion, the evening wouldn't </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>have been complete without Scottish Country Dancing. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUol1XC0V2jnVFkGnQ7rNEU0_m2vtLQwtWaE4FOfxIVFLXzHA72TInt9SaR248oh8tq_i6S1kjhOutqvoTfB1sGR7QEd_TlEnE7pqPT9aJxEeDaURfsLmgXbOjRbiP_dsWLhBFXiBzfNh2/s1600/DSC01264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUol1XC0V2jnVFkGnQ7rNEU0_m2vtLQwtWaE4FOfxIVFLXzHA72TInt9SaR248oh8tq_i6S1kjhOutqvoTfB1sGR7QEd_TlEnE7pqPT9aJxEeDaURfsLmgXbOjRbiP_dsWLhBFXiBzfNh2/s640/DSC01264.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>With lively music, we danced to </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">'Strip the Willow" </i></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and had plenty of laughs along the way. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It was so fun! </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJC6zA3LHJUwzChRpDBod5skfLgMrhJKmSas1j2LIBiHTG4mBL7f2Ivv7yGSGrjm4vwKgPAUdaNzDhXiyTHGoAR7kPaKGJYI5iIaoyB86NisdI0H7bgI7UigvTN5cOO7ohYJJQcm1PfgP/s1600/DSC01266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJC6zA3LHJUwzChRpDBod5skfLgMrhJKmSas1j2LIBiHTG4mBL7f2Ivv7yGSGrjm4vwKgPAUdaNzDhXiyTHGoAR7kPaKGJYI5iIaoyB86NisdI0H7bgI7UigvTN5cOO7ohYJJQcm1PfgP/s640/DSC01266.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>At the end of the evening, still following Burns night traditions, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>we concluded by singing "Auld Lang Syne" - complete with a rousing </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>ending by our resistant Scots. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>So in the middle of West/Central Africa, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>in French-speaking Douala, Cameroon, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>we celebrated a Scottish tradition</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> along with 19 friends from the USA, France, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Vietnam, Germany, Spain, India, England, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Algeria, Singapore and Scotland. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>What an experience! </i></span> </span></div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-57246738290669150432015-11-08T09:17:00.001-06:002015-11-10T10:29:36.269-06:00Diwali in Douala <ol data-ved="0CB0Q_xdqFQoTCJKxsdzxgMkCFcfWFAodYdoGRQ" style="border: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="mod" data-md="61" style="clear: none; line-height: 1.24; padding-left: 20px; padding-right: 20px;">
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Diwali, or the festival of lights, is an ancient Indian (Hindu) festival celebrated in autumn every year. Diwali is one of the largest and brightest festivals in India.<span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwpsZx0F8Yifcm9fagZir_WhAPJT63GvBLnhIXp4lyc2LWzQsERXDW12eqAlTh744ctFkaybH1O0pd1rRhtBoqHND70PgkdjW1MqkZsn2jQVsraVuI8UZVgdOcHiZpNj2gmeRrInlgjjV/s1600/Happy-Diwali-2015-Images-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwpsZx0F8Yifcm9fagZir_WhAPJT63GvBLnhIXp4lyc2LWzQsERXDW12eqAlTh744ctFkaybH1O0pd1rRhtBoqHND70PgkdjW1MqkZsn2jQVsraVuI8UZVgdOcHiZpNj2gmeRrInlgjjV/s320/Happy-Diwali-2015-Images-36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">However, in Cameroon, the Indian community celebrates with </span><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">dinner and dancing, along with colorful outfits and family gatherings. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVX_ac10Sx4skCtllWohMA06JNxSErfn-QlOvh8EcPSio83zPPvY8sY7r44GjXghhAD0mHV7dJAlXd_xEs0k0er57ObGOPiycd___xXkeIdY2RicTNFw852nxnW4r5fgEcwKp7sNUGCEM/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVX_ac10Sx4skCtllWohMA06JNxSErfn-QlOvh8EcPSio83zPPvY8sY7r44GjXghhAD0mHV7dJAlXd_xEs0k0er57ObGOPiycd___xXkeIdY2RicTNFw852nxnW4r5fgEcwKp7sNUGCEM/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We were fortunate enough to be invited to celebrate Diwali at a local Indian restaurant, Bombay Masala<span style="font-size: 13px;">. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIhuET31q0uOdnBjaUCA43pRAanvb1JeNVhEavdG3tGVL_bdht1ttIFXxUsNOp6HabMVYUtFxbS_fuCWUEiJIz9GsrTAogJMcw8mQlYdRWq8GgYPzazK7f7np78HwocTlkIgp8jjDZRwS/s1600/Lanterns+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIhuET31q0uOdnBjaUCA43pRAanvb1JeNVhEavdG3tGVL_bdht1ttIFXxUsNOp6HabMVYUtFxbS_fuCWUEiJIz9GsrTAogJMcw8mQlYdRWq8GgYPzazK7f7np78HwocTlkIgp8jjDZRwS/s400/Lanterns+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">We love Indian food, so it was a chance to eat and visit with friends. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPssKa0N3aq_Lb4LqRC7LHcAuvtGRUD2FB-LMRbWdLn-dE-puuTw58amjGX-EGNxxca7X2fuFzSa93GMEMLLvXGhs_SCbV0EOLvqOTWevwaVeSMOHxcz7OvbE6fCk38JEidofhgWZYKYJS/s1600/Candles+2+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPssKa0N3aq_Lb4LqRC7LHcAuvtGRUD2FB-LMRbWdLn-dE-puuTw58amjGX-EGNxxca7X2fuFzSa93GMEMLLvXGhs_SCbV0EOLvqOTWevwaVeSMOHxcz7OvbE6fCk38JEidofhgWZYKYJS/s400/Candles+2+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">An American friend had a sari for me to wear and an Indian friend came by to show me how to drape the scarf and to make sure that we were outfitted appropriately. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgzEhjru1UcCpGBw2DaoP6KtmpNKis0_05Tyyla9G0MmHrhrpErkAZV0cL1TEO9qxdyA1tj3mS2n98x7rZ6tp9XQ7UO11XePJYlHiGLZaSbwOpnloczPrA4RhTsj7Cg7zWKpma11U5ufH/s1600/DSC00889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgzEhjru1UcCpGBw2DaoP6KtmpNKis0_05Tyyla9G0MmHrhrpErkAZV0cL1TEO9qxdyA1tj3mS2n98x7rZ6tp9XQ7UO11XePJYlHiGLZaSbwOpnloczPrA4RhTsj7Cg7zWKpma11U5ufH/s400/DSC00889.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">Another Indian friend brought Charles a tunic to wear, which he thought was very comfortable. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg73YXwfjn-lDl9KitF6cirfzg0F09GAkp1aBQUHnfVZAum76-gZFjk8GcxMegDOECmSmcg11rGNZNTH-XGd-h432TWjeHlQzi_DXBDCzoLLkKprPMZ_ro3ziXYNTCgqozsqTf8VXnmIE/s1600/DSC00887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYg73YXwfjn-lDl9KitF6cirfzg0F09GAkp1aBQUHnfVZAum76-gZFjk8GcxMegDOECmSmcg11rGNZNTH-XGd-h432TWjeHlQzi_DXBDCzoLLkKprPMZ_ro3ziXYNTCgqozsqTf8VXnmIE/s400/DSC00887.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">We met friends at Bombay Masala at 9pm. By 10pm, dancing had begun and the women especially enjoyed it. I loved seeing all the beautiful colors and outfits! I also enjoyed seeing the children participate in the celebration. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNOzHnughM5QTFu53O3O10akfAk_h9vfSypfril9U2t4y9h33ne4vT0ixNMsRxYEKIyYeEuAqmWRv467yV3Y0AmM3szeFPoJ_ZGKaMkJ7EcbZuXFE9gKpf4UqcuMHzlZDD96yUJZIOSev/s1600/DSC00894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNOzHnughM5QTFu53O3O10akfAk_h9vfSypfril9U2t4y9h33ne4vT0ixNMsRxYEKIyYeEuAqmWRv467yV3Y0AmM3szeFPoJ_ZGKaMkJ7EcbZuXFE9gKpf4UqcuMHzlZDD96yUJZIOSev/s400/DSC00894.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">Appetizers were served around 11:00 pm while everyone continued dancing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRBdB4hFo6IHUUgr2LVa_8aImGIIS0gBOSl3-JB92keHTqN9WMsXzguhTL0_McBP_caqkm2vJ1owzNO_wA3feTkUDerEx6aeuUHxNxOxLzpimo45SDVUkrFTrC0Yp7pJIAqCl9Hp1PbR2/s1600/DSC00899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRBdB4hFo6IHUUgr2LVa_8aImGIIS0gBOSl3-JB92keHTqN9WMsXzguhTL0_McBP_caqkm2vJ1owzNO_wA3feTkUDerEx6aeuUHxNxOxLzpimo45SDVUkrFTrC0Yp7pJIAqCl9Hp1PbR2/s400/DSC00899.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">Dinner was (FINALLY) served at midnight. </span></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">It was wonderful and included a good variety of salads. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb3XCX80-e63GY5bi7XxD8gOxkPf1ZdEREpN6QzeZWve1qG-Jy2_HZ6fBostUAXHAt8CdJBTgsG2l_p1q4Ri9dvb6m-9UYvbaLEDHHes1EVQ7txvSgeyMvtLPQiOmUdCjavvmrkNRC9dR/s1600/DSC00904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitb3XCX80-e63GY5bi7XxD8gOxkPf1ZdEREpN6QzeZWve1qG-Jy2_HZ6fBostUAXHAt8CdJBTgsG2l_p1q4Ri9dvb6m-9UYvbaLEDHHes1EVQ7txvSgeyMvtLPQiOmUdCjavvmrkNRC9dR/s400/DSC00904.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">Dal, mutton, chicken, a variety of curry dishes and rice were some of the choices available. We tried a little bit of everything and liked it ALL. There were also some sweets to end the meal (at 1am). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5m5TEXY4O05dXFAYHjqp-XP9X-Yw5hrhBDg_rS-0IhyphenhyphenxiPUya_ZLA72orn8quXKvAM3C4A9_biZK8VzvBWArOb4a4OqkMjJPRyPZucyJW4Qh88w_kmbf-5FFvL4F4Xla997fRT0LlIhj/s1600/DSC00905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5m5TEXY4O05dXFAYHjqp-XP9X-Yw5hrhBDg_rS-0IhyphenhyphenxiPUya_ZLA72orn8quXKvAM3C4A9_biZK8VzvBWArOb4a4OqkMjJPRyPZucyJW4Qh88w_kmbf-5FFvL4F4Xla997fRT0LlIhj/s400/DSC00905.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">Around 1:30am or so, the raffles began. Thirty-two tickets were drawn and we didn't win a thing. However, our friends won a very nice home entertainment system. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdnF5t8osPbl_uGAKnp4sNqexBc175SYjjEB7rIGIVD3QUSA38bga4fvZYaRJ7m5r_rUXb9d36VOt9FqNvrp3cyJNat2nkr-atA0TuNG5zSO-R53zQYEGOb8kEmmdmSkQ41hLoIAEQYlA/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdnF5t8osPbl_uGAKnp4sNqexBc175SYjjEB7rIGIVD3QUSA38bga4fvZYaRJ7m5r_rUXb9d36VOt9FqNvrp3cyJNat2nkr-atA0TuNG5zSO-R53zQYEGOb8kEmmdmSkQ41hLoIAEQYlA/s400/IMG_0003.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
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<span class="_Tgc" style="font-size: 16px;">The evening ended for us around 2:30 am but others were still dancing. It was a great evening and a fun way to get involved with other expats in Douala. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOEpLaKnX17mxOtYaiY_Ux-5LgX_LkGUVuyfzTxv9VeZ31H-AR5eBHhH7RHUeegb1KkJTnC-ovXEsfaaoWWnUGWC2CtpaIO7Wn1l4274B_v610pu9JuJKIUmXI3kZFIQ1rxuZsLtK-wy8/s1600/DSC00901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOEpLaKnX17mxOtYaiY_Ux-5LgX_LkGUVuyfzTxv9VeZ31H-AR5eBHhH7RHUeegb1KkJTnC-ovXEsfaaoWWnUGWC2CtpaIO7Wn1l4274B_v610pu9JuJKIUmXI3kZFIQ1rxuZsLtK-wy8/s400/DSC00901.JPG" width="376" /></a></div>
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For us, part of the fun of being an expat is learning and participating in new cultures. We are thankful for the opportunity to have so many varied experiences. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj8jMoMP7RS1q2em9B9CIuAuKCyhzneeRnFZrf1loJRUyb3VD0NmPcEdVG8SPV7VulrxOXf8xFGJf8ggitdHnTtycZpZVtzCvMxaw5YRsJe-TXLweztwelQsHZKmIQM7EJRW-DXRC7qL3/s1600/images+Fireworks+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgj8jMoMP7RS1q2em9B9CIuAuKCyhzneeRnFZrf1loJRUyb3VD0NmPcEdVG8SPV7VulrxOXf8xFGJf8ggitdHnTtycZpZVtzCvMxaw5YRsJe-TXLweztwelQsHZKmIQM7EJRW-DXRC7qL3/s400/images+Fireworks+.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Diwali usually ends with fireworks and we have seen the celebrations from afar for years. The actual date of Diwali is November 11th, so we will look forward to fireworks on that day. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5724673829066915043%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dpostname&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-H_CbP_lZvww%2FVj9WTGGHFfI%2FAAAAAAAAGRU%2F5eYJ1ZLtap8%2Fs400%2Fimages.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 57px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5724673829066915043%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dpostname&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-H_CbP_lZvww%2FVj9WTGGHFfI%2FAAAAAAAAGRU%2F5eYJ1ZLtap8%2Fs400%2Fimages.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 57px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5724673829066915043%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D1%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-u_TSBSUByvw%2FVj9oreYxI_I%2FAAAAAAAAGSI%2FCRwo0Ni0R1Q%2Fs320%2FHappy-Diwali-2015-Images-36.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 102px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D5724673829066915043%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D1%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-u_TSBSUByvw%2FVj9oreYxI_I%2FAAAAAAAAGSI%2FCRwo0Ni0R1Q%2Fs320%2FHappy-Diwali-2015-Images-36.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 102px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-55627927714245128122015-10-14T16:00:00.000-05:002016-02-02T14:17:36.763-06:00Mangosteen<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some days are just harder than others. Everyone has them - and we are not immune to them here in Cameroon. Ours involve the transition from one culture to another - and our challenges are rooted in linguistic differences. Today has been pretty typical with painters at the house, repairmen coming in and out, the pool guy cleaning, our guard helping with maintenance, our driver waiting and our housekeeper cleaning. The problem lies when I try to get involved in the process. </div>
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We have a housekeeper that worked for the prior residents. From what I understand, she cooked and cleaned for them. She does fairly well with the cleaning and with the laundry, but we are really struggling with the cooking portion. We were spoiled in our prior home in Lagos with Gabriel - who was truly the best part of Nigeria for us. He cooked 3 meals a day, had cookies and snacks ready when wanted and baked fresh bread every single week. He managed our household well and kept the refrigerator and cabinets cleaned and stocked. He anticipated our wants and needs and made our lives so comfortable. I do not know why I didn't offer him the moon to move to Douala with us! Julienne tries....but cooking is not a priority for her. She asks me to help her and then puts me to work cutting or stirring. She has NO idea what is in the kitchen and often finds me to ask if we have milk or bread, etc. A huge part of our struggle is language. Her Pidgin English is only slightly better than my French, so we only partially understand what the other is saying. I've tried to explain that she should manage the process of food in our house and she agrees. But when I open the refrigerator and find old vegetables that need to be thrown away because they were never cooked, it is frustrating. There have been a few times that she has pointed at me and said, "You cook?" and my response is always, "No, YOU cook." She replies, "D'accord" or Ok. I think we understand, but it is just hard some days - and it is frustrating. We are trying to make this work.... It would be easier to jump in and do it myself (which is my tendency), but it would not be good for our long term goal. </div>
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My biggest challenge here in Douala has been the food. Many of the products in the grocery store are new to us and the things that are common to me, are just not found here. I also need to go to multiple locations to pick up a small grocery list and many times the items that I need are 'finished". So, we adapt and most days we do fine. I am learning the substitutes for lots of items in the meantime - but some days, we need the real thing. I'm fairly used to most of these issues after living in Nigeria, but the language on top of it makes it tenfold more challenging. It is always an exercise in frustration to search the grocery stores since I can't read the labels and dependent on the pictures. Today, I was looking at soups and found "Soupe de Homard". Many of the soups look the same with pictures on the front of a reddish soup and I was looking for tomato soup. After studying it for a while and then comparing the other soups, I finally figured out that it wasn't what I needed and the Tomato Soup must be "finished". I later looked up the word and found out that it was Lobster Bisque. Going to the grocery store is just different. I need to remember to carry my own bags for the groceries, and go through a metal detector to get in (which I don't understand since half the time I beep and no one stops me). There is a full row of French jams and preserves and a full row of Juices, but I can't find crackers or syrup or sour cream. The meat is plentiful, but the cuts are different than I've seen before. The fish may OR may not be fresh, mainly because I get distracted by food LOOKING at me. There are parts of animals that many consider delicacies that I really don't want to eat (kidneys, brains, tongue...) and there seems to be a lot of goat, rabbit and dove mixed in with the beef and chicken. If I enjoyed culinary adventures, this would be a good one - but unfortunately, I don't really enjoy creative cooking and just can't get the excitement about preparing new food. My solution is Peanut Butter and crackers OR Pancakes and we have had far too much of both. </div>
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Back to today.... I left the house fairly frustrated after discussing the menu with Julienne and experiencing a gap in language comprehension on my part. I headed to the grocery store and found 50% of what I needed at the first location. The second location had closed for lunch (12:30 to 3:30), so I headed to the first produce stand. The main ingredient that I needed was 'finished', so I proceeded to the second stand. As went about my selections, the shopkeeper smiled and encouraged my French. There was a second Cameroonian lady behind me interrupting and correctly every single word I said - and then translating it into English for me. Since my French is limited to one word statements, grammar was not even an issue, so I tried to not let it bother me. I finished my purchase and started to get into the car - just wondering to myself why simple things need to be SO very hard. Then, the shopkeeper came over and popped open a mangosteen and handed it to me to eat with a smile. Somehow that small act of kindness just changed my day. A few weeks ago, I had asked about the mangosteens and purchased a few. She remembered and asked me if I liked them and I said that I did. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ9YcHh3HQjGuXR_niqrhIbEpjSCTvTwpSF809luG95Drqt0rRAqh2v4Zm528T_OMt2sgsO19wrKyJi6RbHq7cU_CCbSKw48vBzGxVg5YZVv8uHQjShZx-bXllJpqAssIANeeZoH5b9MA/s1600/IMG_4627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ9YcHh3HQjGuXR_niqrhIbEpjSCTvTwpSF809luG95Drqt0rRAqh2v4Zm528T_OMt2sgsO19wrKyJi6RbHq7cU_CCbSKw48vBzGxVg5YZVv8uHQjShZx-bXllJpqAssIANeeZoH5b9MA/s320/IMG_4627.JPG" width="287" /></a></div>
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This sweet lady saw my frustration trying to select new foods in a new culture in a new language, on the side of the street and gave me fruit to replenish my soul. She understood that I am still struggling with the kilos and the CFA currency. She knows that my French skills are weak and that I don't know the names of all the produce. Her smile and her offering made me stop, quiet the anxiety I was feeling and take the time to savor the delicious mangosteen she offered. Living in a foreign land makes us vulnerable in ways that I would have barely imagined before. However, kindness transcends all cultures and all languages and makes a frustrating day....just a little bit better. Thank you Lord for sending a women with a pretty smile and a kind heart my way. Today I feel blessed living in a new land....</div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-48114290619604561592015-09-30T14:50:00.000-05:002016-02-02T14:48:21.741-06:00Ghana - Street Views <div style="text-align: center;">
As we traveled through the streets of Ghana, we saw typical views similar </div>
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to Nigeria, Cameroon and other locations in West/Central Africa. In fact, many of the pictures below are much like what we see every single day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSIniyftdgifrKYGTiUs15vJfQpaKp4C4Gv9iC7eMSdot-cZfBVQjZgmFIV-LK0v7D6_trASOc3f1kkWY1yPXHJJtDJC-YyltVCQ_g5RPKHWSGvbWK2E5lqJQlGNClSXzlFnyLltR7qzy/s1600/IMG_5305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSSIniyftdgifrKYGTiUs15vJfQpaKp4C4Gv9iC7eMSdot-cZfBVQjZgmFIV-LK0v7D6_trASOc3f1kkWY1yPXHJJtDJC-YyltVCQ_g5RPKHWSGvbWK2E5lqJQlGNClSXzlFnyLltR7qzy/s640/IMG_5305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In this part of the world, dirt roads are prevalent, except for the main city roads. </div>
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Vendors sell their wares in local markets by the side of the streets. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhN_LuDo6c-vJLct7FSrcc0qwXxA-O7hbfHYt6rb4fNtAQRIxsUxIpVpq2eCMDCZZNuzBqDgT4F6fsRu6KTMBoUlLrDuLEKp8BuuW1Dupe1YOeIpa6RkMIVmc1rfAkZYx1MDUvWIYFVxn/s1600/IMG_4873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhN_LuDo6c-vJLct7FSrcc0qwXxA-O7hbfHYt6rb4fNtAQRIxsUxIpVpq2eCMDCZZNuzBqDgT4F6fsRu6KTMBoUlLrDuLEKp8BuuW1Dupe1YOeIpa6RkMIVmc1rfAkZYx1MDUvWIYFVxn/s640/IMG_4873.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These are large yams - which are nothing like our sweet potatoes. The yams are more starchy, similar to cassava. The smoked and dried fish in the tray above are artfully arranged. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoj50jCzpPlL50NaK6BA0LLwIrSGlGB4VABNuBPQC9Rn6wN3I1d5YQ5mqnW_JWznJexsliJKIUgawY_KN5rKe9zA6pY8x30WFo7Xs_SQXNa8v87I8s7prtvRnQ_9k2_QuEkhqOhjMZwmU/s1600/IMG_5180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoj50jCzpPlL50NaK6BA0LLwIrSGlGB4VABNuBPQC9Rn6wN3I1d5YQ5mqnW_JWznJexsliJKIUgawY_KN5rKe9zA6pY8x30WFo7Xs_SQXNa8v87I8s7prtvRnQ_9k2_QuEkhqOhjMZwmU/s640/IMG_5180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It is easy to buy food here without getting out of the car. TVs are obviously available too. </div>
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In the hot, crowded streets, vendors come right up to our cars. </div>
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They wear aprons to hold their money (and their cell phones). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-AWMZoOwPcPPH7OwVCb1BAjUrHiI3OZdQsVC6bMOYbho1_t8U2mes2DDxNR13rrvn8B2Ku9J6lmiY4cRSERHa8lVBTUX7y4PwymU0Yf4ao9NzAg6OZCtqaXB8tP-kp1tAQGWg1KRCVh5/s1600/IMG_5190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-AWMZoOwPcPPH7OwVCb1BAjUrHiI3OZdQsVC6bMOYbho1_t8U2mes2DDxNR13rrvn8B2Ku9J6lmiY4cRSERHa8lVBTUX7y4PwymU0Yf4ao9NzAg6OZCtqaXB8tP-kp1tAQGWg1KRCVh5/s640/IMG_5190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am always amazed at how strong their necks must be. </div>
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Children start working young to help out their families. </div>
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I think it is incredible how well they balance things. I have never seen a single tray drop off of any one's head. However, if you look closely, they (almost) all have a rolled up rag on their head which does help with the balance. I know this because I tried it. I also know that I would last about 3 minutes before everything I was selling was rolling along the road. </div>
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Hands and heads are full of things to sell. </div>
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Fuzzy Dice, flags and bright colored items for your dashboards are plentiful. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeV5d1rrfuXqwtFapM-VePDfnXbhpu7YYXm9T5yyYRPDTGp9tud26x4T8W1hJIJ-YXodvTPGA0kCH9An6WP8gvYxiFZV0bE2GTyz611h6dSUxPaIi-qidyJe6PnstfNoOeGWCRKfa24On/s1600/IMG_5155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeV5d1rrfuXqwtFapM-VePDfnXbhpu7YYXm9T5yyYRPDTGp9tud26x4T8W1hJIJ-YXodvTPGA0kCH9An6WP8gvYxiFZV0bE2GTyz611h6dSUxPaIi-qidyJe6PnstfNoOeGWCRKfa24On/s640/IMG_5155.JPG" width="568" /></a></div>
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Most of the bread is baked daily and the pineapples here are so sweet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz25u0El678t1TssiCPnUXy3F83RgLCZcrnXtvtOMd7EouctNxnJzbaQr8Ey8ONTNzv9tcWiOXVnG3_u9IcNzHU1iKNkBxilOWHdk7zajP31Bz-QITJRUG8bGDpkDqxVfmX1H538_YbUjK/s1600/IMG_5197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz25u0El678t1TssiCPnUXy3F83RgLCZcrnXtvtOMd7EouctNxnJzbaQr8Ey8ONTNzv9tcWiOXVnG3_u9IcNzHU1iKNkBxilOWHdk7zajP31Bz-QITJRUG8bGDpkDqxVfmX1H538_YbUjK/s640/IMG_5197.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Occasionally multiple vendors will crowd the vehicles. </div>
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This picture is blurry, but it shows the nonchalant way that the vendors stand </div>
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and talk without worrying about the load they are carrying. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIDoH90x_NKWP2k3W60vp2uBRitYn_nD7-uLjJmdY7JBM6DVI8ZH1xfjMeRQRfNSf3ChSuhhTmpSdPDHpeROzo-rWAnGiTZohAKt3GmxkGBF_LZgZg4zYUNjrdgbQC8ERymvyYNa00KRK/s1600/IMG_4827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIDoH90x_NKWP2k3W60vp2uBRitYn_nD7-uLjJmdY7JBM6DVI8ZH1xfjMeRQRfNSf3ChSuhhTmpSdPDHpeROzo-rWAnGiTZohAKt3GmxkGBF_LZgZg4zYUNjrdgbQC8ERymvyYNa00KRK/s640/IMG_4827.jpg" width="562" /></a></div>
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Lots of jewelry options are available. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVp4Bzciu5tszRhRnWVZh9sYo3Meumi8QbuAiDCSVzyOFSn600nVzgR20Ov6bCCBo6XbnMV00EfsKm8FHjtIxzzHVZ58OwsmeReaxWyDxh8om5A2zVuia1sJAwyvVjtcs7DFwilF8qZM1/s1600/IMG_4844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVp4Bzciu5tszRhRnWVZh9sYo3Meumi8QbuAiDCSVzyOFSn600nVzgR20Ov6bCCBo6XbnMV00EfsKm8FHjtIxzzHVZ58OwsmeReaxWyDxh8om5A2zVuia1sJAwyvVjtcs7DFwilF8qZM1/s640/IMG_4844.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anyone need a tire or floor mat? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k0a-gYLKmoIfnw1PXZkhqb-xTNEjOHg3XKQXYItnrwJ1PadQbtCCJTUBq5aBx6YiTbM7Da2k-sWUnWb_oAFvx8SkZguykAb42nCzfyow-_4a3p_rs3aGqpuc9vK8kjJw6u_A4ybcE6x1/s1600/IMG_5202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9k0a-gYLKmoIfnw1PXZkhqb-xTNEjOHg3XKQXYItnrwJ1PadQbtCCJTUBq5aBx6YiTbM7Da2k-sWUnWb_oAFvx8SkZguykAb42nCzfyow-_4a3p_rs3aGqpuc9vK8kjJw6u_A4ybcE6x1/s640/IMG_5202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I love the USA flag shirt (and orange pants)! A fire is burning inside the white pail (on top of the tire) and a grill rack has been set on top to cook plantains. Invention is the mother of necessity. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6Fl9LipaCu72BQ_PDplaPyoEo9x_TjbnCxaUt_xOh0ULuOZG7Ah5MI72ep-6RaBb5E3Onab-ODA8TdJfzTcY5rW2tr82qCwBndkbRAOM7hyphenhyphenimiCuLgBjM_SIKlWl3mS_SwCgmow0b_Ki/s1600/IMG_4907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6Fl9LipaCu72BQ_PDplaPyoEo9x_TjbnCxaUt_xOh0ULuOZG7Ah5MI72ep-6RaBb5E3Onab-ODA8TdJfzTcY5rW2tr82qCwBndkbRAOM7hyphenhyphenimiCuLgBjM_SIKlWl3mS_SwCgmow0b_Ki/s640/IMG_4907.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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MANY of the businesses reflect the religious beliefs of the owners. About 75% of Ghana is Christian, with the remainder comprising of 17% Muslim, 5% traditionalist (tribal religion) and 3% other (or none). Messiah Enterprises sells hardware.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEw9116WJtOUgMWkRPNt-xvSyj9KhJ9JM4kLHdOOwGvAKQvgA0oc3XPGW6wL59IWJp4lbDf5zRXog9iVNXK-3NEhY9gRo-qr9hNTntjXAM0U4gHt3a3IEKXDRBDtODHQCnSBM6gjdtspv/s1600/IMG_4904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEw9116WJtOUgMWkRPNt-xvSyj9KhJ9JM4kLHdOOwGvAKQvgA0oc3XPGW6wL59IWJp4lbDf5zRXog9iVNXK-3NEhY9gRo-qr9hNTntjXAM0U4gHt3a3IEKXDRBDtODHQCnSBM6gjdtspv/s640/IMG_4904.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was one of my favorite store names. Essgrace (His Grace) sells both wholesale and retail goods. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oHWWnfSiH355lU8xMfpDgtFPt18UiYdZtfys_oGXg4S8mIz0fgWcxOLPOZQkaTNktu7y6UFexr9Nf1DqbLLE-D1FmSQAJCMX1oL6aS-eB5oY33bG_iTrK2YjbpVjIdWHEoSEEhESMjd2/s1600/IMG_4842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oHWWnfSiH355lU8xMfpDgtFPt18UiYdZtfys_oGXg4S8mIz0fgWcxOLPOZQkaTNktu7y6UFexr9Nf1DqbLLE-D1FmSQAJCMX1oL6aS-eB5oY33bG_iTrK2YjbpVjIdWHEoSEEhESMjd2/s640/IMG_4842.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I really do love these signs - and the reminder of scripture, which are found in so many places. </div>
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This one says, "The joy of the Lord is my Strength". </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrdAE_BH7kI0sXeKyCn0AGaDTPBsXMG6p2eRARXr5d9iOZ91_-XAk7tYgfm8Bp-cPEgZqSDEwIXSVpHmc3rIUXQtpr0Tg4PpEKW6IpCVmm-rQtzdglK4wd6qd6JldkimDs7kWedeze7aC/s1600/IMG_4846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrdAE_BH7kI0sXeKyCn0AGaDTPBsXMG6p2eRARXr5d9iOZ91_-XAk7tYgfm8Bp-cPEgZqSDEwIXSVpHmc3rIUXQtpr0Tg4PpEKW6IpCVmm-rQtzdglK4wd6qd6JldkimDs7kWedeze7aC/s640/IMG_4846.jpg" width="534" /></a></div>
