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Douala Twilight Zone

Monday, February 25th, 2008

We got back to Douala yesterday after spending some time at the coast near Kribi.  We do not follow the news in Cameroon because it is in French.  So we did not know that riots had started in Yaounde on Saturday and a transportation strike was scheduled for today (Monday).  We were lucky to leave Kribi when we did because now the country is basically shut down.  I would have told you yesterday about how peaceful Cameroon is and how well the people get along.  Sure, they have a dictator masquerading as a democratically elected president, but so does most of Africa.  We see few signs of government control such as troops and, in fact, we see more US Army and Navy personnel in Douala than Cameroonian because they are here training Cameroon troops.  Cameroon has oil so it is an important country to America!!!! 

Unfortunately, the transportation strike of today has resulted in rioting and the front of our hotel was trashed this morning.  We saw rioters from an upstairs window and we heard gunshots although we do not know who was shooting.  Now we are trapped in the hotel and the hotel personnel tell us that the strikers are planning to go all week.  Pamela’s visa runs out Wednesday, but I am sure this is not an issue if we are not able to get to the airport or fly out on time.  I guess we should have stuck with the original schedule of flying out on Saturday – damn!  My guess is that this Cameroon business is not worthy of international news since Cameroon doesn’t have much oil and this would just be a normal day if we were a few kilometers north in Nigeria (I suspect that is why we have troops training in Cameroon).  By the way, the strikes and demonstrations are for two reasons: 1) the price of petrol was raised by the government (and I suspect people here don’t get the idea that oil in general is increasing in price and someone has to pay for that) and 2) the dictator… I mean president…, Paul Biya, is trying to change the constitution to allow him to be president for life because he needs more time to fix things that he has not had time for in 26 years of control… I mean leadership! 

I am not sure why I keep getting myself into the Douala Twilight Zone, but we are safe if not a bit bored trapped indoors.  Will attempt to escape as soon as the rioters let us.  Hope the hotel has enough food…

Uganda Photos

Wednesday, February 20th, 2008

I managed to get many of the Uganda photos uploaded, but it was a painful experience not to be attempted again in Cameroon.  So, more photos going online will need to wait until Kenya if they have someplace with good upload capabilities…  Here’s the link…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vagabondrick/sets/72157603945355528/

Proud of My President!!!!

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
It is truly a first for me.  I am today proud of my president, George Bush.  He is now in Africa and he is doing some very good things.  First, in Tanzania he continued his administration's excellent record with contributions ... [Continue reading this entry]

African Albinism

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008
I see a lot of albinos in Africa.  At first, I thought that maybe they were just more noticeable because everyone else is black and a black albino is definitely more obvious than a white one.  When I went back ... [Continue reading this entry]

Last Days in CAR

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

We had some exciting activities for the last few days in Central African Republic’s Dzangha Ndoki National Park.  These included a day at Dzangha Bai to watch forest elephants and a host of other animals, a walk ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Cowrie Shell

Monday, February 18th, 2008
The cowrie shell can be found all over Africa as part of the clothes, decorative items and handicrafts.  I never really thought much about this simple white shell.  It never dawned on me that it is strange to find ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Ba’Aka Adventure – Part 4

Monday, February 18th, 2008

The highlight of the trip with the Ba’Aka was seeing Rod hand over three large bundles of Central African Francs to Louis for distribution to the Ba’Aka that joined us, the other adults in the village and ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Ba’Aka Adventure – Part 3

Monday, February 18th, 2008

The plan was for the Ba’Aka men to do a two-day spear hunt into the farthest depths of this forest reserve near the Republic of Congo border and for mzungu folks to join along for the hunt ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Ba’Aka Adventure – Part 2

Monday, February 18th, 2008
So the second day involved us moving to a new site for a more permanent camp.  The Ba’Aka took us to a nice area that they had camped at in the past near a small stream.  While ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Ba’Aka Adventure – Part 1

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
We spent the first day in CAR buying goods such as rice in Bayanga that were needed for the camping trip. While waiting around in Bayanga, I saw a number of duikers go by in baskets that had been purchased ... [Continue reading this entry]