tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83267454208536517462024-02-08T01:27:58.200-05:00I Moved to AfricaIn 2009, I took a year long sabbatical and moved to the West Coast of Africa. I rented my apartment in NYC and moved to Libreville, Gabon, 20 miles north of the equator. This blog is about my travel adventures in a country I never heard of before, my experiences living on the U.S. Embassy compound, and my participation with varied people and cultures.Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-54583369453884568322011-02-09T20:22:00.001-05:002011-02-09T20:25:13.160-05:00Tear Gas & Corruption in Gabon?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been out of Gabon for some time and I was just catching up on some recent news...</span><br />
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<a href="http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE70T00R20110130"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Police Use Tear Gas to Break up Gabon Protest</span></a><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What? Are you kidding me??? </span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apparently, the man who placed 3rd in the 2009 Presidential election in Gabon, Andre Mba Obame</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, declared himself to be the "true" president of Gabon. He even announced a new cabinet. He did this on January 26, 2011, a year and 1/2 after Presidential elections.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wait a minute, what/how?</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He made the announcement from his privately owned TV station, after which he proceded to the UN for refuge. It has been reported that Mba Obame's intentions have been inspired by recent events in Tunisia and the Ivory Coast. Tunsia's President was recently ousted and the UN is currently </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">guarding the internationally recognised president of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, whose rivals have refused to cede power after contentious elections.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Gabonese elections in 2009 were under much scrutiny due to assumptions of corruption and rigging. This was further exacerbated by the fact that the current President, Ali Bongo Odimba succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who ran the country for 42 years.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The results of the election were as follows:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15px;">Ali Bongo 41.79%</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pierre Mamboundou 25.66%</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mba Obame had always claimed that he had lost the election due to rigging at the ballots. However, the elections had been monitored by international observers, including us at the US Embassy.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are my personal observations...</span></i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Was there ballot rigging? No. Is there political corruption? Yes, of course there is. Corruption exists at various levels in ALL countries, including western democracies. </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After speaking with locals regarding the election in Aug 2009, it was apparent that all parties were out on the street buying votes; including Mba Obame's party. I don't think it would have made a difference, but clearly he didn't buy enough, or didn't have the prescience to combine his efforts with the 3rd political party.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgullpAHHzfapq03JWjpI6CST4Vc_WIMY5JJ675v6VYuMNpLd2736575tX6rIv9liOTW1UDGDiGwD1w2iaQjusWCh7iXsFVz4CoYa9w6gDzdHuRc73RjJYDBriR1yi5XHTi-GfJ8CRd_UQ/s1600/Ali%252C+Reuters+Africa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgullpAHHzfapq03JWjpI6CST4Vc_WIMY5JJ675v6VYuMNpLd2736575tX6rIv9liOTW1UDGDiGwD1w2iaQjusWCh7iXsFVz4CoYa9w6gDzdHuRc73RjJYDBriR1yi5XHTi-GfJ8CRd_UQ/s200/Ali%252C+Reuters+Africa.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 15px;">Ali Bongo has already received broad international recognition as the President of Gabon and he has made a tremendous effort to clean up corruption. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the election, I was cynical of the hundreds of posters and billboards advertising his campaign, but after the election, messaging on those same billboards were immediately changed to a note of thank you and a promise of change...I was very impressed.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a few months in office, President Bongo cut the # of ministers in half. The assignment of ministries is an African syndrome. It's a simple way of rewarding supporters and appeasing opposition by "spreading the wealth", doleing out opportunities for power and a piece of the pie.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the spirit of transparency, President Bongo also had the civil service audited. There was rumor that 3000 salaried "employees" were eliminated from the system since they had actually passed away years ago, b ut were still being paid.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He also continues to make in roads towards diversifying the economy and I applaud all of his efforts.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mba Obame is apparently under investigation for violating the countries consititution and commiting acts of high treason...and of course his TV station is no longer broadcasting.</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-11852280811468805802010-09-05T16:05:00.000-04:002010-09-05T16:05:45.147-04:00My African SpiderAre you afraid of spiders? I am...especially big, giant ones...here is my African spider story.<br />
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I was 'cat-sitting' for a friend on the embassy compound in Libreville. Her cat is small and fast, so it was important to enter/exit the apartment quickly in order to prevent her from running out. On the first day, when leaving the apt and locking the door, I noticed a large black spider to the left of the front door. I mean it was huge...it stood as large as a tennis ball...and it wasn't moving. Maybe I surprised it? I didn't notice it when I went in, but I was fumbling with the keys. Eeeww.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP-b_wJWVNUH013XkvkzeMyNTlLEV16zFZd4dQE7Rzdvop9U9HDocB7_6iUoXoq5gIiDUcBAuCARm02Ojy5HNfBFKTNNU4n_6EIEpD1M_q5cLb_-TS_SuUNR53JfHpOb303Y6gtCm4Gg/s1600/spider.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixP-b_wJWVNUH013XkvkzeMyNTlLEV16zFZd4dQE7Rzdvop9U9HDocB7_6iUoXoq5gIiDUcBAuCARm02Ojy5HNfBFKTNNU4n_6EIEpD1M_q5cLb_-TS_SuUNR53JfHpOb303Y6gtCm4Gg/s200/spider.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The next morning, there it was again. It was in the same area and I was looking around for a stick or something to poke it. It wasn't moving and I wanted to shoo it away. No such luck. When I left, sure enough, it was just standing there large and still. My friends' townhouse is not far from the front gate, so I decided to ask the local guard if he knew what kind of spider it was.<br />
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He came over to check it out with his boots on. I mention this because I wear flip flops and there is no way I am getting too close to that thing, it's so damn big. The guard slowly walks up to it. He bends down for a closer look and slowly puts his finger down towards it. He pokes at it. I am thinking, what is the RSO's (Regional Security Officer) number? This guard is going to get bit by some large poisonous spider and I am going to have to call for help. The guard picks up the spider to show it to me with a big smile on his face.<br />