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Sometimes, the store names reflect the wishes of the owners too. </div>
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This one is a classic - "Get Rich Internet Cafe". </div>
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Can anyone say 419?? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8lC4iflYYezyEgDieLFlP45EfL3bQq35TUFwyeTT_UPDU8AeN7NvQGlilfQe2a7YQve6ZNsHfUwiWwY0h34qx0X8gDOtMS18Oi5offMUnLj2rCu8g1dLtsEct2RXo-7cA3x5crqy73mg/s1600/IMG_4886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8lC4iflYYezyEgDieLFlP45EfL3bQq35TUFwyeTT_UPDU8AeN7NvQGlilfQe2a7YQve6ZNsHfUwiWwY0h34qx0X8gDOtMS18Oi5offMUnLj2rCu8g1dLtsEct2RXo-7cA3x5crqy73mg/s640/IMG_4886.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Fresh Coconuts at this drive-by road stand. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ85GrjU_9w7de5JRrJwEwZmdK1DUSl6L8M_Lw64xlLKT9CIKhuXzODDaJYntS6YA6WTKBWRAptOHukuIYkJgk30c1QDj8FspBJWy98skHesObft-Hy4tDkOBCk3iftRy-ITSLECHbVNr/s1600/IMG_4900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJ85GrjU_9w7de5JRrJwEwZmdK1DUSl6L8M_Lw64xlLKT9CIKhuXzODDaJYntS6YA6WTKBWRAptOHukuIYkJgk30c1QDj8FspBJWy98skHesObft-Hy4tDkOBCk3iftRy-ITSLECHbVNr/s640/IMG_4900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Get your loaves and fishes here! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFgK1lsa2LRP5GvBEehgYVzRvnLfnFCYpcRvl7HvzrSMj8nC2WVAXt3F-qTFXSycQZks41LO8lGNQmeG8ZbhZErU9YUWeEhUIniddf4fKkN58nDYv2gkiktq6PPRF4rN4Jgy_ii4CvJ9Z/s1600/IMG_4940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFgK1lsa2LRP5GvBEehgYVzRvnLfnFCYpcRvl7HvzrSMj8nC2WVAXt3F-qTFXSycQZks41LO8lGNQmeG8ZbhZErU9YUWeEhUIniddf4fKkN58nDYv2gkiktq6PPRF4rN4Jgy_ii4CvJ9Z/s640/IMG_4940.jpg" width="574" /></a></div>
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Eggs heating in the sun are abundant. Eggs are rarely refrigerated in Africa (until they arrive at OUR house where they are cleaned, sanitized and refrigerated). The white packets on the table are small rice bags. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgYYj8L40xjCe9kQUM9CtXdydvz2e3yqYJszXGtuK3tX_FXDQL0zM8rDKUTNjo8TYs0YmmNu9oXs1QdjnAbSTy8ENWc31dLtgNG-M3-LgDItmgrXPQUsjhZ9jvlL7tr648jO01b4spErW/s1600/IMG_4951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgYYj8L40xjCe9kQUM9CtXdydvz2e3yqYJszXGtuK3tX_FXDQL0zM8rDKUTNjo8TYs0YmmNu9oXs1QdjnAbSTy8ENWc31dLtgNG-M3-LgDItmgrXPQUsjhZ9jvlL7tr648jO01b4spErW/s640/IMG_4951.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Blood of Jesus Hardware store is above and they appear to have a good supply of tools. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUllvkNRg_HblcSP-SreU3FaaFiq-l-Cp-LZw24qQ5F27PDM-2ioSpAQHToYFoZJxQeKEb0d7h4ICS9AQi-xDlLq5_U3jeEgVfbkdDdnQY62Uz8xd9BjiZiIHzXY9tzyK-a1fjKhCcSIq/s1600/IMG_4970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUllvkNRg_HblcSP-SreU3FaaFiq-l-Cp-LZw24qQ5F27PDM-2ioSpAQHToYFoZJxQeKEb0d7h4ICS9AQi-xDlLq5_U3jeEgVfbkdDdnQY62Uz8xd9BjiZiIHzXY9tzyK-a1fjKhCcSIq/s640/IMG_4970.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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And the Blood of Jesus Sewing Centre has an impressive paint job. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvrjjblrh7-eISJFLoLy8SiHr6-sAFlrO4qdAzu_VDgA38LVCZrCLYEIwvzMgBGAyASuw8GNi-qbTu2KRkLZhIiyEITpDmt7k4nN3SL6OIywJhREh2Yfa9Gx8DdJXJfZ7wb64zpWinxly/s1600/IMG_5034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvrjjblrh7-eISJFLoLy8SiHr6-sAFlrO4qdAzu_VDgA38LVCZrCLYEIwvzMgBGAyASuw8GNi-qbTu2KRkLZhIiyEITpDmt7k4nN3SL6OIywJhREh2Yfa9Gx8DdJXJfZ7wb64zpWinxly/s640/IMG_5034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Local fruits and vegetables are easy to locate. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmCN4jY9SMGY4SMcj9W6ZnxIffyBwhStfjdWTK6XPL8ECcz_jSpbUM9XCIQQZXNYCSsKaWNr5PSXcUfeejWHJbnOLShHZfyAzcFKCEhbdSSWG7GOzqkX8BKiN56LdJDdEfwByDkMRk_Xf/s1600/IMG_5115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmCN4jY9SMGY4SMcj9W6ZnxIffyBwhStfjdWTK6XPL8ECcz_jSpbUM9XCIQQZXNYCSsKaWNr5PSXcUfeejWHJbnOLShHZfyAzcFKCEhbdSSWG7GOzqkX8BKiN56LdJDdEfwByDkMRk_Xf/s640/IMG_5115.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is the "Jesus is Mine" vendor stand. I am not sure what they are selling in the blue bags.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5viINb0dZRfjOhNqgTuwgXdON6piJGssM6mmiqpOZZdGl5Sfs77vPxQ1z0FnAAGiV8QFHPVAxzBPlFAH1aBOkcFNSPwpA9KWtvXSDNSbqkNiwbd5q27_dJYv_IQzSHaxMdftQ6GMcdL6L/s1600/IMG_5116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5viINb0dZRfjOhNqgTuwgXdON6piJGssM6mmiqpOZZdGl5Sfs77vPxQ1z0FnAAGiV8QFHPVAxzBPlFAH1aBOkcFNSPwpA9KWtvXSDNSbqkNiwbd5q27_dJYv_IQzSHaxMdftQ6GMcdL6L/s640/IMG_5116.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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In this area, they had their names painted over the top of the stand. </div>
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There were about 30 of these lining the roads. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KktqJfY90ppvK7kK71h8QypYDC0sipixoZuB1BCf6WrOu6BEq_8gAoMgnDEX7pv1-h3t6k6cvV87DzwMv0gNGPVvqS_4Tyl28hCyU3I1FzpaR7Gz93QxgLXQNderYhJ21wQys2rfNvhL/s1600/IMG_5125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KktqJfY90ppvK7kK71h8QypYDC0sipixoZuB1BCf6WrOu6BEq_8gAoMgnDEX7pv1-h3t6k6cvV87DzwMv0gNGPVvqS_4Tyl28hCyU3I1FzpaR7Gz93QxgLXQNderYhJ21wQys2rfNvhL/s640/IMG_5125.JPG" width="612" /></a></div>
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"God's Power" sells gasoline. There does seem to be some irony in that statement! </div>
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The cute little boy was just playing alone with no adult in sight. </div>
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Fresh chickens are available here. You might have to catch it first! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSSnDc8dJODlioR7mJIVry64KCWg4XYliZHDU11s5BWNqixFusPFygAtT3hY3MCHjPiUP4AUanUTKEWVgRI041HfxriIT-0SlcYKKvhtg4aT0mho6MiSyqTquMJp7dK6XYWnsbn0ZfdhX/s1600/IMG_5160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRSSnDc8dJODlioR7mJIVry64KCWg4XYliZHDU11s5BWNqixFusPFygAtT3hY3MCHjPiUP4AUanUTKEWVgRI041HfxriIT-0SlcYKKvhtg4aT0mho6MiSyqTquMJp7dK6XYWnsbn0ZfdhX/s640/IMG_5160.JPG" width="576" /></a></div>
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Blackie's Enterprise sells shoes, belts and animal skins as well as some other unidentifiable items. The man is dressed in a typical Ghanaian style - along with his basketball shorts. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapWeZqUvsqJ-Zqw2JQ-4lx806v04qPWuwh8L9h-G-lNbGILDDikTZDx7AeLbZ2SM2uhRhlmnqlSICFGe09TIbghcyaGORS0GRWFskepq_uEafUbrsB1m3saCU4uVpyP2we-eXnDbEVTcL/s1600/IMG_5167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapWeZqUvsqJ-Zqw2JQ-4lx806v04qPWuwh8L9h-G-lNbGILDDikTZDx7AeLbZ2SM2uhRhlmnqlSICFGe09TIbghcyaGORS0GRWFskepq_uEafUbrsB1m3saCU4uVpyP2we-eXnDbEVTcL/s640/IMG_5167.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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More animal skins are for sale at the side of the road right beside the insecticide sign.</div>
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And the last picture was taken back at our hotel in Ghana. I was intrigued by these drums sitting in the middle of the hallway. They even had good sound quality and I am sure that the other hotel guests appreciated our rhythm. :) </div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4811429061960456159%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-3J-H75vG-0E%2FVkDeyZYyfgI%2FAAAAAAAAGc0%2FSmIiiXj6W94%2Fs640%2FIMG_5167.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 20466px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4811429061960456159%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-3J-H75vG-0E%2FVkDeyZYyfgI%2FAAAAAAAAGc0%2FSmIiiXj6W94%2Fs640%2FIMG_5167.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 20466px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4811429061960456159%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-3J-H75vG-0E%2FVkDeyZYyfgI%2FAAAAAAAAGc0%2FSmIiiXj6W94%2Fs640%2FIMG_5167.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 20412px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D4811429061960456159%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-3J-H75vG-0E%2FVkDeyZYyfgI%2FAAAAAAAAGc0%2FSmIiiXj6W94%2Fs640%2FIMG_5167.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 20412px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-37228453974325329792015-09-29T17:46:00.001-05:002015-09-29T17:46:04.319-05:00Ghana - Coastal Views <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGBXRtQuGmrOktcjflwmvYl1UYZTHwiyUaGmtZAb4nQ7J_vOcmq-FbmHQz4KQy3tNRFbUmIl4SRU92scDV-8gq-s9GTtbFHIuepDKcPnAjfYj86vgqr1JTihotnOxzLhnv5-KXGwCMlBR/s1600/DSC00762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGBXRtQuGmrOktcjflwmvYl1UYZTHwiyUaGmtZAb4nQ7J_vOcmq-FbmHQz4KQy3tNRFbUmIl4SRU92scDV-8gq-s9GTtbFHIuepDKcPnAjfYj86vgqr1JTihotnOxzLhnv5-KXGwCMlBR/s640/DSC00762.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The town of Cape Coast today is primarily a fishing port. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> It is located in the south-central section of Ghana, right on the Gulf of Guinea. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-wGcKdHCbajlqmQ93H299paz7XmYhrxGWI02MzY5kw3mlgXma8hE96vf5Nda9YqkdCYuzkf_jrpXax4cRan0nNu6cwGZWK-QBif6oAI7u2gyGM0CHFD_0ImzpSvn4A0vPFWMO4EGzpkp/s1600/DSC00725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-wGcKdHCbajlqmQ93H299paz7XmYhrxGWI02MzY5kw3mlgXma8hE96vf5Nda9YqkdCYuzkf_jrpXax4cRan0nNu6cwGZWK-QBif6oAI7u2gyGM0CHFD_0ImzpSvn4A0vPFWMO4EGzpkp/s640/DSC00725.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The small city has 170,000 residents. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Crumbling colonial buildings still line the streets in the background. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-_5RXKcnn7bdZAf5xeCmOKBapQe1jBbH7BgsyjUPT3UiyrrjUU6oupZMJ84Zhfc9wxDloQ-R9yqeuPjsmE3kfKGCLmzCZIK5-MZdjm5UMi4i-7w_Gs4X9qxqnKkkmQUmv-28r0VozjZv/s1600/DSC00724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-_5RXKcnn7bdZAf5xeCmOKBapQe1jBbH7BgsyjUPT3UiyrrjUU6oupZMJ84Zhfc9wxDloQ-R9yqeuPjsmE3kfKGCLmzCZIK5-MZdjm5UMi4i-7w_Gs4X9qxqnKkkmQUmv-28r0VozjZv/s640/DSC00724.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I was fascinated by these views. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><b> The colors, the activity and the glance into everyday life in </b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #252525; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><b>this small Ghanaian town was intriguing. </b></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmegPSzeF1-fMwwOg-2r9qrCTaiPa_sGVSpJD1bLB4FTgq_v1JmquoGNN0vcNOpPXXqdS333ahhXP7T2tWTJJ0f0TPrfxuKoOUf3VO9DCuV52qhgYRkzXA4r0bkF7BIJ3oVqieJrBiZUtb/s1600/DSC00723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmegPSzeF1-fMwwOg-2r9qrCTaiPa_sGVSpJD1bLB4FTgq_v1JmquoGNN0vcNOpPXXqdS333ahhXP7T2tWTJJ0f0TPrfxuKoOUf3VO9DCuV52qhgYRkzXA4r0bkF7BIJ3oVqieJrBiZUtb/s640/DSC00723.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>And the fishing boats were so bright and cheerful, </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>especially when they were also used for laundry. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4BV4SJuY4mJuJrxonKbSIcyN71J9Ou30oY92NrVIzewNXkeaoDMaYyAw5-i-ATUbco-rldyYCQla2ZwLE3cFdjGny2mv7cUbTpkAIbtA0_xbFpgEJpqPGnzTjJMxEtKRsDELsUHg16z1/s1600/DSC00764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4BV4SJuY4mJuJrxonKbSIcyN71J9Ou30oY92NrVIzewNXkeaoDMaYyAw5-i-ATUbco-rldyYCQla2ZwLE3cFdjGny2mv7cUbTpkAIbtA0_xbFpgEJpqPGnzTjJMxEtKRsDELsUHg16z1/s640/DSC00764.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Cape Coast is the capital of the central region and one of the most historical cities in Ghana. The city was founded by the people of Oguaa and later settled by the Portuguese. After the Cape Coast Castle was built, the town grew around the castle. The town became the center of the British Administration and capital of the Gold Coast from 1700 - 1877, when the capital was moved to Accra. Ghana finally gained its independence from Britain in 1957. Our steward in Lagos (Gabriel) is originally from Ghana. He was in elementary school and remembers the parades and the people lining the street on Independence Day in 1957 - and talks about the pride they felt as Ghanaians to be fully independent. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-V_GsvI38nOrKNI1ft5BVbinKkSrl3f9hRCv3Fs9GxctZ1Du_0xrxztXYuCxhqJ9WUc6EMoAVl_Y4AYRtBNTCVRIQ_-txckYHlVqtPfEMG-ejOkCRvuNvwX8qXzQ8BLj0y8Xa4tNJ3jo/s1600/DSC00769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-V_GsvI38nOrKNI1ft5BVbinKkSrl3f9hRCv3Fs9GxctZ1Du_0xrxztXYuCxhqJ9WUc6EMoAVl_Y4AYRtBNTCVRIQ_-txckYHlVqtPfEMG-ejOkCRvuNvwX8qXzQ8BLj0y8Xa4tNJ3jo/s640/DSC00769.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I didn't see this lady clothed in a black abaya until after I took the picture. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>She seemed like a surreal part of the landscape. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQfe6I-VOkD8QeOTlmEpMe8j_zmy-6O760PWyNKlNObkhcC9mtnvrYExz2mM6BFRmqnBMPTWJTMmSS9p4ceuGXtG-YjyMyiti8vWYqPsJwvIrVKcr85H87nBNM8UQJiamPKmi6RgIXoTZ/s1600/DSC00741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQfe6I-VOkD8QeOTlmEpMe8j_zmy-6O760PWyNKlNObkhcC9mtnvrYExz2mM6BFRmqnBMPTWJTMmSS9p4ceuGXtG-YjyMyiti8vWYqPsJwvIrVKcr85H87nBNM8UQJiamPKmi6RgIXoTZ/s640/DSC00741.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The fishermen cast </b></span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">their nets in the same waters</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> where slave ships used to sail. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwC8IBN2sGXIL_peE2OZN4qhw2qMImDG2LQMJINjhQVI7mdYQmFI7dLKOV6F6jI2rMfdg7EgB7ZqByw24yvfkHY65pvEL5hHbu2OwvBBVccUt9N9KWMMUloqL89DlGGb6DHx4nPRQg00W/s1600/DSC00765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwC8IBN2sGXIL_peE2OZN4qhw2qMImDG2LQMJINjhQVI7mdYQmFI7dLKOV6F6jI2rMfdg7EgB7ZqByw24yvfkHY65pvEL5hHbu2OwvBBVccUt9N9KWMMUloqL89DlGGb6DHx4nPRQg00W/s640/DSC00765.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>We enjoyed watching the children swim. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Some of them wore clothing...and some of them did not.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdiCt7InsNkQvM-WTUBzArqxJR6WpKjgktLiGLhvPK6HZRRgV4HxDkIkKnxNUpXp8hMyRAB0gL80Unbgtks1iaPGlP9mVQsQYrmKLrFOai1zi6R0lfG1eqlE0GzhIsKMfo_YgAgYcwpub/s1600/DSC00720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdiCt7InsNkQvM-WTUBzArqxJR6WpKjgktLiGLhvPK6HZRRgV4HxDkIkKnxNUpXp8hMyRAB0gL80Unbgtks1iaPGlP9mVQsQYrmKLrFOai1zi6R0lfG1eqlE0GzhIsKMfo_YgAgYcwpub/s640/DSC00720.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>They were having fun trying to ride the surf on a piece of wood. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTcCi2l8akla5iWpTD5cx4CNRIuuF3YnhkrbO6dyd2Lf5RQEpImWQkQuHEGaWnFQWU5PjlJHUoJsi69HAd6F9XHH5Ghml4inrjC3IbJLoTGhwQl7_1dMYZrnz18I2uJf8LmMAhLbQwiul/s1600/DSC00772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixTcCi2l8akla5iWpTD5cx4CNRIuuF3YnhkrbO6dyd2Lf5RQEpImWQkQuHEGaWnFQWU5PjlJHUoJsi69HAd6F9XHH5Ghml4inrjC3IbJLoTGhwQl7_1dMYZrnz18I2uJf8LmMAhLbQwiul/s640/DSC00772.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>The people in this area of the world are full of creativity </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>and ingenuity, created by necessity. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RZBnnKVRDhZtClSohNlfo9RyXhtZC45oLse6TalbK4ATzJrtQt6KJZsQ7Eki-Kd-1YhSerF3SG89bcsTQJaUB3wwLbvTmHCFedhpgkkwhWbbFZ7dEkuo7liz_wyArmHn0hucBKfiftkY/s1600/DSC00791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RZBnnKVRDhZtClSohNlfo9RyXhtZC45oLse6TalbK4ATzJrtQt6KJZsQ7Eki-Kd-1YhSerF3SG89bcsTQJaUB3wwLbvTmHCFedhpgkkwhWbbFZ7dEkuo7liz_wyArmHn0hucBKfiftkY/s640/DSC00791.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Locals enjoy the sea breezes, sunshine and plentiful beaches. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Driving through this small town was both a melancholy peek into the past </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>and a peaceful glance at the day-to-day life in Ghana. </b></span></div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-91811551911094761882015-09-25T12:31:00.001-05:002015-09-25T12:31:43.782-05:00Ghana - Cape Coast Castle <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURiXz0LY-SR1dAfOcU_FbpVL7oc-RvsgeWyAKALbJGG2UPVSUrzYCCfMLhc4afktQBjT79JId8Q_IufEB5H5U0L291jt_cpjz5SPIEQaHZm1wySB8U9l831AqhmjyThTMqFMjhQdSmSRo/s1600/DSC00775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURiXz0LY-SR1dAfOcU_FbpVL7oc-RvsgeWyAKALbJGG2UPVSUrzYCCfMLhc4afktQBjT79JId8Q_IufEB5H5U0L291jt_cpjz5SPIEQaHZm1wySB8U9l831AqhmjyThTMqFMjhQdSmSRo/s320/DSC00775.JPG" width="320" /></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Akwaaba means "Welcome" in Ghana.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">It seemed to be an ironic statement to see posted on the wall</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">as we entered a structure forever haunted by ghosts of the past. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_acONWwayb1ANx4jdX3CCHLORNP9LL45dN2zfjOXNWFOaVjuyaWhn2sleZUhRehXXlktULwXQ5ruw1Bi9N1ao4L5vZKzMcBWfFgU_DhuJztwNAI_10zjTvx_jUcJRXYOQE1y6f3UcWjT/s1600/DSC00728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg_acONWwayb1ANx4jdX3CCHLORNP9LL45dN2zfjOXNWFOaVjuyaWhn2sleZUhRehXXlktULwXQ5ruw1Bi9N1ao4L5vZKzMcBWfFgU_DhuJztwNAI_10zjTvx_jUcJRXYOQE1y6f3UcWjT/s640/DSC00728.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The Cape Coast Castle is one of the most culturally </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">significant spots in Ghana, and possibly all of Africa. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRl4LPf5sLpPGiTyDmmzgyzR-9cgT-0-VB7-yAA7wYG3VDcj8l3xvjTuAPaKB1hgZFsSiF51HQFHqn8pxq7uQgSeRqwhxFedC6P_ky2EZb_stI9JQlwhnSI-t8eZVsaH6_R8rwC2bIcxX/s1600/DSC00717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRl4LPf5sLpPGiTyDmmzgyzR-9cgT-0-VB7-yAA7wYG3VDcj8l3xvjTuAPaKB1hgZFsSiF51HQFHqn8pxq7uQgSeRqwhxFedC6P_ky2EZb_stI9JQlwhnSI-t8eZVsaH6_R8rwC2bIcxX/s640/DSC00717.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;">Cape Coast was once the largest slave-trading center in West Africa. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBRAiREbcyPWGy9RLgZzY6Q8hfNrF4-wXoJc6fksP4PIyuFGNFMC2t7ibSI47C-q0P5ocye4ZZGZon-rWg8fuzwrnm4LBz3xbeIsqGRThgoCipjE_IzkM1kqk799YqIpNXMZ_N-saC-q1/s1600/DSC00780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBRAiREbcyPWGy9RLgZzY6Q8hfNrF4-wXoJc6fksP4PIyuFGNFMC2t7ibSI47C-q0P5ocye4ZZGZon-rWg8fuzwrnm4LBz3xbeIsqGRThgoCipjE_IzkM1kqk799YqIpNXMZ_N-saC-q1/s640/DSC00780.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><b>The Cape Coast Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was originally built in 1653 as a wooden structure by the Swedish Africa Company. The purpose was to have a presence and a market area in order to handle trades of timber and gold between the locals and the Swedes. </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhS-YJVU4ljPaBzpDSLa-GirQ5E21NBG6xfJKypT8TL65dtvdeV6JYaK_DNf63PBLiqc5KZL0kPaaRAOO8ORj4m1hzqxVtRnpDtTjR4oJNC0GLIQhBfHXQrlhQJhOMsneJvBBRwsmtcof/s1600/DSC00752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimhS-YJVU4ljPaBzpDSLa-GirQ5E21NBG6xfJKypT8TL65dtvdeV6JYaK_DNf63PBLiqc5KZL0kPaaRAOO8ORj4m1hzqxVtRnpDtTjR4oJNC0GLIQhBfHXQrlhQJhOMsneJvBBRwsmtcof/s640/DSC00752.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><b>The castle was later rebuilt in stone and seized by the Danish in 1660. </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f7lShyFVmCQUHPTVze5fQzxu0aamlqLCU7Ic-eOabssNqniii8-FR_yZJvWRQyM17yHarE6_kBaZSUzDgvsVzRslyQ3gZGbkOUTIMpBh9UsuuteXiWUR1Ccsm-fphXW5s7DMR1gY6hcu/s1600/DSC00797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5f7lShyFVmCQUHPTVze5fQzxu0aamlqLCU7Ic-eOabssNqniii8-FR_yZJvWRQyM17yHarE6_kBaZSUzDgvsVzRslyQ3gZGbkOUTIMpBh9UsuuteXiWUR1Ccsm-fphXW5s7DMR1gY6hcu/s640/DSC00797.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The building passed through the hands of the Dutch, and even a local Fetu chief at some point, before being conquered by the British in 1664. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfUL9NedeZV-tKNwc6JaD6ALdDuPxTJwNLxTMSZ1P-k1DV8fFPOIcmbQySaR7dvynHjqPfNHfxWbDOP40F1JPGIjXOsZ6IJ4p6ZLLEwHZKIUeoTYSNvf9ANAUVBmdpqxHTt0TshlUQ6ZK/s1600/DSC00798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfUL9NedeZV-tKNwc6JaD6ALdDuPxTJwNLxTMSZ1P-k1DV8fFPOIcmbQySaR7dvynHjqPfNHfxWbDOP40F1JPGIjXOsZ6IJ4p6ZLLEwHZKIUeoTYSNvf9ANAUVBmdpqxHTt0TshlUQ6ZK/s640/DSC00798.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.799999237060547px;">The </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">castle and the surrounding areas were part of the European struggle for domination of the major sea ports along the Atlantic coast of Africa. </span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NOqEwazp9O9-XoG1DV1hSgFDfU6uFZyZTpcXaIxBPUA9QR-AxZmG80UM6WJVR8ozdYpTaBM9KDxU2loRrlFEOrDYvIfH39O8aQn0ExNEgKddr30gLOqKqDo-v5D6-JXOg-4hpZOVZrRm/s1600/DSC00783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NOqEwazp9O9-XoG1DV1hSgFDfU6uFZyZTpcXaIxBPUA9QR-AxZmG80UM6WJVR8ozdYpTaBM9KDxU2loRrlFEOrDYvIfH39O8aQn0ExNEgKddr30gLOqKqDo-v5D6-JXOg-4hpZOVZrRm/s640/DSC00783.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.799999237060547px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>By 1700, the fort had been transformed into a castle and also</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22.799999237060547px;"> served as the </span><span style="line-height: 22.799999237060547px;">headquarters of the British colonial governor.</span><span style="line-height: 22px;"> </span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6MsqeGzMLVuFpCQWN-tgfXBaE4E3qcaRmvz4GSq8EemUgTo5DnuPfvtfiS86ectEKeucDLwDR8TFpgF1ifdVZXhz0hHB6t3J1Kin9cNQIThydDHNmIDpMK9eeHdBVrQ5n824BolD3GRO/s1600/DSC00715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6MsqeGzMLVuFpCQWN-tgfXBaE4E3qcaRmvz4GSq8EemUgTo5DnuPfvtfiS86ectEKeucDLwDR8TFpgF1ifdVZXhz0hHB6t3J1Kin9cNQIThydDHNmIDpMK9eeHdBVrQ5n824BolD3GRO/s640/DSC00715.jpg" width="448" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">During this same time, slaves had become a valuable commodity and they became the principal "product" </b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">traded in Cape Coast. Due to this, many changes were made to the Cape Coast Castle. </b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.799999237060547px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>. </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg99yWfpGjV7_XkwFQXM7qf-WLLSiqvs_IIAPvjfjJOCFfH5BHHWOajJoUNIiTwuAVaoOv0heORyRhfcd19-7QcPFLV5UGkYjd1LiNYjzNHghftFS2RxOLW0MG5MK4fcaS8cnq3mXkrTDH/s1600/DSC00716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg99yWfpGjV7_XkwFQXM7qf-WLLSiqvs_IIAPvjfjJOCFfH5BHHWOajJoUNIiTwuAVaoOv0heORyRhfcd19-7QcPFLV5UGkYjd1LiNYjzNHghftFS2RxOLW0MG5MK4fcaS8cnq3mXkrTDH/s640/DSC00716.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Cannons were added as a means of defense from those </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">who might attack from the sea. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87PuHFxLZC2Tc4Z0HMYUXr4p1Ja0oSEiUflZfdDyc4ZNfVAEFOJOnB2P7EFVJqvnckkR8W4fM1NrS9DckcK1eUpTQIBpL1qiP0P0pfYaSHejEgn7bW9UeZAg-bUse7_U0GjL_8KnWNCqF/s1600/DSC00727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87PuHFxLZC2Tc4Z0HMYUXr4p1Ja0oSEiUflZfdDyc4ZNfVAEFOJOnB2P7EFVJqvnckkR8W4fM1NrS9DckcK1eUpTQIBpL1qiP0P0pfYaSHejEgn7bW9UeZAg-bUse7_U0GjL_8KnWNCqF/s640/DSC00727.jpg" width="494" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">The slave trade was very lucrative and many European nations flocked to Cape Coast in order to get a foothold into the business. It </span><span style="line-height: 22px;">was very competitive and this led to conflict. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxmiQeDYQ9iZ_QEgIJ0faJf9qUdd8g2W_YyJyCWwQBvUuckJQYuFe1YIuN8Dl-USMxU3RmFg_vt-imEOKlO57ZTvEkqIDRoMLAOcwblmceYJ2lJMad9AicB3UOEMrnfAqQGNUQMa4pDFC/s1600/DSC00731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxmiQeDYQ9iZ_QEgIJ0faJf9qUdd8g2W_YyJyCWwQBvUuckJQYuFe1YIuN8Dl-USMxU3RmFg_vt-imEOKlO57ZTvEkqIDRoMLAOcwblmceYJ2lJMad9AicB3UOEMrnfAqQGNUQMa4pDFC/s640/DSC00731.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">One of the smaller cannons was on display. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"> The patina was beautifully aged. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSeQ-kaJMFal6StxNc2xpuovuVynllIo7LbicXvZ5Eve4Ltk4cJY6IcoOXmVOMLIzTJNYP5X77tcvANPuCK-35gv2bZiDhIWGuPfeDqSqp7tQfVCS3p2K0FhsNmVRVOfqw8HakV4b3k-S/s1600/DSC00729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSeQ-kaJMFal6StxNc2xpuovuVynllIo7LbicXvZ5Eve4Ltk4cJY6IcoOXmVOMLIzTJNYP5X77tcvANPuCK-35gv2bZiDhIWGuPfeDqSqp7tQfVCS3p2K0FhsNmVRVOfqw8HakV4b3k-S/s640/DSC00729.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The huge iron cannon balls were plentiful in the courtyard. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRaY2dH0yJifpMQ_mt44snz1SxHN_T-7cWqIwNGfHiJLNoM7OU_6X13mSTEL45UUPbITqSuXWWlbv3EP_dlzGvjDh2juezssdqD20OpazN5xViYr2IQFJcVT06myYHrZ7PLoTROQ8-gDL/s1600/DSC00733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRaY2dH0yJifpMQ_mt44snz1SxHN_T-7cWqIwNGfHiJLNoM7OU_6X13mSTEL45UUPbITqSuXWWlbv3EP_dlzGvjDh2juezssdqD20OpazN5xViYr2IQFJcVT06myYHrZ7PLoTROQ8-gDL/s640/DSC00733.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><b>One of the alterations made to the Castle was the addition of large underground dungeons that could hold as many as a thousand slaves awaiting export. There were three separate male dungeons with no air vents for circulation. </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPOPqSlxET2JgkH9vLj_QgV_AuPbGc1CicZTylZqJp-1tCk_o-cay5b4MKbRBbJqeZHdr0O_JvDD8Y7wkvBvTbTMH9UB-IBtwaG4GblYqdPHlal4f6nVYLPqHq_GlAIF9nLcjQaI8y-B-/s1600/DSC00737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPOPqSlxET2JgkH9vLj_QgV_AuPbGc1CicZTylZqJp-1tCk_o-cay5b4MKbRBbJqeZHdr0O_JvDD8Y7wkvBvTbTMH9UB-IBtwaG4GblYqdPHlal4f6nVYLPqHq_GlAIF9nLcjQaI8y-B-/s640/DSC00737.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The conditions in the dungeons were appalling, with 300+ slaves in each room, and no space to lie down. The floor was littered with human waste, making it now several inches higher than it was when originally built. Many of the prisoners became sick with malaria and yellow fever and approximately 20% died while waiting in the cells. The average stay ranged from 2 to 6 months.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyY9KKXBhDScCvVbGKlcAvrAxuSeQbmqtO-KNecAQCvQTPtvi2h_re1JcLM56Blg-_1vO16-KesccQBI8htJL38xxKK5WnHnt0Mny8MBvsSDMew4Ni4oZ6kNLngmupdm4-YE_9tocHxWT/s1600/DSC00753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyY9KKXBhDScCvVbGKlcAvrAxuSeQbmqtO-KNecAQCvQTPtvi2h_re1JcLM56Blg-_1vO16-KesccQBI8htJL38xxKK5WnHnt0Mny8MBvsSDMew4Ni4oZ6kNLngmupdm4-YE_9tocHxWT/s640/DSC00753.JPG" width="640" /></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">There were only two smaller dungeons for women, as they were less valuable as slaves to be sold. Their main purpose was to breed additional slaves and work as domestic servants. Each room held 200+ women, who were poorly treated as well. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOmFuNsepQHw_LkChdgp3XI2h9lKMange30dFkejxBVKITUKt9atiAqSCOpk2mWlDcJZzqnCMSSDFZglhOUx7RL0PZFcEfZDB4VlVBlB5cAtJl4Y6Q5Ty-aaB5fvF3OiX09rjGkxiBEuH/s1600/DSC00776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOmFuNsepQHw_LkChdgp3XI2h9lKMange30dFkejxBVKITUKt9atiAqSCOpk2mWlDcJZzqnCMSSDFZglhOUx7RL0PZFcEfZDB4VlVBlB5cAtJl4Y6Q5Ty-aaB5fvF3OiX09rjGkxiBEuH/s640/DSC00776.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Slavery was not new to Africa, nor anywhere else in the world for that matter. However, the sheer number of individuals taken from central and western Africa had a profound impact on the history of that continent - as well as the continents to which they were taken. It is estimated that over THREE million slaves passed through this building alone. The slaves were captured and sold from African chiefs to the Europeans for the goods they had to offer. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UPj206eKOnrybwFMnbdINBfsyoUICmgZ1yl-s0s4ajblrTE5TKI94bGBWrDTcQLxjNR31AbEGkKPxcW8euWsK8_TRyqG7i3gwDGUZpO5Sw_B0ySbGhaWLnBbAEzut32YjP21TBGKMlQJ/s1600/DSC00779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UPj206eKOnrybwFMnbdINBfsyoUICmgZ1yl-s0s4ajblrTE5TKI94bGBWrDTcQLxjNR31AbEGkKPxcW8euWsK8_TRyqG7i3gwDGUZpO5Sw_B0ySbGhaWLnBbAEzut32YjP21TBGKMlQJ/s640/DSC00779.jpg" width="480" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The cells were used for punitive means, but also as a signal to the other prisoners. The ones who challenged authority were left here with no food, no water and no ventilation. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">No one came out of the cell alive. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39Wa-6n0UPcQOwj0PjhrtHtMzfc2_DMl2NQDfCTPiqo0licrJrOVCQai8cCGpzkENSXp4fWESbkqAtOLsIgI1oWbj-Ii5tKgzAyinW_xVWGbxTva88bYLRxcCAQJb27d7fM94bXSMzsSX/s1600/DSC00784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></b></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkBF74YGUvJkpb-U2nsMKtm8p7Hp4piQuRliEcTEK44e2a0iQDu4n8R4xDr56Nty-Ww4ylG7cIpRKFNGGTmo1ZMtkvi4B_z06Y51feLhLOWIkyFXXfgJla9yTvWRNudE8Rx1UvQ5gprj9/s1600/DSC00756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkBF74YGUvJkpb-U2nsMKtm8p7Hp4piQuRliEcTEK44e2a0iQDu4n8R4xDr56Nty-Ww4ylG7cIpRKFNGGTmo1ZMtkvi4B_z06Y51feLhLOWIkyFXXfgJla9yTvWRNudE8Rx1UvQ5gprj9/s640/DSC00756.jpg" width="480" /></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Conditions did not improve for the slaves that were </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">led down this corridor out to the waiting ships. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HUADtpfldrxO4p13ERx58ezZgLSBhFBYatXjKKka_Q4h8b5u1b6N3OGHx-XooGRcg6CxWfWOj3ty3EGX5CUzpuBLJVGedWxV8uCS7yng4qwbGGnhOJYYrE7laojFGQ4rAxj8dy_SjAyj/s1600/DSC00755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HUADtpfldrxO4p13ERx58ezZgLSBhFBYatXjKKka_Q4h8b5u1b6N3OGHx-XooGRcg6CxWfWOj3ty3EGX5CUzpuBLJVGedWxV8uCS7yng4qwbGGnhOJYYrE7laojFGQ4rAxj8dy_SjAyj/s640/DSC00755.JPG" width="640" /></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Each one passed through the "Door of No Return" as they </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">were led like cattle onto the ramps. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO8erijxKg9SAWmnhdT3zsJAao_aT007Z1HZ2QC0WAbj8cBmTyIb04Nd_PLRB26RoHx9S_XVE6nm-otokP7xyddasUqfX29wzokE1TbiRPGdyuGwXoMDVSWoXoVt1Ch7h6eOKBOrF-rzi/s1600/DSC00754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO8erijxKg9SAWmnhdT3zsJAao_aT007Z1HZ2QC0WAbj8cBmTyIb04Nd_PLRB26RoHx9S_XVE6nm-otokP7xyddasUqfX29wzokE1TbiRPGdyuGwXoMDVSWoXoVt1Ch7h6eOKBOrF-rzi/s640/DSC00754.jpg" width="480" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">This door was the last threshold for the </b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">captives on African soil. </b></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6x0uLmzJFlTHEstK4NNo_g0Fi4W_xYZCoaepFoF1yRoQHQ4hZA5fEGC0Kt5mj7BS7WWCVnv4QO35UD-1lzcFEW69PGfZe4ReWxVCewekVHiDlPIO6nioltzl6MDB6ldupmNmHxQiiRxSJ/s1600/DSC00718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6x0uLmzJFlTHEstK4NNo_g0Fi4W_xYZCoaepFoF1yRoQHQ4hZA5fEGC0Kt5mj7BS7WWCVnv4QO35UD-1lzcFEW69PGfZe4ReWxVCewekVHiDlPIO6nioltzl6MDB6ldupmNmHxQiiRxSJ/s640/DSC00718.jpg" width="480" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">It was sobering to stand at this spot and imagine the </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">harrowing experiences</b></span><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> for those sold into slavery. </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsRTGlTRjmKu2HL7tukLKa6_dBz-p1H6_Digzt79y7ZHVbJl66YWDyy-h8Drx96xmbKsCHLHrA6MoAR86pfvjmjhIpfxTGtrBXTCy_ASeSHvpDAYbpRWxVBj7ua6aVs4buDMhxANJU72a/s1600/DSC00760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsRTGlTRjmKu2HL7tukLKa6_dBz-p1H6_Digzt79y7ZHVbJl66YWDyy-h8Drx96xmbKsCHLHrA6MoAR86pfvjmjhIpfxTGtrBXTCy_ASeSHvpDAYbpRWxVBj7ua6aVs4buDMhxANJU72a/s640/DSC00760.jpg" width="480" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">For a few who did return - and for MANY families who came to pay tributes later, the "Door of Return" was open to them - located on the opposite side of the same door from earlier. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITepIlciT9JjFSWW74NipsrVc_aiHHYF8VQV8cxADI_z3PbKp_GdBSY7PhZo6gd5wekfFn2PYLMjnh-_j_Yuv3Bu9ojW0u0LW6mJvP3xKniOvPRf6Jj2xMmE9-qaoKxtGvoYM2FiGwghc/s1600/DSC00794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span></b></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITepIlciT9JjFSWW74NipsrVc_aiHHYF8VQV8cxADI_z3PbKp_GdBSY7PhZo6gd5wekfFn2PYLMjnh-_j_Yuv3Bu9ojW0u0LW6mJvP3xKniOvPRf6Jj2xMmE9-qaoKxtGvoYM2FiGwghc/s1600/DSC00794.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITepIlciT9JjFSWW74NipsrVc_aiHHYF8VQV8cxADI_z3PbKp_GdBSY7PhZo6gd5wekfFn2PYLMjnh-_j_Yuv3Bu9ojW0u0LW6mJvP3xKniOvPRf6Jj2xMmE9-qaoKxtGvoYM2FiGwghc/s640/DSC00794.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Unfortunately, once the slaves entered the ships, the journey was just beginning as they were transported through the Middle Passage to the Americas. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ97qIU4bKKKFaRwbfIBDYbfs8aXeEfCRziy9L9cMf_k42hlvO3-1ruj96Bq5VrAVTGEgU-8nuVy7p9Hl40X_bdI-uxoFoy3WBvqPaRigzJ9hLexHSnIKNvQBTaSNwGzVu_uwdPgOj_bwr/s1600/DSC00730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ97qIU4bKKKFaRwbfIBDYbfs8aXeEfCRziy9L9cMf_k42hlvO3-1ruj96Bq5VrAVTGEgU-8nuVy7p9Hl40X_bdI-uxoFoy3WBvqPaRigzJ9hLexHSnIKNvQBTaSNwGzVu_uwdPgOj_bwr/s640/DSC00730.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">The voyage lasted several months, with conditions even worse than the dungeons. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbA3gSlbicrOgWD26QOAwaulZz5GIq3CmyHFQE9V2pHeUln6udD6aYyKzvs4reNb24DHt8wHMjA9NDSMfx7SBoZadOAK8fLNxbd28o3tJwi0nYxixztcfuOooP0toJr9B63_imKYHc2bd/s1600/DSC00740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbA3gSlbicrOgWD26QOAwaulZz5GIq3CmyHFQE9V2pHeUln6udD6aYyKzvs4reNb24DHt8wHMjA9NDSMfx7SBoZadOAK8fLNxbd28o3tJwi0nYxixztcfuOooP0toJr9B63_imKYHc2bd/s640/DSC00740.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Many of the captives died on the journey from malnutrition and disease. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;"></b></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHkn-S3LuEcmy_8XZFl36GY64yWC8Odk8-RYPZ14qgaYBZBzQYGKMy532ePTPIfhP6IBArEHaVIC7qtJq1HpS2ElK1HMowjSS4I4rMzuaqJgJ-NhyphenhyphenTXludpTWpr1Jp4JPyn9etTlFP9Zy/s1600/DSC00744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSHkn-S3LuEcmy_8XZFl36GY64yWC8Odk8-RYPZ14qgaYBZBzQYGKMy532ePTPIfhP6IBArEHaVIC7qtJq1HpS2ElK1HMowjSS4I4rMzuaqJgJ-NhyphenhyphenTXludpTWpr1Jp4JPyn9etTlFP9Zy/s640/DSC00744.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;">Those that reached the Americas faced a life of slavery. </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWIUltzeyTAa84wbPVCbQ4hpxQmH_HOGIFa3S6NhldJAGZMWlh-ZGQ4v-KuG2MguIDgwZsTvywISJbMOHsmq-GSWJ_rQbKXgHuEPF8g2lQycCuwVQbUyNHBzlncYVzdgKcG08__U_GToQ/s1600/DSC00739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWIUltzeyTAa84wbPVCbQ4hpxQmH_HOGIFa3S6NhldJAGZMWlh-ZGQ4v-KuG2MguIDgwZsTvywISJbMOHsmq-GSWJ_rQbKXgHuEPF8g2lQycCuwVQbUyNHBzlncYVzdgKcG08__U_GToQ/s640/DSC00739.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> While many came to the US, many more were shipped to the Caribbean and to South America. </b><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yet almost all began their journeys in the slave castles on the Ghanaian coast. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnL5JYbZQQ8wu5X7XZs-t3761N0rnC757q7YYU6ciMnDSy5A4t-DHL_9H3Tnk0fmP_wXqpG66w_q4JWIq4ZpGVcXoK2MSXN53BIUVl0MVcgwVML-eUq_3A0hvuIAhyuVWC8htXmXJ5qo3/s1600/DSC00726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnL5JYbZQQ8wu5X7XZs-t3761N0rnC757q7YYU6ciMnDSy5A4t-DHL_9H3Tnk0fmP_wXqpG66w_q4JWIq4ZpGVcXoK2MSXN53BIUVl0MVcgwVML-eUq_3A0hvuIAhyuVWC8htXmXJ5qo3/s640/DSC00726.JPG" width="640" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">Totally, over 12 million slaves were shipped out of Africa to supply labor to the New World. Several million died along the way. It stands as one of the greatest migrations, although forced, of humans ever in history. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKPl0CVckgVpT5sGFBpR_p-H0Iqu3gyxqaB4Orq0bjYlV9ELSzMgZZ4VkDIEh6-WZ6tEI00E3IidN6tZBnSUlFK-LcL4XaGTdbVCdPD_fD-_fp48Y3Lx7ZzJFdcWxIZcUeCAbzCoLH8DE/s1600/DSC00734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKPl0CVckgVpT5sGFBpR_p-H0Iqu3gyxqaB4Orq0bjYlV9ELSzMgZZ4VkDIEh6-WZ6tEI00E3IidN6tZBnSUlFK-LcL4XaGTdbVCdPD_fD-_fp48Y3Lx7ZzJFdcWxIZcUeCAbzCoLH8DE/s640/DSC00734.JPG" width="640" /></b></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This sign was in the courtyard and is well stated. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b> "May humanity never again perpetrate such injustice against humanity." </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>This was a visit that we will always remember. </b></span></span></div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-47470019181419958382015-09-22T16:58:00.001-05:002015-09-22T16:58:25.531-05:00Ghana from the Tree Tops<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Saturday, we decided to explore Ghana and Kakum Forest was at the top of my list. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7K07sNH1rmg6KN5LJOVPHEmDaQ9ot3f02hIMVBwMPhQkkrZYFNmq5C32-hG5HCuNhJYKDgwO8OFmjksuRAg_02qe5dS5L6_GUWf03Y9SPS126DnEWRP3G1-Xn9QbyirW5PP5VQ8LKd7J/s1600/DSC00628+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM7K07sNH1rmg6KN5LJOVPHEmDaQ9ot3f02hIMVBwMPhQkkrZYFNmq5C32-hG5HCuNhJYKDgwO8OFmjksuRAg_02qe5dS5L6_GUWf03Y9SPS126DnEWRP3G1-Xn9QbyirW5PP5VQ8LKd7J/s640/DSC00628+%25281%2529.jpg" width="483" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kakum National Park is one of the best known parks in Ghana, located </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">about 3 hours drive from Accra in the south-central region of the country. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLEzPgr_IDqHOXdiIfF9QdeH-ZwZZPy1i2YwMZDqmL3Fuc2cVK3ijy1MYrdoATHzS37ixuBbkkzSWoJmyZ9CT4RjdvYfG5ImwTCrATx-FEcllHRHUUxx2VHgohHe_WAUHmS3fx93q0x-R/s1600/DSC00631+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibLEzPgr_IDqHOXdiIfF9QdeH-ZwZZPy1i2YwMZDqmL3Fuc2cVK3ijy1MYrdoATHzS37ixuBbkkzSWoJmyZ9CT4RjdvYfG5ImwTCrATx-FEcllHRHUUxx2VHgohHe_WAUHmS3fx93q0x-R/s640/DSC00631+%25281%2529.jpg" width="451" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I liked this sign explaining alternatives to bushmeat, which was hanging at the entrance to the park. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bushmeat is anything that lives in the bush, which includes reptiles, monkeys, birds and other non-domesticated animals. Bushmeat is also discouraged for eating because it carries the ebola virus. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihECfF9pqRRTFdWB7iICn4scYlmlgvfLEXkxv57984Vq0zdaeimTqybQvF3whVjCHcy4oUDIWqXEMO7IJLZ3uDaQaFSxvGsK0M9DvSZ31KUoq__I9fCNmCMl8KUzo-w_4p-VvJ3x_CKXOv/s1600/DSC00634+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihECfF9pqRRTFdWB7iICn4scYlmlgvfLEXkxv57984Vq0zdaeimTqybQvF3whVjCHcy4oUDIWqXEMO7IJLZ3uDaQaFSxvGsK0M9DvSZ31KUoq__I9fCNmCMl8KUzo-w_4p-VvJ3x_CKXOv/s640/DSC00634+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Agama lizard is common in sub-sahara Africa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And yes, I got close enough to actually take this picture! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(My camera date is off since the picture was taken just a few days ago!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This lizard is a female. The males have bright orange heads. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDvezwya-Wa1RNWMgkniegL_xywIb2q-LCmYoVqaN-1TSPFr3QHvughZIDOW4PXVX5KwF0UqsbdWmHVwJ-Q3X3gnrHjFpFOFondVoLDW8c0fzSXX7jIep9CBojJ_M-UGL3D3vtf0GKw68/s1600/DSC00639+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDvezwya-Wa1RNWMgkniegL_xywIb2q-LCmYoVqaN-1TSPFr3QHvughZIDOW4PXVX5KwF0UqsbdWmHVwJ-Q3X3gnrHjFpFOFondVoLDW8c0fzSXX7jIep9CBojJ_M-UGL3D3vtf0GKw68/s640/DSC00639+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kakum is a beautiful rainforest with plenty of animal life (hidden during the day). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgMolWRyHEW1SupMS0ogKxIpNwqrJnlTk8yXMcXJyS98CZCSOsi2WA9onHcqQA234RTWiruR1Duy7x6atSbqdU5LXq5ibpNLQxWLGjOvnAx2ZP_iVqI89qfYlFU-4YUx_Byqu1gJ89DDt/s1600/DSC00666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivgMolWRyHEW1SupMS0ogKxIpNwqrJnlTk8yXMcXJyS98CZCSOsi2WA9onHcqQA234RTWiruR1Duy7x6atSbqdU5LXq5ibpNLQxWLGjOvnAx2ZP_iVqI89qfYlFU-4YUx_Byqu1gJ89DDt/s640/DSC00666.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, the most unique parts of Kakum are the canopy walkways - or hanging bridges. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlE2Lm3v7mdbpapHgMMTLh5t_lUxiLaJYf89hgyYwZ7vPXO1x2oV5tAvkTSUAgqQ4Uhm0Tyxi_gARsAJ86Ai9W2kVd9PQSU3aeClQucPoiMEAMb9o_Dgmp44ZfKwyFYEvS0EV6dnGgqNO/s1600/DSC00642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlE2Lm3v7mdbpapHgMMTLh5t_lUxiLaJYf89hgyYwZ7vPXO1x2oV5tAvkTSUAgqQ4Uhm0Tyxi_gARsAJ86Ai9W2kVd9PQSU3aeClQucPoiMEAMb9o_Dgmp44ZfKwyFYEvS0EV6dnGgqNO/s640/DSC00642.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are 7 bridges connecting throughout the forest and running OVER the tree tops. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnR3BXb2TvdO9u8YDm9RVGfvvnpsXn6y9tFivNuSrXqcRuRlaulxvDRaRPVPzB8BdgZN4tka3Uh7Mdg90YVe_DmWoBJTB8usLSdpioScVy-DNDzF0Uwyv8Nv5Ti_pvkvPFzVEFVIIJhjcn/s1600/DSC00653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnR3BXb2TvdO9u8YDm9RVGfvvnpsXn6y9tFivNuSrXqcRuRlaulxvDRaRPVPzB8BdgZN4tka3Uh7Mdg90YVe_DmWoBJTB8usLSdpioScVy-DNDzF0Uwyv8Nv5Ti_pvkvPFzVEFVIIJhjcn/s640/DSC00653.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a great way to view the rainforest from a vantage point that most people never see. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hdOzoymKmKoKaU_jj5qUFBS4cT2EwZA2M2OpMhCFjBl8kBS4keZrIcCW2-iu7Y9QReHb76tggexIVMhndoXr5Fcum9keW9KlvJatOokRhftG8J6e2-BwsSnpzEY5wcgCL-LOhftKu21_/s1600/DSC00644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hdOzoymKmKoKaU_jj5qUFBS4cT2EwZA2M2OpMhCFjBl8kBS4keZrIcCW2-iu7Y9QReHb76tggexIVMhndoXr5Fcum9keW9KlvJatOokRhftG8J6e2-BwsSnpzEY5wcgCL-LOhftKu21_/s640/DSC00644.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: center;"> </span>The bridges are connected by ropes which sway as we walked from one to another. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt_XSA0eMzc-Di_A7Xdg7UuKU-CDhToZvd9rrXOJLu-N5kWrqxfPXrPtPyA5iO33M1ftIhD59OGOyCYmfmS5dFTeOlvVpBP0ixgiKlCc7Xc2ciHKnvhIyz_B24ePURvpa2ec9qhYOYAQT/s1600/DSC00672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCt_XSA0eMzc-Di_A7Xdg7UuKU-CDhToZvd9rrXOJLu-N5kWrqxfPXrPtPyA5iO33M1ftIhD59OGOyCYmfmS5dFTeOlvVpBP0ixgiKlCc7Xc2ciHKnvhIyz_B24ePURvpa2ec9qhYOYAQT/s640/DSC00672.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The boards are pretty narrow but the view was fantastic. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFalFO6nZI4U4eZHLrRQ9z45MJVscDyGYPNYJ6SG8SzqjctZWwkgpw9NXl1z0yXvmCQPstbF3HOt4A0Hn67GCVtwGuWfznGl4U6D9L_nNafdcCtdQ3h99x1p2TTzBLZEto4xUhCIo5pKbd/s1600/DSC00656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFalFO6nZI4U4eZHLrRQ9z45MJVscDyGYPNYJ6SG8SzqjctZWwkgpw9NXl1z0yXvmCQPstbF3HOt4A0Hn67GCVtwGuWfznGl4U6D9L_nNafdcCtdQ3h99x1p2TTzBLZEto4xUhCIo5pKbd/s640/DSC00656.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was an awesome experience as we crossed over each bridge. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegpEG6g9t4XTm2m_-ke1CI5d-pUFu40m1swFhvE-HPyKB7wNtfCC9Pk3fOi7Mf1NnVr_Aw_HYXrR8MMLoY1Oaxb_VvIoVXRTZmz0JLAqL_qPZuI9y45w4rL7ofwzrmvhFcz_lgFTb5eFc/s1600/DSC00657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegpEG6g9t4XTm2m_-ke1CI5d-pUFu40m1swFhvE-HPyKB7wNtfCC9Pk3fOi7Mf1NnVr_Aw_HYXrR8MMLoY1Oaxb_VvIoVXRTZmz0JLAqL_qPZuI9y45w4rL7ofwzrmvhFcz_lgFTb5eFc/s640/DSC00657.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Between the bridges, there were platforms in the trees. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhKFcKOxzsa_RWiY5zLQEGi3JMnVuEKFKmK_PKjTaroFNlCd7dqK5kCoxVwRgk-QNLGJn5QO6gFoRrn5C_6HIvWeZXo-7qQG-gUMaVaTGDnunEfRrnJDRCfUHxzhDP4F1XudL7oUgwg0t/s1600/DSC00660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhKFcKOxzsa_RWiY5zLQEGi3JMnVuEKFKmK_PKjTaroFNlCd7dqK5kCoxVwRgk-QNLGJn5QO6gFoRrn5C_6HIvWeZXo-7qQG-gUMaVaTGDnunEfRrnJDRCfUHxzhDP4F1XudL7oUgwg0t/s640/DSC00660.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">The Canopy walkways are about 40 meters high looking over the tree tops in many areas. </span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdqTkLUkFnyiDnAwsUNCbFAFXiPweXuutsBzv-3xY_nrEbIVorbwZFZwHdp4e-YR2t8UFwgKyXU7Q9baZlMwAWvhExBaWfWUQfGXlW7Bk8bpAdVs0r3FHCGFPpOOxcSYMz9G_S18jIbJF/s1600/DSC00671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdqTkLUkFnyiDnAwsUNCbFAFXiPweXuutsBzv-3xY_nrEbIVorbwZFZwHdp4e-YR2t8UFwgKyXU7Q9baZlMwAWvhExBaWfWUQfGXlW7Bk8bpAdVs0r3FHCGFPpOOxcSYMz9G_S18jIbJF/s640/DSC00671.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The seven bridges run over 330 meters in length. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGdJEAaDAlB_DyanzBrdrW5xx9sjebNnC6zqDfD2HtkXcBBz6o9Jp8d_yusOX4z0-45t1_Y7b6AtW2hTMFSDFSwWfgJYRMwtBOBIjSYgStCitgmlSWcdqzpdSm7M6uw5ur4hvcsBy_V0R/s1600/DSC00662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGdJEAaDAlB_DyanzBrdrW5xx9sjebNnC6zqDfD2HtkXcBBz6o9Jp8d_yusOX4z0-45t1_Y7b6AtW2hTMFSDFSwWfgJYRMwtBOBIjSYgStCitgmlSWcdqzpdSm7M6uw5ur4hvcsBy_V0R/s640/DSC00662.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bridges were very springy, especially when </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">one of us enjoyed 'bouncing' to make them move more! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uEisI382uFKbS-WxM7S3uyeMHCN0CrUiYbh-8Eo7qemPGOlpeNfRgyyJbY21Zr8Cqd7_ky35P23G8rUugVA5ZP_a2BwX942hzUmAFyjPECxVqChuLrwqGIQiaWZZScPFnauxkmK2MWSX/s1600/DSC00678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uEisI382uFKbS-WxM7S3uyeMHCN0CrUiYbh-8Eo7qemPGOlpeNfRgyyJbY21Zr8Cqd7_ky35P23G8rUugVA5ZP_a2BwX942hzUmAFyjPECxVqChuLrwqGIQiaWZZScPFnauxkmK2MWSX/s640/DSC00678.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ropes are used to tie off to the posts and the ropes are checked daily for wear and tear. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqS9LiJZfq2DvP2a759dkhBuu56w05pINn6yTuj9jHY3FH3OqDtlNeu2RvXgnd2ihbPDM3sSy3gn-f5aIfqd4hB7jVIrhdGJeNYsH2ps3XHTKNoqcyAT-2ZkMrxcI0VIXNf9yNvomx2s3/s1600/DSC00679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqS9LiJZfq2DvP2a759dkhBuu56w05pINn6yTuj9jHY3FH3OqDtlNeu2RvXgnd2ihbPDM3sSy3gn-f5aIfqd4hB7jVIrhdGJeNYsH2ps3XHTKNoqcyAT-2ZkMrxcI0VIXNf9yNvomx2s3/s640/DSC00679.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This may not be a good idea if heights bother you, but we thought it was great. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM-55WaxdG0DYycm4BKIM8AsDnFr8MLkEjSOUiXLr5vXzfpI2FuFOJeDie5uJpkzmW_LxSen2j1AMfMDMBZS2B8sPweezR42gQRztEhy5yNZHt5xPVonA27eUsCYvL2wnrEP8_679VmSr/s1600/DSC00681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifM-55WaxdG0DYycm4BKIM8AsDnFr8MLkEjSOUiXLr5vXzfpI2FuFOJeDie5uJpkzmW_LxSen2j1AMfMDMBZS2B8sPweezR42gQRztEhy5yNZHt5xPVonA27eUsCYvL2wnrEP8_679VmSr/s640/DSC00681.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The park offers an overnight stay in the tree house, and we wanted to take a look. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYWoqbWRS82LWk-2KyU_v-ViLr2xuQWfiu7OdH-SFocx9bVzmIAptQ58LykHL8zLpmigTYAfbrvMUAxNX9gM2V046bI25c1WKmhpOJ6HiLjb7aOyDtOmGlH2V6uKMiBfRxrUYaMYfFMDk/s1600/DSC00686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYWoqbWRS82LWk-2KyU_v-ViLr2xuQWfiu7OdH-SFocx9bVzmIAptQ58LykHL8zLpmigTYAfbrvMUAxNX9gM2V046bI25c1WKmhpOJ6HiLjb7aOyDtOmGlH2V6uKMiBfRxrUYaMYfFMDk/s640/DSC00686.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We climbed to the top and decided that it wasn't a place that we wanted to stay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The openness and the mosquito nets would be fine, but the dirty mattresses weren't too appealing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcabFFZuthfe08PQWuphNlTfS-IVsAivFs_lz-3R71TuUFOh9376LpRs_Iyp2Q8jN5GcNJlrkwNt0WOXiClMx6fGw_nAa325BKWTWjPj2-t9yyiPScYJ1PKtiF3NcGc4WXbssfsi8mPtV/s1600/DSC00693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcabFFZuthfe08PQWuphNlTfS-IVsAivFs_lz-3R71TuUFOh9376LpRs_Iyp2Q8jN5GcNJlrkwNt0WOXiClMx6fGw_nAa325BKWTWjPj2-t9yyiPScYJ1PKtiF3NcGc4WXbssfsi8mPtV/s640/DSC00693.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the muddy path through the rain forest back to the main camp. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm9FjpxdqKkreuT0Zh75oMQANLea54mmlHYf5O2m6iq_TanbBlt1xsYbixdLEVE-oTUVWMXbEfZ1jmR1NorQQcibwAUq5Tj7YFol7t55FZSXJm41Xr4k7eDnR8XH508D8TF41FRiWFMhE/s1600/DSC00702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdm9FjpxdqKkreuT0Zh75oMQANLea54mmlHYf5O2m6iq_TanbBlt1xsYbixdLEVE-oTUVWMXbEfZ1jmR1NorQQcibwAUq5Tj7YFol7t55FZSXJm41Xr4k7eDnR8XH508D8TF41FRiWFMhE/s640/DSC00702.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They even sell t-shirts that say, "I survived the canopy walkway in Ghana!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> We didn't feel a need to purchase one. :) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo4hKYkQAOi62a3Kf_PqC5aQXZnDeQxUvnQCvtmiZZyaze9bz9voH-ATAliW9DP_CH9hqPzNCUp3G1kYD8FRhF87sa4zwu5L7AZ4GbqoHsv2B_2IytycPUdx8STkQqs4pCUfAFlyVf0qv/s1600/DSC00708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo4hKYkQAOi62a3Kf_PqC5aQXZnDeQxUvnQCvtmiZZyaze9bz9voH-ATAliW9DP_CH9hqPzNCUp3G1kYD8FRhF87sa4zwu5L7AZ4GbqoHsv2B_2IytycPUdx8STkQqs4pCUfAFlyVf0qv/s640/DSC00708.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The village next to the park was very peaceful. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZLmjA9wX-kgIcXm8_wGxsNKtMF4RlVX_tMF8DG5lrWk-q-84UR3S_NdLW6IL32tHAA5TYieVNge1UHJUiM65oGW1hGNSi4acFhCQ-A9xlVhTdQSuEZEvhBRB4ucVRrbfunL6mJFE2eht/s1600/DSC00707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZLmjA9wX-kgIcXm8_wGxsNKtMF4RlVX_tMF8DG5lrWk-q-84UR3S_NdLW6IL32tHAA5TYieVNge1UHJUiM65oGW1hGNSi4acFhCQ-A9xlVhTdQSuEZEvhBRB4ucVRrbfunL6mJFE2eht/s640/DSC00707.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was interesting to observe typical village life as we drove out of the park surrounds. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF2VJRVgFCGFGwMMVIne5Y8NuaaQ64nIySMAmOIQ2zrcuk28h0Aym8lBwcJ9cQn2cpwe5KLZr4f0-IAyssl850t6tvm1ym5ju_dQpf0ivJ9VD1fWR0PWmWxVA8OzONb15o2MfFF2wpFXe/s1600/DSC00710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaF2VJRVgFCGFGwMMVIne5Y8NuaaQ64nIySMAmOIQ2zrcuk28h0Aym8lBwcJ9cQn2cpwe5KLZr4f0-IAyssl850t6tvm1ym5ju_dQpf0ivJ9VD1fWR0PWmWxVA8OzONb15o2MfFF2wpFXe/s640/DSC00710.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a fun day and we are glad that we visited Kakum. </span></div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-58009183991224548602015-09-17T16:44:00.000-05:002015-09-22T04:51:24.800-05:00Greetings from Ghana <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we were picking up our bags in the Ghana airport, we couldn't resist a picture of this sign! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QJxs373ZmJ2ttwbN0P6n4mNgb55vbokXAF_Pm6jxyWKBx_7cNaytCHAG7YJALkLKA9g96Epw2PIatnRMEC_pXyDxf74qCXMEf72jEs1h1vwLLNhXOyUjW-fXNMg46_9hRNEaBaAl0ZRG/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QJxs373ZmJ2ttwbN0P6n4mNgb55vbokXAF_Pm6jxyWKBx_7cNaytCHAG7YJALkLKA9g96Epw2PIatnRMEC_pXyDxf74qCXMEf72jEs1h1vwLLNhXOyUjW-fXNMg46_9hRNEaBaAl0ZRG/s400/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="270" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ghanaians use the name "Charley" as an informal-slang, Pidgin-English term. It is used to emphasize a point, show empathy or just because... The usage is similar to how we might use "Buddy', "Dude', "Girlfriend" or just as an exclamation. It originated from WWII as a derogatory reference to the enemy by the Americans. However, after hearing the term, the Ghanaian soldiers picked it up and started using it in a different context, and continued to the present day. So, if someone doesn't know your name, you may hear, "Hi Charley" in Ghana. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was my first trip to Ghana and I really enjoyed our visit. After living in Nigeria and Cameroon, I understand why Ghana is considered to be "Africa Light". It seemed easier and more westernized in many ways with traffic that actually followed the rules. Ghana is safe, relatively quiet and peaceful. The country suffers less from crime, corruption and political instability than its neighbors. Expatarrivals.com says that "<i>The country is a mild introduction to what makes Africa tick, and expats are eased into what to expect before moving on to more intense experiences in countries such as Angola, Nigeria and DRC (Congo)</i>." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While Charles worked, I went to the Accra Mall not far from our hotel. It was similar to The Palms in Lagos, including Game and Shop Rite - but with much more selection. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeJ5p0Hl_qyg5orlzLrDrbaRmIlC8zm3jM1cEY1rI1t0rizobPBuSkFyLK3c9levi4ciK9x0dyVOFkD3S4m_oOucCxMNxjz_WCLGTwvNL6RCgUr7EPUtAfjD5dsM8gcJtsAQzNzbWWwWx/s1600/IMG_0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQeJ5p0Hl_qyg5orlzLrDrbaRmIlC8zm3jM1cEY1rI1t0rizobPBuSkFyLK3c9levi4ciK9x0dyVOFkD3S4m_oOucCxMNxjz_WCLGTwvNL6RCgUr7EPUtAfjD5dsM8gcJtsAQzNzbWWwWx/s400/IMG_0429.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I was surprised to see a Payless Shoe Store as well as a Sony and Panasonic shop. I was also happy to find a Woodin fabric store, which was my objective in Ghana. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoq_E-7tnjJg9bv2-RNNq5Kon4bm3BKOH4UbtW77BajwRmS9ebCyGQXvrB_gy1ZtooPWsJLuWjPSrHp-LQIJWnKRUpFmsqlUnFUB1vxEu2pCyAVeZpVKcNvb334C4ZuKGNoZAtK6h_cY5/s1600/IMG_0428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyoq_E-7tnjJg9bv2-RNNq5Kon4bm3BKOH4UbtW77BajwRmS9ebCyGQXvrB_gy1ZtooPWsJLuWjPSrHp-LQIJWnKRUpFmsqlUnFUB1vxEu2pCyAVeZpVKcNvb334C4ZuKGNoZAtK6h_cY5/s640/IMG_0428.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Woodin was my favorite fabric at the markets in Lagos, so I wanted to find it in both Ghana and in the Ivory Coast where it is produced. The store I visited was small and they suggested a second store in Osu, which I found later. :) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSggJEAmpWThBaK-8_qZynF54So2_ctejwG0bq7ig-XKpCLj8fU6mZzxW614JE32IKHtASXdveay2NY6rlNlvZuonGfjp0-p0AlThPLi5N0eJ1W6tbZYY_YhQGdYNLB66fSzMbRizgDPlW/s1600/IMG_0419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSggJEAmpWThBaK-8_qZynF54So2_ctejwG0bq7ig-XKpCLj8fU6mZzxW614JE32IKHtASXdveay2NY6rlNlvZuonGfjp0-p0AlThPLi5N0eJ1W6tbZYY_YhQGdYNLB66fSzMbRizgDPlW/s640/IMG_0419.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also walked into a store with Vlisco fabric, which is a Dutch wax and a higher quality material. For those who have seen the shoe bags that we sold for our steward in Lagos, you may appreciate this "high-heeled shoe" fabric which was made into a dress. The shop doesn't allow photos, so the clerk finally agreed to turn his head and not see me take this one. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This particular shoe fabric was 378GH¢, which is about $100 USD per piece. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is MUCH more expensive here! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had plenty of time and enjoyed walking around ShopRite and seeing the food selection. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVXiOYpd-Y3G3dsWBVDwm9OFS0a-KIx3Rew8zOgHsWgOQFhzS9yTwYtMf_Z5ErDMGD7m-1rxHFdP16UI-07X3cyjLAxhYvhXmEqCYtp6wT9XhmMeNrIAWPrfrPdLOr8tn-KLQ0YnRwwLl/s1600/IMG_0420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVXiOYpd-Y3G3dsWBVDwm9OFS0a-KIx3Rew8zOgHsWgOQFhzS9yTwYtMf_Z5ErDMGD7m-1rxHFdP16UI-07X3cyjLAxhYvhXmEqCYtp6wT9XhmMeNrIAWPrfrPdLOr8tn-KLQ0YnRwwLl/s400/IMG_0420.jpg" width="371" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mama's Choice Fufu Mix </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fufu is a common food staple all around West Africa made from cassava. It is a tasteless, glutenous type of starch which is used to 'sop' up soup or other vegetables. Most dinners are eaten without utensils, so this aids in the process. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; text-align: start;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9laYJOxltRp7TGIN8b-v9VqDMkauiCheu_CLaTVB2HHpf-LrxQSVa5pX4Jo2L3sqXWPYTTb0_Nw685q8rZkClhiIMEfBoCq39pDjAo_-AUiweC1AqMu8-PRDCuc251R_LksBGmjPw-Kx/s1600/IMG_0421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9laYJOxltRp7TGIN8b-v9VqDMkauiCheu_CLaTVB2HHpf-LrxQSVa5pX4Jo2L3sqXWPYTTb0_Nw685q8rZkClhiIMEfBoCq39pDjAo_-AUiweC1AqMu8-PRDCuc251R_LksBGmjPw-Kx/s400/IMG_0421.jpg" width="336" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And they even have GRITS! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs16uSBQ-GNyyA29y1zP66dcejJBOROGFxEdeAdLvBwEq4GAJfvWlG7KmKCDGAlHweLupEJ0syVrjM9-RfDAXVhtY10LUKqiOgqUHlWlJ4jfghOE_fRn1SIUeDw2VdQeuFkVNyr4_M9Ad/s1600/IMG_0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzs16uSBQ-GNyyA29y1zP66dcejJBOROGFxEdeAdLvBwEq4GAJfvWlG7KmKCDGAlHweLupEJ0syVrjM9-RfDAXVhtY10LUKqiOgqUHlWlJ4jfghOE_fRn1SIUeDw2VdQeuFkVNyr4_M9Ad/s400/IMG_0422.jpg" width="256" /></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Shitor Sauce is a very common chili-type sauce in Ghana, but the name just doesn't translate well at all! **Recipe is below. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnge8NVPEECyX7qi6AqUhC5xPMGLQmplbr2zQX7d9cemZUy4pV_JSJMSqzDed8zOnB2bTEEfRFcSayCT2vsEOHnJC9RJiRHANcmK_VgZHjn9iZEIcR1WlwDId8NvZx275h3VpOO4myKzW/s1600/IMG_0423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnge8NVPEECyX7qi6AqUhC5xPMGLQmplbr2zQX7d9cemZUy4pV_JSJMSqzDed8zOnB2bTEEfRFcSayCT2vsEOHnJC9RJiRHANcmK_VgZHjn9iZEIcR1WlwDId8NvZx275h3VpOO4myKzW/s400/IMG_0423.jpg" width="221" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this Goody's Spicy Black Pepper Shitor Sauce....with Beef Chunks. Huh?? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T0th3TSkLEw3r_m9DQeP0xSPstizZe2P5ymI_oIZxa2mljcPyniybzrALyDuSPWq6UxkZ1wCZuIt1PYm-8q5Ov9g_5rmmFhQus0b2LSDBBdilwCVYK7Ps63_GORkGN5T_F44Z9F5zj2D/s1600/IMG_0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5T0th3TSkLEw3r_m9DQeP0xSPstizZe2P5ymI_oIZxa2mljcPyniybzrALyDuSPWq6UxkZ1wCZuIt1PYm-8q5Ov9g_5rmmFhQus0b2LSDBBdilwCVYK7Ps63_GORkGN5T_F44Z9F5zj2D/s400/IMG_0424.jpg" width="237" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love butter beans - but not in tangy curry sauce! Ugh! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7MZFDYiuW9G7fhSgT1mk3pmk-p5-X7gKLbB2CG4j35rI8GBugRakcR7RkC2fi2JgSFtC40POCGOoPcYXwb8van_pdmRtfahgH9qLoo0y2BoeADioT99JyoU0rI9VUXTXU7z8BPYxkv5H/s1600/IMG_0432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7MZFDYiuW9G7fhSgT1mk3pmk-p5-X7gKLbB2CG4j35rI8GBugRakcR7RkC2fi2JgSFtC40POCGOoPcYXwb8van_pdmRtfahgH9qLoo0y2BoeADioT99JyoU0rI9VUXTXU7z8BPYxkv5H/s400/IMG_0432.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the drive back to the hotel, we passed the Flagstaff House, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">which is the home and office of the President of Ghana. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Dd5BIT1FqkmtHfUXDCsAWQOsjGW574bM8a5eSPYH7juzxJjDsq0vWoGSTZ1LNqEXJBoX226wm4FcUektAiZuyu-Xz0-AVn6V2_M8MUj-LDfGqIO4XHuukJ7u15w_n5K686bLIpn1H4AZ/s1600/IMG_0433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Dd5BIT1FqkmtHfUXDCsAWQOsjGW574bM8a5eSPYH7juzxJjDsq0vWoGSTZ1LNqEXJBoX226wm4FcUektAiZuyu-Xz0-AVn6V2_M8MUj-LDfGqIO4XHuukJ7u15w_n5K686bLIpn1H4AZ/s640/IMG_0433.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The presidential palace is listed as the 10th most beautiful presidential palace in the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Accra is an interesting city and felt more developed than others we have recently visited. We look forward to exploring the countryside tomorrow. </span></div>
