tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511984249549627632024-03-13T11:03:24.622+01:00belletammyRediscovering...life, purpose!Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.comBlogger266125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-21425656120300746422023-09-07T05:44:00.001+01:002023-09-07T05:46:42.038+01:00Slowly Making My Way Around Myanmar<p style="text-align: justify;">I moved to Yangon, Myanmar, in May 2023. The Golden Land as it is called, is a country like no other, peculiar in many ways. I've heard some people still refer to the country as Burma which is the former name, but the name was changed to Myanmar in 1989. The people however, are still referred to as Burmese. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">One thing that stands out is how Burmese people are polite, they would not openly get annoyed as it is does not reflect well to openly express anger or irritation. Even when people struggle with something, you'll hardly get an outright NO. Losing face is something people would not do, so they might say okay or beat around the bush. In all that, you are 'not allowed' to lose your cool as it is not taken well :-) <span style="text-align: justify;">If you put too much pressure, they could shut you out. And you'd never hear a thing even if it were killing them. However, they are always eager to help when they can, which I think is sweet.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">My arrival was anything but pleasant because of my nationality. I was treated shabbily and told clearly that it was because of my nationality, but I'll save that story for another day!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In speaking with people, I noticed not many people know of this country or where in Asia it is located. So I've put a map below for reference - see the red arrow? The flag is also beneath the map.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-A2g-OOhuJVQpyGgYBjKuH0be-U7i0IfQ5l0t83K0kFR6Pa9ikbCO2T2AS3v-D6GdREEuzKYa9SaSzGuU4ol-THbU31AulVk-U0M031K92zUUyLTsSWEpeHkWCTNY8chnv7CAARxiH7nXHJe17d5CmPbnnhrabPBR9Y8R212dzA_-OTIOMIqTzGTp/s753/InkedMap%20of%20Asia.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="753" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-A2g-OOhuJVQpyGgYBjKuH0be-U7i0IfQ5l0t83K0kFR6Pa9ikbCO2T2AS3v-D6GdREEuzKYa9SaSzGuU4ol-THbU31AulVk-U0M031K92zUUyLTsSWEpeHkWCTNY8chnv7CAARxiH7nXHJe17d5CmPbnnhrabPBR9Y8R212dzA_-OTIOMIqTzGTp/w640-h564/InkedMap%20of%20Asia.gif" width="640" /></a></div><p>Flag below</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbfHorrgfBdYjiO0V9xvRZ2E3ws2gdGugc-JGRiQm3k3MzU5iePR80DWchQf6ox4hVBzNgCVy8E_ffe80G2t1q96jIOaXWspbtK8B_DKVbUF65JqkpiFdyX6F3DH1Xgl8gVMZEJfwFQBVu9FOHn2QbIED8lPMlZbydZd5DnVmpsBsGSU_5GkYmOQM/s1200/Flag_of_Myanmar.svg.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbfHorrgfBdYjiO0V9xvRZ2E3ws2gdGugc-JGRiQm3k3MzU5iePR80DWchQf6ox4hVBzNgCVy8E_ffe80G2t1q96jIOaXWspbtK8B_DKVbUF65JqkpiFdyX6F3DH1Xgl8gVMZEJfwFQBVu9FOHn2QbIED8lPMlZbydZd5DnVmpsBsGSU_5GkYmOQM/s320/Flag_of_Myanmar.svg.png" width="320" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Myanmar has 7 states, 7 regions and the capital which is referred to as the Union Territory. I have visited two states, the capital - NayPyiTaw Union Territory, I live in Yangon region. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Yangon is one of those cities that feels and could easily be termed lifeless, unless you know the right people and have the right information. Yangon is not a pretty city either, but other parts of the country are, from what I have heard. There are usually activities going on all the time, but without the right information, it could all just pass over and you'd never hear about it. It reminds me of Abuja when I just moved there, so I've been intentionally seeking out information.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">People are nice here and, in my case, being black, I get a lot of stares, out of curiousity me thinks. There are very few black people. Many comment on how they like my hair and sometimes, some ask to take pictures with me. I've seen some trying to take or taking pictures of me and have had to show my disapproval for them to stop. When you are different, I guess these things are to be expected. Another distinct thing about people here is that they are patient, very much so, except while driving, hahaha.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Spatial awareness doesn't come naturally here...let me explain. A level of oblivion can be noted without consciousness of the next person in different aspects. From walking into roads, to noise, it's hard to explain, better to live it. One example - people eat betel nuts here all the time. I've noticed that it colours their teeth and inside their mouths to orange. On the other hand, it causes them to spit a lot! You could be walking beside someone and they suddenly spit beside you. If you are in a car and people come to a halt at a traffic light, it is common to have people poke their heads out of the car windows to spit, or drivers open their doors to spit. And my god, they do store a good amount of saliva. The roads have patches of orange from betel nuts. I intend to try it soon. I've been told it could get one high, but I'll see.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Burmese people dress in a longyi (what we would call wrapper in Nigeria), men and women alike.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxJ_dN0qjGwypWh0dF9tkMQoopCL5Wefb1c5zsbcj2tFBgPjDAQwrWZWzr5Xc5voidCper2RzU-OQGDBLC33fsEWBefPPfULt8SdZ-ca3RQuvUqY5bvB4cH5nsdXW-mHUu_FhaxF05cizq8Ubza6u70WeRxaMvVJofg_HYqUKXlLwddKRIkRmvZiv__M/s4032/20230523_123635.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxJ_dN0qjGwypWh0dF9tkMQoopCL5Wefb1c5zsbcj2tFBgPjDAQwrWZWzr5Xc5voidCper2RzU-OQGDBLC33fsEWBefPPfULt8SdZ-ca3RQuvUqY5bvB4cH5nsdXW-mHUu_FhaxF05cizq8Ubza6u70WeRxaMvVJofg_HYqUKXlLwddKRIkRmvZiv__M/w288-h640/20230523_123635.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZiP8ghVCnD5ODLLRd7Zk3sufO0biHY7uYODfw_GVjvGs445geIuCpcqNDcBHehX1cadnUU1Md2Fama2GBkm8qSGI7PdugqyEX_PLJNW1nhQ1qMigp7cShpJ5E5W0QPGCugGTdQRrvtROpy0K7JeqvAzYqBWNh859XXtsyhdhKZd7XvA9FOXWZ5cQbAY/s4032/20230523_123029.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZiP8ghVCnD5ODLLRd7Zk3sufO0biHY7uYODfw_GVjvGs445geIuCpcqNDcBHehX1cadnUU1Md2Fama2GBkm8qSGI7PdugqyEX_PLJNW1nhQ1qMigp7cShpJ5E5W0QPGCugGTdQRrvtROpy0K7JeqvAzYqBWNh859XXtsyhdhKZd7XvA9FOXWZ5cQbAY/w288-h640/20230523_123029.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvUvfxLt9IDW4fHoTAcbzqHKuKRTmqT80AsBAxcFkrtCzCP5xcef35lafqGjXuJFVXkZQNS0C-Kg45osHm8Fxmla5qMd-8Ewni-nXIhW1bN8ZG1gP991zX31I1GBQBi_1PYCJLQ_qV5mdSp8KSbTGydlWw7N2qrQcObnv-NlzDaVjORrjALpn1eCsROM/s2652/20230907_080607.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2652" data-original-width="1591" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvUvfxLt9IDW4fHoTAcbzqHKuKRTmqT80AsBAxcFkrtCzCP5xcef35lafqGjXuJFVXkZQNS0C-Kg45osHm8Fxmla5qMd-8Ewni-nXIhW1bN8ZG1gP991zX31I1GBQBi_1PYCJLQ_qV5mdSp8KSbTGydlWw7N2qrQcObnv-NlzDaVjORrjALpn1eCsROM/w384-h640/20230907_080607.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rwLStD6dGoWUzQy6xL7IlTlvTTzcP3CTzZ7ebhBVXeZCU93GPHUXZl-K2CDmN8LCqn-S-pFP27QkEeO5V4cce9f9uvIk0WSP9ryGD5BobIO1XUKosOAl9g5eO3rbquxKY7LgElQWNFrm5E8fC2rSF8qNTxeSqOJs-BKyfTL1B4rzjmyStSA0lvPrSTI/s3130/20230901_124322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3130" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2rwLStD6dGoWUzQy6xL7IlTlvTTzcP3CTzZ7ebhBVXeZCU93GPHUXZl-K2CDmN8LCqn-S-pFP27QkEeO5V4cce9f9uvIk0WSP9ryGD5BobIO1XUKosOAl9g5eO3rbquxKY7LgElQWNFrm5E8fC2rSF8qNTxeSqOJs-BKyfTL1B4rzjmyStSA0lvPrSTI/w372-h640/20230901_124322.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">This is </span>considered formal attire, so when you visit offices, you'll see most people in them. They tend to wear open shoes - slippers and sandals a lot here, which are taken off when you visit many places, especially people's homes. If you see shoes outside a place, you are expected to do same and take yours off. It is not uncommon even in the office to see people walking around their offices barefoot.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie49yxJprWGCNaIJ2KlnlKy25NwTqTE8KaEMWi1-w5vdMlRWdAl4FvBuh0U2QFXW7F9cbOFoVFBAltfBOEx9Ah3_VtriQWcSleEDIRCa2ckD734WOXv8-B8C02K2oHk8cea3jrRgEOGunbeuPCyKX9OgsP9HINjo3gS8ZwmOWX930-FQX7PQHfNWQFK1U/s4032/20230617_054338.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie49yxJprWGCNaIJ2KlnlKy25NwTqTE8KaEMWi1-w5vdMlRWdAl4FvBuh0U2QFXW7F9cbOFoVFBAltfBOEx9Ah3_VtriQWcSleEDIRCa2ckD734WOXv8-B8C02K2oHk8cea3jrRgEOGunbeuPCyKX9OgsP9HINjo3gS8ZwmOWX930-FQX7PQHfNWQFK1U/w288-h640/20230617_054338.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BGNDM1BfmwKrZQOQdHI9tbv10Qi0SIjfxNYmG31bOaEfKKXxp33NpBexQRb9HptO7rzGzA0mHaPjsBvo-nCn2DusDoszPcxr7ZPaOQcx5YrbT7XzcSPJJqXbf7bDPD9QKiCwFOZJDsQeLIVypgsZm2SuJaeizUUNfdTTjAJFnlA3-C_mTNh82wS4XZc/s4032/20230828_181707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BGNDM1BfmwKrZQOQdHI9tbv10Qi0SIjfxNYmG31bOaEfKKXxp33NpBexQRb9HptO7rzGzA0mHaPjsBvo-nCn2DusDoszPcxr7ZPaOQcx5YrbT7XzcSPJJqXbf7bDPD9QKiCwFOZJDsQeLIVypgsZm2SuJaeizUUNfdTTjAJFnlA3-C_mTNh82wS4XZc/w288-h640/20230828_181707.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br />I see monks on the streets quite often, some walk barefoot. The men wear maroon while women wear pink and red, with a brown sash. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Not_AbHaGrHjhorRGtZS5OeHfwqo1IgXxgVJK7HfK6y2ABC7EH3l43N3HPRRqT5cJyplWzXLZkW-aAzf5_p32ukxlx6Kbzy1KDT-dJFHI0nA0g9unYNkH8r8-JyUrWV9I4hNngj3sJdPXdeM14vJuv0jbawQBILfux0Kgu1PudJsgvKHUt9Z-bUtaY/s4032/20230604_084449.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL9Not_AbHaGrHjhorRGtZS5OeHfwqo1IgXxgVJK7HfK6y2ABC7EH3l43N3HPRRqT5cJyplWzXLZkW-aAzf5_p32ukxlx6Kbzy1KDT-dJFHI0nA0g9unYNkH8r8-JyUrWV9I4hNngj3sJdPXdeM14vJuv0jbawQBILfux0Kgu1PudJsgvKHUt9Z-bUtaY/w288-h640/20230604_084449.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyrhaxpvHqnAnP8a33Dnxiyb0aqrB4XMClBgDEGypm7SbInwwUwOIALkWKoWNXMfgUSijN-KmZhqaHCllGhi2zvacSTXebZ9hEU3XmQZlDN2c_Y9iaV2Q2busLvUDFBxRA-ZQGxJ8BTMqgKo5-xDAthU944BU1mTsiDpO1qW7FpWo_aDbWP6HcHp47x4/s4032/20230902_081127.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="4032" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPyrhaxpvHqnAnP8a33Dnxiyb0aqrB4XMClBgDEGypm7SbInwwUwOIALkWKoWNXMfgUSijN-KmZhqaHCllGhi2zvacSTXebZ9hEU3XmQZlDN2c_Y9iaV2Q2busLvUDFBxRA-ZQGxJ8BTMqgKo5-xDAthU944BU1mTsiDpO1qW7FpWo_aDbWP6HcHp47x4/w640-h288/20230902_081127.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: justify;">If not for the </span>colours, it may have been difficult to identify the genders as their hair is completely shaved. I was shocked to see monks in shopping centres and driving, they are quite progressive, me thinks. Hahaaha<p style="text-align: justify;">It is currently the monsoon/rainy season and I noticed how there are always umbrella holders or containers around. People dutifully put their umbrellas in them and would pick them up on their way out. Even when I went for a concert, people dropped off their umbrellas. In Nigeria, I doubt if people would use them as they may not trust that their umbrellas may be there when they return.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JwjyHDVf5WqWJk33zXqc89Dphc3FiHe4ZNJVprMZeGEpZpuRr1f0ArPXu8F9E1TOZJp-9U0fUjCocbRjdgpreAdegFi1x9zxT-skzMvTDpfVIiF_XE4FMgnpkCcTO0OEQS2SHgG74LwhdR9Mk4sU4GOKLhuWoLAAld7DCznQyB3yUGM0ELGPLDiUGuw/s4032/20230613_080439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JwjyHDVf5WqWJk33zXqc89Dphc3FiHe4ZNJVprMZeGEpZpuRr1f0ArPXu8F9E1TOZJp-9U0fUjCocbRjdgpreAdegFi1x9zxT-skzMvTDpfVIiF_XE4FMgnpkCcTO0OEQS2SHgG74LwhdR9Mk4sU4GOKLhuWoLAAld7DCznQyB3yUGM0ELGPLDiUGuw/w288-h640/20230613_080439.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Since being here, I have noticed how driving rules are different. Can you believe there is a special lane and a traffic light for U-turns? Some of the international driving rules do not apply. That's the beauty of travelling, you learn and you adapt.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have tried some Burmese food, just like with everything, I like some more than others. If you like fish, there is a lot of "fishiness", you'll either love it or hate it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41EvXLZ1F2RHF1OcjlskbrSAzlbXRzlk09hFfnUNnAmYml70dkCm_GxXkgnNemmfavvOptefKt2Jk4Uzu8EzcVuUn436uVIk7Qugd0WVdmbPWzbP0RS4U1Ae_VWBqh7bMkNN5Q9Mjd9hZUyxUN74SDpO7v-UxZLMVtn0_92spbVqVFYgMOoRuznK4p10/s4032/20230626_130719.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41EvXLZ1F2RHF1OcjlskbrSAzlbXRzlk09hFfnUNnAmYml70dkCm_GxXkgnNemmfavvOptefKt2Jk4Uzu8EzcVuUn436uVIk7Qugd0WVdmbPWzbP0RS4U1Ae_VWBqh7bMkNN5Q9Mjd9hZUyxUN74SDpO7v-UxZLMVtn0_92spbVqVFYgMOoRuznK4p10/w288-h640/20230626_130719.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuK3mGNfAdpZ86o-b2p2PSYH4lNywbX3eES7eH1-906f8DgIbiksjWgVpYOB1VgVHu29LEl0Qk_2ehAiRwqaZ1n7moCK7gJIyjBSVzFGh1oa2ZTpVFUJEvB2BO5s9CDkF_KOKoTxgo3WbRzIrcP31D_DF6vSXdeYZVYrg9kEYNRBP4kGJ29s8bB-1lhio/s4032/20230601_124710.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuK3mGNfAdpZ86o-b2p2PSYH4lNywbX3eES7eH1-906f8DgIbiksjWgVpYOB1VgVHu29LEl0Qk_2ehAiRwqaZ1n7moCK7gJIyjBSVzFGh1oa2ZTpVFUJEvB2BO5s9CDkF_KOKoTxgo3WbRzIrcP31D_DF6vSXdeYZVYrg9kEYNRBP4kGJ29s8bB-1lhio/w288-h640/20230601_124710.jpg" width="288" /></a><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Lots of Burnese food </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRLYk7z2AruNTTrH6wD3jHiGAeKZp_DJaCYU5H_8kFGRV1YadsEUk4dXoV3OVxqQUbbN5MzAetPYmTaPN2ceMp8B2Cj1Nby5SAjQuU3m8YZ_CL4wphwMyCSippXU0QvVfSFFiLjc-0TLVMX8O3T3p2BanouOhqYF5RsyIlxQ1avClTBSVRZnXRb8Oao/s3327/20230726_130210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3327" data-original-width="1801" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxRLYk7z2AruNTTrH6wD3jHiGAeKZp_DJaCYU5H_8kFGRV1YadsEUk4dXoV3OVxqQUbbN5MzAetPYmTaPN2ceMp8B2Cj1Nby5SAjQuU3m8YZ_CL4wphwMyCSippXU0QvVfSFFiLjc-0TLVMX8O3T3p2BanouOhqYF5RsyIlxQ1avClTBSVRZnXRb8Oao/w346-h640/20230726_130210.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">I visited NayPyiTaw, the capital of Myanmar. I bet you thought Yangon was the capital? It was changed in 2005/2006 and is generally referred to as the Administrative capital. What shocked me however was the emptiness. The streets were always empty of people and cars, except for the </span><span style="text-align: justify;">many hotel buildings</span><span style="text-align: justify;">. Whenever we drove past another car, I would get delighted.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1gld2wmR8Q-1hJNJfiD3mHycArCkXvi4tXmrcnGIfOsoSZ1UrZqdJGHWc6oPtR91jQXaTVWpa61oikR5ktgk-P3XbWV0aQE9sJe3PSp54AF17N0xjnsIGcDcvE9q6AxS1XcjaKrixa_aV40iMdUswzXNkXZKpWmSRAynHZndd9ICnUvlPOi-mXI1oFA/s1794/20230626_150538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="1757" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1gld2wmR8Q-1hJNJfiD3mHycArCkXvi4tXmrcnGIfOsoSZ1UrZqdJGHWc6oPtR91jQXaTVWpa61oikR5ktgk-P3XbWV0aQE9sJe3PSp54AF17N0xjnsIGcDcvE9q6AxS1XcjaKrixa_aV40iMdUswzXNkXZKpWmSRAynHZndd9ICnUvlPOi-mXI1oFA/w626-h640/20230626_150538.jpg" width="626" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1xJ0Y3O6jQTSciNHpMwRYKhiQ24UztW73jvaB5z4oeuevQOe0PRzg14NQCDcnv06SVjHA4eGGFlrg9infaeKcTJ3zDS4cRQPG4VChG2z8-KP4y5cC9wALUV2OXhUeDQ5ZXglMtf62BO1xb3HIW4A65GLtYkilzRXYTXbIKD817VjyQ8WiaffLJc9Fog/s4032/20230626_151115.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1xJ0Y3O6jQTSciNHpMwRYKhiQ24UztW73jvaB5z4oeuevQOe0PRzg14NQCDcnv06SVjHA4eGGFlrg9infaeKcTJ3zDS4cRQPG4VChG2z8-KP4y5cC9wALUV2OXhUeDQ5ZXglMtf62BO1xb3HIW4A65GLtYkilzRXYTXbIKD817VjyQ8WiaffLJc9Fog/w288-h640/20230626_151115.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREg3bRU4tut-HpHsS0iBIomBdeBFOs_TwzqA4x_ej8oOfK1IXAA1zX0HINF0iHfqUPv6SnTQmDGFmrJjY7XTqwVDX7DulI_JCjOq3CDQEpAQN3M_dOikS9jR7QauV7_lFTbEE63n3naFNgBWHnu0SnbilIWspjmEpGtybPlEIzGWSKbK9Ph5fl9MWLWk/s4032/20230626_151106.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="716" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREg3bRU4tut-HpHsS0iBIomBdeBFOs_TwzqA4x_ej8oOfK1IXAA1zX0HINF0iHfqUPv6SnTQmDGFmrJjY7XTqwVDX7DulI_JCjOq3CDQEpAQN3M_dOikS9jR7QauV7_lFTbEE63n3naFNgBWHnu0SnbilIWspjmEpGtybPlEIzGWSKbK9Ph5fl9MWLWk/w322-h716/20230626_151106.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4IyXh7Gn_TwHTqyJUFeeBMzYlRgvAwwNEn_ybhM2Ih5qJ8YUr1hTlFyyFvdBUyAo1i8oqKKOu7BNkxNTCrJ9pfWOMGa6reu5gJbwsYjuBh4ZIq7ffWApAbOaUPX21zzMCfhr8ZmNWW8NAfMpEZULHddFeck1NHa9hLVbGYiObjs3-iR8DFphVngDt7I/s2778/20230626_151129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2778" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4IyXh7Gn_TwHTqyJUFeeBMzYlRgvAwwNEn_ybhM2Ih5qJ8YUr1hTlFyyFvdBUyAo1i8oqKKOu7BNkxNTCrJ9pfWOMGa6reu5gJbwsYjuBh4ZIq7ffWApAbOaUPX21zzMCfhr8ZmNWW8NAfMpEZULHddFeck1NHa9hLVbGYiObjs3-iR8DFphVngDt7I/w418-h640/20230626_151129.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">I visited a state called Kachin, in the North of the country. I only spent 4 days in the capital of the state called Myitkyina (pronounced M<span lang="EN-US" style="text-align: left;">it</span><span style="text-align: left;">ʧina</span>). It is a small, slow, town, people really take their time. The food there was so good! It had less oil but was with a good dose of pepper/chilli. I don't fare very well with pepper, but being the person I am, I tried everything my colleagues proposed I try. I paid for it...at 11:23pm, my tummy woke me up and it went downhill from there! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDNeQvYrPQP-Due1Pv4vDAAXdXpTT7Aqq0G4K17mj2KW1EEkq6Z7oZmNEmjEgE0eZXV8KHbQEAEo40oyDnechopxdmGNtit_3fElrum9PJ1-1o53WNVLfBUQYc8X3Xv4BpH9s5uYs9y1aRyI59JkG8Q8lDvfANdHC0-H1YP-WLsCqjQwwmLhNsrSXark/s3073/20230726_183435.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3073" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDNeQvYrPQP-Due1Pv4vDAAXdXpTT7Aqq0G4K17mj2KW1EEkq6Z7oZmNEmjEgE0eZXV8KHbQEAEo40oyDnechopxdmGNtit_3fElrum9PJ1-1o53WNVLfBUQYc8X3Xv4BpH9s5uYs9y1aRyI59JkG8Q8lDvfANdHC0-H1YP-WLsCqjQwwmLhNsrSXark/w378-h640/20230726_183435.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In Kachin, mining of jade (the gemstone) is one of their many activities. I was told that the stone in the photo above is actual jade that was gifted to the state by a wealthy businessman who owns a mine.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuALM0NGNHRXP7wwJ0uEIwmAW3Yx6rQZ4IaVIaeBEaPFOfJzIgPxAFs1O0x8i7lX2UJJxEhW5e2sQ88-ZnqwGXofDJJE2U3A22aSSJ1O3g03eZxZG7LKXz-7GZdoh4_Q82ra9YDwiW55ngbr8w3DkNjQ2XqRDUIEImR_f_DtB2AlRumpZ5d7CwmxIh6M/s4032/20230726_183005.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="1816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuALM0NGNHRXP7wwJ0uEIwmAW3Yx6rQZ4IaVIaeBEaPFOfJzIgPxAFs1O0x8i7lX2UJJxEhW5e2sQ88-ZnqwGXofDJJE2U3A22aSSJ1O3g03eZxZG7LKXz-7GZdoh4_Q82ra9YDwiW55ngbr8w3DkNjQ2XqRDUIEImR_f_DtB2AlRumpZ5d7CwmxIh6M/w288-h640/20230726_183005.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A warrior from old times</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">My recent trip was to Lashio, in Shan state. For some reason I expected for it to be dry but was pleasantly surprised with the greenery. It is the rainy/monsoon season anyway so that's normal. I even went hiking with colleagues</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XSxkT3bH6YcxGeRpsihEbTkp-82wJI8gZq7jmWaunAixh2Us2ZvvzdtOTaITPvOwFhXHIr_Y0MEYQoPLFT1S-AHOmUgRjasbWNGrLWAPUfVj3B1Ga_b68bBq9LZZSsg-WJf3p7arIIX5KebH7KncLRvFlhXM3RG5-C9cImzn9xMfTK_09xI7-FAn-ik/s4032/IMG_9671.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XSxkT3bH6YcxGeRpsihEbTkp-82wJI8gZq7jmWaunAixh2Us2ZvvzdtOTaITPvOwFhXHIr_Y0MEYQoPLFT1S-AHOmUgRjasbWNGrLWAPUfVj3B1Ga_b68bBq9LZZSsg-WJf3p7arIIX5KebH7KncLRvFlhXM3RG5-C9cImzn9xMfTK_09xI7-FAn-ik/w640-h480/IMG_9671.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKf7pS05gtPP_maWtdfgPaXCtNsREQXIgPTsshj9Md-AYXu1_QfFZvUWV8TgPoYoGinQvsaDU1e0xhO0VLocUWG36-y9cGRoUsjutgUp7XxRnBfnPG39rCl21OyRNqThq2xvH3E1K5QcOFDqAGKvqzouhnVNJcVY1PP6U7fe2xOcWIWtCDYcUdnS_bNLQ/s3264/IMG_20230827_082233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="3264" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKf7pS05gtPP_maWtdfgPaXCtNsREQXIgPTsshj9Md-AYXu1_QfFZvUWV8TgPoYoGinQvsaDU1e0xhO0VLocUWG36-y9cGRoUsjutgUp7XxRnBfnPG39rCl21OyRNqThq2xvH3E1K5QcOFDqAGKvqzouhnVNJcVY1PP6U7fe2xOcWIWtCDYcUdnS_bNLQ/w640-h360/IMG_20230827_082233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLc8Y9-QQKJLYIDbJYiU7Ze18EdyhlHCgNCuUC1N9ZDznoGFH4kuJGuJttP-ibPQXpdcfBtAv2VOwbrrTQ4dUejwPZqArI8cUujIcWHMNkrB4uF6rNbDqCd7MDC214EHqZsW8jt2RZFA88g4WsXQ3l336viLBgo6FwGhy4jZNZOazdBuoyNasZKHl-Ns/s4032/IMG_9704.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLc8Y9-QQKJLYIDbJYiU7Ze18EdyhlHCgNCuUC1N9ZDznoGFH4kuJGuJttP-ibPQXpdcfBtAv2VOwbrrTQ4dUejwPZqArI8cUujIcWHMNkrB4uF6rNbDqCd7MDC214EHqZsW8jt2RZFA88g4WsXQ3l336viLBgo6FwGhy4jZNZOazdBuoyNasZKHl-Ns/w480-h640/IMG_9704.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">The town is bustling and has a life of its own. I spent a weekend there, so I managed to see a bit of the town. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I have settled in and I am looking forward to exploring more of the country, so there will be posts every now and then of my life here in Myanmar 😊</p><br />Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-34949802157226211942023-07-13T10:16:00.001+01:002023-07-13T10:16:19.974+01:00The Price to Pay<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Biola reflected on the recent events that she
had had to deal with. Her life had been upended in a way she never imagined
would happen. She thought that she had things figured out until that fateful
day. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">She had been so consumed by her career and getting ahead that she neglected everything else and everyone who was dear to her,
until her world came crashing down.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She got home, late as usual. I’m home she
called out but emptiness came back at her. She went to her bedroom, something
was different, but she couldn’t figure it out immediately. Then she went to
give her a son a kiss, something she did every night. But he wasn’t there. Then she noticed, a lot was gone from his room. She ran back to her room and opened the
wardrobe. A good lot of her husband’s clothes were gone. She called,
frantically, but he didn’t answer his phone. She was in a panic, she wondered
why. She saw them in the morning before she left for work and all seemed well. Or
so she thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her husband was everything she had hoped for;
supportive, loving, manly and he held his own. He had things going for him as
well, but drew the line when it came to his family. He poured his all. He never
missed any event his son was to attend, he showed up for his wife’s events and
she was so proud of him. He hinted at her taking him for granted many times but
was one who shied away from confrontation, so he would say his piece then move
on. As work got more demanding, there were more late nights and she was
grateful to him, as he catered to the home front. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-5MuPBBHwZDadnH43K9DXB0g4dP5Z8kHqInsO9b4aGN0VdfcPYHVrhCqm5yI3rJ_yLrfFwcHjYnpxGssdSk9_mKrfCEwsNpDPPryW5vimcw60CUVwnYF6U1IZbuKzmM4JlzCndGL9cgfcn-I_7w_eXcqAM6fJfc1ASTA2mf8FIHdGdoN-tE-giRWmJk/s398/Career%20Woman.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="398" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-5MuPBBHwZDadnH43K9DXB0g4dP5Z8kHqInsO9b4aGN0VdfcPYHVrhCqm5yI3rJ_yLrfFwcHjYnpxGssdSk9_mKrfCEwsNpDPPryW5vimcw60CUVwnYF6U1IZbuKzmM4JlzCndGL9cgfcn-I_7w_eXcqAM6fJfc1ASTA2mf8FIHdGdoN-tE-giRWmJk/w640-h628/Career%20Woman.png" width="640" /></a></div><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He had been distant lately and she asked what was wrong. He only repeated what he had said before, that she was never there and took him for granted. He was not the most expressive, so it would end with apologies and some good love making, then things would go back to normal. He was also flying high in his career, that’s
how they met. At a work reception. She was always in awe of how he managed to
balance it all so effortlessly. He seemed content, but she was hungry and she just wanted more all the time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She had had a long day, typical manic Monday,
and was exhausted. She somehow fell asleep, fully dressed, with her mobile phone
in hand. Morning came, her alarm startled her, then she remembered. In that moment a wave of
fear, grief and some raw pain she didn’t recognise washed over her and she broke
down. The realisation of how she may have destroyed the best part of her life,
hit her. She indeed had taken it for granted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After a good cry and a shower, she took the day
off, then set out to find her family. She knew there might be a place her
husband would be. It was his safe haven, he went there to clear his head whenever
he needed to. After a four-hour drive, she was standing at the front door of this place
they called their home away from home. But her keys would not open the door. He
had changed the locks. She went around looking through the windows and sure
enough she spotted them; her husband, her son and a woman she didn’t know. Her
apprehension started to turn to anger. She went back to the front door and hit
so hard on it that he came to open it finally.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And there he stood, in his usual collected
manner, with a smile on his face, like he had no worries in the world. Hello Biola,
he said. Disarmed but determined to know what was going on, she tried to walk past
him and go in, but he blocked the way. 'You are not welcome here' he finally
said. As she stood wondering who this person was, her son’s voice jerked her out
of her thoughts. Mummy she heard, and her husband stepped aside looking so
lovingly at both of them, gave them a moment then asked their son to go back
inside. ‘I always told you that you took me for granted but you didn’t listen’.
She wondered how he could be loving yet distant and cold in the same vein. ‘So
you are seeing someone else now’, she finally asked. He told her he was not
ready to talk to her and had to get back inside. She knew that her husband
could be resolute and sensed this was one of those times. She watched him lock
the door in her face. She was too stunned by everything happening and could not react. After standing there for about 15 minutes, she willed herself
to leave. She got into the car and drove herself back home in shock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She could only speak to one person who would not
judge her, so she made the call. May was there in no time. With no words, she
made some soup and insisted that Biola have some. Then she asked what happened. There
was no fight, nothing happened that Biola remembered but here she was, alone and
missing her family more than she ever had. She barely even thought about the
woman he was with, she just kept blaming herself and asking how she let it all
happen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The thing with May was that she was not one to
sugar coat, so she didn’t say anything to help Biola feel better but listened. She
acknowledged that Biola played a big part in getting things to this point. May simply asked her </span>how she would fix it and if she wanted to.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her husband on the other hand was in a
difficult situation. He loved his wife and wanted his family to be together,
but he knew he had to shake things up and this would be the determining factor
of whether their marriage would survive or pack up. He invited his cousin to
spend time with him and his son, she was someone he could count on for
emotional support. She got him and managed to get him talking about his
feelings. He had packed his things up and that of his son, as he was unsure
what his next move would be. He would do all he could to save his marriage, but
at the same time, if they had to part ways, he would accept that too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Biola cleared her schedule for the week,
knowing more than ever that this was one thing she was determined to fight for.
She drove out again the next day, but her husband was still unwilling to speak
to her. She asked to hang around and spend some time with their son in the garden.
The boy happy to play in his childlike ways, with a short attention span, didn’t
realise there was trouble. She wished in that moment she could be a child. As
the door shut in her face, she cried from the ache sitting in her chest all the
way home. In addition to all she was feeling, she felt humiliated. She had
never had to deal with this and did not have the faintest idea of how far she
had pushed her husband to treat her this way. He on the other hand just felt drained. He liked the
space from her, but at the same time, he ached for her. He knew he would have
to express his feelings more and communicate better but he just didn’t know how.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Day three and she was ready for the long drive, but
today, she would get in that house by whatever means. Her husband came to
answer the door, but today he looked tired. 'I see how unhappy you are from your
eyes and I am deeply sorry' she said. Those words disarmed him and he stepped aside motioning for her to come in. 'Can we talk, please,' she asked. He nodded. I’m sorry, was all she had to
say. She apologized over and over. Then he spoke, finally, and they talked,
deeply, for hours. Something they had stopped doing in their marriage. Then she
appeared looking at Biola with so much judgment. Rage was bursting in
Biola, but trying to keep her cool, she asked her husband who the lady was. He didn’t
say anything and just as they were about to go for each other, he quietly
mentioned she was his cousin. The one they had talked about long ago but she never
got to meet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">An awkward moment passed between the two women,
then laughter between all three. And they all knew in that moment, that they would
be fine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo - Google</span></o:p></span></p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-32585426231397656502023-06-12T05:13:00.001+01:002023-06-12T06:11:15.821+01:00Self-Sufficiency And The Trauma We Carry<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I've often wondered if the notion of “be a man”, men are not supposed to show
weakness should not be seen differently. Boys just like girls
are human beings and have feelings. They should be allowed to express their
feelings and feel safe to show weakness and vulnerability. Teaching self-sufficiency is great, but I believe there needs to be a balance on when to reach out or speak
out.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Over time I have watched this happen and the part of raising men to bottle their feelings or telling them from a young age to be tough/be a man has never sat well with me. Sadly, it leads to boys teasing one another on this subject, and eventually men doing same. Many men feel the need to not be vulnerable or act like it is wrong to cry. This unfortunately, could play out on so many levels with men taking those bottled feelings or frustrations out on the people closest to them or the society at large. </span><span style="font-family: courier;">They would rather find ways to cope and some of these ways could be negative coping mechanisms. In some </span><span style="font-family: courier;">instances, young men act out to get attention, which they would hardly ask for. But even that attention could be withheld from them due to bad behaviour. Then it spirals out of control and becomes a point of concern.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMnnuYqZ5EkCaFMQE-yFWaBwhq7Ni6vwnsuqHmoJepzO2yY5t90enobOH5-GXTVP4ylBuRykIudZGe5HqAmdYctxod1pi7eWMb7rWtvketq6foONPAhh3pPP29GQgQ5pYePp-_zdrF63rbSfA0iKHR96NTgpxcXd8k2oZGCdamhsEr1iI1NBYN0-G/s600/suicide_attempt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiMnnuYqZ5EkCaFMQE-yFWaBwhq7Ni6vwnsuqHmoJepzO2yY5t90enobOH5-GXTVP4ylBuRykIudZGe5HqAmdYctxod1pi7eWMb7rWtvketq6foONPAhh3pPP29GQgQ5pYePp-_zdrF63rbSfA0iKHR96NTgpxcXd8k2oZGCdamhsEr1iI1NBYN0-G/w640-h480/suicide_attempt.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a></span></span><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I was speaking to a group of young adults with whom I volunteered, and on this day, everyone was encouraged to speak openly. It was striking how much they had to say! We had a panel of 3 of their parents. One of the young men, 18 years old, was bold enough to tell his mother (who was on the panel) some things she did that upset him. He had told her before, but she was not really listening. On this day, she heard him loud and clear and took him seriously. Then the best part, she apologised to him, right there publicly, and committed to doing better. It was obvious that they have a great relationship, but the thing with people we love is that we could easily take them for granted.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Stephen Boss (popularly known as DJ Twitch) passed away in
December 2022 from what appeared to be suicide. It shook so many people. He was a
ray of light. He and his wife, Allison Holker, danced all the time. On so many
occasions, when their dancing popped in my feed, it lit my face up. How could
someone who seemed so happy be so sad and no one knew? So all the happy we saw
and were inspired by was unreal? Unanswered questions that we may never get responses to. Some of the people who seem the happiest or strongest, have the deepest pain. This is just one of many cases, it was made public as he was a celebrity. Simply checking to see how someone is really faring could make tremendous difference. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Guys tend to tease the soft ones, sometimes making it hard for them to open themselves up to that sort of mockery or criticism. These same boys grow up to be brothers, husbands and eventually fathers. Many carry unseen trauma which is a result of the built-up frustration. The world could be cruel, at the same time extremely loving
if you are surrounded by the right people. But how do you find people you are
comfortable enough to be vulnerable with? People who won’t judge but listen
when you need to let it out. People who will lovingly rebuke you, but help you
get back on track?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: courier;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">This leads me to say that trauma should be addressed, because it comes back nasty. It appears that more people than we know, think of taking their lives to stop feeling the pain. I've been surprised by some conversations with people I hold dear, who mentioned that at some point when things got too much, they considered suicide. We just never know since these things are not written on our faces. Sometimes we might think that people are overreacting to things, or some issues may not be serious enough to tip people over. You just never know the mental state the next person might be in, and what they might consider the last straw to break the camel's back.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Whenever there are posts of people who commit suicide, in reaction, so many put out the "be kind, you never know what the next person is dealing with" messages. It sounds cliché, but this is indeed true. On the other hand, I tell people close to me to reach out for help when they need it. It could be hard to ask for help, but that one request could save your life. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I hope we all have a great week!</span></div>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-81486933176270786042023-01-09T10:51:00.004+01:002023-01-09T10:51:19.939+01:00The Myth Called Closure<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ever found
yourself in a position where you were unconsciously chasing after closure? Or
so needy of it that you hinged moving on on it? It’s not uncommon, a good lot
of us have been there.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Through
loss, pain, hurt, break up or whatever situation it might have been, you hope
for one more chance to do things differently, to make things right, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">or simply</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> to talk things over</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some people
are lucky enough to have that, but sometimes, we do not get second chances no matter how hard
we try or wish.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Loss of a
loved one is heavy, unanswered questions come with it. Unresolved issues come
to the fore, but the finality of death is such that there is no second chance with the person who is no more. No one is ever prepared for loss, and g</span>rief manifests in different ways. You might think you are fine one moment then the next you find yourself completely immersed in grief. The pain might never really go away, this is something you don’t get over,
but you get past it with time and you learn to live with it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdFs1vskFOEAiWfMxQLbIZMsUQoQVt-YEcc7wVYUs15n87hrwN2hZ-O8Jyw4ZtEI1TyhcylcbrHrZxXMoaOVTC8ftwsH8KydUla0vvi3nsRgrYUpp-W1YkAkINCqPvpSdtg2KVELrtxGNqUVP6OV0aQVKhW6cepZtULWdwUvcHKffXyms5nFlhCCN/s1075/Puzzle.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1075" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrdFs1vskFOEAiWfMxQLbIZMsUQoQVt-YEcc7wVYUs15n87hrwN2hZ-O8Jyw4ZtEI1TyhcylcbrHrZxXMoaOVTC8ftwsH8KydUla0vvi3nsRgrYUpp-W1YkAkINCqPvpSdtg2KVELrtxGNqUVP6OV0aQVKhW6cepZtULWdwUvcHKffXyms5nFlhCCN/w640-h428/Puzzle.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Break ups
might look easier as the person still lives. It could be that the love faded,
the couple grew apart or even the darker side where one of the persons was at
risk and had to walk away. It is hard nonetheless. With broken relationships,
many wonder what they could have done differently. If you find yourself in a situation where you might have the opportunity to talk things over, do it if that would make you feel better! Better to try than to be left wondering. But bear in mind that it could be a 50/50 situation where your long speeches may get you answers or may leave <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">you more disappointed.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Betrayal is a tricky one, it makes you question the person you thought you knew all
along. It would make you wish you could go back in time to probably erase the friendship
you once had. Confusion, anger, resentment are familiar feelings that could build up when betrayed by people you once trusted. Picking up the pieces and starting again can take time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">However, there is the other school of thought that says that closure is overrated, it is a scam, a myth that sometimes even causes avoidable pain. I know people close to me that are of this school of thought. For them, there is no need, especially when people walk away with no explanation or obvious reason. Keep it moving and let it be, instead of trying to solve the puzzle. Closure comes from within you. The thing is, you could go searching and in trying to get someone who has moved on to talk, it gets upsetting and in some ways humiliating. So if you have the ability to, I know it is hard for some, keep it moving. I had to learn this and I have known peace as it works for me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">People grow apart and it is okay to accept that you might have served your purpose in another person's life, so it is time to move on. The worst thing is to be trapped in a cycle looking for closure. </span></p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-17241774062250790222022-12-27T09:55:00.001+01:002022-12-27T11:55:03.669+01:00A Summary of my Time in the Democratic Republic of Congo<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Article written in French below....Ecrit en fran</span><span lang="FR-CH" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">çais ci-dessous apr</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ès la version anglaise</span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">Some words that describe the Democratic
Republic of Congo for me are: chaotic, colourful, disorderly, vibrant and joie
de vivre. Music would wake you up from early hours of the morning and accompany
you through the day; be it gospel music or party tunes. And should you ever try
to ‘bother’ a person about noise or order, you’d get the retort of “we are in
Congo”.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKfoGm2k52OAFchdn1h_1Xr2_ffyyR1WrH0OU6_BT-mA4DuOMj6FbJZ6Yq5QwtE-XOe_XqqH7FaKhXL-2A7kaAI0SynJp74JMG-S-65ZbnBsJ55lCtTt7gDy9w0uBRHKbkH6BGHiIkk54imgC0cX7C1vFlVpkJDOuGUENzP-axsVZOo2bsApnLo-z/s4032/20210826_120039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKfoGm2k52OAFchdn1h_1Xr2_ffyyR1WrH0OU6_BT-mA4DuOMj6FbJZ6Yq5QwtE-XOe_XqqH7FaKhXL-2A7kaAI0SynJp74JMG-S-65ZbnBsJ55lCtTt7gDy9w0uBRHKbkH6BGHiIkk54imgC0cX7C1vFlVpkJDOuGUENzP-axsVZOo2bsApnLo-z/w640-h360/20210826_120039.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnNSnq-tLLsC4S7NbCy8oHJkLLDnR_bqcfm4wIitFmDfkXGlqhQBPP0NMRWScFJSGwQzghTkvJAda7DsvDV0d5V05iHCXi8E7jTnXLpxOEFaPgitKLH1hIxvILK78WfYKP1MHG4V0X3ELSVbMNfWcn6_QwpRRYhon3PBNZfVsGsafivbY0cPwn3oz/s4032/20210826_101945.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnNSnq-tLLsC4S7NbCy8oHJkLLDnR_bqcfm4wIitFmDfkXGlqhQBPP0NMRWScFJSGwQzghTkvJAda7DsvDV0d5V05iHCXi8E7jTnXLpxOEFaPgitKLH1hIxvILK78WfYKP1MHG4V0X3ELSVbMNfWcn6_QwpRRYhon3PBNZfVsGsafivbY0cPwn3oz/w640-h360/20210826_101945.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70zZLGyI_UoRPSORcxdNyKYOeN9OQfefrVJ9qph5_XpVujWmhWTTUsLPUjf7IGYmtqvalCULDhxsAk440pU5agi1CHPTV7AOpdv72wI8mnSYjLXxbEwMlL54uZ6fF0huA8fp0IGM1kcDddKU2SqnZizHYpp0W6VFPBYyfanOkJned2NzlbsgapeRl/s4032/20210810_120048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70zZLGyI_UoRPSORcxdNyKYOeN9OQfefrVJ9qph5_XpVujWmhWTTUsLPUjf7IGYmtqvalCULDhxsAk440pU5agi1CHPTV7AOpdv72wI8mnSYjLXxbEwMlL54uZ6fF0huA8fp0IGM1kcDddKU2SqnZizHYpp0W6VFPBYyfanOkJned2NzlbsgapeRl/w640-h360/20210810_120048.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 2.0pt; margin: 2pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><a name="_Hlk118463292"><span lang="EN-US"><span></span></span></a></p><a name='more'></a><a name="_Hlk118463292"></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name="_Hlk118463292"></a><a name="_Hlk118463292"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As the
sun rises at 5:30am all the way in Lulimba, Fizi, somewhere in South Kivu, so
do colleagues. People there tend to be early birds and as they wake up, loud,
hearty conversations follow. I gave up on trying to catch one more hour of that
sweet morning sleep before the activities of the day and would wake up to the
cheer and loud conversations. On one of my trips, after spending days in a
confined space with all men, rocked to sleep or the lack of it by snores, I had
no more reason to complain. Or toilet accidents? Men, so impatient that despite
it being clearly marked, would still rush to the ladies.</span></span></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 2.0pt; margin: 2pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><a name="_Hlk118463292"></a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CRGJ-HyeiqboE70xxUyTAQNZHLLYdeWimlNr6LraPiuLtXxOGd3gqOuKWDR5RlkDLQyYXRF6zA9V2n_cSBgbbOBJ5O0IzXtbVOb7KAKt_cRa82HbGnZFiXzK6Xk6dQwRueWnJm69zXJNNmTE89k6EHyDvPBYOFPTbqyPuq_spCV9AxXrtqvMDWFH/s4032/20220520_095049.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CRGJ-HyeiqboE70xxUyTAQNZHLLYdeWimlNr6LraPiuLtXxOGd3gqOuKWDR5RlkDLQyYXRF6zA9V2n_cSBgbbOBJ5O0IzXtbVOb7KAKt_cRa82HbGnZFiXzK6Xk6dQwRueWnJm69zXJNNmTE89k6EHyDvPBYOFPTbqyPuq_spCV9AxXrtqvMDWFH/w640-h360/20220520_095049.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overjoyed by the plane approaching in the distance to get us</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 2.0pt; margin: 2pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><a name="_Hlk118463413"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 2.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 2.0pt; margin: 2pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><a name="_Hlk118463413"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">The Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC), a country with an estimate of 110 million inhabitants is bordered by Republic
of Congo, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and
Tanzania. My posting was in Uvira, a town in South Kivu in the East of the
country, 40 minutes from the Burundian border. From there, in another 15 minutes I would
be in Bujumbura (the capital).</span></a></p><span lang="EN-US"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrhOb6ybG_fsxT3i2jqiyNmZKvk2mphfRY1mBi0J7eAr0D4ijFBB8S2FOfGdYwW6OEylb2E2td8u4Ow-SlI5ugv5aIvLWCkSzFvI9eDs1Stv_O2flgFM5WWcDtcvbdlFNJrzQMLpIePXAkKscrL13HlOUnIJQ1-Z_s8GX7sROzUljIp7AQKR02TIF/s4032/20211017_155930.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrhOb6ybG_fsxT3i2jqiyNmZKvk2mphfRY1mBi0J7eAr0D4ijFBB8S2FOfGdYwW6OEylb2E2td8u4Ow-SlI5ugv5aIvLWCkSzFvI9eDs1Stv_O2flgFM5WWcDtcvbdlFNJrzQMLpIePXAkKscrL13HlOUnIJQ1-Z_s8GX7sROzUljIp7AQKR02TIF/w360-h640/20211017_155930.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One nice spot I found somewhere in Uvira</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">T<a name="_Hlk118464055" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">he DRC is a country that is rich in various natural resources yet one with conflict that dates back to long ago. The instability resulting from all of this has a direct impact on everyone unfortunately. In South Kivu where I worked, I noticed how tribalism and ethnic bias are deeply engrained and the kind of speeches I hear towing those lines get frightening sometimes. Foreigners from African countries are not excluded, and based on their physical features, there is the tendency to group them as being part of a certain origin for which there is widespread hatred. I was told not once for example that I had features similar to a tribe and could easily be targeted. I found that the deep distrust for themselves in such cases is automatically transferred to other African colleagues whom they tend to treat with far less respect than they treat colleagues of other nationalities outside Africa. Coupled with the many other aspects to deal with, I couldn't get past this, it always stuck out like a sore thumb to us the African foreigners, and of course we discussed this frustration amongst ourselves. It could go from you being totally ignored, to people dismissing you or making things unnecessarily difficult, while being totally subservient to your counterparts with a different skin colour. The colonial mentality is so imbibed in their upbringing that they see the skin colour that's different from ours as superior, which is quite sad.</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name="_Hlk118464055" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name="_Hlk118464055" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">How could this change anything I wonder? Would it cause more pain and breed further resentment if the root cause is identified? Would there ever be room to come to a place of dialogue to resolve these deeply engrained differences? “A country blessed with cursed people” as the locals like to say. I was taken aback the first time I heard this and asked to be sure of what I had heard. Soon enough, I heard it from a few other people, so it seems like a common saying.</span></a></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a name="_Hlk118466689"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Uvira, where I was based, is a strategic and commercial city, with links to Burundi and Tanzania via the Lake Tanganyika, yet one that is known for agitations and could easily be at the centre of calls for different group actions in South Kivu. Criminality, jungle justice and insecurity strike the region. The country was constantly on the news for these last few months in 2022 for widespread protests and resulting destruction. As Uvira was one of the cities where the protests were taken seriously, my family constantly called to ensure that I was safe, and I kept reassuring them I was fine while I was there.</span></a></div><span lang="EN-US"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGnc6FPmMUtRM3UlzKCUB-XSpXjEU6kA_-Wv-Nl8Nb_EeugbpcZHVHbu9TywBOFRfjEYNpfYL3xF8QzqkDJFQNC--EF2BAMTel7ErUQ9FIwlCNmtI2bkut6UyesxdhbxLmd1nWHzd9ZfO47XNOsmuMQxc-OuuuwxGc1MwgMHUw9a1O2y8yMR9WI1b/s4032/20210810_152623.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGnc6FPmMUtRM3UlzKCUB-XSpXjEU6kA_-Wv-Nl8Nb_EeugbpcZHVHbu9TywBOFRfjEYNpfYL3xF8QzqkDJFQNC--EF2BAMTel7ErUQ9FIwlCNmtI2bkut6UyesxdhbxLmd1nWHzd9ZfO47XNOsmuMQxc-OuuuwxGc1MwgMHUw9a1O2y8yMR9WI1b/w640-h360/20210810_152623.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uvira</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XcidqeB4YIe-rSqWRNimxkyg4e8lv_afOA-fYmZDwqdtPp_SkAkHYnrQZl3bvXgLFHZvfA6gw6-HtsFMWaIv1io0BCBexiJGJfdx8tOARzrzD-3X2UmZv8oFzy6EPCZD3oi0b2EhYDQuaig_a955IVexigvgMB1mEuEn6qqVJR8HAyeHLdrCQJJb/s4032/20210810_152540.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XcidqeB4YIe-rSqWRNimxkyg4e8lv_afOA-fYmZDwqdtPp_SkAkHYnrQZl3bvXgLFHZvfA6gw6-HtsFMWaIv1io0BCBexiJGJfdx8tOARzrzD-3X2UmZv8oFzy6EPCZD3oi0b2EhYDQuaig_a955IVexigvgMB1mEuEn6qqVJR8HAyeHLdrCQJJb/w640-h360/20210810_152540.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uvira</td></tr></tbody></table></span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The ICRC has been in the DRC since 1982,
carrying out operations around the country. I walked through more hilly areas in
that mission more than I have in any other mission, from the highlands (Hauts
Plateaux) of Uvira, the midlands (Moyens Plateaux) of Uvira and in the Fizi
region. The DRC is beautiful, and the landscape inclines you to walk especially
in the highlands where there are no access roads. In the absence of cars and
motor bikes, we would sometimes walk around to get work done. Constructing
boreholes and water points, providing food, household and shelter kits to
people who are most vulnerable and in need of them. Or carrying out medical
evacuations for people wounded by arms and reuniting separated families in the
far-flung areas of the country.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uFJrRP6wKKd7idtHko5k2NPCtTai2oQ0ru6RSfzmCxBDrvCp1PRbDMnpsT1ule9gh5hQcnkL8t_MM23lEp96CCEmxIN_PJIy9hwcsk25OcUH9qllql5ejF7wDSSe9zNoE8-tszsFpGcifs14KhP9siNpqzIcWP9BP6TQV8QTDHguNX_yMa7hnFbr/s4032/20220317_104135.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uFJrRP6wKKd7idtHko5k2NPCtTai2oQ0ru6RSfzmCxBDrvCp1PRbDMnpsT1ule9gh5hQcnkL8t_MM23lEp96CCEmxIN_PJIy9hwcsk25OcUH9qllql5ejF7wDSSe9zNoE8-tszsFpGcifs14KhP9siNpqzIcWP9BP6TQV8QTDHguNX_yMa7hnFbr/w640-h360/20220317_104135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting with communities</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">We got from one point to the other
with much difficulty. Getting stuck in mud, car breakdowns, motorbike accidents
or cancelled flights due to the weather were a common part of logistics there. </div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRSDqc-IokwGzA4Yq-3y8MJ5SQM3468vlktcdRMmkxarclIylx-cK2duORpCfoS42nHCmGM0aqb5NO9KYKsSWSL-j9nadzi2eO1qkPvYQz_7Nmkm5wCzzKSOMQn427Tgx9REs78gvAKCeGbvQeFRyzh3fHcuSo320ApEEL6-Rt-lcmyaMzRWo9Wbe/s4032/20220211_130714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRSDqc-IokwGzA4Yq-3y8MJ5SQM3468vlktcdRMmkxarclIylx-cK2duORpCfoS42nHCmGM0aqb5NO9KYKsSWSL-j9nadzi2eO1qkPvYQz_7Nmkm5wCzzKSOMQn427Tgx9REs78gvAKCeGbvQeFRyzh3fHcuSo320ApEEL6-Rt-lcmyaMzRWo9Wbe/w360-h640/20220211_130714.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVDPwSJRbR8I0WHfihD0-3Ds3tYue_i9v0UtgZG7nwLzEHp-JxbBkwQh1hY5cKHZth_KGAT93tG8dmgXdIVzZTR6zVT894Yte7AC-0emHlHvw56VboTlm7VikZMdkUzRUeB6IgLRT1d3tsXDpYedDR8Wrb653wpUYMJr53QoKR4vHfaVYNpmrzYXk/s4032/20220517_081309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVDPwSJRbR8I0WHfihD0-3Ds3tYue_i9v0UtgZG7nwLzEHp-JxbBkwQh1hY5cKHZth_KGAT93tG8dmgXdIVzZTR6zVT894Yte7AC-0emHlHvw56VboTlm7VikZMdkUzRUeB6IgLRT1d3tsXDpYedDR8Wrb653wpUYMJr53QoKR4vHfaVYNpmrzYXk/w360-h640/20220517_081309.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">A
field trip might be planned down to the T, but there would be little guarantee that
anything will go as planned. You could be stuck from a day to weeks in a
particular place waiting to get out. The work we do there is indeed meaningful
but also begs the question around donor fatigue and dependency on humanitarian
aid in the absence of the government in a country like the DRC.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Through all this, the people’s resilience stands
out. For example, in a certain community, victims of sexual violence came up
with initiatives to support one another. I found this very moving as these
women’s determination not to allow such a painful experience hold them back was
highly commendable. People have found ways to cope with the constant tensions
and their joie de vivre always comes through. The constant calls for ‘mazout’, loosely
translated as drinks, to celebrate wins and of course accompanied by music
which is a ready comfort. Once music comes on, people are quick to jump on
their feet gyrating to the rhythm in coordinated dance. One would think there
is a school where they learn the steps. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: georgia;">Ever heard of the ‘les sapeurs’? This is a term
widely known in French speaking countries to identify the Congolese. When it
comes to dressing up, they have a penchant for brands and even those who may
not be able to afford that, they have a way of mixing and mismatching that
hardly anyone else could pull off. I was told that the mismatch of colours and
seemingly tacky look is in fact the identity of les sapeurs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span lang="EN-US">There is a strong belief in God and dependence
on prayers, even speeches are always laced with the word of God. I remember
once when I was terribly ill, a colleague who came to see me asked if she could
pray for me, then went right on her knees and prayed for me. Bless her! However, t</span>he risks involved in the work we do is no joke, I had to leave two months earlier than planned for security reasons. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">For a people affected by an unending cycle of
conflict that has far reaching consequences and will take years and years to
repair, their constant willingness to have fun and share hearty laughs, their
strong faith in God and their ability to find happiness in the little things,
are some of the memories that I take away from my time in the
Democratic Republic of Congo.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">FRANCAIS</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Les quelques
mots qui décrivent la République démocratique du Congo pour moi sont ;
chaotique, vive/multicolore désordonnée, animée et enfin la joie de vivre. Le
matin, c’est un son de musique qui vous réveille de votre sommeil et ceci reste
comme accompagnant tout le long de la journée. Elle peut être soit une musique religieuse
ou la musique à laquelle on pourra danser. Quand vous essayez d’aborder les
personnes pour mentionner le bruit en général ou parfais le désordre que nous
voyons à plusieurs reprises, ce groupe de mots favoris sont mentionnés :
« on est au Congo ! ».<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sur le terrain,
dans la province de Fizi au Sud Kivu à Lulimba par exemple, avec la levée du
soleil à 5h30, déjà, des collègues sont sur pied et s’adonnent aux causeries et
rires aux éclats. J’ai enfin abandonné l’idée de vouloir rester au lit en ce
moment où le sommeil est très agréable mais je les rejoins dans les causeries. Après
avoir passé des jours dans un espace restreint partagé qu’avec des hommes, bercés
par les ronflements, je n'ai plus aucune raison de me plaindre. Les accidents
de toilettes ? Il y’en a fréquemment si bien que, des hommes si impatients et malgré
le fait que les toilettes soient clairement indiquées, se précipitent impatiemment
même vers celle des dames.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">La République
démocratique du Congo (RDC), un pays avec une population estimée de 110
millions et elle partage les frontières avec le Soudan du Sud, la République
centrafricaine, l’Ouganda, le Rwanda, le Burundi et la Tanzanie. Le site
d’affectation pour ma mission était dans une ville qui s’appelle Uvira au Sud
Kivu, à l’Est du pays 40 minutes de la frontière du Burundi et à partir de la
frontière, 15 minutes pour être à la capitale, Bujumbura.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span lang="FR-CH">La RDC est un
pays riche en ressources naturelles, cependant, dans ce pays sévi un conflit
qui date de très longtemps. Les conséquences de cette instabilité a eu
malheureusement des impacts négatifs sur la vie de ces citoyens. Au Sud Kivu où
j’ai travaillé, j’ai remarqué malheureusement que les esprits claniques, le
tribalisme et la question des ethnies semble devenue monnaie courante. Souvent quand
j’entends ou je lis de cela, j’ai tout de suite la chair de poule. Cette
question n’épargne pas souvent même les étrangers des pays africains selon les
traits physiques. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Il y’a une tendance à
penser qu’ils sont originaires d’une ethnie pour laquelle un sentiment de haine
est vite exprimé. Pendant mon séjour, j’ai été abordée par différentes
personnes qui m’ont rappelée que j’ai la morphologie de gens appartenant à une
tribu détestée au Congo et que je pourrais être victime d’amalgame et ciblée
facilement. J’ai trouvé que la méfiance entre eux-mêmes est transférée aux
collègues africains qu’ils traitent avec moins de respect que les collègues
d’autres nationalités en dehors de l’Afrique. Au dela d'autres aspects à prendre en compte, c</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ela m’a tellement marqu</span><span lang="FR-CH">é</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> et comme c’est
envers nous, entre nous les Africains on exprimaient cette frustration partag</span><span lang="FR-CH">é</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">e. Nous </span><span lang="FR-CH">é</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">tions parfois
ignor</span><span lang="FR-CH">é</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">s completement ou ils nous rendaient le travail et la vie difficile pour
rien, par contre compl</span><span lang="FR-CH">è</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">tement soumis de nos homologues de peau differente
de notre. La mentalit</span><span lang="FR-CH">é</span><span lang="FR-CH" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">coloniale est si absorb</span><span lang="FR-CH">ée</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> dans leur </span><span lang="FR-CH">é</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ducation qu’ils voient la peau differente
comme sup</span><span lang="FR-CH">é</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">rieure, ce qui est regrettable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Je me demande
comme si leurs sentiments pourraient changer quelque chose, cela pourra causer
plus du mal et produire plus de ressenti en cherchant la source de tous ces
sentiments. Y’aurait-il l’occasion à pousser pour le dialogue entre toutes les
parties à résoudre toutes ces différences ? « Un pays béni des gens maudit »
comme disent les congolais eux-mêmes. J’ai été choquée quand j’ai entendu cette
phrase pour la première fois et j’ai demandé de répéter pour m’assurer que
j’avais bien entendu. Et puis, j’ai commencé à l’entendre d’autres personnes
donc cette expression semble être assez connue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Uvira où j’étais
basée est une ville stratégique et commerciale, qui a un lien avec le Burundi
et la Tanzanie à travers le lac Tanganyika. Pourtant, une ville qui suscite
beaucoup d’agitations et pourrait facilement être au centre des appels pour des
actions de manifestations au Sud Kivu. La criminalité, la justice populaire et l’insécurité
marquent la région. Récemment, ces derniers mois de 2022, le pays a fait la Une
des médias à cause de la résurgence des manifestations dans les villes et les
conséquences dramatiques qui les caractérisaient. Comme Uvira était l’une des
villes où les manifestations ont été sérieuses, ma famille me contactait pour
s’assurer que j’allais bien et j’avais continué à les rassurer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Le CICR
travaille en RDC depuis 1982 faisant des opérations dans les différents coins
de ce pays. J’ai marché dans ce pays plus qu’ailleurs où j’ai fait des
missions, dans les collines des hauts plateaux d’Uvira, les moyens plateaux d’Uvira
et à Fizi. La RDC à un beau paysage ou tu pourras facilement marcher à cause de
l’inexistence des routes d’accès. Sur les trajets où ne peuvent passer les
voitures ou les motos, nous nous étions retrouvés en situation de marcher pour
faire notre travail. La construction des points d’eau, l’assistance en vivres,
articles ménager et kits abris, les évacuations médicales, et le rétablissement
des liens familiaux font partie des activités que le CICR fait au profit des
personnes les plus vulnérables au fin fond du pays.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Le transport a
ses défis ; l’embourbement, des pannes des motos ou des voitures, les accidents,
ou les vols annulés à cause de la mauvaise météo sont quelques-uns des défis
logistiques récurrents auxquels nous étions confrontés. Par exemple, une
mission pourra être bien planifiée mais il n’y a aucune garantie que la mission
se passe comme prévue. On peut être bloqué quelque part d’un jour à des
semaines. Le travail que nous faisons ici est important, mais des
questionnements autour de la dépendance sur l’aide humanitaire et la fatigue
des donateurs se posent pour un contexte comme la RDC où le rôle du
gouvernement est assez absent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Malgré tout
cela, la résilience des peuples est fort. Par exemple, dans une communauté, les
victimes de violence sexuelle ont mis en place une initiative de soutien pour
elles-mêmes. J’ai trouvé cela très poignant car la détermination de ces femmes
de ne pas laisser une expérience si négative les retenir est louable. La joie
de vivre est mis en avant, ce qui aident les peuples à vivre avec ces
difficultés. Leurs appels pour ‘mazout’, qui veut dire de prendre un verre,
pour célébrer les victoires, toujours accompagné par la musique qui reste une
source de confort. Dès que l’on entend, les gens sautent en dance coordonnées.