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The townhouse next store is actually home to the RSO and his wife. They have two children and one of them is a four year old boy who likes plastic bugs. I was afraid of a plastic bug for two days.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-73966237010254436022010-08-21T11:17:00.000-04:002018-06-02T13:03:20.418-04:00Internet Connections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">As someone who grew up in New York City, a decent internet connection is something you take for granted. If you're not paying for a high speed, broadband connection through your cable provider, you are "borrowing" one from your neighbor. Otherwise, you can just walk up the block to the Starbuck's or the Barnes & Noble...even Central Park was outfitted with free wi-fi before the recession. This is simply not the case in Libreville.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5YNquhwn2r9BzFyXlAGKuUTpz6Yhl6zKQUmTYQgXv6lRPDKojUOqUhm7_dKEshprteZpzlsU4IWBNFUrZk3wy525j8btD3Cze1qQiSJL34YkTBIrb40r9YMKw7qN5f77HoKPa80JIXQ/s1600/compound+satellite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5YNquhwn2r9BzFyXlAGKuUTpz6Yhl6zKQUmTYQgXv6lRPDKojUOqUhm7_dKEshprteZpzlsU4IWBNFUrZk3wy525j8btD3Cze1qQiSJL34YkTBIrb40r9YMKw7qN5f77HoKPa80JIXQ/s200/compound+satellite.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Internet access was achieved via two options, satellite or through the phone "system", there is no cable in Gabon. Satellite was certainly the least expensive, but since the connection is weak and greatly affected by the weather, a better option would have been to use a box of old newspapers and magazines for search and two tins cans and some string for email.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Achieving internet access through the phone lines was the best option. It worked 65% of the time and the connection was fast enough to bring up most websites. Although, if you wanted to view that 3 minute video that your friends were sending around, it could take 45 minutes to download. Of course, if you lost the connection in the middle, you would have to start the download all over again.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Electricity was another challenge. The U.S. Embassy compound where I lived had a large generator system. Whenever the electricity went out, which could be frequent, the generator would take less than 2 seconds to kick in. Of course, since our internet provider did not have a generator, the fact that our lights and A/C kept running had nothing to do with maintaining an internet connection...back to the tins cans and some string.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Everyone talks about how wonderful skype is, especially when traveling. Those people have never been to Gabon. The one time that I was able to connect, with both voice and video, the time delay was more than 4 minutes. Try talking to anyone back home with a 4 minute delay...not so wonderful.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Despite my complaining about the connection in Libreville, I was able to keep contact with friends at home, do research for work and maintain this blog. I suppose it's just like anything else, it takes a little getting used to.</span><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-17076805311394760782010-07-18T13:31:00.000-04:002018-06-02T13:04:42.011-04:00Advertising in Gabon<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I was teaching English to Gabonese military personnel, some of the students wanted to know what I did back home. A discussion ensued and the subject of advertising came up. It has been the focus of my career for almost 20 years and they didn't understand what I was talking about. You do what, I don't understand?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Here in the US, we are overrun by messaging. In many ways, advertising shapes our culture.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In Gabon, advertising doesn't really exist. There are no commercials on local TV; none of the radio stations that I listened to had advertising, no magazines. The products people use are not necessarily based on choice, but on what's available...and of course affordability. Selection can be extremely limited. The two categories with the largest selection by far were beer and wine.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Branding and signage was almost non existent in Gabon. Signs for local stores, bars and restaurants were very small, insignificant by US standards and easily blocked by foliage.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">During the time that I lived in Sabliere, an upscale neighborhood in Libreville, two small beach front hotels went up. You didn't know they existed because there were no signs...no branding or advertising of any kind. I assume one of the hotels had a name, because it appeared to be open for business and two of my friends went there for drinks. How did they know about it? Someone told them about it. They said it was very nice, but they didn't know the name : )</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The only "real"ads are on billboards along the boulevard. This was the one association that the English class understood...ah you do those billboards...why?</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-24188640379672374812010-06-18T10:53:00.000-04:002018-06-02T13:07:55.478-04:00Rubber Stamp: My "Run-in" at the Airport Part 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for coming back…here is the 2nd half of the story. If you missed part 1, you can read it <b><a href="http://imovedtoafrica.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-run-in-at-airport-in-gabon.html">here</a>.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">When I left off in Part 1, I had “run-in” to the airport in Gabon and then I was being hassled by some punks in the parking lot.<br /><br />I was nervous and I was concentrating on avoiding further hassle. There is no one around and now I’m going to have to stop and deal with the toll gate.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Part 2</span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I stepped on the gas as I made a quick left hand turn towards the gate…the next thing I know, I am not in control. It is like a slow motion dream. I can hear the rev of the engine and the squeal of tires. There is a metal scrunching sound and I must have hit the brakes. When I come out of the dream, the front of the car is now up on top of those metal poles that stick out of the ground, several feet in the air. Pointing into the night sky. I thought I was screwed before, now I am totally f*@k’d.<br />
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I am in shock. What the hell did I just do? If I go forward, I will impale the car on the poles. If I reverse, I will rip the front of the car off. I want to leave my body and scream at myself…and it’s not my car. I also have a flight to catch.<br />
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Moments ago I felt completely alone, now that I’ve done something completely stupid, there is a crowd. Included in the crowd are several security guards from the airport…where the heck were you guys a few minutes ago? As far as the few punks who started this nightmare, they are mixed in the crowd and I can’t tell who is who.<br />
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Since I am part of the embassy community, I call our Regional Security Officer, Tom and attempt to explain what happened. He is on his way. I know the drill. Stay in the car, don’t go with the police if they come. How am I going to deal with this? I also call the general services officer to se if we have connections to someone with a towtruck. We don’t, but he’ll see what he can do.<br />
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Tom arrives and of course he can’t believe what he sees. The Gendarme also arrived and neither could they. After some discussion, they decide they need to take me in. Once you get taken in, you run the chance of never getting out. Court only convenes three or four times a year. Judges hear cases for a few weeks and then they go on hiatus again until the next time. I have heard stories from locals of cases never ever coming to trial. A life sentence for petty larceny.<br />
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Tom is cool, confident and adamant, “absolutely not, he is not going anywhere. He is a diplomat, it’s against the Geneva convention, that is not happening”. Music to my ears.<br />
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During this discussion, more people are gathering and one guy is organizing everyone to lift the front of the SUV off of the poles. Ten or fifteen people surround the front of the vehicle. I get in and put it in neutral. They literally lift the front of the car off of the poles and place it down on the ground. I am relieved and ecstatic and passing out $10,000 CFA notes to all who participated. It feels like a 4000lb SUV was just lifted off of my shoulders. Merci, merci.<br />
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The Gendarmes could care less. They wave everybody off, they just want to take me in. One of our locally employed expeditors, Saibo, is now on the scene. Saibo spends much of his time at the airport expediting US staff and packages. He definitely knows the inns and outs of the airport. Tom gives the Gendarmes the bit again about the Geneva convention, its against the convention to contain a diplomat and since we’ve been with them so long he considers it containment. Now they want my paperwork. Tom takes my license and registration. He tells them that “he” will hold my paperwork. I will go back to the compound and then he and Saibo will go with them to the office. Saibo knows better, the airport office, not the police office. He will bring in airport officials and they can all deal with any insurance paperwork. Tom knows that I have to catch a flight and he waves me off, “have a safe flight.” Thank you Tom!<br />