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***My recipe for Shito(r) Sauce</h3>
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Shito is something everyone here in Ghana who makes it has their own special recipe, like Americans all having their own secret recipe for BBQ sauce or chili. Shito does not need refrigeration, but if you want you can keep it there. It does need at least a half-inch layer of oil on top, for it to keep well. Mothers will send jars of shito with their children when they are sent off to boarding school. It goes with just about anything - fried yam or potato, hardboiled eggs, samosas, springrolls, fried fish, meat, beans, etc. -- anything you like spicy.<br />
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Here is the list of ingredients:<br />
<ul>
<li>1 cup ground red chili pepper (cayenne)</li>
<li>3 cups vegetable oil*</li>
<li>2 cups ground dried shrimp**</li>
<li>2 cups ground smoked herring***</li>
<li>1 1/2 cups onion puree</li>
<li>2 medium-size tomatoes, pureed</li>
<li>1 cup tomato paste</li>
<li>salt to taste</li>
<li>1-2 cubes of Jumbo or Maggi seasoning, preferably shrimp flavor (this is optional!)</li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">...and the instructions:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Be sure to use a pan with a heavy bottom, so the sauce won't burn.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Add oil to the pan and heat it. Add onion and tomato ingredients and fry the mixture for about 10 minutes, being careful not to burn it. Add the dry ingredients into the pan, stir well, and continue cooking it for an additional 30 minutes. Add salt to taste.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">The finished sauce should be a rich dark reddish-brown color and have a thick texture, not at all runny. Some of the oil may separate out and that is fine. When cooled, put the sauce into a clean glass jar and cover. Make sure about half an inch of oil stays on the top, covering the paste. This sauce keeps indefinitely and does not need refrigeration.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">Notes:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">* refined palm oil is used here in Ghana, especially Obaapa or Frytol brands are good.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">** You can use any size dried shrimp, tiny to big, and if you buy them already ground it saves time. If you start with whole dried shrimp, grind them finely in a mortar or use a blender/food processor to do it for you.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small; line-height: 20.799999237060547px;">*** Smoked herring refers to small or tiny dried fish, just about any kind.</span></div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-4175372902405158582015-09-15T09:14:00.001-05:002015-09-15T11:39:11.158-05:00A touch of Togo <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lomé, Togo is a hub for our area of West Africa. It's a small country nestled in between Benin Republic and Ghana. Lomé is the capital and largest city of Togo, with a population of about 750,000 and located on the Gulf of Guinea. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV_5mia_6o9_jg5eX1A9SsdFpJUe-JybJEHsexJzYyCZIXUMlDnwbxiq4ftlQgZD-NljVZEaP2GahJZ998qs360UZMPJw0epT6AgM866ggNVuO10UxatgMOd-x4tf7dmyexSepwclvhGd/s1600/togo_map.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV_5mia_6o9_jg5eX1A9SsdFpJUe-JybJEHsexJzYyCZIXUMlDnwbxiq4ftlQgZD-NljVZEaP2GahJZ998qs360UZMPJw0epT6AgM866ggNVuO10UxatgMOd-x4tf7dmyexSepwclvhGd/s320/togo_map.gif" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Traveling around West and Central Africa is not easy - and there are not many direct flights to places you want to go. It's hard to get from here to there - unless you go through Togo. Charles had some business travel and I decided to tag along with him. We flew Asky Airlines and on this one trip alone, we will go through Lome three times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Asky (A.Sky) Airlines is a small regional airline with a fleet of only 7 planes. The parent company is Ethiopian airlines. I check this type of information BEFORE I get on a new airline, especially in Africa. :) Asky was founded in 2010 on the initiative of a few West African governments after another regional carrier went bankrupt. Asky has now extended to 17 locations around western and central Africa and hoping to add additional areas in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The planes we fly are small propeller and hold about 65 passengers. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8J6gfTCa83HAZiuWKI1eMomk_9UmoUrWwwpA1q4TQ2XmC3CCOtYnI6oFBA_Cb7vpkCEezUZE5jKAXJEh62Pnk7IdygfsoIxAijXS90O4wjxXBJ6fmp5dXCNf6sLWhaqCwPemiTeTWgp9/s1600/flyasky-asky-en-dash8q400ng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8J6gfTCa83HAZiuWKI1eMomk_9UmoUrWwwpA1q4TQ2XmC3CCOtYnI6oFBA_Cb7vpkCEezUZE5jKAXJEh62Pnk7IdygfsoIxAijXS90O4wjxXBJ6fmp5dXCNf6sLWhaqCwPemiTeTWgp9/s400/flyasky-asky-en-dash8q400ng.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Surprisingly, we were served lunch on our 90 minute flight from Douala. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8RCUeYJoQwNuixnj04JN0cdVnk3BUk59bu858pZHKMEDQhzPY7tD9YkMq2CZkStJbHMTzSfzG76-k6MLOINnpe3BukoB8JO_n-89yFjVhBH51MFrUM8KJGPY15fFJePQTolFVmxtbUZS/s1600/IMG_4745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8RCUeYJoQwNuixnj04JN0cdVnk3BUk59bu858pZHKMEDQhzPY7tD9YkMq2CZkStJbHMTzSfzG76-k6MLOINnpe3BukoB8JO_n-89yFjVhBH51MFrUM8KJGPY15fFJePQTolFVmxtbUZS/s320/IMG_4745.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is a hot dog bun with a piece of sliced cheese along with a glass of water. </span></div>
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We were happy to have it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhregHh5gWAKOK6zdYmmEMKjPEGcI2Wy6_RJPjM4ZqSAdH44I8H0Un6dpO9SA6pc7qMY_FIR57y9eAnZlW7AK7Aucxlb_OsWR_-JMGERFM_wwf_t5VQ4TW2AhxNUP-6w2BNTqHImdycowRA/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhregHh5gWAKOK6zdYmmEMKjPEGcI2Wy6_RJPjM4ZqSAdH44I8H0Un6dpO9SA6pc7qMY_FIR57y9eAnZlW7AK7Aucxlb_OsWR_-JMGERFM_wwf_t5VQ4TW2AhxNUP-6w2BNTqHImdycowRA/s320/IMG_0414.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We've traveled through Lomé a few times before and the procedure is always the same - and similar to other small African nations. There are no walkways which connect to the airport in Lomé, so we disembark and walk down steps that they have rolled up to the plane. We join our fellow passengers on a bus which takes us about 200 yards to the small terminal. We go one direction if we are leaving the airport and another direction for transiting. A health inspector dressed totally in white (including face mask and gloves) greets us at the entrance to take every passengers temperature, checking for possible Ebola infections before we enter the building. We are also instructed to wash our hands with the provided hand sanitizer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once inside the terminal, our passports and visas are double checked and we can enter the waiting area, where there are loads of 'Free' shops. Everything is a low price, almost free! :) The sign really means Duty Free. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7qGPX_B9OoM9xSOpXzo8ktSL-4LmZ-IuvIQd0CqmVA_9av-vVvUCHEVidAo19GopzdaKpIdJA5SY3H7keCguTB8STg1wZf4f33O8OkXUT4jM3DtymkktmmR0nEkHCYkfSaAuSW0Z5Uy4/s1600/Togo+airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7qGPX_B9OoM9xSOpXzo8ktSL-4LmZ-IuvIQd0CqmVA_9av-vVvUCHEVidAo19GopzdaKpIdJA5SY3H7keCguTB8STg1wZf4f33O8OkXUT4jM3DtymkktmmR0nEkHCYkfSaAuSW0Z5Uy4/s400/Togo+airport.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Like in all good African airports, we also have an opportunity to purchase items directly from vendors as they walk around and try to push their wares. We were offered wallets, belts, scarves, fabric and lots of African art just in this small space. There were LOTS of money changers walking around too, and we could have exchanged a multitude of different currencies. Each guy we saw had large stacks of cash! <span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPlc3PbIroVK5G8QaME1iH8NqWNBYFrMy9hmz5ksHH9690saSsfIp52MwAbBykrMpjddMQHjkhucpOPLB295_PvfpQpT2CD0nS9bur2jcugV5yXwG0w0PcL6I-fdFAoGBARZZpAF7ofuY/s1600/IMG_4747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioPlc3PbIroVK5G8QaME1iH8NqWNBYFrMy9hmz5ksHH9690saSsfIp52MwAbBykrMpjddMQHjkhucpOPLB295_PvfpQpT2CD0nS9bur2jcugV5yXwG0w0PcL6I-fdFAoGBARZZpAF7ofuY/s320/IMG_4747.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> After clearing security, there is a large seating area for ALL gates together. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTChba6ZVZ7R8wWbpuIipMleVIgb_4tdBDVI5WNai-S-M_xJgEWxUY7lLNpIn6i1ddoyJ0khytiT43yUkR3ivy0TrvV6FtwrUf97dTJ7BENZDX8Aa-Nseaf0qHND4D0ztJv8Gy74pPwk3L/s1600/IMG_4758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTChba6ZVZ7R8wWbpuIipMleVIgb_4tdBDVI5WNai-S-M_xJgEWxUY7lLNpIn6i1ddoyJ0khytiT43yUkR3ivy0TrvV6FtwrUf97dTJ7BENZDX8Aa-Nseaf0qHND4D0ztJv8Gy74pPwk3L/s320/IMG_4758.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thankfully they have a chiller (air-conditioner) and it is working! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-1kI0vHBVbTaiqHfL1kUmhkDJMG2-HUw22UJrWy3WihoKx3yy4T9aO0-FOD0b3re9cazAGd0H3yQidkHfWK4FArATPGTgfF-A0FHUTgXIvkRjcoV9Ppnk5_ttciB6-HqbJ1v89-ahh6K/s1600/IMG_4750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-1kI0vHBVbTaiqHfL1kUmhkDJMG2-HUw22UJrWy3WihoKx3yy4T9aO0-FOD0b3re9cazAGd0H3yQidkHfWK4FArATPGTgfF-A0FHUTgXIvkRjcoV9Ppnk5_ttciB6-HqbJ1v89-ahh6K/s320/IMG_4750.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The toilettes are very basic. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ0bogaAigwsZcI93aOpFCSt5K50nGVYaE-H09OjQUxmsri55kWjQcKYjKrBLvIF7mvd7kcHS2AL6geXzNdGF_u5OROhrWzzbkfCvV2IeTA1N7p_JHlXNuAbysApZxHqlrdHqqPSjNNGV/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ0bogaAigwsZcI93aOpFCSt5K50nGVYaE-H09OjQUxmsri55kWjQcKYjKrBLvIF7mvd7kcHS2AL6geXzNdGF_u5OROhrWzzbkfCvV2IeTA1N7p_JHlXNuAbysApZxHqlrdHqqPSjNNGV/s320/IMG_4746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm sure that you wanted to see what a typical toilet looks like in a small African airport. We are keeping this real! :) This is a nice one! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a man that stands outside the area and hands you a roll of toilet tissue. You roll off what you think you need and give it back. Upon exit, you dash him a few coins and everyone is happy. If you forget, he will remind you! :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJlTY0jVosTGrRTJLOHa9dZdYmLFNmwmG_VnMtIIhytTNal3P1sQ8Cu6aIg9Y0NXMA5n_2JRZRofO-j2M9lTfYpVOm1nncnmTCIcEfzbKuJHmG06TGH3Rr_Pg9FjQMDbBMCvosShWFXcp/s1600/IMG_4756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJlTY0jVosTGrRTJLOHa9dZdYmLFNmwmG_VnMtIIhytTNal3P1sQ8Cu6aIg9Y0NXMA5n_2JRZRofO-j2M9lTfYpVOm1nncnmTCIcEfzbKuJHmG06TGH3Rr_Pg9FjQMDbBMCvosShWFXcp/s320/IMG_4756.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> This cute little visitor was curious and kept coming over to see me.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfPbL1Cr5-9aXp8-FhkD8jfrcTvUlYt1up366ZvXzq5RdcEdn1UkGlFfM7HJl7zvhcNWGLYlC6gZJhIJk4wLn25-QfXxjFtF4fKtvHRu_lSCTCWOvxnjVVNss2WzNUZF3q7gcnvlBkFcQ/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghfPbL1Cr5-9aXp8-FhkD8jfrcTvUlYt1up366ZvXzq5RdcEdn1UkGlFfM7HJl7zvhcNWGLYlC6gZJhIJk4wLn25-QfXxjFtF4fKtvHRu_lSCTCWOvxnjVVNss2WzNUZF3q7gcnvlBkFcQ/s320/IMG_0415.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since there are no monitors, we simply wait until our flight is called and get in line for the bus, which takes us on the tarmac to the plane. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxItYVMqfSRTRwgZixGbGTvcobsKCsI_T_TV2sMbalPgw3Oq0u0jh4lMiUBUv2JiG-iWpiTo2Y-fL2y02bP3wJ4RsL9ngqDoUCUHJ_7lacGVKAzF7SEKgWkKwYJJbU7CF86u9aiuNUvtMH/s1600/IMG_4762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxItYVMqfSRTRwgZixGbGTvcobsKCsI_T_TV2sMbalPgw3Oq0u0jh4lMiUBUv2JiG-iWpiTo2Y-fL2y02bP3wJ4RsL9ngqDoUCUHJ_7lacGVKAzF7SEKgWkKwYJJbU7CF86u9aiuNUvtMH/s320/IMG_4762.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we headed up in the air, we had some great views of Lomé. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGWoUg64fZcq4L6YEJd24Z0Lk0XDVDFcuwEaY_i66LnZBBOkkL7bk4pxraorNMGaIzJQ3iPeC2_sVQwUivV-Z5yEtEXB161Fk7MRAwhJqaiRYyR9T_G9wlGJLoCBT7o3XJBglC2h6nQC0/s1600/IMG_4764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGWoUg64fZcq4L6YEJd24Z0Lk0XDVDFcuwEaY_i66LnZBBOkkL7bk4pxraorNMGaIzJQ3iPeC2_sVQwUivV-Z5yEtEXB161Fk7MRAwhJqaiRYyR9T_G9wlGJLoCBT7o3XJBglC2h6nQC0/s320/IMG_4764.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can see the dusty roads. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7hgh09WcrIztKDBmVjRBNat0OJvfESPEXfX2vKIYNLWG-V-bZVaeB1MgClrDQ67yZD0EUE7Jv9CIyERWBifQgvy2qO_BPxrmCqwEQ5gqJtvxT4pNzpvCFpJn0OaquSKcNzESZmn8IdOF/s1600/IMG_4767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7hgh09WcrIztKDBmVjRBNat0OJvfESPEXfX2vKIYNLWG-V-bZVaeB1MgClrDQ67yZD0EUE7Jv9CIyERWBifQgvy2qO_BPxrmCqwEQ5gqJtvxT4pNzpvCFpJn0OaquSKcNzESZmn8IdOF/s320/IMG_4767.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The green water is a local river. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJx_NP4rz4ZVEO9MDDCa_hFEDifOaOSupa5IikTQnuWSZrX5sofkAfYkuPDPSezXVfsz0q8nB3qKQROKpCB0pm-J3sVk2dczqJLCd4m6JJ2ra5rBWqzUMp_Xj-MZ5nKgOG833JNmiBvOk/s1600/IMG_4773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJx_NP4rz4ZVEO9MDDCa_hFEDifOaOSupa5IikTQnuWSZrX5sofkAfYkuPDPSezXVfsz0q8nB3qKQROKpCB0pm-J3sVk2dczqJLCd4m6JJ2ra5rBWqzUMp_Xj-MZ5nKgOG833JNmiBvOk/s320/IMG_4773.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And a good view of downtown Lomé. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjUlZ4J2PR54hS_a82s-UDAEZF9lGOjqKU_JkuWstcOB6vxvFuDE7H4kDizhyphenhypheno-uBmf3MzvgBLlXTDhX53u_2CMsvGvudJtVlkpmvEiToEoLiWLgpdbtt1hSnGTOf2-KSodUM5svaNaoM/s1600/IMG_4774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjUlZ4J2PR54hS_a82s-UDAEZF9lGOjqKU_JkuWstcOB6vxvFuDE7H4kDizhyphenhypheno-uBmf3MzvgBLlXTDhX53u_2CMsvGvudJtVlkpmvEiToEoLiWLgpdbtt1hSnGTOf2-KSodUM5svaNaoM/s320/IMG_4774.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The coastline was beautiful </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">with incredible blue green waters.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From Lomé, Togo, we are flying to Accra, Ghana. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We'll post more as we travel up the gold coast of Africa. </span></div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-87815231416698825222015-09-02T14:41:00.000-05:002016-02-02T16:43:38.180-06:00Food - Glorious Food <div style="text-align: justify;">
Food in a new country is always interesting. In fact, part of my sightseeing in a new place usually includes the grocery store. I want to see it all, taste it all and experience a new culture through the food. My tastes are not always adventurous, but overall, I am willing to try, with trepidation, the new foods that I find appealing (although I tend to draw a line with those food products which include eyes and yucky parts). </div>
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In Cameroon, the food has been a bit baffling to me. Some days, I think that it is SO hard to find what I want and I crave the comforts of home. Other days, especially when we eat in a restaurant, I am amazed at the variation and incredible taste of everything I have eaten. </div>
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So, I continue in my quest to locate the products that I enjoy. In the process, I think that I have been to every grocery store in our part of Douala. Our driver is funny. He will say, "Madam, there's another one." and I'll always say, "Let's stop!". I have visited a small Indian grocery with fragrant spices, a Lebanese grocer for pita bread, an Arabic shop where I found tahini and Worcestershire sauce, Super U (the newest and greatest for expensive cheese and produce), Leader Price (baking goods), Commercial (cleaning products) and our local grocery, Casino, which has a bit of everything. I have also found a good French bakery (croissants) and two good butchers, which are impressive. I am still looking for a good place to buy fish, especially a location that will fillet them for me first. :) Even with all these selections, I have an entire page of items that can't seem to be found here. My next suitcase coming back to Douala will include Rotel, jalapeños, Peanut Butter and chocolate chips! A sweet co-worker of Charles' recently came to Douala from the USA and she kindly brought me Ritz Crackers, Pancake Mix, Pancake syrup and plastic baggies, which were all worth their weight in gold! </div>
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**Side note - Many of the grocery stores (along with other stores locally) close for a lunch break between 12:30pm and 3:30 pm. To clarify, this means that if I go to the store at 12:20 pm, I have 10 minutes to get my food and get out since they CLOSE. THE. DOORS at 12:30 and DO.NOT.OPEN again until 3:30pm. I am amazed at the practice that the entire store needs to take a three hour break all at the same time, every single day. The newest grocery store - Super U - stays open during this time. My guess is that 12:30 to 3:30pm will be the busiest time of the day for them! </div>
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In addition, I enjoy shopping at the local fruit and vegetable markets. Normally the produce is cheaper, fresher and higher quality than the grocery stores. However, my first visit was to an enclosed shop with a dirt floor. The tiny shop was smelly with a poor selection and even worse quality. I left with a few onions and thought I needed another option. My second visit confirmed my initial opinion with produce that I wouldn't eat, much less purchase. I tried a few other enclosed stands and decided that the open air markets were a much better option.<br />
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So today, I found a great little vegetable stand, not far from our house. The fruit and veggies were the best that I have found in Cameroon, and I was so pleased. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP5zGjT3hyphenhyphenuEIruiyWCPLtaO4-1H1OV5VFY70VhbY2XzfdMwsa04ZcHBMYgjGO8Px8LLGmWS9SBiWnEIIL64EX-AwLfzV9CeEO8BytmrmQcjjJTr9CZjJoFHHQKQj386g0ADLWVjXnuvO/s1600/IMG_4631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP5zGjT3hyphenhyphenuEIruiyWCPLtaO4-1H1OV5VFY70VhbY2XzfdMwsa04ZcHBMYgjGO8Px8LLGmWS9SBiWnEIIL64EX-AwLfzV9CeEO8BytmrmQcjjJTr9CZjJoFHHQKQj386g0ADLWVjXnuvO/s320/IMG_4631.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
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Like in Nigeria, everything that comes into our house is cleaned well, then soaked in either a vinegar or a bleach solution for 15 to 20 minutes. Items are then rinsed with bottled water and dried. Even the eggs go through the same treatment and all canned goods are wiped down before putting them away. <br />
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The pineapples are some of the best I have ever eaten - sweet and juicy. If you look closely, you will see that the stalk is still on the bottom of the pineapple and it is freshly cut. </div>
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I've discovered that frozen brussel sprouts are plentiful and make an easy to prepare green vegetable. Tony Cashere's seasoning along with a splash of olive oil make them tasty! </div>
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Tonight we decided to try beets. Mixing them with potatoes was not a good idea! </div>
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Petit a petit, we will figure it out. In the meantime, we are learning more about the local products - while trying to mix it with the comforts of home. </div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-67292228849976487512015-08-31T17:19:00.001-05:002015-09-10T17:27:49.936-05:00All in a Day<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The house help is disturbed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know this because It was ME who disturbed them. You see, I like things tidy and clean and in good working order - and therein lies the problem. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It started around 8:15 am when a carpenter arrived at the door. He told the housekeeper that he needed to speak with me about a piece of furniture that he was building. She explained that we didn't NEED that particular piece, since we had a perfectly good one inside. She also told him that I was sleeping and couldn't be disturbed and to go away - and he did. I just hope that he will come back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Charles leaves early - around 6:30am. Julianne fixes him a smoothie and he is quickly on his way to work. I get up a bit later - around 7:30-ish (since I really don't have <strike>anything at all</strike> much on my schedule yet). I read my devotion, check email, take a shower, etc... which sometimes takes an hour or so, before I come downstairs. I have explained that I am always available for people that come to the house - so all she has to do is to let me know. I am NOT sleeping at 8:15 and she is fully aware of that fact. However, she explained that she thought there was TOO TOO much work going on around this place - and it is disturbing her. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> The things that disturb the people that work at our home are items which are not expected, nor even thought about. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Case 1 - Back to the carpenter who arrived to show me the furniture piece... I had obviously not informed our housekeeper that we had ordered something. It was concerning her because I was asking for an unnecessary item, when we already had plenty. She explained in detail that we didn't need anything else and that we should just work on other things. Al-righty then! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Case 2 - </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had some damaged/broken pieces, mold, etc with our move and have filed a small claim. We are waiting for the moving company to settle and to pick-up the damaged items. Since it has been over 3 weeks and I am tired of seeing the articles in the den, I packed it all up and moved it to the covered front porch to await the movers. This has disturbed our housekeeper. She feels that we should keep the items inside, upstairs where the guards can't see them. When I tried to explain, she finally understood that the bags were filled with broken items - so a new situation immediately surfaced. In pidgin English, she told me, "I take now". Huh? "It bad, so I take now". I explained that the movers were coming to get the bags. Her bafflement is completely understandable because she is convinced that I like the moving men more than I like her - and am giving it to them instead. She is completely insulted at the madam and I don't have the right words to explain it correctly. She is 'no happy'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Case 3 - This weekend, I painted an orange/red paint sample on our accent wall in the den - which is currently a bright yellow to test the color that I had ordered. First thing this morning, the housekeeper explained that it was not a nice look and that I needed to stay with the yellow. She explained that she liked the yellow and I shouldn't change it - nor should I try to do "art" on the wall since the design that I had chosen wasn't very nice. About a half hour later, the guard came inside to ask WHO had painted part of the wall - and that the art design wasn't attractive. I started to explain that a thief had broken into the house with a paint brush, but decided to simply explain that it was only a sample and I was trying out the color. He politely commented that the yellow was beautiful and that his opinion was that the </span>orangey<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">/red was too bright. If I didn't like the yellow, and felt that I needed a change, then he would suggest a bright green, which would go much better in the room. </span></div>