On pensera qu’il y a une école où on les apprend les pas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Avez-vous
entendu parler des sapeurs/sapper ? Un terme connu par les francophones
pour identifier les Congolais. Quand il s’agit d’habillement, ils ont la
tendance à vouloir porter des habits de marque and même ceux qui n’auront pas
les moyens d’acheter les marques trouvent des façons de bien s’habiller. Ils
mélangent les couleurs d’habits dans une manière que seuls les congolais
pourront faire. Ce mélange qui parfois ne correspond même pas est en fait
l’identité des sapeurs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Il y a une forte
croyance en Dieu et une dépendance de la prière, même les discours sont souvent
accompagnés des paroles de Dieu. Je me rappelle une fois quand j’étais malade,
une collègue est venue me voir, elle m’a demandé si elle pouvait prier pour
moi, et puis elle s’est mise à genoux pour prier. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="FR-CH"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pour un peuple
affecté par un conflit cyclique qui a des conséquences les touchant, ce conflit
prendra des années pour réparer, leur volonté de s’amuser et partager des
rires, leur forte croyance en Dieu, leur capacité de trouver la joie dans les
petites choses, seront les quelques beaux souvenirs que je garderai avec moi du
temps passé en République Démocratique du Congo. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p></p></div></div>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-76613018888074777472022-12-06T20:39:00.000+01:002022-12-06T20:39:11.411+01:00Visiting Serbia <p style="text-align: justify;"> I visited Serbia in August 2022 and it was so much fun.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqF_qkNTkvKDGx6ykdX1sdRdB93dBWjZDm_RBDD50X3mtjSKM2enZCVZ0Lq-LXPksrGY7v4ubOvrZMIe_hZCnh2D_gvEUNmJeYe1KgdCFfsw1qJ8xg030235l0uavTKKVH92f-sHaxVcw2cmEODrChxcoJ42N4FfhJKXPy8RyUe-OAnjKhrc2sIKw/s4032/20220811_122546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqF_qkNTkvKDGx6ykdX1sdRdB93dBWjZDm_RBDD50X3mtjSKM2enZCVZ0Lq-LXPksrGY7v4ubOvrZMIe_hZCnh2D_gvEUNmJeYe1KgdCFfsw1qJ8xg030235l0uavTKKVH92f-sHaxVcw2cmEODrChxcoJ42N4FfhJKXPy8RyUe-OAnjKhrc2sIKw/w360-h640/20220811_122546.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello from the streets of Belgrade</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">My brother and I flew with Air Serbia from London, the flight took about 3hrs and 40 mins. The plane was neat and had enough leg room in economy. Staff were polite and the flights were right on time. Going back to London, we flew in business class. Business class was the same as economy, only difference was we were offered food, while in economy, we were offered water and biscuits. Those in economy who wanted food and drinks had to pay.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSPXZmL_JwstfmOVtQtAalfDQa6Fo3NenZISvRSCBWsEP6kguA_hqGGNdmb_16hJB6UasbpNXkW57wfALjeQs-jaNDJOUSh6428vkc9HF1w8VryX7NRPV3jswSKo8yY7bisTQjLYYk1sJXuavZyOusVyYEoBi_ti95k5JhE-RXeORZUt-BFp7--Pi/s4032/20220816_100910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSPXZmL_JwstfmOVtQtAalfDQa6Fo3NenZISvRSCBWsEP6kguA_hqGGNdmb_16hJB6UasbpNXkW57wfALjeQs-jaNDJOUSh6428vkc9HF1w8VryX7NRPV3jswSKo8yY7bisTQjLYYk1sJXuavZyOusVyYEoBi_ti95k5JhE-RXeORZUt-BFp7--Pi/w360-h640/20220816_100910.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">For Nigerian passport holders, in case you were wondering, if you have a valid and used UK or Schengen visa, you won't need a Serbian visa.</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p style="text-align: justify;">First impressions from above...wow! Belgrade looked like such a beauty. Belgrade, the capital and largest city in Serbia sits pretty at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Did you know that the Danube river is the second longest river in Europe? The locals say that Serbia connects Western and Eastern Europe.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">We stayed in a part of Belgrade called Zemun, it is right by the Danube river bank. We were told that we were on the border of Zemun and New Belgrade. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFIg0KSMiEI44OJ0272RIfEFA2WveF-VvT2EwWZqwN5Bb1ibvji2YsUZx4d1FyDV7rk5aLl14XoLErAgvrWx747uz9YowrPO_AiIhtKLGD512_X6pk94i2ufJVbm4CkfBOfbtuNpgjjcqzHTFlS23-Sd8eQLuPT1rhFooXSJBM3NWeHPZvQldjQiO/s4032/20220812_154441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzFIg0KSMiEI44OJ0272RIfEFA2WveF-VvT2EwWZqwN5Bb1ibvji2YsUZx4d1FyDV7rk5aLl14XoLErAgvrWx747uz9YowrPO_AiIhtKLGD512_X6pk94i2ufJVbm4CkfBOfbtuNpgjjcqzHTFlS23-Sd8eQLuPT1rhFooXSJBM3NWeHPZvQldjQiO/w360-h640/20220812_154441.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">It was easy to get around from where we stayed. While I searched for accommodation before the trip, some apartments kept popping up, so I checked, they looked good and equally had good reviews. We stayed in Bellmatini Apartments and our host, Ivan (+381 63 10 35 513), was such a delight. He picked us up from the airport (for a fee). After we dropped our things off, he drove us around the neighbourhood pointing out key places. He was also always available to answer questions and give tips on what to do or where to go. The apartment was a 15 minute walk to the Danube river bank. It cost us us <span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">€</span><span face="arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> 1</span>50.8 for four nights, that was definitely a steal!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Some of the things we saw in Belgrade were:</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Kalemegdan Fortress</b> - this is a must see in Belgrade, recommended online and by locals as one of Belgrade's cultural and historical monuments. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIyWu4cE5NwGAReNipYogpdog_xlh888fXeCUhP68ZqPFyu0Tl0KWVamSF3gXwP-vZOKhYf8Entx6okKwD_TVZMFBhGMqm8z1Obh5Cq84gJrypxapqGI7Gt4xYx0zyyL-Z03WjmZ7JNwXR5FZQ6AdfyjI5xDlJoVDljyzoeeerfa9gMdpVE80NGg8/s4032/20220811_124948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIyWu4cE5NwGAReNipYogpdog_xlh888fXeCUhP68ZqPFyu0Tl0KWVamSF3gXwP-vZOKhYf8Entx6okKwD_TVZMFBhGMqm8z1Obh5Cq84gJrypxapqGI7Gt4xYx0zyyL-Z03WjmZ7JNwXR5FZQ6AdfyjI5xDlJoVDljyzoeeerfa9gMdpVE80NGg8/w360-h640/20220811_124948.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><span style="text-align: justify;">It is located in the city centre and has a huge park. From the top of fortress, you can see the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwkKOVLD0-HR3oYPZjTYgRyxaPr92PgsMViGTmWJKtDl8L3UlumjgNq7BUdMhSXzNpDUXw7PcJL4pJD_W3fI688_WNGZe03akSQDmJSjPyYkNfh6BGkOeU6a5PKgq8gAkuEyhkIzaPkOaxu85ax5BFAVXhdF8Qz5uNtb_EednFexojgihKZBBjGJI/s4032/20220811_125432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwkKOVLD0-HR3oYPZjTYgRyxaPr92PgsMViGTmWJKtDl8L3UlumjgNq7BUdMhSXzNpDUXw7PcJL4pJD_W3fI688_WNGZe03akSQDmJSjPyYkNfh6BGkOeU6a5PKgq8gAkuEyhkIzaPkOaxu85ax5BFAVXhdF8Qz5uNtb_EednFexojgihKZBBjGJI/w360-h640/20220811_125432.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><span style="text-align: justify;">There's a section of the fortress that had military artefacts (the military museum), medieval torture instruments and a part with dinosaurs called Jura Avantura, children would definitely love this part. There were lots of tourists like us visiting and this fortress is said to be the most visited tourist attraction in Belgrade.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGO3k6TkSOXPyWi3OY-Lk3hOo8mlmyVXS5cWTFIC0SgL1kQ9z87jCwlKNBYwAMEnlhfFmCSLcX2DX8Wu1fN7pD1tQ8Q3qR8T0CKXtGI-mMkaBZTx4OrSQ4hzTIwxl3HvIBmhgnXetZJWbSU-_RnPAD86z8soIRfjXibim6q3IxBGl3U2XK90jViopS/s4032/20220811_134531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGO3k6TkSOXPyWi3OY-Lk3hOo8mlmyVXS5cWTFIC0SgL1kQ9z87jCwlKNBYwAMEnlhfFmCSLcX2DX8Wu1fN7pD1tQ8Q3qR8T0CKXtGI-mMkaBZTx4OrSQ4hzTIwxl3HvIBmhgnXetZJWbSU-_RnPAD86z8soIRfjXibim6q3IxBGl3U2XK90jViopS/w360-h640/20220811_134531.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSxS6MLXSV5AT8Cd-akHMjGAZCu7IoOZvmwPO-k9ZcvoX34D4_mhQFD6naSFJKNTJh0R7I1IviMw7woELfJuZ8Jp4HRESirSjf6wmhigCTXhFiIh6F2s1PYYNrKpjaoElGKTNefWSMCerkrEVsW-GPzmS-UDVAKUVfJg3mtkgeMMKAWUWuvWSv5Gs/s4032/20220811_134735.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrSxS6MLXSV5AT8Cd-akHMjGAZCu7IoOZvmwPO-k9ZcvoX34D4_mhQFD6naSFJKNTJh0R7I1IviMw7woELfJuZ8Jp4HRESirSjf6wmhigCTXhFiIh6F2s1PYYNrKpjaoElGKTNefWSMCerkrEVsW-GPzmS-UDVAKUVfJg3mtkgeMMKAWUWuvWSv5Gs/w360-h640/20220811_134735.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEfqmwJJ3HLHJS29XwXPQJz9bjqydLL2l7BuvmdMVkCpwwA_Sfx2S_rfW7nKwZoVGL_fd6qIvGjbcAS63JU7wmODv3C0KNYo40davB2tH65HUC2njGFlNY3rHQY6WgN3F9a2oD5QPTAKzD2Jmo9_ykMDZWpM0Cl0xoGqwx3C0-2aNVcVbWPCXWSQt/s4032/20220811_135117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEfqmwJJ3HLHJS29XwXPQJz9bjqydLL2l7BuvmdMVkCpwwA_Sfx2S_rfW7nKwZoVGL_fd6qIvGjbcAS63JU7wmODv3C0KNYo40davB2tH65HUC2njGFlNY3rHQY6WgN3F9a2oD5QPTAKzD2Jmo9_ykMDZWpM0Cl0xoGqwx3C0-2aNVcVbWPCXWSQt/w640-h360/20220811_135117.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><b>Museum of Illusions</b> - I had seen a few of these on social media in different countries, so I was keen to visit. It cost 750 dinar per person. If you are like me, you would want to do everything. We went from the head on a platter, to the fantasy room, to the upside down part , to our faces breaking into pieces like a kaleidoscope, the giant room etc We spent over 2 hours there. It is in the city centre and google maps got us there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSJXxLKqMRX00BhHPagfP8QRT4t3ou85qUXHH7V7nSY1MHZSp3zWSQLs6jb7l26QXZEsVi8vLfIu_THNF2IOMGtrXvUE5oOtVjitH9id8ZRAL-FNDyhQmCGNqgdzvj_v5sIRizA9h56Ben-ulZ1oAAPIGR05ZZuKfIeWcOS0ypGIDjtL-wghtcGs0/s4032/20220811_143305.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJSJXxLKqMRX00BhHPagfP8QRT4t3ou85qUXHH7V7nSY1MHZSp3zWSQLs6jb7l26QXZEsVi8vLfIu_THNF2IOMGtrXvUE5oOtVjitH9id8ZRAL-FNDyhQmCGNqgdzvj_v5sIRizA9h56Ben-ulZ1oAAPIGR05ZZuKfIeWcOS0ypGIDjtL-wghtcGs0/w360-h640/20220811_143305.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSSDB2wwFWEwhGpfGtD5bE0e46kdr68XgrX-9n_y31L67VpxOps312HVBYZHzR0HEusc18TOaWThSquJLcvi4ZLjIouGc8zNAYlWRy1KUTZS46B49kq2D3Wetv_8OZbvoRquksk-buDDcocUAsFiG4-jkBEPqMMRkh5W_4CGRXeEm1tsNxZStYxGK/s4032/20220811_143715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSSDB2wwFWEwhGpfGtD5bE0e46kdr68XgrX-9n_y31L67VpxOps312HVBYZHzR0HEusc18TOaWThSquJLcvi4ZLjIouGc8zNAYlWRy1KUTZS46B49kq2D3Wetv_8OZbvoRquksk-buDDcocUAsFiG4-jkBEPqMMRkh5W_4CGRXeEm1tsNxZStYxGK/w360-h640/20220811_143715.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFxLcFpNLIo5yO5DR_rskT9o93KhPyvapDoIFQNVIewhn-yj8mp6WyhLzAtjYjaeW_jNnnUVgivkKJNaxvRD0uHBv4Vk-RSBuLFivU84hV4qiQvarfGnyczXxGAKPZh8OwO_NZ0S3I8S5yfqCLici5NFIrWH9MEHS3qEc413o9e8enNqo4CRz6HVc/s4032/20220811_145051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFxLcFpNLIo5yO5DR_rskT9o93KhPyvapDoIFQNVIewhn-yj8mp6WyhLzAtjYjaeW_jNnnUVgivkKJNaxvRD0uHBv4Vk-RSBuLFivU84hV4qiQvarfGnyczXxGAKPZh8OwO_NZ0S3I8S5yfqCLici5NFIrWH9MEHS3qEc413o9e8enNqo4CRz6HVc/w360-h640/20220811_145051.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7kiapCeHuT1PW-et0RzdlLb6tVjZDWYF59E7sHr61r5iwEVo_8x6lHgZ8Kr69V1GJfaXYRPSJ7jxBw_Qtixhiyo-zvxCKpETnHZ7Oev0nxYOuD46c1Pt9g9OU5pP-VYG0q_mT1OsIjQ4SgHMjFZJxwWh5sdOJA0wL6t9tSlqJiQaDOZ7FhrqNbIX/s4032/20220811_153032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7kiapCeHuT1PW-et0RzdlLb6tVjZDWYF59E7sHr61r5iwEVo_8x6lHgZ8Kr69V1GJfaXYRPSJ7jxBw_Qtixhiyo-zvxCKpETnHZ7Oev0nxYOuD46c1Pt9g9OU5pP-VYG0q_mT1OsIjQ4SgHMjFZJxwWh5sdOJA0wL6t9tSlqJiQaDOZ7FhrqNbIX/w360-h640/20220811_153032.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0auTN414_nlnPnZctRcCLqNxzu24yQM6K8Ub9wq891wWug3_kpeV0R6aedep59DItuMoX1FgKhHbNe_BF3R7ORhqALMMfFEesPL2z4Wg1xSpduXVy25SKL0VkIi_MA1jrY_3eRNbZrTqlrC13oVmxUoZWX4nyE1uEc4qcJeNOz6T8t52KwOnuVXO8/s4032/20220811_154509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0auTN414_nlnPnZctRcCLqNxzu24yQM6K8Ub9wq891wWug3_kpeV0R6aedep59DItuMoX1FgKhHbNe_BF3R7ORhqALMMfFEesPL2z4Wg1xSpduXVy25SKL0VkIi_MA1jrY_3eRNbZrTqlrC13oVmxUoZWX4nyE1uEc4qcJeNOz6T8t52KwOnuVXO8/w360-h640/20220811_154509.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">National Museum - This one was so big. On the ground floor, on display were different kinds of antiques; archaeology, aquatic, medals, coins, you name it. On the first floor, there were different things representing the early medieval period, medieval heritage and Serbian Art in the 18th and 19th centuries. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmn5B290fppMZ4EfYHL9bT6UUJdc_uMEiA_YQ7wJXUMSeVvQzyy0qgcDmAu0rrRPjWdL-Hrzo12p2ZdqBvSbpc3xsDJ9jiqYu319vmN0VPq2kTU2tZMLRDlG8hBaQvNytdLNB9j6M7IvCXx10FIOBKZMxfUCAQLtx9SXZtKSU-rhUBNNfVn9GReaH/s4032/20220811_160925.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmn5B290fppMZ4EfYHL9bT6UUJdc_uMEiA_YQ7wJXUMSeVvQzyy0qgcDmAu0rrRPjWdL-Hrzo12p2ZdqBvSbpc3xsDJ9jiqYu319vmN0VPq2kTU2tZMLRDlG8hBaQvNytdLNB9j6M7IvCXx10FIOBKZMxfUCAQLtx9SXZtKSU-rhUBNNfVn9GReaH/w225-h400/20220811_160925.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_zTHP0iQRA5XoY62IgHHh8KfQLOcVxMrAmcy_RSTVgnuKrWy3R4jAns8lhni_j3KdAh2tLnXISWl1X2W7V25N8WOI_p0zwKQSmwwOTeLZ2OuELUmmnCmyfRauiy9FOHWLASM7E7eKV2vQ-E0G5yiqyhX-MQVIcj2HKfd4cU2v3avy_YfllggZnO5/s4032/20220811_172709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_zTHP0iQRA5XoY62IgHHh8KfQLOcVxMrAmcy_RSTVgnuKrWy3R4jAns8lhni_j3KdAh2tLnXISWl1X2W7V25N8WOI_p0zwKQSmwwOTeLZ2OuELUmmnCmyfRauiy9FOHWLASM7E7eKV2vQ-E0G5yiqyhX-MQVIcj2HKfd4cU2v3avy_YfllggZnO5/w225-h400/20220811_172709.jpg" width="225" /></a></div></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Finally on the second floor, there was a grand galleria for temporary exhibitions, European 14th to 20th century art and, Yugoslav Art of 20th century. For access to see all exhibitions in the museum, it costs 600 dinar per person, while with 500 dinar, you get to see the ground and first floor. We opted to see everything and that took a while. There were many impressive things to see, I would say plan to spend at least 3 hours if you'd like to visit. The museum staff also recommended that we check out the museum of Yugoslava but after 3, we were done.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZTZdPpwqDqTwg14QBQ90SKtL-m2fMIFk5LGIlN331JI1YFAexjN59yEWIH-7wg1qeLue-FtVRSDe4Jb0RzHTihgfCRiGrJY5gkjIx50ufy8B6F6Fz-KPPuozl7sBZzZ9RBd2IlMRqWGXvufRE_qqRZ_GZY9h5YnHDmW1KLXibadFT7dCR1t6CFMt/s4032/20220811_171656.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZTZdPpwqDqTwg14QBQ90SKtL-m2fMIFk5LGIlN331JI1YFAexjN59yEWIH-7wg1qeLue-FtVRSDe4Jb0RzHTihgfCRiGrJY5gkjIx50ufy8B6F6Fz-KPPuozl7sBZzZ9RBd2IlMRqWGXvufRE_qqRZ_GZY9h5YnHDmW1KLXibadFT7dCR1t6CFMt/w390-h640/20220811_171656.jpg" width="390" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWe05QwnG6T3JTdXUWqxQWIEGgqVBGJTwCc3xi9pQStgHAj-UYZ1dq7DSnhf1FijBU2AQ6qKseVDzedpLLZQFP-ImpuIPuhj_Yp-Bhm_HLVRmOs750av1OJdDn4tn_WcEaJ_sJ1wka30iRL04lP8e52VuBuk8YcqdwcdWDlf9GR1UOjeQ5yIsggZKv/s2303/20220811_172258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2303" data-original-width="2266" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWe05QwnG6T3JTdXUWqxQWIEGgqVBGJTwCc3xi9pQStgHAj-UYZ1dq7DSnhf1FijBU2AQ6qKseVDzedpLLZQFP-ImpuIPuhj_Yp-Bhm_HLVRmOs750av1OJdDn4tn_WcEaJ_sJ1wka30iRL04lP8e52VuBuk8YcqdwcdWDlf9GR1UOjeQ5yIsggZKv/w394-h400/20220811_172258.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Saint Sava Temple was slightly out of town. Once we figured out which bus to catch, we were fine. Google maps was accurate. The church was a wonder to behold with very flashy drawings and paintings. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGN_FTd7eKzllJvBCESFy53wrMXOAp4RNIPHf59y6TNFMGPxPLPlFZMOh_ZB2Pfql6xLhIeu5tl6fEfJ6SCffNPxk_jFJmCpb4ci6Q8PWUm055JuXlF0EBPZvldF27lPBJmQ-knRdiySfM59HJYPQ_2t9PBnvgBYnZ47KeC64mOl3jNBIflIKg3ns/s4608/DSCN0556.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGN_FTd7eKzllJvBCESFy53wrMXOAp4RNIPHf59y6TNFMGPxPLPlFZMOh_ZB2Pfql6xLhIeu5tl6fEfJ6SCffNPxk_jFJmCpb4ci6Q8PWUm055JuXlF0EBPZvldF27lPBJmQ-knRdiySfM59HJYPQ_2t9PBnvgBYnZ47KeC64mOl3jNBIflIKg3ns/w640-h480/DSCN0556.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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</tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">It is said to be the largest orthodox church in Serbia and was built on the presumed location of St. Sava's grave. St. Sava is the founder of the Serbian orthodox church. If you are a bible student, while looking at the paintings, you'll quickly identify which bible stories they are.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">There was a staircase leading to a lower part of the church, I didn't see people going that way but thought to check it out. I noticed that it was closed off with a rope but as we approached, we were allowed in. I assumed that was the norm. After about 30 minutes looking around, we noticed other people coming in. There was a wedding, a Serbian man and a black woman, reason why the person might have assumed we were guests without asking. We might have been able to get away with crashing the wedding, but we respectfully left.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyBKK_KNGXStoKpdj6_NhHmO9mOl8bCXHPEy5SzM3l-Bnhq4s460hWSPmYJXmZ9BgRGKNRSWu5vVoMqZI1ZebRo3GtIM4TXR22WyQXvhFcBJEhy5-v3AH5xC-yGGZO4sHw-rneYybZR0bzVHbWvrG5ZtCQ9JwvdksWdvP2NtbZaIcASVRwuJn0gpm/s4032/20220811_160656.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyBKK_KNGXStoKpdj6_NhHmO9mOl8bCXHPEy5SzM3l-Bnhq4s460hWSPmYJXmZ9BgRGKNRSWu5vVoMqZI1ZebRo3GtIM4TXR22WyQXvhFcBJEhy5-v3AH5xC-yGGZO4sHw-rneYybZR0bzVHbWvrG5ZtCQ9JwvdksWdvP2NtbZaIcASVRwuJn0gpm/w360-h640/20220811_160656.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Republic square just outside the museum</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">On the day we went museum hopping, we noticed the Republic square being set up. The national museum is one of the buildings in the square by the way. Out of curiousity, I went to ask and was told that there would be a basketball match. We decided to wait for it, little did we know how big basketball is in Serbia. It started with a set of matches of people living with disability. It was fun to watch, went on for a few rounds. </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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</tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;">Then agile young blokes came onto the court and then it was all about speed. 15 mins per match and there were a number of teams. While we were there, an energy drink company went round offering drinks and as we were the only black people in the audience, the sexily clad ladies came by to ask for photos with us and the drinks, we didn't mind and obliged. The games went on for hours but we couldn't stay till the end. </span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are some spots in the city centre that definitely have instagram in mind like the Pasteli cake shop we stumbled on. It was so pretty, we had to go in. The attention to detail was impressive. </div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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</tbody></table>Knez Mihailova is a pedestrian and shopping zone in the city centre with lots of spots; cafés, restaurants and lots more. We even ran into a photographer who asked to take our photos. There were street dancers one of the evenings, they did a mix of hip hop, locking and some break dance. I have to say that I've seen much better...</div><p style="text-align: justify;">Zemun is a municipality of the city of Belgrade that was formerly a separate town. It got absorbed into Belgrade with the town's expansion and lies on the right bank of the Danube River. It has a Bohemian yet village like aspect to it. It is known for cafés, lively night bars and the restaurants that line the Danube riverside promenade. </p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0HXM7DB2ASymYAlYuQC5LlOm_9NhUlFEzR5UmtHIdtpCzxTqhiDwBmCePUvOjt05weOtIPVEfE8JMF4TQcHt4hxHSAqVrrPvHdcvsur2pbhhXbau58mgSGrJbuZJNKSSn556JOWD9I8lLNs5oZESHuKDzWfjl9Xq-DcOtxcp23Ofl3WUK2du-YmR/s4032/20220812_170429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0HXM7DB2ASymYAlYuQC5LlOm_9NhUlFEzR5UmtHIdtpCzxTqhiDwBmCePUvOjt05weOtIPVEfE8JMF4TQcHt4hxHSAqVrrPvHdcvsur2pbhhXbau58mgSGrJbuZJNKSSn556JOWD9I8lLNs5oZESHuKDzWfjl9Xq-DcOtxcp23Ofl3WUK2du-YmR/w225-h400/20220812_170429.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
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</tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;">The popular gardos tower is in the Zemun fortress, it costs 500 dinar per person to go up to the tower. You'll climb winding stairs to get to the top.</span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRJzU94uVTEaFr3Xmd0bMYIKMhQXGxvXG8wfH5bDLRaiMBC2dH25WlFFtJ8ulTzOF_Wypyn6ulPDxJ_DzXqha1xd3M-UJuTJN_bJmYSuJ1PT4lTFysal73jRVSDt1whYKvg6xSVhm1QWeXQL18blzR_ly24JyLLJtB6WRfD4WHoblAh4AR_QhoZ61/s4032/20220812_172641.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRJzU94uVTEaFr3Xmd0bMYIKMhQXGxvXG8wfH5bDLRaiMBC2dH25WlFFtJ8ulTzOF_Wypyn6ulPDxJ_DzXqha1xd3M-UJuTJN_bJmYSuJ1PT4lTFysal73jRVSDt1whYKvg6xSVhm1QWeXQL18blzR_ly24JyLLJtB6WRfD4WHoblAh4AR_QhoZ61/w225-h400/20220812_172641.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting up Zemun</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerXPOH-1P9WqII66Y9rIBos5ABkwwf2udw5c7XQOYNrsKTIdzAP9614uF5RJ0GDA4lKmjPUpSwe00rLmUsl4e71a3xdL9-OWzU041XrZGaqLtqVm1OKFv535_bRzlRuHV_jl7wpr50RdsM_N75wE3KKTOcO78P8-FOc4LtD9_7nLWF4ShaplzMvul/s4032/20220812_172752.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerXPOH-1P9WqII66Y9rIBos5ABkwwf2udw5c7XQOYNrsKTIdzAP9614uF5RJ0GDA4lKmjPUpSwe00rLmUsl4e71a3xdL9-OWzU041XrZGaqLtqVm1OKFv535_bRzlRuHV_jl7wpr50RdsM_N75wE3KKTOcO78P8-FOc4LtD9_7nLWF4ShaplzMvul/w360-h640/20220812_172752.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view overlooking the Danube</td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdbIxjDiaztfWCPFaf-N-yaGE9Sfxcn9ld6TwWXbuAy-VbY2s2Vzdgnxgw8HVKc1Jg73QjIglCSU5zGgb78P2tzoXLrajdjNvFYoOOF7Wj13BXiT7A72G6OwXcmKqWjKcwApSsiNkGHjfGXZ9-pixhz1bivZ10sYSwWPc5xRWlRGvQyeLGWcPIOXK/s4032/20220812_174120.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdbIxjDiaztfWCPFaf-N-yaGE9Sfxcn9ld6TwWXbuAy-VbY2s2Vzdgnxgw8HVKc1Jg73QjIglCSU5zGgb78P2tzoXLrajdjNvFYoOOF7Wj13BXiT7A72G6OwXcmKqWjKcwApSsiNkGHjfGXZ9-pixhz1bivZ10sYSwWPc5xRWlRGvQyeLGWcPIOXK/w360-h640/20220812_174120.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view was gorgeous</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/AVvXsEhD4JZ-z_6H0CSG92bQQ-19CjcBgfIFQgLkgdRzx3vAWnljIBXNrGhXZBrjuoqm6uaqN_Gi_VzSHq025uG7th27Jtn0DEaU-321uvYbi-_cqHYmuC7EYwBBgBBmy4YMTgnVrgzW3gFwAWl3AizIAMYaAyknKNLKlercsPJQhuedu4thpqBCuGpR5aY6/s4032/20220813_124631.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4JZ-z_6H0CSG92bQQ-19CjcBgfIFQgLkgdRzx3vAWnljIBXNrGhXZBrjuoqm6uaqN_Gi_VzSHq025uG7th27Jtn0DEaU-321uvYbi-_cqHYmuC7EYwBBgBBmy4YMTgnVrgzW3gFwAWl3AizIAMYaAyknKNLKlercsPJQhuedu4thpqBCuGpR5aY6/w360-h640/20220813_124631.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Read the translation. You'll appreciate this if languages interest you</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
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</tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;">We also went to the farmers market in Zemun. The sellers are usually there in the mornings until 2pm. Most people go there for fresh produce, we went mostly for fruit. We also found cured meat, I sure took some with me back to Congo, comes in handy for the field. Some of the Serbian food we tried were Burek, Gibanica, Muckalica, Pqeskavica, Muckalica in bread, Sopska salad, Prebranac and Cevap. Cevap was everywhere and we loved it. We also had Karadordeva Snicla which is a Serbian schnitzel made from rolled up pork or veal stuffed with kajmak and coated with breadcrubs then fried. It is usually served with tartar sauce and baked or fried potatoes. I didn't take photos of all the dishes but you can google to see images :-)</span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9xem2VETAfvp3xDLXhXvZVPCGFlrDoK6YWmFDzDafTnj-gbv4Ng-uRN8vW16Al2FveIbSEJ7n_w-fnzk0Judsa7-SA1p47ygLK0VYk7GeUJ3kofpxUNVURTgXukxQF_Cc5NLKbB5sR2iZpgGsgducyq_nd3K81Sszu4s7JXFq3sgKuNpuup96RYE/s4032/20220813_145330.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9xem2VETAfvp3xDLXhXvZVPCGFlrDoK6YWmFDzDafTnj-gbv4Ng-uRN8vW16Al2FveIbSEJ7n_w-fnzk0Judsa7-SA1p47ygLK0VYk7GeUJ3kofpxUNVURTgXukxQF_Cc5NLKbB5sR2iZpgGsgducyq_nd3K81Sszu4s7JXFq3sgKuNpuup96RYE/w225-h400/20220813_145330.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muckalica in bread, was delish</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2Ndm8j-0cVBTg564uvd56eoNWfGc60KNnHpq8EmMcuXdXeknqXhFf5EMvoMqKSqIshLUWSLusTUYLnyPt-Grxukm45Rrgf9SNvAqZhEpcsnP31TXjes9TdHtL4QJ8S899tySiXPVtVElTX4AtrtmZ55dK_8mScfdmaNp8XqUFKor_IsxVjHhpVVr/s4032/20220813_201702.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2Ndm8j-0cVBTg564uvd56eoNWfGc60KNnHpq8EmMcuXdXeknqXhFf5EMvoMqKSqIshLUWSLusTUYLnyPt-Grxukm45Rrgf9SNvAqZhEpcsnP31TXjes9TdHtL4QJ8S899tySiXPVtVElTX4AtrtmZ55dK_8mScfdmaNp8XqUFKor_IsxVjHhpVVr/w225-h400/20220813_201702.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prebranac aka gbegiri</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>
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</tbody></table><span style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: justify;">We got around Belgrade mostly by bus, otherwise we walked. You won't believe that we got on the buses for free, mostly because the drivers didn't speak or understand English. They couldn't be bothered to try and would just wave us in. One day, a ticket controller came on the bus and asked for our tickets, we explained that the driver could not speak English and let us in. He was asking to go to the same driver to get tickets, we asked if he would help us explain but he was barely getting by with his own English and moved on from us. I loved the part of free transport all around Belgrade. Please do not try this, you might not be as lucky as we were and might receive a heavy fine!</div></span><p style="text-align: justify;">We went on from Belgrade to Novi Sad by train. The train tickets cost 800 per person, one way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkseyoiAqZ4fv8ymucn2DC5NEhXBijLh88NJZTOP1YBpYqBvoqI_0UEkttLpXz6zGvDESCwdd1cLoVcEB5fVODC_SKmQu93iyZG6077XNpvqEhcpNH7rQYX62ESOsutJZ86a5bFEEu534RFZrhh398Pk-t1RJooXa2GiyFUVaGM9dwS6cOIubM3k9/s4032/20220814_133600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXkseyoiAqZ4fv8ymucn2DC5NEhXBijLh88NJZTOP1YBpYqBvoqI_0UEkttLpXz6zGvDESCwdd1cLoVcEB5fVODC_SKmQu93iyZG6077XNpvqEhcpNH7rQYX62ESOsutJZ86a5bFEEu534RFZrhh398Pk-t1RJooXa2GiyFUVaGM9dwS6cOIubM3k9/w360-h640/20220814_133600.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Novi Sad, the second largest city after Serbia, is the capital of one of Serbia's most ethnically diverse regions. People from different parts of Europe are said to have settled here. The city has a modern look and a number of beautifully coloured houses that make neighbourhoods look picture perfect. We stayed in Manoir Apartments at <span face="BlinkMacSystemFont, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; white-space: nowrap;">€</span>70 for 2 nights, another apartment that popped up during my search. It was right in the city centre, a 4 minute walk to the Liberty square. We went everywhere on foot. Once the taxi took us to the address, instructions to get into the apartment were accurate and all was as described in the check in e-mail I received, seamless.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxpTUm3MyHLfw5KqQ4Su11EJ9xcfg2-oA0V9CpH3BUlmnHpWev2LirQilWsbUFrzZJEvgqGghi1poNoEr1ur3Js6L2DbNH0qV7ztoK4bg6-9JU5wpLlwpUlnNR44Fr5lj23h_WX9PU5mv3PhW4-T059Ikdo4xDRxpCcnMAz506gt0slwzxCXOyPt7/s4032/20220814_150557.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxpTUm3MyHLfw5KqQ4Su11EJ9xcfg2-oA0V9CpH3BUlmnHpWev2LirQilWsbUFrzZJEvgqGghi1poNoEr1ur3Js6L2DbNH0qV7ztoK4bg6-9JU5wpLlwpUlnNR44Fr5lj23h_WX9PU5mv3PhW4-T059Ikdo4xDRxpCcnMAz506gt0slwzxCXOyPt7/w360-h640/20220814_150557.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifahpliTy3Hh35496gUP0AwhhLMMFxTfgivQwANgpqKDaTurbgnCwZK4ZWFgoq9nfuM-ku9msFvMN1c4X7fw_68CPSZyXbanDwPAiyNbAMAPR7tbg9NCHvljiZmibLy4EfHIHvKM6G4hpz618lLVazN2Ihvx5A5GZj-6zOI7JadGJUwigzEk3-75El/s4032/20220814_150845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifahpliTy3Hh35496gUP0AwhhLMMFxTfgivQwANgpqKDaTurbgnCwZK4ZWFgoq9nfuM-ku9msFvMN1c4X7fw_68CPSZyXbanDwPAiyNbAMAPR7tbg9NCHvljiZmibLy4EfHIHvKM6G4hpz618lLVazN2Ihvx5A5GZj-6zOI7JadGJUwigzEk3-75El/w360-h640/20220814_150845.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">Trg Slobode, the Liberty Square in the city centre is one to see. It has the Name of Mary Church, the bronze statue of Miletic, a former mayor of Novi Sad, who it seems was a casse tête for other leaders. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd059RnlKTykAtLL82_paSvgJYlzmQimndw1R_G1JO6dduNCvshGxRg7Hf_-oDmLWvn8lE_7tnCmNg-pF4wYSs7KgGdvAK28tZw0rkpYKPVsALYAmHWsUd8fz_VIJgTB5z8jJsf7OkCOUISgDn95XCWrNCwVkrHzo6O_xz60ubHQzM5J_AS57e-BU8/s4032/20220814_151627.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd059RnlKTykAtLL82_paSvgJYlzmQimndw1R_G1JO6dduNCvshGxRg7Hf_-oDmLWvn8lE_7tnCmNg-pF4wYSs7KgGdvAK28tZw0rkpYKPVsALYAmHWsUd8fz_VIJgTB5z8jJsf7OkCOUISgDn95XCWrNCwVkrHzo6O_xz60ubHQzM5J_AS57e-BU8/w360-h640/20220814_151627.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">As you walk a few meters from the square, the Novi Sad Jewish synagogue isn't far off. The synagogue holds painful memories but stands as a reminder to the atrocities that were committed.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPatMcfDEnECN-phkrZgAYBkMoOWipe30oMHNUgV2VwyX9H4w4_V5HrP1dlWsYictoYHmkVEfNJN7_CbpYAQsqVpMagM1sjn0woV2KzhT57y45m3Q6FixWu0TcdzOSMldZythTA-hP3hyeXQaXH3mfltE9lwyV-_Lv63h9JZpCN2LHYjbhigj_8QMs/s4032/20220814_152621.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPatMcfDEnECN-phkrZgAYBkMoOWipe30oMHNUgV2VwyX9H4w4_V5HrP1dlWsYictoYHmkVEfNJN7_CbpYAQsqVpMagM1sjn0woV2KzhT57y45m3Q6FixWu0TcdzOSMldZythTA-hP3hyeXQaXH3mfltE9lwyV-_Lv63h9JZpCN2LHYjbhigj_8QMs/w360-h640/20220814_152621.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Jewish synagogue</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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</tbody></table></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Dunavska (Danube) street in the city centre is an east to West thoroughfare that is partly pedestrianised and lined with stately mansions and townhouses. </span><span style="text-align: justify;">We were always around it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHUXbrFQZJaBXSFUkz3b24OOWGsF_fP_5mM7oAJRKVmEP953GvUDAxYFGX3tT53UTlq3IfHGfHbfR9qjqG9V1FKKL4LTKBZICpbbfMY1aEQAVR8N7eBZQmbAc_QFF20jNXvAwNzqMNkmbAIn0c_Y7JOw3EY4snP8Fs5BQ-7j6owHDQFQ-XwNIMVRw/s4032/20220814_210321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHUXbrFQZJaBXSFUkz3b24OOWGsF_fP_5mM7oAJRKVmEP953GvUDAxYFGX3tT53UTlq3IfHGfHbfR9qjqG9V1FKKL4LTKBZICpbbfMY1aEQAVR8N7eBZQmbAc_QFF20jNXvAwNzqMNkmbAIn0c_Y7JOw3EY4snP8Fs5BQ-7j6owHDQFQ-XwNIMVRw/w640-h360/20220814_210321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One of the nights as we wandered around, we stumbled on a live concert which was lovely.<br /><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The street is lined with bars, restaurants, cafés, etc. There are always people sitting out and living their best lives. The Vladicanski Dvor (Bishop's Palace) is a beautiful building that stands out and lights up beautifully at night. It seems the Bishop still lives there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnrbNZF4dnv1AiDactNCxaT7eQ0Rc2Qf2M0Oe_LTZxAd2u88m93Vsj-Z6FSaoADOSHkSlR9g82BIRtrxOrq-6OIFUOw30eGCvRSpu2dR3JKsN-HpDwUxYdA88u3A6M8IrythYpKdmYHfak9rqgLhI-dU_mRCkWuk6rnf0fUdFa2bdfqhpyRCn5KXY/s4032/20220815_144111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnrbNZF4dnv1AiDactNCxaT7eQ0Rc2Qf2M0Oe_LTZxAd2u88m93Vsj-Z6FSaoADOSHkSlR9g82BIRtrxOrq-6OIFUOw30eGCvRSpu2dR3JKsN-HpDwUxYdA88u3A6M8IrythYpKdmYHfak9rqgLhI-dU_mRCkWuk6rnf0fUdFa2bdfqhpyRCn5KXY/w360-h640/20220815_144111.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spotted this on the way to the fortress</td></tr></tbody></table>We saw these picture perfect neighbourhoods on the way, the photos do not do the place justice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPTHBzNSs6dlJ_ZY_mgCRVoMCvMedPQ2E1DLC2Scpu-MbHfpG7xpgO33ning-Movm5Xk5Bpv7RDqt33dkUjKmXdNWqB0QjlYW37X79tkmEDM6_gX9PJgJkLF17iEi6SlFUDOImITfCwDvucmI-PobVhhudufdQrjtsrRH7Ci4hLEzNTm6g6gn8noo/s4032/20220815_150724.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPTHBzNSs6dlJ_ZY_mgCRVoMCvMedPQ2E1DLC2Scpu-MbHfpG7xpgO33ning-Movm5Xk5Bpv7RDqt33dkUjKmXdNWqB0QjlYW37X79tkmEDM6_gX9PJgJkLF17iEi6SlFUDOImITfCwDvucmI-PobVhhudufdQrjtsrRH7Ci4hLEzNTm6g6gn8noo/w225-h400/20220815_150724.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
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</tbody></table></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Petrovaradin fortress has history behind it but these days, it is more of a tourist site and you'll get a beautiful view of the city once you go on top. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvS6aiEVcY5Ht6HJM3TAFCjMO8yFBC98DwMTUTKny6S-3HBLx7Ng-BW7T_LCuyYoY8QanxSzPJD2kGhaITS9yjDiIR5IilnKtrifDdXHFBg3NbPfMV9gst1-nq1uPpTlXenfFAd5wzV72M11YgsCVESKPKI5SLqocbCwTC7jQB3C0JSQ6HLh56oRI/s4032/20220815_151606.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvS6aiEVcY5Ht6HJM3TAFCjMO8yFBC98DwMTUTKny6S-3HBLx7Ng-BW7T_LCuyYoY8QanxSzPJD2kGhaITS9yjDiIR5IilnKtrifDdXHFBg3NbPfMV9gst1-nq1uPpTlXenfFAd5wzV72M11YgsCVESKPKI5SLqocbCwTC7jQB3C0JSQ6HLh56oRI/w640-h360/20220815_151606.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the fortress</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">From the top, you can also get a close view of the clock tower. The museum was closed on the day we were there, but should be one to see.</p><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-insideh: none; mso-border-insidev: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1T_tQzf0f41dcdBs1s2c7sdpmHH0ZHeVsY2WDrmXbtWFnxbi1cbpjymOCfUxO6HsJmYc5-o-FvaIs3iIsVlU6xarvtjBI2yJ4dEukdMJTZpvEJDk33-o4mM5iUp18dUS_VGG-D4vVVz09pJ99-Swvz92nJUIYm6dlxayA-ldILWHsIfVO4CF_aW_/s4032/20220815_154607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1T_tQzf0f41dcdBs1s2c7sdpmHH0ZHeVsY2WDrmXbtWFnxbi1cbpjymOCfUxO6HsJmYc5-o-FvaIs3iIsVlU6xarvtjBI2yJ4dEukdMJTZpvEJDk33-o4mM5iUp18dUS_VGG-D4vVVz09pJ99-Swvz92nJUIYm6dlxayA-ldILWHsIfVO4CF_aW_/w225-h400/20220815_154607.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
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</tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;">From here, you can see the St. George's cathedral which is Novi Sad's main orthodox church, we walked past it but didn't have the time to go in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMu3fhMurTY12_FvuPICels5g7Fl6ipx1mEXPp2eJjWOdz8UJF1IPKRGvbjZFfoJkPDhiVsl1HaQbS4IhVMFX8ie0zq7L8Lw_1bnqgJfMtG6KB50ppqYeEdHZ0QQv1wnM_yC6mq0msbSlM3oKgzgwzSgS5ujkzL5Och_2b-vlZTQTw7PVhVMuV8wd/s4032/20220815_152225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMu3fhMurTY12_FvuPICels5g7Fl6ipx1mEXPp2eJjWOdz8UJF1IPKRGvbjZFfoJkPDhiVsl1HaQbS4IhVMFX8ie0zq7L8Lw_1bnqgJfMtG6KB50ppqYeEdHZ0QQv1wnM_yC6mq0msbSlM3oKgzgwzSgS5ujkzL5Och_2b-vlZTQTw7PVhVMuV8wd/w225-h400/20220815_152225.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIkJ5WbX5FZip8Tb7RX21-Yl7zHEfK_uL1I76CduRa0T2SJchFWfpxFE3smkZUKDQZpAwmao0H-6fdFJy-TbbWcCARBGRueaUCOzt9wEvJ9LFhnHnhvU-3dRl0NdU5wHgaxDEK223Gc9LWr2ChlOMByXpRHoIWSTd6l10FhXh1YD2Gwm5zTC7nb8A/s4032/20220815_155253.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIkJ5WbX5FZip8Tb7RX21-Yl7zHEfK_uL1I76CduRa0T2SJchFWfpxFE3smkZUKDQZpAwmao0H-6fdFJy-TbbWcCARBGRueaUCOzt9wEvJ9LFhnHnhvU-3dRl0NdU5wHgaxDEK223Gc9LWr2ChlOMByXpRHoIWSTd6l10FhXh1YD2Gwm5zTC7nb8A/w640-h360/20220815_155253.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti is common</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: justify;">One thing to note, people stared at us, a lot. They couldn't help but notice our beautiful brown skin 😀 We had a few incidents, but I generally do not let these spoil my trips as they are not unexpected. The notable ones for me were at the airport. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">1) on arrival, as my brother and I approached the immigration officers, I went to the free counter and it was a lady, who was quite rude. Granted she was doing her job by asking me all the questions in the world and scrutinising my passport like I stole it, but she could have had a little courtesy. It was the same thing on the way back, with a different lady. So maybe they did not like my face. Should I return to Serbia, I would go to the male officers. My brother, on both occasions dealt with male officers and was stamped in and out within seconds. On the way back, he saw how rudely I was treated and was fuming while he waited for me.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">2) on the other hand, at check in, 2 older couples came up to the counter while we were checking in at the business class counter and the lady at the counter sent them back to the line. They were all Serbian and were communicating in their language, then she looked at us and said in English, "we are business class". I looked at her and politely said "so are we". </p><p style="text-align: justify;">Overall, Serbia was a fun trip and I would return to explore more places if I have another chance to visit.</p></div></div></div>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-21925719012107279292022-09-08T13:58:00.000+01:002022-09-08T13:58:04.316+01:00An era driven by validation<div style="text-align: justify;">In search of validation by likes, comments?</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ever noticed how when you post something on social media, you instinctively pick up your phone numerous times to check how many likes or comments you might have? Or how we scroll aimlessly through our feeds looking for nothing in particular? I am guilty as well!<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I heard a couple talk of the highs and lows of parenting and how other parents made parenting look so easy with photos on instagram. Although they have come to embrace it, there are things they wish they were warned about or guided on.</div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Social media has a way of sucking us all in and at the same time deceiving us that everyone's life is so glossy. In many cases, we share our best moments on social media. The ability to distinguish between that and real life is key, especially in an era of such consumerism.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6oetMheXgp1nN9Njoz-LUDBN0xXKZBqa0m-3r_e22pLLSQa8ZHYtE2y1jYELV_08uyTvlIz53BpIGf_Wv9bR0_pKuYWf0j67v4D-Z4GhtW0ONUh44fUBeLy0hFEj7d89ujOEMmhTzAsg_nGcnaTT61hbo0MGR_5ik4NGiDEXy2eWOweox61ZTN5U/s225/validation.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6oetMheXgp1nN9Njoz-LUDBN0xXKZBqa0m-3r_e22pLLSQa8ZHYtE2y1jYELV_08uyTvlIz53BpIGf_Wv9bR0_pKuYWf0j67v4D-Z4GhtW0ONUh44fUBeLy0hFEj7d89ujOEMmhTzAsg_nGcnaTT61hbo0MGR_5ik4NGiDEXy2eWOweox61ZTN5U/w400-h400/validation.png" width="400" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;">Think of seeing a couple so in love today, all those #couplegoals posts, then tomorrow you find that they are parting ways. I generally wonder why a couple's divorce or people having a go at each other are always so popular?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">You might see someone living their best life one day, the next you might hear that the person is depressed or even worse might have committed suicide. If social media were to be used as the standard for living, life would be extremely complicated. I worry about the younger generation that places such importance on appearances, they tend to be driven by the number of likes or comments. Why should a stranger's validation matter?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rubbish sells and in the bid to get more likes or be the first to break the next big gossip headline, quality and cross checking is overlooked. Social media seems to love flashy things; gossip, fashion and banter where people tear each other down. Sometimes it even looks like a competition of who can leave the meanest comment.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Intellectually stimulating posts receive little likes or publicity which is worrying. Research has shown any activity that requires thinking, problem solving and attention focusing may be beneficial. As we age, we experience cognitive decline, to make this slower, intellectual stimulation is one way. What does this have to do with social media? We all need some distraction and social media can be a lot of fun. However, we can easily fall into a pattern of looking only for gist and gossip. Or get discouraged when we put up posts and they don't get the kind of attention we might like. Social media can also be a great learning tool as it has all sorts. Make it work for you. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Validation? How much does it matter at the end of the day? People use social media for different purposes but I use it mostly for fun, I do not want it to become another thing that adds pressure to my life. It is true that certain comments or likes could be a game changer especially for those who use it for business purposes. In my case, if the likes and comments come, cool. Otherwise, I just have fun with it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reference - <a href="https://www.drlamcoaching.com/blog/intellectual-stimulation-activities/">Intellectual Stimulation Activities: Powerful Effect On Mental Health (drlamcoaching.com)</a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-32784488479893103952022-08-12T12:00:00.001+01:002022-08-12T12:00:59.204+01:00What kind of traveller are you?