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I made my flight. I dropped the car off back home. A quick change, an apple for dinner and a friend gave me a ride back to the airport. I was nervous that their would be cops waiting for me at the airport, but there weren't. The car was damaged and the AC was leaking. Unfortunately Candace had to deal with it in country. My bill so far is $1500, but I’m sitting in Central Park writing this post and not sitting on the floor in the Libreville jailhouse.</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-24186387467488777502010-06-17T12:20:00.002-04:002018-06-02T13:09:08.464-04:00Rubber Stamp: My "Run-in" at the Airport in Gabon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I was leaving Africa with a lot of luggage. Similar to other 3rd world countries, the Airport in Libreville, Gabon, on the west coast of Africa, leaves a lot to be desired. I lived close to the airport, so I figured I’d literally “run-in” early, when there weren’t any flights, check all of the luggage and then come back to the house for a quick shower and dinner before my long journey. Nice plan.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Checking baggage, with no one else at the airport, took 2 ½ hours. At the first security checkpoint they couldn’t understand why I was checking in so early. They didn’t want to let me in to ticketing. A little negotiating, a change of guards and viola I’m in. Next was the ticket agent who was very confused trying to figure out what to charge for the extra luggage. Then I had to go outside to an Air France office and pay the charge. Of course they couldn’t figure out how to enter it into the computer system. This took several conferences and a phone call. Lastly, I had to go back through the first security check point with my receipt for the paid luggage to pick up my ticket. They remembered me and just let me pass. Whew.<br />
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The airport in Libreville is one of the few places in Gabon where you get hassled by local punks. I understand, its about opportunity…lots of people, luggage, some tourists…the airport is a great place to pick up “tips”. Usually when leaving the airport, you walk straight ahead through the crowd, ignore the attempts, maybe give a stern “no” and avoid any hassle. It works.<br />
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When the airport is empty however, it’s a very different situation. Now there is no crowd to hide in, only me, and unfortunately, since I had to stop by the curb to pay for my parking stub, I obviously have cash in my pocket. Given that the internet is often down, and then my credit cards don’t work, I have a lot of cash in my pocket. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.<br />
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As expected, here they come. One guy is telling me that I have to come with him to see the security chief, “don’t worry” he says, “no problems, I can get you through.” It is evening and it’s already dark. I am ignoring them and walking briskly across the street to the small parking lot. As I look over my shoulder, I see more of them coming. I quickly get in the car and lock the doors.<br />
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Obviously I’m a little stressed, and although the doors are locked, I still don’t feel safe. No one is in the parking lot other than my "friends" who are now gathering around the car. I just want to zip out of the parking lot and get home. The lot is small and surrounded by a fence. There is one way out. In order to leave, you need to make a sharp left at the exit and go through a toll gate. At the toll, you insert your paid parking stub to open the gate. There is no manned booth. To prevent people from leaving without paying, the exit lane is lined with short, fat metal poles sticking out of the ground.<br />
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I was nervous and I was concentrating on avoiding further hassle. There is no one around and now I’m going to have to stop and deal with the toll gate...<br />
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This is the end of Part 1 of my story. Please join me tomorrow to find out what happened and how I finally made my flight home. Thanks.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-52957820067112175842010-06-03T16:39:00.001-04:002018-06-02T13:13:40.460-04:00Equatorial Africa, France and Oil<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;">Gabon is the third largest provider of oil in Sub-Saharan Africa. Libreville, the capital, was once the capital of the French Congo, which covered the entire mid section of the African continent 100 years ago. Although now independent, Gabon still has a long-standing relationship with France.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Due to the oil, and every other natural resource that the country has been eating through (timber, gas, manganese, iron, gold, etc.), Gabon is considered one of the wealthiest countries on the continent. The former President, Omar Bongo, who ruled the country for 42 years, was considered one of the wealthiest men in the world before his death in 2009. Outside of 33+ luxury properties in France, and another $100+ million in banks in the US, his wealth has never really been accounted for. He was a genius at lining pockets, and not just his own. More than fifty political ministries were assigned to family and friends, as well as political opponents and rival ethnic tribes; obviously all became allies. French oil and timber companies held preferential status to development claims, in return for political and military protection from France, as well as an outlay of cash. This connection with French political power, essentially locked in his presidency for the long term. A purported quote from the former President reads as follows: ”Gabon without France is like a car without a driver, France without Gabon is like a car without fuel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Gabon has one of the highest GDP’s on the continent, but since the wealth hasn’t been distributed, the majority of the country lives close to poverty. This represents a double whammy for the population, since aide is severely restricted due to the high reported GDP. Everything is available, but the cost of living is very high.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The country is thick with jungle. So thick, that you can’t get from the capital to the major oil city, Port Gentil, by driving. Roads, if they exist, are uniformly poor. Instead or roads, they built a train that can take you from Libreville to Lope National Park, deep in the heart of the country, but this can take anywhere from 6-17 hours, depending on whether the train is running and on time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Since I was living within the US Embassy community, I received a lot of access to interesting stories. One of the son’s of the former President wanted us to build him a karate school, where he promised to instruct the youth. This was his hobby; sounds like a good idea, why don’t you sell that $100k+ car you drive and build 4 schools?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Then there is the issue with police corruption and military rule. Police will pull you over in the hopes of finding a reason to extort money…do you have a health insurance certificate for your car? They don’t write tickets, they don’t even have tickets, they negotiate a price. Military rule means roads will be closed on a whim, especially if a senior official may be leaving his office soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">This may all sound bad, but not really. Here is a major insight for fellow Americans: Corruption is a fact of life, get over it. It’s simply the way that business is done here, and if you think it doesn’t exist at home, you’re nuts. At least here, it’s open and out front. A friend from a local NGO was meeting a senior minister recently and offering access to an environmental training program, something to build a future on when the oil is depleted; the response she received…“how much will you pay us to take the training.” It’s better to just accept it and move on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">There are a lot of great things about Gabon. The new President, Ali Bongo, son of Omar Bongo, seems to be making a positive impression. He cut the number of ministers in half and he has audited the civil service system. Apparently, some 3000 people have been on the payroll well beyond their death.