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**Side note: I am not in love with the reddish-orange either since it is WAY too bright, but I do want to bring in the reddish tones, and it is only an accent wall. The yellow is nice, but it doesn't really match our things. Maybe some brown glaze might tone it down a bit! </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Case 4 - One of the a/c units downstairs blows warm air. We have tried new freon and apparently it leaks out due to the age of the unit. After multiple attempts to repair it, the shop decided to order a new one to replace it. The item of concern now, is the question of WHO receives the old unit. The guards are standing in line to get it for their own homes and It is disturbing to them that I did not arrange this ahead of time. (Do you think this wall needs paint too?) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Case 5 - The cabana/gazebo outside is full of termites. The roof is caving in and the floor is rotted completely through. The insects have even eaten through the broken rattan furniture. We obtained quotes to repair it and the work started this morning in the rain. The first item of business was to remove the damaged, termite-eaten wood floor. The guard approached me this morning to see WHO authorized the removal of the wood. T</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">here was an argument over who gets the termite infested wood - and I was called to solve it. I should have considered that our own staff needed the wood for their homes before I boldly 'gave it away' to the contractors. </span>Ok,<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> then - Lesson learned. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Case 6 - In the midst of the day, Arno (local store) arrived to deliver some chairs. I found some 'Scratch and dent" chairs for about $20 each and bought them. My plan is to paint them to use at various places around the house - which seemed like an inexpensive option, giving us extra seating for guests when needed. Unfortunately, the store required a receipt to deliver. I obviously didn't understand the system since Charles put the copy of the receipt in his wallet. I called him at work and he scanned a copy of the receipt to me and I printed it. Initially, they told me that a COPY of the original receipt was not acceptable nor official and they wanted to deliver the chairs another day. After a bit of arguing, they decided that the copy would work after all. I signed it and dated it to make it legitimate, per their request. They brought in the chairs and then handed me THREE copies of the original receipt that they were holding and asked for my signature! Apparently, they needed to see that WE had the same receipt to prove our identity before delivery. Our guard and driver are both bothered that we didn't know the system and they don't understand why we need more chairs anyway, since there are only two people who live in the house. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VUkUD5TiCpuy8FwS8aDQqHfdcgRZXzlLZdy3FtAv-70OQYYB2ZTAu0QhDnlVw4dnO0XFXGRsplW18KUXt-Nb3_gtIHcu5cI4AZDkal5QJ0Oj2Cmm8zU5DaBz3WJNrMNVhfJDS8aFyhUY/s1600/IMG_4674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VUkUD5TiCpuy8FwS8aDQqHfdcgRZXzlLZdy3FtAv-70OQYYB2ZTAu0QhDnlVw4dnO0XFXGRsplW18KUXt-Nb3_gtIHcu5cI4AZDkal5QJ0Oj2Cmm8zU5DaBz3WJNrMNVhfJDS8aFyhUY/s640/IMG_4674.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Case 7 - In my quest to have a clean home, we have used too much bleach. I was told to purchase another gallon of bleach when I go out and that we were using TOO much; therefore it was going to be very expensive to purchase more. (So, there!) Clorox is my new best friend and I am happy to add it to my shopping list. In fact, I am thrilled to take stock in this product and to have a large supply on hand for everyone. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQPLtxq4N0GoQnpeDhOYNciERr7KF3ehb05OtjyEZkc9Osj507gRiUwAeQdT2B3S33NPwws9WPh4e4xKyJso73het5iLFQgmZ0RLJDQjuG2s93J8imlBhBl2AKq1Y14iMy1gqI5iNRup1/s1600/IMG_4669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKQPLtxq4N0GoQnpeDhOYNciERr7KF3ehb05OtjyEZkc9Osj507gRiUwAeQdT2B3S33NPwws9WPh4e4xKyJso73het5iLFQgmZ0RLJDQjuG2s93J8imlBhBl2AKq1Y14iMy1gqI5iNRup1/s640/IMG_4669.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Case 8 - The painter arrived to start on the office upstairs. He was disturbed since we hadn't ordered enough paint. Who knew that two gallons for a SMALL room was less than HALF of what we needed? I have placed an order for three more gallons, which will take 2-3 days to arrive. The holes that were in the wall also did not get repaired. I shouldn't worry since he will repair the wall AFTER the painting is complete. This disturbs me more than the painter. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgef9hynSWGZuugjdml-A79vEyXjJmR9cXMBi6BeFaUvr0EpJY_c6cea2VwIq2OPVaNnYUlW8J4SlvJstmLdrOq0lEU5frwGJYDk6NhecZqZPtaT8yStlHUtxO6FQWTix_ugjd_9a9O6lJr/s1600/IMG_4662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgef9hynSWGZuugjdml-A79vEyXjJmR9cXMBi6BeFaUvr0EpJY_c6cea2VwIq2OPVaNnYUlW8J4SlvJstmLdrOq0lEU5frwGJYDk6NhecZqZPtaT8yStlHUtxO6FQWTix_ugjd_9a9O6lJr/s640/IMG_4662.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Case 9 - Midway through the day, we had a little 'incident' with the car. I had gone out to the vegetable stand (no onions today) and to Casino, our local grocery. When we returned, the guard only held one side of the heavy gate. The other side was caught by the wind and did some minor damage to the side of the car. They were disturbed at the situation and suggested a different type of gate. I think that we'll come up with another solution, since I am disturbed at this too. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgpWXFLEkrg8Q-dBRh5u_JPAimWARBdBdlOvLmHpmFFU41UnHBSwUqvCxAOSAn1ENWRI1oiQjwj1L-cv1Y16uEFSSZ9jjJ5j1fBj3oJDGfiYlcJHm63VmEBhUUE9h0JYz2_-oDKMOfdnN/s1600/IMG_4667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgpWXFLEkrg8Q-dBRh5u_JPAimWARBdBdlOvLmHpmFFU41UnHBSwUqvCxAOSAn1ENWRI1oiQjwj1L-cv1Y16uEFSSZ9jjJ5j1fBj3oJDGfiYlcJHm63VmEBhUUE9h0JYz2_-oDKMOfdnN/s640/IMG_4667.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Case 10 - A few weeks ago, our pool pump started spewing water. There have been MANY arguments (yelling) between the pool guy, the guards, the drivers, etc about the broken cap to the pump... with the words, "His tongue no speak truth" occurring often amidst requests for me to settle the 'score'. Today, the pool guy came and was very disturbed that the madam did not have the right cap YET. Thankfully someone showed up later in the afternoon explaining that they could not find the correct cap, so they fabricated a new one - which fit perfectly. In full disclosure, there still is a small leak, but they intend to fix it with some string tomorrow. :) I am totally amazed and appreciative of the work that went into creating a new cap, so I praised the guy who made it and thanked him. I was rewarded with a "Thank you Mommy". :) <span style="background-color: white;">Obviously, a</span>s the madam of the maison, I am everyone's 'mommy' - when they are not disturbed at me. When they are pleased, we are all one big happy family! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaHVXW7mhXmgTUekGjUSFxJsHsMKrMQk39uCn6OXqJHnC7lJ45tkaIaDnuqmg-S_GDGNX_0TPvI_zvAlB3dvc6W35HCYqFhWs7YY4ZlD69nx_foYkoyD7zBWmbvDIty2Vy6QpjR_7Q-oO/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvaHVXW7mhXmgTUekGjUSFxJsHsMKrMQk39uCn6OXqJHnC7lJ45tkaIaDnuqmg-S_GDGNX_0TPvI_zvAlB3dvc6W35HCYqFhWs7YY4ZlD69nx_foYkoyD7zBWmbvDIty2Vy6QpjR_7Q-oO/s640/IMG_0409.JPG" width="552" /></a></div>
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**It's so interesting that the pool guy comes with his equipment on a motorcycle. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Case 11 - After discussing dinner plans this morning, I went to the store (mentioned earlier) to get the ingredients needed. At 2pm, our COOK explained that she had too much to do and didn't have time to do dinner. She is disturbed that we like to eat - every single night - and it is a lot of work for her to prepare. I really don't know where to go for this one, since she is PAID to clean and cook. However, there are too many people around, too much work and we STILL want dinner. We are disturbing the schedule a LOT! I obviously need to pitch in and do more around the house! We compromised and came up with something simple that we could complete together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In all seriousness, I have to remember that this is a big change for the staff as well as for me. They had a routine and we have upset it with our new routine. Our requirements are different (not better or worse, but different) from the prior people living here. I can only imagine that where we see dirt and chaos, they see excess and luxury - and it's hard to wrap my brain around sometimes. We are humbled and thankful for this help, and yet we are expected to 'contribute' to the local community through employment. I am also reminded that there is nothing too trivial to throw away and that everything has a use, far beyond what I can see. Most days, I have a choice of how to respond to this craziness and it needs to be a conscious choice. I've decided that it's much better to see the humor in things and choose to laugh rather than cry. And this stuff is just hard to make up. It helps to share our experiences for a little therapy too! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And by the way - this is only ONE day's disturbance. ALL of the above took place within a few hours, and I'm sure that it will continue tomorrow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And for those of you who are laughing, we have an invitation. Come on over to central Africa and join us on this crazy journey. We'll leave the light on for ya! </span></div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-74172781317870339092015-08-26T11:19:00.002-05:002015-09-06T09:44:11.630-05:00Gambas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently, we were invited to meet one of Charles' co-workers at a </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">bush bar restaurant overlooking the Wouri River in Douala. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As newcomers, we don't turn down many invitations. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQYWbXDo2mMIQ__jv63VtF8PtJv1KBLQn4mzdKe1RFlSJMkprZhX3EHhq4cSvd8waiGfbIZudJZZDdORDo7wrM67EtCuCJr-pVYMfTkjtETTaWwU9CKUwL_7j1HFR2v-bbTPotq045Du9/s1600/DSC00569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQYWbXDo2mMIQ__jv63VtF8PtJv1KBLQn4mzdKe1RFlSJMkprZhX3EHhq4cSvd8waiGfbIZudJZZDdORDo7wrM67EtCuCJr-pVYMfTkjtETTaWwU9CKUwL_7j1HFR2v-bbTPotq045Du9/s640/DSC00569.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paquebot (pronounced Pa-cky Bo) is renowned </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">among the expats and located right near the port. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWziLe3ZelHEdc5fnt-Myu9TQjnELE_hLTlz4IDwPlcT7R5Ju5Ar8yf1pQrtf-VDmrThnn6Yn1X3IQhid-mUPQXd-oTcEExXnB82Q-q5x6-z1uK_45N7R3LrkhTs8HCcIw1pGtEjhdH7fw/s1600/DSC00583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWziLe3ZelHEdc5fnt-Myu9TQjnELE_hLTlz4IDwPlcT7R5Ju5Ar8yf1pQrtf-VDmrThnn6Yn1X3IQhid-mUPQXd-oTcEExXnB82Q-q5x6-z1uK_45N7R3LrkhTs8HCcIw1pGtEjhdH7fw/s640/DSC00583.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bienvenue - Welcome for those of us who need translation. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDkM3PxVdTZ0hJiUQmYp9V7jsx3b6MG9IOhYv0jVC7cM7rkGbCHlmlm0fepqStV-knoapf0pMSiKj5AmzV80V6APQNJQButyvYuKSiMr2DOC0vC5PTBpggMu99GZEZb2PdZZENXl7eupt/s1600/DSC00570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDkM3PxVdTZ0hJiUQmYp9V7jsx3b6MG9IOhYv0jVC7cM7rkGbCHlmlm0fepqStV-knoapf0pMSiKj5AmzV80V6APQNJQButyvYuKSiMr2DOC0vC5PTBpggMu99GZEZb2PdZZENXl7eupt/s640/DSC00570.jpg" width="382" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A hand-washing station was located</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">right beside the entrance to rinse our hands - with SOAP. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were on the 'air-dry' or 'shake' system to dry our hands though. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y8AsywQn4Gmv54ZJv2PupkhGPe4XOQBUkuV7qQpGwFE_4nhFek4ywHGKq8gdiLINWfTr7-LrSu0jLSVHY56amrLoC8eYbMIivkBTeveTEBipy1hnDwmt0iIuUE-DmetVV7k7zCXg7EKs/s1600/DSC00577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8y8AsywQn4Gmv54ZJv2PupkhGPe4XOQBUkuV7qQpGwFE_4nhFek4ywHGKq8gdiLINWfTr7-LrSu0jLSVHY56amrLoC8eYbMIivkBTeveTEBipy1hnDwmt0iIuUE-DmetVV7k7zCXg7EKs/s640/DSC00577.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bush bar had an inner area along with an outside section on the sand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Due to the light rain, the outdoor portion was empty. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLY7xFdD9J188SRKyzw-_SxjAQEOmzWRVBjdV5ePH5zB3TeAjujIZTyd-OajSTLP5Gg5cW6HupBK-vD1UM6BGO2ju8dvT3sguXWuiZBsfnWp5B0cSS8JX6fRtUThLCdL_GzJjY7KjvuRP/s1600/DSC00582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLY7xFdD9J188SRKyzw-_SxjAQEOmzWRVBjdV5ePH5zB3TeAjujIZTyd-OajSTLP5Gg5cW6HupBK-vD1UM6BGO2ju8dvT3sguXWuiZBsfnWp5B0cSS8JX6fRtUThLCdL_GzJjY7KjvuRP/s640/DSC00582.jpg" width="444" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had an option to eat at the restaurant or to order our food for 'take-away'. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since it was a Sunday afternoon and the other guest </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wasn't eating, we chose to 'take-away' and have dinner at home. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxXetMeqD_RFozrIMv-ioqtEPziGEWlWwlKJDDhCEDEz23-JBNsfZrN86-J-wvbX9yyeucn5Noa56-zLAmGE4tKggVj7EK-F8l3DSseFx7Pnd15U8wigatqpisK5zhXCKp2p-JeTJIGCR/s1600/DSC00563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxXetMeqD_RFozrIMv-ioqtEPziGEWlWwlKJDDhCEDEz23-JBNsfZrN86-J-wvbX9yyeucn5Noa56-zLAmGE4tKggVj7EK-F8l3DSseFx7Pnd15U8wigatqpisK5zhXCKp2p-JeTJIGCR/s640/DSC00563.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was no menu. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlvVOOk_EYcZI5LB0EFbY4Mx5K3lTpdhFIWvN4stXbvKqJugHp7q_llAjfZMbd7zIi9gJD3PGqvUsHvgwiGviB5_LgT3GIt4XmnZtjBGoKgv37xE3WxAOMnyGBNylOd95CgOYEe_zdPWG/s1600/DSC00566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlvVOOk_EYcZI5LB0EFbY4Mx5K3lTpdhFIWvN4stXbvKqJugHp7q_llAjfZMbd7zIi9gJD3PGqvUsHvgwiGviB5_LgT3GIt4XmnZtjBGoKgv37xE3WxAOMnyGBNylOd95CgOYEe_zdPWG/s640/DSC00566.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So we simply choose whatever was on the grill. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcOMSB6Om1mwm-NAjvm3NaBLRa2961Rel2gi7-cqMNS9Czm_xhynjvfIylUYbdX-ViMOY8mLgoNprlFntmWYuufyCR90O6Z4w62Rhlh93LDKRAh8uyHpgtm3WUnkFcYcoWgngoTRyCjyp/s1600/DSC00568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcOMSB6Om1mwm-NAjvm3NaBLRa2961Rel2gi7-cqMNS9Czm_xhynjvfIylUYbdX-ViMOY8mLgoNprlFntmWYuufyCR90O6Z4w62Rhlh93LDKRAh8uyHpgtm3WUnkFcYcoWgngoTRyCjyp/s640/DSC00568.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not big on fish with all the parts looking at me, so we chose the gambas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Gambas are prawns which are caught locally in the Wouri River and Cameroon is famous for them. Prawns differ from shrimp in three main ways. Prawns have bigger legs with claws on three pairs of legs, where shrimp only have claws on two pair of legs. (Both have 10 legs). Prawns are usually larger and reside in fresh water like rivers. Shrimp are caught from salt water and are typically smaller than prawns. The terms 'shrimp' and 'prawn' are often (mistakenly) used interchangeably, with 'prawns' simply defining larger shrimp. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our prawns are cooking at the back of the grill. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7taBq-cMLfNnppODNv9vDCCIdTjsU4TYEk0zKg0EA65pJcyaeCRj0RxCQBwgrAPQzz6OV6BWETWrLINA5ic6iCYHc3rPx1JhuGgCrIhDgaRwdw_AVr9t5tHuZ-ZZ2zXjnWrv9bQI3nbR/s1600/DSC00571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7taBq-cMLfNnppODNv9vDCCIdTjsU4TYEk0zKg0EA65pJcyaeCRj0RxCQBwgrAPQzz6OV6BWETWrLINA5ic6iCYHc3rPx1JhuGgCrIhDgaRwdw_AVr9t5tHuZ-ZZ2zXjnWrv9bQI3nbR/s640/DSC00571.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the outer deck, we could watch the fisherman right off the beach. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyb2uLVlD0zgv5duBmC07Dg3jSuqWmpDPoWucDsmyoZvbGjwbKukohkATApBRVFhj4ljYom-CEqo-ASJUG4E7rj8bcsk5Xyom26K6OOn4EdJ4sNU2OKxPEOj6einXRc2esmbunJpfNf3S/s1600/DSC00576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyb2uLVlD0zgv5duBmC07Dg3jSuqWmpDPoWucDsmyoZvbGjwbKukohkATApBRVFhj4ljYom-CEqo-ASJUG4E7rj8bcsk5Xyom26K6OOn4EdJ4sNU2OKxPEOj6einXRc2esmbunJpfNf3S/s640/DSC00576.JPG" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This fellow (L'homme) was trying to sell gambas from the sand and calling out to us on the deck. The bush bar happily cooks for anyone willing to pay a small charge. For our gambas, we paid 10,000 cfa (Central African Francs) for our small bag (about $18 USD) and 1,000 cfa (less than $2) for the ladies to cook the food. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4DLrWMkIhuhTUMeKWrfWSa8wt24U7CmFUzLkZxNyz0429WlrOWXaSbyaKmSHAHMMvnjPLqR0zC_uPnmbNXMORRQYtnXJxYXs54gmXBAouEbv4dc0qs7M3gfnYvjpTnl480pmcuw7Ap-W/s1600/DSC00580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4DLrWMkIhuhTUMeKWrfWSa8wt24U7CmFUzLkZxNyz0429WlrOWXaSbyaKmSHAHMMvnjPLqR0zC_uPnmbNXMORRQYtnXJxYXs54gmXBAouEbv4dc0qs7M3gfnYvjpTnl480pmcuw7Ap-W/s640/DSC00580.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The vendor didn't sell the gambas, so he is off to find another customer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wonder how long he has been carrying these around? </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yv2NdYi-QRUPoB3qYK7pMCZ-8HlN9VlyjpqI3JdggM68rbb6Ya_-_vFAMm7bdUXsUVwSsWppu76T77dmWwtR0vp_6E-0tVDg1QSdqQ6iGxH5lEt-K9UCoyUoP7lYyQgCvZ4rcdVFvHtn/s1600/DSC00573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yv2NdYi-QRUPoB3qYK7pMCZ-8HlN9VlyjpqI3JdggM68rbb6Ya_-_vFAMm7bdUXsUVwSsWppu76T77dmWwtR0vp_6E-0tVDg1QSdqQ6iGxH5lEt-K9UCoyUoP7lYyQgCvZ4rcdVFvHtn/s640/DSC00573.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These ships were close into port. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The two on either ends are both Tidewater ships. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We'll have to come back on a prettier weather day to enjoy sitting on the deck. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp2misjCT53-aXhNFztOqPrfSxarqYfQT0bCRS79_JvVFZ4VvgezZtGZCbHTKKJE4dPIAvZ_T5_GxXdPhdHbk_CqQXodfXapj_CFWQ3CA2vELzJsy1xVjievUpWjzjmpb91s-Aypjp8hq/s1600/DSC00584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNp2misjCT53-aXhNFztOqPrfSxarqYfQT0bCRS79_JvVFZ4VvgezZtGZCbHTKKJE4dPIAvZ_T5_GxXdPhdHbk_CqQXodfXapj_CFWQ3CA2vELzJsy1xVjievUpWjzjmpb91s-Aypjp8hq/s640/DSC00584.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we opened our "take-away" package at home, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we were pleasantly surprised to find french fries </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6TR7jOPmAbznzIEfZ-EdKFyobcGtXgby7bWqAF721iwwIxuz9Jy0d_E5yz64kOE9DqqGW2HqEkWr9BBXiUXzgqkSKLunlc6NVbdYw6RlFZfcGvBmN8SIkfgjGnEykfo-CCTzfaKkNYlr/s1600/DSC00585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM6TR7jOPmAbznzIEfZ-EdKFyobcGtXgby7bWqAF721iwwIxuz9Jy0d_E5yz64kOE9DqqGW2HqEkWr9BBXiUXzgqkSKLunlc6NVbdYw6RlFZfcGvBmN8SIkfgjGnEykfo-CCTzfaKkNYlr/s640/DSC00585.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And plantains</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiklcV3vkX2BZrBzX7nAaEb-Bu7CIjE-gZgvHwDOv_rM_uej6eTvKUNItdBKfeyo7bEREiqTVoI1Q7hGKx2F4-p_Yuff51LqebMiOPZm7ZoefisZ68DYhddgYIEFMhhF7tSRCLURMPXjr/s1600/DSC00586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiklcV3vkX2BZrBzX7nAaEb-Bu7CIjE-gZgvHwDOv_rM_uej6eTvKUNItdBKfeyo7bEREiqTVoI1Q7hGKx2F4-p_Yuff51LqebMiOPZm7ZoefisZ68DYhddgYIEFMhhF7tSRCLURMPXjr/s640/DSC00586.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and some sort of hot sauce. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It had an unusual, strong smoky flavor and it was set-your-mouth-on-fire HOT. African red chilies - NOT on my recommended list. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1GTKb87X_5sG0mZJDvt08Qc9GG8SOuNx-ti-hKrXSvOW9hFl-YqJx9s8V4IncQVNMcMYkNFFDLHYL89h-Pk6NupNJRSeWcKxRA6VFhYdCNxzinqmO8rzPgLBGmf56lZe5JRAueKptU6M/s1600/DSC00587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN1GTKb87X_5sG0mZJDvt08Qc9GG8SOuNx-ti-hKrXSvOW9hFl-YqJx9s8V4IncQVNMcMYkNFFDLHYL89h-Pk6NupNJRSeWcKxRA6VFhYdCNxzinqmO8rzPgLBGmf56lZe5JRAueKptU6M/s640/DSC00587.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fresh gambas with onions, tomatoes and peppers. Yum!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywWK2Q7BMpJs4y1GOCdsm6eerNbiox2loYMnx1mGe9JKNv-p0De71x6nIfePky3UlDZk790jO5EzBsl67pPIVx13_xsuNfzxjgTkg6VtGWXrlV5xXPr5seZwN7ALVXNRTy6HIENG60g6K/s1600/DSC00589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywWK2Q7BMpJs4y1GOCdsm6eerNbiox2loYMnx1mGe9JKNv-p0De71x6nIfePky3UlDZk790jO5EzBsl67pPIVx13_xsuNfzxjgTkg6VtGWXrlV5xXPr5seZwN7ALVXNRTy6HIENG60g6K/s640/DSC00589.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Charles graciously peeled the gambas for us </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and we had a wonderful dinner at home. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjJozV4FGIudGT9XpMCowd1HlH-JlQpLXt5QTzjcpr9wjXLFPfRbHKd72gWWT8cJN7gRYtgsAa-D1yi4_wagAaYVeMUWpk9jcU6_PzfrXMjwt0Cxn5cZk7N_IWoS6To9SRBIgoRQyBD06/s1600/DSC00592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjJozV4FGIudGT9XpMCowd1HlH-JlQpLXt5QTzjcpr9wjXLFPfRbHKd72gWWT8cJN7gRYtgsAa-D1yi4_wagAaYVeMUWpk9jcU6_PzfrXMjwt0Cxn5cZk7N_IWoS6To9SRBIgoRQyBD06/s640/DSC00592.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am functioning a bit out of my comfort zone with the food in general, just from the perceived cleanliness and sanitation viewpoint, but I know this will get better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, this meal was something we'll definitely repeat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> While the fries </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">were only passable, we agreed that the plantains </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">prawns were absolutely fantastic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We'll definitely go back for gambas! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bon Appetit! </span></div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7417278131787033909%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-RxyWGHJpVVY%2FVdDPMkQS5CI%2FAAAAAAAAFiw%2FvUjCU0-P8LY%2Fs640%2FDSC00592.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 9504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7417278131787033909%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-RxyWGHJpVVY%2FVdDPMkQS5CI%2FAAAAAAAAFiw%2FvUjCU0-P8LY%2Fs640%2FDSC00592.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 9504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7417278131787033909%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-RxyWGHJpVVY%2FVdDPMkQS5CI%2FAAAAAAAAFiw%2FvUjCU0-P8LY%2Fs640%2FDSC00592.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 9504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D7417278131787033909%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-RxyWGHJpVVY%2FVdDPMkQS5CI%2FAAAAAAAAFiw%2FvUjCU0-P8LY%2Fs640%2FDSC00592.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 9504px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-30752745100007596402015-08-20T08:10:00.000-05:002015-09-06T09:43:00.514-05:00Just a Bump in the Road<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>We are fortunate to live only 10 minutes away </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>from Charles' work location in Douala </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>on a no-traffic day </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>in the sunshine </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>with both fingers crossed. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
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<b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTnRbR80T-RUHK3IJ_6s63E9yiEwHbiqKXNtcwV2XQtNt5d-ksuSanK1JbGhU6qBLf0rMI6x9atGPlfHjjb-OzHSemNS-0aldruguMO-NWYX9anoF9xpt5YqXU26vvrSnd0Db9edVj95-/s1600/DSC00556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTnRbR80T-RUHK3IJ_6s63E9yiEwHbiqKXNtcwV2XQtNt5d-ksuSanK1JbGhU6qBLf0rMI6x9atGPlfHjjb-OzHSemNS-0aldruguMO-NWYX9anoF9xpt5YqXU26vvrSnd0Db9edVj95-/s640/DSC00556.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Actually the mornings are very nice and it only takes Charles about 20+ minutes </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>to get to work. Of course, he leaves about 6:30 am or so, which helps. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He has his smoothie in the car and starts checking emails </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>on the way - so it's even productive time. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> (Yes, he has a driver to take him to and from work....) </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUxMLCwkcT2YpBqNBymdGuS_Ki8dX7xst1sK0mWuDJW_r7ffGQdPsX6WM5oWuyuzwyqs5Vaw6OKFMs_bQuse5038EAdVuiU6MfbU88HLqp3FElQgJD240tFvW0QqPhirp3g-TzJ4hc0sU/s1600/DSC00552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUxMLCwkcT2YpBqNBymdGuS_Ki8dX7xst1sK0mWuDJW_r7ffGQdPsX6WM5oWuyuzwyqs5Vaw6OKFMs_bQuse5038EAdVuiU6MfbU88HLqp3FElQgJD240tFvW0QqPhirp3g-TzJ4hc0sU/s640/DSC00552.JPG" width="602" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>However, in the evenings, it has taken as</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> long as 3+ hours for him to get home. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGnv63VTXptoD1Xgh4z5Bw_E7xV3W5WyKq4i9s4Ewwl6RCD9n-tuoS5A-W0Eceb4ixiQEN-Dh6DtJnr0sVz4AQ0JVgiakLQ71_SSp0vZVzPMCwOhCdYDu3D4_-ggs5aR1QSrk1aoh5hnS/s1600/DSC00555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGnv63VTXptoD1Xgh4z5Bw_E7xV3W5WyKq4i9s4Ewwl6RCD9n-tuoS5A-W0Eceb4ixiQEN-Dh6DtJnr0sVz4AQ0JVgiakLQ71_SSp0vZVzPMCwOhCdYDu3D4_-ggs5aR1QSrk1aoh5hnS/s640/DSC00555.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The problem is that there is only one way into the port area where his </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>offices are located - and only one way out. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3p0MUB3xHqq8XlANUoHUk-7BbP5aPaAPbAREAeKIK4TQvlYi9SeXiOrTSeTGj-TVGYgj3S5CUHfk4JUCp1arGApkjZw-Lv_CDnH5NigJ2-toyNmSLeQX0s9w0nZXZd1AE8xatr_WnEKG/s1600/DSC00532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3p0MUB3xHqq8XlANUoHUk-7BbP5aPaAPbAREAeKIK4TQvlYi9SeXiOrTSeTGj-TVGYgj3S5CUHfk4JUCp1arGApkjZw-Lv_CDnH5NigJ2-toyNmSLeQX0s9w0nZXZd1AE8xatr_WnEKG/s640/DSC00532.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>They have been doing construction and it's the rainy season, so there are potholes. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlziRrrFNd4cAexKYMOLJkyw7qcuWzRzD0dSxqNOfVZgHYVnToKLSWikqfRriqLVVomdVqn5b7TnRoSZ89sDF7cwemra5zrxA2FRxATP0C9OubHkdg_apJeFzuBi3zc6ld3ZlD1YP-k0sJ/s1600/DSC00539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlziRrrFNd4cAexKYMOLJkyw7qcuWzRzD0dSxqNOfVZgHYVnToKLSWikqfRriqLVVomdVqn5b7TnRoSZ89sDF7cwemra5zrxA2FRxATP0C9OubHkdg_apJeFzuBi3zc6ld3ZlD1YP-k0sJ/s640/DSC00539.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Not little potholes, but potholes where you could possibly get lost! </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUTPpgmve28JgZfK4y_veHJFgwwwfif1PLxqPMspVmz8XhCGO2wwWjilLom3FQG51sp4BuOXxGLcRZZLS0VeU9AMEe3k9wHSRLtgWsQjg408c2BnV-6aVYMddIorlp5V-92b9eWG6hcIX/s1600/DSC00541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirUTPpgmve28JgZfK4y_veHJFgwwwfif1PLxqPMspVmz8XhCGO2wwWjilLom3FQG51sp4BuOXxGLcRZZLS0VeU9AMEe3k9wHSRLtgWsQjg408c2BnV-6aVYMddIorlp5V-92b9eWG6hcIX/s640/DSC00541.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He had described the road to me, but on Saturday, </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>he wanted for me to experience it first-hand. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMB8yz2EXRq1iDr_FU68HrKcT8nAquqEOMN_kqY0wAgJfsu9xHuk2vNhtt0wBsQ8KEs4-f9o0NY9de5-_ABNy2mi4pNXeVCgFlzYe1erbP7nZP0dtatjD5bZ6iwPlYFpYp3V84Nvsja3y/s1600/DSC00543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMB8yz2EXRq1iDr_FU68HrKcT8nAquqEOMN_kqY0wAgJfsu9xHuk2vNhtt0wBsQ8KEs4-f9o0NY9de5-_ABNy2mi4pNXeVCgFlzYe1erbP7nZP0dtatjD5bZ6iwPlYFpYp3V84Nvsja3y/s640/DSC00543.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It was definitely an experience - </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and the motorcycle taxi driver shown above, agrees. :) </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4IGEzyG1oVDfPiAGP-SIa-_XXkbKK04pv-mjXyeF58JB9obmjl6OhpIW_mREOmHpVuHBRdhucWf9TuiOqMs-wgvuxT4D73xf4Xrsncn1jZSEFBWCLcPcONe1jQcJBIwo0jwpcxvs3k1w/s1600/DSC00545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4IGEzyG1oVDfPiAGP-SIa-_XXkbKK04pv-mjXyeF58JB9obmjl6OhpIW_mREOmHpVuHBRdhucWf9TuiOqMs-wgvuxT4D73xf4Xrsncn1jZSEFBWCLcPcONe1jQcJBIwo0jwpcxvs3k1w/s640/DSC00545.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Thankfully we drive an SUV and just go right through the water - </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>but I have to admit that these are the worst potholes I have ever seen. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcgG921Y_1RmQrJjRABmH-lH39sKT2NgBDNDi7r1HOrnLMW_KdZ1tViB35p7FotnvaGQvIsS73MOm1Qpqucfwg3hZdcIa0bU1aNF4Tc93JUWqjaUJ8UKNYEiTqgWbhY-y4lWF9cZRF6NI/s1600/DSC00547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcgG921Y_1RmQrJjRABmH-lH39sKT2NgBDNDi7r1HOrnLMW_KdZ1tViB35p7FotnvaGQvIsS73MOm1Qpqucfwg3hZdcIa0bU1aNF4Tc93JUWqjaUJ8UKNYEiTqgWbhY-y4lWF9cZRF6NI/s640/DSC00547.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And some of these potholes even have currents!