<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When it comes to travelling, there are different categories of travellers :</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">1) those who get to the airport way ahead of their flights, then take all the time to stroll around or just wait at their boarding gates</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2) those who wait for last minute, are constantly in a hurry, running or missing flights</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">3) those who spend their time window shopping or eating</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I happen to be in the first category. I get into a bit of a panic when I'm running late, so I would much prefer to get to the airport early, ahead of the long queues. This saved me once when I was asked to do a covid test by an airline because they had not yet updated their regulations (didn't need a test) from the country I was travelling to. Thankfully, there was a place to do an antigen test at the airport, and I had more than enough time to get the result, check in and wait to board.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I recently had to travel to London via Kigali, Nairobi and Paris. There was a 40 minute delay from Kigali which was not a problem. However, on arrival in Nairobi, there was a 3 hour delay. I watched the time pass and kept consoling myself that I would make the connecting flight in Paris. At times like these, you watch time pass quicker than anything. I spent 40 minutes in Paris and I spent a good amount of that time on ground running. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwGGjucRhk7_OIrRokF2tAoWOBuAig8HQtdvaFXs7TWzSR1IuNH02KIKAFUWVstdSelTfuX5h55BCN9LpAJcu7WqROOharv-4Okx9dOffHGI6GnBFv1gboxDGYeowtkd2IvuDqKWm_eEC6zJOopIJIUEVDONhF5wVe0NloZEtWF-FuIbCEVJlRDTFy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1024" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwGGjucRhk7_OIrRokF2tAoWOBuAig8HQtdvaFXs7TWzSR1IuNH02KIKAFUWVstdSelTfuX5h55BCN9LpAJcu7WqROOharv-4Okx9dOffHGI6GnBFv1gboxDGYeowtkd2IvuDqKWm_eEC6zJOopIJIUEVDONhF5wVe0NloZEtWF-FuIbCEVJlRDTFy=w640-h432" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As we arrived, we disembarked then got on the bus that took us to the terminal. That took about 15 minutes then I ran from the bus to get through security. Thankfully, there wasn't a long queue but as every minute passed, I was getting more and more apprehensive. I saw some people go right under the security barriers, but I didn't want anything to delay me more than necessary in case someone decided to be difficult with me. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anyway, it took me 7 minutes to get through security. I felt my phone vibrate but that was the least of my worries. As soon I got through security, I ran like my life depended on it. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had a family event in London starting at 2pm and I kept saying to myself that I could not miss that flight. I was to arrive around noon. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">As I approached the boarding gate, the counter seemed empty, but I kept running. Right on cue, a lady appeared, then shouted London in that familiar asking tone. Out of breath, I shook my head while running to get to her and she gestured for me to slow down and said it was okay. God knows I was grateful for that. I was the last one to get on the plane, the door closed right as I got on. I sat down, panting, then I spotted a couple that was on the Nairobi flight as well. They were seated just in front of me. I remember seeing them go under the security barriers, I spoke to them. You made it from the Nairobi flight. We all shared the knowing laughter of 'we made it'. As I was about to switch off my phone, I saw a text message from Air France notifying me to go to the boarding gate. That must have been the vibration I felt while waiting to get through security.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Of course my suitcases did not make it onto the plane. As we landed, I got another text message notifying me that my suitcases were in Paris and would arrive on the next flight, which was at 4pm. I found the Air France baggage unit, filled out the forms with my address and my suitcases were delivered the next morning. I have to admit, their service in this regard was great. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I find Airports very fascinating. It's a place where people 'put aside all dignity' </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">if need be,</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> when it comes down to it. The two times I have had to run like this (with no shame) to catch planes, were between London and Paris. First time was in London in 2010, I was returning to Paris where I lived at the time and this time, in Paris. Fortunately,</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> all ended well for me, I can't imagine how frustrated I might have been if I had missed the flight.</span></p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-72648348446990033682022-06-22T12:15:00.000+01:002022-06-22T12:15:21.544+01:00A Very African Problem<p style="text-align: justify;">Pilar had been quite stressed at work and was looking forward to getting away from her life in Bangui, Central African Republic. It had increasingly become unsafe with more and more car jackings taking place. The curfew constantly made her feel imprisoned, it was midnight at first, then it moved to 11pm but was recently changed to 9:30pm. What could anyone possibly do before 9:30pm? The only time to socialise was during weekends, people from different organisations organised barbecues and house parties during the day. From 8pm, one by one, everyone would start to jump into their cars, contacting their various radio rooms to announce their return home, not to contravene security rules. The country was known for its constant conflicts. Rock club was always full during the weekend, of those wanting to swim, to play tennis or to just sit out in the sun. Hôtel Ledger was known for their Sunday brunch and also had a nice pool, then hôtel Oubangui, not the fanciest but had good massages. These were some of the things that helped Pilar decompress during weekends.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrI7MGBXmnF735udIB6dflAl_FiGv1dCLpFmAivH8_V9UR3nBAk5fpLZFVX-ajidzEwh46Ac-pp_w7J8jndEQn9GEj10Co13XO2zKfjaCz6JB3cddx4Y2umpp1Aqau62IGPz41F9_Zqe84N_lGuCmhmO3J4PltpCHJScFD6ZSihDLtlI5amHDX_GE/s1920/plane_takeoff_sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrI7MGBXmnF735udIB6dflAl_FiGv1dCLpFmAivH8_V9UR3nBAk5fpLZFVX-ajidzEwh46Ac-pp_w7J8jndEQn9GEj10Co13XO2zKfjaCz6JB3cddx4Y2umpp1Aqau62IGPz41F9_Zqe84N_lGuCmhmO3J4PltpCHJScFD6ZSihDLtlI5amHDX_GE/w640-h400/plane_takeoff_sunset.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>She was slowly becoming irritable especially as she had such a toxic boss who would constantly gas light her and never give her credit for anything. She was able to deal with all of this for a period especially because she had an amazing team. But she was getting to the point where she needed to get out and breathe.<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">On the other hand, Pana had the best boss, her boss was so supportive and although Pana was a brain and was good at what she did, her boss was always willing to guide her where needed. On some days she was unsure of her boss’s niceness, but she was coming to terms with it that not everyone was out there to do her dirty. She accepted that her boss was indeed a good woman. The only downside was that she had a team of varied people. One of her team members who would always do the most, constantly tried to twist her arm to flip things in his favour. If she were not mentally strong, the guy would always have his way. From mansplaining, to manipulation and even undermining her authority. It didn’t seem to sit well with him that this boss of his was an African woman. Obviously, he was European and definitely one of the bad eggs. You would think that people who work in the humanitarian sector would have a little more empathy, but more and more Pana found out that people who wanted to be evil would be just that, no matter what line of work they did. She always knew that Pilar would understand, so they would spend so much time on the phone unpacking their woes of working in the humanitarian sector.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Pana was in Juba, South Sudan, which she heard was one of the hardest places, or so they thought. Granted there were limited amenities, but life was pretty normal. There was a bubbling scene of expatriates - humanitarian workers like herself and others from different international organisations. It was easy to meet people and just after a month of her arrival, one of her colleagues introduced her to one of his friends who invited her to brunch. To her surprise, brunch was with a bunch of pleasant ladies. And these brunches would become a core part of her weekends through her life in Juba.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Pilar and Pana’s holidays were around the same period, so they decided to plan a girls trip. They decided to meet in Geneva then visit 4 countries in a span of two weeks. Switzerland, France, Italy and Spain. It was a trip worth looking forward to. Both of them sent out visa applications while their holiday was slowly drawing close. Pilar was Cuban while Pana was Nigerian, they both understood the stress that came with visa applications and the need to apply way ahead of time. Being the humanitarian workers they were, they decided to try the cheapest airlines available. Pilar was going to fly with Royal Air Maroc while Pana was going on Egypt Air.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">As the day finally arrived, they both sat at the airport exchanging messages, arrival time to Geneva was one hour apart. As much as Pilar loved travelling, she didn’t much like security at airports, it got her agitated. She went through the rigorous process at the airport in Bangui. The place was far from ideal, but she heard the airport had been that way since the 80s. The country in general was one that could pull on her very last nerve but she was there to work so she had no business getting into those debates. Her flight was called, and off she went. The flight was smooth, the plane seemed old, but her expectations were low for how cheap she got the flight. She had a lay over of 2 hours in Casablanca before continuing. On this leg of the journey however, the plane was neat and much newer than what she arrived with. She didn’t give it much thought and was just in a hurry to meet up with Pana. Getting through immigration, the officer used some equipment to scan her passport and visa. He kept checking if her visa was fake. While Pilar was there, other lines were moving, four people had already been through the one next to her. She watched him in his confusion but when she had had enough, she brought out her work identification and instantly, he let her through, forgetting to stamp her passport. He barely looked at the identification, but the logo was all he needed to get things moving, it was just enough to brandish it. Pilar drew his attention to put his stamp, then she was on her way to get her suitcase.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Their meeting was epic, with lots of screams. Pilar insisted on waiting for Pana at the airport and she was grateful she did as it was such a pleasant reunion. Pilar mentioned how grateful she was to have had one hour to calm herself down from her arrival incident. From their conversation, they both gathered that Pana had a similar experience, but had it worse with the airline. She described Egypt Air as a fraud. She complained about their service and how mean the flight attendants were. She found the plane from Juba to Cairo rickety, packed and they were only given dates and bread for a four-hour flight. The plane from Cairo to Geneva on the other hand was new, half full. Thirty minutes into the flight, proper meals were served. It was equally a four-hour flight, so why was there such a difference? Pana concluded by saying “Africa, we are our own problem”. Pilar sighed and replied to say that these things were not unique to Africa but she had noticed that it was indeed on a larger scale around the few African countries she had been to. They did not understand why Africans regarded themselves less and treated foreigners better than they treated themselves. Were there no regulations to check the quality of airplanes with airlines for instance?</p><p style="text-align: justify;">They quickly reminded themselves that this was not the time for heavy topics. As they made their way to catch an uber, they agreed that it was time to disconnect and have undiluted fun.</p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-7427273757803111862022-05-26T17:53:00.000+01:002022-05-26T17:53:01.647+01:00There Is No One Size Fits All Approach To Stress And Burn Out
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Not so long ago, when reference was made to burn out and stress, there was a tendency to think it was something far fetched. Or something that had other forms in which it manifested. However, more people are coming to terms with this and how it is linked to mental health. From my experience, I realised that a good number of people are indeed stressed, burnt out and in dire need of a break. It manifests little by little, our body tells us, then as the signs accumulate, chronic stress manifests and some people never recover from it. At this time, immunity is weakened, which could easily culminate in chronic or terminal illnesses. </span></span><span style="font-family: calibri;">It creeps on you slowly then spirals out of control.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">In the bid to be great at what we do, we sometimes lose ourselves or forget to pay attention to ourselves. Being overworked or stressed these day seems to come with a badge of honour, which makes me wonder why we glorify stress. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">When it gets to the point where we can no longer go on or on those days when it all seems too much, one would like the world to pause for just one minute. But you realise in horror that the world can be cruel and life just seems to go on. One also w</span><span style="font-family: calibri;">onders if some people who are able to stay disconnected from their feelings have a super power. </span><span style="font-family: calibri;">The quick realisation of being dispensable hits differently. From holding it together for so long, it is easy to fall apart. And fall you might, very hard. </span><span style="font-family: calibri;">Through certain kinds of events,</span><span style="font-family: calibri;"> </span><span style="font-family: calibri;">you also get to realise which of the people around you you can really rely on. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6pCWtQ_3_U-Y6X5ZIgV1pWxxp4V_0y8s7E4alhuhLpY4pc7RkAs4JcUxQXOte14cTuBhDJiI3wJ290Czlqwx53B19k1uV00QtPtfrpH4LbboAneVrgf-cA86eNzcMheqdqOs_z7S85Ea-eXbiUU4v4AGmqhOJ7BGMFm5tKQAxnwhPuEwYrP3SLP0/s800/iStock-1224548497-800x640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="800" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6pCWtQ_3_U-Y6X5ZIgV1pWxxp4V_0y8s7E4alhuhLpY4pc7RkAs4JcUxQXOte14cTuBhDJiI3wJ290Czlqwx53B19k1uV00QtPtfrpH4LbboAneVrgf-cA86eNzcMheqdqOs_z7S85Ea-eXbiUU4v4AGmqhOJ7BGMFm5tKQAxnwhPuEwYrP3SLP0/w640-h512/iStock-1224548497-800x640.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><p></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">I'll use an example of myself and that of a friend.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">My friend found a lump in her beast, which was taken out. She had been overworked and stressed for a long time, she is a nurse and lives in the US. She had been bitter about so many things in her life for a long time also. Another one showed up a few months later. One of the doctors ended up asking her if there were unresolved issues in her life. At first she dismissed it, but had to pay attention eventually. Increasingly, medical practitioners recognise that one's mental state is directly linked to the body and the hormones that are produced. Anyway, the second lump was taken out, again it was benign but she had to come to terms with her emotional state and deal with things. It took her a while, but she is in a good place now and falls ill far less than she used to.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Disclaimer - </span><span style="font-family: calibri;">This is just one example and </span><span style="font-family: calibri;">I am in no way saying this is the only thing responsible. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">I on the other hand, tried to speak up when the tell tale signs started manifesting but instead of people listening, I constantly got the reply ‘you are strong, you’ll be fine’. That certainly was not helping so I stopped speaking. I internalised things, I was not sleeping well, I was dreaming of everything. I could be quite analytical so I was thinking constantly, then I went quiet. With some people, I communicated less, with others I stopped communicating, I switched off from social media, news, anything that could provoke me. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">My body continued giving me signs, due to lack of proper sleep. I had constant head aches, I could not digest food properly, yet I was always bloated. According to a doctor, I was not eating enough and my body was producing excess acid so I could taste bile in my mouth every now and then. I constantly felt stressed. The signs are internal as well as eternal, my skin looked dry and my hair started thinning. My hair is still yet to get its normal volume back.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">I was on holiday for a while, so </span><span style="font-family: calibri;">I stayed home</span><span style="font-family: calibri;">. Through that time, I watched my family try to rescue me in vain. Because no matter how hard they tried, it takes time and you in it are the only one who knows exactly how you are feeling. I basked in the hugs, tight hugs. The looks of sympathy and understanding of "I know it is hard for you", the prayers for my well being, cooking to ensure I stayed fed. Everyone contributed in their little way to make it easier.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">I spoke to a coach but realised that it helped just as an outlet, at some point, I needed more than that. So I stopped speaking to the coach. The part where shrinks just listen and do not give recommendations does not work for me. She asked questions to draw out my feelings and for me to try to find the answers myself but it was not enough. It took three months for me to start to feel like myself again.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">My healing came from isolation. I was alone with my thoughts, I felt every emotion and some were so intense. I cried, a lot,</span><span style="font-family: calibri; margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="font-family: calibri;">I exercised, I prayed and sometimes I slept. I was mostly tired and I had little energy for anything. At some point, I had to pick myself up and move on. This may not be the case for everyone. I have heard of people who are unable to pick themselves up and may need professional help.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">I read a number of stress and burn out related posts and research during this period. The one thing that was clear to me was that there is no one size fits all approach to handling stress or burn out. Some people wiggle their way out in two weeks, while it could take some others up to a year or even longer to recover. Did you know that there was a thing called chronic fatigue syndrome?</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">I was sure that I didn't want to be the person who let herself go, and didn't recover from this situation, so I fought. There is so much to do while I'm alive so I make efforts now not to let myself get to that point ever again. In the bid to make a living, to prove yourself, to be the best, don't forget to take care of yourself. </span><span style="font-family: calibri;">For some like me, this was a wake up call/reminder that I am responsible for my well being. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri; font-size: x-small;">Photo Credit - Google images</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Post featured on <a href="https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/05/ene-abah-how-i-rescued-myself-from-chronic-stress/" target="_blank">BellaNaija</a></span></p>
Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-79606971648090070252022-04-22T06:42:00.001+01:002022-04-22T06:42:18.604+01:00Can we get past this?<p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
think I have just the right person for you. You are smart and beautiful, I
wonder why no one has taken you off the market yet. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Boma was on Vee's case, they had been friends for a long time and she
had been married for 15 years, a feat they were currently celebrating. Vee was beautiful and successful but this part
of her life had been on a standstill for as long as Boma could remember. Vee
was a loyal friend, as she stood there attending to guests, Boma could not help
but be grateful for this friend of hers. The anniversary party turned out to be
much more fun than they anticipated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">By the end of the day when they all settled down, the ladies did the
usual, analysing different scenarios and laughing at some. It was always fun
for them. All of a sudden, with a matter of fact look on Boma's face, I meant
what I said earlier today she said to Vee. I do know someone I think you might
like. Vee was not opposed to being set up, so asked for all the details. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVZWJ9a7FoTU8xyAQZFB2tRLxbF5QAXjywl5wDuuc2zBI8OnWQDv80IshsAZbxgfUCHdTLltMNBOkN3Os09oWGTeXF4wvVfzo_pe36rbKhVN0ax9l6sOvPxx4lLHun3c5d3TKNm_vtGl-ee7n_GvLWKGF-3p4Tym3xa0hjcoYnzliICwz_tbLc8mM/s285/1767954126-richard-saul-wurman-quote-i-cant-even-believe-that-just-happened.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="242" data-original-width="285" height="543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVZWJ9a7FoTU8xyAQZFB2tRLxbF5QAXjywl5wDuuc2zBI8OnWQDv80IshsAZbxgfUCHdTLltMNBOkN3Os09oWGTeXF4wvVfzo_pe36rbKhVN0ax9l6sOvPxx4lLHun3c5d3TKNm_vtGl-ee7n_GvLWKGF-3p4Tym3xa0hjcoYnzliICwz_tbLc8mM/w640-h543/1767954126-richard-saul-wurman-quote-i-cant-even-believe-that-just-happened.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Boma had met him at a work event, he
seemed cool, she wouldn't say more. She told Vee categorically that she was
giving the dude her number. When Boma got like this, Vee knew there was
normally no point trying to reason with her. Boma always gets her way.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He called a few times, nothing struck Vee but she was not going to kill
what she had not even given a chance. She agreed to meet with him. On the day
of the meeting, she asked to meet at an eatery that was big and always busy. She
put her phone on silent and sat facing the entrance. This time, she was
determined not to waste her time with anyone that did not seem to make an
effort with his appearance. She was reminded of the last person with which she
was set up, he made her skin crawl. He had body odour and looked like personal
hygiene was not his biggest cup of tea. In the name of wanting to get married,
she was not willing to sacrifice her sanity on the altar of fitting in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
was starting to get impatient as 20 minutes had passed. She called and he said
he was close. She gave it another 10 minutes then called to inform him that she
was leaving. Just as she got into her car and was about to drive off, he called
to say he was outside. She could see the person outside and wondered…he had a
travel bag slung over his shoulder and was holding a bottle of coke. Intrigued,
she got out of the car and as they were both on the phone, they knew. She walked
up to him and asked how he was. He barely looked into her face, he seemed timid.
They could hardly have a conversation, the guy seemed troubled. Just as she was
about to get lost in her thoughts, he offered her his bottle of coke. She politely
declined and asked if everything was okay. His only response was that he had
walked to get here. She didn’t want to make him any more uncomfortable, but this
meeting was clearly not working so she told him she had to leave. As Vee drove
off, she was perplexed, having one of those ‘what just happened’ moments. She decided
not to talk about it to Boma just yet. Boma already had a lot on her plate with planning their anniversary trip.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When
Boma returned three weeks later, there was something about her. Vee could not
place her finger on it, so on their second meeting, she asked. It was like Boma had
been waiting for the question. I feel trapped she blurted; I’ve been married
for so long that I feel like I missed out on growing up. We are 37, but I’ve
been married for 15 years. I see you do certain things and I envy you. I love
my husband and I love my children, but I want more. On some days, it seems that
my husband and I are out of sync, he is comfortable with our life but I want
some kind of adventure. You have the life anyone would want Vee replied, stunned.
She assumed it was a rough patch in their marriage that would pass and being
the unmarried one, she decided to give Boma the space she needed. She was not willing
to hear the usual quip of her being unmarried so she would not understand. It
was convenient that in two weeks, work would take her away for three months so
she would check on Boma but the distance would be good for Vee. She was not ready to
deal with married people drama.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It
had been two weeks since Vee returned and there was a reception coming up, so
she was excited, she had missed social gatherings while she was away, she
had plans to let loose this evening. She was also going to see Boma who she had
missed. She was hoping Boma would be in better spirits compared to the last
time she saw her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Boma
was indeed in high spirits like Vee and they were having a great time catching up until Vee spotted Ralph. He looked different, cleaned up with a cigarette in
hand. What is he doing here she immediately asked. We didn’t have the time for
me to tell you what happened during our last meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
have a lot I would like to tell you Vee…Boma motioned for them to go out. I
asked for a divorce and I started seeing Ralph. You only just celebrated your 15<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary.
Why were you trying to set me up with Ralph if you had feelings for him? </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">Vee had no way of predicting this turn of events. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Before
Boma could even respond, Vee went to grab her bag and made to leave, she heard her name in
the distance as she was leaving, certainly coming from Boma. But she knew that their
friendship would never be the same, if at all it would even survive this incident.</span></p><p></p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-34880002980608911672022-04-16T09:49:00.003+01:002022-04-19T16:54:58.351+01:00Visiting Senegal? A few things to do<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I visited Senegal last month after 10 years! I didn't remember so much about Dakar from the last time I visited, but the thing that struck me most in 2012 was the Gorée Island (île de Gorée) and I knew I had to go back.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Senegal is a small country in West Africa with a population of about 16 or 17 million. Largely on the coast, a good part of the population speaks Wolof, one of the national languages. Wolof and French are widely spoken.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The baobab tree and the lion are national symbols. While talking about boabab trees, someone made reference to how elders sit under baobab trees in rural areas and disputes get resolved under boabab trees. It obviously holds great significance and there are lots of these trees all over the country.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you followed the Africa cup of Nations recently, you'll know that the team that won was the Lions of Teranga 😊</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vNsgg2HyK2ZiWEjBInObTNqGyYrf0O4o_VgmqDOw9eLeREZ1pUTqaaqWxqWlw4JgCsXexL7w2c5KzbtoXtNBi-tylkVLpHJmkKCREKFhZT_8PcXgNbpVdKKOA4ZhuQujKOdIyyHttMBZVh_pQcghwrCUiwP4QSt5VdYSciNUgnLENhvZLl6laTTX/s4032/20220225_131939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vNsgg2HyK2ZiWEjBInObTNqGyYrf0O4o_VgmqDOw9eLeREZ1pUTqaaqWxqWlw4JgCsXexL7w2c5KzbtoXtNBi-tylkVLpHJmkKCREKFhZT_8PcXgNbpVdKKOA4ZhuQujKOdIyyHttMBZVh_pQcghwrCUiwP4QSt5VdYSciNUgnLENhvZLl6laTTX/w360-h640/20220225_131939.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A baobab tree</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Dakar, the capital of the country, has a nice vibe to it, it has a life of its own and there are lots of things to do. The night life is indeed night, as they start late, close to midnight (depending on the kind of fun you are looking for) and go on till morning. There is a wide range of restaurants, bars and hang out spots with live music. There is a beach area lined with exercise equipment already set up. You'll find people exercising there most times, the area is called La Corniche. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In Dakar, the art scene is grand, from street art to graffiti, museums and the art village. The traffic is equally hectic so the colourful streets can keep you company while you get through. Have a look at some of the street art I drove past:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XXxM9sHp_lNe0Y7jZcF_KhugV-WsA0xUH0HK3FaM0XNVhffzmn4hp6PwKL3WEremcImnqQWbFDuTXSCNbk4DA26mRpl4VA_IYEwXAwCdRMYQMLd2MG8RgvwFeyGju93DVqgLyVBRxxwxZ-nzFN_tDQ0SCruDD16dnaqMnbL2uNl5NPgFC_v6zKuV/s4032/20220303_110947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XXxM9sHp_lNe0Y7jZcF_KhugV-WsA0xUH0HK3FaM0XNVhffzmn4hp6PwKL3WEremcImnqQWbFDuTXSCNbk4DA26mRpl4VA_IYEwXAwCdRMYQMLd2MG8RgvwFeyGju93DVqgLyVBRxxwxZ-nzFN_tDQ0SCruDD16dnaqMnbL2uNl5NPgFC_v6zKuV/w640-h360/20220303_110947.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbUB7WEBvK5C5GalON2rNNxhU5-zZRSyH5c9Bw7-nUThzlw-Y3o6sfHf16uEMYNoU_Pz2B7C-V7Mlhle9uuP2VYksXgBDps-rk7W84ugKLXMkW3sg8nocd7s3Mfglf3iXUu8TXXwjerLTp_0MgYu4FmYRnGjmLrbJPlxD7BN-GMcC670ZB8gYsmO7/s4032/20220303_120831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbUB7WEBvK5C5GalON2rNNxhU5-zZRSyH5c9Bw7-nUThzlw-Y3o6sfHf16uEMYNoU_Pz2B7C-V7Mlhle9uuP2VYksXgBDps-rk7W84ugKLXMkW3sg8nocd7s3Mfglf3iXUu8TXXwjerLTp_0MgYu4FmYRnGjmLrbJPlxD7BN-GMcC670ZB8gYsmO7/w640-h360/20220303_120831.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE9arzVw3SUu6c5MMlXpf2xVLrxcbcDxevSo5oF2NrHIBGoBeck5xNcxHoAtN3ZaLhKnozTgsR55QkyptN09Mc5I1a_-z3IXWN37y9QdjuAcH4CTJoPL7XfIdSY-73DfM4XqW6kojW032Wab5jSYtSshrU4gCUfgIgc1t2Vbk4YE5NbVJLv-W_gOL/s4032/20220303_121055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE9arzVw3SUu6c5MMlXpf2xVLrxcbcDxevSo5oF2NrHIBGoBeck5xNcxHoAtN3ZaLhKnozTgsR55QkyptN09Mc5I1a_-z3IXWN37y9QdjuAcH4CTJoPL7XfIdSY-73DfM4XqW6kojW032Wab5jSYtSshrU4gCUfgIgc1t2Vbk4YE5NbVJLv-W_gOL/w640-h360/20220303_121055.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzDHL-w1OwkrzKulRWZlP_ZaEupDRyXrb5T3vXrXzrsz2auWs4I-SIzH_v99pYhqRPxcVKUoNCg-Rz-_QEt2LY5wxKSswf6oM4a4mNbw6alFbuvLcpo8TphfhNIweLw_eUlW359_f_atgGI8NbiChlpxyLLM_D4xGxbHFT1W_jI70H_Jrn7yfwikw/s4032/20220304_125758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzDHL-w1OwkrzKulRWZlP_ZaEupDRyXrb5T3vXrXzrsz2auWs4I-SIzH_v99pYhqRPxcVKUoNCg-Rz-_QEt2LY5wxKSswf6oM4a4mNbw6alFbuvLcpo8TphfhNIweLw_eUlW359_f_atgGI8NbiChlpxyLLM_D4xGxbHFT1W_jI70H_Jrn7yfwikw/w640-h360/20220304_125758.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a name='more'></a></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I dedicated a day to art, and started at the arts village (village des arts). I got there after 11am and was early, so some shops were closed but the ones that were open gave me a good idea of things. Typically most people open at 12pm I was told.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgr4e-odDC9HZudtFgrbktqbAIRrQ4yR-ysXzL1IAM4RntjXFrOkvUcdCbQJ8HenzVt1oGW1VJ1FmBRjAEJ-Fj1uVcQ7rLk9ULp46LmgmuGLXAsJX8S1eHCUjQF-NzOcbdx4aM-0M4qrITQgLvAxXtawkyD59UoF7YhXIIcK-hpK5OiQK3wFy-pL7C/s4032/20220303_114402.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgr4e-odDC9HZudtFgrbktqbAIRrQ4yR-ysXzL1IAM4RntjXFrOkvUcdCbQJ8HenzVt1oGW1VJ1FmBRjAEJ-Fj1uVcQ7rLk9ULp46LmgmuGLXAsJX8S1eHCUjQF-NzOcbdx4aM-0M4qrITQgLvAxXtawkyD59UoF7YhXIIcK-hpK5OiQK3wFy-pL7C/w360-h640/20220303_114402.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The place does not seem</span> so popular, two taxis I asked didn't know the place. I ended up using google maps to get us there.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As I always ask for permission to take certain photos, some of the shop owners were reluctant for me to take photos. Apparently, people publish and use their art work without giving them credit, but some didn't mind. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoYARg7945ay0x5u9u1qrF1EZzF8DPrbg_wvixJSXXzd2L7tgyjtYc8Qx2tXY8E8o-ayX10Jl6qHnYjuKAAffO0xCdIHrSLlMYKBNzOCBZGGUmNLo_XqZLeVYB3fRa7kA1MMHQmdlLisGh9b0-mq_mQskG0WlK4_65Ko06VfmC2YKwoQC99-vdNRj/s4032/20220303_112846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoYARg7945ay0x5u9u1qrF1EZzF8DPrbg_wvixJSXXzd2L7tgyjtYc8Qx2tXY8E8o-ayX10Jl6qHnYjuKAAffO0xCdIHrSLlMYKBNzOCBZGGUmNLo_XqZLeVYB3fRa7kA1MMHQmdlLisGh9b0-mq_mQskG0WlK4_65Ko06VfmC2YKwoQC99-vdNRj/w225-h400/20220303_112846.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0xNQ9CpDvl_Lm1XF-AkMzcxYGvcBLyqUYoSzijJbcpoCHY47u2HsdvHg1E1i0_D3Tcznz6qbE1OcDx_JKLCr-YJgJ4kV4Iiio9U3xhRT0_KQeZfRaLCT9XCZQQDKZaAKm16cL2IjQATfm1Q4hISaDgn65dRy251wZjD0XJllpd1XVUA5U-QFHVyF/s4032/20220303_112937.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0xNQ9CpDvl_Lm1XF-AkMzcxYGvcBLyqUYoSzijJbcpoCHY47u2HsdvHg1E1i0_D3Tcznz6qbE1OcDx_JKLCr-YJgJ4kV4Iiio9U3xhRT0_KQeZfRaLCT9XCZQQDKZaAKm16cL2IjQATfm1Q4hISaDgn65dRy251wZjD0XJllpd1XVUA5U-QFHVyF/w225-h400/20220303_112937.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />The artist who did the paintings above mentioned that it was a new style of abstract art, it was aesthetically pleasing to the eyes.</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh044obLf-d2LKRkHWRoShuCry_wSBlaJbAETw92z0_54OK-SGM69hX4j1Bhq_KAYQJog4jgLA7TqsFTM_O0hX9KS4IPCdlg58wvegi_k6undOMIDPaDHEJH2PaUx2zgjpzrV7voAckuUAkbtPu6fD9V4mvdLREWU1cWZHRbgdn3C6ZrbALmKyCbuyy/s4032/20220303_113511.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh044obLf-d2LKRkHWRoShuCry_wSBlaJbAETw92z0_54OK-SGM69hX4j1Bhq_KAYQJog4jgLA7TqsFTM_O0hX9KS4IPCdlg58wvegi_k6undOMIDPaDHEJH2PaUx2zgjpzrV7voAckuUAkbtPu6fD9V4mvdLREWU1cWZHRbgdn3C6ZrbALmKyCbuyy/w225-h400/20220303_113511.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYbRpyQWBa5ZP9U4FVkfJFTfvk1HBb6R5E3MBzW190qCl2Kwve758OaBrbc1EKbgShDlu_iAjgrMar6YdakpW5M39eiTwJvR7ooSRiusyvvfPpAOqiSibEMSZANu4i-KtuJAIt54bEbvmVokWCHjSW35PWMibrDI4ORU6kGbWQiNq2GsZ6hoYwxzB/s4032/20220303_113710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYbRpyQWBa5ZP9U4FVkfJFTfvk1HBb6R5E3MBzW190qCl2Kwve758OaBrbc1EKbgShDlu_iAjgrMar6YdakpW5M39eiTwJvR7ooSRiusyvvfPpAOqiSibEMSZANu4i-KtuJAIt54bEbvmVokWCHjSW35PWMibrDI4ORU6kGbWQiNq2GsZ6hoYwxzB/w225-h400/20220303_113710.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">From there, I went on to the Musée des Civilisations Noires (museum of black civilisation). It is definitely interesting to visit. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm, with an entry fee of 2,000FCFA.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaJwk1LBNAYZbfA1hzhvrXf-iq8QjIdWsqx-uCbVpqnoZWelawXqj3wn8JXs8E7JLNpawRq29_H2UqmMeY1KSCpMNNlvtG19JeFX_qYD8uBhmreVwBKVc9HRqUZ4PUzjTBEJ68bKZY_gCTxkaAkRE5fGw-PSpqQUme3_v2kYh2ZrkrjgRj6rodRk6/s4608/DSCN0350.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaJwk1LBNAYZbfA1hzhvrXf-iq8QjIdWsqx-uCbVpqnoZWelawXqj3wn8JXs8E7JLNpawRq29_H2UqmMeY1KSCpMNNlvtG19JeFX_qYD8uBhmreVwBKVc9HRqUZ4PUzjTBEJ68bKZY_gCTxkaAkRE5fGw-PSpqQUme3_v2kYh2ZrkrjgRj6rodRk6/w640-h480/DSCN0350.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uQI-zvsrFKILQgN71hQ9VkbhgpVPvL2vVfMqhQ_aD0CZ_1NZfgAx7VsGBD3_jmP75VbLoaeI2ZqqDNqOT3UBwwZIdYp8Xlbqi9bbEGfIMgR15MwEL4HcXlEmareWWFZrwqRqLbObzRJP2-D-EUVG3lX6Z24Pvb0a53v1nb6s58BNNYz-yZQC0YXM/s4608/DSCN0352.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uQI-zvsrFKILQgN71hQ9VkbhgpVPvL2vVfMqhQ_aD0CZ_1NZfgAx7VsGBD3_jmP75VbLoaeI2ZqqDNqOT3UBwwZIdYp8Xlbqi9bbEGfIMgR15MwEL4HcXlEmareWWFZrwqRqLbObzRJP2-D-EUVG3lX6Z24Pvb0a53v1nb6s58BNNYz-yZQC0YXM/w640-h480/DSCN0352.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREET6ZMkMqiBz2IvgifW_pLxIIVgbQuamVF5UJmJVD04eX83esf1FpZ6Ygwd_khj3lvQLZqsv8iM97m4PJDLXUdHRA39-1qn2c5xoiKL9ZGYnYywxUuAzuqjc_Vhmf_F-lWsqdeU1HQlXJRq30FYDX7Gl2EPSdw0bhqx3VVNu08rVW5T63NiYPvPP/s4032/20220303_135013.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiREET6ZMkMqiBz2IvgifW_pLxIIVgbQuamVF5UJmJVD04eX83esf1FpZ6Ygwd_khj3lvQLZqsv8iM97m4PJDLXUdHRA39-1qn2c5xoiKL9ZGYnYywxUuAzuqjc_Vhmf_F-lWsqdeU1HQlXJRq30FYDX7Gl2EPSdw0bhqx3VVNu08rVW5T63NiYPvPP/w360-h640/20220303_135013.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There were so many exhibitions a display of people who have contributed to amplifying black voices from way back. It was interesting to see the new school included like Lewis Hamilton, Hussein Bolt, George Floyd etc</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji41cHyRJxR4Lb77xs2kdfvl7Eu-Ou7yxmiE0G9FqRixisQ5f--qmyzwYdlzEK2FflVGdLxo7ZQWOgLEFvK65a0sv3dhDvSmEPTUQDqh900QlwXXZfxU-LP1ubI4V15hGmxQfcIxQ9X6XUhUUUky7r99PcktV9qlr4LtPasz6SNb2M0IqAbAB7bSZH/s4032/20220303_131312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji41cHyRJxR4Lb77xs2kdfvl7Eu-Ou7yxmiE0G9FqRixisQ5f--qmyzwYdlzEK2FflVGdLxo7ZQWOgLEFvK65a0sv3dhDvSmEPTUQDqh900QlwXXZfxU-LP1ubI4V15hGmxQfcIxQ9X6XUhUUUky7r99PcktV9qlr4LtPasz6SNb2M0IqAbAB7bSZH/w251-h320/20220303_131312.jpg" width="251" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineOS3MD02UNLapWOTxA3PyTC-18cvLjH9Fd5FeUFepnA0BKKwlP-q8ksmKCJGsn8jgLzB9zUBhwPkxBkbkTa2Asy10GPKc0QyiOopwI78-_FrtKxTSkeGDpy-FnzIa6Mtgu_RN9Z7Gq-TVJKH6HPqKc1HQzL5Yy_K8eJL2ZD3PWk8fDiGhro1Fo3C/s4032/20220303_131316.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEineOS3MD02UNLapWOTxA3PyTC-18cvLjH9Fd5FeUFepnA0BKKwlP-q8ksmKCJGsn8jgLzB9zUBhwPkxBkbkTa2Asy10GPKc0QyiOopwI78-_FrtKxTSkeGDpy-FnzIa6Mtgu_RN9Z7Gq-TVJKH6HPqKc1HQzL5Yy_K8eJL2ZD3PWk8fDiGhro1Fo3C/w274-h320/20220303_131316.jpg" width="274" /></a></span></div></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />I saw lots of art works, paintings, history etc from different parts of Africa and beyond. I was beaming when I saw a few art works from at least 3 different parts of Nigeria.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM0WucbOD9PGiFXtM7OKpmYbLhXvkXVWW1z7JPctRO-gjLWqcw6QnyfG0zb0JFZAabYBfTnEoEQxqhXtZRjXGyb6fGVe2iBr7XvQ7u4P5ZaxKY_M1L4vdof5Lpf90-j4ErHnYikQ6fQuNJBUsGT_amqoe2G9UbZ3O9i4LFdjgMx7D2B9_og-gWvFW/s4032/20220303_131612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCM0WucbOD9PGiFXtM7OKpmYbLhXvkXVWW1z7JPctRO-gjLWqcw6QnyfG0zb0JFZAabYBfTnEoEQxqhXtZRjXGyb6fGVe2iBr7XvQ7u4P5ZaxKY_M1L4vdof5Lpf90-j4ErHnYikQ6fQuNJBUsGT_amqoe2G9UbZ3O9i4LFdjgMx7D2B9_og-gWvFW/w360-h640/20220303_131612.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I took lots of photos but a visit to this museum is so much better. A whole section was dedicated to African women leaders. The awareness that women remain a minority in politics made me quite pleased.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZm1DlD66D5szCnAzpwiIeFlpFd8zfke-J79kHR6TsX11HRcgok7hkWFXQ9B_KSItnHheJTNPemsuWLNMRgoJBp5a7DgyTPgO26Qln03DofWvqQ2pGKOab6OT9HmL9RofbZknawuO7IQ2jLTveCt4GrQ9wmiPZ7fTndRLOvmN9HrXxzYpf5hf9R5O/s4032/20220303_132352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZm1DlD66D5szCnAzpwiIeFlpFd8zfke-J79kHR6TsX11HRcgok7hkWFXQ9B_KSItnHheJTNPemsuWLNMRgoJBp5a7DgyTPgO26Qln03DofWvqQ2pGKOab6OT9HmL9RofbZknawuO7IQ2jLTveCt4GrQ9wmiPZ7fTndRLOvmN9HrXxzYpf5hf9R5O/w225-h400/20220303_132352.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8YBu_HtFGbW3WJOc48ygwHAmutruPBsKhKy8OfJOEEsl9DAGdtjgiYskc8m2Zymn1z4zhlyUFNXk7XrkbAyJkSsNYQAsIhh1LOxw5Ww5Rh_op8kQlib_hRULejGrGifNR5YeLZiQEyuWYCPtZDZeo4-SzJC5MBWWAcAcHqCWlsDRm8l-WMOd-jVB/s4032/20220303_134522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8YBu_HtFGbW3WJOc48ygwHAmutruPBsKhKy8OfJOEEsl9DAGdtjgiYskc8m2Zymn1z4zhlyUFNXk7XrkbAyJkSsNYQAsIhh1LOxw5Ww5Rh_op8kQlib_hRULejGrGifNR5YeLZiQEyuWYCPtZDZeo4-SzJC5MBWWAcAcHqCWlsDRm8l-WMOd-jVB/w225-h400/20220303_134522.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There was a part on religion but a large part of that section was on Islam. Senegal has predominantly Muslims so that would explain it.</span></div><div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The African Renaissance monument in Dakar was one I had been waiting to visit, you can probably see my joy in the photo.