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">He has also hired some young blood into his regime. They may not have much experience, but on a continent where corruption is a way of life, lack of experience is a very good thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Tourism, particularly ecotourism is a major opportunity for Gabon. The countryside is lush with bio-diversity and thick with wildlife. The former President, Omar Bongo, declared 11% of the country a national parks system, protecting them from poaching, logging and oil exploration. The coastline showcases some magnificent beaches untouched by human hands. There aren’t many places on earth where you can go on safari to spend the morning on a white sand beach and then go looking for Forest elephants in the afternoon; all just two hours outside of the capital city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">There are a reported 20,000 lowland gorillas and 60,000 forest elephants in this tiny country on the equator. The country is not very populated and it is relatively safe. There is no civil unrest. The average work ethic leaves a little less to be desired, but this can be a good thing. Outside of a few select neighborhoods, people can’t really be bothered with committing crime. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">As you may surmise from previous posts, a visit to Gabon can be a very unique and rewarding experience. It certainly can be considered uncharted territory. If tourism is developed and managed properly, it promises to be that way for a long time to come.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-6069544035804627732010-05-21T11:46:00.000-04:002018-06-02T13:14:50.223-04:00Travel Safely<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you plan on traveling abroad, and you expect to take the <i>road less traveled</i>, then you should consider some of the following tips on traveling safely.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A group of Lonely Planet bloggers are sharing their insights on traveling safely from different points around the globe and this is my inclusion.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Instead of writing about the dangers of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://imovedtoafrica.blogspot.com/2010/04/malaria.html">malaria</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or a run-in the </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://imovedtoafrica.blogspot.com/2009/10/local-friend-our-1st-run-in-with.html">local Gendarme</a></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> in Gabon, the following are just some basic tips from me as a New Yorker…</span></span></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You don’t seriously keep money in your wallet, do you? Then you probably keep all of your money in there, and every single one of your credit cards with you as well, huh? Well what happens if you're robbed on the road?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Keep two pockets of money. In one pocket is the cash that you’d give up if you were robbed; in the other pocket is what you’ll use on the rest of your trip.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Keep at least one credit card separate from the rest. In my third world country, there is no American Express office (or fed-ex, or ups or even a bank that speaks English), so a replacement card is not easy to achieve. If you are robbed, you are literally shit out of luck.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While you’re at it, leave your passport locked away in your room. Carry a photocopy of the information page and your travel visa with you – stolen passports are big money.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">American citizens traveling abroad are encouraged by the State Department to register with the Embassy at their location. This allows the Embassy to know the number and location of US citizens should an emergency occur. There is an internet based registration service, but I would recommend that you go visit the Embassy in person…if you speak up and smile, you may get invited to a party or event during your stay in-country and then you'll have the chance to meet some interesting people.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For country specific travel information, including the location of the US embassy, unusual immigration policies, entry regulations, crime and security info, etc.; the following </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html">gov travelsite</a></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> is very helpful.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">See what some of the other Lonely Planet bloggers are sharing about <b><a href="http://www.toddswanderings.com/">traveling safely</a></b> around the world.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Happy Travels!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-82065537745359082332010-05-16T15:37:00.002-04:002018-06-02T13:19:17.922-04:00A Year In Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This last year has been an unbelievable, life changing experience for me. I had the chance to live in a country I’ve never heard of before, meet new people, learn new perspectives and enjoy a foreign culture in a foreign language. It was probably one of the greatest opportunities of my life and I’m glad that I was able to take advantage.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I made some great new friends. I traveled a bit through the country-side and saw sights that I had only imagined – wild beaches, thick tropical jungle, open savannahs - elephants, buffalo, cheetah - rhino, giraffe and zebra. I saw immeasurable wealth and witnessed extreme poverty.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had the great privilege of living in a diplomatic community and to experience life from within the walls of a US Embassy, something I learned a great deal from.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I observed a foreign presidential election, witnessed military rule, and I now understand corruption simply as a way of life…it’s just the way it is and not something easily changed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxBrZThmD3h2oXdwSW-4_lL6VrAw8pXZCykfeDZGlTjwjKE6A4MrgIpI-cBZxoqbK8N88Lp2iqt66saLsO_jp09ZXcNY5PRjZw1STsN2uVs9wOeuL2j5xejQ_LSf2WiPe08UoCW-818k/s1600/IMG_1268" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxBrZThmD3h2oXdwSW-4_lL6VrAw8pXZCykfeDZGlTjwjKE6A4MrgIpI-cBZxoqbK8N88Lp2iqt66saLsO_jp09ZXcNY5PRjZw1STsN2uVs9wOeuL2j5xejQ_LSf2WiPe08UoCW-818k/s1600/IMG_1268" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While in Gabon, I taught English classes, started a donation program to support a local orphanage and helped introduce US culture to foreign diplomats and military personnel. I saved a life, cooked a lot of American fare for many expat friends, including a traditional Thanksgiving dinner from scratch; I even made pressure-washing the pool at the US compound my personal task (someone had to do it).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> It was all part of a fantastic experience and I am happy to have contributed in any way. I even became closer to my brother who was half a world away.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you were following me from the beginning, you know that I came here for love. I had the great fortune to meet an intelligent, kind and beautiful woman during a difficult period in my life. I loved her passionately and I learned some tremendous things from her, both about the world we live in and more importantly, about myself. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. In the end, we were just too different to be compatible. I will miss her dearly and I wish her much success in life and love, however she decides to measure it. I owe her a great deal for enriching my life with so many new experiences.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Subscribe to this blog via one of the links along the right. Thanks for staying with me.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LB5adYo3Fs7dEDtUl6k4P2MjEJAA4rxRNfBQBYmoPUQ9izVjn1XecjdpXYjZHYqJIfD5iAYeYnjZaSib-Zb_A8Pkxo3K72OxSr8I3boJFNDMkgG3v-7k94pzPQISbAS1Ed-RX68HORs/s1600/IMG_1182" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LB5adYo3Fs7dEDtUl6k4P2MjEJAA4rxRNfBQBYmoPUQ9izVjn1XecjdpXYjZHYqJIfD5iAYeYnjZaSib-Zb_A8Pkxo3K72OxSr8I3boJFNDMkgG3v-7k94pzPQISbAS1Ed-RX68HORs/s1600/IMG_1182" /></a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-26940453149731877582010-05-12T19:44:00.007-04:002018-06-02T13:21:13.191-04:00Those Beach Pictures I Promised<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KMYYw2uh9dnBiqEotvMwOvEYdwREjVNuH6SC-0UxkSEEtnlH3fnGK7YNNE5goZUfbF7i0YR0pfVlfeEgHY-gBIHtBSBCVetJOBrxd5CY_RY2TyJf9GsVXDxHb34P8hmvJhLGoU08Aeo/s1600/IMG_1332" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KMYYw2uh9dnBiqEotvMwOvEYdwREjVNuH6SC-0UxkSEEtnlH3fnGK7YNNE5goZUfbF7i0YR0pfVlfeEgHY-gBIHtBSBCVetJOBrxd5CY_RY2TyJf9GsVXDxHb34P8hmvJhLGoU08Aeo/s1600/IMG_1332" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you frequent my blog, you know that I absolutely love the beach.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The beaches here, can be very beautiful…depending on tides and storms.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">High tide and heavy rain usually result in a flow of “stuff”, both natural and unnatural, washed up on the beach.