</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcJhuyQj06m63V8Q2mFYm3ZAqOhtH1LWCEvWE0W93G9BjlZ11SS3GkzGdenbVeX73IKiUhpXjvsO2dMmFMCokyNZ39MsrxwL3ueJqHU2v3IhXIGD_M0dfc8KMKXOFsUWtx2VkPAQb608r/s1600/DSC00455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcJhuyQj06m63V8Q2mFYm3ZAqOhtH1LWCEvWE0W93G9BjlZ11SS3GkzGdenbVeX73IKiUhpXjvsO2dMmFMCokyNZ39MsrxwL3ueJqHU2v3IhXIGD_M0dfc8KMKXOFsUWtx2VkPAQb608r/s640/DSC00455.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>In the evenings when Charles leaves work, there are often </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>disabled trucks and cars stalled in the water and a huge line </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>of vehicles trying to make their way down the road. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-HJPMadBD0hixb-BzVYQNy9zyw9V982Cg0hotU5y8DOuyerS5LmnLqz1R8In8IMrysdKoQWEUnrbVZ_nq9HhgvLCJAVtxen2Q9n559yOSgcV5G8MJk9FFQskzVvBoCzS71rUMXMRVMIS/s1600/DSC00451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-HJPMadBD0hixb-BzVYQNy9zyw9V982Cg0hotU5y8DOuyerS5LmnLqz1R8In8IMrysdKoQWEUnrbVZ_nq9HhgvLCJAVtxen2Q9n559yOSgcV5G8MJk9FFQskzVvBoCzS71rUMXMRVMIS/s640/DSC00451.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Sometimes the lines are so long and so many vehicles stalled</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> that the traffic just stops completely. There is absolutely no way out</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> and no other option but to sit and wait. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEYL93ejLkdYbWBS2KlH8mACskEcGkiwEIAP50lrBHJxWdIiFOI7t68dWerSP2MEOEVdysNroeL5wG1YxQDQxGmvbHP4Z9-vzfEEnRA-eqss2kdf2ud9PkEHeYyXyyzNY0ARHjgjGkCAx/s1600/DSC00459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFEYL93ejLkdYbWBS2KlH8mACskEcGkiwEIAP50lrBHJxWdIiFOI7t68dWerSP2MEOEVdysNroeL5wG1YxQDQxGmvbHP4Z9-vzfEEnRA-eqss2kdf2ud9PkEHeYyXyyzNY0ARHjgjGkCAx/s640/DSC00459.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The driver told me that this was a good day, decent roads, </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>not as much water as before and it was a quick trip into the port. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I am glad that I didn't experience this on a BAD day! </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0lHcn041e0jIkjXb9Lc876FxFxQuSug8S8rbQIHqeiBoe6-8yFAsrt9d_Jzr4naAuCNMwAjj7sp5vvs26ZYL1EUKLCRKGDxU-OU2vLIsSWHenD3cN7s9JyHlmxBmadiUGvP5HpmpXyIQ/s1600/DSC00454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA0lHcn041e0jIkjXb9Lc876FxFxQuSug8S8rbQIHqeiBoe6-8yFAsrt9d_Jzr4naAuCNMwAjj7sp5vvs26ZYL1EUKLCRKGDxU-OU2vLIsSWHenD3cN7s9JyHlmxBmadiUGvP5HpmpXyIQ/s640/DSC00454.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Welcome to a third world country during rainy season! </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJA_7-K5cCO4uch1S_kaZ3Ama97enXHea8AbOpemOvHo5_b4RYg9F-IXLsLADv_Lq28e-qpAkDjjGu1CvCnZaI6SqRXbP6EaPh0r17ZTGXR12P0of5MrUyZpPETE_TUkSEUHu53aMLLks/s1600/DSC00470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJA_7-K5cCO4uch1S_kaZ3Ama97enXHea8AbOpemOvHo5_b4RYg9F-IXLsLADv_Lq28e-qpAkDjjGu1CvCnZaI6SqRXbP6EaPh0r17ZTGXR12P0of5MrUyZpPETE_TUkSEUHu53aMLLks/s640/DSC00470.jpg" width="480" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>In most parts of the world, these would not even be considered roads. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>However in central Africa, people just press forward with whatever </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>conditions they have in front of them. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquXsvrEzwgys4DZSB8PqLZ9PA5mbOeeXzd3DBI9JEilUs7i6oB3UA2OyXX5UXiFffiXOJ28lC8abDElOAeqY229bmUm8QIdyS9HQ7pP5rd1joVF0tBDs7U1FONfGhJEIAHSF69nnMxLqm/s1600/DSC00474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquXsvrEzwgys4DZSB8PqLZ9PA5mbOeeXzd3DBI9JEilUs7i6oB3UA2OyXX5UXiFffiXOJ28lC8abDElOAeqY229bmUm8QIdyS9HQ7pP5rd1joVF0tBDs7U1FONfGhJEIAHSF69nnMxLqm/s640/DSC00474.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>After a few turns, the road conditions improved a bit. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsVK1TK9vrIPnb1FCNSBibYaR0TdoHCXd60Os5Aas-leYXqi57MPhMUPSxisXNSLaQPdrfJdmXMwM_Fv1GnId9_ghXArbXW_er9y8xjBmqZFoZxFeU-OAq9kjuMkZs6suGKEGyM0eOoDL/s1600/DSC00520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsVK1TK9vrIPnb1FCNSBibYaR0TdoHCXd60Os5Aas-leYXqi57MPhMUPSxisXNSLaQPdrfJdmXMwM_Fv1GnId9_ghXArbXW_er9y8xjBmqZFoZxFeU-OAq9kjuMkZs6suGKEGyM0eOoDL/s640/DSC00520.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Even with less water, it is still a pretty bumpy ride! </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQgnqe4fB-oRpsUZs6Qu63kNUo0OyJuANFoyrOfPIyLNCBu-4INmUzHSq4z5C6iroTvy5ssEjPEgCc9DCWuqvPe1bZ5uMRUQshyyPzqLoTYyWXGL8YwmCnoW3vBydRqcWemSWEnl2dfxO/s1600/DSC00473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQgnqe4fB-oRpsUZs6Qu63kNUo0OyJuANFoyrOfPIyLNCBu-4INmUzHSq4z5C6iroTvy5ssEjPEgCc9DCWuqvPe1bZ5uMRUQshyyPzqLoTYyWXGL8YwmCnoW3vBydRqcWemSWEnl2dfxO/s640/DSC00473.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The back of this truck reads, "God's Time is the best". </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is good to remember especially when you are sitting and waiting... </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxFfJEG6ZWG9lf6_bFm9wXKDKqDxKN7cxG8_KSrbEsuwskCdeCOeuSvfUltBkmgL5OJvq_kcj8_dC7fIet7pOM5kC1bB6jXX_AwsV71OYsxPYKtPz37CtQE-00dSbfb_voKcqQnjlujUC/s1600/DSC00476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxFfJEG6ZWG9lf6_bFm9wXKDKqDxKN7cxG8_KSrbEsuwskCdeCOeuSvfUltBkmgL5OJvq_kcj8_dC7fIet7pOM5kC1bB6jXX_AwsV71OYsxPYKtPz37CtQE-00dSbfb_voKcqQnjlujUC/s640/DSC00476.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The road clears finally as we pass the Dangote Cement Factory.</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENo-XvDwh9zbqg13orVlTH8lIHhl8cm8a-RPH5WunyxDpXhlbvzZBSF2cti_3ZXMpCDTYTPEQqiNymUe33p7ryeb2vGHPnIXoIj0bHti9_ANpjJeeEs4bmImVi8i38DVowKDeMnOd3Ci4/s1600/DSC00478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiENo-XvDwh9zbqg13orVlTH8lIHhl8cm8a-RPH5WunyxDpXhlbvzZBSF2cti_3ZXMpCDTYTPEQqiNymUe33p7ryeb2vGHPnIXoIj0bHti9_ANpjJeeEs4bmImVi8i38DVowKDeMnOd3Ci4/s640/DSC00478.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This road runs beside the Wouri River right into the port. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwM2RNIHl0dSGe5ATh39KHWsGVRmrIjpilsHEr9Ug_xs3vO9i-0tuNnOv8stqWvmi9hn2O7BgrZE0tO06F3cCz_X_c6JudWvMD7UCSKcBokgHwUTSquEgqo8eSZx11rjG11qFR6VxIwTAD/s1600/DSC00480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwM2RNIHl0dSGe5ATh39KHWsGVRmrIjpilsHEr9Ug_xs3vO9i-0tuNnOv8stqWvmi9hn2O7BgrZE0tO06F3cCz_X_c6JudWvMD7UCSKcBokgHwUTSquEgqo8eSZx11rjG11qFR6VxIwTAD/s640/DSC00480.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>As we enter the office and warehouse areas, </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>the security guards are waiting to open the gate. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0Ne_17rqibMsh-ZsYWukS2Rqi8estXaXr34wDLFqf-Ydyo9pWdwisdWJ8taRgP0i2MuFz_v3A-D4IPXmnS63chKxgxV3LHDdDATrYO891esqYKPmciHRtkhbu6sibRkH8N5F7pHV2TI1/s1600/DSC00481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0Ne_17rqibMsh-ZsYWukS2Rqi8estXaXr34wDLFqf-Ydyo9pWdwisdWJ8taRgP0i2MuFz_v3A-D4IPXmnS63chKxgxV3LHDdDATrYO891esqYKPmciHRtkhbu6sibRkH8N5F7pHV2TI1/s640/DSC00481.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>We are getting close...</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQRKvOtlKH5SvAC1LDyrDCxO7CBnT6wH28aCp6vIF-Z_A3bGdWGFfI39dQ3stqIFS8QPcPdyZSQmxBHJ7kL39aaenp_0WY9y8PPwbWCrtkKxLP11MYv6rD08ws0t3ZlOIRiEgFPwcAXM-/s1600/DSC00482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQRKvOtlKH5SvAC1LDyrDCxO7CBnT6wH28aCp6vIF-Z_A3bGdWGFfI39dQ3stqIFS8QPcPdyZSQmxBHJ7kL39aaenp_0WY9y8PPwbWCrtkKxLP11MYv6rD08ws0t3ZlOIRiEgFPwcAXM-/s640/DSC00482.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Here's the Tidewater office and warehouse - </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>or Pan Marine as it is called in Cameroon. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdPg62floFsEMgsjFMa2dg-RvK1Vce_QAULrugaA0DJDlriCLdYkGpdvs9b1OV-8J2pPXEMRJe8f7pbMaahnpkCn6wgDcC0BJMusfyLT0OYooa0oj0hlcfsjgru5k3sxPsSodPln7mq9L/s1600/DSC00483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdPg62floFsEMgsjFMa2dg-RvK1Vce_QAULrugaA0DJDlriCLdYkGpdvs9b1OV-8J2pPXEMRJe8f7pbMaahnpkCn6wgDcC0BJMusfyLT0OYooa0oj0hlcfsjgru5k3sxPsSodPln7mq9L/s640/DSC00483.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is the main office entrance. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Walking in, it felt like I was walking onto a ship, especially </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>seeing the dark glossy wood and the very steep 'ships' staircase. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The first office to the right is the Port Captain. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7oAICXbTr6P0UXYockWnFkwQvfQZXdUy6evgBJXhThGBaRezFxYsWgLtDXJ7IFBogLjPJZlrbnqcehoAOP3Q0kdLp_cyP4QZaVGQzTDUaEdRiHwbd0DISJu0i8cMt3-VOW7rPZ17Nts9/s1600/DSC00486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7oAICXbTr6P0UXYockWnFkwQvfQZXdUy6evgBJXhThGBaRezFxYsWgLtDXJ7IFBogLjPJZlrbnqcehoAOP3Q0kdLp_cyP4QZaVGQzTDUaEdRiHwbd0DISJu0i8cMt3-VOW7rPZ17Nts9/s640/DSC00486.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The photograph shows the President of Cameroon. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It is common for his picture to hang in every office building in the country. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFZztgPeUuio0Amu2ayzJpQ0_VVBHWGdVWcZPgglvXN9kFs8E7JQisZA1k-iykrNoNYK8wRIQwwd-_21wIpbXtdGQ0Ms02kj6PRSyCwfst9TQhax6OVIMpjsmju4yZFJRc32YX79Fe5YZ/s1600/DSC00488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFZztgPeUuio0Amu2ayzJpQ0_VVBHWGdVWcZPgglvXN9kFs8E7JQisZA1k-iykrNoNYK8wRIQwwd-_21wIpbXtdGQ0Ms02kj6PRSyCwfst9TQhax6OVIMpjsmju4yZFJRc32YX79Fe5YZ/s640/DSC00488.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Maps and Charts for the Port Captains...</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMIE3pwFnj3oazuDI35Ged-8goxbcjk89Oj8Qz4HoKDtjt0k7uwCrFtpvkp6F_ZlEg5Ob2x4JoaOGgAftEaRi1qe1tKuQNNg6uGINwa47r8k0sPiftFy51bEaI1ToR5nCb1Iv8KN9bC9t/s1600/DSC00517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></i></b></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF0fcUHsKbL6MugL9n25tNMEaLJx-D04JxIbtUYiTE5X1SY3_flFeWkFYY-jBYY0bURr0nyy8wqOR32Tw-KYrftjpOra1u1wSjNokt3waimvec1lCQuN2jLUJwXdUERzYqRFrNTzAygYL/s1600/DSC00491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNF0fcUHsKbL6MugL9n25tNMEaLJx-D04JxIbtUYiTE5X1SY3_flFeWkFYY-jBYY0bURr0nyy8wqOR32Tw-KYrftjpOra1u1wSjNokt3waimvec1lCQuN2jLUJwXdUERzYqRFrNTzAygYL/s640/DSC00491.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Even the hallways resemble ships - along with a ship's bell.</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH8Ldb1lnLSu29HeChC80S6bFFt4GR-vBhEVVJ5hPsghCVJGrtrkEwOdVjxmT0dmtZpFM8zi3seFPLEXWOC6NejQ5UYEr1QgslkS15lbCJ9xcaOkqNoj0q5eRq3MW-KA7RVGnaB1H45IW/s1600/DSC00516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheH8Ldb1lnLSu29HeChC80S6bFFt4GR-vBhEVVJ5hPsghCVJGrtrkEwOdVjxmT0dmtZpFM8zi3seFPLEXWOC6NejQ5UYEr1QgslkS15lbCJ9xcaOkqNoj0q5eRq3MW-KA7RVGnaB1H45IW/s640/DSC00516.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> I like the pole to the left with holes in it as </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>we move into the area where Charles spends lots of his time. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP31aGFo8xIUOKN_DkH2K75YFwu8Mshb1zu2aup6c0KgmF80ickGlTrftCRIIasVh9OoghM3nchfCWQZmYhk-vEZYIwiGdKN6-CFP1bI4Qf9dnzr91ok-VUryySUp6ZWtJQhSeGDaJRU5/s1600/DSC00494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXP31aGFo8xIUOKN_DkH2K75YFwu8Mshb1zu2aup6c0KgmF80ickGlTrftCRIIasVh9OoghM3nchfCWQZmYhk-vEZYIwiGdKN6-CFP1bI4Qf9dnzr91ok-VUryySUp6ZWtJQhSeGDaJRU5/s640/DSC00494.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>His office has a glossy ceiling, which helps to cover up the termite damage. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>There's another picture of the President of Cameroon in the left corner. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaaky7vJYFOWQDgqXp1iWjvDZVPB2HI8ftdd2FACFlbMRKDOSsLwDGNDrAphBmwJTNHjKDEOIchTH3vW1VxKCZpaeBsiVBs3tqJv2FNQoicKeMQmiaseb6-1WaZaNTDPPxRYQd3FfS7aZ/s1600/DSC00502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></i></b></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVF2aDHP7lpUrwX7RMZhBI7tVjziFgUSVs_h6x811CFyp7eEm93-x1Uohpue_NFhmJP8BoAlgSfmDj-ynt_4WIpmeqa4MEHDrypHR_QXoHx3XcJFrf5LeQ98qibAChlDGzcXvwABx2h4M/s1600/DSC00499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVF2aDHP7lpUrwX7RMZhBI7tVjziFgUSVs_h6x811CFyp7eEm93-x1Uohpue_NFhmJP8BoAlgSfmDj-ynt_4WIpmeqa4MEHDrypHR_QXoHx3XcJFrf5LeQ98qibAChlDGzcXvwABx2h4M/s640/DSC00499.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He also has a lot of maps on his wall. This may be why he would do </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>well in the Amazing Race or a trivia contest! :) </i></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>He's the one to ask </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>if you want to know where any country in the world is located. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> I know this because I ask him often! </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> No, he doesn't wear shorts to work. We were there on Saturday afternoon. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV8GYKkLWlARbKoRFzfRTMsUkp85af4BtmLZuZc9cbpWDknNDza04MxLaBlviSTiIolmiR1cUnb49sQKtH_y9nlXipHVKA8M7vEOxlvAlFGp_UuLl65nKwnSH_Pqq3ghHHQgY59R9DZm0/s1600/DSC00519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></i></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnqCFUM04jggky6YNoDdLBVhj0I1SDVF76PlDBTbUmaB2FacbYiIdYH3K8BxLzYnzIEb2ex9T3Sijq_BFypPxLW_k9oBQ9diOILRwGc2ke0wvQOi9TVlgkMOE1J3Qj_xa5qHmCrI6KRfd/s1600/DSC00510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNnqCFUM04jggky6YNoDdLBVhj0I1SDVF76PlDBTbUmaB2FacbYiIdYH3K8BxLzYnzIEb2ex9T3Sijq_BFypPxLW_k9oBQ9diOILRwGc2ke0wvQOi9TVlgkMOE1J3Qj_xa5qHmCrI6KRfd/s640/DSC00510.JPG" width="640" /></i></a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> This map shows (more or less) the areas the office covers. The leases for the oil fields are outlined on the map as well. The Gulf of Guinea is the area from Gabon to Ghana. So, if you hear on the news that the Gulf of Guinea has had another pirate attack, you'll know exactly where to look. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>We live about an inch above where the "C" in Cameroon is shown above. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEoZxz_AR6Wf5Nx8JoTTIC1Vgh-Wq1uqGJkkSei2Kbu3i8IUYfpX4eQez_Xl1AnJmwiQaCZqQrE4FMd2ZYqWfRCW5r179sMehZ1aW7fIM1OuIxcfHM8NUIN97fYk6ZqptzyRzYUFRLkPQ/s1600/DSC00505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEoZxz_AR6Wf5Nx8JoTTIC1Vgh-Wq1uqGJkkSei2Kbu3i8IUYfpX4eQez_Xl1AnJmwiQaCZqQrE4FMd2ZYqWfRCW5r179sMehZ1aW7fIM1OuIxcfHM8NUIN97fYk6ZqptzyRzYUFRLkPQ/s640/DSC00505.JPG" width="547" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> Afrique - Afrika - Africa</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(French) (South African Afrikaans) (English) </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The equator runs through part of the green section. From West to East, the line runs through Gabon, The Republic of Congo, The DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo), Uganda, Kenya and Somalia. We live only 4 degrees above the equator in Cameroon. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEyvoTaz6h6RYXBIu7zxZtcAT-fdBUbiFMkqZplA3GiQ2SfzyUqZyMV5UpDEpOeE5SE-d39VJTjFTJm0YckBbQobq1YfzJBgSlNhBTYebbYyy52la8zwUnKD2xmvYodS7cGvknj57KIXQ/s1600/DSC00500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEyvoTaz6h6RYXBIu7zxZtcAT-fdBUbiFMkqZplA3GiQ2SfzyUqZyMV5UpDEpOeE5SE-d39VJTjFTJm0YckBbQobq1YfzJBgSlNhBTYebbYyy52la8zwUnKD2xmvYodS7cGvknj57KIXQ/s640/DSC00500.JPG" width="640" /></a></i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEyvoTaz6h6RYXBIu7zxZtcAT-fdBUbiFMkqZplA3GiQ2SfzyUqZyMV5UpDEpOeE5SE-d39VJTjFTJm0YckBbQobq1YfzJBgSlNhBTYebbYyy52la8zwUnKD2xmvYodS7cGvknj57KIXQ/s1600/DSC00500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></i></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>One of the many Tidewater ships. This is a PSV - Platform Supply Vessel </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tl2XtRujA9cJZ9y1AMUWweNlI7nACRBQ0IXG2wHGHlR0fqi034lgoLdZEqzoHBsNuvkHHDqkM6n5cRzp7f8NChGMQRj8WxSu-UWiW-PVYUrunzc01DMy_J8KwmyPghLvL5n4MEECoZR0/s1600/DSC00501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><i><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tl2XtRujA9cJZ9y1AMUWweNlI7nACRBQ0IXG2wHGHlR0fqi034lgoLdZEqzoHBsNuvkHHDqkM6n5cRzp7f8NChGMQRj8WxSu-UWiW-PVYUrunzc01DMy_J8KwmyPghLvL5n4MEECoZR0/s640/DSC00501.JPG" width="640" /></i></b></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><i>Additional Supply vessels </i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMBwvtuCM_akQYwYOLmqVoS1qMvjmEe544ZjdaeQgXrf_pfry8DJFg_Rm-EKtcbMuCBt0U6RayIileaQxoSJGxnp7hNpLmedrWc1fEwanYRciGeoV7qgpStrblI9nsAOC6FXmMrQNL4n5/s1600/DSC00511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMBwvtuCM_akQYwYOLmqVoS1qMvjmEe544ZjdaeQgXrf_pfry8DJFg_Rm-EKtcbMuCBt0U6RayIileaQxoSJGxnp7hNpLmedrWc1fEwanYRciGeoV7qgpStrblI9nsAOC6FXmMrQNL4n5/s640/DSC00511.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I thought this wood carving was really well done. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMyNFR3LsVeOVCZpdfWtho7rYx4PInJA5Zep81IkQImidWA7MD-Xi2MTWFDxcK0PwZdT2TMWwXZGjZbPg5Ih33Th1n9DhCEItpIhrFIvr3Ne7LnB24qCYT2FsI_A27njBws7FTyS6bMB_/s1600/DSC00519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMyNFR3LsVeOVCZpdfWtho7rYx4PInJA5Zep81IkQImidWA7MD-Xi2MTWFDxcK0PwZdT2TMWwXZGjZbPg5Ih33Th1n9DhCEItpIhrFIvr3Ne7LnB24qCYT2FsI_A27njBws7FTyS6bMB_/s640/DSC00519.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>There are panic buttons on all of the walls. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>If one is pushed, the main siren goes off. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I just found this intriguing - just like on a ship. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>We have panic buttons in our homes too. :) </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkM7N_W7bQx69JALmXEKL9L6Aug9As_9Ui10Sl5dNn-jKSIc7TJMI9tBkvstYDzNUjBhmmQroOCoIDdoWQVXc30USPrpN4tJDbPyW4e_u56ZHr_XKCfdYrhC6llioOfACxPd0ckdLFav3/s1600/DSC00560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkM7N_W7bQx69JALmXEKL9L6Aug9As_9Ui10Sl5dNn-jKSIc7TJMI9tBkvstYDzNUjBhmmQroOCoIDdoWQVXc30USPrpN4tJDbPyW4e_u56ZHr_XKCfdYrhC6llioOfACxPd0ckdLFav3/s640/DSC00560.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The rail line runs parallel to the port. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> When traffic is bad, this is the area that you want to cross quickly. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWvXuV_hR5OLU-lkC90R293Elh7FmAERziOfowNEL62c3bFQDdQ5nkeRQ3nh7U1jWi7mpQ3M1ZSDwls19A0x-Wx5K_2G-6yw-RM_-JKU7U8MslaoP1BJr9gcjNkl2QFpYDMjoF7bhLjEV/s1600/DSC00553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWvXuV_hR5OLU-lkC90R293Elh7FmAERziOfowNEL62c3bFQDdQ5nkeRQ3nh7U1jWi7mpQ3M1ZSDwls19A0x-Wx5K_2G-6yw-RM_-JKU7U8MslaoP1BJr9gcjNkl2QFpYDMjoF7bhLjEV/s640/DSC00553.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The last curve in the road before leaving the port area. </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsWrknGJn7Ld-hTB6yhAgKlyffs0CiOb-cqkrSjeUvd2ouJxW_k7wWKAu3Lo-vfdJFo-fmSBwndSK9luBK_eb5kVYUUdBhmPRaHg21AooJLgQx8XUHgvYz8GfcpoqGB0R_62D_-_iMzs4/s1600/DSC00561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsWrknGJn7Ld-hTB6yhAgKlyffs0CiOb-cqkrSjeUvd2ouJxW_k7wWKAu3Lo-vfdJFo-fmSBwndSK9luBK_eb5kVYUUdBhmPRaHg21AooJLgQx8XUHgvYz8GfcpoqGB0R_62D_-_iMzs4/s640/DSC00561.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And we are back on the main road. You can see the terminal on the right. </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>On a side note, every time I see one of these moto/trucks from the back, it reminds me of the Amish in Pennsylvania for just a minute. :) </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnE3DBdPDk6lLD6YMdHW1aMVwdCnsrRys0NmAf6WKwdKruUwpBwmS3a4cKWybkaE-HFJ1kezOaQ3DxK4rJXWiGn9blvBpdLslyZN1ZPnQAbu5B1t3fOkaThB2-Lt-x94qLG8sJ3zJcId5/s1600/DSC00450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnE3DBdPDk6lLD6YMdHW1aMVwdCnsrRys0NmAf6WKwdKruUwpBwmS3a4cKWybkaE-HFJ1kezOaQ3DxK4rJXWiGn9blvBpdLslyZN1ZPnQAbu5B1t3fOkaThB2-Lt-x94qLG8sJ3zJcId5/s640/DSC00450.JPG" width="640" /></i></span></b></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>And I promised a side view of the Bentsikins - moto/taxis - </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>with the umbrella on top. Doesn't it look like a long baseball cap? </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The ingenuity is just incredibly impressive! </i></span></b></div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dheader&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-AOFVUPaLUrQ%2FVdHW0q4pRBI%2FAAAAAAAAFog%2FUzkbxX_kim0%2Fs640%2FDSC00455.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 5256px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dheader&media=https%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-AOFVUPaLUrQ%2FVdHW0q4pRBI%2FAAAAAAAAFog%2FUzkbxX_kim0%2Fs640%2FDSC00455.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 5256px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3075274510000759640%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-eLY3Z0ltUgI%2FVdFNWhx7uWI%2FAAAAAAAAFj0%2Fl-PY502lGcI%2Fs640%2FDSC00561.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 20058px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Ftarget%3Dpost%3BpostID%3D3075274510000759640%3BonPublishedMenu%3Dposts%3BonClosedMenu%3Dposts%3BpostNum%3D0%3Bsrc%3Dlink&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-eLY3Z0ltUgI%2FVdFNWhx7uWI%2FAAAAAAAAFj0%2Fl-PY502lGcI%2Fs640%2FDSC00561.JPG&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 42px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 20058px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-48820969781994328192015-08-17T15:50:00.000-05:002015-09-06T09:39:33.697-05:00"Yes, Si, Oui"<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every - Single - Time that I am asked a question, I go through the same routine. "Yes", I answer. "Oh, I mean Si...Oh no, I meant Oui!" Usually the answers are given with a shake of my head, "Yes", (shake) "Si", (shake) "Oui" - and a shutter of frustration. "Yes" seems simple enough, but my brain is confused and can't quite make it to "Oui", without the "Si" in between. After living in Mexico City (twice) and Puerto Rico - my brain automatically thinks that if I can't say it in English, then it MUST be Spanish. It's not that I am even fluent in Spanish, but my brain can't wrap around learning yet another language. </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemdlOxnLG-RYbvTdUrv5mOa0QqDnMgvlEPy6aX_1wVJ7UvkWdjvvtmdTJaJ8M1BNdKEhubb6SXWoPySpbLfQ3HNysDboqKrZYnJVZmIpOQsj6HEXZs3PyWVbeqM-fg1xS9_3a0JNPVSKf/s1600/yes_logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemdlOxnLG-RYbvTdUrv5mOa0QqDnMgvlEPy6aX_1wVJ7UvkWdjvvtmdTJaJ8M1BNdKEhubb6SXWoPySpbLfQ3HNysDboqKrZYnJVZmIpOQsj6HEXZs3PyWVbeqM-fg1xS9_3a0JNPVSKf/s200/yes_logo.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thankfully, a friend of ours loaned me her Rosetta Stone in French. I am working on it and can basically say, "The woman swims, the fish eats, the boy runs and the man drinks". I suppose I could switch the words around and say that the man eats and the girl drinks - :) However, I am learning and I am working hard, but it takes a LOT of time and effort to learn to even get by in another language. </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I_vNeUtRzJ_45yTZ0PUD6TczOIWVMnoLiZXCIFaEISpxZV1PMhQWf5EGzju1xRGV-D5LDQqEFAxmgNUUKdAmL1PvQNn9_4Td5nlsh80QNTDPFB2essD8jy5LBT0xlVZ4ZAZ3FTkhyFuT/s1600/SIII.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I_vNeUtRzJ_45yTZ0PUD6TczOIWVMnoLiZXCIFaEISpxZV1PMhQWf5EGzju1xRGV-D5LDQqEFAxmgNUUKdAmL1PvQNn9_4Td5nlsh80QNTDPFB2essD8jy5LBT0xlVZ4ZAZ3FTkhyFuT/s200/SIII.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It also takes a lot more courage than I have some days to walk in places where I know that others can't understand me. However, if I want to get things done, I just have to step up and do the best I can. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, I needed to exchange a curtain panel that I recently purchased AND I wanted to buy some additional larger items. But, I needed help communicating. I asked my driver (who speaks English) to help with the exchange portion and get me started on the rest. To complicate matters, I forgot the receipt - but we forged ahead. When we entered the store, we were stopped for a lack of this receipt, and we argued our way in. The person sitting at the front desk refused to talk with us without our 'paper'. When the driver translated the situation to me, I simply said no - and explained that I just wanted to change the color and shouldn't need a receipt for that. He persisted and after 4-5 no's, they finally let me change the panel and our driver disappeared quickly to put it into the car before they changed their mind. I thought it was funny that they gave me a receipt before I left, in the event that I needed to exchange that one. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now, I needed a pro forma to get the other items. A pro forma in this case, is a written invoice in order to purchase the items needed. Before our driver hurried away, he was able to get a name of the person I needed to talk with - and they were somewhere upstairs. So off I went upstairs to the third floor. I asked the first person I saw..."Bonjour - Madame Ozana?" "No" - and they pointed downstairs. So, I tried floor two and said, "Bonjour - Madame Ozana?" "No" - and they pointed. After a few more attempts, Madame Ozana appeared....and she didn't speak a word of English. We just smiled at each other and finally she picked up her phone and called someone and motioned for me to sit. Eventually, a gentleman arrived and asked if he could help me in English and I was thrilled. I showed him the 5-6 items around the store that I wanted and he wrote them down. He left for 10 minutes, had the pro forma typed up and gave me the total. I looked at it and asked about a discount - which I knew they would give if requested. Everything in Africa is negotiable and this was certainly no exception. The man pointed back to the front of the store to the exact man who I started this journey with and told me that he was the only one that could give a discount. I figured that I couldn't lose by trying - so I took a deep breath and walked back up to the desk. I simply said, "Bonjour", handed him the pro forma and commented, "Discount s'il vous plait". He asked a few questions, and I simply smiled and said, "Discount s'il vous plait" again. He rattled off and I didn't understand a word...and repeated, "Discount s'il vous plait' one more time. He figured out that I had NO idea what he was saying, so he just wrote on the pro forma, changed the prices and gave me the appropriate discount. Charles had mentioned to me that he could have someone in the office call and we should be able to get about 10% off. There was another employee who bought a lot recently and negotiated for days and received 12% discount - which our driver had never heard of at this location. When I saw the discount was written down on my pro forma and I was free to go, I smiled and said, "Thank you....Oh, I meant Gracias...Oh no, I meant Merci!! Merci Boucoup!" I looked down and he had discounted the price by 12% - so I was very pleased. Sometimes being confused can work to my advantage. Confusion coupled with persistence helps too. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The plan - the way that I understand it - is to take the pro forma, put it with a check and have the driver deliver it tomorrow. Then, we wait a day or so and go back to pick up the items that I wanted. So if I am fortunate, I will have a few basic rugs, a few new curtains, and a desk chair by Wednesday or Thursday! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way home, we stopped by the side of the road where they were selling beautiful fruit - the best I have seen in Douala. I was happy to purchase tomatoes, bananas, pineapples, fresh green beans and even red cabbage! I was on a roll - so I asked for a discount there too! :) They graciously obliged. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like I have accomplished a LOT today. However, when I walked in, the housekeeper asked if I remembered to purchase bananas. I said "Yes...oh I meant Si...oh crud...Oui!! " </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEezgjmbzVszh_8PAEII0HHcdszFiil1Vnbcz4ulEwAJssaH0pk_4qxF9u7ZB6XlMwSbf0yf3QRRnjkNXrCfttAYVaungFqDzR3uOqJepQIwMUdEN3wS3Cxy-VkrREj1lodA7ieGSt_mP/s1600/berlitz_yeswecan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNEezgjmbzVszh_8PAEII0HHcdszFiil1Vnbcz4ulEwAJssaH0pk_4qxF9u7ZB6XlMwSbf0yf3QRRnjkNXrCfttAYVaungFqDzR3uOqJepQIwMUdEN3wS3Cxy-VkrREj1lodA7ieGSt_mP/s320/berlitz_yeswecan.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May my confusion be short lived! </span></i></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-d1Ch-zNJzTo%2FVdI_shQZp4I%2FAAAAAAAAFrU%2F-Fp2IY4T8RY%2Fs200%2FSIII.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 253px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 395px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D4402026848727300104%23editor%2Fsrc%3Dsidebar&media=https%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-d1Ch-zNJzTo%2FVdI_shQZp4I%2FAAAAAAAAFrU%2F-Fp2IY4T8RY%2Fs200%2FSIII.png&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=7wWEdk9Jt36n&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 253px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 395px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-86517009862764808122015-08-11T16:46:00.000-05:002015-09-06T09:36:36.601-05:00Exploring the Cameroon Countryside <div style="text-align: center;">