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFn_mlD031tCQpICP6Vm8AE-x59hpxb-KhMSlPrCm66Tz4DLrJYTyxb5LTqBbVmGqrYsWecRCR4WFVKOSKlKc7KxjY8HAFOGxD8Qh36UXCjISf-eCSsTZu02vVevhK2_fGrcFAg_N7JaEaPk8QZDrks4fu5_FiaNOdmFcZfxIc6iAOVZud35Cz_9Hx/s4032/20220222_144110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFn_mlD031tCQpICP6Vm8AE-x59hpxb-KhMSlPrCm66Tz4DLrJYTyxb5LTqBbVmGqrYsWecRCR4WFVKOSKlKc7KxjY8HAFOGxD8Qh36UXCjISf-eCSsTZu02vVevhK2_fGrcFAg_N7JaEaPk8QZDrks4fu5_FiaNOdmFcZfxIc6iAOVZud35Cz_9Hx/w360-h640/20220222_144110.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The monument is huge and symbolises the triumph of African liberation. It was designed by a Senegalese architect, Pierre Goudiaby but built by a North Korean company. It is possible to go up to the top, but at the time I visited, they were on a lunch break that would last for two hours, so I passed on that.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Of course I went by a few other places not mentioned here, would be too much for one post.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Heading outside Dakar</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It makes a world of difference if you have a car. A friend hosted me through my time in Dakar so we drove everywhere we went. The road network is good, so nothing to worry about there. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">First stop was the <b>Lac Retba</b> popularly known as the <b>pink lake (lac rose), </b>about 30km from Dakar. The dunaliella salina algae that's responsible for the colour produces a red pigment that colours the lake. The lake appears bloody sometimes, so it isn't always pink. Here are two photo I took from different parts.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VOEnKd75iIvSCAv5X_yntGzDfpTGEPHQKA4HfwJnweQJ5jteiJwbV7IOqTZjT_tK6vK-xgAy0DwZGd6etrs4r2YG5xztN4besspNuqck6sT96WSznX8WCGI3o7tfyyo_m5lIBeOdBmjOnF1eqDnlpS_VGtSRCMrzBuYCQGSvwJ4w5b6u-TRlSX3p/s4608/DSCN0301.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8VOEnKd75iIvSCAv5X_yntGzDfpTGEPHQKA4HfwJnweQJ5jteiJwbV7IOqTZjT_tK6vK-xgAy0DwZGd6etrs4r2YG5xztN4besspNuqck6sT96WSznX8WCGI3o7tfyyo_m5lIBeOdBmjOnF1eqDnlpS_VGtSRCMrzBuYCQGSvwJ4w5b6u-TRlSX3p/w640-h480/DSCN0301.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZRbJwnk8iSw4AsY_gKasngGwPATJUnpy8HZVxOQ5eiDU3uzwZcsUwi3VPQE_aahm9DOon9Aqnh3-YL5d-X2-YTsmitfsimkDawLzYRGHkzXtm6iXB6pTusIiyE15MemCaemFDMgDpbz_r48ILu3DIv8L5ZHpNtkWaQ3Yar7ePelxZSeqv5-D0Jmf/s4608/DSCN0303.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyZRbJwnk8iSw4AsY_gKasngGwPATJUnpy8HZVxOQ5eiDU3uzwZcsUwi3VPQE_aahm9DOon9Aqnh3-YL5d-X2-YTsmitfsimkDawLzYRGHkzXtm6iXB6pTusIiyE15MemCaemFDMgDpbz_r48ILu3DIv8L5ZHpNtkWaQ3Yar7ePelxZSeqv5-D0Jmf/w640-h480/DSCN0303.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The lake is 3m deep, 1.5m is made up of salt and 1.5m of water. You can't sink in this lake with its high salt content. We saw a man harvesting salt and were told that 24 tons of salt is exported annually. This activity is quite tedious and to protect their skin, the people who do this cover their skin with shea butter before they start.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ503Y-L1k85zwQ7f-F2Dq8eyHLIYxFPvgM-yR6L2kw0Z3c2zh3zH-f9_LeKdfPM7LXHEghbd2rqqKI8kSVVACTY7DtUhqmf-j2tGKvv0NbHR2Nmt41cXUMkTIfNgrXMaR7uulRdev3DmG2Kt_hx1-gNMM_gfxwuYV_UYOJ817HV0w7-kDCU2S6_9l/s4032/20220223_112719.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ503Y-L1k85zwQ7f-F2Dq8eyHLIYxFPvgM-yR6L2kw0Z3c2zh3zH-f9_LeKdfPM7LXHEghbd2rqqKI8kSVVACTY7DtUhqmf-j2tGKvv0NbHR2Nmt41cXUMkTIfNgrXMaR7uulRdev3DmG2Kt_hx1-gNMM_gfxwuYV_UYOJ817HV0w7-kDCU2S6_9l/w225-h400/20220223_112719.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ncKdrLESSWajLLVfZWS82vz1HVJ2oOx7D5iy7XTs5lPQadrSLbD73_yRLu9QJEuEBPAa0VcQvJOqupbZuRvRy5mhNKy2O7u9u93KYuegNRUgb4uwh0LlSdEgBYvku6D2K2sRwoSFNuUelY0aIEIaemTRXy8PxqIM4prk1JjbAPB8AQuyxSAcI3gJ/s4032/20220223_132847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ncKdrLESSWajLLVfZWS82vz1HVJ2oOx7D5iy7XTs5lPQadrSLbD73_yRLu9QJEuEBPAa0VcQvJOqupbZuRvRy5mhNKy2O7u9u93KYuegNRUgb4uwh0LlSdEgBYvku6D2K2sRwoSFNuUelY0aIEIaemTRXy8PxqIM4prk1JjbAPB8AQuyxSAcI3gJ/w225-h400/20220223_132847.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />The salt comes out looking greyish (pictured above) but as it is left in the sun for a few days, it changes to the normal colour that we all know.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">You can take a canoe ride to the middle of the lake which I did and there are also quad bikes around if you are up for an adventure.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTg9w-fKU0Q-8Ad_JL106AS_dUFaMeWAHzGfsRlOeAv-jXh6U8-Z6Uby5bPtVZ01SvWXKsH7LRf3J_G3SmFQlDNojfzjNaWyKMfeUCyo6v1_iXoBL3y53fT7Grn5K7XJQ_tv_O372C40iB3iaF5QB5naB7dLOnHxU7UQscnWjd1d-cNP0Zbp7L2Dg/s4032/20220223_125544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTg9w-fKU0Q-8Ad_JL106AS_dUFaMeWAHzGfsRlOeAv-jXh6U8-Z6Uby5bPtVZ01SvWXKsH7LRf3J_G3SmFQlDNojfzjNaWyKMfeUCyo6v1_iXoBL3y53fT7Grn5K7XJQ_tv_O372C40iB3iaF5QB5naB7dLOnHxU7UQscnWjd1d-cNP0Zbp7L2Dg/w360-h640/20220223_125544.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Of course I went on a ride!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Next, we went to a <b>shell island (l'ìle aux coquillage)</b> - a small town in Fadiouth in the Thiès region of Senegal. This was one off the beaten path. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The ground is covered in clam shells everywhere and it is a predominantly Christian town with lots of religious monuments showing this. we wandered around the island for a little over an hour.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbGU6n2A0kZ8LEG0Qj7JCE62RzqtU8Z0av0iLcLm4Dao68BgDknhBdQiPV08B4udqlxJVOzJKLHbVF9kj3qFkJ7MgdCfeA6AcN2prKkEo_xdJUxDiHHtMqauKSPWQgU-vAtz6U2BG3acUKjZ92Q3JMAUhC6nYSqJrWOjGvwX6K9O7Y1KwGCrNC7WN/s4032/20220225_123158.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbGU6n2A0kZ8LEG0Qj7JCE62RzqtU8Z0av0iLcLm4Dao68BgDknhBdQiPV08B4udqlxJVOzJKLHbVF9kj3qFkJ7MgdCfeA6AcN2prKkEo_xdJUxDiHHtMqauKSPWQgU-vAtz6U2BG3acUKjZ92Q3JMAUhC6nYSqJrWOjGvwX6K9O7Y1KwGCrNC7WN/w225-h400/20220225_123158.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSJ2C2jIkjdEh5oRh6g_q-bnMLsaSyyfen6av9vPVzHMyG7PTi-_hW1kw7VvUCEU0q-Kpi4fEwFQ6xvUkM13LAeopUaKYq1DQCBIg3Wpx2vuH1jiInD9pqQYi93vIlwq9-Z3MV6C72WQYwuCEwrZjPG1RjbSoSZ6HjHUGi4IU7SYXSmu-WF4Cx-2L/s4032/20220225_123842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSJ2C2jIkjdEh5oRh6g_q-bnMLsaSyyfen6av9vPVzHMyG7PTi-_hW1kw7VvUCEU0q-Kpi4fEwFQ6xvUkM13LAeopUaKYq1DQCBIg3Wpx2vuH1jiInD9pqQYi93vIlwq9-Z3MV6C72WQYwuCEwrZjPG1RjbSoSZ6HjHUGi4IU7SYXSmu-WF4Cx-2L/w225-h400/20220225_123842.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />There are a few of these monuments in random places around the town. We paid a visit to the church.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHo4k2juHYHRACFTPT-EnHKqmwbPglu_-5-06PJ5yc2T4q-ZPUGTa5FS1AK_qsFDn8GlT17w6OTCzOQX8v-rQkCc4dauhH-uRAPjsrsWCYT-yf77DNY_QfegaLrvTO1gmt-lsj9GiYJfqaWtKp4ShBuyqkl5lMK2iY-dQzCwEa-5MoQOQ-Jh3k9JGc/s4032/20220225_123031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHo4k2juHYHRACFTPT-EnHKqmwbPglu_-5-06PJ5yc2T4q-ZPUGTa5FS1AK_qsFDn8GlT17w6OTCzOQX8v-rQkCc4dauhH-uRAPjsrsWCYT-yf77DNY_QfegaLrvTO1gmt-lsj9GiYJfqaWtKp4ShBuyqkl5lMK2iY-dQzCwEa-5MoQOQ-Jh3k9JGc/w225-h400/20220225_123031.jpg" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmqyHnInUYt3sTeCzr1pL8092z-FbwGKJQxetInPtAQbfqG4hGhCDbjF4r8PY-demJNTZ5BAHbniRDGGqMMjgn3incDnJUuYPTu9azDDur4kr42cGZIrxNESjjfuE2dGUk02r4vICGYrahNv79jaDAv1MxzGqQ4HZS0T0J2bBkPs7jFgTsiu7o6v3/s4032/20220225_123116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmqyHnInUYt3sTeCzr1pL8092z-FbwGKJQxetInPtAQbfqG4hGhCDbjF4r8PY-demJNTZ5BAHbniRDGGqMMjgn3incDnJUuYPTu9azDDur4kr42cGZIrxNESjjfuE2dGUk02r4vICGYrahNv79jaDAv1MxzGqQ4HZS0T0J2bBkPs7jFgTsiu7o6v3/w225-h400/20220225_123116.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We ended the day in <b>Saly. Also in the Thiès region</b>, it is around 90km from Dakar and is a seaside resort area. It took 1hr 30mins to get there.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The streets of Saly are lined with resorts, hotels, tourists and a lot of retired people who make a life out there. If you are one for life by the sea/ocean, this might be for you. There are artisanal places you could visit but I didn't visit any. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Saly is not cheap but is laid back and is a place where you can easily rest. I rested and ate quite a lot while I was there.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_9qWhrOnzqSetW4N7gcgBF-5PHI0HX2GU7I_NaNdPzhHHHQk4ynpdX6-Itsr_u9hTDIPIdudtOp6lrjQOhXrqihvmFo_EST0hEfKRITrXo4hN5E1WZ86q6e6u-zdEBi3tQX1hgsUcDNoMewj0lauaLuf0GpxKQtce5JO_Cylj8PwmB2drH9sAQE1/s4032/20220225_090321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_9qWhrOnzqSetW4N7gcgBF-5PHI0HX2GU7I_NaNdPzhHHHQk4ynpdX6-Itsr_u9hTDIPIdudtOp6lrjQOhXrqihvmFo_EST0hEfKRITrXo4hN5E1WZ86q6e6u-zdEBi3tQX1hgsUcDNoMewj0lauaLuf0GpxKQtce5JO_Cylj8PwmB2drH9sAQE1/w360-h640/20220225_090321.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi800v35MNeoqqZAYKsK4Yc_X7xFTOCtjVdDPbraU59T6pRm_Wsb3FiBum6cROh9sWuND3pJ3i6LzrVm9QGRE_QaHG_rpgAAnULU989yHSBLJ0BGZIyhBdWELBO8P-9jGYlWiKwq76lM-1jOeulO4HqYsYdhuuFy6F05RYgqK9-W3DdtRwzRmkJSqge/s4032/20220224_104745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi800v35MNeoqqZAYKsK4Yc_X7xFTOCtjVdDPbraU59T6pRm_Wsb3FiBum6cROh9sWuND3pJ3i6LzrVm9QGRE_QaHG_rpgAAnULU989yHSBLJ0BGZIyhBdWELBO8P-9jGYlWiKwq76lM-1jOeulO4HqYsYdhuuFy6F05RYgqK9-W3DdtRwzRmkJSqge/w640-h360/20220224_104745.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGcMZpmOfMOGOORjA2Fz4FoIsoeSbpODbX36imww26XeXehqpamZnNhv6b8ZUqcX9CpLUKWEoLZR5Aaws_lHnMD1Rh1z8ZfvbaHtFwdeGFwU5co5KLvWHehvuG8Mb8z22nEFaQAOAcQRDLHqWLxVoLP_AuOr_XMbUUO3XIBAaZrFguun8uFkB-55X/s4032/20220224_103453.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGcMZpmOfMOGOORjA2Fz4FoIsoeSbpODbX36imww26XeXehqpamZnNhv6b8ZUqcX9CpLUKWEoLZR5Aaws_lHnMD1Rh1z8ZfvbaHtFwdeGFwU5co5KLvWHehvuG8Mb8z22nEFaQAOAcQRDLHqWLxVoLP_AuOr_XMbUUO3XIBAaZrFguun8uFkB-55X/w360-h640/20220224_103453.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The walkway to be beach in our hotel</span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IJVB8EenfhWHPm5tjRuB9rtBWGzdTsZQPR5E77ogr9j7tiTVBzhsEaNUi8hXEtbjmiNxVytZL5kNKjmKrdc-fLmQUHIbCTPSZrCHg6bilYYSchDsIR5dPjoY2rEx5pJEgFxKnf3BrTk7vU3Vm5yJjdy3PvKRAaYAJydMWoaV0uz5Z339pTa9364D/s4032/20220223_184509.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IJVB8EenfhWHPm5tjRuB9rtBWGzdTsZQPR5E77ogr9j7tiTVBzhsEaNUi8hXEtbjmiNxVytZL5kNKjmKrdc-fLmQUHIbCTPSZrCHg6bilYYSchDsIR5dPjoY2rEx5pJEgFxKnf3BrTk7vU3Vm5yJjdy3PvKRAaYAJydMWoaV0uz5Z339pTa9364D/w360-h640/20220223_184509.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Watching the sun set on the beach</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw20UakWL3O0EK1yCfQDUWk9KNsgugZ9X0LpWBMJWEwphj1_gwQ235EWt5k2cqvIkJj2Jr87Fo3HdCfN0inHgSLfyfoa_PLRjqbghgPJk2v5Z-GuqECjN5ttpo46d07Lg9zragVvzK0AAALQVAZjvFqglj9DTzyKxuaUroiYnYYaRaoAataRHMKCZ/s4032/20220224_090010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw20UakWL3O0EK1yCfQDUWk9KNsgugZ9X0LpWBMJWEwphj1_gwQ235EWt5k2cqvIkJj2Jr87Fo3HdCfN0inHgSLfyfoa_PLRjqbghgPJk2v5Z-GuqECjN5ttpo46d07Lg9zragVvzK0AAALQVAZjvFqglj9DTzyKxuaUroiYnYYaRaoAataRHMKCZ/w640-h360/20220224_090010.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We stayed at the Royam hotel. I quite liked it, I was in a room facing the ocean.<br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzCR4RCGi5XjePQjreAvN5Hhwkz2hKypMt-0buIaxBH3YUbjyHmHhRa94cFiS6S0j-GTPI9afXOfLlxfAnjtT8B_9gcWVbMiKLjNRBQ7PYPwrE6_ZIgQayI6qveTciKyFUAEijmacEs6mkHuXA8nwV0mHfMuYP-DIr2EMG-Xfb-xAr5fHbnyQE8L7/s4032/20220225_092409.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzCR4RCGi5XjePQjreAvN5Hhwkz2hKypMt-0buIaxBH3YUbjyHmHhRa94cFiS6S0j-GTPI9afXOfLlxfAnjtT8B_9gcWVbMiKLjNRBQ7PYPwrE6_ZIgQayI6qveTciKyFUAEijmacEs6mkHuXA8nwV0mHfMuYP-DIr2EMG-Xfb-xAr5fHbnyQE8L7/w360-h640/20220225_092409.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">During one of my morning walks, I spotted this colourful boat</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">After Saly, we proceeded to <b>Samba Dia in Sine-Saloum in Fatick region</b>. This part was for complete disconnection as there was not much to do anyway. There was an option to go through some groves by canoe but we didn't feel up to it, so we did nothing for the two days we were there. We found a hidden gem, Nino Ranch lodge, run by a Finnish couple. There is a homely feel to this place, there is the main house which has three rooms where we stayed and outside there are two other rooms which were executive style. It has an impressive swimming pool that's the shape of Africa, this took 7 years to build. They took their time with it.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The food here, made with love by the owners, is five star! We savoured and loved every single meal.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulYO4dQ5zPxfF4MhTvCFuiHsMf6lGfwvWstn2s_ASSFNZKEuZzcLC6yBDrCPlHC3uFRhMfc54-ujwS_KW_84nlUOmTr_JWoguIFVft2-EMQbm8-91sMZG4d3WIy0TpiMXLrUXo_kFXa4ZIClSqf75JLIC1cFoE7lRTtUfRg68Pq3RQg_-bcof99ns/s4032/20220225_174359.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgulYO4dQ5zPxfF4MhTvCFuiHsMf6lGfwvWstn2s_ASSFNZKEuZzcLC6yBDrCPlHC3uFRhMfc54-ujwS_KW_84nlUOmTr_JWoguIFVft2-EMQbm8-91sMZG4d3WIy0TpiMXLrUXo_kFXa4ZIClSqf75JLIC1cFoE7lRTtUfRg68Pq3RQg_-bcof99ns/w640-h360/20220225_174359.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">There is an inbuilt dining table with benches and a bar in the pool. Can you see the bar stools? The spot where the bar is, is at Senegal on the map.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8MC5CdPnTE3mHEuC9NJH3ZeRS5kwTX6J5o4r7_AL1CAp8a0T0J68ZbUIlK4i5LDWNMYEt241oi0jMBBlK6tgEr-upamMWkZWKszjbPEONemTk2jLUuKmIw5-3RR-he07uy_kjqFY43b8XNcdVtuBEp16mUooeh6Ch6IuGv_iIv4v_UfaCgYZYtjJ/s4032/20220225_174404.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8MC5CdPnTE3mHEuC9NJH3ZeRS5kwTX6J5o4r7_AL1CAp8a0T0J68ZbUIlK4i5LDWNMYEt241oi0jMBBlK6tgEr-upamMWkZWKszjbPEONemTk2jLUuKmIw5-3RR-he07uy_kjqFY43b8XNcdVtuBEp16mUooeh6Ch6IuGv_iIv4v_UfaCgYZYtjJ/w640-h360/20220225_174404.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItiUA6tnaF1ytgj1fgbpguPgH9Bj-p2rcw0HxRMPs_sJPTLtK52plEMfnXY_kOhSG2SNH8xg6UqyZawegtEVZN5RfC0DOVmrcY4MI_hmeyiMZbb4bandTsXwEJcZu5xu_mDBmX81PHki9-WcOrzkRVPXhbOPWSBFSQ2lLIX3VhsnzcHjTwWkQjzWw/s4032/20220225_195206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItiUA6tnaF1ytgj1fgbpguPgH9Bj-p2rcw0HxRMPs_sJPTLtK52plEMfnXY_kOhSG2SNH8xg6UqyZawegtEVZN5RfC0DOVmrcY4MI_hmeyiMZbb4bandTsXwEJcZu5xu_mDBmX81PHki9-WcOrzkRVPXhbOPWSBFSQ2lLIX3VhsnzcHjTwWkQjzWw/w640-h360/20220225_195206.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9_Jyq6RfgCIeywA2JlLOntr12_16slssbqjOFEV7moU2JMRjNgT2SjNPrY7oXawFydZIoh87sw-M0Ec18eedQeuhxjBwKw35XdITGFmcKU02zgG07YfB37leNP2bafc5Usd-dpqVWhowUYP_D12VvvfWX-M6ojcxBNeTUr7MzXnUGTqjP3Z8PqNS/s4032/20220226_101909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9_Jyq6RfgCIeywA2JlLOntr12_16slssbqjOFEV7moU2JMRjNgT2SjNPrY7oXawFydZIoh87sw-M0Ec18eedQeuhxjBwKw35XdITGFmcKU02zgG07YfB37leNP2bafc5Usd-dpqVWhowUYP_D12VvvfWX-M6ojcxBNeTUr7MzXnUGTqjP3Z8PqNS/w640-h360/20220226_101909.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><p><b><span style="font-family: helvetica;">L'île de Gorée (Gorée Island)</span></b></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I looked forward to going back since my last visit and I thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the island. To get there, you have to get to this ferry port, then it is a 20 minute ride from Dakar.. The ferry has fixed times and the transport fare for different categories are in the photo below.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X9kw8HL6yMVrt9hLY3I4OBInMCq6Fcnb9xivJUKCZ3ThBFQDBuAj-_9rBibGyn9LT1RKLloO6KUa26RGyg-n-1Cw-Pzz3FCytNDtJheYcqQXU957rpijXozTlrjjwgnyMYzHCNlBNrzm-YfbsO4XSXuMkwxu7hoxgnmZ2UshJzn5vef0_tcCHKRl/s4608/DSCN0341.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0X9kw8HL6yMVrt9hLY3I4OBInMCq6Fcnb9xivJUKCZ3ThBFQDBuAj-_9rBibGyn9LT1RKLloO6KUa26RGyg-n-1Cw-Pzz3FCytNDtJheYcqQXU957rpijXozTlrjjwgnyMYzHCNlBNrzm-YfbsO4XSXuMkwxu7hoxgnmZ2UshJzn5vef0_tcCHKRl/w640-h480/DSCN0341.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEa4whUOAM-6eBPU3iKiGTJrxqIOwqg9dTbW0UTKRGhvDBcgUJ8Ki1Xzp3s0Zmq4txPDEFGfYfCXZe-NyJcb1gZIRRzujrZUpseuUOmD1CeiEpkDu78xi3b5KAjtT7fjFuNBjnUKkF6eu5ZRYSCiyuKNCY1YoXBNQ9KmyirDgmvgYcgUDJZFmrNaa9/s4608/DSCN0342.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEa4whUOAM-6eBPU3iKiGTJrxqIOwqg9dTbW0UTKRGhvDBcgUJ8Ki1Xzp3s0Zmq4txPDEFGfYfCXZe-NyJcb1gZIRRzujrZUpseuUOmD1CeiEpkDu78xi3b5KAjtT7fjFuNBjnUKkF6eu5ZRYSCiyuKNCY1YoXBNQ9KmyirDgmvgYcgUDJZFmrNaa9/w640-h480/DSCN0342.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I went with a French friend, I was not paying attention while the payment was being sorted out. For some reason I asked how much was paid and discovered the wrong amount was paid for me (5,200 FCFA). As an African residing in Africa, the fare for me was 2,700 FCFA so we went back to rectify it. After showing my identification, that was sorted out. So pay attention...</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPR1Ei7yrTUdAl0orANJGdAd3H693GC8wPPJMYBZEmoK3zRE4W3GwsHDwy6l2vjv1_v-rIsTivK_DVzT2tiG6tFKSMIEW41D0X3QZ-__eCFsWU6XEJNjYyJgPFUAACCi6nH-bHBew6RQI1FaMzKnit6ctnHnIe5CxAZWBMWPY5Hm8e1qena2drl3a/s4608/DSCN0315.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisPR1Ei7yrTUdAl0orANJGdAd3H693GC8wPPJMYBZEmoK3zRE4W3GwsHDwy6l2vjv1_v-rIsTivK_DVzT2tiG6tFKSMIEW41D0X3QZ-__eCFsWU6XEJNjYyJgPFUAACCi6nH-bHBew6RQI1FaMzKnit6ctnHnIe5CxAZWBMWPY5Hm8e1qena2drl3a/w640-h480/DSCN0315.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWEMiYrurgSljYtJEjImRZoeyWWFlp6pSYlPZKaCDNxZWS3UB3rQsjeGtik5XF8EfzA81ebSSj4_xDeOhxtoQxkskUQyDdw8TdolG5th5CVbbZSEKuWdtTTSgky6PId0KdYigGvrOR4vmv8aiO03H0kvqQVE69ZeiUIRTgNcQxKBDL6RCvfoL9C-7/s4608/DSCN0318.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWEMiYrurgSljYtJEjImRZoeyWWFlp6pSYlPZKaCDNxZWS3UB3rQsjeGtik5XF8EfzA81ebSSj4_xDeOhxtoQxkskUQyDdw8TdolG5th5CVbbZSEKuWdtTTSgky6PId0KdYigGvrOR4vmv8aiO03H0kvqQVE69ZeiUIRTgNcQxKBDL6RCvfoL9C-7/w640-h480/DSCN0318.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">l'île de Gorée is an island of 1800 inhabitants, rich with history and so much colour that speaks of its colonial past. All the inhabitants know each other from what our guide told us. There are 1000 Muslims and 800 Christians...he was so precise! The different colours of the buildings represent the different people who attempted to colonise the place, the Portugese, the Dutch, the French, the British then the French took over.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">According to our guide, Gorée means dignity in Wolof. However, the slaves who were there were treated with anything but dignity!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3pSwrVeL5tWrasLFjzrorJuWgLT-7mhTSVex6TcXQ_8IXNVIey2pO3C3wYVNNqeImw4uLTzyDdYLj4SIlHgVOuvJbhMb2ALEA0VQ-mb4MaYOvhIaXiYYY7UIPNJ_vDMY-XRdbMNjklxtZUOK_-g9PpKJzxHxVp6yM8D8n6HzedT93gBgI-fBIgiK/s4608/DSCN0320.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY3pSwrVeL5tWrasLFjzrorJuWgLT-7mhTSVex6TcXQ_8IXNVIey2pO3C3wYVNNqeImw4uLTzyDdYLj4SIlHgVOuvJbhMb2ALEA0VQ-mb4MaYOvhIaXiYYY7UIPNJ_vDMY-XRdbMNjklxtZUOK_-g9PpKJzxHxVp6yM8D8n6HzedT93gBgI-fBIgiK/w640-h480/DSCN0320.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Do not visit on a Monday as the slave castle will be closed. In general, on Mondays, tourist attractions are closed.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEfn1zv7DG1X35vNc_moXnFXkbMjB7nmFaZx0O20QxCRoLb2Pcuc2lINUlCwUtb70ikRBmQcm6UXYaCM4sVRq-I7GBGUu0hX4UcwU8EF9532iZ06M8riDXHgUfYh9MsOc7DdWyuQec2d5ln9XoWOX5gRCaJKTtcnkgkGMnBR_Oea2WAKkKFH5CSy1/s4608/DSCN0336.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEfn1zv7DG1X35vNc_moXnFXkbMjB7nmFaZx0O20QxCRoLb2Pcuc2lINUlCwUtb70ikRBmQcm6UXYaCM4sVRq-I7GBGUu0hX4UcwU8EF9532iZ06M8riDXHgUfYh9MsOc7DdWyuQec2d5ln9XoWOX5gRCaJKTtcnkgkGMnBR_Oea2WAKkKFH5CSy1/w640-h480/DSCN0336.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpVcO7npA5Bd8nwKg2F5lLQFMVI6WxVa5pvESpfCRdDcXT5gKYKylBfVVNfYn867H7MVYlgY9pTft-uDL1I_WQxzN61ihwtWPdzaSqhdWVoB561WRHN9FNXdr7Z9FzJrUJU92Hl6gfdo0WOZ1XFIPRxH7153ioH-GALU3xtSf01NsqMGhtviSxrl6/s4608/DSCN0337.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHpVcO7npA5Bd8nwKg2F5lLQFMVI6WxVa5pvESpfCRdDcXT5gKYKylBfVVNfYn867H7MVYlgY9pTft-uDL1I_WQxzN61ihwtWPdzaSqhdWVoB561WRHN9FNXdr7Z9FzJrUJU92Hl6gfdo0WOZ1XFIPRxH7153ioH-GALU3xtSf01NsqMGhtviSxrl6/w640-h480/DSCN0337.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">And I could not leave Senegal without eating the famous Theboudiene, so I treated myself to it on the island.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDFj3muSUFFSgwXX8eYhBmqKyB2baYl6wTPAJkGZ5jdg6Uy9dmmRFnGm4A6M_5fKsLiC93CSoUVjn30sPBr-gVX_m03WBRbFZ48E49XG0E-xaYOgv1dKJZkWuT6VqAN6UkWggovIVjeYm47cniSRc-PebvfmZ0A07Vj5wtqsQ-85LedvferUfJyfG/s4032/20220228_125552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDFj3muSUFFSgwXX8eYhBmqKyB2baYl6wTPAJkGZ5jdg6Uy9dmmRFnGm4A6M_5fKsLiC93CSoUVjn30sPBr-gVX_m03WBRbFZ48E49XG0E-xaYOgv1dKJZkWuT6VqAN6UkWggovIVjeYm47cniSRc-PebvfmZ0A07Vj5wtqsQ-85LedvferUfJyfG/w360-h640/20220228_125552.jpg" width="360" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It is a plate of jollof rice with fish, carrots, boiled cassava, aubergine, turnip, tamarind (tsamiya 😀). Interestingly, Jollof rice is originally from Senegal from a place called Jolof/Wolof, but I won't add this to the running dispute between Nigerians and Ghanians on whose jollof rice is better, hahahaha.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Two other places I wanted to visit were Saint Louis and Désert de Lompoul (Lompoul desert). St. Louis is old town known for its colonial style architecture while the desert is one for adventure. This time, I took it easy in Senegal as I was tired from work and needed to rest, my body couldn't have handled more. I had a great time and will probably check these two places out when next I visit.</span></div></div></div>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-61751042928130262492022-04-06T10:30:00.003+01:002022-04-09T16:29:29.041+01:00Travelling in Rural Africa<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the many adventures of living in a remote place is travelling. Since I've been in this line of work, I have appreciated the ease with which I could travel in normal times. Getting from point A to B now takes a lot of planning and consideration. To get out of Uvira, the town I am currently in, I have to travel for 3 hours to another town called Kamanyola, then cross the border to Rwanda to a town called Kamembe. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Kamembe is a small town that has a national forest of 1020km2. There are two exit/entry points from the Democratic Republic of Congo into South Kivu : 1) </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Kamanyola, which is around 46km and around 1hour and 15 minutes from Kamembe airport and 2) </span><span style="text-align: justify;">Bukavu which is 20km from the Kamembe airport and about a 40 minute drive. Typically, I would spend the night in Kamembe then fly to Kigali the following morning. It is a 40 minute flight, but a 5 hour drive to Kigali where I can fly from. </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">This option is more practical for me than going to the capital (Kinshasa) to access the international airport. It is equally a two day trip.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">See my <a href="https://belletammy.blogspot.com/2022/02/meeting-democratic-republic-of-congo.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> about some of my first impressions of the DRC.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span></span><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On my last trip, I was heading to Senegal. So I left Uvira by road to Kamanyola, then crossed over to Kamembe. This took a little over 3 hours and probably half an hour for border formalities. Then off I went to the bank to pay for my covid test, that took another 30 minutes as there was a queue then I headed to the hospital for the test. I finally got to my hotel close to 4pm . I spent the night, then continued the next morning to Kigali, pick up was at 7am as the flight was at 8:30am. It is a 40 minute flight from Kamembe to Kigali, but would take 6 hours by road I hear. I spent the day working in Kigali then caught my night flight out to Dakar, I travelled for a whole day through Addis! You will agree with me that unlike life in a city with an airport, this is some kind of gymnastics.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Crossing the border into Rwanda from DRC is always such a delight, for the order and tarred roads, hahahaha. Kigali is laid back, roads are narrow and people are courteous. You'll hardly find the impatience that many drivers in other places have there, besides, people are law abiding to the T. You won't find motor bike riders without helmets, they know not having one could attract a fine. The country of a thousand hills is definitely not flat, the ride is usually hilly with sharp turns, but the landscape is green and lush. People on bicycles and motorbikes always hold onto trucks and lorries to pull them up hills, the fear I feel never gets old, it always comes back as I watch them. I ask myself what might happen if the truck were to come to an abrupt halt. I wrote about Rwanda sometime ago <a href="https://belletammy.blogspot.com/2017/09/rwanda-country-of-hills-and-history.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zEOyc965VzwfMIjkq5QEn6oCvYeMPOFkeh4m3-XYrFSpPYA_KYDqO5Xhvt4WqGdYQEJzp4ScoA1Z_uOJpMCuHVqkyjA4GlInz1GTYCYcGPTGrusgjjM0A6EfBq6It4cwcLWa_2TY2JHsP8pGIJBn5A8R3JH4kzel3KjAdyUuaEQoA6PIql4sXIHq/s4608/DSCN0358.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8zEOyc965VzwfMIjkq5QEn6oCvYeMPOFkeh4m3-XYrFSpPYA_KYDqO5Xhvt4WqGdYQEJzp4ScoA1Z_uOJpMCuHVqkyjA4GlInz1GTYCYcGPTGrusgjjM0A6EfBq6It4cwcLWa_2TY2JHsP8pGIJBn5A8R3JH4kzel3KjAdyUuaEQoA6PIql4sXIHq/w640-h480/DSCN0358.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streets of Kigali</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rwanda is big on tourism and there are options of things to do. The country is clean and people know not to litter which is quite impressive. Plastic bags are not in use, paper bags are instead. What better way to promote a green environment! You'll find soldiers on the streets in Kigali, but less so as you leave the capital city.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Arriving Senegal, one of the things you'll quickly notice in Dakar is the traffic! Getting around could take from a few minutes to a few hours, depending on how lucky you are and what time of day you find yourself on the road. But, </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">it is indeed a beautiful country.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlX6UTtxhwfUf8fSnR0gvczPAJXqy3GjVawHhFKCXt4FKubCr0dMvM79wQ1XRnVMeAJgvqosvq1Aktp63fvqpk7bHpl15ESTSNpwZOKpV1gA8D3BHqbks2ja_h6CVFjDylBkZhh1t8p5Cdy0hT9bzdguabuKQABYJ-Ow-8hk5Z9ioU8qpaAvxHfGo/s4608/DSCN0346.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlX6UTtxhwfUf8fSnR0gvczPAJXqy3GjVawHhFKCXt4FKubCr0dMvM79wQ1XRnVMeAJgvqosvq1Aktp63fvqpk7bHpl15ESTSNpwZOKpV1gA8D3BHqbks2ja_h6CVFjDylBkZhh1t8p5Cdy0hT9bzdguabuKQABYJ-Ow-8hk5Z9ioU8qpaAvxHfGo/w640-h480/DSCN0346.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of the traffic in Dakar</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From the number of cars to the impatience you notice with drivers, accidents and oh the heat. It can be quite interesting in traffic if people watching is something you enjoy. However, something that can keep your mind off traffic is street art; painting, drawings and graffiti line the street walls as you drive by. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The road network is good so driving around is not something to worry about. I went out of Dakar to Thies, Mbour, Fatick and Sine Saloum regions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After two weeks away from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), returning can sometimes be a rude shock. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Once you get past the border, it is striking how the tarred roads disappear. The other side once you cross to South Kivu in DRC is all dirt roads.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Travelling on these roads is a perpetual dance, it takes its toll on the body. The only comfort is the landscape which is similar to that of Rwanda. When you drive through this mountainous terrain on these awful roads, just prepare yourself mentally and do not eat if you have a sensitive stomach as you'll be sure to empty your bowels. Should you plan to visit the DRC, South Kivu to be specific, be sure to keep this in mind.</span></p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-90279167689219282972022-02-08T05:31:00.004+01:002022-02-08T05:31:49.908+01:00Meeting the Democratic Republic of Congo<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I got to the airport early to avoid the rush. As I finally settled at the gate that was displayed on the screen, I got busy, killing time. At some point, it didn't seem right. The people at this gate all seemed too calm and quiet. I had 30 minutes before boarding time and decided to check again. I decided not to rely on the information on the screen and asked an airport staff. I was told that I was indeed at the wrong gate.</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I rushed to find the right gate and as I approached, I knew these were the people I was looking for! Congolese people are vibrant, kind of like my fellow Nigerians. There were people speaking loudly, some overly dressed, which the Congolese are known for and of course they were disorderly. People had started lining up to make their way to the plane. The flight was smooth, then when the plane touched down, on cue, people started clapping. I did not understand how I felt, but I was actually shocked that so many people were clapping in sync. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Getting through the airport took some time, then we got into a bit of traffic, which I learnt was normal. As we drove on, I was getting the old city, Lagos kind of vibe. I could not believe I was in Kinshasa, I had heard so much about this capital. I was looking forward to discovering it. There were a few colleagues I had worked with in other countries who I was happy to see. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG1Uw_njQ1bvhVXWiS3wIHJHBvEiLrXjuAopKs4M12KDpIlRYa0dVmw_Yf9fDh-LM8x_rFQmfFqUu0ea0-qeCZkSB1rsJYGEomcwChjHVwur-l02Ptz4rbqolFKQ6KgTkHeMNdf6TrDoCTYHr_ZMtfFO5eJ6ZGwt0ImYVaVUX-Q5xhrK5683Y2q09S=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgG1Uw_njQ1bvhVXWiS3wIHJHBvEiLrXjuAopKs4M12KDpIlRYa0dVmw_Yf9fDh-LM8x_rFQmfFqUu0ea0-qeCZkSB1rsJYGEomcwChjHVwur-l02Ptz4rbqolFKQ6KgTkHeMNdf6TrDoCTYHr_ZMtfFO5eJ6ZGwt0ImYVaVUX-Q5xhrK5683Y2q09S=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palais de la nation Kinshasa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOOGccI46vAeo_2SOQzbyMVyRdzxaLhqctHO_nrkZjn7MmxX2AdWRsnoZipH3srKDetcat1sdtEx0axuVCCKIglrT7OPMS4Auo5_9XbA--DFJxH4-oCx0TtJ6lK6HLz6ecO-KQpjEQdsS_SYjEroV2XqXi_HJ8njeNvNUahjOZGBZVAYlh2zVuOsHP=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOOGccI46vAeo_2SOQzbyMVyRdzxaLhqctHO_nrkZjn7MmxX2AdWRsnoZipH3srKDetcat1sdtEx0axuVCCKIglrT7OPMS4Auo5_9XbA--DFJxH4-oCx0TtJ6lK6HLz6ecO-KQpjEQdsS_SYjEroV2XqXi_HJ8njeNvNUahjOZGBZVAYlh2zVuOsHP=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traffic in Kinshasa</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The explorer in me wanted to see the museum on Saturday, but it was outside the green area (security rules) and I would have to get approval to go. So I ditched the idea. I was only in Kinshasa from Thursday when I arrived until Sunday. I was to leave early on Monday for my duty station.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXVJaPf5CRk-alMOe_WAPkd3qtbutDNWs8wrDi4sAjaofdzAOI_E5j6q-6LO01Gry6jzFMSoCnBMrE11-iYjuVd0U1ZB69BfVPflTXuXPP_H4g0NLxa_EArKEfqJQ0q-FUpbu_eR4jUrCygPIs4-DYFWVXVUZ80COLbdF43Cfc5JbHdDKtwgr9IykK=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgXVJaPf5CRk-alMOe_WAPkd3qtbutDNWs8wrDi4sAjaofdzAOI_E5j6q-6LO01Gry6jzFMSoCnBMrE11-iYjuVd0U1ZB69BfVPflTXuXPP_H4g0NLxa_EArKEfqJQ0q-FUpbu_eR4jUrCygPIs4-DYFWVXVUZ80COLbdF43Cfc5JbHdDKtwgr9IykK=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kinshasa</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">I noticed that although driving was on the right side of the road, people had cars with the steering wheels on both sides. It was confusing at first having to look for the driver </span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-family: courier;">when I looked into some cars.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">First thing on Monday morning, I headed to the East of the country, to South Kivu, East of Congo. I flew from Kinshasa to Bukavu (the capital of South Kivu region). The flight took 4 hours, by the time I arrived, I was exhausted. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8gkdCxRBlDErEb_xecAaFItNzKoYlwSs2DhlFFFpF7xWm7QY60a1KisFxeZgVXbpKjW4Ps-iokpMrZb2Jzhu1QcgW4oafuqiptJtTd8eOdDrWs0vnc1tnzWpkhvMeuNrll5rou30CCwBJkXmILb25B2kHgBZ6L7wdL7PiXNyGMPh4h83_dtbDawXB=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi8gkdCxRBlDErEb_xecAaFItNzKoYlwSs2DhlFFFpF7xWm7QY60a1KisFxeZgVXbpKjW4Ps-iokpMrZb2Jzhu1QcgW4oafuqiptJtTd8eOdDrWs0vnc1tnzWpkhvMeuNrll5rou30CCwBJkXmILb25B2kHgBZ6L7wdL7PiXNyGMPh4h83_dtbDawXB=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place de l'indépendance Bukavu</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbt1E5wK2HrhJr9NY71anFY3kPIde72VH_ZNszOnTlHeTm5KW54MNEy3tjNsmVexLZ17ICvxgXfmGUYpJ8u9cTBwiBZPqgtygoMAT3DVxsuyVSqEQUKB30xGHsSgvrvXKj9cRL0KtVGuQSr6L3ooYMWt4PDJFGTwmD34PhWuFkzCX4uRxniMToSN0p=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbt1E5wK2HrhJr9NY71anFY3kPIde72VH_ZNszOnTlHeTm5KW54MNEy3tjNsmVexLZ17ICvxgXfmGUYpJ8u9cTBwiBZPqgtygoMAT3DVxsuyVSqEQUKB30xGHsSgvrvXKj9cRL0KtVGuQSr6L3ooYMWt4PDJFGTwmD34PhWuFkzCX4uRxniMToSN0p=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Bukavu over looking Lake Kivu</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The next day, I continued to my office in Uvira. It was a 6 hour drive. We drove through mountainous areas, through escarpments and the roads were dirt roads. The trip was quite bumpy with sharp turns, overlooking mountains. People afraid of heights may not do too well on this trip. My road sickness on bad roads came right back! And I questioned my choices the whole time. Why was I subjecting myself to this again? I would have to deal with this for the next 18 months of my time here. But anyway, I made it to Uvira in one piece.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo2Ou495dNf7VjikJHwZmbejl8o6YTqEYh4qAPaRyuZPUdG0MHkj9_sAa7zkN--HbTLY7Fm_ptf3VFmT1od9gVg9Nk2VQ0pIwWIOkhrwZThPjOBDWLc4XIFECRC4Rewxu51VmhYti6wK8qKua4wdPF9VUfebLH7-9KIJZNHH059NWscFcRBzfQLnv2=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo2Ou495dNf7VjikJHwZmbejl8o6YTqEYh4qAPaRyuZPUdG0MHkj9_sAa7zkN--HbTLY7Fm_ptf3VFmT1od9gVg9Nk2VQ0pIwWIOkhrwZThPjOBDWLc4XIFECRC4Rewxu51VmhYti6wK8qKua4wdPF9VUfebLH7-9KIJZNHH059NWscFcRBzfQLnv2=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGkuMyGeInO8Sm3cwnN3DClBP3Sh2OfP-lI8rcgRKyMCIYLyFMIk9GF94qY-Uk4xJOY36nhsv-4YGefsQhZF1tJbqLvCCiOZmQ8K3Uui2lT91HvS3U-FWk5jarOGsmQIPcFJfpS1Ah6wksJqDlOfSnL2vniypripA88WLocMQMfttDQIPufmJjeEr3=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGkuMyGeInO8Sm3cwnN3DClBP3Sh2OfP-lI8rcgRKyMCIYLyFMIk9GF94qY-Uk4xJOY36nhsv-4YGefsQhZF1tJbqLvCCiOZmQ8K3Uui2lT91HvS3U-FWk5jarOGsmQIPcFJfpS1Ah6wksJqDlOfSnL2vniypripA88WLocMQMfttDQIPufmJjeEr3=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">Uvira is isolated, with no roads. To get from point A to B, it is a joy ride of bumping up and down in the car. There is almost no form of entertainment, so finding ways to entertain oneself is key. It is a village by Nigerian standards, but they call it a town. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKkSuHxPlYdLoAFyYDPgLjN6gtyUcnEyar3rRTQ4GTOGzqqWCjgQO-gsm0YK2uoUz_c-p8vAKlySBc7YDWvg_6_fbQ_Zw6JRyNCk_DizzCCHJyaJPhHSgKvA8U06jcRMGxg_oencJjQQE_qgkuGmbAexCg0M8s_yR57IpTdgoEMkdQOLC-jt16afny=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjKkSuHxPlYdLoAFyYDPgLjN6gtyUcnEyar3rRTQ4GTOGzqqWCjgQO-gsm0YK2uoUz_c-p8vAKlySBc7YDWvg_6_fbQ_Zw6JRyNCk_DizzCCHJyaJPhHSgKvA8U06jcRMGxg_oencJjQQE_qgkuGmbAexCg0M8s_yR57IpTdgoEMkdQOLC-jt16afny=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uvira</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: courier;">The town overlooks Lake Tanganyika. The people are alright...people will tell you things as they are. Being Nigerian, I much prefer this to people not being straight forward. Nigerians tell it as it is. Also, from what I have heard and seen, Congolese people could be quite desensitised to violence and things can go from 0 to 100 in a few minutes. I've seen some videos and some things I have read and heard are quite scary. But we'll see how it goes.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPFsIrm-hv0y9XEiwTnUFkaGtQlnNOmf4rWhz4T8D7UQfC0xXw7aIcFM5uIU8boDnADiGG01ifl_3TPqC91rPsFPEStJFZXyyTkyQRjyojb-OZMkHC_kDNF2lBu0WArKSylITO6C8fAkFsUW9rM71K9vv_DRff3HXn712zOJpvkzAgGnvZm-BsulMM=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPFsIrm-hv0y9XEiwTnUFkaGtQlnNOmf4rWhz4T8D7UQfC0xXw7aIcFM5uIU8boDnADiGG01ifl_3TPqC91rPsFPEStJFZXyyTkyQRjyojb-OZMkHC_kDNF2lBu0WArKSylITO6C8fAkFsUW9rM71K9vv_DRff3HXn712zOJpvkzAgGnvZm-BsulMM=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>Lake Tamganyika and I meet again. This time in Congo, last time was in Tanzania.</div><div>I drove for 30 minutes to get here.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">In Kinshasa, the capital, people speak Lingala and French. There are other dialects in different parts of the country. In the East where I am, people speak Swahili and French, although the Swahili doesn't sound the same as the KiSwahili in Tanzania.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier;">The currency here is the Congolese francs but dollars are equally in circulation. This one shocked me a bit. You can get by without using francs. However in a place like the market, traders will take dollars but might mix the change with Congolese francs.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;">The Democratic Republic of Congo has long been troubled by different issues. I started work here in August 2021 and will be here until February 2023, so more posts to come...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><i><b>~With the world being so unpredictable, this mantra comes more alive "live each day as if it were your last". You might be afraid to take certain leaps, do it afraid, but do it anyway!~</b></i></span></p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-9546976118540975432022-02-01T21:00:00.003+01:002022-02-01T21:00:19.826+01:00"The Gains of a Fitness Boot Camp"
<p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A</span><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;">s the sun sets
in Uvira, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a group of colleagues are
twisting and stretching in readiness for an hour of physical activity. There is
usually between six to nine staff attending this evening exercise routine that
happens three times a week. It may not seem like anything out of the ordinary
to take time to exercise; but for the staff of this hardship site, taking a
moment to release steam in what we termed as ‘the boot camp’ is helping them
cope with working under difficult conditions.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuZvi74SNxfmQPEQ6G3DhbCFVs5l4x4ovoZ844S9yFDlCLdseqMjxXZllgPlHcnm96szx2Jx3P7sdWDSRD61to0xG8A4wuKNEo5FXAGTK_cVlA6Ps3NbP2LlvJDhkP8-eEB4L_DN0PlRkKmo47LeZawUfTNM-TiJ9RNq4ud_fjr4hS7uIjKEIo0_fU=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuZvi74SNxfmQPEQ6G3DhbCFVs5l4x4ovoZ844S9yFDlCLdseqMjxXZllgPlHcnm96szx2Jx3P7sdWDSRD61to0xG8A4wuKNEo5FXAGTK_cVlA6Ps3NbP2LlvJDhkP8-eEB4L_DN0PlRkKmo47LeZawUfTNM-TiJ9RNq4ud_fjr4hS7uIjKEIo0_fU=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><a name='more'></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;">“It started as a joke, but
now it is part of our everyday routine,” explains Ene Abah, the Head of Office
in this site of 55 colleagues. “I am an exercise buff and even here in Uvira, I
make time to work out and stay fit. For me, exercising not only keeps me fit
but is also a form of release for my mind, because our work although rewarding,
can sometimes be very challenging.”</span><br /></div></div>
<p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;">One of the staff took
notice of Ene’s consistency in exercising and wanted to learn more about how to
keep fit and lose some weight. “I jokingly told her that I would be her coach
and she took me seriously. During the Regional Ombudsman for Africa's visit to the site, he proposed team building activities. This activity was
put on the table and it just took a life of its own from there. Word spread in
the office that I was going to be conducting some training sessions and that is
how it all started,” narrates Ene.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRdRqcdMwRjl_9Wkz8adA-WXG7lcA-k-VmejeR_lONmPEnYudfOSt_XZ8qsZ0B81y2umrvRbNMEHWtFaAYoxf2z2Detr0aylPF6F2Hf5zs2ua4Hf9AZRJIRnHwKHjC4EecwalEWQz9Zxcy-dTNdV9UvhgITNcXe5sKWn2B-tRZI0KUdBBjzS_jVkeN=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRdRqcdMwRjl_9Wkz8adA-WXG7lcA-k-VmejeR_lONmPEnYudfOSt_XZ8qsZ0B81y2umrvRbNMEHWtFaAYoxf2z2Detr0aylPF6F2Hf5zs2ua4Hf9AZRJIRnHwKHjC4EecwalEWQz9Zxcy-dTNdV9UvhgITNcXe5sKWn2B-tRZI0KUdBBjzS_jVkeN=w640-h360" width="640" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH;"></span></p>
<p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;">Unrest is common in Uvira.