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> This time w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">e were fortunate to have neither.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This beach is close, just outside the city, north of Libreville.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I could count on a consistent low tide, it’s probably closer to walk along the shore rather than drive.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The water is always warm and the sand is smooth.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It’s not Caribbean blue, but the sand is clean and free of rocks all the way out.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQCeLNB1NCLTmXEKm7F_A3vHetQeXFrDwAI1HVXQ0afAa3PtDD0OqonhWrSvZR7ejP7Fgz3RumTOlf6-CkgG4OcO2pI9G75beWs7qeYGrJjaM40TVaOPBoU6tcBLo1WXqhQ_M36rC-NY/s1600/IMG_1342" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQCeLNB1NCLTmXEKm7F_A3vHetQeXFrDwAI1HVXQ0afAa3PtDD0OqonhWrSvZR7ejP7Fgz3RumTOlf6-CkgG4OcO2pI9G75beWs7qeYGrJjaM40TVaOPBoU6tcBLo1WXqhQ_M36rC-NY/s1600/IMG_1342" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4JGm268wXm2C67Cf2jo1Dc_lnRrDSDExahf56pw12fMgGdsqHInzOMW75NKt54YPPGuT-qTkE5ZJwF94K6hu-rA8CZgvMvE3kYH_6A0MStHb4f-VmWkP1dnI4HfEEu30Cl_XARaEPRw/s1600/IMG_1336" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4JGm268wXm2C67Cf2jo1Dc_lnRrDSDExahf56pw12fMgGdsqHInzOMW75NKt54YPPGuT-qTkE5ZJwF94K6hu-rA8CZgvMvE3kYH_6A0MStHb4f-VmWkP1dnI4HfEEu30Cl_XARaEPRw/s1600/IMG_1336" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Gabon is one of the greenest countries on the planet.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You have to love the palm trees and thick brush so close to shore.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As a country that relies on exporting all of its resources, logs on the beach is a natural occurrence (excuse the pun).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This building is a radar repeater for the airport.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Obviously Gabon has the most progressive technology.</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-68978426968723422742010-05-09T17:54:00.001-04:002010-05-09T17:59:46.797-04:00World Travel with Lonely Planet<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8rt_SCl1_zJ4tpoZC6PbFvBQxsXFY9TJvaEg3ytE8dfFxER_YEyzH8IFTguBOFVlpUdwlM9BZ9APVbl5q7nUrRCfnyf72PaSBM8rnGr2zZcnA4TolvQDr8ZwnvQY4UxHlFp5fKuSRE8/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw8rt_SCl1_zJ4tpoZC6PbFvBQxsXFY9TJvaEg3ytE8dfFxER_YEyzH8IFTguBOFVlpUdwlM9BZ9APVbl5q7nUrRCfnyf72PaSBM8rnGr2zZcnA4TolvQDr8ZwnvQY4UxHlFp5fKuSRE8/s200/images.jpeg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A few months ago my blog was selected by Lonely Planet’s Blogsherpa program. It’s a hand picked list of travel bloggers whose posts are linked to world travel content on Lonely Planet’s site. If you go to <b><a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/gabon">LP’s info on Gabon</a></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">, post’s from my blog are syndicated into their content. Pretty cool, maybe I’ll get a book deal</span><span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I have been working with many of my new World Traveler friends and linking our sites with each other. We have also aggregated our links to a single to a page on Squidoo. If you are interested in traveling the world, or just wondering what life is like traveling in different parts of the world, please check out this <b><a href="http://www.squidoo.com/world-travel-lonely-planet-bloggers">World Travel link</a></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are roughly 50 bloggers in the program from all around the world with some really interesting articles (including mine).<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br />
</span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-65114866867508947072010-05-06T16:29:00.000-04:002018-06-02T13:23:30.164-04:00A Brief Pictorial, What a Difference 15 Minutes Makes<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I w</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">anted to show you how the country changes during a 15 minute drive from the middle of Libreville up north along L101. The change is dramatic recognizing that while Gabon is the #2</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> or #3</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> richest country on the continent, very little gets spent beyond the capital. Some visiting military officers from Senegal and Cameroon pointed this out to me a few weeks ago. They were enlisted in a military exchange program here and were remarking that while their countries are poor, at least they have roads.</span><br />
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<a name='more'></a>Approaching Louis on the Boulevard de Board du Mer… stores, signs, cars and concrete.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Swerving north along the blvd…a two lane highway with lanes and street lights.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We are still on the same “highway”. The road is paved, but no markings and no lights. Watch the storm cloud up ahead and see how quickly the weather changes here.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">'The end of the road' not really, just an end to the pavement, which was probably laid down by loggers years ago. Obviously, they finished what they were doing and moved elsewhere. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just a few minutes have past and clear blue skies; some ladies walking along road L101.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A local home 20 minutes out side of the city. The electricity, water, sewage, etc. does not come out here.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A grouping of some local homes up ahead.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A “store” attempting to sell local produce to passers by.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is here we pull off of the “road” and go over to the beach, which is beautiful...come back and see that later.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-61831845722500728732010-04-30T08:59:00.002-04:002018-06-02T13:30:47.902-04:00No Matter Where You Are in the World, Boys Will Be Boys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">I started a donation program for a local orphanage here in Libreville. The orphanage, <b><i>Arc en Ceil</i></b>, takes care of young boys and girls, many of whom are victims of human trafficking, which is a major concern here in Western and Central Africa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The donation program was successful because of its simplicity: a few pictures, facebook, simple instructions, generous friends and a US address (fortunately, we can receive some US mail here).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">After waiting several weeks for the mail to arrive, we finally got to deliver some goods to the boys camp yesterday; several boxes of clothing, some toys and a lot of “US” snacks. The kids were very happy and helped us bring in the boxes, which we left with Sister Cova. But they were much more excited just because we were there. They like the company, they enjoy visitors coming to see them and play with them. It can be a bit overwhelming; you are surrounded, everyone is hanging on to you and everybody wants your attention at the same time, but even in a different language, I really enjoy all of the smiles.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It's amazing to me that wherever you are in the world, the actions of boys are noticeably similar. Once you take out anything electronic (camera, phone, the car keys), everyone wants a chance to touch it and hold it. Once you start taking pictures, everybody wants to take one with their “tough guy” pose (all of the different flashing finger signs come from American movies). Once they notice that two of you have a car, everyone wants to know whose is better/faster/stronger, the Colonel’s or mine. Boys will be boys. The only major difference is soccer, everyone plays here, even the girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">The difficult part of the visit was seeing Jean Christian who I remember from our last visit. Apparently he kept running away and now he is no longer allowed in the orphanage (he is outside the fence). He is a local boy and his parents couldn’t afford to keep him. Now he lives on the beach. He waited by my car to ask if I could take him home for the night. I can’t do that. Ugh.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">The program will continue and I have to get donors to focus on sneakers, too many bare-feet running around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Many thanks to Commander ‘Sarah’ and Lt. Colonel ‘Jack’ for helping me make the deliveries, and of course Sister Covedonga Orejas for everything that she does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-88619234104210160042010-04-28T16:29:00.001-04:002018-06-02T13:38:57.254-04:00It's Dark At Night...