On Sunday, we decided to drive up to Limbe, about 2 hours away. It was a rainy day, but we were ready to explore. Taking a break from setting up the house is always a good thing, especially when a new country is waiting to be discovered. </div>
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We had a few objectives for the day other than just getting out of the house. </div>
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One, was to see the countryside of Cameroon. </div>
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If you squint a bit, it looks just like the tropics of Hawaii. </div>
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We passed MANY banana plantations...</div>
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And rubber tree plantations.</div>
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But the REAL objective (for one of us anyway) ...</div>
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was to see the Tiko Likomba Golf Course. :) </div>
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He wanted to see the distance from our house (90 minutes away)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeUdNQ83YFoQAKE0BQ6cWPR4GOaBGoqLNwiD2MtET741bQZAPqyHqxZkOfz6wVkG0FSFqpYtygzRA1pH8E8cmbwDvPcdiQJv_VphdaHYg9jmfqRPDLOZEiHt3jJlt6ssK5_GJAj4grT0L/s1600/DSC00330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeUdNQ83YFoQAKE0BQ6cWPR4GOaBGoqLNwiD2MtET741bQZAPqyHqxZkOfz6wVkG0FSFqpYtygzRA1pH8E8cmbwDvPcdiQJv_VphdaHYg9jmfqRPDLOZEiHt3jJlt6ssK5_GJAj4grT0L/s640/DSC00330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and to see the condition of the course and the greens. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHFqJ7aXQRBMDnQ59IIm5brnDKxgduGhdYZORPIZLEE8MgQFZZQiJSLBN3jTwqmE734IBoJ9X-ccY5Hcqv0EEP06h-JNz-cKPxvLJjESTfDao7xHTygpNJVH1_1LGHvKSFRutEYfTOd2x/s1600/DSC00331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHFqJ7aXQRBMDnQ59IIm5brnDKxgduGhdYZORPIZLEE8MgQFZZQiJSLBN3jTwqmE734IBoJ9X-ccY5Hcqv0EEP06h-JNz-cKPxvLJjESTfDao7xHTygpNJVH1_1LGHvKSFRutEYfTOd2x/s640/DSC00331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were many houses built on the course </div>
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and caddies chased down our car looking for work. </div>
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His deduction was that he probably won't play every weekend. :) </div>
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Golf is not a major sport in Cameroon. </div>
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On record, there are TWO golf courses in the entire country; Tiko and one in Yaoude', the capital city. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xLOY84J-dkORFP_7UMAO0asmT9rXh4vVp7Ro4bNp7rwBa-sMM-LryrTHZp7wppXFEz5nwwDFhxK-DpOShX2z0eD4yFCHx29nhchyphenhyphenFdh83MOjTLUCgaUjDeEAUZp_GTOPv9htxF1AeaoR/s1600/DSC00337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xLOY84J-dkORFP_7UMAO0asmT9rXh4vVp7Ro4bNp7rwBa-sMM-LryrTHZp7wppXFEz5nwwDFhxK-DpOShX2z0eD4yFCHx29nhchyphenhyphenFdh83MOjTLUCgaUjDeEAUZp_GTOPv9htxF1AeaoR/s640/DSC00337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The terrain is more mountainous outside of Douala. </div>
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You can see the palm trees lined up in the distance which will produce palm oil. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcinDMOrbPGixX_EmE0w1PjlcKmaf9G2vBvj9ML1rsNlIZly5fSbGtX_EvdXhUqMVyzp559AiKJh6285XSIHdwgxDs57s01F3kNEN6FxBSFf76esJhzkvJRb56fNtGDmc9HUVP2Z3rKFLF/s1600/DSC00373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcinDMOrbPGixX_EmE0w1PjlcKmaf9G2vBvj9ML1rsNlIZly5fSbGtX_EvdXhUqMVyzp559AiKJh6285XSIHdwgxDs57s01F3kNEN6FxBSFf76esJhzkvJRb56fNtGDmc9HUVP2Z3rKFLF/s640/DSC00373.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is a good view of the tropics in the rainy season. Douala is located 4 degrees north of the </div>
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equator. So far, it has rained every single day since I arrived. Our area averages just </div>
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over 140 inches of rain per year and August is supposed to be the wettest month of all. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivHkdOC4yKCUv_06ouSd2rgRVINJ3cFdL0i_T4-ID40ZK7XcA_HWjkJKdTESzbBD3OxEM5ES9Rg-EAl1dChWcavrYnCAkaB0SbPOFsTTgNR3onJg8o2mhryZHnjKSLVGF-8MuCUC4BYsA/s1600/DSC00339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivHkdOC4yKCUv_06ouSd2rgRVINJ3cFdL0i_T4-ID40ZK7XcA_HWjkJKdTESzbBD3OxEM5ES9Rg-EAl1dChWcavrYnCAkaB0SbPOFsTTgNR3onJg8o2mhryZHnjKSLVGF-8MuCUC4BYsA/s640/DSC00339.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The pictures are all poor quality, but you are viewing exactly what we</div>
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saw since they are also untouched. :) It's an authentic view of Cameroon! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqOz-lNu2zL6145xs5cekpnq29qBRoUF805pCCL4tg0DpJWxSIFnrpcuKw-Q5U58Q07H0v7WgkRJJpWE5ziUnK1X2eyVFymFXdp9HetNiYR_Zan7d_YIzMbqnjj_LaoK-FP4UCdGC__xq/s1600/DSC00346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqOz-lNu2zL6145xs5cekpnq29qBRoUF805pCCL4tg0DpJWxSIFnrpcuKw-Q5U58Q07H0v7WgkRJJpWE5ziUnK1X2eyVFymFXdp9HetNiYR_Zan7d_YIzMbqnjj_LaoK-FP4UCdGC__xq/s640/DSC00346.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We had heard about the black sand beaches in the area, so we made a small </div>
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'donation' to enter the Hotel Seme Beach Resort. Even though the grounds </div>
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are 'weathered' and a bit dated, it is supposed to be the nicest resort around. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpSqIf0EtF_ehPC6h_2LFf8LNAKiIqDClEgrRhHOObWOSpFf23cd7s-6BH22qAhjNF2QE5wdqZQpVSy6xz_x4WfnpjP43BIhvork8BNjD52S92eX9wXViNFBheQfm5QSTL7j-rx4XmyCL/s1600/DSC00341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpSqIf0EtF_ehPC6h_2LFf8LNAKiIqDClEgrRhHOObWOSpFf23cd7s-6BH22qAhjNF2QE5wdqZQpVSy6xz_x4WfnpjP43BIhvork8BNjD52S92eX9wXViNFBheQfm5QSTL7j-rx4XmyCL/s640/DSC00341.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sand is definitely very BLACK.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJia8AWbyCtTgx9A1Ut17DSfwLF3YFXSxT-QNW8nV_yWLBNzEB5CEy0dr3x0HQWVPnTKW1cp6ndvQUyN5IVftAGtWCqzLyDIc2omx6lPwunOlGfDqGwudhers4u5JrPSL5nTqPhfyocMK8/s1600/DSC00343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJia8AWbyCtTgx9A1Ut17DSfwLF3YFXSxT-QNW8nV_yWLBNzEB5CEy0dr3x0HQWVPnTKW1cp6ndvQUyN5IVftAGtWCqzLyDIc2omx6lPwunOlGfDqGwudhers4u5JrPSL5nTqPhfyocMK8/s640/DSC00343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were many people swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and</div>
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enjoying the black sand beaches, even in the misty rain. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetjl9KcJ-_XqCtLKThJXw6M6rPWq6CwAmG99v-nXy9t0CrS5hhtogg7tlvo06yiy-B2Js90uH0vQrl1jTcPJOzQ5rgQvjBIDh5rGKJaZw_lNeMNKPXd-8NARtB7hMCjkSDpw7tCF1P-5P/s1600/DSC00345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetjl9KcJ-_XqCtLKThJXw6M6rPWq6CwAmG99v-nXy9t0CrS5hhtogg7tlvo06yiy-B2Js90uH0vQrl1jTcPJOzQ5rgQvjBIDh5rGKJaZw_lNeMNKPXd-8NARtB7hMCjkSDpw7tCF1P-5P/s640/DSC00345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think this is a natural lazy river. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjYOlwrCkix7xxPy7_XKZP7MhGYe2R3AYn-l_leB3Aonrl4oBkkberUThrq4y093Sa4hc6jAT5YXVd8jucGjvATYGZ4K5fRuJt6H-lxVVKGWKEGTOZbMgkZQRaZa_34iD6It0_Jx6QEhh/s1600/DSC00348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjYOlwrCkix7xxPy7_XKZP7MhGYe2R3AYn-l_leB3Aonrl4oBkkberUThrq4y093Sa4hc6jAT5YXVd8jucGjvATYGZ4K5fRuJt6H-lxVVKGWKEGTOZbMgkZQRaZa_34iD6It0_Jx6QEhh/s640/DSC00348.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There was an old open-air restaurant on site. Fortunately, we weren't hungry. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7MZznSP5ZIbguyPDMknUdwusHeQuHrUBYgzcrE_JYjiEeKpPwv7ptzzVC0Bj87zaaAHomnkR5QEX4UcWM0UJrj1dhYTg1pi46yg4H5JT_4L6te-4S2mfWgD1zpeCzif8TdpHq5VWPDqy/s1600/DSC00356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7MZznSP5ZIbguyPDMknUdwusHeQuHrUBYgzcrE_JYjiEeKpPwv7ptzzVC0Bj87zaaAHomnkR5QEX4UcWM0UJrj1dhYTg1pi46yg4H5JT_4L6te-4S2mfWgD1zpeCzif8TdpHq5VWPDqy/s640/DSC00356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We found something that Nigeria doesn't have - refineries! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAeq64XSknBzlpsiwHLpWZ-kIGgPG4oUBk7VjCbNAIWqqOg4-lJO1eBWaOi9MmaIul883pQG8Z4KtGDi0L0ltBlJaYlbzx7PNY4tbqkoEE4GP0VztQwokWtqDn1Sk1xT_tV3VV-e9jf_u/s1600/DSC00369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAeq64XSknBzlpsiwHLpWZ-kIGgPG4oUBk7VjCbNAIWqqOg4-lJO1eBWaOi9MmaIul883pQG8Z4KtGDi0L0ltBlJaYlbzx7PNY4tbqkoEE4GP0VztQwokWtqDn1Sk1xT_tV3VV-e9jf_u/s640/DSC00369.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We saw a few drilling rigs right off shore - not working. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrA6XJOLOSlx3YVL2B0L18Fsw6vH6ZHK6YPU-nBrAVMQHaPXupY6G8PHc2a-39d_OScSVunDGjTsChLxvoCrySjkZOC9pM6BiWYQa0qvzZpBO2S252n4i_b55kbbPwWrYQTsYFtiS72jm/s1600/DSC00370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrA6XJOLOSlx3YVL2B0L18Fsw6vH6ZHK6YPU-nBrAVMQHaPXupY6G8PHc2a-39d_OScSVunDGjTsChLxvoCrySjkZOC9pM6BiWYQa0qvzZpBO2S252n4i_b55kbbPwWrYQTsYFtiS72jm/s640/DSC00370.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I asked our driver about these boats with flags of various countries, he </div>
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explained that these are smuggler's boats. They smuggle food stuffs INTO Nigeria </div>
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and then smuggle the subsidized gas back INTO Cameroon. It seems to be general </div>
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knowledge to where the smugglers boats are located, which I just find amazing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvULwnl7Lx03_oi2f-J_pIBRamGgmrY1hnDSOzjkuK6BGfkG2sUB_I1SI_zcKAjqEHuSkrsyfPC7yhaVu7BuXdXHAPPqXUL-lhDLqqi83UdTWIlQRgvMspN8qQBuFHMDj-o4QK3ciNrmvb/s1600/DSC00375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvULwnl7Lx03_oi2f-J_pIBRamGgmrY1hnDSOzjkuK6BGfkG2sUB_I1SI_zcKAjqEHuSkrsyfPC7yhaVu7BuXdXHAPPqXUL-lhDLqqi83UdTWIlQRgvMspN8qQBuFHMDj-o4QK3ciNrmvb/s640/DSC00375.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As we drove back into Douala, the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful day. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIyPK6x8z5k6hxa4cdRhWlTPXwbOptFZAR8yarNTFEpNZmjgAGTATo4obj5DdpTfz1C0AFuNkdTgWv9acKqxhAk1D45fYRXp18_7hIAfiT-W7lhX0oX5glqXwLfS_Ntv8jiAvBgXmarab/s1600/DSC00376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIyPK6x8z5k6hxa4cdRhWlTPXwbOptFZAR8yarNTFEpNZmjgAGTATo4obj5DdpTfz1C0AFuNkdTgWv9acKqxhAk1D45fYRXp18_7hIAfiT-W7lhX0oX5glqXwLfS_Ntv8jiAvBgXmarab/s640/DSC00376.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's the path to take us home...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSVtKkm5WZFG-DragVWwktRpDWvJ5BWRPLy65ZmR9gUJVjJ_ydq9Q-cr917z5bJNv4JRoaJ0fP7ukMvUDJaIJPxGopr3h9hMitAls18W0DfEta6Kz8ZZ5osw0xGF0KDVjf6n_ddB2AxOl/s1600/DSC00380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSVtKkm5WZFG-DragVWwktRpDWvJ5BWRPLy65ZmR9gUJVjJ_ydq9Q-cr917z5bJNv4JRoaJ0fP7ukMvUDJaIJPxGopr3h9hMitAls18W0DfEta6Kz8ZZ5osw0xGF0KDVjf6n_ddB2AxOl/s640/DSC00380.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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It tends to be dusty even in the rainy season. I would imagine this will </div>
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be even more of an issue in the dry season (November to March). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GSPfNu8UzR6XL58Y7w_7_KKS91JT9emX3FvxGz5trtd6KvKu0qCerczenP2Dyn-Y00Hh4W-4nul875yfjMzfvAWGjHQwNSkGXA0HC6d05LjRpx_OJqZsJxRx_d2i9_jC-07NWTWJLkhV/s1600/DSC00383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GSPfNu8UzR6XL58Y7w_7_KKS91JT9emX3FvxGz5trtd6KvKu0qCerczenP2Dyn-Y00Hh4W-4nul875yfjMzfvAWGjHQwNSkGXA0HC6d05LjRpx_OJqZsJxRx_d2i9_jC-07NWTWJLkhV/s640/DSC00383.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anything motorized can be used for bon transportation. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniRjJ1rYkpmyv_gO8_sLdHlsVv3y_I-qbqTtIpyY9ACbjE5qrVpOHV5Cur9rTJTXU498h1HtkLDBdf13ZG3kMsq89knMGC5JZNHsMOQPMuiaWRJOZ5UVLXBvOsG0SK5650w14yI6ezH2K/s1600/DSC00384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiniRjJ1rYkpmyv_gO8_sLdHlsVv3y_I-qbqTtIpyY9ACbjE5qrVpOHV5Cur9rTJTXU498h1HtkLDBdf13ZG3kMsq89knMGC5JZNHsMOQPMuiaWRJOZ5UVLXBvOsG0SK5650w14yI6ezH2K/s640/DSC00384.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Can you see the red flowered couches nestled together on top of the yellow car? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XMaiW77qRA8p4u35jkpPZIXtwd_LpUxfsM0przB6DCN886JIkxGNsRfVZR6XNwas6G4zUnK3yI51V76AKItYO8o1esWcqc6u3GES1xoQTck8kR048zQpWMJLYOQnUjoWvTI1y5nRRlmg/s1600/DSC00386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XMaiW77qRA8p4u35jkpPZIXtwd_LpUxfsM0przB6DCN886JIkxGNsRfVZR6XNwas6G4zUnK3yI51V76AKItYO8o1esWcqc6u3GES1xoQTck8kR048zQpWMJLYOQnUjoWvTI1y5nRRlmg/s640/DSC00386.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yes, we were facing 'head-on' in this traffic. Typically, we just swerve back and forth into the lane which will get us where we need to go. I am taking the picture from the back seat of the car! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zzFNSMAANy8nn86SZ5iGZWxKiMrgGAtDWrZREsaMw3N5v706p7qnTL1F_2pwQsPATeNVpvmMyWUwccK8_dgXXBEIU28NZ_LPwdCrPjSLBPPSv-vYmXxx30k1xFcIntZ-wjG1O3o7Fd9t/s1600/DSC00396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zzFNSMAANy8nn86SZ5iGZWxKiMrgGAtDWrZREsaMw3N5v706p7qnTL1F_2pwQsPATeNVpvmMyWUwccK8_dgXXBEIU28NZ_LPwdCrPjSLBPPSv-vYmXxx30k1xFcIntZ-wjG1O3o7Fd9t/s640/DSC00396.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are MANY motorcycles on the roads and it is a cheap way to get around. </div>
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In fact, the motorcycles are the most common form of public transportation</div>
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in Douala, since they are used as informal taxis. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e8jS86w_D_Qi0hOf-OVDlkyxJprS6FD-XsWlnkXMGMtlKBvGQSjsFmfeeGTCq7dNXJkeZfnC9iCMkizAuxco-kHY4ioG8MLFOJYQGeYIzcbgZsgR9Ws_r2zJbrDL3lGy7dRl7sEHazop/s1600/DSC00387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0e8jS86w_D_Qi0hOf-OVDlkyxJprS6FD-XsWlnkXMGMtlKBvGQSjsFmfeeGTCq7dNXJkeZfnC9iCMkizAuxco-kHY4ioG8MLFOJYQGeYIzcbgZsgR9Ws_r2zJbrDL3lGy7dRl7sEHazop/s640/DSC00387.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bikes are called "Bentsikins" - which is Pidgin English for the need to 'bend your skin' to get on the bike, especially when there are two, three, or five passengers who ride along with you. </div>
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This is one of the rare riders we see with a helmet. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WSGW4K9YyQl9NWtQrSqXm-xTAROQWDZ9fBWMtShbWjHdbL_-w4zGIqQirpbail75dpyxiuhE8F7UNN0iJUWsGt-pY3XXEnpp-Ahgd16e88Q8MBB67L9N39ebBWp_-DZEaR_Q-ZOCVLN4/s1600/DSC00388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WSGW4K9YyQl9NWtQrSqXm-xTAROQWDZ9fBWMtShbWjHdbL_-w4zGIqQirpbail75dpyxiuhE8F7UNN0iJUWsGt-pY3XXEnpp-Ahgd16e88Q8MBB67L9N39ebBWp_-DZEaR_Q-ZOCVLN4/s640/DSC00388.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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During the rainy season, the "bentsikins" moto-taxis have a long umbrella mounted </div>
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on the bike and a front shield for protection from the elements. I'll have to get a </div>
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side picture of the umbrellas as they are shaped like a baseball hat. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfslgSrJvM_TNEpArM9ZVkuDZZqGLVWmTtpy_EW4KSfGB50gkWkRfxBZQ_ac4G4BnLTNpP8zj0nWIfSqrQWr3C514KgN4i4OabQUOIzqZlP2UtPfVFj_coZL9j-YlMcldI6SBk9uIZvxHM/s1600/DSC00394.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfslgSrJvM_TNEpArM9ZVkuDZZqGLVWmTtpy_EW4KSfGB50gkWkRfxBZQ_ac4G4BnLTNpP8zj0nWIfSqrQWr3C514KgN4i4OabQUOIzqZlP2UtPfVFj_coZL9j-YlMcldI6SBk9uIZvxHM/s640/DSC00394.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We passed the port of Douala, which is actually on the Wouri River, </div>
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which connects to the Atlantic Ocean. Charles works over to the left side of this picture. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWzv8OzIjydQsLRVzT6e_5Uz5UZypUO_JO51beIHLB79FF6j0zsOoomP7crxP05FyVY5W6BhoHNyEFLM7jqLn8l-eC0s0Wkeo2Dv-6_MkwV80vlFIxL9GXpbhyRtMpUvKQnuHaobqjd2E/s1600/DSC00389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSWzv8OzIjydQsLRVzT6e_5Uz5UZypUO_JO51beIHLB79FF6j0zsOoomP7crxP05FyVY5W6BhoHNyEFLM7jqLn8l-eC0s0Wkeo2Dv-6_MkwV80vlFIxL9GXpbhyRtMpUvKQnuHaobqjd2E/s640/DSC00389.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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His offices are behind the plant that you see here. He works only 10-15 minutes from home </div>
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with no traffic. Normally it takes him about 15 minutes to get to work and 60-90 minutes to get home in the evenings, due to the bottleneck getting out of the port area. However tonight, it took </div>
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over 3 hours for him to get home - which is the third time in the last week for an extra long commute. When they get the new bridge finished, it should be much quicker. At this point, they estimate it will take another 2 years - and not surprisingly, they are currently on strike. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3s1YQGPFt2CAJHeOXf5vv-6dWJbhA11vIS_mkhTSxN2OMTWFX0LYwXwZdlSL79TvjLUc-HqZyermjlhrViXgKKcs3OHm0kTGkr0VDRHDxagtqEp-maVF_GsM0r9IWdIEPGe6ZWf8oaq9M/s1600/DSC00397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3s1YQGPFt2CAJHeOXf5vv-6dWJbhA11vIS_mkhTSxN2OMTWFX0LYwXwZdlSL79TvjLUc-HqZyermjlhrViXgKKcs3OHm0kTGkr0VDRHDxagtqEp-maVF_GsM0r9IWdIEPGe6ZWf8oaq9M/s640/DSC00397.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Typical traffic - and this was on a Sunday afternoon. </div>
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The roads are also terrible. Can you see the potholes? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnIwrJcJrG0DL5J8ubPPnM9Ul11yuTXZsVokEviqkBx44kseYRr7mTfaeLU4lymGvs4tLDoZpeGJzTGzJVIbrqWcBPhUSgnFZ7l_5slK4lGXuqwuv_DoOzs4gOC2BqmX_NwBtW0LHzQ0C/s1600/DSC00398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnIwrJcJrG0DL5J8ubPPnM9Ul11yuTXZsVokEviqkBx44kseYRr7mTfaeLU4lymGvs4tLDoZpeGJzTGzJVIbrqWcBPhUSgnFZ7l_5slK4lGXuqwuv_DoOzs4gOC2BqmX_NwBtW0LHzQ0C/s640/DSC00398.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Coming into our neighborhood - or close by...</div>
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I am amazed at the size of these trees. Timber is a major export of Cameroon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0H5DLAWnXUOGVcnmCShbDgxm80_QAG8vxU1SjL9_G_0DBFQ5iyMTqzDLt974Jv1OCtk1lNl62WChIOml9yqWUTTNDxzO4hpbT18f49KOQmOc09bgQMiUhNINZEG4xvwXlCXEorJWE8t8/s1600/DSC00402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0H5DLAWnXUOGVcnmCShbDgxm80_QAG8vxU1SjL9_G_0DBFQ5iyMTqzDLt974Jv1OCtk1lNl62WChIOml9yqWUTTNDxzO4hpbT18f49KOQmOc09bgQMiUhNINZEG4xvwXlCXEorJWE8t8/s640/DSC00402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm not sure that I trust the three ropes that are holding these monsters on the truck! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PBeUvO-pHrz520MLoXiISXX4CNQPaogcAzbr0HILnn9axwS5tFhWIK6X6NWwzNC6yPbbRtQahwMhEXXty7b1zZEiUot6i4lRIePqR1OwGhUz5UT7HK39IunzEWESe8AS81TWPI2TmsZb/s1600/DSC00403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PBeUvO-pHrz520MLoXiISXX4CNQPaogcAzbr0HILnn9axwS5tFhWIK6X6NWwzNC6yPbbRtQahwMhEXXty7b1zZEiUot6i4lRIePqR1OwGhUz5UT7HK39IunzEWESe8AS81TWPI2TmsZb/s640/DSC00403.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Coming down the street, our house is on the right. </div>
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After a fun day, we are back at our Home-Sweet-Cameroonian-Home. </div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-40197094882269558822015-08-10T10:36:00.001-05:002015-09-06T09:37:31.958-05:00La Maison - Part Three <div style="text-align: center;">
Finishing up the tour of La Maison du Cameroun, the grounds are certainly a nice bonus. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAuPrb0XC08phmRwx6qgnDenyPDsqdjHBKK8xkxVpt5NTxZ1qs_Iou2CUpapMEz7d0aHSVQczK6j3_lNtdO0mPamOcfJJsm1Izck6UX3rDspSAxXjuGfPNXt3ZosuvMcqJ6QP64g_BI4c/s1600/DSC00266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDAuPrb0XC08phmRwx6qgnDenyPDsqdjHBKK8xkxVpt5NTxZ1qs_Iou2CUpapMEz7d0aHSVQczK6j3_lNtdO0mPamOcfJJsm1Izck6UX3rDspSAxXjuGfPNXt3ZosuvMcqJ6QP64g_BI4c/s400/DSC00266.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The garden will be especially nice especially if I just remember to put on mosquito repellant every time I go out. This is the view from inside the house. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQM3Tai715QONE3Qvg9lN9f5SacKu8tYdEPpQBYnVUZjW67zpM-gjUlrGSB8X1kaxCefBshigpd6oe2fb_oFA0ParBtVrH053r2rSfFmILC1S5_urN6bil3XsDjjCd-sGrMlbXQodRRkU/s1600/DSC00270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQM3Tai715QONE3Qvg9lN9f5SacKu8tYdEPpQBYnVUZjW67zpM-gjUlrGSB8X1kaxCefBshigpd6oe2fb_oFA0ParBtVrH053r2rSfFmILC1S5_urN6bil3XsDjjCd-sGrMlbXQodRRkU/s400/DSC00270.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The path leads from the house to the pool. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCKAk6am33Tk3cSkUHNpvBXvCx-v3jKoVPZPJaqsbSCq6iPQUqcHBSDTW_mpqrjvmMsIn57-mJKNdNMVbxjTnSCKyEuTQDPZ1HWhIdW8WhSaqX2VPivR6D_lAPdy90nZcnnOuuj2jG7wy/s1600/DSC00268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCKAk6am33Tk3cSkUHNpvBXvCx-v3jKoVPZPJaqsbSCq6iPQUqcHBSDTW_mpqrjvmMsIn57-mJKNdNMVbxjTnSCKyEuTQDPZ1HWhIdW8WhSaqX2VPivR6D_lAPdy90nZcnnOuuj2jG7wy/s400/DSC00268.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The lights shine with different colors at night. </div>
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So far, we've seen red, green and blue lights, which are really pretty. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eEAHSF2lcogIlR2nxhTF0Wt-nz2vN9w1XIQOP86SsYqFu331TFduUkmlGof7ztfW8gzWPEH6FXB9NsJnA8-MRCNDn9D0fkTZ9Jo-qKVY05w2INUm2omSbBewlJhpEvo7tezS3hYDZjw3/s1600/DSC00294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eEAHSF2lcogIlR2nxhTF0Wt-nz2vN9w1XIQOP86SsYqFu331TFduUkmlGof7ztfW8gzWPEH6FXB9NsJnA8-MRCNDn9D0fkTZ9Jo-qKVY05w2INUm2omSbBewlJhpEvo7tezS3hYDZjw3/s400/DSC00294.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The cabana (gazebo) is a nice feature. </div>
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However, it is currently overrun with a LARGE amount of termites and completely unusable. </div>
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We hope to get it repaired at some point in the near future. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKYuql3anLx1LuL4Ywf0pPHSSFJD1daBh2r7Sj8I1o3a13vX0sCdUGDv_84uLIRhkgOuh40ovbI8eiS9kAT8kp6pdUedaV3VtVNFKnj03qAe1Ia0DQi3ploWKwDvga2y_zWj8OLnrBTeo/s1600/DSC00292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKYuql3anLx1LuL4Ywf0pPHSSFJD1daBh2r7Sj8I1o3a13vX0sCdUGDv_84uLIRhkgOuh40ovbI8eiS9kAT8kp6pdUedaV3VtVNFKnj03qAe1Ia0DQi3ploWKwDvga2y_zWj8OLnrBTeo/s400/DSC00292.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The fence could use some help, but it seems to be working. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ-0YyYuxa9IlQ_szxYbqknYud-jG-Q2seOZZVLZR76YVmxrZfQua-6AAvAagoBXhJMNkAhcG8ijg5t9HdIH7AaJVcPzWSOCKiYFPRo30TClqR2ymPamwQeHZztVsPYRaUsc8OzLZUxqb/s1600/DSC00293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJ-0YyYuxa9IlQ_szxYbqknYud-jG-Q2seOZZVLZR76YVmxrZfQua-6AAvAagoBXhJMNkAhcG8ijg5t9HdIH7AaJVcPzWSOCKiYFPRo30TClqR2ymPamwQeHZztVsPYRaUsc8OzLZUxqb/s400/DSC00293.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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This is the view of the pool from the back porch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO2AoybE0hcH7dGPR4C_fkTRMvPSBqqIPoPWEIgZxb-VlbAofoSFTp4trX2KBdlDHSWRlrDEYmneWtLwP1PBi4o55ogUQsN2x49p_PEfYYYIpAO8hTobsiB0LB5Tz7Fsoi3D9dpk78ecS/s1600/DSC00409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO2AoybE0hcH7dGPR4C_fkTRMvPSBqqIPoPWEIgZxb-VlbAofoSFTp4trX2KBdlDHSWRlrDEYmneWtLwP1PBi4o55ogUQsN2x49p_PEfYYYIpAO8hTobsiB0LB5Tz7Fsoi3D9dpk78ecS/s400/DSC00409.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Closer up...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZJzSmOO0NUcX9MpIF2BQv7UGluLq5cUi0PA_goMQ5QxdnV-pgR8LOY5vWIuPYP-2WhuN4A3WdV8AiIEDUUX1-f6qUP0RdDABoVNMoDmu6_p_XMCV2yCwO1ciuK7QL2NXcRkozBuliqsH/s1600/DSC00411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZJzSmOO0NUcX9MpIF2BQv7UGluLq5cUi0PA_goMQ5QxdnV-pgR8LOY5vWIuPYP-2WhuN4A3WdV8AiIEDUUX1-f6qUP0RdDABoVNMoDmu6_p_XMCV2yCwO1ciuK7QL2NXcRkozBuliqsH/s400/DSC00411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have a pool guy that comes by a few times a week to clean and treat the pool. </div>
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All the tiles are in fairly good shape, albeit dated. </div>
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The pool should be nice for us to use, especially after the rainy season is over. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpyV-IWWp3Nn_l-KXx-CMOJFCkKD-yv7ms1S0MuOgawyTrwPrvEl4eItvCuE2ilQIJL9NmWr4A4AhWaOqsxFiRGqlXaKg4eDtanEuWZycvK3vuiy8EqiEUC5iNJ73Py9PcrXDU7UNwbyf/s1600/DSC00412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpyV-IWWp3Nn_l-KXx-CMOJFCkKD-yv7ms1S0MuOgawyTrwPrvEl4eItvCuE2ilQIJL9NmWr4A4AhWaOqsxFiRGqlXaKg4eDtanEuWZycvK3vuiy8EqiEUC5iNJ73Py9PcrXDU7UNwbyf/s400/DSC00412.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The tiles would benefit from some extra cleaning. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9fZI5kBNDcrn8fCNEe5sBWRGG5XyiyzyMUE7NrSO4p_KuN2-B-sEqYqIzdiaBYY72Qs6iUmoqKwYFSpI8CY1gC0eVl3EkEVgvYyTrM9UMQhUG3sCD_DRbMOe9fFxCt-3_dNy9z3eM0zk/s1600/DSC00291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9fZI5kBNDcrn8fCNEe5sBWRGG5XyiyzyMUE7NrSO4p_KuN2-B-sEqYqIzdiaBYY72Qs6iUmoqKwYFSpI8CY1gC0eVl3EkEVgvYyTrM9UMQhUG3sCD_DRbMOe9fFxCt-3_dNy9z3eM0zk/s400/DSC00291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the view from our upstairs master bedroom. </div>
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It would be a better picture without all the bars, but it's the best I have for now of the entire yard. </div>
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We think it will be a beautiful oasis for us! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMCv2pa4hhpuCdG4ugM2u_MvGk7ncRhHCFjVjAMJSu6DSydz7WrqtyRqdd0EW4rF-qblp7WnryC4sdnjjYLVPk-8rVW6UwpDEgvUgHh_qEcdO7xU2pB98fdAQNc1a5s3uHb_18O9wMYOt/s1600/DSC00415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMCv2pa4hhpuCdG4ugM2u_MvGk7ncRhHCFjVjAMJSu6DSydz7WrqtyRqdd0EW4rF-qblp7WnryC4sdnjjYLVPk-8rVW6UwpDEgvUgHh_qEcdO7xU2pB98fdAQNc1a5s3uHb_18O9wMYOt/s400/DSC00415.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the view from the pool towards the house. </div>