Located in South Kivu province, on the border of Burundi and Rwanda, it is
known to be unpredictable because it is the center of activism. It takes two
days to get to Uvira from Kinshasa and a day on harsh terrain from Bukavu,
which is 134 km away. Ene and the team cover a wide area in South Kivu despite
the bad roads and many security challenges. Often, they work on autopilot
because it is a round-the-clock mission.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8gdNbTc3Zsyfx-1LlZYQVAHheQvsckqrbVs7wIv4WgLj3ZCsihVloG-XT6XcaWLSBEsoQhCw3wow4MWqQzlxKsKpO0s40jrN8yznQJ01S_u65JDpZ7PzvE-0yiWd4e87B-DYsUUfTV2-yFbqp6gHB_dl504d9xRhywh_od8H7-BpPQqXnXfBjG_o2=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8gdNbTc3Zsyfx-1LlZYQVAHheQvsckqrbVs7wIv4WgLj3ZCsihVloG-XT6XcaWLSBEsoQhCw3wow4MWqQzlxKsKpO0s40jrN8yznQJ01S_u65JDpZ7PzvE-0yiWd4e87B-DYsUUfTV2-yFbqp6gHB_dl504d9xRhywh_od8H7-BpPQqXnXfBjG_o2=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><p><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;">Besides the work, living
conditions are tough. Common amenities like restaurants, well-equipped
hospitals and supermarkets are not available. Drivers have it worse because
they must navigate these very rough roads daily. Therefore, the idea of
exercising was warmly welcomed and accepted.</span><br /></p>
<p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;">“Besides keeping fit, it is
a form of relaxation and a distraction from work. It has also helped us bond as
a team and we see less of a divide between the staff as we
exercise our stress away together,” says Ene.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH;"></span></p>
<p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;">The ICRC office is one of
the only organizations in Uvira that has expatriate staff on site. For other
organizations, the expatriate staff mostly come in and leave by the end of the
week, and do not have a permanent presence.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH;"></span></p>
<p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;">Now, exercise has opened
doors for the team to bond and do other activities together. One step towards
fitness has led to more steps towards wellbeing and inclusion.</span></p><p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;"><br /></span></p><p style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"><span lang="EN-US" style="border-image: none; border: 1pt windowtext; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: FR-CH; padding: 0cm;"><i>This post was featured on the ICRC Global Internal platform...the year has started with a bit of publicity 😃😃</i></span><br /></p>
<p><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-65925246118075580782022-01-24T19:59:00.001+01:002022-04-26T09:49:16.709+01:00Played<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It’s A Match…the familiar pop up from the dating app showed on his screen.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He didn’t
care so much anymore. He had had several matches, some seemed cool while
others were clearly there to grind and move on. It kept him entertained, which he was enjoying.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> A few
messages came in, this one seemed to know how to hold a conversation. They both
were spontaneous and met same day. She was even more beautiful and charming in person. Her photos did not do her justice.</span>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He’d been
chatting with another person, they got on really well, but with the strange
times in the world, they were yet to meet each other. Video calls, voice calls
and chats were all useful thanks to covid, but it was wild that the whole time,
3 birthdays had passed, and she never remembered his birthday. So, for the third
year, he erased hers from his memory. With this in mind, he had decided that
were he to match with anyone, he would meet in person as soon as possible,
then decide if they wanted to remain in touch or move on.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_bodM7CCWDp9e2WX6j1BaBuXLhTUcb-DhSXFvC9vxbC0ZYRBcPf77ImNmYQNzJf4Tk7adDpOl9UMRMcmXayXGG7WBNIMMEV8IbLwIgwFNyxxyOKtrQqKRnI0PGrRa0vq6RYApm-ez_IHhEpfGmofvId6pHSTTkVKjmMYLTbePz2HlKhGmUuwelol7=s269" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="187" data-original-width="269" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_bodM7CCWDp9e2WX6j1BaBuXLhTUcb-DhSXFvC9vxbC0ZYRBcPf77ImNmYQNzJf4Tk7adDpOl9UMRMcmXayXGG7WBNIMMEV8IbLwIgwFNyxxyOKtrQqKRnI0PGrRa0vq6RYApm-ez_IHhEpfGmofvId6pHSTTkVKjmMYLTbePz2HlKhGmUuwelol7=w640-h445" width="640" /></a></div><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Meeting
this woman left him confused and happy at the same time. Was she for real, he
asked his best friend. The best friend was just too excited and reminded him how he had not had anything this exciting in his life in a while. He had wallowed in self pity long enough since his divorce, he barely had interest in women anymore. No wonder his best friend was this excited. No questions, just go with the flow his best friend said.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He was at her door the next day and they spent the entire day together. They talked and talked
and laughed a lot. Conversation with one another was easy, very easy. Then she
had to leave town for work, again video calls came in handy. They were on the
phone each day, like they couldn’t have enough of each other. They met up again
before it was his turn to leave town for work, it had been two weeks. He suddenly
realised that he did not have any address for her and asked for her house
address. All the while plotting with his best friend to check the address out while he was out of town.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then a day
passed with no word from her. Strange, but he let it be, it was just a day. Day
two was advancing and he tried calling, once, then twice, then three times and
panic set in. She was not responding to the phone. He sent messages and waited.
The next morning a message came from her to let him know she was unwell. No
details. Was she admitted? Where? How bad could it be? He had to keep his composure.
His best friend joined in worrying while they waited.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He read
and reread messages from her, played back conversations to see if anything was
amiss. He wanted something long term, so did she, she claimed. This time, he let his guard down and went with it. What was the point playing around at his age? They professed their affection for one another, and on his
prompting, she deleted the app they met on, as he was clear that they both had
no need for it any longer. He deleted it too. He wanted to spend as much time
with her as possible, she made him feel wanted. It was all so new, but everything was going fast. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The other person he’d been in touch with for years struck up a conversation, these were
periodic now. But whatever he thought that might lead to had been
derailed and quite frankly, he didn’t want to revive it. He’d respond to her conversations normally but she made no effort to keep things going, he also no
longer had the energy or time to invest in that anymore. Coupled with this now, he was already giving himself every reason to crawl back into his shell.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another two
days passed and he called, at this point, he was starting to believe that he
got played. When he said this to his best friend, he was told not to be so
quick to conclude. He asked himself on some days if it was ever real. But
there were photos of them together, screen shots during some of their video
chats. After another two weeks of silence, he realized that indeed, he got
played. It was so funny, he had lost nothing but was intrigued at how
easily gullible he was, at how this sweet talking, good looking woman lied her way into his heart so easily. Oh well, nothing lost, life goes on, but is that how things are done these days he kept wondering...</span></p>
Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-31841780345924245712022-01-18T08:52:00.007+01:002022-01-21T05:02:52.063+01:00Discovering Ethiopia<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I stayed in Ethiopia for three months last year and of course I took time to discover a bit. It is a beautiful country but I only had so much time, which I tried to make the best use of. Visit Ethiopia with me through this post...</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSzii9CjQ2Q4Og2yEFSpkZfFhVg4WF542jYfXBmYE9qx1nezdZDvenPyA0QZ6neGlI1aPTLuNNGqw1HTt1aMUkEb1kG42Q14byWgbLUzrNwDdpBRCn1ERhSDGf_bEAkUBIziedM_4-QPX4a9y-fvf4OIBga0CQHeZCXtfQMPLFvWYPgLsxbSEEinFd=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSzii9CjQ2Q4Og2yEFSpkZfFhVg4WF542jYfXBmYE9qx1nezdZDvenPyA0QZ6neGlI1aPTLuNNGqw1HTt1aMUkEb1kG42Q14byWgbLUzrNwDdpBRCn1ERhSDGf_bEAkUBIziedM_4-QPX4a9y-fvf4OIBga0CQHeZCXtfQMPLFvWYPgLsxbSEEinFd=w640-h360" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Addis Ababa is the capital of the country. The capital is at an altitude of 2,355m above sea level</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">- Amharic is the official language and there are 10 regions in the country. Each region has its own language</span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;">- The population of Ethiopia is about 113 million</div></span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;">- The Orthodox Church is super strong there</div></span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;">- The country is GMT+3 (2 hours ahead of Nigeria)</div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="text-align: justify;">Addis Ababa is not one of those cities you could call beautiful. A<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #262626; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">round the city, you'll notice that construction is constantly ongoing. There seem to be as many uncompleted buildings as there are completed ones. I was told that instead of keeping the cash or stashing it away in the bank, people would rather put it into property. Another reason was, the city is growing so they need more buildings.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #262626; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I saw a number of homeless people, I'd not seen that many sleeping on the streets in an African country before. It was a bit of a shock.</div></span></div></span></span><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I saw Volkswagen bettles, a lot of them moving on the streets. I took a few photos and shared with my dad. I remember we had a yellow one growing up 🙂</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZrmgNIVwYEqWyeC-US2aPouUVEQSsDs3GCWVjpMFgzTWNbZYRncWsKvp6nrWHWR8lTSLOoZVKIkhvwHohfr5lyJFEBHsZUOtJKeX27VnVLmz7kG3XEaVr9F-JWX5ratjiYqe5b480YoNkyaydwNlDcr3Ji5-Oo5bdwABEI1-ooe8e5Pw46CXo_uca=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="654" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZrmgNIVwYEqWyeC-US2aPouUVEQSsDs3GCWVjpMFgzTWNbZYRncWsKvp6nrWHWR8lTSLOoZVKIkhvwHohfr5lyJFEBHsZUOtJKeX27VnVLmz7kG3XEaVr9F-JWX5ratjiYqe5b480YoNkyaydwNlDcr3Ji5-Oo5bdwABEI1-ooe8e5Pw46CXo_uca=w388-h654" width="388" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTz3yhNsuNZ4HoaZqKVQjYxyh5U9045F5-w-VCuTfuNnvjBKVBU4i_dez89jfEp9YJ7xhHcOfSfwuNNIm4n_pMLh8hOd4mnDAGc1ynbqutoR9ZKHXk0lpMb1wx-8uQhg-AmXHkMmYLynxYN6N1KAXJLFwAc2GJBgKGA9qzv0HAWngfqHlhZM24nQNX=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTz3yhNsuNZ4HoaZqKVQjYxyh5U9045F5-w-VCuTfuNnvjBKVBU4i_dez89jfEp9YJ7xhHcOfSfwuNNIm4n_pMLh8hOd4mnDAGc1ynbqutoR9ZKHXk0lpMb1wx-8uQhg-AmXHkMmYLynxYN6N1KAXJLFwAc2GJBgKGA9qzv0HAWngfqHlhZM24nQNX=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Taxi drivers mentioned that it is expensive to import. A good number of the cars I saw were old model cars. The most popular cars around Addis Ababa were Toyota vitz and Toyota yaris.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBTUvl1ctMMk0XBQKDnd9vrOauKH4JTCMQoPAwPDo6hx02EOTfrdbP8E7Hc_4YgUSi_WbSWYNnhIvy1Vo-pxgGbm5BCe6C1JPHYcO3CvXOajUpM8MJxwWdlIFnyw6_D9OgKvMyE0y4ye61d0-_5zFUPo872KElVma4QV-8qHDGCN1BETZFA1kzAPDF=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgBTUvl1ctMMk0XBQKDnd9vrOauKH4JTCMQoPAwPDo6hx02EOTfrdbP8E7Hc_4YgUSi_WbSWYNnhIvy1Vo-pxgGbm5BCe6C1JPHYcO3CvXOajUpM8MJxwWdlIFnyw6_D9OgKvMyE0y4ye61d0-_5zFUPo872KElVma4QV-8qHDGCN1BETZFA1kzAPDF=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><span><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">To get around, the taxi services that were recommended to me were Ride (Uber equivalent), Zay ride and Ze-Lucy Meter Taxi. I used Ride a lot. However, finding drivers who spoke English was a bit of a challenge, so each time I found a driver with whom I could communicate, I saved his number. I had about 7 or more numbers saved. </div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">There is a lot traffic in Addis, I remember spending nearly an hour at one spot on a Sunday.</span><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;">You might have an international driver's license but you can't drive with it. You'll have to get a local one and the process takes up to 3 months. Something about your national license being authenticated by your country before they process etc.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;">There is only one phone network, I guess so that things can remain regulated, but who knows. It gets shut down from time to time when major events happen.</span></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span>Art work and leather goods are things you'll find a lot of in Addis Ababa. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">The leather products are good and so very affordable. See some from my collection below.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><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/a/AVvXsEhdl7c7cJAMdBmAbZf6a1-KWs0Wjoqntd59mpDbJ4J4QnD89tWscmpRIQpdC3K-SK7wt6jIXGYl8guTY-hbrkC-5oVDXMFFC7jri_d3ijYvgIWOqMJzyjynt3Wru79wYfQPiiwNcjjq87IgPwjuvnvSOK55UiGFFjmBZqd1tOKF4zsDTsnc7yYIOajk=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhdl7c7cJAMdBmAbZf6a1-KWs0Wjoqntd59mpDbJ4J4QnD89tWscmpRIQpdC3K-SK7wt6jIXGYl8guTY-hbrkC-5oVDXMFFC7jri_d3ijYvgIWOqMJzyjynt3Wru79wYfQPiiwNcjjq87IgPwjuvnvSOK55UiGFFjmBZqd1tOKF4zsDTsnc7yYIOajk=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;">In this photo, I was getting a mini lecture from an artist.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9Oe7QrYb5XsvFhnj5jwK4SEmP3GoLkntkKzvR6uKx3k59njqH2v94Vgz-LrWjfLryRkBApFcqHO3thkmEsGmWTh56reZ3WnjzSreH-MFM8j_8TOW7XQOJ5d3miTCwbHYgOsv6Sk87dgb_k06KEgFLo9CZgiVfAeNPXiA-BV_wVK7QT9IaTOZ2jeiy=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1024" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9Oe7QrYb5XsvFhnj5jwK4SEmP3GoLkntkKzvR6uKx3k59njqH2v94Vgz-LrWjfLryRkBApFcqHO3thkmEsGmWTh56reZ3WnjzSreH-MFM8j_8TOW7XQOJ5d3miTCwbHYgOsv6Sk87dgb_k06KEgFLo9CZgiVfAeNPXiA-BV_wVK7QT9IaTOZ2jeiy=w640-h530" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">Habtamu </span><a href="http://www.habtamutibebe.com/" style="text-align: left;">Habtamu Tibebe – Art Studio</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"> He has some interesting paintings. The precision and attention to detail is impressive.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;">People/things are slooowww, you'll need lots of patience to survive. People will say ok even when they have no intention of doing something or they will argue like kilode! You may get frustrated trying to insist, because they'll do as they wish.</div></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Ethiopians describe themselves as proud. They would refer to other Africans as Africans, not sure what continent they've placed themselves on. It comes across like they would make little effort to speak English, whereas, Amharic is spoken only two countries in the world. They have their own calendar which can be confusing. You have to learn how they read time, dates or always tell them to do so in the normal world calendar during your communication, then they calculate it. Last year they were in 2013, if my memory serves me well. It is a peculiar country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Cultural dance displays</b> - Ethiopians are very proud of their culture and celebrate it on a daily basis. I find that admirable. The dances are eclectic and full of energy. Some of the moves, I would never attempt, they are strictly for professionals. I have lots of videos.</div></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYW1R6xRCqqEEEleUEAArGvbsXPLclAMB8ey4LF7pZzBm4ihrXGKhajX6mH8-00DS-NkTVGZziLNkUmnlCkaZu-NqwiiilQ6Ni1KPfqN0UhWyIrYeY46q0T953Dg1NWxmJDJn1kvvMLES5PiEA9S8vfAyPSDxbM2pzNVTJ7GN3QX4DrA5o40-kIrPk=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYW1R6xRCqqEEEleUEAArGvbsXPLclAMB8ey4LF7pZzBm4ihrXGKhajX6mH8-00DS-NkTVGZziLNkUmnlCkaZu-NqwiiilQ6Ni1KPfqN0UhWyIrYeY46q0T953Dg1NWxmJDJn1kvvMLES5PiEA9S8vfAyPSDxbM2pzNVTJ7GN3QX4DrA5o40-kIrPk=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance display at Totot<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFAnnbgC2SLV7RBAWtXBhs7VRPl0PP0Sqc2frrTJw0tsUQ7URwsbEt-byCDCRO9fUAY806e5Z8wMPW6r9e-yj_876t3kn4Ls_Mt6j_IdVnSUbZO30F1cfsWNO6SVEqWNXYnnDphT_O-DY6SClvYUoGlQKrYrJPSaHctKszW2l9T_LmdYHUm_hphSPR=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFAnnbgC2SLV7RBAWtXBhs7VRPl0PP0Sqc2frrTJw0tsUQ7URwsbEt-byCDCRO9fUAY806e5Z8wMPW6r9e-yj_876t3kn4Ls_Mt6j_IdVnSUbZO30F1cfsWNO6SVEqWNXYnnDphT_O-DY6SClvYUoGlQKrYrJPSaHctKszW2l9T_LmdYHUm_hphSPR=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance display at Totot<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: 0px none; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Although our culture/ethnicity is usually something to celebrate, it is also the very thing that creates a divide and causes such conflict that I'll never understand. Including in Ethiopia.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh4_amWGOKetJO8JmEuAsTldcfG2l01txOadNooggfQQJ6Ceta-1iasYVFxvuMc-qDeu1kzAmrXkPm8SJRn7rFIwsbhUzcO4aIwWuIrlQTqiOuHqZ4O9okRn6-SjZctAos4XYk-uMOBkHFhu9mcPjwglqKJsClz4p1iFCGgOPpDtKGL3uQSSmHSBGA=s1024" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh4_amWGOKetJO8JmEuAsTldcfG2l01txOadNooggfQQJ6Ceta-1iasYVFxvuMc-qDeu1kzAmrXkPm8SJRn7rFIwsbhUzcO4aIwWuIrlQTqiOuHqZ4O9okRn6-SjZctAos4XYk-uMOBkHFhu9mcPjwglqKJsClz4p1iFCGgOPpDtKGL3uQSSmHSBGA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bayo and I at Fendika<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At certain restaurants, they display their dances in numerous colourful attires. They change outfits several times and they do it so quickly. Two popular places I visited that are great to eat and watch these shows are Totot traditional restaurant and Fendika.</div></span><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Food</b> - Ethiopians love their injera! It is a sour fermented, spongy flat bread, made from teff flour. I think teff is unique to Ethiopia and Eritrea.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><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/a/AVvXsEjnvykNRC_AGzIMepoPHPLQx7rS4CH4J_x5fRe0A51nhRPgImMgJcPSjs2qfcRGT-7JxEx4X6POzEbeNrKg2HLsbAV96eonfT7vIhoTmlm2SduuF9fBqEHRQduztcRDTODmhT0NK_87rQiTvNvM9z5B5phQVlhYubLNOizUlIbZH9j7wBbMy8jChLxp=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnvykNRC_AGzIMepoPHPLQx7rS4CH4J_x5fRe0A51nhRPgImMgJcPSjs2qfcRGT-7JxEx4X6POzEbeNrKg2HLsbAV96eonfT7vIhoTmlm2SduuF9fBqEHRQduztcRDTODmhT0NK_87rQiTvNvM9z5B5phQVlhYubLNOizUlIbZH9j7wBbMy8jChLxp=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different types of injera</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/a/AVvXsEg34j7NJsuydwExXcwvm34kiyqtAnrVPgfbSbKUSUZxB1rM_xQ6fHzOZ5b3-BtYvAj5F1F-Bd5QvUlhpKtFm6d0Uvt0OKt_HPMM4tBBxZob2UEB5vLsXGtRzPFTV8RCQZjlztMYlr5KZrfw5xKvHsVt9c_NxOL4ZGfl2NMoJa7uUOikGhJQNk4HmUfN=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg34j7NJsuydwExXcwvm34kiyqtAnrVPgfbSbKUSUZxB1rM_xQ6fHzOZ5b3-BtYvAj5F1F-Bd5QvUlhpKtFm6d0Uvt0OKt_HPMM4tBBxZob2UEB5vLsXGtRzPFTV8RCQZjlztMYlr5KZrfw5xKvHsVt9c_NxOL4ZGfl2NMoJa7uUOikGhJQNk4HmUfN=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tibs (meat in sauce) </td></tr></tbody></table><div>If you aren't a fan on injera, they would serve bread as an option.</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/a/AVvXsEjGBqRubB7Hq-uU0d5iH0zXSj-ZDWrnzQwqYRMPoRmlQ1qzpL4gLWlRGQZplVbSYFFsSxLkjCcsL71izdh3rZFgweacem4q1IpOwXE54s7HyRXQqJkijTflhbqZ7hkwCAyxiD8185gJqpGeNtcMNZR3Z_V5mfTwY66rqW0UdVl8yaiXviEafec1VtIb=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGBqRubB7Hq-uU0d5iH0zXSj-ZDWrnzQwqYRMPoRmlQ1qzpL4gLWlRGQZplVbSYFFsSxLkjCcsL71izdh3rZFgweacem4q1IpOwXE54s7HyRXQqJkijTflhbqZ7hkwCAyxiD8185gJqpGeNtcMNZR3Z_V5mfTwY66rqW0UdVl8yaiXviEafec1VtIb=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shekela tibs (dry grilled meat)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaNWVlsZiFu0aSSEVEX3gj9F921DUwy7KDdaCwICDQBIvG6P-X_8htfcSH5Dqx2Ywn_WwGnkPInNtvJeWEb-L8oZbUZLLmuj2M9VU7x2rE3o2_HlCqTMNNtd3lARAT_yxxEpCWuflpnDifmEClYsYN7UgxBV67yHnV-YzkzeqBfGYVP8QauXFvEVTy=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjaNWVlsZiFu0aSSEVEX3gj9F921DUwy7KDdaCwICDQBIvG6P-X_8htfcSH5Dqx2Ywn_WwGnkPInNtvJeWEb-L8oZbUZLLmuj2M9VU7x2rE3o2_HlCqTMNNtd3lARAT_yxxEpCWuflpnDifmEClYsYN7UgxBV67yHnV-YzkzeqBfGYVP8QauXFvEVTy=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More shekel tibs</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/a/AVvXsEiYfsVITapV6IfXLw0U3yFYpa4ohhfVIm5bl3TrmkSGpYGQ_ovwVhHWXAvJkqCWFXoC9_gKPCod6o_XvfqagFsAZy6LAReAjBjl3NPm88sLhz8rDnyEwC61s_5aGD0-Xzjvr72JjBEZDwLp_AxPARK4JOEGyRoH8S5i3_kAB8zGCbP80wTB6ZG3IuS8=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiYfsVITapV6IfXLw0U3yFYpa4ohhfVIm5bl3TrmkSGpYGQ_ovwVhHWXAvJkqCWFXoC9_gKPCod6o_XvfqagFsAZy6LAReAjBjl3NPm88sLhz8rDnyEwC61s_5aGD0-Xzjvr72JjBEZDwLp_AxPARK4JOEGyRoH8S5i3_kAB8zGCbP80wTB6ZG3IuS8=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Injera and spinach</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><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/a/AVvXsEiytePUha0noaKvdLbGWrpYUuchh30LNdPbzPkul8uJLWbJM9-xVzjp-moyvhX9nNXg0-eXhfSuJal--_R6ehUVP93y-udaimYnqdVlxv11e_WFpQREcftd4Gl62GBSwUhsfPDh4HahNEY_XTQtjUfinWYizvNtnoyglZnjdnX7yF4XngXF5eqkiCHF=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiytePUha0noaKvdLbGWrpYUuchh30LNdPbzPkul8uJLWbJM9-xVzjp-moyvhX9nNXg0-eXhfSuJal--_R6ehUVP93y-udaimYnqdVlxv11e_WFpQREcftd4Gl62GBSwUhsfPDh4HahNEY_XTQtjUfinWYizvNtnoyglZnjdnX7yF4XngXF5eqkiCHF=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #262626; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Injera, shiro (chick peas prepared as a sauce) and a tomato sauce served in the photo above and how it is eaten in the photo below.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #262626; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">They can eat injera all day, every day!. I ate it with different forms of meat, chick peas, ground beans, tomato sauce etc.</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj15BjrKetOoPfEcRiUrvU0XqGaOOc5qK5-SQr-2A8dQUuIkpgANGmlDHI7a-EqhuMU_mKyrhlxJrgSOLcm3m4yndura8Qs_wlhHYRDkMuxc9A4DwFbEm3mu0xcNcW-lZGRi4h_djCf66XgdOwk2J1JhqdJfUUoIjkZ21zqTqn0NnBYVTKr7BRMqehH=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj15BjrKetOoPfEcRiUrvU0XqGaOOc5qK5-SQr-2A8dQUuIkpgANGmlDHI7a-EqhuMU_mKyrhlxJrgSOLcm3m4yndura8Qs_wlhHYRDkMuxc9A4DwFbEm3mu0xcNcW-lZGRi4h_djCf66XgdOwk2J1JhqdJfUUoIjkZ21zqTqn0NnBYVTKr7BRMqehH=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP3XQSo5Ut_08XqffuiVxOygX5BaE-P5TtUHLSW1NGHn3OzX9WFUe9jWTBBqhUlYNznglw4U7kbTtDZaSPnWOm2X2Ppq0mwYwo3W7aT84FN9jtEZ7MfebPOMMlFR5cYoN7Pkev6YPGQa2TJcYgLsR0QzQx4nkSVBoyG5GLjFBWJBjx2nGRITlC305s=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjP3XQSo5Ut_08XqffuiVxOygX5BaE-P5TtUHLSW1NGHn3OzX9WFUe9jWTBBqhUlYNznglw4U7kbTtDZaSPnWOm2X2Ppq0mwYwo3W7aT84FN9jtEZ7MfebPOMMlFR5cYoN7Pkev6YPGQa2TJcYgLsR0QzQx4nkSVBoyG5GLjFBWJBjx2nGRITlC305s=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><br /><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/a/AVvXsEjpsHLE5kr3WBd5W4Hkcbg90Y2Vyj5pQpwP6mylXtX5oVNnxFI3WQVEzYgz671K6l7b-pJvDjafqBod6Llrvfk6Hs78RAXgZksXwCRuGOHOdaEhQUDnpiRj59uv0RrZNAUN6uuDvvPo3xd5CYFo_Bjlp3Pd421mLiQExB2FqLxChSoyGchIwrJChPgP=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpsHLE5kr3WBd5W4Hkcbg90Y2Vyj5pQpwP6mylXtX5oVNnxFI3WQVEzYgz671K6l7b-pJvDjafqBod6Llrvfk6Hs78RAXgZksXwCRuGOHOdaEhQUDnpiRj59uv0RrZNAUN6uuDvvPo3xd5CYFo_Bjlp3Pd421mLiQExB2FqLxChSoyGchIwrJChPgP=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Injera and tegamino</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #262626; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Tegamino is also made from chick peas but is thicker than shiro.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJSZwR4hfczxDE0Io8fs-VtiKD3p6IBaaBROmn42w-E4Eb-ZWGko_6vTt0EZUcZczb-GmO6IeKxfIXAB4OxnFSB8GOT8SH6qhwrLC5omyQkeQTRYUqEO7NnaK6eCGSbqwfPW39Lgf6iLSbrWCTBUhqDDVl_SD5ZyWnWMqXpCDJGs3ewiSU5--RvSJ-=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJSZwR4hfczxDE0Io8fs-VtiKD3p6IBaaBROmn42w-E4Eb-ZWGko_6vTt0EZUcZczb-GmO6IeKxfIXAB4OxnFSB8GOT8SH6qhwrLC5omyQkeQTRYUqEO7NnaK6eCGSbqwfPW39Lgf6iLSbrWCTBUhqDDVl_SD5ZyWnWMqXpCDJGs3ewiSU5--RvSJ-=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div></span><span style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: 0px none; color: #262626; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: 0px none; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: justify;">In the photo above, there is a variety of things and sauces including eggs, cooked and raw meat. We were unable to go through with eating the raw meat and ending up asking them to steam it for us. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's not uncommon to see people feeding each other. I watched with fascination the first time I saw this. We were seated behind 3 couples, the youngest woman filled her hand with injera and meat, then stretched over to the oldest man to feed him, who was clearly not her husband. Then I saw the feeding going around the couples.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was told that it's normal, a way of showing affection and it is impolite to refuse. So I was warned that if I hung out long enough with Ethiopians, it wouldn't be long before someone would stretch over to feed me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #262626; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I even heard that children are laid on injera before baptism 🙈 I have no way of knowing if this is true.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQcMxdZt1UYCR_FXS0-l7QLYn6RU-ksAAGl-XbnuMSep5QY2P9R76lh6L9kSed3Q3FhpcZk1NVCgzCvUEIv9dsbT_EDpLa69X22jgoATDB1u45miNmx-Rn0yE7-aEQlm4H1vLfd5SVRIOHnLzDcolbX9-gwlzCL0rCeC6hNalt9u6dSWqH5z0Tg4kV=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQcMxdZt1UYCR_FXS0-l7QLYn6RU-ksAAGl-XbnuMSep5QY2P9R76lh6L9kSed3Q3FhpcZk1NVCgzCvUEIv9dsbT_EDpLa69X22jgoATDB1u45miNmx-Rn0yE7-aEQlm4H1vLfd5SVRIOHnLzDcolbX9-gwlzCL0rCeC6hNalt9u6dSWqH5z0Tg4kV=w360-h640" width="360" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Then coffee...if you are a coffee lover, this is a place to be! There is a whole ceremony of roasting the coffee beans then preparing it all to the final stage. They also burn incense while the coffee is being prepared. In the photo above, you can see the incense smoke coming towards me. I hear the coffee is quite strong and good. I don't drink coffee, so I wouldn't know. Coffee is part of the ritual, they have some after meals and it is equally as important as the meal.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyOG-Nh0ky7xNUmLhHaED-1Y59EFIqOYLw2ejkI5oWnm0ZxJIL7ll8JGX0pNhSa9DOoFBzV5-H6tQsWKSYWdhUZlc_BWeT10esW9bRrtyUBpN98IXEA-QET1r1eVCBAQ-4dCtS6FmFB9JKdU7MPcWznvoHxbS2MXTlTRyrFM22QRhYQtvZA3aPdXqv=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjyOG-Nh0ky7xNUmLhHaED-1Y59EFIqOYLw2ejkI5oWnm0ZxJIL7ll8JGX0pNhSa9DOoFBzV5-H6tQsWKSYWdhUZlc_BWeT10esW9bRrtyUBpN98IXEA-QET1r1eVCBAQ-4dCtS6FmFB9JKdU7MPcWznvoHxbS2MXTlTRyrFM22QRhYQtvZA3aPdXqv=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had fuul which is ground beans, it could be quite spicy. Fried eggs, tomatoes and yoghurt are added onto it. I opted to have it without yoghurt. I loved the local bread in the photo, it is unleavened and I left Tigray with a stash of it.</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/a/AVvXsEjEJl4DR6tiaI2ipLqK2V7UsE0pwBxfM3ap_FksNduJQ0FnSKza8Kg4UvSwEbFw2nORYwDXuYfP-VOclZ1kjxEex3Ja0l4vkXhXlEK36LCJNsYRm0PV7NSpojY5qBbVnXzrrHjDm5irSQzI3keTNDvT7CL7EM7eTCilomjUb3Iv3ZBOoDT7rI_8JQVi=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEJl4DR6tiaI2ipLqK2V7UsE0pwBxfM3ap_FksNduJQ0FnSKza8Kg4UvSwEbFw2nORYwDXuYfP-VOclZ1kjxEex3Ja0l4vkXhXlEK36LCJNsYRm0PV7NSpojY5qBbVnXzrrHjDm5irSQzI3keTNDvT7CL7EM7eTCilomjUb3Iv3ZBOoDT7rI_8JQVi=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tihlo</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I also tried Tihlo which is native to the Tigray region. It is made from barley, rolled into small balls, eaten with meat and this sauce. The person who serves stays and keeps making the barley balls while you eat. They are eaten with the sticks, I was a natural and they were impressed.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I discovered cactus, I had always known the plant but didn't realise it produced fruit. This was a rather interesting discovery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMtx9B7KhN-3m-xwa0jQjMlEAm26Vtw0AOUGRNbDXtIzvklIT61KqSsLCvzQnLluMCVkR8P3lDDVuOzz43x7EY00BCrEuvfpeo0DW4HBvKUTsr-pK4AE-lGlON6jpjWI7vot91cbIZdr5-5kWIbEOXVKR9nf_d7-IOMaStZoinhJ0x1WlqIYAJzDbj=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMtx9B7KhN-3m-xwa0jQjMlEAm26Vtw0AOUGRNbDXtIzvklIT61KqSsLCvzQnLluMCVkR8P3lDDVuOzz43x7EY00BCrEuvfpeo0DW4HBvKUTsr-pK4AE-lGlON6jpjWI7vot91cbIZdr5-5kWIbEOXVKR9nf_d7-IOMaStZoinhJ0x1WlqIYAJzDbj=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRkHvXzsJg8gGd11bWQSNBDSfVSOgsFFxjhF8vDGRVHoOZYyxnB3Rt9F9vdnDMWgj_kCPMtBzUQnHFJ6ImMb1V_MoIV6AMojLEKP__MCsBUn6nTbKSfaFK34porfVZ0d5If3j1URtNHf92NGwyJerOSQUIaknsOyjENdKjh44-Q_Ol23fE13gZZa0s=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRkHvXzsJg8gGd11bWQSNBDSfVSOgsFFxjhF8vDGRVHoOZYyxnB3Rt9F9vdnDMWgj_kCPMtBzUQnHFJ6ImMb1V_MoIV6AMojLEKP__MCsBUn6nTbKSfaFK34porfVZ0d5If3j1URtNHf92NGwyJerOSQUIaknsOyjENdKjh44-Q_Ol23fE13gZZa0s=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW2Fw3VhyqX8ZLNZbbfLbnfpCn4IKXBpjEZmwvSwocPdD-2Rz5GdXAC1dq1myrFnnX-vxD_XmQNMycf8yjhA2kLcNDYv7Np4DJn0AlqS7N6w5ELFu3IQVGUGcE7KAK_vDxmwCeYgWsdreghn6ApxAOOMnCBXM_j3HO3hgqUyR6LVvxZiQ4RDkDoSf7=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiW2Fw3VhyqX8ZLNZbbfLbnfpCn4IKXBpjEZmwvSwocPdD-2Rz5GdXAC1dq1myrFnnX-vxD_XmQNMycf8yjhA2kLcNDYv7Np4DJn0AlqS7N6w5ELFu3IQVGUGcE7KAK_vDxmwCeYgWsdreghn6ApxAOOMnCBXM_j3HO3hgqUyR6LVvxZiQ4RDkDoSf7=w362-h640" width="362" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Churches</b> - There are churches all over, on hills, in the most random places. The Orthodox Church is very popular. When the practising ones pass by a church, they would do the sign of the cross three times. To get from point A to B, they could do the sign a few times without fail.</div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZlHUQFMZiKLuidTtgA2F0lD_vYkAKfZdLlpa5Q14lzkfu2xwbCl6G9JZnw9g1dFlxnOkmFRdXbm0JjzFG7glhg1z7pf5QHUozxYKBKLqrt3qOVFg8ZugHCMF8nUKtNoj1wzXAAP5-oyG952ahnu0axhSIBw99OxOw4ocUx_mzxxjiEXfs8pxIonGH=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZlHUQFMZiKLuidTtgA2F0lD_vYkAKfZdLlpa5Q14lzkfu2xwbCl6G9JZnw9g1dFlxnOkmFRdXbm0JjzFG7glhg1z7pf5QHUozxYKBKLqrt3qOVFg8ZugHCMF8nUKtNoj1wzXAAP5-oyG952ahnu0axhSIBw99OxOw4ocUx_mzxxjiEXfs8pxIonGH=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQP9aJHirWSpFLicl_IBuuVs2G1GWbOzrJcAzYzPfrIBVROcNeAOBxfLNt18a9jAWfBB7yQ4ZiKznukuvn9nmYSIBIxb-LjDvd8eswRa2VnDwwEs0By8cDdarhQ6VpMLC69DFlhvHoacCkr6y8vQ8U30nqLvFnEKGD6O9N_sJ5X72fYF13IfgSLzwt=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQP9aJHirWSpFLicl_IBuuVs2G1GWbOzrJcAzYzPfrIBVROcNeAOBxfLNt18a9jAWfBB7yQ4ZiKznukuvn9nmYSIBIxb-LjDvd8eswRa2VnDwwEs0By8cDdarhQ6VpMLC69DFlhvHoacCkr6y8vQ8U30nqLvFnEKGD6O9N_sJ5X72fYF13IfgSLzwt=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also saw people kiss the walls of the churches. Or there could be a person who is dressed like an ancient priest with a big cross, they would kiss the cross. They always look so pious when they carry out this act.</span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: 0px none; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I heard a lot of chanting from the Orthodox Church and it could go on and on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By the way, the Catholic Church, Protestant Church and Islam are present but the Orthodox Church stood out to me...maybe because it's something I'm not used to.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">People talked of fasting a lot, but I saw them eating. I asked a few of my colleagues who explained that it meant they were not to eat meat or dairy products. I asked why, none of them could say why exactly, but that their priest told them so. The fasting happens for a good part of the year. <span style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: 0px none; color: #262626; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Here I was thinking Nigeria was leading with people "carrying religion on their heads". But in Ethiopia, it was on another level. </span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: 0px none; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I attended an early service at an Orthodox church and it was a beautiful view with everyone dressed in white. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguTbY2vYwaLioS73Bkbthtva7y-TIZXYIVjck7wtzFrzalB-bcpabf1RdOe0TYpeIomlY5Ilj8iUFTVPrvn2lrhglQ1t7-o3oEUBm_U7HP_VhNbSCg6gtQuxrV0E59cJ7Ku8kT5J_8m1ACpIYLxxRJmkGWh4ChcHV1TwI8lbOS_zHmyb2zb8pxBdNV=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEguTbY2vYwaLioS73Bkbthtva7y-TIZXYIVjck7wtzFrzalB-bcpabf1RdOe0TYpeIomlY5Ilj8iUFTVPrvn2lrhglQ1t7-o3oEUBm_U7HP_VhNbSCg6gtQuxrV0E59cJ7Ku8kT5J_8m1ACpIYLxxRJmkGWh4ChcHV1TwI8lbOS_zHmyb2zb8pxBdNV=w640-h360" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgixT5e1QinQd5I2bFKNHlX1AoYPReJTBq9_SHQJOVSHIGGHufRIDVj1Te5rePl_I05gZbnxDlkhHpzkEe11L_-4qgM1XiKtBREC59szx2a01O1Q6q6MYRuEbIL9m5hbZG1wCH5U6LPwV8SZl5hphPDsEUwrJoT9A1l8vWDnjV8mpB-iKM8NSdj4sZR=s3648" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgixT5e1QinQd5I2bFKNHlX1AoYPReJTBq9_SHQJOVSHIGGHufRIDVj1Te5rePl_I05gZbnxDlkhHpzkEe11L_-4qgM1XiKtBREC59szx2a01O1Q6q6MYRuEbIL9m5hbZG1wCH5U6LPwV8SZl5hphPDsEUwrJoT9A1l8vWDnjV8mpB-iKM8NSdj4sZR=w480-h640" width="480" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: 0px none; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: 0px none; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">We stood through the service while blessings were recited (I guess as it was all in the local language), so I didn't understand anything. At some point, everyone sang and it was pure. There is just something about music. </span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; border-image: none; border: 0px none; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One woman behind us was on her knees with her head to the ground, she was in that position for such a long time, at some point I whispered a prayer to God on her behalf, asking him to please hear her prayer.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><b>Unity Park</b> - This was the first place I visited the weekend I arrived, thanks to a friend's recommendation. </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">It is a beautiful place and is well thought out, a must do if you visit Addis. </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">The place is a mix of fun and history. I was quite impressed with how well history was documented and preserved. Some parts were pleasant, and some not so much. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf1OI2xj2VO2jMFVP6ahYHgPmXy8yqCepIwm_RrbFxP_Uw-wx3se8GF7Vt4GkkPZSuO3K8KFQy8Qg8e87PvmT3B6S8OVxzP-dPxrg5JSG18mXD9TzWminbznajxIdKfLjQOxTdrJboqVxXGByYAUrCpCFJA1_XYV7Jk6GfMoQHE5V5LoUxvRdciblU=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjf1OI2xj2VO2jMFVP6ahYHgPmXy8yqCepIwm_RrbFxP_Uw-wx3se8GF7Vt4GkkPZSuO3K8KFQy8Qg8e87PvmT3B6S8OVxzP-dPxrg5JSG18mXD9TzWminbznajxIdKfLjQOxTdrJboqVxXGByYAUrCpCFJA1_XYV7Jk6GfMoQHE5V5LoUxvRdciblU=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJiOhe82dC7s2BHB8U_E7kJYG3_NUKXhHRMa5VtiEXSNV1QwSgbG6FTCpT5RKKWCuZaG_za5MVJptoYMmFBG9NdS9vcCMw0iNcOjjQlkJk24fNWHPrF2lY3GQn7GD6wq3iKg8Va66JC0B1J-LJCSQef6O3T23SOpwh7bENBhse0OF_Tn30-ScqpVff=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJiOhe82dC7s2BHB8U_E7kJYG3_NUKXhHRMa5VtiEXSNV1QwSgbG6FTCpT5RKKWCuZaG_za5MVJptoYMmFBG9NdS9vcCMw0iNcOjjQlkJk24fNWHPrF2lY3GQn7GD6wq3iKg8Va66JC0B1J-LJCSQef6O3T23SOpwh7bENBhse0OF_Tn30-ScqpVff=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglkgNsNSCQH7l7XoyQwEGowfcD5UIoeTQGFwhPXBYlcBVn9PgxZliBXr2lZpnHJ0Lp3XTecPbcyUL5kh507fzczByGUm2HtK0w35IZQWgNv5D4MSdh-2rRLOQ_M8-uTwkYzVyDg4Gj7wZV-qWXgil8EwW3B42daZlnF_U7GZRaQpx41UWtoVJ5K0Rk=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglkgNsNSCQH7l7XoyQwEGowfcD5UIoeTQGFwhPXBYlcBVn9PgxZliBXr2lZpnHJ0Lp3XTecPbcyUL5kh507fzczByGUm2HtK0w35IZQWgNv5D4MSdh-2rRLOQ_M8-uTwkYzVyDg4Gj7wZV-qWXgil8EwW3B42daZlnF_U7GZRaQpx41UWtoVJ5K0Rk=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgWOf1sBkCMEEGMUJ2bMrrDBt0rmkjw3pIxTdNUvl5D70zPKRcyPrO6vow33qBK7526GrJHAcTzX_k-7_H_SjJ8wT9hLidw_8mUKRp5rstwftQGuaCmvClOp0RlDUGFKyKqv6RFaoDFvNkZJ4M6cTyPapMEZE_4OVDywIDw9wFbuC3_NyJjjz3wQQrA=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4QyyJQFBbVAJAqIvwjC3dafSFB-GrZ32sR7oz_u4Zu9Pv3ZcmF0ai-JGiuN-RrLKQ_AqY172A7wELwvDnadSZpkbUwhq2BgrzXQtLvRYZSpYw8RFcEB-M9Dqv9aOduuHdIViOKlt7uH3rH6AI0jKy6YJAi9c47L6b09pcJn3CE7mNXBrbY2OKLw68=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4QyyJQFBbVAJAqIvwjC3dafSFB-GrZ32sR7oz_u4Zu9Pv3ZcmF0ai-JGiuN-RrLKQ_AqY172A7wELwvDnadSZpkbUwhq2BgrzXQtLvRYZSpYw8RFcEB-M9Dqv9aOduuHdIViOKlt7uH3rH6AI0jKy6YJAi9c47L6b09pcJn3CE7mNXBrbY2OKLw68=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQWFQ_4sZOnyBZu5McB4W7CFRmck5bVMGUTYxUrO0kQsFshMH7Dj1dZZaQNxK71UEbaoJlt3fNbJOZC2bBXYTar-vA6LgLRnG4YdodBi3Ftb3BxrkEbJzPkgz9LX5-TqzA9HGwo-FrOjRG7zKKvoPbCvnFHcNrer0iS-aEbyXt8Bh9HYHiv5zU5coE=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQWFQ_4sZOnyBZu5McB4W7CFRmck5bVMGUTYxUrO0kQsFshMH7Dj1dZZaQNxK71UEbaoJlt3fNbJOZC2bBXYTar-vA6LgLRnG4YdodBi3Ftb3BxrkEbJzPkgz9LX5-TqzA9HGwo-FrOjRG7zKKvoPbCvnFHcNrer0iS-aEbyXt8Bh9HYHiv5zU5coE=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCa5N1Zuhu2RRi3-akD1sD5leLQah3iiedqCldOHy6VDJWwvrnvNPiOIwOdwZ7BKbrvZKQgYFzEVGUQM5fcTg8cE5-ogjlugW6ukU0RwqjgUUqXm_nbu12TiZGprQ_5c9APEd5_l3OoCsPjg55oUszLetasuUqvqEq687LU3Q9jgQB0QpKMWbjZutS=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCa5N1Zuhu2RRi3-akD1sD5leLQah3iiedqCldOHy6VDJWwvrnvNPiOIwOdwZ7BKbrvZKQgYFzEVGUQM5fcTg8cE5-ogjlugW6ukU0RwqjgUUqXm_nbu12TiZGprQ_5c9APEd5_l3OoCsPjg55oUszLetasuUqvqEq687LU3Q9jgQB0QpKMWbjZutS=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiM9V7IeThiUaupOswMi26TQAzV8j2EKUxpsyrqPL7RW4Okuws4VGKGN0znR_O1ZPV7poEwA5_Z9mDgFjQEv6poC8KjOREQahzP-LraIhmGo3eVpqWWxnhjGioYrMODGWrMa2qQdmzyU0KyjQO8-sYYp0I6PcFsJOMCvHFogeLfraZGfQKAY2ba2-Jt=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiM9V7IeThiUaupOswMi26TQAzV8j2EKUxpsyrqPL7RW4Okuws4VGKGN0znR_O1ZPV7poEwA5_Z9mDgFjQEv6poC8KjOREQahzP-LraIhmGo3eVpqWWxnhjGioYrMODGWrMa2qQdmzyU0KyjQO8-sYYp0I6PcFsJOMCvHFogeLfraZGfQKAY2ba2-Jt=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></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/a/AVvXsEihBBbmfWaoTJTtfO7m7GRMeUUIDc2zYFFKkRAIQSmf-cprKNqGB34oCthZxOkRK8ShDfLEVhFtp3tmSkUnH3WMVzGDsHeXHIrXpdTrt5mtn5NDC-81X61xkPitjPUoCxcOijZNDpsX1VOOEXjh0y64N4k4lVXZ6OE4rdZdIt_9iEjtJtETR2wVG_VQ=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihBBbmfWaoTJTtfO7m7GRMeUUIDc2zYFFKkRAIQSmf-cprKNqGB34oCthZxOkRK8ShDfLEVhFtp3tmSkUnH3WMVzGDsHeXHIrXpdTrt5mtn5NDC-81X61xkPitjPUoCxcOijZNDpsX1VOOEXjh0y64N4k4lVXZ6OE4rdZdIt_9iEjtJtETR2wVG_VQ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esther looking down from the palace entrance</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table></span><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5gK_IyCRt4SZ_0AyBj9k8IqDNyR8uOPiOMtuRtXmgTHwtELgZ64U30ERshAWljqyf9w2gbpTpJqUjOw6H_YyoTzIwkKYpXImR1kgF5zbt_7aY_4DiWCMj2sHvtp319nKDpkMEJ1tGy0r_8LhWCFGjcO06cvLnnczmA5xLVVIKz2-ysl2mi63r2cME=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5gK_IyCRt4SZ_0AyBj9k8IqDNyR8uOPiOMtuRtXmgTHwtELgZ64U30ERshAWljqyf9w2gbpTpJqUjOw6H_YyoTzIwkKYpXImR1kgF5zbt_7aY_4DiWCMj2sHvtp319nKDpkMEJ1tGy0r_8LhWCFGjcO06cvLnnczmA5xLVVIKz2-ysl2mi63r2cME=w360-h640" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Haile Selassie's car</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></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/a/AVvXsEiFeoxznNMdhbpr3uibe2O3UhXm01FzzRkt6zu7c4DqC6JBGTQRkMWXfRz1Dxx-Fp1kmSrWmu1Ka-bSBeidrUuEIf8Xr9zKatL40E0j5VWshQ0ee4x5k6Hj81gF_RZmm3gSDaG76vmBywT8kU6tjGZmYrYTECW0IGiBGaTJeQyJt2bjB9SGMt4byY0r=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFeoxznNMdhbpr3uibe2O3UhXm01FzzRkt6zu7c4DqC6JBGTQRkMWXfRz1Dxx-Fp1kmSrWmu1Ka-bSBeidrUuEIf8Xr9zKatL40E0j5VWshQ0ee4x5k6Hj81gF_RZmm3gSDaG76vmBywT8kU6tjGZmYrYTECW0IGiBGaTJeQyJt2bjB9SGMt4byY0r=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haile Selassie on his throne</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3cfVqGhA8eHmywBGH75r6cQcV2SbFtwFdL2UHGoR7Fy2OLnN6TOrerBcYi9BEhVUmwr5Ho57g7u4yRefH9lKomPEJqO4U9kgR9EnmfMBj4FFjcUWmlpFNczxREUNcfEbcRd2DO4SuBJ2YwXMVDvCJcu8jLuPurHawBqXScMejIpLN1cHylk1SD9lL=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3cfVqGhA8eHmywBGH75r6cQcV2SbFtwFdL2UHGoR7Fy2OLnN6TOrerBcYi9BEhVUmwr5Ho57g7u4yRefH9lKomPEJqO4U9kgR9EnmfMBj4FFjcUWmlpFNczxREUNcfEbcRd2DO4SuBJ2YwXMVDvCJcu8jLuPurHawBqXScMejIpLN1cHylk1SD9lL=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was soooo much to read. It was very informative. There was even information about King Solomon.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJQu1YgMMhNnHDFKGp5XhFQJBm1JQXQwnrZSylLZZ6MN2ldPEyp7obOrFF3UyCMgJgUW3BGHXQXZc_lLqOzLVKGRDobnTDAqssRXMyW_v9NXEql4XPj0Ko4I453JExUEgOkBpCWmGO27a4Yb8-UlEt3Vl38y4CSSusGvxYXHj6JwANV0kWCzUHXhEo=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJQu1YgMMhNnHDFKGp5XhFQJBm1JQXQwnrZSylLZZ6MN2ldPEyp7obOrFF3UyCMgJgUW3BGHXQXZc_lLqOzLVKGRDobnTDAqssRXMyW_v9NXEql4XPj0Ko4I453JExUEgOkBpCWmGO27a4Yb8-UlEt3Vl38y4CSSusGvxYXHj6JwANV0kWCzUHXhEo=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><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/a/AVvXsEiA3-4lyIp8YPbNyv8DBqGZnRV7O8kiWWheX1vBEbnoEYXYvUfOtOePYSbXck3d7iOUptD6O2GOLh1zTkx7aY2BkDdhPBw1pNJkxpmR8l1djm7kkAdf1g5fjP3fy8bbNIBRr8NjKw5QFmbFt4sM0ozbwruxuF1PXF_ZIPT23yYQRWUUUNk9X9p4XM0e=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA3-4lyIp8YPbNyv8DBqGZnRV7O8kiWWheX1vBEbnoEYXYvUfOtOePYSbXck3d7iOUptD6O2GOLh1zTkx7aY2BkDdhPBw1pNJkxpmR8l1djm7kkAdf1g5fjP3fy8bbNIBRr8NjKw5QFmbFt4sM0ozbwruxuF1PXF_ZIPT23yYQRWUUUNk9X9p4XM0e=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>Menelik on his throne</div></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There was a lot to see, read and listen to. In one part of the building, we listened to a story of a survivor of such cruelty. His story was so sad and moving. All this happened in a dungeon that was once a wine cellar, that was striking! The wine cellar became a detention place where so many atrocities were committed. A good part of the story happened in this dungeon.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEya7Q-0VK74wStKtwXUg2_0OUxCPv5aN7nq-lJRtarYT9eIuCy4IEL30WHKnjWfIqgP0EZ_Z400oAz2v2D07Z1F4w-_uThPIFBYlPafltCmogJNXts3_gPCpXzbGXoFMTzrSPJr4mOl2Mm7fUmb9QagEC0Zg6Jpz7VpSNETSZs-atKwdSNGp1bJa4=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEya7Q-0VK74wStKtwXUg2_0OUxCPv5aN7nq-lJRtarYT9eIuCy4IEL30WHKnjWfIqgP0EZ_Z400oAz2v2D07Z1F4w-_uThPIFBYlPafltCmogJNXts3_gPCpXzbGXoFMTzrSPJr4mOl2Mm7fUmb9QagEC0Zg6Jpz7VpSNETSZs-atKwdSNGp1bJa4=w360-h640" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The walk way into the wine cellar</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLINl8UW7HBCYiwKVp4cgXK0EqvcD-Y-0qzUyLfBDQ4-Z7t8mkgBDgWoNGW_yW_SO0mAbX9Chj2l79CkKrfXK-BikHWDygAarfznqMF5hw6ivzpF_nVfmpY69bnJfvsBBqgCA2ZBV1dB4v3RK-GxkWmUokM_OsiHsQ4Kx6ARtBhXilTMzi6kmNdPlL=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLINl8UW7HBCYiwKVp4cgXK0EqvcD-Y-0qzUyLfBDQ4-Z7t8mkgBDgWoNGW_yW_SO0mAbX9Chj2l79CkKrfXK-BikHWDygAarfznqMF5hw6ivzpF_nVfmpY69bnJfvsBBqgCA2ZBV1dB4v3RK-GxkWmUokM_OsiHsQ4Kx6ARtBhXilTMzi6kmNdPlL=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></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/a/AVvXsEi_f0Us0WQIi7JNcFW3uCEnvv_8PvC_PQLSPViZDm90OYbCzHUerU36SPReRWsLhhPwURnGXQr6hyKkuuTOUuMf9wicnMwgvCHN8E0_yyYXYvkyhwY2RW9jaQV1zFYUaASIe2F3bjdzUDPNTEecyj4LHYKjT59tfwadogU6_C4oobbtXlwCU6EuGFBy=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_f0Us0WQIi7JNcFW3uCEnvv_8PvC_PQLSPViZDm90OYbCzHUerU36SPReRWsLhhPwURnGXQr6hyKkuuTOUuMf9wicnMwgvCHN8E0_yyYXYvkyhwY2RW9jaQV1zFYUaASIe2F3bjdzUDPNTEecyj4LHYKjT59tfwadogU6_C4oobbtXlwCU6EuGFBy=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Esther and I listening to a survivor's moving story</td></tr></tbody></table></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;">Unity park also has a zoo, was nice to see the animals.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNk-cHwjRUyCrqo3tFDweSYjHREfF_D_85M10lydwWlyjWiPWPx8pVokz6sHlPhY5w3YYtR4p50b8SwC_zIH0HbKDNmYwC_S_6Fbn3JKac_CEZn7K15okG5tFcl0l5hLF8XL9koheOr-LG0mN7VTWtByUEmLQxF9xgQQlKxF0g8EJNLh07QpiAYKZ5=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNk-cHwjRUyCrqo3tFDweSYjHREfF_D_85M10lydwWlyjWiPWPx8pVokz6sHlPhY5w3YYtR4p50b8SwC_zIH0HbKDNmYwC_S_6Fbn3JKac_CEZn7K15okG5tFcl0l5hLF8XL9koheOr-LG0mN7VTWtByUEmLQxF9xgQQlKxF0g8EJNLh07QpiAYKZ5=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyi-ElpJyizGgeSrwaSt5IHiwZf0yt1VS24b0vlbDUJ0e0xNI5DarE-OjaptbDNpluT2bfnuZNC53UA1Nj0M2wXLCV4Ew4f-uIryrx30CZ3kQAK3lx4MIyI0lqUGSyaGRpjlrHgQ6GWbKx6AKwvKQu4jvguGpGcOQQFIT37Pkv2bVRupyWKRw_OLwu=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyi-ElpJyizGgeSrwaSt5IHiwZf0yt1VS24b0vlbDUJ0e0xNI5DarE-OjaptbDNpluT2bfnuZNC53UA1Nj0M2wXLCV4Ew4f-uIryrx30CZ3kQAK3lx4MIyI0lqUGSyaGRpjlrHgQ6GWbKx6AKwvKQu4jvguGpGcOQQFIT37Pkv2bVRupyWKRw_OLwu=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1oSYwz2bbjHLXg6-TlK9UB3HM5IF31vcGj6q5H4rFIer3GAa629UKwgItKByunBbuMR8PFhtRiZHCSLUU7JCTvVBRg26h2tOULKjUsBRGlTndcdmfywxYIwuXuziJILttGTCjjS1I2wIVu_dL1cRjcSAr8zzxbnDfYNHfzZALojlosHYgtcS0u6PV=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1oSYwz2bbjHLXg6-TlK9UB3HM5IF31vcGj6q5H4rFIer3GAa629UKwgItKByunBbuMR8PFhtRiZHCSLUU7JCTvVBRg26h2tOULKjUsBRGlTndcdmfywxYIwuXuziJILttGTCjjS1I2wIVu_dL1cRjcSAr8zzxbnDfYNHfzZALojlosHYgtcS0u6PV=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMnO3Pw_bB2X1YnbqePc142QCCSkTHGWymuLDNCxwiIDiQcBVVRCgWqb3xmQTxLR21tQW5UDOiqFYZ9ZmnzKFXBbxZ0UXFIbyKvrbXZhpjs27hnECxp0T3B51AQ4M2yK3D3fPrWb977av2W-MPMJX_Q9YXUM2uvnUIJuz-osHVL1BYw2xsyNZB1sTi=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMnO3Pw_bB2X1YnbqePc142QCCSkTHGWymuLDNCxwiIDiQcBVVRCgWqb3xmQTxLR21tQW5UDOiqFYZ9ZmnzKFXBbxZ0UXFIbyKvrbXZhpjs27hnECxp0T3B51AQ4M2yK3D3fPrWb977av2W-MPMJX_Q9YXUM2uvnUIJuz-osHVL1BYw2xsyNZB1sTi=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQKnAKs7r-mzndGdBS4JyRHnAwkVmtadygIfyCYnfdbg4o5BXWbpcwu2HdzrFsvaDRi4A9EXHaFmedZMnc9GCFF_VrhubZemOjfWsZpzJTiqk0YsU_C7HBboxLrbr0x-Rr4qfQq5DE4-6Ok5CobK4tsVDIGEzrwiblu5zInkRVuU9FW4uaJovRdltJ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQKnAKs7r-mzndGdBS4JyRHnAwkVmtadygIfyCYnfdbg4o5BXWbpcwu2HdzrFsvaDRi4A9EXHaFmedZMnc9GCFF_VrhubZemOjfWsZpzJTiqk0YsU_C7HBboxLrbr0x-Rr4qfQq5DE4-6Ok5CobK4tsVDIGEzrwiblu5zInkRVuU9FW4uaJovRdltJ=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSaeM4w_QXqI5BxuVj68AiL3J5fA22Ac9qSelgLz52wz-cStKz1TyTT213d1TTeL1VNI1grhDkXhTGuqwuxjN7xfHOsQk_mImVaTm2cnb2TVTPzutRA1gu_OKLAyPVOcJHDBv54urwuYh0JSfjht8Zo8aCG_A-Sl0gfDvWHvC7gEHzdGTKtMhs2yK5=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSaeM4w_QXqI5BxuVj68AiL3J5fA22Ac9qSelgLz52wz-cStKz1TyTT213d1TTeL1VNI1grhDkXhTGuqwuxjN7xfHOsQk_mImVaTm2cnb2TVTPzutRA1gu_OKLAyPVOcJHDBv54urwuYh0JSfjht8Zo8aCG_A-Sl0gfDvWHvC7gEHzdGTKtMhs2yK5=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSxmfr7Ti7h9JTWvCKpmtAzKloUhh5x7eGqZSH84GoStddgJCpralZbBO9DEEO-QB9QFIqfJjeAXKRxus-Sq7dpKubnU5SxxnHbaPAOFO-h2DEu2JBwveNvoCP-Z1_FS48mCUiAKxd4UalilYL4uG3RfYlG5g-VotlNcmNyy1autFTpr5lOJO91Yt4=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgSxmfr7Ti7h9JTWvCKpmtAzKloUhh5x7eGqZSH84GoStddgJCpralZbBO9DEEO-QB9QFIqfJjeAXKRxus-Sq7dpKubnU5SxxnHbaPAOFO-h2DEu2JBwveNvoCP-Z1_FS48mCUiAKxd4UalilYL4uG3RfYlG5g-VotlNcmNyy1autFTpr5lOJO91Yt4=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-5X1UtkeJ1VGto7n_tcPWuSR0CpMU_QFTVfM3PCATlY7iIfqKesgNRbdBPj0CnPItdJ_Dqm1uPYnx9WitnG0i2-cHp-2YM9G3dIWxBOPHOwmCjlKKoMNIxoulLDP0pQwMz_V4dcnhwZdAjwTZohJ-lAwYYAnQC-cDWXdw_4fUdvV0xa5v22ucUuUY=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-5X1UtkeJ1VGto7n_tcPWuSR0CpMU_QFTVfM3PCATlY7iIfqKesgNRbdBPj0CnPItdJ_Dqm1uPYnx9WitnG0i2-cHp-2YM9G3dIWxBOPHOwmCjlKKoMNIxoulLDP0pQwMz_V4dcnhwZdAjwTZohJ-lAwYYAnQC-cDWXdw_4fUdvV0xa5v22ucUuUY=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The final part of the park we saw was a display of the regions of Ethiopia.</span></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #262626;">I was quite pleased with my visit that day, w</span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #262626;">e ended up spending about 3 hours.</span></div></span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Entry fee = $20 for foreigners.</div></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><b>National Museum of Ethiopia</b> - </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">The national museum of Ethiopia holds the history of Lucy! The taxi driver called the place Lucy, my friend</span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"> thought that was the name of the area, but I knew what he was referring to 🙂</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl3wTukhlGHlbYWJDG-SsFCjHbHwjA9hwiz_VuNeb0YzJe2tZ6YBaNcBBGsQcPr0OWTlc2zDbAprFtT66uO8UmqLROhdBpSbxbAImLClqflcX5wj2zj0lKvzA7WfllSZ2nuuAGKGEgkQ2apf4zCcJiYfwub1GwSIXR7J8HbAffCBD9nqvSa3YeMVGi=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhl3wTukhlGHlbYWJDG-SsFCjHbHwjA9hwiz_VuNeb0YzJe2tZ6YBaNcBBGsQcPr0OWTlc2zDbAprFtT66uO8UmqLROhdBpSbxbAImLClqflcX5wj2zj0lKvzA7WfllSZ2nuuAGKGEgkQ2apf4zCcJiYfwub1GwSIXR7J8HbAffCBD9nqvSa3YeMVGi=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlg4nPgoa_DuGTNv_UqGivvOmErUIESnaemS2vSkyqSeuBsE_LygpKT7CNa2lzQa_vXXZvutNI_UsxftOguq6Iw0nZzzSV-K_u7zzSYs_GdwV7SWsSgPXsWhFgfoLCJB5FNwsCGUZt1msl3sXDv3NzmaYhOgh5cqN1066ZwiSoTs0ZSnl6Xdlcuy7W=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlg4nPgoa_DuGTNv_UqGivvOmErUIESnaemS2vSkyqSeuBsE_LygpKT7CNa2lzQa_vXXZvutNI_UsxftOguq6Iw0nZzzSV-K_u7zzSYs_GdwV7SWsSgPXsWhFgfoLCJB5FNwsCGUZt1msl3sXDv3NzmaYhOgh5cqN1066ZwiSoTs0ZSnl6Xdlcuy7W=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span><p></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Lucy's bones were found in 1974 in Ethiopia. The theory is that she represents the evolution of human kind. Her skeleton and the remains of her bones are on display in the museum. If you are a history buff, there are things that would pique your interest on human evolution and Ethiopias history.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf1jtltaAg4AM50nLuThLOv0eK_d9ciKg_g8mLya2JYin23l6C0PtVhKv11pgpFQdK0vsLa8aZIpR3rvLLED0aYpRXx3Q45td_OvJandWqvrvALa0Cp7zhB3OZvp_xS_wYhc6PGvHOR464Aw33WFCnkZFKgjj42pNbAfE2onLpOVFof49yr-Ygwz0e=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhf1jtltaAg4AM50nLuThLOv0eK_d9ciKg_g8mLya2JYin23l6C0PtVhKv11pgpFQdK0vsLa8aZIpR3rvLLED0aYpRXx3Q45td_OvJandWqvrvALa0Cp7zhB3OZvp_xS_wYhc6PGvHOR464Aw33WFCnkZFKgjj42pNbAfE2onLpOVFof49yr-Ygwz0e=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ada and one of our history finds</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi28kRuDaO-0ISZcXR2uTWryWf6YTo4eJlXwigNkavalCNgPVJghHP81BxWmGWJOgfWy3NAzvz9HyUWkzuDr6UqQXujl8tp4ydkO36Z3sq3xlMdKmZvK1wz4ASX6J6MGm5VmXzININdtJP_K5VhcD_VsnNrTcB3y02Fk8uYqCO6NKtdfj-f4lOQ3rs3=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi28kRuDaO-0ISZcXR2uTWryWf6YTo4eJlXwigNkavalCNgPVJghHP81BxWmGWJOgfWy3NAzvz9HyUWkzuDr6UqQXujl8tp4ydkO36Z3sq3xlMdKmZvK1wz4ASX6J6MGm5VmXzININdtJP_K5VhcD_VsnNrTcB3y02Fk8uYqCO6NKtdfj-f4lOQ3rs3=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibyd6eh_o57n_TzxufX076ptR_ur5sjjkzz98_A8n8G6hgoud1LFX27HQx3ehPpPYBuLZmBwBpC8TLc57lbjjPnTtb--E2VIzLGKmnxwOwxUnQ3Vkik8naNKKtoVFnN2kvLfcC4ooL8rRV_nRtmGBRpRA-EYD8A3A8ikvHXSsSDUpYCqN4LnJs-OrZ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibyd6eh_o57n_TzxufX076ptR_ur5sjjkzz98_A8n8G6hgoud1LFX27HQx3ehPpPYBuLZmBwBpC8TLc57lbjjPnTtb--E2VIzLGKmnxwOwxUnQ3Vkik8naNKKtoVFnN2kvLfcC4ooL8rRV_nRtmGBRpRA-EYD8A3A8ikvHXSsSDUpYCqN4LnJs-OrZ=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4EINqEVsAIjuAwzEQsjHcNNxxxA-ua43gxK1ZgW0Zc41NpGAWaf41B3Pn-jYVRPtOO0yORgIQu-dAFurImeAMefN41wTDrSdwRiyqV0SYLcWwzMoZa47bbzo32wLVd9mbkyrKKly-HTqQ9thoPByX8CDfzq21WCfNgCvZYsLBsIPQU1EYZ1hLIq4O=s4032" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4EINqEVsAIjuAwzEQsjHcNNxxxA-ua43gxK1ZgW0Zc41NpGAWaf41B3Pn-jYVRPtOO0yORgIQu-dAFurImeAMefN41wTDrSdwRiyqV0SYLcWwzMoZa47bbzo32wLVd9mbkyrKKly-HTqQ9thoPByX8CDfzq21WCfNgCvZYsLBsIPQU1EYZ1hLIq4O=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucy's skeleton</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj5xoAnT2sSwYDI_dSQS-i99IoPwY8wqnPjwKAI8wEV7YN6Jnd4FUEE7nblJLs17D2V-D_FPHbfU1xO1CG4gQllhSalXPTYI5frWz0qSljeNK6na9e9-H1y569HtTLW1Gv9WP3Oj2Hbdyp3MdE5Z4hcMx3_aOvrE1k_QskQ6uURRT3H02j5M8bWGC3=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj5xoAnT2sSwYDI_dSQS-i99IoPwY8wqnPjwKAI8wEV7YN6Jnd4FUEE7nblJLs17D2V-D_FPHbfU1xO1CG4gQllhSalXPTYI5frWz0qSljeNK6na9e9-H1y569HtTLW1Gv9WP3Oj2Hbdyp3MdE5Z4hcMx3_aOvrE1k_QskQ6uURRT3H02j5M8bWGC3=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was in the garden but there was no one we could ask what the story behind was</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitdLh80CKmvjlq59kkW9wUOLWsGHYpLsc-3WapWh020jRR4f4NaQOOsjVQLrJTp9tJBSVc2gkbVw9eoDknyeBnmT2tWkrdS7sIGRQVJrJdAeTPoP8XWsaROo_A9iPFl7zVQVYbas_wFc3z_SCzqLQ2kUpnmUZ9_XI2IZNWfIjlVTsM4fJQnNR3dXmu=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitdLh80CKmvjlq59kkW9wUOLWsGHYpLsc-3WapWh020jRR4f4NaQOOsjVQLrJTp9tJBSVc2gkbVw9eoDknyeBnmT2tWkrdS7sIGRQVJrJdAeTPoP8XWsaROo_A9iPFl7zVQVYbas_wFc3z_SCzqLQ2kUpnmUZ9_XI2IZNWfIjlVTsM4fJQnNR3dXmu=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The National museum garden</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is a variety of options for restaurants in Addis Ababa and there are other things to do. Knowing the right crowd is key, especially with the language barrier. I visited a number of restaurants (local, Indian, Korean, continental etc) but cannot capture everything in this post. <br /></div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><b><i>Trips outside Addis Ababa:</i></b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><b>Entoto Park</b> - </span><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">Entoto park, located on Mount Entoto, takes up about 50 hectares in the forests around Addis Ababa. It is about 20km from Addis Ababa, but took us an hour and 20 minutes to get there because we ran into some traffic.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">The park is at an altitude of 2600 to 3200 metres, and has 10km of roadway for cycling, and 13km for hiking. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPzmAc_-7dGB5z2Il3vrntRweASdJK7vGEyfkj0yFKoaGuQ3yH43rojrGbi8XnrTcJbNzi9DhcCWcfNQCtQ5DlQ0rmimzwbrwoIta-kGhm2l_rZzQIUAYXQiTkzcSEsbma6lQW7FP15OK-LNF6qI18LSM-rGLCuzUgc89BJ_p-WgWWIHnZWdui6wQ_=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPzmAc_-7dGB5z2Il3vrntRweASdJK7vGEyfkj0yFKoaGuQ3yH43rojrGbi8XnrTcJbNzi9DhcCWcfNQCtQ5DlQ0rmimzwbrwoIta-kGhm2l_rZzQIUAYXQiTkzcSEsbma6lQW7FP15OK-LNF6qI18LSM-rGLCuzUgc89BJ_p-WgWWIHnZWdui6wQ_=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs2i42XRZIrZjPNWX_JHb5ozjHWebvBbrpYEP3CyHmMb8pki3MjPlL296RbvxI1e0pNSCTDMGKfpQkHeBG_UU2AXJpWG10n2RJiPJzyEJKsnzxte06OBmJDwspzVTHYllzU3Ox8WgyLgAyTcnlvX1TNOjaXuIKowFMyki1qUzUeE86-oZNuGYG-ckb=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs2i42XRZIrZjPNWX_JHb5ozjHWebvBbrpYEP3CyHmMb8pki3MjPlL296RbvxI1e0pNSCTDMGKfpQkHeBG_UU2AXJpWG10n2RJiPJzyEJKsnzxte06OBmJDwspzVTHYllzU3Ox8WgyLgAyTcnlvX1TNOjaXuIKowFMyki1qUzUeE86-oZNuGYG-ckb=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmykmbnooPe-PgfaIEOC5wUX7X89tonSuvyn6D0tdi9nja9nNZUEk6BozAvMG4nWej8-RayOtXQNOMzgqo8eIPyN28Dh21aBEiduWgGz3bbTpFT-DbPvcC5pM6BSDPOLX7VTu907ANKAdT-8_88_54S3gW4cXdH3bSljmpHHoxaiuEBoCpYCcNAZxO=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmykmbnooPe-PgfaIEOC5wUX7X89tonSuvyn6D0tdi9nja9nNZUEk6BozAvMG4nWej8-RayOtXQNOMzgqo8eIPyN28Dh21aBEiduWgGz3bbTpFT-DbPvcC5pM6BSDPOLX7VTu907ANKAdT-8_88_54S3gW4cXdH3bSljmpHHoxaiuEBoCpYCcNAZxO=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><p></p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span>This multi-purpose park contains indoor and outdoor facilities built mostly with local material. The park includes centres for physical activities, a spa, tented lodging, a horse stable, a library, restaurants and coffee shops, fountains, walkways, bicycle and scooter lanes.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #262626; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We wandered around for a bit but couldn't stay as long as we would have liked. This place is definitely a good spot for a weekend get away. We did a day trip.</span><br /></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ1KckYVO9zGzS_B0YEs14YdwNMVRQB0m6u_q_bP4mrgezKjCeBYYDsmNg3mIBYinehC5636Hltv7QQZ540FsiIR2yvsDOBZFI2XbNMtijD4LZQmzDOYBbrFEjjHunkWmDyhdxVXiZUCVvkBXRJOn2E9oOVQKgcWc9rxZdpN3-Zz_J_9wMVBr48Gn9=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ1KckYVO9zGzS_B0YEs14YdwNMVRQB0m6u_q_bP4mrgezKjCeBYYDsmNg3mIBYinehC5636Hltv7QQZ540FsiIR2yvsDOBZFI2XbNMtijD4LZQmzDOYBbrFEjjHunkWmDyhdxVXiZUCVvkBXRJOn2E9oOVQKgcWc9rxZdpN3-Zz_J_9wMVBr48Gn9=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk way</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvTho7zK05i-mYrEbA8Y8ypko-X8Q4vpSHAwjBerb_SxMOtnWkwH_vO6izSxVYr5LMqrTHUUAPJILdPv3JyLQgW7hb-ymKbL9hJd3WzgMZyGBeKL0JAovng4ugYUMCeVpe03aYI6_2BUPmOF_FkdBa3wZyrtQHW-pr2wlKDRPuEl6ejyH4nVyY5TVI=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvTho7zK05i-mYrEbA8Y8ypko-X8Q4vpSHAwjBerb_SxMOtnWkwH_vO6izSxVYr5LMqrTHUUAPJILdPv3JyLQgW7hb-ymKbL9hJd3WzgMZyGBeKL0JAovng4ugYUMCeVpe03aYI6_2BUPmOF_FkdBa3wZyrtQHW-pr2wlKDRPuEl6ejyH4nVyY5TVI=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking Addis Ababa</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKcUSFYYvdmdM8kuvuj-eXdi687Y7U-kUjNayx2OTgJhrq3mqJUhHSRAPBy9R4bVSxgQU10xW7YvBKu4ee8GN96wcPZkx_kAmH4jobfCWQ3UNu7rUtM4EgXJ6ULvbpgye4RvVyJgB2PUHETV4M_Gv4gaMSiu_lvH8110sZokj1FbvZeK7W_5h07pd4=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKcUSFYYvdmdM8kuvuj-eXdi687Y7U-kUjNayx2OTgJhrq3mqJUhHSRAPBy9R4bVSxgQU10xW7YvBKu4ee8GN96wcPZkx_kAmH4jobfCWQ3UNu7rUtM4EgXJ6ULvbpgye4RvVyJgB2PUHETV4M_Gv4gaMSiu_lvH8110sZokj1FbvZeK7W_5h07pd4=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These love signs were on the way out</td></tr></tbody></table><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p></p></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #b01200; font-family: georgia;"></span></b><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #262626;"><span><b>Bishoftu</b> : My friend visited so we went to Bishoftu,</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"> in the Oromia region, about 48km and an hour from Addis Ababa.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnisBYqI4zoManzx0zrnIFgux6cIijlbO59oolBcbCJlaoPJhbekAsdhizIy0wyD8O6yippnEAhn1EJBNhYdHItWabW9GdrjTXvAYnJ_2-M14Veb9eo57XBHURubQ81GKt9wyZcAuRn3tcFQTvDzYRkk-mMiBFc_Kdr8P1TmBVhIVeYuUEIi1fnps_=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnisBYqI4zoManzx0zrnIFgux6cIijlbO59oolBcbCJlaoPJhbekAsdhizIy0wyD8O6yippnEAhn1EJBNhYdHItWabW9GdrjTXvAYnJ_2-M14Veb9eo57XBHURubQ81GKt9wyZcAuRn3tcFQTvDzYRkk-mMiBFc_Kdr8P1TmBVhIVeYuUEIi1fnps_=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The catch for us was the view overlooking lakes. Although it was winter when we visited and the visibility was low, with fog, we still had some great views.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijxgvj61nlG23upHmJ0xa1CNMHlk63c0rPlT6jIMq-oB7sYORNx7n7frCvfXUEqlZIV8QEj9FkndZwCSd7I_oKuWrPeQrrM8nQCC1W_rkj4vSeBh7R6N0kel7Fbl49xJMrM31juNh2Ziyzgrh2f3iV1XnJk34MJ2zClmaSLLSw_MLZ8Y40qZbauA9H=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijxgvj61nlG23upHmJ0xa1CNMHlk63c0rPlT6jIMq-oB7sYORNx7n7frCvfXUEqlZIV8QEj9FkndZwCSd7I_oKuWrPeQrrM8nQCC1W_rkj4vSeBh7R6N0kel7Fbl49xJMrM31juNh2Ziyzgrh2f3iV1XnJk34MJ2zClmaSLLSw_MLZ8Y40qZbauA9H=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiewoQvhPd_Kgbt5LQObmy8AXjd4Um5PtFwMcPz7YnJckLhPqPCHvbuR0zMJAt6XUcYPj_YvjHFRC8nx5ZOlO0wMPzbsgEN6YILLYaBGALOKbjxiWsYVZMgJyXGhyzc47rTC9hS3sn8BF_4l8W_WiPmkqBzM-C_yYEzuZlotynqBk2dnj-6EcR_zYEa=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiewoQvhPd_Kgbt5LQObmy8AXjd4Um5PtFwMcPz7YnJckLhPqPCHvbuR0zMJAt6XUcYPj_YvjHFRC8nx5ZOlO0wMPzbsgEN6YILLYaBGALOKbjxiWsYVZMgJyXGhyzc47rTC9hS3sn8BF_4l8W_WiPmkqBzM-C_yYEzuZlotynqBk2dnj-6EcR_zYEa=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZlU6OeDsfeniiU3osdyfnkZjyO9bYMEJnEltvp7Bdt7lFooXlR67WxwEOZUJS7WHeQGHJJ4MjVZdpL7Fz6Mw6llZktOFSLNYFnZbogGsguQ9UNkmmr7uMfy1WBCa2GDy9Bd0BSns3VEhy4ucIhyJMJ7EMnZ_VGsDU4tWVkQH5IERFb8sqIFoxjW5O=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZlU6OeDsfeniiU3osdyfnkZjyO9bYMEJnEltvp7Bdt7lFooXlR67WxwEOZUJS7WHeQGHJJ4MjVZdpL7Fz6Mw6llZktOFSLNYFnZbogGsguQ9UNkmmr7uMfy1WBCa2GDy9Bd0BSns3VEhy4ucIhyJMJ7EMnZ_VGsDU4tWVkQH5IERFb8sqIFoxjW5O=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><span><br /></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">We found Lake Bishoftu resort, the best thing about the place was the view. </div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We also heard about Kuriftu resort which has a water park. Despite the cold temperature, we had to stop by 😉 we went on a number of rides.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-3coaBdomcbQNtJP2v0Rjin_bBqQbVTn06iTTa2b8EGCHog3NheG1JqOfAl0YcBSG8EZt-1hqDlNlbzf1y4Y8sY4taIhqWY3BiDop_Ktun8fsHQgJGyOVwxlGrBtQnLhEERfXhnbiPQL8WIiw_xe99e3paFmaZr-PslO_0k1Bn7JsO23yeyexzkZJ=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-3coaBdomcbQNtJP2v0Rjin_bBqQbVTn06iTTa2b8EGCHog3NheG1JqOfAl0YcBSG8EZt-1hqDlNlbzf1y4Y8sY4taIhqWY3BiDop_Ktun8fsHQgJGyOVwxlGrBtQnLhEERfXhnbiPQL8WIiw_xe99e3paFmaZr-PslO_0k1Bn7JsO23yeyexzkZJ=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7pbfoh_TgYte3TSgg2AtzP8mdSl7cQTG_YIMM3Wn0OQ8p18Yis4-8I1rvxFcn4DAHx6o9jLaUWPC0UeZwjfFg4dvGN6H-C4z0LDp8BA5K1kV6UxDQW8vYgIIJ2hOiuhvordPTadBhSt93fo3FCUvNo086FxuDm-CFYF_i8it6zc7Y08GxWbzdzMnC=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj7pbfoh_TgYte3TSgg2AtzP8mdSl7cQTG_YIMM3Wn0OQ8p18Yis4-8I1rvxFcn4DAHx6o9jLaUWPC0UeZwjfFg4dvGN6H-C4z0LDp8BA5K1kV6UxDQW8vYgIIJ2hOiuhvordPTadBhSt93fo3FCUvNo086FxuDm-CFYF_i8it6zc7Y08GxWbzdzMnC=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We had a blast! Then of course had hot showers and lots of tea afterwards to warm up 😃</span></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Tigray</b> - <span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;">Tigray is beautiful, mountainous, lush and the road network is great! Although it has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently. When I was going there, I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised at how developed the place was.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRSU35JRzGDDDFpgTccDRcCGs2AvmYx2Zzr4oqsg63zWNP7GX-FAiw_5N7UDfQ-msvPuCacm5pDJEWuqhJn1-zTsl4XPw3rzyVMn4zTmw-zkgand0Cc6mgMZEGDDaBRUyzQal6giecVRqUkcFH3yVEIxvejuPbgwqjiJJ8q8vjBDNGQFMBED-0LaMO=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRSU35JRzGDDDFpgTccDRcCGs2AvmYx2Zzr4oqsg63zWNP7GX-FAiw_5N7UDfQ-msvPuCacm5pDJEWuqhJn1-zTsl4XPw3rzyVMn4zTmw-zkgand0Cc6mgMZEGDDaBRUyzQal6giecVRqUkcFH3yVEIxvejuPbgwqjiJJ8q8vjBDNGQFMBED-0LaMO=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The airport in the capital of Tigray - Mekelle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><p></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">From what I'd heard, the Tigrayans are hard workers and they developed their region.</span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;">The region controlled power in the country for a long time, they are well educated and made their materials like textile, glass and cobble stones which they exported. With the crisis, they lost power and the factories were destroyed (we saw some of the destroyed factories). Medical services in Tigray were advanced and functioned well, but all that seems to be in the past now as the medical facilities were pillaged and destroyed.</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #262626;"><br /></span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuQcBjflaAnDcX44ALBTUpqHfMeqFHr5_OC6TOIHClYLy7W8c834KoEXu0KtBRkwOiEbbtwYUQmOjwBnIkMyAE21-tdFsdeFj2OjLgwtsmMdUGqSb5dfUKq41taR2putU9XflLbhaXdBvNHetUXkw1j9jiiCzyA2oEoiDMeqK5Ugp07--XVY-aTJLY=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiuQcBjflaAnDcX44ALBTUpqHfMeqFHr5_OC6TOIHClYLy7W8c834KoEXu0KtBRkwOiEbbtwYUQmOjwBnIkMyAE21-tdFsdeFj2OjLgwtsmMdUGqSb5dfUKq41taR2putU9XflLbhaXdBvNHetUXkw1j9jiiCzyA2oEoiDMeqK5Ugp07--XVY-aTJLY=w360-h640" width="360" /></a> Look at all this road network in the mountains.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE1AvVt7RK0dSiRIU__a2MQ9AvofwK7ypkYCWgefY1raMtD6i72uNnWU6x7RxJoVchKsMc_8KgdvoYfN-o-6uTL3Egli6FH8-JGLJHe_wNPFIbRzV5NGPp2Hz0hRG20GvNHAt0AfmCLzCKDEPWR3ysmGlDlsO5oVl2_GgzixAV3GsF1scGb8WpHIow=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiE1AvVt7RK0dSiRIU__a2MQ9AvofwK7ypkYCWgefY1raMtD6i72uNnWU6x7RxJoVchKsMc_8KgdvoYfN-o-6uTL3Egli6FH8-JGLJHe_wNPFIbRzV5NGPp2Hz0hRG20GvNHAt0AfmCLzCKDEPWR3ysmGlDlsO5oVl2_GgzixAV3GsF1scGb8WpHIow=w640-h360" width="640" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is much more to what we see and so much goes on behind the scenes, it's sad. The result of war/conflict is that innocent people suffer for causes they have no part in. People are slowly trying to rebuild their lives, but there is so much underlying tension and fear. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtFp1Fcp0yG5ZohIzH548fYI8J9gFRmkgENIitxRNV0Q74aW6nHCbgZYoY4rgeG1Rfeb2Mg9W3TjwNZR7dPsyeIvIjDPpx4bI-RxvOkJNr-WFoHE1fvD53ksTszHfO6L_18UWqF2L-vf8FBnq_8PegnMpvJ0t4gkCEeyv4UuV1yDo1wrxdWyTaZfLm=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtFp1Fcp0yG5ZohIzH548fYI8J9gFRmkgENIitxRNV0Q74aW6nHCbgZYoY4rgeG1Rfeb2Mg9W3TjwNZR7dPsyeIvIjDPpx4bI-RxvOkJNr-WFoHE1fvD53ksTszHfO6L_18UWqF2L-vf8FBnq_8PegnMpvJ0t4gkCEeyv4UuV1yDo1wrxdWyTaZfLm=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXKcLqjqfh08JfAy2hkvhDoyZsgzQWGwtIKJfpWyQ0TcCrxZd-y2snJVK3MYA2eyIZStn-szPxfqoD2pC--o-XnRdRydbNiSdAvCD4MP-g5r2hLAg_DLswZu1m-TSVfofdjfZ-ZlNi8ReisNJ0GmBrIEWT0x3MS-INKmjlsJ8zOWlyg-JkHNoPqhX-=s4032" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXKcLqjqfh08JfAy2hkvhDoyZsgzQWGwtIKJfpWyQ0TcCrxZd-y2snJVK3MYA2eyIZStn-szPxfqoD2pC--o-XnRdRydbNiSdAvCD4MP-g5r2hLAg_DLswZu1m-TSVfofdjfZ-ZlNi8ReisNJ0GmBrIEWT0x3MS-INKmjlsJ8zOWlyg-JkHNoPqhX-=w360-h640" width="360" /></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #262626; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div></span><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span>I was so impressed by the cobble stone streets. Although the factories got destroyed with the conflict, they said 'they will be built again', I found that people were very resilient and determined.</span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><span>It's interesting how you note differences in different parts of countries. Horses are used to transport goods a lot in Tigray. It is normal to see horses with carts and people. We saw the same in Bishoftu.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAMcbX9eVv6EzkeNbMMIouyAMyJw4a9Cw1tCNM22Tpva_KbSsc--VLsNOy0ZhCgG_Uv3Kdc6QqazBFPHXk_pfrOoixjjfB4xcJ3a7oLD1-SmpvJAUwbHY4Oye0rSUNzSEkIs36hqBbO7VSrGSJi_JT0sqjA-2f46uB1WcCKJy0rLW80IQOQlmIMfCS=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="736" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAMcbX9eVv6EzkeNbMMIouyAMyJw4a9Cw1tCNM22Tpva_KbSsc--VLsNOy0ZhCgG_Uv3Kdc6QqazBFPHXk_pfrOoixjjfB4xcJ3a7oLD1-SmpvJAUwbHY4Oye0rSUNzSEkIs36hqBbO7VSrGSJi_JT0sqjA-2f46uB1WcCKJy0rLW80IQOQlmIMfCS=w414-h736" width="414" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #262626;">In Tigray, t</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;">he Adwa mountains represent a core part of history for Ethiopians. Italian troops came up from behind these mountains to try to take over the country to colonise them, but Ethiopian soldiers defeated them and thwarted their plans of colonialism.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivVtclZpWiooOe16ldW5kVT_6qS9oau4tkSw3XMwfi7XJ8flpLWcPv0epxz2HNME1KWlZCot2qVLfRuuaDmTEaEp_SX_f-yAajor6BdT07zukBAYM525zGCAufj1noT2Kw_cLJdDQ9tP0z3eGdB0NCopS44hR0mBHjOjC7KOorXa_7uH8mZ2CLktGD=s4032" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivVtclZpWiooOe16ldW5kVT_6qS9oau4tkSw3XMwfi7XJ8flpLWcPv0epxz2HNME1KWlZCot2qVLfRuuaDmTEaEp_SX_f-yAajor6BdT07zukBAYM525zGCAufj1noT2Kw_cLJdDQ9tP0z3eGdB0NCopS44hR0mBHjOjC7KOorXa_7uH8mZ2CLktGD=w360-h640" width="360" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Took this photo of the Adwa mountain from a moving car</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Ethiopia is one of the countries that was not colonised. The Ethiopians are very proud of this.</div></span></span><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;">Holiday makers used to go hiking in different mountains in Tigray before the crisis. </span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNwfjehNL_ucJkrtPQqbXO0PgAn3JCyS6n6Z4wfgdF1wXxbfFyvuIx1PHaX3zLUv5B_hFOK9r9wlQX_Ib7GnHMjTBaRl9zUMEz416G5qI6hZYsYspIbVyHYE7u_DLonjHXlfD6zXb0ynzaB__2JX-McEsa-DXEsLH4rVUejd72P5JQDZUoEWHlSzFk=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNwfjehNL_ucJkrtPQqbXO0PgAn3JCyS6n6Z4wfgdF1wXxbfFyvuIx1PHaX3zLUv5B_hFOK9r9wlQX_Ib7GnHMjTBaRl9zUMEz416G5qI6hZYsYspIbVyHYE7u_DLonjHXlfD6zXb0ynzaB__2JX-McEsa-DXEsLH4rVUejd72P5JQDZUoEWHlSzFk=w640-h360" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;">On this day for work, we were trying to get to one village, but the only way to get there was by walking, so thanks to work, I went hiking in these mountains.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;">Two things that were on my list to do in Ethiopia which I didn't manage to do were 1) go to Lalibella...I've been meaning to go since 2014! If I had known how quickly the situation would change, I would have gone immediately I arrived. It was a trip I was saving to do at the end of my time in Ethiopia, but by the time I was leaving, it was a no go area.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;">2) I wanted to go to the church where the original ark of the covenant is. It is in Axum in the Tigray region. Work was to take me to Axum and I had hoped I would make a quick stop, but that was not meant to be...</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;">Ethiopia is beautiful and definitely worth exploring.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">~<span><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-family: georgia; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>With the world being so unpredictable, this mantra comes more alive "live each day as if it were your last". You might be afraid to take certain leaps, do it afraid but do it anyway! </i></b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">~</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #262626; font-size: 14px;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></div>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-4712847108689746702021-12-18T11:43:00.003+01:002022-01-15T08:17:25.012+01:00Things To Do in Abuja<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Spending the holiday season in Abuja? Contrary to what I've heard a few times, you have options of things to do create pleasant memories.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Abuja, a planned city, became the capital of Nigeria in December 1991. It is often referred to as the administrative capital. Some people tend to feel that there is a certain artificial aspect to it. I live in Abuja and I like the city. I think it is one of those cities that has some hidden gems worth exploring.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Abuja has 6 area councils: Abaji area council, Abuja Municipal Area council (AMAC), Bwari area council, Gwagwlada area council, Kuje area council and Kwali area council.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here are a few activities you might want to try.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">1) The National mosque</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The foundation of the mosque was laid in 1982. It is one of the oldest buildings in Abuja and the biggest in Africa according to our guide. It can accommodate an estimated 15,000 worshippers. The architecture and construction were done by Italians, it was commissioned in 1991 and is located in the Central Business District (CBD).</span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In 2003, President Olusegun Obasanjo visited and officially declared the mosque a national</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">monument. </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When we got in, we were directed to the Administrative block. There we were given the information above about the mosque and assigned a guide to show us around.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhb0au66HlgJLBBPXBu5HERGVNOgPE4yz8xTgx6e6QmD1NGBvwVgjL-S_aaSejyQyVBxtWTQX3ax7Eo5DbvbAxiVqUiLnvGP29bN_voA5HoWXU1nHJfLCwCynV0zJyEeIL_Of-QQDvwPaL3DcXaei6eIrg38DEOpdicyVfNsPclMQu7qql9MmPIVkLI=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhb0au66HlgJLBBPXBu5HERGVNOgPE4yz8xTgx6e6QmD1NGBvwVgjL-S_aaSejyQyVBxtWTQX3ax7Eo5DbvbAxiVqUiLnvGP29bN_voA5HoWXU1nHJfLCwCynV0zJyEeIL_Of-QQDvwPaL3DcXaei6eIrg38DEOpdicyVfNsPclMQu7qql9MmPIVkLI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUymsPIqHsm7seC1FznonM1dYlGjuP3MdR64j9fLMLmEjfeyljHpUa7kMUIeD1JV4B5vR74uofdzAdhdnc14Ejv_-lJj4xtWIK_y6kWW6_YU5BwK8iRxkjXIAR4CQ_OqrEB584LICH4Q/s2048/20210330_115942.