<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I’ll start with a <b>few facts:</b> Gabon is small and Libreville is a small city. At night, it gets very dark. Sure, it gets dark everywhere at night, but here, it’s pitch black. There are a few streetlights, but many don't have or use electricity, it’s friggin’ dark. Comparatively speaking, NYC doesn’t really get “dark” at night; there are so many streetlights, traffic lights, apartment lights, lit businesses and car traffic that you can always see where you are going.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">(a pic over the wall from a friends house, pitch black)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">I drove to a friend’s house for dinner a few nights ago, after sunset, in the dark. They only live a few miles from my house and the quickest route is to take some of the back roads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";"><b>More facts: </b> People walk here. Even when you take a taxi, you usually have to walk a bit because taxis don’t go all the way into a neighborhood; they stay to the few main roads. Those main roads are narrow, and the side roads are even narrower (and they don't have markings). There are no sidewalks in Libreville.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The issue that I have is people walking in the middle of the street, at night, in the pitch-black darkness, wearing head to toe black clothing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">On the way to my friend’s house for dinner the other night, I almost hit 2 people. One was a woman who was walking along the road in a long black dress with no detail. Fortunately, I noticed her at the last minute because she was wearing an ankle bracelet which reflected against my headlights. The other near tragedy was a teenager, running across the street as I came around a corner, wearing dark jeans and a black t-shirt. I hardly noticed him. I almost hit him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I don’t like driving at night, I'll stick with the sun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-19033071444643759112010-04-27T15:21:00.001-04:002018-06-02T13:41:37.356-04:00Meet the Boys...and Stop With the Trash Already<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">These are the boys, my buddies Toby and Blackie; and this is the back entrance to the compound where we live. As you can see, the compound backs onto a beach and the boys love it. The area has been cleared of all brush and the back wall does not go all the way to the shoreline like on other properties. This sandy area is outfitted with two concrete benches and since logs regularly wash up onshore, additional “seating” is arranged by visitors; makeshift “beach furniture”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">This clearing was probably a nice concept when the compound was built, however, the clearing is way too inviting to locals for my taste…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Listen, I actually like the people here and I appreciate the local culture, but everyone who comes to the beach that backs our compound brings food and drink…and then they leave all of their garbage behind. Kids are on the beach every afternoon after school. On the weekend, entire families congregate; some bring BBQ grills, grandma and even their hooka’s.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">The trash that is left behind is obscene. Locals have the perspective that someone else will take care of it. This is of particular note since much of the crowd is repeat visitors…and they never pick up after themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">This is largely upsetting because you can only get to the beach via car. This means that everything you brought with you can easily be taken back with you. No one does. Garbage is left to rot and plastic bottles, cups, paper plates, etc. and left for high tide to wash away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">And then there are my boys. They love the beach. They can run and play…and scavenge for all the friggin’ bits and pieces left behind. I often get more exercise chasing them down to take back that found chicken bone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">Signs to pick up after yourself are posted, but to no avail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">My solution is simple. Whenever there is an unusually high tide, I try and push some of the “beach furniture” (washed up logs) into the waves so it gets washed away, hopefully making it a little less comfortable to bring grandma for a seven course meal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">There goes another dinner table.</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-35341603707014655172010-04-27T07:50:00.000-04:002018-06-02T13:44:11.812-04:00A Local Military Picnic<!--StartFragment--> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The English Lab, run by the Gabonese military and supported by the US military had their annual picnic on Sunday. It was a lot of fun. A few of us were on site to help manage English word games, i.e. hangman, tongue twisters, sentence building, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">It feels good to do what you can to help out and be supportive. Those who I have met before refer to me as “New York”. The event was mixed, with varying degrees of ability and understanding, so some students are very English literate while others have great difficulty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">I am impressed that most students really participate and try hard. It was a picnic, so alcohol was served, but most students only drank soda during the games…try serving alcohol to US students and see if you can insight learning at the same time </span><span style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana";">The main cultural challenge for me was scheduled timing. I was out to dinner the evening before and perhaps had a bit too much wine. The Picnic was called for 9:30A on Sunday and after a few aspirin and much rushing, I got there just in the nick of time. Unfortunately, I forgot that in Gabon, 9:30 really means around 11:00. Luckily, there were some chairs, so I could grab a spot under the shade of a tree and chat with the Director for a bit...tables didn’t even arrive until 10:30 or 11…c'est la vie.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">FYI, the food was fantastic...fried and then BBQ'd beef (necessary, because otherwise the beef is very tough, but yum), Ham Hocks (feet and legs of pork) and whole chickens, chopped up and BBQ'd. Sides are couscous, beets and cassava, a local starch, which is an "acquired" taste...I won't be here long enough to acquire that taste.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">The guys in the pic above are so young, all "airmen", although they don't fly planes; I'm not sure if the military has any planes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">NCO housing. A little run down, but it is on the beach. The house behind is an officers house.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";">The party winding down.</span></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-44828234145513164322010-04-25T11:52:00.001-04:002018-06-02T13:52:38.992-04:00A Few Pictures from Libreville<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">It was a beautiful day on Friday, even though we didn’t have internet</span><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">; sunny, low”er” humidity, a high sky and a light breeze. It’s amazing what a different mindset you get when it’s not stifling…you can easily forget about the negatives (like corruption, the pathetic lack of infrastructure for an oil rich country, limited work ethic, traffic, pollution, military stops, unreasonable cost of living, etc.) and focus on just how lucky I am to be here and experience all the positives…the ocean, the smiles, the sun and the sky.</span></span></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a>I went for a drive to go food shopping and I couldn’t help but just snap pictures while I drove, which of course is not illegal if no one sees you do it (everyone is a spy to the local military - several friends have been brought in to delete pictures in front of an officer). </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little afternoon traffic</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schoolgirls in blue</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of unfinished construction in Libreville</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite veggie market</td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-26652978194015279102010-04-18T15:59:00.000-04:002010-04-27T10:17:45.817-04:00Finally, American TV<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ogv7i4K1lYZsFYNqrzy2LBBeHQvE9x7pVxOcE9XF_-8mi29XJQAMEbIRKPWhMUCJ8bqHn0359u9tJJ9dVGMbVcmhux8qJznKGCDu13U1mKXSpx4CZFfleH-SvV8R3yKKmN17pFYVrHI/s1600/AFN_TV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ogv7i4K1lYZsFYNqrzy2LBBeHQvE9x7pVxOcE9XF_-8mi29XJQAMEbIRKPWhMUCJ8bqHn0359u9tJJ9dVGMbVcmhux8qJznKGCDu13U1mKXSpx4CZFfleH-SvV8R3yKKmN17pFYVrHI/s320/AFN_TV.