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Here's where Fletcher gets his weekly bath. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOHEaXu-8plnOaZe3bM7QsXz7PoDSBM1Qrm6D28asjcIA9Ss9QsDXyAueJ4Kr2Oq2ibGs33GlSRBqAoZmardElsxuzbtFec4CYB2FaWnoKYE-drtWdVffBPq9KLHvXyQ4KNRZkthz1_iy/s1600/DSC00418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOHEaXu-8plnOaZe3bM7QsXz7PoDSBM1Qrm6D28asjcIA9Ss9QsDXyAueJ4Kr2Oq2ibGs33GlSRBqAoZmardElsxuzbtFec4CYB2FaWnoKYE-drtWdVffBPq9KLHvXyQ4KNRZkthz1_iy/s400/DSC00418.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And for those of you who also live in a third world country, you will recognize that this is the MOST important piece of equipment for ANY home - The Generator! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VVllTtJ90vCYW69rVF0-IliXDaNLvOeJWTWgypvzVKeNN5IhbsovplTDB8dXuTCQDirfp5omg0-jJvQJYp-qndknl1pf7w6Nogu_JAdsZMD1T4SjM8vA8xBDwGKZIoBM6yUa3E8aaOee/s1600/DSC00405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VVllTtJ90vCYW69rVF0-IliXDaNLvOeJWTWgypvzVKeNN5IhbsovplTDB8dXuTCQDirfp5omg0-jJvQJYp-qndknl1pf7w6Nogu_JAdsZMD1T4SjM8vA8xBDwGKZIoBM6yUa3E8aaOee/s400/DSC00405.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And least I forget, here's the laundry room. Believe it or not, this is the CLEANED UP version since the first time I saw it a week or so ago. It still has a LONG way to go - and we are working on it. The wall to the left is covered in mold and damaged at the floor (termites along with wood rot). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQsZB8eLTtHa1jzE5dYkcYGG7HUAIMezp9BOu0eHB5k1R5cH5KCmpDyEzCvGh1F4sTpR6H8O4wVzhl25pU1Zyc_8aCuW74URn1hAONINVmcl_uQlukCiHB_KYtE8J0N6CsdJ6yl9OZUou/s1600/DSC00406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQsZB8eLTtHa1jzE5dYkcYGG7HUAIMezp9BOu0eHB5k1R5cH5KCmpDyEzCvGh1F4sTpR6H8O4wVzhl25pU1Zyc_8aCuW74URn1hAONINVmcl_uQlukCiHB_KYtE8J0N6CsdJ6yl9OZUou/s400/DSC00406.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I doubt that the screen has ever been cleaned. I think we might need to replace the netting. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3s0baSnepq8DR5YgNHeiD9kIlopMmQPJjSJ8fgZOe1CwU6iSiFHhnRrxZi7veb5fp0EBqU1GFbddlB6elGk0M9w2Nnu-9etumEkYhOEXQkf0zST0fNZ5Koe9NWoETglIRSw44lKKUqwae/s1600/DSC00407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3s0baSnepq8DR5YgNHeiD9kIlopMmQPJjSJ8fgZOe1CwU6iSiFHhnRrxZi7veb5fp0EBqU1GFbddlB6elGk0M9w2Nnu-9etumEkYhOEXQkf0zST0fNZ5Koe9NWoETglIRSw44lKKUqwae/s400/DSC00407.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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All in all, the house definitely needs some TLC, but petit a petit, we'll get some of it done. </div>
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The updates will be minor since this is a rental house, but I do think </div>
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we can upgrade a little bit to make it more comfortable during our time in Douala. I feel we are very fortunate to have this particular home and we are looking forward to making it our own. </div>
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P.S. If you would like to follow the blog by "auto"- email, just let me know.</div>
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Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-741812348316523792015-08-09T17:41:00.001-05:002015-09-06T09:30:45.396-05:00La Maison - Part Two <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i> La Maison du Cameroun</i> is an older (over 40+ years old) traditional home with concrete walls and solid foundation. The floor is a mixture of different types of tile trimmed with local wood accents. There are two sets of bars on every door and window, with multiple locks on each interior door as well. This makes us feel secure in our new home. </div>
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Continuing the tour from the previous blog as we move upstairs through the iron gate... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNzDj6o8ozAIC-3-HrFYwKTNKSP_b7ges1QFowuI2EBjGHNg-EmplLEe8IfLCDJEC1m9gXe0BofSwryJUWX5EGdZDDkMEhGg7lSLdFllWWVXHDc7H4_-X20qKn-8FWSvMQRfPcCyQO9_v/s1600/DSC00262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNzDj6o8ozAIC-3-HrFYwKTNKSP_b7ges1QFowuI2EBjGHNg-EmplLEe8IfLCDJEC1m9gXe0BofSwryJUWX5EGdZDDkMEhGg7lSLdFllWWVXHDc7H4_-X20qKn-8FWSvMQRfPcCyQO9_v/s320/DSC00262.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The stairs are two -toned pink tile with wood...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCCACSXiCCEygg457O-36G7rRUDyzWZ6-ZKPht64rp6gY5YG7q1bsVfeviZvIIi9NsI__oyZPyoG0k474Wcezw86NMRR5-oL2ps46PqNpW6tjWqyhxEIFaT8buTl9cP6A4kbv1cqB8-m3/s1600/IMG_4592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCCACSXiCCEygg457O-36G7rRUDyzWZ6-ZKPht64rp6gY5YG7q1bsVfeviZvIIi9NsI__oyZPyoG0k474Wcezw86NMRR5-oL2ps46PqNpW6tjWqyhxEIFaT8buTl9cP6A4kbv1cqB8-m3/s320/IMG_4592.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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with a red accent wall as you make an 180 degree turn up the stairs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUwG2UU-j9sgX9pu1Sjcb9MkVU7a6yFUmkmwslZKmhFBICEB-4QFcsD7mg-sxSmiZCw5Wrn9ofHRC1_J7wvCyT4thpkq7ea5cpDFF9F0Tw1CfVJRVfRqWrtwOGirod9hXMFVGK0WCQ0Nl/s1600/IMG_4594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcUwG2UU-j9sgX9pu1Sjcb9MkVU7a6yFUmkmwslZKmhFBICEB-4QFcsD7mg-sxSmiZCw5Wrn9ofHRC1_J7wvCyT4thpkq7ea5cpDFF9F0Tw1CfVJRVfRqWrtwOGirod9hXMFVGK0WCQ0Nl/s320/IMG_4594.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This is the landing at the top of the stairs. </div>
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We covered up more two-toned pink tile with a rug that we found in a closet. </div>
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There are 5 doors off this main central area. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0LA_nA_t5E418jD_I8wE-24373Soz79fQdQudxQQt5ApvvT2_zHNOxGzcDVDPqftCkB56Q5RtFFGjWahBXtLy1VaaytK-Jye_t7bi9v03bcDPNm1tzV3chekvj_Y6QOLp_DuqDZ1AqNq/s1600/DSC00244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0LA_nA_t5E418jD_I8wE-24373Soz79fQdQudxQQt5ApvvT2_zHNOxGzcDVDPqftCkB56Q5RtFFGjWahBXtLy1VaaytK-Jye_t7bi9v03bcDPNm1tzV3chekvj_Y6QOLp_DuqDZ1AqNq/s320/DSC00244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The house has three bedrooms. This is bedroom one. </div>
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The space is mainly used for ironing. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7nV_NFWi1HEYruZXFJq7Eqz0fUtZJ2zVk8KFcMUnQ1r2u66xoOvArMELB6zXbpyxGKWgjinCUWLrL0Np8j-6SjjaUFOfgEc9p2qv2xUc3lKHvqR5GDYCSY3RDAaGrsku20AYBXUW9eeb/s1600/DSC00300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7nV_NFWi1HEYruZXFJq7Eqz0fUtZJ2zVk8KFcMUnQ1r2u66xoOvArMELB6zXbpyxGKWgjinCUWLrL0Np8j-6SjjaUFOfgEc9p2qv2xUc3lKHvqR5GDYCSY3RDAaGrsku20AYBXUW9eeb/s320/DSC00300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are closets on the other side of the first bedroom. I love the storage space, but none of </div>
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the doors stay closed easily. They have slide bolts on the inside top and bottom, </div>
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which takes a lot of effort to open and close them. The shelves are very thin plywood</div>
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that can't hold weight without bowing. I would like to have sturdier shelves added soon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2WgJKaQxK0BuMz_9qnVofcc8AnSHIZPO2zFrYIN4FCY6mvCqRGBtzCFMkwr1a8uVoA5n0duoQ-L2YW39wqiQlPZtc184LUCkRmbozSTyX1dhJZBEskH3czur87r4kzGJdmsv7j-GsCOb/s1600/DSC00241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2WgJKaQxK0BuMz_9qnVofcc8AnSHIZPO2zFrYIN4FCY6mvCqRGBtzCFMkwr1a8uVoA5n0duoQ-L2YW39wqiQlPZtc184LUCkRmbozSTyX1dhJZBEskH3czur87r4kzGJdmsv7j-GsCOb/s320/DSC00241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the upstairs bath with a plastic shelf and plastic mirror. </div>
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Bedroom two is also small, but will be a nice guest bedroom at some point. </div>
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We love visitors, so feel free to start planning your trip! </div>
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This is the master bedroom. We need to do some work in here, </div>
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but I think paint will do wonders. </div>
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The bed is about 6 inches above the floor with attached night tables. </div>
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It seems like this is a common style here since I have seen many similar ones in the stores. </div>
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These are the closets for the Master Bedroom. Currently some of them are held together with </div>
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bungee cords. We are working on better closing options for these. </div>
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It does give a nice amount of storage with all the closets and we feel very fortunate. </div>
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Welcome to our master bathroom, which is very spacious. </div>
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It is also old and dated, but more functional than it would appear. </div>
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We have TWO showers right next to each other. Both of them work, but it is a 'different' configuration. We have recently discovered that the tub/shower came with termites too! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQ3IpnTcVVbGpeR3sLnI6yP624rDif-RPUG3ez_ETBkFXYg8yVQ-0yWWgjDdofRNsSooAFBt6TYdld_-jekXMk9fgdThHyYX8xJHFZWyGAuLoR3EkYUb9mdln7bMm2c8ioIKvIpcGuDJS/s1600/DSC00283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQ3IpnTcVVbGpeR3sLnI6yP624rDif-RPUG3ez_ETBkFXYg8yVQ-0yWWgjDdofRNsSooAFBt6TYdld_-jekXMk9fgdThHyYX8xJHFZWyGAuLoR3EkYUb9mdln7bMm2c8ioIKvIpcGuDJS/s320/DSC00283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pictured above is our sink. </div>
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The white seat and shelf were built in order to cover the bidet. </div>
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We think this was a good use of materials. </div>
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This view shows the hot water tank. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5DLHWxHH1wjo2MUZRFQ8gk7ofywDvyzyt6v0lNlTg9vKlqtBf8VKkej3tLd36p8n26G7xLoKuPtlB1s266fyKLjJ_DTCBc7QDbYYb2BzywzAlr8q10cVyqwHueCmRD2wnPMctpN-KXxv/s1600/IMG_4509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5DLHWxHH1wjo2MUZRFQ8gk7ofywDvyzyt6v0lNlTg9vKlqtBf8VKkej3tLd36p8n26G7xLoKuPtlB1s266fyKLjJ_DTCBc7QDbYYb2BzywzAlr8q10cVyqwHueCmRD2wnPMctpN-KXxv/s320/IMG_4509.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And I couldn't forget the interesting mirror above the sink. </div>
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Or the commercial toilet tissue dispenser...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxInhZ7vqSI-u6Tz8HJ9X5krDHPZ87GtytVUjlbHr8zVrV_J-cKQ1NgPFDyX-WSsWW4rdbgbkpjijsNrL2Lq6TazEfm9OjAnLHChG7u6vHW4SOoHKnBSV0s6KB0NCvjj-F7ozmAwvBFIu/s1600/DSC00289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxInhZ7vqSI-u6Tz8HJ9X5krDHPZ87GtytVUjlbHr8zVrV_J-cKQ1NgPFDyX-WSsWW4rdbgbkpjijsNrL2Lq6TazEfm9OjAnLHChG7u6vHW4SOoHKnBSV0s6KB0NCvjj-F7ozmAwvBFIu/s320/DSC00289.jpg" width="233" /></a></div>
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A really neat feature of this area is a small dressing room. </div>
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I think that I will have fun with this space! </div>
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There is a small sofa table that I can use in here as well. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8mZID7VOy20Sv_lOqtlL3JXC_uPnIxV5qIK-A1qRjjT2JsFKI3hXFf5BLgkZvR4m11yp-S6BuLxiTn4S320CMwxHpOvaD-vOanms8SaCHMBD2WjVLWfhzX9EVfS328BmWfSrmFwGgJk6/s1600/DSC00304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8mZID7VOy20Sv_lOqtlL3JXC_uPnIxV5qIK-A1qRjjT2JsFKI3hXFf5BLgkZvR4m11yp-S6BuLxiTn4S320CMwxHpOvaD-vOanms8SaCHMBD2WjVLWfhzX9EVfS328BmWfSrmFwGgJk6/s320/DSC00304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last room is a bonus room with no closets. </div>
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We plan on using it as an office/sewing/craft room. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7FrNR2N-DJvSmwxZeCTZFd0OKB5Ctk1IWPOqtf5Qo1o3NdDwGxw1vCrYw-UIzrq8BAgvOZMFvfJJzXvAqT8xPAFMoGaKfGzpWACQU36uEtuFNWuCwX6bCE5GDsdfOTW__DDgiUaK8dOE/s1600/DSC00246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb7FrNR2N-DJvSmwxZeCTZFd0OKB5Ctk1IWPOqtf5Qo1o3NdDwGxw1vCrYw-UIzrq8BAgvOZMFvfJJzXvAqT8xPAFMoGaKfGzpWACQU36uEtuFNWuCwX6bCE5GDsdfOTW__DDgiUaK8dOE/s320/DSC00246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think this area will be perfect for </div>
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quilting and scrapbooking. The room is light and bright and</div>
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ideal for our use! I do need to straighten the rod for the curtains...and </div>
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we might replace them with some fun fabrics once I get my sewing machine set up. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB1MeFGqQ0lOzvWpfh0kSeC7IdjiUwZhxGA1CDzlu0Yw5LJ5dkpblIDu3z6TvuzUEhyGGQM0TCgQRactknWag1NmohXNbubjKtFU3mw5meEiw37MJnzCUOScscd0Ftg_E6PTZFARDSCTy/s1600/DSC00245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyB1MeFGqQ0lOzvWpfh0kSeC7IdjiUwZhxGA1CDzlu0Yw5LJ5dkpblIDu3z6TvuzUEhyGGQM0TCgQRactknWag1NmohXNbubjKtFU3mw5meEiw37MJnzCUOScscd0Ftg_E6PTZFARDSCTy/s320/DSC00245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the other side of the same room and the double doors open to the balcony. </div>
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The housekeeper mentioned that they have never opened it, since they can't find the key. </div>
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The door has multiple HUGE bolt locks on it. Right now, our desk is a fold-out</div>
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table that we brought, but we hope to have a desk at some point.<br />
<br />
The house came with the furniture that you see pictured. We brought only our personal items. The house is leased by the company and passed down as new people move into the country. </div>
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I'll continue the next blog with the outdoor areas. The best is yet to come! :) </div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4402026848727300104.post-55010781667765755042015-08-08T18:57:00.001-05:002015-09-06T09:23:04.746-05:00La Maison - Part one <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>La Maison</i></span> makes the house sound much better in French than it does in English. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45ksR30R_lHi6jDmvJ_IDu-EN74SkTCFhUkbZmDn2tiga9J68Yhj8HuEU7BqSAZQZyKQ6p4vJZINlrs0epkZSVYR7JyT8tlT5RBaIEmGP8Jz-na-PvLDcot5cjuHuQTVjYc6MIqDFKC7J/s1600/DSC00273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45ksR30R_lHi6jDmvJ_IDu-EN74SkTCFhUkbZmDn2tiga9J68Yhj8HuEU7BqSAZQZyKQ6p4vJZINlrs0epkZSVYR7JyT8tlT5RBaIEmGP8Jz-na-PvLDcot5cjuHuQTVjYc6MIqDFKC7J/s320/DSC00273.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front gate to the street. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Actually the house is beginning to grow on me. There are many good things about our new home. The location is excellent and it is spacious. The garden is beautiful and the pool is rather nice. Our internet service and electricity have been consistent too, which is always a very BIG plus!</div>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZLJZYgWyH8PrES5KGkWATGhvTjPk5ILWi8rVMg9bYvTRJDoxX9kOJxu_uOTP3nQ3TFbWXfnRKs7c7SOu5fN9johD4Vbuld1QiMXHEoGf_nqRRXRGzqZPPxuruknf9SprYlX2OeRRCJVX/s1600/DSC00253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZLJZYgWyH8PrES5KGkWATGhvTjPk5ILWi8rVMg9bYvTRJDoxX9kOJxu_uOTP3nQ3TFbWXfnRKs7c7SOu5fN9johD4Vbuld1QiMXHEoGf_nqRRXRGzqZPPxuruknf9SprYlX2OeRRCJVX/s320/DSC00253.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to our front door is straight ahead. We need some new <br />
fencing around our water tanks and hopefully we'll <br />
find another place to dry clothes. :) </td></tr>
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</div>
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It was our biggest concern, but I really think that it will be fine - </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
especially when I concentrate on form over fashion. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX0ZVHrI5l6yXE2M7AaTLORGi2ro59lEGP858zWUpcOH6IE00VeudXIkHPbvtIupgADBhIOxnUSGfNITN4vJsXFj3x32WOnEDweClSZODMVktafuG48lx4SCmOICrPh0K1yXlWWndjvmD/s1600/DSC00990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLX0ZVHrI5l6yXE2M7AaTLORGi2ro59lEGP858zWUpcOH6IE00VeudXIkHPbvtIupgADBhIOxnUSGfNITN4vJsXFj3x32WOnEDweClSZODMVktafuG48lx4SCmOICrPh0K1yXlWWndjvmD/s320/DSC00990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front door on the left. Carport on the right.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I am working hard and my standards seem to be declining as I write, but I do think that it will be a comfortable home for a few years, especially when we put our own touches on it. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuMdj5R63WNFZ8r4HObFxJ4RjUA3QBA3ypRi91n5kYgcwdJkIQ0taM-Vt4Tl9JNQugotCJTaJ_PlO9o2M3CebS7M6IvAKv6pXfS-u5UcmbjTZs_HgVWMZWN2cp4c7_ffDKfM7OSdMHsDG/s1600/DSC00311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOuMdj5R63WNFZ8r4HObFxJ4RjUA3QBA3ypRi91n5kYgcwdJkIQ0taM-Vt4Tl9JNQugotCJTaJ_PlO9o2M3CebS7M6IvAKv6pXfS-u5UcmbjTZs_HgVWMZWN2cp4c7_ffDKfM7OSdMHsDG/s320/DSC00311.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Razor wire over our front gate, which also surrounds our property. </td></tr>
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The house has good 'bones' and a lot of potential. We know that we will not realize that potential fully in this economy, at this time, but to know that it has potential, somehow helps. :) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihB06T5t5s1hwqU17x1dmc3fX2etu2_WIgc-84Jvw2nau6bmix3CO6DhAOLHZEiIAtklomnfscLukk3dT4pdhiR3kgpfSQZLBRuFrsEquqCkBY5TQJjgSjibbercV2hS3Zqmq1ern4ckd/s1600/DSC00312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihB06T5t5s1hwqU17x1dmc3fX2etu2_WIgc-84Jvw2nau6bmix3CO6DhAOLHZEiIAtklomnfscLukk3dT4pdhiR3kgpfSQZLBRuFrsEquqCkBY5TQJjgSjibbercV2hS3Zqmq1ern4ckd/s320/DSC00312.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what razor wire looks like close up. I have never paid attention too much in the past. </td></tr>
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Many have asked for pictures to visualize where we are living. I'll do this in three parts to make </div>
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it easy. Some of it is just hard to capture, so you might have to use your imagination </div>
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to go with the poor quality photos. Just bear with us...We are sharing some of </div>
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our need to be flexible with you as well.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome to La Maison au Cameroun! </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOdI8bULIjl0SdH-R2Hu0NvSzr0Ht0VWhSV7-ihGPYd-njy8EYd77zsh-Lwv0HJmAVlZzo3zBqJDqrKhGQW6bqN5z-3meubmNowBHEYITZLYIOIgb4_uPyryk5aC5vZseOGx1c-UUjcX7/s1600/IMG_4516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOdI8bULIjl0SdH-R2Hu0NvSzr0Ht0VWhSV7-ihGPYd-njy8EYd77zsh-Lwv0HJmAVlZzo3zBqJDqrKhGQW6bqN5z-3meubmNowBHEYITZLYIOIgb4_uPyryk5aC5vZseOGx1c-UUjcX7/s320/IMG_4516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the entrance hall. The front door is behind the curtains. The steel security door is behind the front door. The black cable on the left is the back up in case the electricity goes off, so we can raise the security door. Our split unit (air conditioner) is above the door. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWQTafBNgTOWmbA6e4F9qRrhA8u3FMkfBex65MQiwxLS59onTpw1Q3sBs9KMkQpa7XmmZfLJTH4AMy6lFAREOjY9NmZMz1-pyZesrTAgIGLZ5Yyt4UaU3_LPhY0L0aRs2ruVNjczz8D_Q/s1600/DSC00262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWQTafBNgTOWmbA6e4F9qRrhA8u3FMkfBex65MQiwxLS59onTpw1Q3sBs9KMkQpa7XmmZfLJTH4AMy6lFAREOjY9NmZMz1-pyZesrTAgIGLZ5Yyt4UaU3_LPhY0L0aRs2ruVNjczz8D_Q/s320/DSC00262.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The black iron gate is the door to go upstairs to the bedrooms. </div>
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It is also a security door. The screen is hiding storage for under the stairs. </div>
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We are having shelves built here next week. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfNPnpX9aEukJR1PSM3sKFNnWBf5R42BeIu0v_CETP-RNXPpTNC_XooRk1q1Gu7k7F0wZ-ySt5JV6H0HRnV6NcZslieHcNBYIF-URDBk6E6buxHoRrfi6OUToVXQ3PgA6-HRo8roqQP7A/s1600/DSC00261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfNPnpX9aEukJR1PSM3sKFNnWBf5R42BeIu0v_CETP-RNXPpTNC_XooRk1q1Gu7k7F0wZ-ySt5JV6H0HRnV6NcZslieHcNBYIF-URDBk6E6buxHoRrfi6OUToVXQ3PgA6-HRo8roqQP7A/s320/DSC00261.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This the powder room downstairs. I am sure that tile was popular in the 70s (or 60s). </div>
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It is a beautiful two-toned pink. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W8D_F3ZkbFsAFjOfHGctXWPdxpF1F_DS0ElQoaODEr7iPDjuw1Mpsr5r56rT4sNpZWB3oY1rtELuTPYwq-ZGEMBIbF8G0BlMB3Wjm34moKBCcciDn5nkeYmBhw-CgrbsEnMlnBXh1L-Q/s1600/DSC00258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-W8D_F3ZkbFsAFjOfHGctXWPdxpF1F_DS0ElQoaODEr7iPDjuw1Mpsr5r56rT4sNpZWB3oY1rtELuTPYwq-ZGEMBIbF8G0BlMB3Wjm34moKBCcciDn5nkeYmBhw-CgrbsEnMlnBXh1L-Q/s320/DSC00258.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the living and dining room area. </div>
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Yes, the wall is currently a bright cheerful yellow. </div>
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There is also a POLE right in the middle of our living room. </div>
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This area has been surprisingly comfortable and we are really enjoying having two recliners.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3PJi6n7mDvppoc63Z39P3mLPqivWcOxt2LAW9yyq9AMOQMhPAdtUjOZJ3bpVbUq7B5QKKWosv9dZ5x_PJwGkMzqtDZeJkIO39AIHCq_5QSS7pxIUOJbgZeTBCCT1ldh_qIAZ8U8RozUJ/s1600/DSC00259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3PJi6n7mDvppoc63Z39P3mLPqivWcOxt2LAW9yyq9AMOQMhPAdtUjOZJ3bpVbUq7B5QKKWosv9dZ5x_PJwGkMzqtDZeJkIO39AIHCq_5QSS7pxIUOJbgZeTBCCT1ldh_qIAZ8U8RozUJ/s320/DSC00259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a little alcove in the living room. Please send your suggestions of what </div>
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to do with it. The 'entrance hall' type table will go closer to the front door and the</div>
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mirror is moving to another room. HELP!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV75AJEgN9jCEbejmGFhtu_pr3ZOFou8clXKkK3h2gSRCBr7EyzZ9F6bNJQbDCj9JGn1-_UvNBN6L0HLq57eaBNNmj54ngzLUjGmnUnz7fWE_GX2FC7NIY08TKBqa3V-dLiocGHBJCFWdZ/s1600/DSC00265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV75AJEgN9jCEbejmGFhtu_pr3ZOFou8clXKkK3h2gSRCBr7EyzZ9F6bNJQbDCj9JGn1-_UvNBN6L0HLq57eaBNNmj54ngzLUjGmnUnz7fWE_GX2FC7NIY08TKBqa3V-dLiocGHBJCFWdZ/s320/DSC00265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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View from the front door. We need some rugs! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnc5mxjJ8GkQyW8m6TJpBj245-FdAG94RVdp6qtSlC44AaW4UIp75BFmrdaICwZ1cZshmgOtob7WUIc5CK9eKgbTkCmaYqvy6eVgAmBHxnEMsoOIBWcE56rRSS7qktH5ocenb8gHY-zBDx/s1600/DSC00272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnc5mxjJ8GkQyW8m6TJpBj245-FdAG94RVdp6qtSlC44AaW4UIp75BFmrdaICwZ1cZshmgOtob7WUIc5CK9eKgbTkCmaYqvy6eVgAmBHxnEMsoOIBWcE56rRSS7qktH5ocenb8gHY-zBDx/s320/DSC00272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is our media stand. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlF9XP-ezmsnv19NaGec_HZ8js0MBJZZeBmgPuqba88YAnlNp8Bea2qiShUOC0NRgJAJbId4KLiU2rccMWYOV0ugqgLsiC-UUKCrBCNVUSg12Q2lLZiAp5BOWSY_t-cJV_C6qyyN8ekmv/s1600/DSC00255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlF9XP-ezmsnv19NaGec_HZ8js0MBJZZeBmgPuqba88YAnlNp8Bea2qiShUOC0NRgJAJbId4KLiU2rccMWYOV0ugqgLsiC-UUKCrBCNVUSg12Q2lLZiAp5BOWSY_t-cJV_C6qyyN8ekmv/s320/DSC00255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is our pink-tiled kitchen. Charles explained that the kitchen is helping me prepare for retirement. Charles wants to live in an RV for a year and he thinks this will help get me acclimated. </div>
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He is not correct. :) </div>
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Thankfully, we have four nice gas burners. </div>
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Unfortunately, they only have two temperatures; high and off. </div>
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In case you didn't notice, all our Starbucks mugs are at the top of the counter for decoration. </div>
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It's the best we could do! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaMleBwTW1U3f31fbMdvIKTCA3dBS52Gj6uogpmNdbOq7TOemxNvjv2ocn3fBRrMXdWJtdAUyVPWkOKCyWV5mkUPrWyEimtVL0h4UwXDLgEBIcEPwi8fNWl2j8t_2CfWzq1WkJNY5FAyM/s1600/DSC00976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOaMleBwTW1U3f31fbMdvIKTCA3dBS52Gj6uogpmNdbOq7TOemxNvjv2ocn3fBRrMXdWJtdAUyVPWkOKCyWV5mkUPrWyEimtVL0h4UwXDLgEBIcEPwi8fNWl2j8t_2CfWzq1WkJNY5FAyM/s320/DSC00976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this is everything that most people usually keep in cabinets. I am finding that shelves in the kitchen are not attractive, but it does make it easy to find things. The shelf in the back is made </div>
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of glass and wood. You can also see our hot water tank hanging on the wall and the </div>
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fire extinguisher in the back corner. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i2T-FY10ZC8ILjM-_b4usXJU99cDRyi7FGaHdN8vONlRVc5-CEojGuGdJp6OW-bI2eWR8ZvOUnrDPDcPupOGuxVUqpniwbPF30_1aFgN7RDhArH7a8PjKfveMSGF6mhByyuZOvp0Gf28/s1600/IMG_4518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0i2T-FY10ZC8ILjM-_b4usXJU99cDRyi7FGaHdN8vONlRVc5-CEojGuGdJp6OW-bI2eWR8ZvOUnrDPDcPupOGuxVUqpniwbPF30_1aFgN7RDhArH7a8PjKfveMSGF6mhByyuZOvp0Gf28/s320/IMG_4518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this is our tiny sink. (No disposal, no dishwasher) To wash dishes, we primarily fill a tub of hot water and put it next to the sink for washing, then rinse in the sink. The cabinet above the sink does not have a bottom, but functions as a dish drying rack. They just drip right into the sink as they are drying. I've never seen anything like it, but it is certainly efficient. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN6wV4S87dxYtr0NC_Yegz8TR-A2WxOfzINarkTdYsj83opoc3DiIaaPY_Ei99zfBaUewI1L1FE4UWZidX01xzWJRmJWP_hEXd6U3UA5iE2ZB4mvuS4O8MtlJ_cXIdWfgCF811iRPPlG8/s1600/DSC00257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCN6wV4S87dxYtr0NC_Yegz8TR-A2WxOfzINarkTdYsj83opoc3DiIaaPY_Ei99zfBaUewI1L1FE4UWZidX01xzWJRmJWP_hEXd6U3UA5iE2ZB4mvuS4O8MtlJ_cXIdWfgCF811iRPPlG8/s320/DSC00257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have two refrigerators and a freezer, along with a microwave and a water dispenser. </div>
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The blue thing is a commercial paper towel dispenser. </div>
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I keep repeating...form over fashion... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtf8fQoAc74lV6Kb888VAYx5ha2JHsU49eMtC-UM45Jhh_iujicgX9hG3CMR4OfVKUcQfwiJ56IJKy4IySd_cR15LpUZJGMjCBv9TK7ZdiDkcLe9qe4FUhojfTcrBCtLziXNpU1cEtMk-F/s1600/IMG_4513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtf8fQoAc74lV6Kb888VAYx5ha2JHsU49eMtC-UM45Jhh_iujicgX9hG3CMR4OfVKUcQfwiJ56IJKy4IySd_cR15LpUZJGMjCBv9TK7ZdiDkcLe9qe4FUhojfTcrBCtLziXNpU1cEtMk-F/s320/IMG_4513.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And this is Charles enjoying his recliner in his new Cameroonian home. </div>
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I'll send pictures of the upstairs and outside soon. </div>
Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06021763685040394162noreply@blogger.com2