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUymsPIqHsm7seC1FznonM1dYlGjuP3MdR64j9fLMLmEjfeyljHpUa7kMUIeD1JV4B5vR74uofdzAdhdnc14Ejv_-lJj4xtWIK_y6kWW6_YU5BwK8iRxkjXIAR4CQ_OqrEB584LICH4Q/w480-h640/20210330_115942.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The rugs in the mosque are so soft, my feet were pleased to walk on them. Once you stand in the middle of the mosque and speak, everything echoes from there. </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkSRX0MB4MOQlQdGkwBtv3VxuAmy6T1ZTzBy7ASLD1f3X47NH-DinSEtgVIFTdylzeggSYQGa633q5oau8Fcx-5Uli0zFMz5X-vVUmZxt8xUTk6EfH-Hby-8QgA8SDGvL0Ynj1C7hyhM/s2048/20210330_120518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkSRX0MB4MOQlQdGkwBtv3VxuAmy6T1ZTzBy7ASLD1f3X47NH-DinSEtgVIFTdylzeggSYQGa633q5oau8Fcx-5Uli0zFMz5X-vVUmZxt8xUTk6EfH-Hby-8QgA8SDGvL0Ynj1C7hyhM/w480-h640/20210330_120518.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2wI7RYV2FzetNqdLYI2b4gJ56DUIpfb5HjXz9cLxt5OPHuu6Osq8uguyKWgR7vi7YpRyVc0W-fIRsnbcE0X7GI8RE4XwmECADC8YL271pyye8_wYDle83d0lGrcMHzYUeiPyAc0ie74/s2048/20210330_120533.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2wI7RYV2FzetNqdLYI2b4gJ56DUIpfb5HjXz9cLxt5OPHuu6Osq8uguyKWgR7vi7YpRyVc0W-fIRsnbcE0X7GI8RE4XwmECADC8YL271pyye8_wYDle83d0lGrcMHzYUeiPyAc0ie74/w480-h640/20210330_120533.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is a womens' section of the mosque, it was only pointed out to us, we did not go inside. For women visiting, you are required to wear long, loose fitting clothing and to cover your hair.</span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> The mosque opens to the public from 8am to 8pm except during prayer times.</span></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">2) The National Christian Centre</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Located also in CBD, is <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">opposite the Central Bank of Nigeria, </span>not far from the National mosque. It was previously known as the National Ecumenical centre. The design was done by a Nigerian architectural firm, then it was built by an Italian firm. The altar is right in the middle and completes a full rotation every ten minutes. I found that striking the time I attended a service there, and it is a major attraction for tourists. The glasses are coloured which makes the windows beautiful, each colour represents something I've heard.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can combine 1 and 2 when you visit.</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">People are allowed in always. However, if you have a planned group trip, a letter is required for the administration to make provision for a guide. Not sure why but that was what we were told.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">3) Go hiking - This activity has become quite popular in recent times around Abuja. There are different groups like Mantrek Abuja and the Hash that organise hikes regularly. There are a others groups I hear. </span></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUcKq9Xd3UvLpTVKTu51-x_GAIQX13hWLMNnKCL0JZ2snpkcREfpq5_gqRR7_qKSuCJ66zp6j51nETn1UkW-Z1JO2MU24Ra7neUtZ-kPexbFWjDlA-Uv7CoOHVtfz4YWFuv3FZfMCNNQ/s596/IMG_20210317_071216_275.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="477" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidUcKq9Xd3UvLpTVKTu51-x_GAIQX13hWLMNnKCL0JZ2snpkcREfpq5_gqRR7_qKSuCJ66zp6j51nETn1UkW-Z1JO2MU24Ra7neUtZ-kPexbFWjDlA-Uv7CoOHVtfz4YWFuv3FZfMCNNQ/w512-h640/IMG_20210317_071216_275.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>A Mantrek expedition somewhere in Abuja<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-U1Pdp7CFHg0iNidP0WVfuEDqkTaHSQU8LTlQGYvmtYj8e2PYchZLS6VBOEoGVuVOlEU4N-BHeNKpq3kpm7yJWks-apaWUsJUENUKppH55DZArQSrXo0QQo0izFn5jo3_zWhvEKiZNU/s1012/IMG_20210318_070541_350.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="809" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-U1Pdp7CFHg0iNidP0WVfuEDqkTaHSQU8LTlQGYvmtYj8e2PYchZLS6VBOEoGVuVOlEU4N-BHeNKpq3kpm7yJWks-apaWUsJUENUKppH55DZArQSrXo0QQo0izFn5jo3_zWhvEKiZNU/w512-h640/IMG_20210318_070541_350.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzq-dtQJcBlW-iiVmExYa38nAIo1cFbfohhT6oLu-acDmOT-eUA03K1OZMPZkg4llfezdjavef8lg1-xj7mkoiZ1en-2ifnivwBf-Gt6B_Gkmj6sN5v_1xFRqA5QdMV7xjpqj5Ab5CDY/s1080/IMG-20210313-WA0063.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzq-dtQJcBlW-iiVmExYa38nAIo1cFbfohhT6oLu-acDmOT-eUA03K1OZMPZkg4llfezdjavef8lg1-xj7mkoiZ1en-2ifnivwBf-Gt6B_Gkmj6sN5v_1xFRqA5QdMV7xjpqj5Ab5CDY/w640-h480/IMG-20210313-WA0063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you are an outdoor person, you'll enjoy this. Two spots that you can visit on your own are Mpape crush rocks and the hill beside Magic land. </span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFg7CcE9IEruiBIkT7oaysgdmn_kaG_ecDrC7Xknztv9r3FFv8RhLSAoHgE04o-mo4V_9_UjpuOII_Vl6GgXwSSuYc6A9Rw0o-FWsTkZ5EV3XrshRHrJ3UR0Y2felvOX7W7CEyPqns7x0/s2048/20210113_094456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFg7CcE9IEruiBIkT7oaysgdmn_kaG_ecDrC7Xknztv9r3FFv8RhLSAoHgE04o-mo4V_9_UjpuOII_Vl6GgXwSSuYc6A9Rw0o-FWsTkZ5EV3XrshRHrJ3UR0Y2felvOX7W7CEyPqns7x0/w480-h640/20210113_094456.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mpape crush rocks</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can get a nice view of the side of town close to Magic land.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">4) Jet skiing and kayaking - </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">i) Jabi boat club: you have the options of kayaking, going on a boat ride or jet skiing. There are rides of 15 mins to 30 mins </span></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg851Ye4bHKsfM1hiYpJ-9gvXpbbwo2_9Vo2OVZaUe4SK5yz142DWwqui1XNy8m1Q6-B1xyhVFYudRHKEDgzkhyphenhyphen_ErzVCGJ3OmmuR-vQ_OUHmEccbP_3p6O5en0PxzfIIMutcV8fJhpCZk/s2048/20210402_114037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg851Ye4bHKsfM1hiYpJ-9gvXpbbwo2_9Vo2OVZaUe4SK5yz142DWwqui1XNy8m1Q6-B1xyhVFYudRHKEDgzkhyphenhyphen_ErzVCGJ3OmmuR-vQ_OUHmEccbP_3p6O5en0PxzfIIMutcV8fJhpCZk/w480-h640/20210402_114037.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Jet Ski 15 mins = 10,000 while 30 mins = 20,000</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kayaking 2,500 for 30 mins</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBoCvKZvgVvPPMYoSrVYEGzhwg7n6IYLSerBWS85OcvpRGOtxLldI3QJ9ti_kz4CkWX053gu0LByFKnCIdcIORscvzqZ_M3EwkH1HQcGa03PSjZnAtAGpH89nlIyobDCRU3mYt9UAtLg/s2048/20210401_130803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBoCvKZvgVvPPMYoSrVYEGzhwg7n6IYLSerBWS85OcvpRGOtxLldI3QJ9ti_kz4CkWX053gu0LByFKnCIdcIORscvzqZ_M3EwkH1HQcGa03PSjZnAtAGpH89nlIyobDCRU3mYt9UAtLg/w480-h640/20210401_130803.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsb-9XeHLZ0P6lAvJo3cPHer2xUjmDIML43HffpttxG2R9i-s4iW306ZXi17T8B_1tL3I_SNneY0ukiZ-CIUwuDyREHRN_EaLueGgfL0TMouWDOUrfObUTMttXmnnjmEkT0VZs4QTw28/s2048/20210402_121200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsb-9XeHLZ0P6lAvJo3cPHer2xUjmDIML43HffpttxG2R9i-s4iW306ZXi17T8B_1tL3I_SNneY0ukiZ-CIUwuDyREHRN_EaLueGgfL0TMouWDOUrfObUTMttXmnnjmEkT0VZs4QTw28/w480-h640/20210402_121200.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuLFsdCgz4J2g99gmn7zmc_Z-keg9Nm0YOxpQeqJtDJ07YoQLn8CDEKr_32Htjn5syecJiNsCC6lSGxqhX5hN1113I1l_KUaI9QT354Nem2d4uj-hJYZlQASyJ_sluIYraiQ_VJ94LiA/s2048/20210402_121435.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuLFsdCgz4J2g99gmn7zmc_Z-keg9Nm0YOxpQeqJtDJ07YoQLn8CDEKr_32Htjn5syecJiNsCC6lSGxqhX5hN1113I1l_KUaI9QT354Nem2d4uj-hJYZlQASyJ_sluIYraiQ_VJ94LiA/w480-h640/20210402_121435.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The big boat (pictured below) can contains up to 10 people. 30, mins = 45,000 while 1 hour = 90,000 naira. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfxrMbpcBXtqE7elxsCyWtkqHuNs8yyf9lr3G2emBQBePW-66V-LX3cXk1bVov3BaLPRDXE_kia_WGimq_UHAPKUkMuRhYZT9GB5sqkcY0TSRWU-hP2kaKyqWpp5pCduC_rz6q6BNCSk/s2048/20210401_130810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfxrMbpcBXtqE7elxsCyWtkqHuNs8yyf9lr3G2emBQBePW-66V-LX3cXk1bVov3BaLPRDXE_kia_WGimq_UHAPKUkMuRhYZT9GB5sqkcY0TSRWU-hP2kaKyqWpp5pCduC_rz6q6BNCSk/w480-h640/20210401_130810.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> </span><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">ii) At the National stadium, kayaking costs 2,000. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">iii)
Bwari Usman Dam - Although I'm yet to see which part of the dam
kayaking happens, I hear that it costs between 1,000 and 1,500</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">5) Visit the Bwari pottery and dam - Bwari is located an hour outside the city centre, it is in one of the area councils of Abuja. Google maps will take you there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You can access the dam from the front or the back. We were slightly lost, so someone was kind enough to drive in front of us. He took us through the back, then found us a guide. The last time I visited, I went through the front. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yMIowt9Irf2Ltj4wzIxhLo1Xwa0NCOlEbvsL-6CH36bSLT0hjdCyXwKVgQ4dvOa1VjVzJQa6nDusjPIB86aStH-LNggvHonXN9YOVo6WC5pTLgCDWvMKnoR_zFSg1B8OWqVkTCrZ8iU/s2048/DSC07950.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yMIowt9Irf2Ltj4wzIxhLo1Xwa0NCOlEbvsL-6CH36bSLT0hjdCyXwKVgQ4dvOa1VjVzJQa6nDusjPIB86aStH-LNggvHonXN9YOVo6WC5pTLgCDWvMKnoR_zFSg1B8OWqVkTCrZ8iU/w640-h426/DSC07950.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRtHYEnJYZah0HBODUhXFwSKpPpYA3hacFvSHZFZ5tCAvNpFKcHCj5AgJqlt_KA3nLyBMl1HRByMRkFMwNj2Oxg-QsdwuAfRShwMb74oFrlLb2w75EzDIQnm0MEdzSHl5-Y-QvqKLQH4/s2048/DSC07972.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRtHYEnJYZah0HBODUhXFwSKpPpYA3hacFvSHZFZ5tCAvNpFKcHCj5AgJqlt_KA3nLyBMl1HRByMRkFMwNj2Oxg-QsdwuAfRShwMb74oFrlLb2w75EzDIQnm0MEdzSHl5-Y-QvqKLQH4/w640-h426/DSC07972.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mwPM9A2faWLdWkgeuwTjbVkRSFxijI6lGslGbwgwnMWseBzpWByP0gOWP0MlqGRQB1tpl2LBcedQVh-bqLLJAJLkSpRc8JAo2Oy8S9bJQITgvAF-aYFqcWEu5RlfuGEpodTZ8gp7XZ0/s2048/DSC07982+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mwPM9A2faWLdWkgeuwTjbVkRSFxijI6lGslGbwgwnMWseBzpWByP0gOWP0MlqGRQB1tpl2LBcedQVh-bqLLJAJLkSpRc8JAo2Oy8S9bJQITgvAF-aYFqcWEu5RlfuGEpodTZ8gp7XZ0/w640-h426/DSC07982+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf7nmGtWdUm6r8bK3vlclc7iSefUbNmwAYCZQuKpoRJ96NjnRrwxnugjaVzhsD8qZfrJ1jLi_x-CiFNjDkyrKg8_uPfLcpdvqB_203qxkn8iNn5aIWS4clXLL1dmPlyfzQrevdurCuvg/s2048/DSC07999.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="2048" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUf7nmGtWdUm6r8bK3vlclc7iSefUbNmwAYCZQuKpoRJ96NjnRrwxnugjaVzhsD8qZfrJ1jLi_x-CiFNjDkyrKg8_uPfLcpdvqB_203qxkn8iNn5aIWS4clXLL1dmPlyfzQrevdurCuvg/w640-h434/DSC07999.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit42gs20iIhcGtYRZgtUaIr9fxiZPx5sJsM32EWaR3tqYwEVG0AGu3_B3eCLHD9JPBAfXfQrdUWQ3vzd4A7OAMj4DsyZhGCIF7CcuQDswfgHiZgkVo3joTAv1RqQeOQ58QOl7xypZvGl4/s2048/DSC08035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="2048" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit42gs20iIhcGtYRZgtUaIr9fxiZPx5sJsM32EWaR3tqYwEVG0AGu3_B3eCLHD9JPBAfXfQrdUWQ3vzd4A7OAMj4DsyZhGCIF7CcuQDswfgHiZgkVo3joTAv1RqQeOQ58QOl7xypZvGl4/w640-h494/DSC08035.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our
guide took us to a rock that had a small cut out he called a cave...it
was nice to see even though we weren't quite expecting the hike.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk53Sa-VuY0_sa8QJyi9EONOUIp_toOmiDBbpUCxo_3jy9BhOD9myclbXfz9YpG8APgeIjhtQy_gZ5UpWU4ouyvw3XMPfz-WyVp97y_Qx0RuIaMw5POoXnduONWjKiZkrBZbgAXN7aZv9j9mOekNdARTSZx8Gfrow5yH9EL_Ce7qyLRyEEJ64iLumm=s5664" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5664" data-original-width="4248" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhk53Sa-VuY0_sa8QJyi9EONOUIp_toOmiDBbpUCxo_3jy9BhOD9myclbXfz9YpG8APgeIjhtQy_gZ5UpWU4ouyvw3XMPfz-WyVp97y_Qx0RuIaMw5POoXnduONWjKiZkrBZbgAXN7aZv9j9mOekNdARTSZx8Gfrow5yH9EL_Ce7qyLRyEEJ64iLumm=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Bwari pottery is not so far off. Again, you can rely on google maps to get you there. From watching pots made locally by hand to being made by machines, it's all an interesting process. They even let you give it a go</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHGLeWTR-2jMY1DNg75KgMbiMPGSY_ko891sEVZ581_c4Nd5dpjA3_-aPt-qjqeCBIICpNc96DSURorYyJSGWXEGV0KWQj9saf4K6qL9e5BqBzYF7zlNouR63VhkKkLD6T0Wu1-mJHRk/s2048/20210331_121831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHGLeWTR-2jMY1DNg75KgMbiMPGSY_ko891sEVZ581_c4Nd5dpjA3_-aPt-qjqeCBIICpNc96DSURorYyJSGWXEGV0KWQj9saf4K6qL9e5BqBzYF7zlNouR63VhkKkLD6T0Wu1-mJHRk/w480-h640/20210331_121831.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgKD8vxeOaFH3LHsPI4hC9SpkXRdnmJKDGYWJ0N0HeRVvRB6_tiVpZ2w_Os9PN2Kom_hMHew5XWp1XFmBd-3cxq3pgAk6_U5u3NpqJlgy6gQRMfb3xHFyVtg9PN1zPgQkxvzF9J1sfyo/s2048/20210331_122428.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgKD8vxeOaFH3LHsPI4hC9SpkXRdnmJKDGYWJ0N0HeRVvRB6_tiVpZ2w_Os9PN2Kom_hMHew5XWp1XFmBd-3cxq3pgAk6_U5u3NpqJlgy6gQRMfb3xHFyVtg9PN1zPgQkxvzF9J1sfyo/w480-h640/20210331_122428.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNb0GqmB5G7bbI3jdXEjB8JhA-WGQ2-hACt2LPY8I5PfsTfdjvFLBLSq3rltFcfC7t3qlcoDnhMLRXNzNBDD3TuyAAjdpYqoi2vDyi7HaKditx0_lP7-lZPd_9GFffr278_AOdHZgeeg/s2048/20210331_122554.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNb0GqmB5G7bbI3jdXEjB8JhA-WGQ2-hACt2LPY8I5PfsTfdjvFLBLSq3rltFcfC7t3qlcoDnhMLRXNzNBDD3TuyAAjdpYqoi2vDyi7HaKditx0_lP7-lZPd_9GFffr278_AOdHZgeeg/w480-h640/20210331_122554.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">On this day, there wasn't a lot. Most things had already been bought.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyaJPDkNCUZbKUy1ZzUbH1MVDV95Y0zUCc0kUHfUoEpg3UmbOoVBCCKPb2-XdWn5t7OYcBRvn_PFwPGOfrMrpkaDmDfqjItq4HxOkhdEiM5YbXD96Bh46RU6ip5eiVkO7zANIp2PqgQGRYbYms6yYvmJ43ESzhnaZtBg4lthqy1bYQ0Ycvj1vg3-KY=s5664" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5664" data-original-width="4248" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyaJPDkNCUZbKUy1ZzUbH1MVDV95Y0zUCc0kUHfUoEpg3UmbOoVBCCKPb2-XdWn5t7OYcBRvn_PFwPGOfrMrpkaDmDfqjItq4HxOkhdEiM5YbXD96Bh46RU6ip5eiVkO7zANIp2PqgQGRYbYms6yYvmJ43ESzhnaZtBg4lthqy1bYQ0Ycvj1vg3-KY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">6) Visit Almat farms and Hope Eden gardens in Kuje - Another one outside central Abuja, this could take about 1h 30mins to get there. Again, Google maps is your 'go to' for directions. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiEWNxTmfuNxa_gOBjslxzI-AWDfoEyS9Fkkc3rn0Khe5-vkMQmXoPMhOElLs6UgbS63vX09MrckoHz_a0OO4pojbZxYaihnlz3L0yr4d-BXxaLqp_NlSdTaHEVC1kLFRhoF8fpxLs_s/s1800/IMG_20210316_072653_323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkiEWNxTmfuNxa_gOBjslxzI-AWDfoEyS9Fkkc3rn0Khe5-vkMQmXoPMhOElLs6UgbS63vX09MrckoHz_a0OO4pojbZxYaihnlz3L0yr4d-BXxaLqp_NlSdTaHEVC1kLFRhoF8fpxLs_s/w512-h640/IMG_20210316_072653_323.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJshvzJiAMaEPB5zk6oVsULStVjxB4QtMxyDnQz9_PsOe7fqhTmZzVqHGkjTOfBW5jeG8dnN54Foz8eLHkrcNsU8_GbDVBgyJPx0nLGWaMibRI24LwyaoGR2po4EIFOp7RsR62XKAXh8/s1800/IMG_20210316_072653_361.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJshvzJiAMaEPB5zk6oVsULStVjxB4QtMxyDnQz9_PsOe7fqhTmZzVqHGkjTOfBW5jeG8dnN54Foz8eLHkrcNsU8_GbDVBgyJPx0nLGWaMibRI24LwyaoGR2po4EIFOp7RsR62XKAXh8/w512-h640/IMG_20210316_072653_361.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JGVG99FxdcrwMnDhsSoz-t-S1d63N7xpD5v542aik7T2gMHpngx5fOPYUCwrCm6MkR2DTDuRaDqh-ZkCjgkj61SWewy-lxGdVBYH983-zcPgMtkVyB2ZVH0mo98Byzg4J278yCTKvig/s1350/IMG_20210315_075806_142.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JGVG99FxdcrwMnDhsSoz-t-S1d63N7xpD5v542aik7T2gMHpngx5fOPYUCwrCm6MkR2DTDuRaDqh-ZkCjgkj61SWewy-lxGdVBYH983-zcPgMtkVyB2ZVH0mo98Byzg4J278yCTKvig/w512-h640/IMG_20210315_075806_142.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Almat farms is on a space of about 100 hectares. We went on a tour and saw different animals and activities that are carried out. If you love polo, this may be worth a visit.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">During the weekends, once there is a willing group, bon fires can be organised. Kayaking takes place here, but is seasonal. At the time we visited, the lake was dry so that was not possible.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is accommodation and we saw some of the rooms; nicely styled with a traditional touch.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of course agricultural products are grown </span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">on the farm</span>. We visited the green house area but most of the vegetables were gone with the delivery truck already. There were just a few left.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are nice areas to take photos and a restaurant to chill at. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcawTrvqsnP3gmCiqUV46AbH3KTSab0j79CIUpKn9D3Q23dElgzNRYLJQDAY3XNi93CMr48tmjS8_cfEpZi0lEdC8K0HstqkAyHvsW_eeoPke1JXBWKIlnYa7wOGL7QN-HEN1T5vDYJac/s2048/IMG_20210311_190311_713.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1085" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcawTrvqsnP3gmCiqUV46AbH3KTSab0j79CIUpKn9D3Q23dElgzNRYLJQDAY3XNi93CMr48tmjS8_cfEpZi0lEdC8K0HstqkAyHvsW_eeoPke1JXBWKIlnYa7wOGL7QN-HEN1T5vDYJac/w340-h640/IMG_20210311_190311_713.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Tour times on the farm are at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm, while the entry fee per person costs NGN2,150</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hope Eden Gardens is top on my list to see very soon. I've heard and read good things about it but I'm yet to visit. It is a 35 minute drive from Almat Farms according to google maps.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">7) Visit the Arts & Craft Market - this is one colourful place you will be glad you visited. You'll find a variety of different locally made items, some would be perfect as presents or souvenirs. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FHsJrIfEBDhRZhWuUVXR48FScMaHgdPGP-QL6FBa20e-0BrccMaVw8KtUjpgOtVtQK3vUhqWDt73QELxXzKLFlZPrrJ7u5Rw8FC43xq6_N2cjq-7IzZ44h0l72NKaY9ejkl_EqVJ9j8/s2048/20210402_141525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0FHsJrIfEBDhRZhWuUVXR48FScMaHgdPGP-QL6FBa20e-0BrccMaVw8KtUjpgOtVtQK3vUhqWDt73QELxXzKLFlZPrrJ7u5Rw8FC43xq6_N2cjq-7IzZ44h0l72NKaY9ejkl_EqVJ9j8/w480-h640/20210402_141525.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeTfJD2i8v6ygGBrLpCG5gt0gfXZPiCJGF62SCe6uHFhWGIXbi6lgMA9AP2UVEqlUDWytjacR3ZlrJbe1BpBcWPaTQot6GKydTRHJ7qLMkEqzm9YBptL4ENRSxu9sEHjLOcYs82SJeZQ/s2048/20210402_141514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeTfJD2i8v6ygGBrLpCG5gt0gfXZPiCJGF62SCe6uHFhWGIXbi6lgMA9AP2UVEqlUDWytjacR3ZlrJbe1BpBcWPaTQot6GKydTRHJ7qLMkEqzm9YBptL4ENRSxu9sEHjLOcYs82SJeZQ/w480-h640/20210402_141514.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8KC3DQJWgd-zccLCwBIzJHOhtTTb-KKaVtXls-vWHXipu3GfW1NxkQ7kgdPLnH9lC_aRlsPYFPs976xSsrhD_j2LGuudjk3MT2rcdAqqHj3koyMPuTXHWJx1p_ydR9LmkjLjHU-lPHM/s1008/20210309_164505.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8KC3DQJWgd-zccLCwBIzJHOhtTTb-KKaVtXls-vWHXipu3GfW1NxkQ7kgdPLnH9lC_aRlsPYFPs976xSsrhD_j2LGuudjk3MT2rcdAqqHj3koyMPuTXHWJx1p_ydR9LmkjLjHU-lPHM/w480-h640/20210309_164505.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">8) Art galleries - a few galleries have popped up around Abuja. If you are an art lover, Thought Pyramid Art Gallery<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span>is one you should visit. I wrote about <a href="http://belletammy.blogspot.com/2019/03/retro-africa-in-abuja.html" target="_blank">Retro Africa</a> when I visited.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The famous Nike Art gallery in Lagos has a branch in Lugbe (on the airport road). In the arts and craft market, you would find art works and paintings, as well as on the streets. There is so much talent and so many creative people all over Nigeria.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">9) Go Paintballing - Not for the faint hearted! It was mad fun. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We went to Wakanda Paintball in Wuse zone 5. There are other spots, one just down the road from Wakanda and Central park</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXavOPTxWewOrUj0wleloS-iQgSWX4oyeuThFnIxf8OqE4MQ9MevbSMHp4pLFxYQHUi-KC-PmYNWqeuayop3XYkCT9IlXHeOQrm0I5tFJh5d15-D9wmBDhiUVoyyH1V3L4XKGVRTVSE0/s2048/DSCN0003+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXavOPTxWewOrUj0wleloS-iQgSWX4oyeuThFnIxf8OqE4MQ9MevbSMHp4pLFxYQHUi-KC-PmYNWqeuayop3XYkCT9IlXHeOQrm0I5tFJh5d15-D9wmBDhiUVoyyH1V3L4XKGVRTVSE0/w640-h480/DSCN0003+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiASSqnBcBEbYMzELqXT07JyoWTZdqH2OUKL_nuAryjvkMTNKEIAhTwGEkG4jVcnszk_x5zHbNdEb3dgGJY8HY9MNMKdv2lSiTKh5Bv2fTd3j_vdt5qClJ1s7EIbvG1rQYRD-wIJ1QuRY/s2048/DSCN6037+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiASSqnBcBEbYMzELqXT07JyoWTZdqH2OUKL_nuAryjvkMTNKEIAhTwGEkG4jVcnszk_x5zHbNdEb3dgGJY8HY9MNMKdv2lSiTKh5Bv2fTd3j_vdt5qClJ1s7EIbvG1rQYRD-wIJ1QuRY/w640-h448/DSCN6037+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffQc2zJnSH49ZlkRYHU-TZIA0PLoWs6w2__CWAO4YLLJJinxXA0-Ls440Z8uR_MdL7pOAbgYv737OprGiwcJ14ESKHxZ99Ucf5uvhID25LnrVtVMJDe_2N_RHJdhddeAoUqjTrYC-b3M/s2048/DSCN6041+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffQc2zJnSH49ZlkRYHU-TZIA0PLoWs6w2__CWAO4YLLJJinxXA0-Ls440Z8uR_MdL7pOAbgYv737OprGiwcJ14ESKHxZ99Ucf5uvhID25LnrVtVMJDe_2N_RHJdhddeAoUqjTrYC-b3M/w640-h480/DSCN6041+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><div><br /></div><div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The hit from those paint balls hurt! It was also super interesting to see how we got so competitive. There were some real life James Bond moves, people rolling on the ground not to be seen, targets, etc. There is nothing like having the right group, hahahaha.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">After two rounds, some of us were tired while others were still pumped to keep going. We had a good laugh at ourselves afterwards.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">10) Go chasing waterfalls - there are a few I've heard of but I visited just one, in Karu. We found it with the help of google maps and people who live around there. We drove up to a point, then walked the rest of the way, that took 15 to 20 mins. It is somewhat hilly so you cannot go all the way by car. I'll keep chasing them. </span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgisZDQZql35s5_2lGE4revRkBbDZ1uc560-F6ME2QbPVMVh9u0vx6NZ9NGJp0ehGjg_2Py14WWCWTtBZOV_l8sKunIBISISqbMT1YPz7768VmRZMmIJlpwUQdxgnl4BHWqC8dnLyzrDI8MiFyUYfbHUO0hFArj1GfhB09C70zRfkbtxYA7ioPRxPZu=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgisZDQZql35s5_2lGE4revRkBbDZ1uc560-F6ME2QbPVMVh9u0vx6NZ9NGJp0ehGjg_2Py14WWCWTtBZOV_l8sKunIBISISqbMT1YPz7768VmRZMmIJlpwUQdxgnl4BHWqC8dnLyzrDI8MiFyUYfbHUO0hFArj1GfhB09C70zRfkbtxYA7ioPRxPZu=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiofZwQJf093viaNLLnIAe6nHOOIKQmZWUb0VrDVmfJiqplIGVqbNxxchzWdhK6kiwnkwCbxihW5oAIqtkVyGS31ik7eeN11X02SY0dBEHdzgwGnGzNaBPLrn787t-OlRZNzHUs5mdhOJ5suwW2-kG4e17wv6n_Y1wzp53j_VFEzlWWZoJCi7ncnvuB=s1008" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="756" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiofZwQJf093viaNLLnIAe6nHOOIKQmZWUb0VrDVmfJiqplIGVqbNxxchzWdhK6kiwnkwCbxihW5oAIqtkVyGS31ik7eeN11X02SY0dBEHdzgwGnGzNaBPLrn787t-OlRZNzHUs5mdhOJ5suwW2-kG4e17wv6n_Y1wzp53j_VFEzlWWZoJCi7ncnvuB=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are at least 2 or 3 in Karshi. But you need to know people who know these spots to get there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The states close to Abuja have some spots worth seeing, a day trip would do. For instance, in Niger state, visit <a href="http://belletammy.blogspot.com/2017/06/sunday-picnic-at-gurara-waterfalls.html" target="_blank">Gurara waterfalls</a> or the Zuma golf resort. In Nasarawa state, the farin ruwa waterfalls is a place to see. There are also some farms to chill and have an easy day, I spent a weekend in Wamba on Xtreme Farms. Then there is the popular Zimbabwe area where bush meat, palm wine and local delicacies are sold. The snake farm is not far off from Zimbabwe too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wondering
about food? There is a wide variety of restaurants to try, and food
from different places. If you would like healthy, there is a long list,
fast food is also available. Mid-range to fine dining is all available
as well. I have some places that I like but I would let you do this part
of the research on your own, there are lists of places all over the
internet 😀</span> <br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Planning a trip to Abuja any time soon? Let me know what you think of our city after your trip 😉</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /></div></div>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-47925162092426018512021-05-20T09:19:00.007+01:002022-04-26T09:43:35.753+01:00Dance connections
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Christine was heading to the Carrefour not so far from
where she lived, in the 13<sup>th</sup> district, arrondissement, as the French called it. The 13th arrondissement is a charming area,
depending on the part you live in. She lived close to the National Library of
France, on the long boulevard called Vincent Auriol. That area overlooks the
Seine River and all you need is within reach. Shops, metro stations, buses,
restaurants, a swimming pool, clubs and a cinema. This Carrefour was three stops away from the metro stop outside her door, ‘quai de la gare’. She had just finished shopping and
was waiting in line to pay when she heard someone call from behind, but she
assumed he would be talking to a friend. He kept speaking like he was speaking to someone far from him, which made her look
over. There was a woman right behind her, then a man before this man that was
calling. She and the woman behind her burst out laughing, it was just ridiculous. The guy was relentless and said a few nice things, the one she
remembers clearly; ‘if I were to wake up next to you every day, I would be
happy for the rest of my life’…She did not want to believe he was talking
to her but in any case, that provided entertainment for their time on the
queue.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZXVL-WMA726e4PADJ67TZd07BjLccPrtA4e91PyzGTXqxHHSha4zywroi_hqoD41jlCc921c4bHBAlyZmoAXL7Bu3cH98P5BqdImiZs3SG3rXxD9LFW1heSw22SzXtHEvGsCu3zMnxc/s1024/kizomba.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZXVL-WMA726e4PADJ67TZd07BjLccPrtA4e91PyzGTXqxHHSha4zywroi_hqoD41jlCc921c4bHBAlyZmoAXL7Bu3cH98P5BqdImiZs3SG3rXxD9LFW1heSw22SzXtHEvGsCu3zMnxc/w400-h400/kizomba.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She paid for her groceries and left. As she was on her
way to the metro station, she heard the same voice and this man was running towards
her. She put her bag down and had a good laugh. She wondered whether this was
the French romance she had heard so much about. When she finally stopped laughing and caught her breath, she asked
him what he wanted. The guy obviously would have followed her wherever she was
going. He asked for her phone number and she gave him a number with one wrong digit,
but he tried immediately and when it didn’t ring, she had to give him the right one. She
just needed him to go and was trying not to freak out.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He ended up being quite a friendly and
interesting French man. He wanted to show her all of France and quite quickly, he had
so much promise, but after a few meetings she had to let him know that she didn’t feel the same way. He was so hurt that he could
not remain in touch with her. He told her plainly that he would have to cut her
off, which was fine with her. She only wondered if she was not too quick to let
him know that the feelings were not mutual. Was she missing love that would
last? He was a good kisser anyway!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Time passed with nothing eventful until her
flat mate mentioned that there was a Kizomba dance competition she was going
for. The flat mate informed her that they would be heading to La Bastille…Khao Suay club, <span>20 Rue
de Lappe, in the 11th arrondissement. T</span>his flat mate was Angolan and Kizomba was obviously a
normal part of their culture. It was new to Christine but she loved the vibe and the energy. The
dance was sensual, eclectic and thrilling to watch. The way the dancers moved, the looked like professionals and<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span>you would think they were born dancing. The
crowd was so alive with screams and excitement, all for good reason. Christine could not
stop smiling.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When the competition was over, the dance floor
was open to the crowd. Some who knew how to dance Kizomba showed their moves
while people like her observed, then tried to follow. At some point, the music
was changed to regular music that everyone could hop and jump to. One of the
things she tends to look for on the dance floor in general, is a good dancer. She
likes to believe that she has a few moves, so she prefers to dance with people who can match her rhythm and whose rhythm she can equally match or even better,
be inspired by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> O</span>ther people
look out for these things as well, don't they? </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As she danced away, she found a partner with whom she had so much fun. He seemed to have some competition as there were
two other guys trying to come up to dance with her. Christine's dance mate
wasn't backing down. Eventually, she turned to one of the other guys and apart from his dancing, he
was not bad. It was such a fun evening. By the time they were ready to leave, she
had a queue of guys trying to get her phone number. She obliged two she had
danced with, they seemed like fun people who she could possibly hang out with. Her
flat mate looked on with disgust while she waited for the
exchange but Christine couldn’t be bothered.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When they got on the metro, there was some guy
staring, then he gave a very brief smile, looking in Christine’s direction. The flat
mate blurted out then…"what is it with you and white guys?!" Christine hadn’t
noticed, she just knew she was getting attention from guys. The flat mate pointed out that the white
ones seemed to like her. This flat mate was light skinned and obviously had some caucasian blood in her
ancestry. Christine on the other hand was fully African. She took stock at that point, and noticed her flat mate was indeed right. But, oh well!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Adrian, one of the guys from the club, was
eager to meet up, so was she. He quite fancied her and would kiss her all over
the place, she was enjoying all this attention. They took boat rides and walks
all around Paris. She saw the city through his eyes. However, Adrian wanted everything too quickly, but she was not ready, so he walked away. She had a few men come her
way until she met Claude. He seemed patient, he was in no hurry, he went at her
pace. They genuinely enjoyed each other’s company and she found that his mind was a maze. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When she eventually had sex
with him, it was awful, the worst sex she remembers. He struggled
with the condom, she went totally dry, it felt like a rubber going in and
out of her. She knew nerves might have been responsible, so she didn’t hold it
against him. They went for lunch few days later and somehow; the conversation
went towards their plans. She wanted to see the world, she was ambitious and
she was adventurous. He on the other hand was a more laid-back person and was
comfortable with being in one place. He would not want to have his life
uprooted from what he knew. As the conversation progressed, she tried to ask
where they could find a middle ground, but almost in protest, he said ‘I am French, it is all I
know and all I ever will be’…He didn't mean for it to come out that way, but it was already too late.</span><br /></p>
Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-15580165284134799152021-04-16T10:46:00.001+01:002021-04-16T11:07:32.077+01:00Being a guest speaker...<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I have had a more manic week than I’ve
had in a long time! <span style="background: white;">I've been on holiday
for over three months so I have probably lost touch with life as a working
person, hehehehehe.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">A friend of mine who lectures at
Institut National des Sciences Appliquées in Strasbourg (INSA) asked me to be a
guest speaker in her class. Little did I know what I was getting myself into! One of her courses is conversational, so her
students are required to have conversations in English. She asked me to speak
about something cultural in Nigeria which I was glad to do. After giving some quick facts about Nigeria, I went on to speak a bit about my state of origin, Benue. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lest I forget, I got some funny answers when I asked what the capital of Nigeria was. I'm chuckling as I remember...I even got Bamako! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOvI8PFlrqHWweb46cTkxTCa0oxKTKYw8KzzAobAaLuCfqp2oCIdXXMmfzL1V4KMlSYva0KoxWXdk6IAJ5oUq7K4j0UcU4ownV8ZEigEnlA6D6SPMvoW8IXYNu0qSaDlBd15Cqwybj58/s1080/IMG-20210416-WA0018.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOvI8PFlrqHWweb46cTkxTCa0oxKTKYw8KzzAobAaLuCfqp2oCIdXXMmfzL1V4KMlSYva0KoxWXdk6IAJ5oUq7K4j0UcU4ownV8ZEigEnlA6D6SPMvoW8IXYNu0qSaDlBd15Cqwybj58/w400-h300/IMG-20210416-WA0018.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">During the first class, the
students seemed shy and barely engaged. Their lecturer jumped in to say that the
best thing would be to call on people randomly and ask questions, which worked.
I ended up having 3 sessions on Monday. One of the most interesting questions
was ‘how do people live in Nigeria?’. I tried to get the student to be more
precise with the question but the addition I got was ‘what’s life like?’. My
friend interrupted and said we live like normal people, which I agreed to, but
explained further. We have the tendency to be defensive without realising, but people
could be genuinely curious and would never know if they are not educated. I responded
to let the student know that life in Nigeria is enjoyable but there are challenges
just like there are everywhere else. I talked a bit about the well-planned
capital, other states, the opportunities there are, then I said a little about social
life.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On Wednesday, I had another run
of three sessions but these students were more knowledgeable, they engaged, threw in
some jokes and were inquisitive. We even had some political questions come up. There was one answer that they might not have been expecting, but I made it
quite clear that it was my opinion. I have another 3 or 4 sessions left, but so far, I
have enjoyed doing this. Probably time to reconsider whether I would
like to return to my love for teaching <span face=""Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif" style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I never get tired of educating
people about Nigeria, even though we are not where we ought to be. Someone from a West African country (I don't think she specified where...) asked for recommendations on books and another
asked for recommendations on music.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For books, here are a few: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Things Fall Apart by Chinua
Achebe<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">No Longer at Ease by Chinua Achebe</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda
Ngozi Adichie <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Half of a Yellow Sun by
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I Do Not Come to You by Chance by
Nwaubani Adaobi Tricia<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">In Dependence by Sarah Ladipo Manyika<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Night Dancer by Chika Unigwe<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Seasons of Crimson Blossoms by
Abubakar Adam Ibrahim<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Born on a Tuesday by Elnathan
John<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Becoming Nigerian by Elnathan
John<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On Ajayi Crowther Street by
Elnathan John<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For music, I’ll list musicians,
please feel free to google them, after you listen to some of their songs, you can
decide what you like most. The list is not exhaustive...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Burna Boy, WizKid, DavidO, Tiwa
Savage, Niniola, Waje, Omawumni, Olakira, Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti, Tuface Idibia, Temz,
Ayra Starr, Olamide, Banky W, Phyno, Yemi Alade, Simi, Adekunle Gold, Asa, Mr.