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14.0pt;">Woo hoo, we're finally hooked up to the American Armed Forces Network in our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AFN is broadcast via satellite to military bases, embassies and navy ships around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, everything is in English and much of the programming is broadcast within 24 hours of original broadcast in the US.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14.0pt;">The advertising guy in me notices an unheard of mixture of cross-network programming, i.e. the Saturday morning <i>Today Show</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14.0pt;"> (NBC) is broadcast on a Sunday and is immediately followed by the show <i>Sunday Morning,</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14.0pt;"> which is CBS. In addition, the programming does not appear to be as "managed" as it probably once was...apparently the news channel only used to broadcast FOX News, now the channel regularly switches between FOX, CNN and MSNBC throughout the day.</span></div><a name='more'></a>Since channel access is dependent on where you are in the world, the big military bases like Ramenstein AFB in Germany get 8 channels, while ships in the Atlantic get only 3 channels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we are in the armpit of Africa, we get the Navy access “Shore-to-Ship” programming; only 3 channels, but it’s better than nothing.<br />
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</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Arab channels that we normally get on the local system here in Gabon, broadcast programming based on whenever the hell the last program ended (i.e. 7:12PM, 9:43PM, etc.).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On AFN, time is managed so programming airs on the hour/half hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hello appointment viewing TV.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14.0pt;">There are no commercials on AFN.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, the commercial time is used for short segments providing regional command information, pride in service spots and lots of target appropriate public service announcements like managing your military benefits, public safety and anti-terrorism messaging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an ad exec, what surprises me is the production value of these segments, they are excellent;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>local news producers across the US should watch AFN…the segments effectively communicate information employing that local community feel while instilling a fantastic combination of warmth and credibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Since I have no former experience with the military, the command information segments are very interesting to me as a "regular guy".</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14.0pt;">In addition, the public service announcements effectively recognize their audience and take a very positive approach. hey cover everything from protecting your identity to using sun screen to dealing with stress. The alcohol abuse spots aren't telling you not to drink, instead, they provide a positive perspective, instructing you to eat a full meal, stay to one drink per hour, and meet every drink with a non alcoholic drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should do that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-34235817806815889782010-04-15T06:10:00.001-04:002018-06-02T13:53:39.521-04:00The African Diet<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">After trekking around for a while, you can't help but notice something remarkably different here versus back home. I’m not talking about lack of infrastructure, no internet connection, or impenetrable jungle and forest elephants, but…Why are there no Fat Gabonese people?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Quite simply, there are no processed foods here. Putting socio economic issues aside (and not everyone here is poor), sometimes lack of availability is a good thing. I’m not talking about “fast food”, that doesn’t exist, in fact, nothing is fast here:). I’m talking about everyday, store-bought, packaged items that we think of as necessities back home. Take bread for example. Bread is baked fresh here everyday and whenever you visit a supermarket or a boulangerie, you see people with loaves of it under their arm waiting to check out. That’s because bread products, including pastries & muffins, aren’t supposed to last 10 days. The reason they last so long back home is because they have shit inside them other than flour and egg.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Chips, cookies & crackers just don’t exist here. Back home, they are prevalent. Everyone has them stacked in their cupboard…even if you don’t eat them, you don’t need to throw them out because they last for 12 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">The other comparative issue is portion size. One size fits all here. There is no extra large anything. In fact, the only portion variable that I have noticed is at the coffee house…if you don’t want a regular sized coffee, you order un petite café. Imagine that, going down in size, versus up. Pizza? Smaller pies, and they use real cheese. Yogurt? Smaller, and more plain than flavored. Coca-cola? Not consumed, considered a luxury. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">The other thing I could mention is the fact that people here eat fruit. If the mangoes are ripe on the compound where we live, you have to pick them fast; otherwise, the guards and the garden staff will get them during the day and eat them as their snack. I’m afraid to suggest eating fruit at home because here you pull it off of a tree, back home it’s been fertilized with chemicals, sprayed with pesticides and then waxed so it looks pretty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">OK, preaching is over, just pay attention to what you eat…we have a lot to learn from those ‘less fortunate’ than us.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-44365878858927372922010-04-12T16:18:00.002-04:002018-06-03T11:22:31.424-04:00It's the 3rd World, Figure it Out For Yourself<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Living in Africa has taught me a new motto…just go figure it out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">The camera broke this weekend. I know it was still taking pictures, but you couldn’t see anything because the LCD screen wasn’t showing any images. After being pissed, frustrated and upset for a day, I finally got off my ass and went to the internet (fortunately it was working). I found a sight with recommendations from a “camera guy” who listed potential solutions to my problem. A pair of eyeglass screwdrivers, a cloth to catch the tiny screws and a tweezer from the bathroom helped me take the LCD screen apart and reconnect the circuit board. I don’t even know how to use the flash, but viola, a little trial and error and the camera is working again; which you can see from the pic above of Sabliere after the storm today.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 19px;">When something goes wrong here, you just have to deal with it. There is no concierge to assist you and you certainly can’t take it to the repair guy on the west side...even if you could speak fluent French, there is no west side. A little effort and ingenuity and you deal with it. I’m in my 40’s and being here is the 1<sup>st</sup> time I’ve changed a tire, dealt with a major flood in the house and figured out how to turn the water off, found and dealt with the circuit break system for the compound we live on, power washed the pool to help the GSO out, tinkered and fixed the powerwasher that the GSO purchased to clean the pool, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">You even get to use skills here that you forgot you had. There was a party at the Ambassadors residence and the local staff were invited to bring their kids. The pool was mentioned on the invite, but who knew that each of the forty kids would want to go in the pool. Of course they would, many have never been in a pool. They were waiting with baited breathe for the DCM to put her bathing suit on and open the pool. Now, I was a lifeguard in high school and college, but that was a long time ago. It wasn’t 5 minutes until I was in the water fully dressed pulling a kid out who didn’t know there was a deep end. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-63485165824561763122010-04-08T18:19:00.000-04:002018-06-03T11:22:49.401-04:00Nightime in Gabon<!