Eazi, Omah Lay, Rema, Brymo, Flavour and the list could go on….</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Hopefully, my next sessions will be even more interesting 🙏</span></p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-57915870806193599542021-04-01T09:53:00.003+01:002021-04-01T10:06:52.597+01:00Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos<p style="text-align: justify;">I visited Lekki Conservation Centre in 2014 but I hardly remember much from that visit. Maggie, suggested we visit last week and it was such good fun. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">The entire centre stands on about 78 hectares. It is open every day but on Mondays. To visit, you'll need to make a reservation online. We didn't know this, by the time we got to the gate, the guard asked if we had made a reservation. He insisted that we do before he let us in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMYlcomD1HuGL1uciu5Xh4zugbyghVa3VsmC1VnQoZvvbEYx2VvI7ykh3Lx4-gYLzWQpaYtMjAtmUA3wrsc9Ihijsai6dcYQg5wd4eerxMiL6CiDaTI06xSQ8NMLRX4zpfScTYKaLFhE/s2642/20210326_103807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMYlcomD1HuGL1uciu5Xh4zugbyghVa3VsmC1VnQoZvvbEYx2VvI7ykh3Lx4-gYLzWQpaYtMjAtmUA3wrsc9Ihijsai6dcYQg5wd4eerxMiL6CiDaTI06xSQ8NMLRX4zpfScTYKaLFhE/w288-h640/20210326_103807.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><p><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: justify;">We visited on Friday, we got there probably before 10am and some maintenance work was ongoing on the canopy walk. We were told that the first tour would be at 11am. So we wandered around the entrance area till we were set to go.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4Ariq4CRIHE-qoPh8VJOxv41SueiDUz-e5C_8V0wodtfmPqxb3xzfa3ju9LhsaBfpdTqvdBBouUOWAJkx9gGRyoXkFriN3A7-gjLD2pH2wOmewL0IwKvIAgbznxWM3GwEqjDLD6CQQc/s2642/20210326_103904.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4Ariq4CRIHE-qoPh8VJOxv41SueiDUz-e5C_8V0wodtfmPqxb3xzfa3ju9LhsaBfpdTqvdBBouUOWAJkx9gGRyoXkFriN3A7-gjLD2pH2wOmewL0IwKvIAgbznxWM3GwEqjDLD6CQQc/w180-h400/20210326_103904.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU5dkMPwNL4I9xmeGC7h35yNjSeQ72z3BznGR5K20DV4zhzo-_TAbULvlN-qiSM2R67BTt5rK8AYVdhzKClEdE2pJ-aCvaSQ8RqrcJrvgjqN9cgY2UfzPlSbV4T-7Zmx9INcPS5sMjoc/s2642/20210326_103855.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwU5dkMPwNL4I9xmeGC7h35yNjSeQ72z3BznGR5K20DV4zhzo-_TAbULvlN-qiSM2R67BTt5rK8AYVdhzKClEdE2pJ-aCvaSQ8RqrcJrvgjqN9cgY2UfzPlSbV4T-7Zmx9INcPS5sMjoc/w180-h400/20210326_103855.jpg" width="180" /></a></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">We saw a few mona monkeys around. We were told that there are around 700 of them in the centre. The animals in the centre roam freely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI9oUgxgbsDOhAceLCAeEpHyHMhAbbOJpAlbF0fOW5sFtTAB3-aTO1Muc71qREF4l1GgWEW8R5LczBF4FGFevu1GdJSZibirOdHEXPhLLAAsoxcJ2wvP8A__1OVVkpF8cuvSEjMeN8Ss/s2642/20210326_102533.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKI9oUgxgbsDOhAceLCAeEpHyHMhAbbOJpAlbF0fOW5sFtTAB3-aTO1Muc71qREF4l1GgWEW8R5LczBF4FGFevu1GdJSZibirOdHEXPhLLAAsoxcJ2wvP8A__1OVVkpF8cuvSEjMeN8Ss/w180-h400/20210326_102533.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tortoise shells</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaw1w-MK1qJ7juI5TIWVo0o6EjCe9w0da1et_-BZRJ4dmVMOIfJOiwJfhvQF8a0B33RQU1KLD7Ef6hRzfVmJAy6FurocMRGWTg8_zorCKyBKSdbg96VuPqMMbpuV3HfKQnA7sLJ_ldkY/s2642/20210326_102831.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaw1w-MK1qJ7juI5TIWVo0o6EjCe9w0da1et_-BZRJ4dmVMOIfJOiwJfhvQF8a0B33RQU1KLD7Ef6hRzfVmJAy6FurocMRGWTg8_zorCKyBKSdbg96VuPqMMbpuV3HfKQnA7sLJ_ldkY/w180-h400/20210326_102831.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;">The peahen kept looking away before we could finally get a close up picture of her. Their male counterparts, peacocks, are definitely more beautiful!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5feBT2ZdLtt6avJGGCNlknfDwX4dlGCsHJobJxiE_EJzhIfeRXdSnYm-vbyBfJ6YMUnUKkUk1Y6NleOn53_jHIYtLfjSp7bN_LxBKvm5fEg18QdF9llbRTn9lyNw517g7IrSy9JR4CRU/s2048/20210326_105816.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5feBT2ZdLtt6avJGGCNlknfDwX4dlGCsHJobJxiE_EJzhIfeRXdSnYm-vbyBfJ6YMUnUKkUk1Y6NleOn53_jHIYtLfjSp7bN_LxBKvm5fEg18QdF9llbRTn9lyNw517g7IrSy9JR4CRU/w480-h640/20210326_105816.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How it started!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>A group of 5 joined us so we were 7 in the group and we had a tour guide leading. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK-esaLcMmHF8Mfh4AbOBl8M8yhSScGu7G-dW6OEZa3rsVM2eQo_v7mSlucAXq2EPSd_m3ZoedTIgbEOn7M54ALa2VMb1KfWKzLIQ7Lbmhpf5MU_nzw8UgAxMuO2Muy44Ik8KyLUmK6Q/s2642/20210326_105916.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGK-esaLcMmHF8Mfh4AbOBl8M8yhSScGu7G-dW6OEZa3rsVM2eQo_v7mSlucAXq2EPSd_m3ZoedTIgbEOn7M54ALa2VMb1KfWKzLIQ7Lbmhpf5MU_nzw8UgAxMuO2Muy44Ik8KyLUmK6Q/w288-h640/20210326_105916.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tour guide</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The tour guide started by telling us of the different animal in the centre but didn't say much else on the trail. There were a few rest spots like the one below. At the canopy walk, she handed us over to another guide who led us on the canopy walk then she met us at the end of the walkway.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopqqe3ZjjRZBogghAsw0DSVchS_wFFHq2qyOExraYfnNGmgVdgnJZIk6bx3zcU3ijA8drUHwYgv7dCSilQHLdQyhOeF6QlU_-FRZn-Wsv3xipu9F9RHdnJYpcXuxYa1034I_lguBD9xc/s2642/20210326_110025.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopqqe3ZjjRZBogghAsw0DSVchS_wFFHq2qyOExraYfnNGmgVdgnJZIk6bx3zcU3ijA8drUHwYgv7dCSilQHLdQyhOeF6QlU_-FRZn-Wsv3xipu9F9RHdnJYpcXuxYa1034I_lguBD9xc/w288-h640/20210326_110025.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FltMAhcbt0xns6f3bu5zfzQyGRwjXpw1WFtQ1CPBO3-1yKHnU4F7GyXVml4QOvgmSGafeuXhwqqz8cQ4P140An0pP_z8RHkRONIQFQeDkRImBASRuVf_h7LRJ7tIHQSH-YtgOCRc4gw/s2642/20210326_110043.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1FltMAhcbt0xns6f3bu5zfzQyGRwjXpw1WFtQ1CPBO3-1yKHnU4F7GyXVml4QOvgmSGafeuXhwqqz8cQ4P140An0pP_z8RHkRONIQFQeDkRImBASRuVf_h7LRJ7tIHQSH-YtgOCRc4gw/w288-h640/20210326_110043.jpg" width="288" /></a><br /><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The canopy walkway had clear instructions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOybVwf-yuFmq-DjBzqZT_wJRh8O6AekTo0hinPEyFZrkNW6ny_nPuz9f2y36gamg4te4elB-Er0i8WYjtXBhNmbC_ZW5Y0lCGpIq8g5ww9fxEX9ZoZyGHV9thAjycrjvm5T0bZAGu1ow/s2642/20210326_110821.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOybVwf-yuFmq-DjBzqZT_wJRh8O6AekTo0hinPEyFZrkNW6ny_nPuz9f2y36gamg4te4elB-Er0i8WYjtXBhNmbC_ZW5Y0lCGpIq8g5ww9fxEX9ZoZyGHV9thAjycrjvm5T0bZAGu1ow/w288-h640/20210326_110821.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR77ohpzNvIwio-GJvd-0VK8DL-_hSFeZPGKZRXJV1jd4XtXqxJtVla3hCiLzTTOj-WdwjIz0kCG5ZCEaaV3HEgQB2sFLWvNsjuTV0R8OrL0YI9kQztAhxJgKgmfZL02DFQqTzu-dIB0/s2642/20210326_110649.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR77ohpzNvIwio-GJvd-0VK8DL-_hSFeZPGKZRXJV1jd4XtXqxJtVla3hCiLzTTOj-WdwjIz0kCG5ZCEaaV3HEgQB2sFLWvNsjuTV0R8OrL0YI9kQztAhxJgKgmfZL02DFQqTzu-dIB0/w288-h640/20210326_110649.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The walk way has 7 levels, 3 ascending, one levelled in the middle and 3 descending. It is 401m long. From the peak, it is 22.5m above ground level.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I had seen videos of people who get so dramatic or paralyzed on different canopy walk ways from fear. I didn't see any of such with the group I went with but there were a few times when people got scared, my ears were full with different utterances, hahaha. Maggie was not excluded, and asked me a few times if I had a will. There were times I would stop to look around and look below to take things in. This got Maggie on the edge so she was always ahead of me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It would help if you had gloves for the walkway as you are advised to hold onto the sides. While you hold on and move, it rubs the palms quite hard and could leave blisters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ-BMw72l5AzOrbf7RBEzgGbgxeK5-VyBwXffeF7BoUWlGHrJ51TOu7BEi5mx9p7Wd2_bpGk5ih-ZcgTD2pAwvHlWraqzZN2vW3kMOg0i00VWzhyphenhyphenVciUGg-aVtMjoUAV6YM7Ok0vhI2s/s2642/20210326_111425.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQ-BMw72l5AzOrbf7RBEzgGbgxeK5-VyBwXffeF7BoUWlGHrJ51TOu7BEi5mx9p7Wd2_bpGk5ih-ZcgTD2pAwvHlWraqzZN2vW3kMOg0i00VWzhyphenhyphenVciUGg-aVtMjoUAV6YM7Ok0vhI2s/w288-h640/20210326_111425.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx4Vf4dO1y6zS6a0w8M57oxg1SXU8OECqwdBapvCeyMVYq8jicE0rx-pp1MLKCwUJh7-8jdkrmBhC6HaNRsKCI_S5nKWjf5JOTatpFK5kXZR4CxgvZL0wEI81qFd-x5Lif-eW1ZieWWA/s2642/20210326_111609.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJx4Vf4dO1y6zS6a0w8M57oxg1SXU8OECqwdBapvCeyMVYq8jicE0rx-pp1MLKCwUJh7-8jdkrmBhC6HaNRsKCI_S5nKWjf5JOTatpFK5kXZR4CxgvZL0wEI81qFd-x5Lif-eW1ZieWWA/w288-h640/20210326_111609.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">There were rest areas between the trails, those pauses were useful. It was a sunny day and we were dripping in sweat.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Guests are not allowed to take refreshments with them to avoid litter. Also, the monkeys might not be within sight but were they to see any kind of food, we were warned that they would come at you for it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctV6vUzyUrBHaj3cTIFWBxGroxyRAZMqSbrCOKB1J64mL-NibLNRQ0BjtgHPxNwZjldDHhlxCqnnMWu_84QiW9g_rbX-WdRPQ9oBEM76wSuFkOW25Cwoi_q2ueGv7xNrVkeb7jytBx_s/s2642/20210326_112145.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctV6vUzyUrBHaj3cTIFWBxGroxyRAZMqSbrCOKB1J64mL-NibLNRQ0BjtgHPxNwZjldDHhlxCqnnMWu_84QiW9g_rbX-WdRPQ9oBEM76wSuFkOW25Cwoi_q2ueGv7xNrVkeb7jytBx_s/w288-h640/20210326_112145.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0KckO-oJwsT1lhsKWMYIAOIWbqrZClcldJPIVsTzKQzYuXEBr1Dfh2PgWYgRElScW3Qq2kP7fAnT4nuW-DTg4SbH7x-ikogoCvvZNLiGkzrrXhxxoWw-Q26UPJZ3bSOyDg_5ujZTUUQ/s2642/20210326_111443.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0KckO-oJwsT1lhsKWMYIAOIWbqrZClcldJPIVsTzKQzYuXEBr1Dfh2PgWYgRElScW3Qq2kP7fAnT4nuW-DTg4SbH7x-ikogoCvvZNLiGkzrrXhxxoWw-Q26UPJZ3bSOyDg_5ujZTUUQ/w288-h640/20210326_111443.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A level walk way on the left and an ascending one on the right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After the canopy walkway, we were shown around, there were fish ponds for Japanese Koi fish (someone in the group said these are the most expensive fish in the world) and Tilapia.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUoLM-ybrms8pFw1uiscFUs1O7HQRjtvbWUyh2fJZXubGI-4Vwq9Ae8bmMYqVO1NpMMlGBYCkWH89LvsMbnWxxKyqYtmBHL36ZMgEl_smOVXVuDHIYWCjZ2HnHJNC6SfF7F6CvY7gcvc/s2048/20210326_114724.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUoLM-ybrms8pFw1uiscFUs1O7HQRjtvbWUyh2fJZXubGI-4Vwq9Ae8bmMYqVO1NpMMlGBYCkWH89LvsMbnWxxKyqYtmBHL36ZMgEl_smOVXVuDHIYWCjZ2HnHJNC6SfF7F6CvY7gcvc/w300-h400/20210326_114724.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Koi fish</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLFd6I6xnYuC0MDeqm0n-3ySlSlilgAUa-WuXMI3OC5FpCTQF0P9tB58SLa8xTjq-2VTQnoy3nzi20Ua03Nhj_eeAEeQ6mx4a0XGpyb4FnvLJr2qITNd-DWZNZGtLbB920gYWIRpgnGw/s2642/20210326_115050.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLFd6I6xnYuC0MDeqm0n-3ySlSlilgAUa-WuXMI3OC5FpCTQF0P9tB58SLa8xTjq-2VTQnoy3nzi20Ua03Nhj_eeAEeQ6mx4a0XGpyb4FnvLJr2qITNd-DWZNZGtLbB920gYWIRpgnGw/w288-h640/20210326_115050.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tilapia</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">There are game areas and a relaxation area. There is a spot where fresh coconut is harvested and cut open for the juice. Some guys roast chicken and probably fish as well. The group after ours sat over for lunch but Maggie and I were more keen on taking pictures, hahahahaha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslEhQLsswRuqBjUn0AdyEP55VGiEIHeeCLYc-tk_D5mBSKZv63o1y_u9o7uXoW60_DeKbW5YCysuL9767nAAcdflVagOBMEsNyhgBxE07IH4A27A6qOBQiz2G5XU24uk6jP1p3xQGYbQ/s2642/20210326_115332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslEhQLsswRuqBjUn0AdyEP55VGiEIHeeCLYc-tk_D5mBSKZv63o1y_u9o7uXoW60_DeKbW5YCysuL9767nAAcdflVagOBMEsNyhgBxE07IH4A27A6qOBQiz2G5XU24uk6jP1p3xQGYbQ/w288-h640/20210326_115332.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_U5WOy0BcfTtSeHVZnhC0TVbBKajoDye7GJmVz2WiDeU5CJu84frDqKkgxudeM4K1qohBeNenrLhe6X_bCsHMisKLvajJyYoWB-6-wLNBQ8s4F6SUH_Ti6Ny-SYzL4FHhch_K2XRuIU/s2642/20210326_115704.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_U5WOy0BcfTtSeHVZnhC0TVbBKajoDye7GJmVz2WiDeU5CJu84frDqKkgxudeM4K1qohBeNenrLhe6X_bCsHMisKLvajJyYoWB-6-wLNBQ8s4F6SUH_Ti6Ny-SYzL4FHhch_K2XRuIU/w288-h640/20210326_115704.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFhsGIyMbrCrya6jcnhKnOTb0MAd763kRBufdQF4L5VEW8tENnNhFvxCFHXmZbPi_cqlMvPRe8bxsYJ4sVN-jUbYzjpUEirjA-72_hPja2YzCp0ef5gNPDpuxu1lFu5XramEHFKryz-M/s2642/20210326_115541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2642" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIFhsGIyMbrCrya6jcnhKnOTb0MAd763kRBufdQF4L5VEW8tENnNhFvxCFHXmZbPi_cqlMvPRe8bxsYJ4sVN-jUbYzjpUEirjA-72_hPja2YzCp0ef5gNPDpuxu1lFu5XramEHFKryz-M/w288-h640/20210326_115541.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">By the time we were heading out, we passed 2 different groups. I gathered that the centre gets up to or more than 100 visitors during the week. The weekends are busier with over 500 visitors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This was definitely a good day out and I would recommend a visit if you are in Lagos. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /></div><span><!--more--></span></div>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-62184683942410855212021-03-24T11:21:00.002+01:002023-08-25T09:22:27.821+01:00Nothing To Lose<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">She caught his attention as she walked in, her slim frame was the first thing he noticed. That always seemed to do the trick for him. She was bubbly and happy, her laughter was from deep within and it was infectious. They were attending a conference, so he stayed professional until they went dancing over the weekend. She could move and she filled the place with the way she danced, one could not help but notice her. He found that he got more and more drawn in, all he hoped for was that she would give him a chance.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DGaypwu-ZOCtJEclVKBQxW_91jCU4bNmyB4hL70lH9iQq9wUPN3gjHl-95fa1VRY-cowO4alx7PHtBXxtJXaPjd82BVQVafdyUxyOatGYK3EqIUvUgC_Z5Vfo0QHXEt7eXcQSzBpOYI/s574/love-lust.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="574" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DGaypwu-ZOCtJEclVKBQxW_91jCU4bNmyB4hL70lH9iQq9wUPN3gjHl-95fa1VRY-cowO4alx7PHtBXxtJXaPjd82BVQVafdyUxyOatGYK3EqIUvUgC_Z5Vfo0QHXEt7eXcQSzBpOYI/w400-h250/love-lust.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">He spent time trying to help her settle in as she would be around for a month. He constantly proposed activities, and started by picking her up for breakfast the next weekend, then showing her around town. She was a curious one so it worked out well as she had so many questions, some he could not even answer. At some point, they had to resort to google to satisfy her curiousity. They spent a pleasant day together and he found himself laughing much more than he had in a long time. Since he called it quits nearly two years ago, he had not been attracted to any woman and had started to question whether he was still normal. The hurt from those years ran deep.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: courier;">They stayed in touch after she left, although he was unsure what to make of it, as she had a way of staying neutral. He played along in the friend game for as long as he could until his mind started to torment him. They shared a common love for music, so he would share songs that always served as conversation starters. Soon enough he started to share songs that mirrored his feelings. On a certain day, he decided to shoot his shot; he shared Joe boy's 'beginning to fall in love'. On the other end, she knew exactly what was happening but she chose not to respond. The wait for him felt like eternity!</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">A few days passed and he found himself checking his phone quite often to see if she had replied. Afraid to call, imagining he had burnt the branch of friendship extended to him, he was starting to wallow in rejection. After a long day, he picked up his phone one last time and there her reply was! She was asking why he shared that song, then it all came out... She knew the whole time that he fancied her, but he had been easier to manage before he started to make his confessions. She was unsure how to tread with him. They lived in different places, she had never been in a long distance relationship and did not know a thing about making it work. She enjoyed talking to and chatting with him but there was an unsettling feeling deep within that she could not shake off. Work would take her to where he was regularly so she was willing to hold on with starting anything. Something in her wanted to see him some more before deciding. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">On her next visit, she was out with such a lively group which he was part of; they all went dancing. He was an entertainer on the dance floor. He could dance but he also had a way of hyping himself that made it all so comical. She found that she enjoyed his company and this time he was pushy. She figured she was ready to test the waters, but had got away with feigning ignorance until a certain evening. They had just had dinner and he was acting quite needy which threw her off a little. They chatted away, amidst laughter, he drew close to her and reached for her face. Her first reaction was to pull back but that didn't deter him. He tried again and this time, she let him. Well, he turned out be a good kisser.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">She left knowing there was a possibility that something had started. That feeling of something being amiss came back, but she was ready to ignore it. She had nothing to lose anyway. There were times he would be good with keeping in touch, while there were other times he would be silent. She realised that he was not good with words, music really spoke for him. She thought she could let that be until a month passed with no word from him. Worried, she reached out but got scanty replies. She reached out to one of his colleagues to reassure herself that he was fine. It turned out that he was under a lot of pressure. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">She wanted to be there for him, but he would not let her, so she let him be. Then the silence stretched out longer till she started to forget him. He resurfaced out of the blues with a certain urgency that got her worried. He asked if she wanted to be with him and was waiting for a reply. She found it funny how he was silent for months then wanted an urgent reply. She could not give him one as she had met someone else she was considering. She was honest about things, but he used that against her, which she did not appreciate. They went back and forth in a rather tense conversation, then she asked questions she would normally ask. She asked about his last relationship, unknown to her, she was opening a can of worms he had conveniently tucked away.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">With her frequent work trips, they were reunited again and as she probed, he was elusive. Eventually it came out that he was divorced and a father of one. He seemed like a hands on dad and she found that admirable. On one of the days while hanging out with some ladies, there was a lot of banter, and one of them mentioned that she had noticed how he was interested in her and was putting in a word for him. However, one thing this woman said left her perplexed...</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">At lunch the next day, she mentioned that she was going to ask a question and would only like the truth from him. Looking right into his eyes, "how many children do you have?" she asked. "Four", he replied. There was a moment of silence that felt like a whole hour. This was confirmation of what she heard last night. "Was anything you ever told me true?" He had also recently moved houses and claimed his housemate was just a colleague. Rumour had it that they were an item. That, he debunked. As she stared at him asking for truth, he seemed incapable of giving that. She got the sense that he gave nothing but lies. She felt deep disappointment and a sense of loss she could not explain. After that conversation, h</span><span style="font-family: courier;">e avoided her</span><span style="font-family: courier;">. She assumed he needed time to sort his feelings out. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;">She had the weekend left in his town and made a few plans with different friends and colleagues. Just before close of business on Friday, they bumped into each other, he could not even look her in the face. "I'll see you later" he said. Later never came, making her choice rather easy.</span></p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-67226629072443742462021-03-12T09:00:00.000+01:002021-03-12T09:00:57.246+01:00A Day at the Nigeria Immigration Service Headquarters in Abuja<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My sister and I set out for the immigration office early, hoping to finish in good time, before there would be a rush. On what seemed like a normal work day, the officers attitudes and behaviour was far from normal.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">On arrival at the gate, this conversation took place:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Officer - what are you here for?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Us - passport renewal</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Officer - who are you going to see?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Us - we are going to renew a passport</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Officer - one of my officers will join you so he can help.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We stared at each other blankly while the officer was waiting at the door. I unlocked it and he got into the car. It really was not a request, the senior officer was informing us. As we drove to the car park with the officer, he asked whether we had made the payment online for the passport renewal and if we had the print out. We didn't, with the assumption that we could pay there. He confirmed we could, so there was no issue. However, with the ongoing National Identity Number (NIN) registration, an extra layer of hassle had been added for those who did not have their NIN. My sister was in that category.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkDJFzX6FopAZyoea3kqEs9e7DYmDIStZbb822QT49XIP8OxYX5kHtQw63FJ-6EtNCaQZLN9-DIOSDLbhNjDQIlGwpNIti8akNgx6upAbbGC9FPbVNqvGBROiPaVvgoQ_N4gWlVRqF0U/s328/Nigerian+Passport..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="249" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAkDJFzX6FopAZyoea3kqEs9e7DYmDIStZbb822QT49XIP8OxYX5kHtQw63FJ-6EtNCaQZLN9-DIOSDLbhNjDQIlGwpNIti8akNgx6upAbbGC9FPbVNqvGBROiPaVvgoQ_N4gWlVRqF0U/w304-h400/Nigerian+Passport..jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: georgia;">This officer talked us through the process - fill out the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) form for the NIN, write an application for the passport renewal, make the payment for a passport. The print out confirming payment would enable my sister go to NIMC for her NIN. There is a team stationed at the immigration office. It all sounds pretty straight forward right? I wish that were the case!</span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After paying, my sister was asked to meet someone where the NIMC team was working. As she stepped in, a woman started yelling at her, asking what she was doing there and in shock my sister kept looking at her. The NIMC official spoke up to say he invited her in, but she kept on yelling at her and every other person who walked into that door. Other officers seemed to be afraid of her and people tried to avoid her fury. While my sister was in there, as the woman yelled at people, someone tried to tell her off. She walked him out of that office. As the NIMC official attended to my sister, she breathed her loud voice over my sister and would not even let her take the NIN she was registering for. Once the official finished the registration, this woman asked my sister to leave. With no energy to match the woman's, my sister left and did not even collect the NIN print out. From what she was told, it would be generated automatically and would reflect on her passport.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I spoke to the Immigration officer who seemed like he was in charge of the office where NIMC was working. I had mine but didn't have the details printed out. When I tried to link it to my bank account (which I understood is now required by the governement), I was asked for the slip. I explained this concern about my NIN and asked if I could get it printed out, he took me into the office, asked for an ID card, then asked me to wait. A few more people came in, some VIPs as they were referred to, and the so called shouting officer was suddenly polite. When the VIP was trying to get into the office with a lady and a gentleman behind her, the officer at the door was trying to stop them but she mentioned that they were her children. The shouting officer was the one I heard call them VIPs. It made me wonder...what hope does the ordinary person in Nigeria have? Without money and power, is there really hope?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">All these people were paying the same amount for their international passports, but were being treated with such disrespect. The VIPs had envelopes for officials so things were facilitated and made easy. There may be less of an issue if people were treated humanely, but these officers stress people for no reason, they toss you around and speak so discourteously to you, that you'd wonder if you were in your own country.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After the NIMC part, my sister and I were ushered to the building where her biometric information and photo would be taken. Over half of the seats were empty. I settled into one and read my book as I waited for her. She was in front waiting to be called in. From nowhere, some officer came round asking each person what they were doing in there. I told him I was waiting for my sister, then he asked me to wait outside. It was sunny outside, there were no chairs so I found a spot to sit down. A few other people found spots to sit as well. This same officer came out telling us to leave the area. At this point I was wondering what the problem was with immigration officers. On the other side, there was another officer shouting instructions to who I don't know.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I decided to go back and see if my NIN print out was ready but some angry officer asked me not to go into the building. I tried to explain that I was in there not long ago but he would not listen and shouted at me to leave. I simply asked him why he was shouting, he probably had to calm himself down to hear me as I asked in such a low voice. Then I left. A few minutes passed and I saw so many people walking into the very building that this man would not let me into. I decided to try again. He came from behind me shouting at just me, saying since I didn't see him in place, why was I trying to go in. At that point, I stayed there trying to explain but he kept shouting, I was not ready to leave and his boss noticed. The boss asked what I wanted and as I explained, he wanted to know if the officer in charge of that building was aware of my request. Right on cue, he showed up and I said, yes, there he is. The officer was the one I had spoken to earlier anyway, he asked me to follow him.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">He mentioned that he had been looking for me to return my ID card, then finally told me that the printer was bad, so my details could not be printed out. The printer had been bad for a few days. My shock must have been obvious. In the Immigration headquarters, how could one printer not be fixed? Who knows, one of the many visitors who came in and out for their passport may be able to fix a printer, but did they even care?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I left there and went back to sit somewhere and wait. One more person yelled at me and my legs led me to the car park. It was blazing hot but I did not care at this point. I messaged my sister to let her know I was in the car. After a few minutes of tanning, I decided to just take a drive. My sister called not so long after to say she had finished and I did a U-turn to go get her.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She had had her own drama in that office. When she was called in, the officer to do the biometrics could not retrieve her NIN from the system. Without asking or wanting to listen, she ordered my sister to 'get up and get out'. At this point, my sister was fed up. Again an officer came to her rescue, explaining that her NIN was done a few minutes ago and would come up eventually. When she chose to pay attention to my sister, her next sentence was 'take off that your nose ring'. It was my sister's first time of encountering such hostility for an international passport. To avoid any hassle, she usually goes to Kaduna to get her passport done. My sister said in the car that this would be her first and last time to go for her passport at that office.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It has been a month, the passport is still not ready as there is a claim at the Immigration headquarters that there are no booklets to print the passports. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which way Naija?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Featured on <a href="https://www.bellanaija.com/2021/03/ene-abah-immigration-headquarters-abuja/" target="_blank">BellaNaija</a></span></i></p>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-57642958334574797492020-12-11T17:37:00.001+01:002021-06-16T13:44:25.939+01:00Reflections on my time in Central African Republic<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">When I accepted a posting to Central African Republic (CAR) in 2018, a friend asked what I had done wrong to be sent here. From what I had heard, the road ahead seemed like it would be a long one.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I worked in Bertoua in the East of Cameroon in 2016, with refugees from CAR. At the time, I made a mental note not to accept a posting here, were it ever to be an option, because of the horror stories I heard.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I had no expectations whatsoever, the predominant feeling was uncertainty. These are my last days here and I am uncertain how I managed to last for 21 months! It has been quite the roller coaster and those curves have been just like the sharp twists and turns of an actual roller coaster.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div>Central African Republic celebrated its' 60th year of independence on August <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; direction: ltr; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">13th</span> 2020 which got me reflecting. To give a back ground to things, in 2013, a mostly Muslim coalition violently ousted the government. Some months later, a Christian militia sprung up to resist the Muslim group. It went further as the Christian group carried out attacks around the West of the country against Muslim communities. This degenerated and clashes between groups and against civilians continues to raise concerns. About 80% of the country is controlled by armed groups and attacks against civilians are still recurrent. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">A peace agreement was signed in 2019 between the government and 14 armed groups, but the road to implementing and respecting this agreement is a long one.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF-kOek_vz8N0AL02ULjsRQJt4m-nVvEzmRmSWGgL6HQ2gl0kfLeb3Gmpedz0YxItnsuLTErAYvwOPmHOnSYqx7hIsABDVxmctaK1-ICIkUMAqCHPrL6X1t73EWkBLClCzUPEmq9pXKA/s1076/InkedInkedCAR+Map+Edited_LI.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1026" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF-kOek_vz8N0AL02ULjsRQJt4m-nVvEzmRmSWGgL6HQ2gl0kfLeb3Gmpedz0YxItnsuLTErAYvwOPmHOnSYqx7hIsABDVxmctaK1-ICIkUMAqCHPrL6X1t73EWkBLClCzUPEmq9pXKA/w610-h640/InkedInkedCAR+Map+Edited_LI.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><div><br /></div><span><a name='more'></a></span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you look at the map above, I've indicated where the office is (red arrow) and my area of responsibility (AoR) which consists of two regions (blue dots) Ouham and Ouham Pende. I work in the West of the country. It takes two days to get to certain parts of my AoR, and I mean on off/dirt roads so mileage has nothing to do with the amount of time we spend on the road, depending on how bad the road is. There are tarred roads in the some parts of the capital (Bangui - violet dot) and in Bouar where I live, but elsewhere, that is not the case. Travelling around in this country is a time you spend bumping up and down in a vehicle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I work for the International Committee of the Red Cross, whose mandate is linked to conflict/war. So we work in places with extreme conditions with so many risks. While travelling in CAR, there is no guarantee of safety. We rely on the networking we do for our safety and do not travel with escorts. Colleagues have been attacked, robbed, kidnapped and unfortunately, killed sometimes. Our security in my AoR falls under my responsibility, so I take the networking pretty seriously! There is also the risk of women getting raped, so there are certain measures in place to 'help'. We are provided with post rape kits for field trips. I know that sounds pretty grim. </div><span><!--more--></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">People travel around mostly with motor bikes here and you could find up to 5 people on a bike. I still can't wrap my head around how they do it. You see how they sometimes struggle to keep the balance. The few cars that ply the routes are fully loaded, you get a new perspective on how much weight a car can carry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvujCoM_uyIltRzBJMVruKncJEhDnGX4ZR5s6Hmp9hLKjwxr5IaU4-cG-RQu7J3cbzFnyALxCfBq81xsWWFzsb0W6O6ojp6l4raY4txpAgnYjkGDyldolnkQ3E4PwtaLVobHDcUQwTpCM/s640/20190615_162603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvujCoM_uyIltRzBJMVruKncJEhDnGX4ZR5s6Hmp9hLKjwxr5IaU4-cG-RQu7J3cbzFnyALxCfBq81xsWWFzsb0W6O6ojp6l4raY4txpAgnYjkGDyldolnkQ3E4PwtaLVobHDcUQwTpCM/w300-h400/20190615_162603.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_3B9CFpviebFnSgjxPQG7oh0FT2QBFESeVXe3-kvjWoJve8F3Jt2F8vymCbFof32lZlZnYVkFzyXcipLyeBrdb8OzR1tIqiZ_J8yIytfuhfrx0VVxq-uimYULCbn-uNRl3PBLWt8VXg/s2048/20200809_100931.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_3B9CFpviebFnSgjxPQG7oh0FT2QBFESeVXe3-kvjWoJve8F3Jt2F8vymCbFof32lZlZnYVkFzyXcipLyeBrdb8OzR1tIqiZ_J8yIytfuhfrx0VVxq-uimYULCbn-uNRl3PBLWt8VXg/w300-h400/20200809_100931.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This is what serves as school structures all around the villages. But at the time of year (rainy season) when I took the photos, it was impossible to have classes. The overgrown bushes prevent passage and these structures are unable to protect the pupils and teachers from the rain. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUF2WAhYEFY2MJ3URe-nEC2TwpPZ_UA7OvbQQKYyrWmfgttBYztACKond5X4yLSvii6VpRjNEEluB7Io2ev8mgB3RAVifkJrZBBIvVdRmgCQDbxRrhzalm1BZCHOyQWUg-Z6H8FgSnOI/s2048/20200804_115810.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUF2WAhYEFY2MJ3URe-nEC2TwpPZ_UA7OvbQQKYyrWmfgttBYztACKond5X4yLSvii6VpRjNEEluB7Io2ev8mgB3RAVifkJrZBBIvVdRmgCQDbxRrhzalm1BZCHOyQWUg-Z6H8FgSnOI/w640-h480/20200804_115810.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These logs serve as seats<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0n7jas-0-3kqHntRHCqyoojqWfCZ4Fz0GabdxwMdlygTiQoLDE-qCj_5hAulaTSrZI_1UoIVwaoRiAwmysZcskRC1cRv7EQKnf6k1KFFOoZp5RD6SeotXeu2hLBuB6MmLcxdfn4TsKZ8/s2048/20200804_115657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0n7jas-0-3kqHntRHCqyoojqWfCZ4Fz0GabdxwMdlygTiQoLDE-qCj_5hAulaTSrZI_1UoIVwaoRiAwmysZcskRC1cRv7EQKnf6k1KFFOoZp5RD6SeotXeu2hLBuB6MmLcxdfn4TsKZ8/w480-h640/20200804_115657.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You can see the structure behind completely covered by grass.</span><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Wondered about my accommodation on the field? This is what it looks like, as basic as can be. And in this part of the country, there is no electricity, phone network or running water. <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As there is no electricity, people have solar panels to charge torches, radios and some basic appliances. </span>When I travel to certain parts, I am completely cut off from the world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu5NbXdFrhZ7zQaH3By1BE7L1ct4w6-95tqwNzVxOO1zPSZirT-FvcwyLPyglSaK4NYbg90_K6Nhf7yNwv7aAX7U54FblibKIX82MxN8KjKyUbZTp9SMhw871snLYoO68vQgiKHF9fJg/s2048/20200803_144853.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu5NbXdFrhZ7zQaH3By1BE7L1ct4w6-95tqwNzVxOO1zPSZirT-FvcwyLPyglSaK4NYbg90_K6Nhf7yNwv7aAX7U54FblibKIX82MxN8KjKyUbZTp9SMhw871snLYoO68vQgiKHF9fJg/w480-h640/20200803_144853.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sanitary conditions? Here you go! I am not sparing you any details. And this is decent, I've been in worse!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFf0_u13cSUN3RTA_1a4CIF4xo0NOGgFS3VEZU3abj7yEuQBR1x2Sva973ceeXO04zZRpWT5DP41NOdD9p6QagQZr4edda7St0u12OMVZd9DfFaCFd-sErrnuyEOTjy3fcQ1VNWmVHa5I/s2048/20200803_071937.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFf0_u13cSUN3RTA_1a4CIF4xo0NOGgFS3VEZU3abj7yEuQBR1x2Sva973ceeXO04zZRpWT5DP41NOdD9p6QagQZr4edda7St0u12OMVZd9DfFaCFd-sErrnuyEOTjy3fcQ1VNWmVHa5I/w480-h640/20200803_071937.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toilet<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHIBeaZHaqX0UljpeaJuLzR7JYVjmoMEbG7kMkBJDkVOQ5Gecs6NO5rmSPdKE5iMpqYxhffvTwxdQSJSXIqr-2nw6XF5AWkPFefFVfB2jnhf0pDsY-uFw0raDHIPnfflPCi3W589awNw/s2048/20200803_072000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHIBeaZHaqX0UljpeaJuLzR7JYVjmoMEbG7kMkBJDkVOQ5Gecs6NO5rmSPdKE5iMpqYxhffvTwxdQSJSXIqr-2nw6XF5AWkPFefFVfB2jnhf0pDsY-uFw0raDHIPnfflPCi3W589awNw/w480-h640/20200803_072000.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Food? They eat a lot of swallow (as we call it in Nigeria) here. They call it la boule. They eat this every day, all day! They are happy to eat it dry with meat, which is very different from Nigeria. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZI2seLnOmwfrFWfN1PK3yNd9neakWU1FcQnL-BfqSTmL04RhObSzjiWCeUIeHF5PFkFlU0ZRSeTfS0CL-FR8LHtk9cwwCH4Okckz8F3QjTq7uTLYv3U3z6BCWcfdNEpdKK-kMjl8rM7k/s2048/20200803_173432.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZI2seLnOmwfrFWfN1PK3yNd9neakWU1FcQnL-BfqSTmL04RhObSzjiWCeUIeHF5PFkFlU0ZRSeTfS0CL-FR8LHtk9cwwCH4Okckz8F3QjTq7uTLYv3U3z6BCWcfdNEpdKK-kMjl8rM7k/w480-h640/20200803_173432.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La boule, rice, chicken and spinach...there was no beans on this day<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">When I am on the field, I always insist that we find some form of vegetables where possible, there is not a lot in my AoR, nor are there fruits. Most of the time, the best I get is beans so I eat a lot of rice and beans. On some days, when I've had enough, I feast on my cereal bars, crackers or garri 😀 I always have garri and groundnuts with me, it's always a welcome change...Nigerians would appreciate this one!</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I wrote about food in this post <a href="http://belletammy.blogspot.com/2019/04/in-search-of-mangoes.html" target="_blank">In Search of Mangoes</a>. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During these field trips, I take time to interact with people and understand what their everyday lives look like. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In villages, you'll find women pounding millet, then they sieve it to get the powder. Then pound again until it is all in powder form. </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">A lot of hard work goes into this, it could take up to two days. They make it into la boule or a they make a porridge from it. I asked to buy some but they refused and were offering me for free. That didn't sit well with me so I offered the women 2,000fcfa each. Their reaction was priceless. I left with so many good wishes.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxo93N-MCof3nt4HusYzv9DnIFAvH5LdMZFgs0_GZF0JRnPMP8aSswm8iRqwe-sopkvccBUwhzzHID6qBUl9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy2f3dVqvYSJtHfiGS3aRnxTsqTn7f5PRExEpZC1N8guuSMii5GIEmntQJ-aRUAPy308gr9qiZ1ENZYg2GoiA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy9Px9ZQOoCoYpRj-iaJ9Eye6NGznDMsjeZEjKh1xVO5ekc4GQfUtEWGnBOcsPqGHc7f0RUSPdVuiItftRZjQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As we left, the driver kept telling me that I would not understand how much I had helped them.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dH5LR5aTobRQ9jvu1eN33GgPD56ru3Y0gCq3sjIbsUrOQnK2NrG_vEnog70SOyI5Itmgsfq2MHohtWfiC08Rwq6W4Lr8pZ3GIdsn5JfdMpNRQsFdPKoblDlrjDqFiw_xJCOtkkY9SLQ/s2048/20200801_125757.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dH5LR5aTobRQ9jvu1eN33GgPD56ru3Y0gCq3sjIbsUrOQnK2NrG_vEnog70SOyI5Itmgsfq2MHohtWfiC08Rwq6W4Lr8pZ3GIdsn5JfdMpNRQsFdPKoblDlrjDqFiw_xJCOtkkY9SLQ/w480-h640/20200801_125757.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU7GkqDYffPueVeLv9mWlLa-QIKz50nYEypOVpDEwI2CnSCV4v8NW6kJGF6hcG-mwaEC-rWa978Grr5Ya1YbunO5da9nIsHUtTDYbPolPIbRRTIJ-IcMItEajwtcK6Sa-36Qzdu7AddQ/s2048/20200731_112529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQU7GkqDYffPueVeLv9mWlLa-QIKz50nYEypOVpDEwI2CnSCV4v8NW6kJGF6hcG-mwaEC-rWa978Grr5Ya1YbunO5da9nIsHUtTDYbPolPIbRRTIJ-IcMItEajwtcK6Sa-36Qzdu7AddQ/w480-h640/20200731_112529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We saw a man and his sons picking dirt out of beans. My shock was that they ate the raw beans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AizuMUG-VWU4WMMUzeLmBSnFzv18Ke79kIP870qUkQeaP7JgBXHDoLed24vScSgrLM9MNtTmRtWXAU7N0jrjF8pziNYiACh7JBC86dlQVqIyxamNiZXw7yud2fjoUA7zQGZpP-tl_Pg/s2048/20200801_130946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AizuMUG-VWU4WMMUzeLmBSnFzv18Ke79kIP870qUkQeaP7JgBXHDoLed24vScSgrLM9MNtTmRtWXAU7N0jrjF8pziNYiACh7JBC86dlQVqIyxamNiZXw7yud2fjoUA7zQGZpP-tl_Pg/w480-h640/20200801_130946.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we pass, children constantly run up to wave at the cars. When we wave back, I see two reactions, joy or shock. Here you can see the joy! The shocked ones usually just freeze once we wave back.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx2_2lM86PEWVrDa_oAowphTMvXRWet9SsyuxhhINhXmPaO87pBIlC34GM5wabgVQLBQI9n9Q5-mdPyM8BCIg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Back to work, the nature of our work and a lot of the information we collect remains confidential. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Picture of the team. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3I6VBHOslIMZHfboZbcFi7XRMATefbnbsNESEjV1pgjG2KsX6lOLlzC3Bbb0NNmWu7RgUxSE6YzH9FqwVKC7W0DBtPtEOtjId2g7M2xBa6eI2zCfPkZ1EmnUjIEZaLvjN4PzLe_M1Xg/s2048/20200731_153415.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB3I6VBHOslIMZHfboZbcFi7XRMATefbnbsNESEjV1pgjG2KsX6lOLlzC3Bbb0NNmWu7RgUxSE6YzH9FqwVKC7W0DBtPtEOtjId2g7M2xBa6eI2zCfPkZ1EmnUjIEZaLvjN4PzLe_M1Xg/w640-h480/20200731_153415.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on the field in covid-19 times<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our work includes just<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> listening, a lot of listening and dialogue which we do in co<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">mmunity focus groups</span>. If people get raped, if houses are burnt, if people's property is destroyed, when families gets separated all due to conflict, we ask many questions and collect as much information as possible to help. We speak to those responsible for these actions against the population to change their behaviour. We remind them of their obligations vis a vis the international humanitarian law (which is basically the rules of war...civilians are to be spared). We give shelter, living and food kits where needed, then we also help find missing people and reunite them with their families.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza8Hdrpgchfki5AdwCipgjojB7QCMjgazqx1CTfbXI7nrwfKpL0atpdRZCqW1jguyfgjf9sy0u6X3_AtiN8Y-fsztJx9Ya9TG2LZ6-qfYErtB5ekheQ1GbobqJb_FZHo8iVhEreRlJgA/s2048/20200731_092908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgza8Hdrpgchfki5AdwCipgjojB7QCMjgazqx1CTfbXI7nrwfKpL0atpdRZCqW1jguyfgjf9sy0u6X3_AtiN8Y-fsztJx9Ya9TG2LZ6-qfYErtB5ekheQ1GbobqJb_FZHo8iVhEreRlJgA/w640-h480/20200731_092908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6EIYGozufhZNNq-lntA_O7J1hIRuKWF-DbQyiptphj4BQuMt71u3uKeqSWM4nz0l485RKQfFVloBvLfBraqOgFbQVg80YKzHHrta3B23kAcPtmlWbo7O301EsKaZbOyvmwwGNy_3zsw/s2048/20200803_091457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6EIYGozufhZNNq-lntA_O7J1hIRuKWF-DbQyiptphj4BQuMt71u3uKeqSWM4nz0l485RKQfFVloBvLfBraqOgFbQVg80YKzHHrta3B23kAcPtmlWbo7O301EsKaZbOyvmwwGNy_3zsw/w640-h480/20200803_091457.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QJPosTrSvDv6c5OpgBqcIPDB-qwzBB-enP71cQqmyGUfvkt0k2rByzS_So33YJ3_ou6uxnnBlDu0LLTRYWJY-fi5ri7hppybCu25CFY6GijoA68VPVRgO5P250B33FiRleQXoDPQZhU/s2048/20201110_143106.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QJPosTrSvDv6c5OpgBqcIPDB-qwzBB-enP71cQqmyGUfvkt0k2rByzS_So33YJ3_ou6uxnnBlDu0LLTRYWJY-fi5ri7hppybCu25CFY6GijoA68VPVRgO5P250B33FiRleQXoDPQZhU/w640-h480/20201110_143106.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have sessions with weapon bearers on how they should behave vis-à-vis the population<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This woman's smile says how the ICRC has made her life much easier thanks to o<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">ne of the many boreholes we built</span>. She used to walk 1km to a fetch water from a river, but now she has portable water a few meters from her house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fts03zERzbtAfialeSal3k-h0ABz6QuO-HRGlMR2itxkBSph5BYfITbZITyX_8innC-JwIRYjK2LONiSCBg2S0fwZtSKqpbCZuRVmJMPdMs7CrSsSj6Qs_-qFPrQAmE-KieTlQ5V3tU/s1072/Screenshot+%25287%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1072" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fts03zERzbtAfialeSal3k-h0ABz6QuO-HRGlMR2itxkBSph5BYfITbZITyX_8innC-JwIRYjK2LONiSCBg2S0fwZtSKqpbCZuRVmJMPdMs7CrSsSj6Qs_-qFPrQAmE-KieTlQ5V3tU/w640-h544/Screenshot+%25287%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJul4wwMHI7Lo6HThRNIvVApOlPpEcARr919FZt6Qd3ghLufewgLVYo4GN4sO2IOZDT3NtsrZxadpgp5cifwo3vElc8k9s8wui4sMCtBeQz9xnvJ2Uf0UV3XtEYIdTbyO_13A3GAQ3iJo/s2048/20200803_122525.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJul4wwMHI7Lo6HThRNIvVApOlPpEcARr919FZt6Qd3ghLufewgLVYo4GN4sO2IOZDT3NtsrZxadpgp5cifwo3vElc8k9s8wui4sMCtBeQz9xnvJ2Uf0UV3XtEYIdTbyO_13A3GAQ3iJo/w480-h640/20200803_122525.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the villages we went to do an evaluation, look at the colour of the water!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We gave farmers seeds earlier in the year, and were on their farms as they were showing us their growing crops. While we were there, there was a string of gun shots, <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> I didn't realise what it was as the sound kept going off but</span> o<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">ne of my colleagues looked panicked.</span> We had to leave the farm and get to the cars immediately.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We asked the villagers if they knew what was happening. No one was sure if a fight between armed groups had broken out, or if there was an attack. A few minutes later, someone informed us that the armed group members were firing in celebration of Eid/Sallah. So, we went right back to work.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">You never know what you might meet on the road, having to push trees or chop them into pieces so we can go through, getting stuck, flat tyres, you just have to be mentally prepared for anything. Emotional stamina is as important as physical stamina for this job.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyZVwwLV5xre62mpb8ZEaqEoEHaRGhyO4ffbr2QW-rPjPQxZeNSZ6svOMEJc41qb1tteU3tSeNWq8fEoYiCVQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRsQSutbAjLY0ALMcgLvO4stWF5KKj5pWEM_dJdMYGPMNU5B3dsLcuPWb81O1_TdW24xl5RSqSzGZ0krPMZoG9m-hR9p2vjybGxq3Ofh2Zt53W3jGrbO8Q98x3QpmeBWW3BPBOYcj71w/s2048/20200228_140142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRsQSutbAjLY0ALMcgLvO4stWF5KKj5pWEM_dJdMYGPMNU5B3dsLcuPWb81O1_TdW24xl5RSqSzGZ0krPMZoG9m-hR9p2vjybGxq3Ofh2Zt53W3jGrbO8Q98x3QpmeBWW3BPBOYcj71w/w640-h480/20200228_140142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our amazing drivers changing tyres</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeKlTfEbuLhD_hi_FmyQIuM42fB9zjX_VReYN2qblo-q1kK4dNe3oBb-eSgTHxUV9QSFhXSQyxl8Vg30W1OEucNORLh0OByKR5HyR89SE3nBp0VLjsCfHKmOdmrYhqe3cHlV_oJZSeHw/s2048/20190723_155135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNeKlTfEbuLhD_hi_FmyQIuM42fB9zjX_VReYN2qblo-q1kK4dNe3oBb-eSgTHxUV9QSFhXSQyxl8Vg30W1OEucNORLh0OByKR5HyR89SE3nBp0VLjsCfHKmOdmrYhqe3cHlV_oJZSeHw/w480-h640/20190723_155135.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK0WOfsue5agi7yWPI2l1Dk-F-aeFrLYvjBJ2xvkDxF4Utwvq8XK0zQPZLl8Vge9Lrk2qPKqe1XuLB1cexhesc32WtLLA82kvE1EIRR14bDjpBVh1XMvHNOgLw9pEiD2Pt3O5cMGSWno/s2048/20190930_103516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK0WOfsue5agi7yWPI2l1Dk-F-aeFrLYvjBJ2xvkDxF4Utwvq8XK0zQPZLl8Vge9Lrk2qPKqe1XuLB1cexhesc32WtLLA82kvE1EIRR14bDjpBVh1XMvHNOgLw9pEiD2Pt3O5cMGSWno/w640-h480/20190930_103516.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuck</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">My limits have been pushed and tested in this country. I had a mental break down, there was way too much going on. I wrote <a href="http://belletammy.blogspot.com/2019/10/anyway.html" target="_blank">Anyway</a> and <a href="http://belletammy.blogspot.com/2019/11/a-sound-mind.html" target="_blank">A Sound Mind</a> at the time, and from one of these posts, I received much support from humanitarian workers like me who knew exactly what I was dealing with. One of them was a counsellor/coach who ended up working with me for free for a few months. <br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I see humanitarian in people's bios quite regularly and I wonder if they mix being a humanitarian worker with philanthropy...I digress!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have just over a week in Central African Republic and as I reflect on all I've been doing, I realise how I functioned on adrenaline. I was a robot until covid-19 brought the world to a halt. This helped to slow me down just a little. As I leave, I continue to wonder when countries like CAR might move beyond total dependency on aid.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Proliferation of arms is rife here and people walking around with arms are a part of everyday living. When this is what children see constantly, naturally they grow believing that it is normal and aspire to want to carry arms some day. I've already seen children setting up road blocks, expecting to be paid for passage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, I still found beauty in certain parts of the country.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZL1W1wIwzJp8uMQZO1OvTANNNqJkrwzct0aIizXnTM6d5yHDZCI6I7COFnGtH-6icyNbddD3QDV33sM6cMm51pp5iFzogiT3tgh6bf4G7_HQo_d3Wa0ebtg0arsho16xfRrKBkKMJmM/s2544/20190411_094354.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="2544" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZL1W1wIwzJp8uMQZO1OvTANNNqJkrwzct0aIizXnTM6d5yHDZCI6I7COFnGtH-6icyNbddD3QDV33sM6cMm51pp5iFzogiT3tgh6bf4G7_HQo_d3Wa0ebtg0arsho16xfRrKBkKMJmM/w640-h310/20190411_094354.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely church on one of my field trips<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGjdj3ee7m9cPZZ29m4g2h3l5DUUfVmezG7f_gwChmyNUyK_RzDWWBCOSpJWR4HgGgX6ecMvfMB0CvMZUEqw_P-WBkCMVyaO6qEpLpCIg5XZrYrh-t7HgMjIBTH1Rqr7oDC-7yZQuiE4/s2048/20190508_161122.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLGjdj3ee7m9cPZZ29m4g2h3l5DUUfVmezG7f_gwChmyNUyK_RzDWWBCOSpJWR4HgGgX6ecMvfMB0CvMZUEqw_P-WBkCMVyaO6qEpLpCIg5XZrYrh-t7HgMjIBTH1Rqr7oDC-7yZQuiE4/w480-h640/20190508_161122.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over looking river Ouham<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCW1os6lJ76B1YI5ycVzt0fkOXbV40aDjzlEwq8rUghNiEAjQokRHwlgTPEfmpgUGboXSy3arEgi-DalugOuZkw9-VVXGvZhP9UiBtBNN4NLecLP4AxfjpAy9QR6XZR55cTVAfEAFgzI4/s2048/20190926_093717.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCW1os6lJ76B1YI5ycVzt0fkOXbV40aDjzlEwq8rUghNiEAjQokRHwlgTPEfmpgUGboXSy3arEgi-DalugOuZkw9-VVXGvZhP9UiBtBNN4NLecLP4AxfjpAy9QR6XZR55cTVAfEAFgzI4/w640-h480/20190926_093717.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting our fill of shayi (tea) in a market for breakfast<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPb_Dvlt2XTbWkOWxQMfWWPKiQqq33ofAamTs4zq-L_a2W0Mg7XsfPIEc-m7smf94OCX8uguD7aa2ckmwD75dspegmrQ_Oj6CmFmJzC3BMQsqk2LaEj2OTDWN_ZMGwvcLU3q0CDfbuL0/s2048/20200731_093201.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPb_Dvlt2XTbWkOWxQMfWWPKiQqq33ofAamTs4zq-L_a2W0Mg7XsfPIEc-m7smf94OCX8uguD7aa2ckmwD75dspegmrQ_Oj6CmFmJzC3BMQsqk2LaEj2OTDWN_ZMGwvcLU3q0CDfbuL0/w640-h480/20200731_093201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found this way of making local alcohol brilliant! Innovation at it's best.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5G6wChQ2qiFjcMUGOcCN8iQ7mbfNArZnV34NBHTNxnXwGbdTyZ5rWOCoNbL7GKHBHdam4cpqRKV7RzeIiZdFuShzxF9FcFlK6UajK1b9H0hvYJqFw375rsXxFWX-FzVbiMhwWh4q0HQc/s2048/20200806_124853.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5G6wChQ2qiFjcMUGOcCN8iQ7mbfNArZnV34NBHTNxnXwGbdTyZ5rWOCoNbL7GKHBHdam4cpqRKV7RzeIiZdFuShzxF9FcFlK6UajK1b9H0hvYJqFw375rsXxFWX-FzVbiMhwWh4q0HQc/w640-h480/20200806_124853.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bridge in Pende was built years and years ago by Germans<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I wrote an article on CAR, that was featured on the ICRC website in <a href="https://www.icrc.org/en/document/central-african-republic-i-wish-world-were-more-aware-what-happening-here" target="_blank">English </a>and in <u><span style="color: #000120;"><a href="https://www.icrc.org/fr/document/republique-centrafricaine-jaimerais-que-le-monde-ait-davantage-conscience" target="_blank">French</a> </span></u><br /></div></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><u></u><span style="color: #000120;"></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I wrote different posts during my time here. Here are the links from the most recent to the oldest. If you can read them all, it would help to put certain things in perspective.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://belletammy.blogspot.com/2020/04/when-it-all-makes-you-numb.html" target="_blank">When It All Makes You Numb</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://belletammy.blogspot.com/2019/07/cultural-sensitivity.html" target="_blank">Cultural Sensitivity</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://belletammy.blogspot.com/2019/06/la-belle-epoque.html" target="_blank">La Belle Époque</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://belletammy.blogspot.com/2019/03/first-impressions-of-central-african.html" target="_blank">My First Impressions of Central African Republic</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">As I leave, I wish the country peace, stability and good leadership to move the country out of this phase.</div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></div></div><span><!--more--></span><span><!--more--></span>Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-851198424954962763.post-79956114512615759962020-11-25T09:47:00.003+01:002020-11-25T11:42:26.455+01:00Shocked into a kiss
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">They were attending a seminar and he seemed to
have an eye for Anita. On the other hand, another colleague of hers, Sonia, had
an eye for him. Anita was oblivious…what a love triangle!</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">The two ladies got on very well and were fun
loving people. They worked hard but also partied hard. Over the years of them
working together, they had cultivated friendship between one another. They
worked in different locations, so each time they saw themselves, they made the
best of it. This time was no different as they were attending a regional work
conference.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">After a long three days of many sessions, they all
went out for dinner then dancing afterwards. As the night progressed, alcohol
flowed and the giggles were more than usual. Each person showed their skills on
the dance floor, it was interesting to watch. When the whole team was calling
it a night, Bruce offered to drop Anita and Sonia, it was his town anyway. Sonia
settled in the front seat while Anita sat behind. Sonia was to fly out the next
morning while Anita had a day to discover the town.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqFIe_5xCw82P4r0uhEKUMivluGjb_xICWRU1hlBap5Rzg9xcTinEQiWo99OxuBTbPtgoJ7Uesme1KzOx5dz6YbBMwkBxmolqrSmR8zs8dfK_waiQIgs8xuPN_AHDSkxOZJRHk6x8sgc/s4608/DSCN5702.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqFIe_5xCw82P4r0uhEKUMivluGjb_xICWRU1hlBap5Rzg9xcTinEQiWo99OxuBTbPtgoJ7Uesme1KzOx5dz6YbBMwkBxmolqrSmR8zs8dfK_waiQIgs8xuPN_AHDSkxOZJRHk6x8sgc/w640-h480/DSCN5702.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: calibri;"></span><p></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;"><span></span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: calibri;">Bruce, Anita and Sonia all made jokes of
different scenes from the night as they rode to the hotel. When they arrived,
Anita got out and was saying good night, only to see Sonia reaching over to give
Bruce a kiss. Anita watched his eyes widen in his shock, but he seemed to kiss
her back. As Sonia got out of the car giggling, Anita asked her what that was
about. She mentioned that she thought he fancied her. Bruce wished her a safe
trip out the next day while offering to show Anita around the day after, and
set the pick up time for 11am. She reflected on what happened at the car park,
it was funny to see Sonia act that way, or was it the alcohol? She went to
sleep smiling.</span><p></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Bruce knew his town well and Anita enjoyed her
time hanging out with him. He was more of an introvert, but she found that he
could hold his own. By the end of the day, when he was taking her back, he
mentioned that he had a lovely day with her and he felt they could build
something together. He went on to say that he had not been able to express this
through the week as Anita and Sonia were always together, but Sonia had been
making advances at him. He expressed his shock at her kiss but he didn’t want
to embarrass her by pushing her off. He took Anita’s hand in his while saying
this but she thought it was a joke and didn’t even say a word. It started to
get awkward so he apologised if he was making her uncomfortable. They stayed in
touch after she left, had good banter but that was it for her. She wasn’t
thinking beyond. Besides, he wasn’t her type.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">About 6 months later, work brought him her way. It
was nice to see him and she was happy to be his guide this time. The official residence where
Anita stayed had a spare room so he was booked to stay there for two weeks, the
duration of his work trip. They sat chatting away one evening and he moved closer,
she figured it was one of his silly moves, as he could be naughty, but before
she knew it, his mouth covered hers in a kiss. She understood the shock he
talked about when Sonia kissed him. She kissed him back not knowing why. After
the kiss, she was left asking herself what just happened. He told her however
that he had been meaning to do that for a long time. And then he went on to
express feelings for her. It was pleasing to her ears, even though she felt
nothing for him. All this drama was only on day three and she was asking
herself how they were to coexist for two weeks. They cooked, watched films
together and there was generally a good ambience around the house.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Generally, weekends were for her. She took her
time and did everything at her own pace. Around 11am, she heard a knock on her
door. Without thinking, she went to see who was there thinking the guards might
have information for her, which was not out of place. She poked her head out of the door and was jostled back to reality with the sight of the visitor at the residence.
She said hi but he proceeded to ask if he could come in. She looked frazzled,
her hair all over the place and her nightie; a tiny pair of shorts and a see
through thin strapped silk top with nothing underneath. She asked for a minute
and rushed to get dressed. Forgetting that she had to push the door properly
for it to close. The door came ajar, so he walked right in. She was getting
things from her wardrobe and noticed the door. She dashed to shut it but got
startled as she saw him looking through the photos on the wall at the other
side of the room. At this point, unsure what to do, she shut the door anyway
then he turned around. She tried to hide her perky boobs which he seemed to be
feeding his eyes with while walking towards her.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">She was rooted to the spot for whatever reason,
unsure what to do next, no word came out of her mouth and her feet were stuck.
He kissed her, this was the second time. And again, she kissed back. His hands
roamed but she broke it off and fled to her bathroom, shame washing over her.
She stayed there and went on to have a shower, hoping he would know to leave.
It worked…she walked out in her towel to the privacy of her room and bolted the
door.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">By the time she was out of her room, he was fixing
something to eat. She was pleased he didn’t wait, she was starving. There was
an awkwardness, but she proceeded to act and sound normal. In a few minutes, it
all went away and they were back to their usual chatty selves. He was a good
cook, so she enjoyed this brunch/lunch or whatever it was. She settled in the
living room to watch a film and he seemed to know to give her some space, so he
left. He was out of sight for the entire day, that she started to wonder if he
was ok. As night fell, she went to knock on his door to check. He invited her
in but seemed so busy. Then suddenly, he turned around and then she noticed he
seemed nervous, playing with his nails. He apologised for letting his emotions
control him and kissing her without asking, both times. That whole scene,
seeing him vulnerable yet sincere was so sexy to her and this time, she
initiated the kiss. His whole body responded to her, and they ended up
discovering each other’s bodies.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">She woke up beside him and it was only 9pm. Again, she was
hungry. They dragged themselves to the kitchen to fix dinner, but this man had
other ideas, he pinned her to the wall and it started all over again. She
moaned so loudly and had to catch herself before the guards would come knocking
to see if she was ok. She had forgotten what it felt like to be touched that
she was allowing herself the pleasure of enjoying it all. Maybe a little too
much! They had one more day of sheer pleasure and fooling around. Thankfully
the other flat mates were to be back mid-week, so she could stretch this
enjoyment out for a few days. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>How they
managed to keep things professional at work was a mystery, no one would even
suspect anything.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Just before his departure, they came up with a plan to have her flight routed through his town on her way home.
It was a lovely two days with him before she went home. It was the holiday
season with families and he claimed he did not like to speak to her where his
family was, to avoid them putting unnecessary pressure on him. She could understand
that, and she let him be. Afterall, she was on her own before he came along.
She tried to push him to the back of her mind, but with each passing day,
something gnawed at her, something was not right and his communication dwindled.
He must have noticed her silence and started to come around, but she had put
her guard up by this time. She convinced herself that the fact that they had
sex, was not sufficient for them to be together. She reminded herself that he
was not her type and she could do well without him. She had missed being held,
he reminded her what that was like, but that was probably all there was to it.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;">Her boobs began to swell, but it was near that
time of the month so she didn’t worry. Then her period was late by two days…and
she started to freak out. She had always been cautious, how could she let this
happen she chided herself. She had no intention to check, so she called him and
informed him. His response made it all so clear, Bruce never intended to be with
her. He was only after the honey pot. He had got it and had moved on…he told
her he would take care of every responsibility required of a man if a baby came
along. In that moment, she vowed that if she were pregnant, he would have no
part in the child’s life. Three more days of worrying, then her red visitor
made a grand entry and gave her all the closure she needed.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10.66px; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: calibri;"> </span></span></p>
Ene Abahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11750068386318106518noreply@blogger.com10