--StartFragment--> <br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Did I mention that it’s hot here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The heat index was 105 today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a meeting in town with the WWF and I thought I would melt in the taxi (no, they don’t use AC).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, my driver was moving slowly because I guess he thought that would save gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed he was on empty and I’d be surprised if he made it to the gas station after he dropped me off, poor bastard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s probably much hotter when you have to push your car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’m not complaining mind you, I like the warm weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just that our satellite TV shut off 2 of the 3 English movie channels that we have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything else is in French or Arabic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>FOX was the best and now it plays pop music videos 24/7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> With no TV,</span> I am sitting outside on the patio at 11:15PM writing this short blog because I am bored, it’s pitch black, it's 92 degrees and I am sweating...<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-24077103632680884962010-04-07T09:29:00.001-04:002018-06-03T11:24:42.818-04:00The Seasons are Not What They Seem in Gabon<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">If you ever plan on traveling to Africa, especially Equatorial Africa, be sure to get the inside scoop on the weather from someone at your destination.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Gabon has 2 short Dry seasons; June – August and December/January. The remainder of the year is considered Rainy season. Gabon gets more than 100 inches of rain per year (Seattle only gets 36). If you are like me, you may have thought, I have to remember to take advantage and get as much traveling done and pictures taken during the dry season. Not the case. Dry season is the worst time to come. Sure, it’s a little cooler, but that’s because it’s cloudy, overcast and grey every day. The rainy season on the other hand, is the best time to come, with bright blue skies and sunny days. Yes, there is the occasional grey day, but it mostly rains at night. I think I notice the rain more in NYC than I do in Libreville. That’s not to say that I don’t see the rain; when it rains here, it pours. Rivers accumulate in the street and flights don’t land. What I mean is, the rainy days that affect your mood are more prevalent in NYC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">The other perspective that I have recently learned which relates to this is that seasons affect us culturally. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">In the northeastern United States we have four seasons. Although we relate to them as summer vacation and back-to-school, the actual winter, spring, summer, fall came first. We have break during the summer because it’s too hot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Culturally, we have always ‘planned ahead’ because of the seasons. Farmers plan harvest to get them through the winter. Girlfriends plan on what shoes and bags to purchase for the spring, or how much weight to lose before the summer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">In Gabon, they don’t have dramatic seasons. It’s pretty much the same all of the time…HOT. As a result, they never really had to plan ahead. Since it’s always hot, there is no change in attire. Papayas, mangoes and coconuts grow throughout the year. Culturally, they have had no reason to ‘plan’ to the extent that we do back home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">And to think I was relating to certain people culturally as lazy.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-61582746816391849392010-04-06T05:49:00.001-04:002018-06-03T11:26:17.855-04:00A Lazy Sunday on the Beach in Gabon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbCfTO0eLaUDcn5LFkTBGSRY2hx837RwE1KArrc9vl3oJbD1VQLlUnDXK3Gg8AmqyyKFBMsZ-cx-pEIdjXmNKKYZjAxaVVomXY-7cdESOe9MMPyuR1R0sxVfjIYyA0oZXR3NK-0ejFUQ/s1600/Sunsetbeach1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbCfTO0eLaUDcn5LFkTBGSRY2hx837RwE1KArrc9vl3oJbD1VQLlUnDXK3Gg8AmqyyKFBMsZ-cx-pEIdjXmNKKYZjAxaVVomXY-7cdESOe9MMPyuR1R0sxVfjIYyA0oZXR3NK-0ejFUQ/s1600/Sunsetbeach1" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Went to the beach on Sunday with the Lieutenant Colonel - I put that in for effect, so you don’t forget the community that I live with - did it work?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">We just went close by in Sabliere, the neighborhood where we live. It’s been hot here, it’s always hot here, but it’s been hotter than usual. The heat index has 104 Fahrenheit everyday, but it’s cooler on the beach because of the constant breeze off the ocean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Walls surround the compound where we live, like all properties in Sabliere, so you don’t get the effect of the wind to cool you down when you’re outside.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 19px;">I realize how much I love the beach, I always have. Despite any issues or complaints here with infrastructure or traffic or pollution, the shoreline in Gabon can be very beautiful. The water is always warm and the bottom is always sandy. And since we're on the west coast of the continent, we get to watch beautiful sunsets everyday...the Hampton's are nice, but the one thing you can't buy is a sunset. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">The eco-tourism developer who finally decides to invest in Gabon must market the fact that thick, green jungles are in such close proximity to wild, sandy beaches…and most of it relatively untouched. I think people wouldn’t mind the travel distance if they knew that they would get the opportunity to explore elephants and other wildlife in a very bio-diverse jungle and then be able to have a cocktail on the beach to watch the sunset?... especially with everything such a short distance from the city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Unfortunately, until those investors come, there aren’t too many places to relax and get a drink on the beach here. Fortunately, there is one right down the street in our neighborhood. It is aptly named the Sunset Beach Hotel. It's always quiet and because we come here often, we really don’t even have to order. When he sees us, the single waiter comes by to make sure we are on board – “un petite Castel monsieur?” “Oui, merci”. I like to think he remembers us because we’re pleasant and we smile hello, but it’s probably because Americans are the only people in the country who tip the wait staff.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Just another lazy Sunday on the Beach in Gabon.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-21042345554730201122010-04-04T18:37:00.001-04:002018-06-03T11:27:05.786-04:00Malaria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49fpHtzaLVv_gurgYhI_Cic22SUoAof35Ik4CCyU46O5ZI3smVPK_VUCIcyeRNuxYE4PfdLaJzukGP1EROaytj5Mthw4PEoZVYQwys_o2CFg7YbvV-B6wGxOD6ky1abFfIBz2icynk_8/s1600/greencross.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49fpHtzaLVv_gurgYhI_Cic22SUoAof35Ik4CCyU46O5ZI3smVPK_VUCIcyeRNuxYE4PfdLaJzukGP1EROaytj5Mthw4PEoZVYQwys_o2CFg7YbvV-B6wGxOD6ky1abFfIBz2icynk_8/s200/greencross.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
I am not a doctor and this is just my opinion. I do not take malaria pills. I obtained a prescription and brought malarone with me, supposedly the best medication available on the market, but it made me feel dull-headed and generally not good. It is also ridiculously expensive. No one that I know takes US prescribed malaria medication here. Several friends have had malaria. You know when you have it because you are extremely tired, mostly nauseous, and switch between fever and chills for several days. It is equivalent to a bad case of the flu.<br />
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Here in central Africa, they sell Coartem at the pharmacy which does a great deal to alleve the symptoms. It is made by Novartis and although it may be a prescription medication elsewhere, it is purchased over the counter here.<br />
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Some of my friends from the environmental NGO's have had it several times after being in the bush. Everyone says it is no big deal and they would rather deal with it if/when they get it, rather than take the US prescriptions, which may be preventative, but do not provide absolute protection. If you get malaria while taking malarone, the recommended response is to take a higher dosage after you get it. That's so "American".<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8326745420853651746.post-76179518796724669212010-04-01T06:39:00.001-04:002018-06-03T11:27:29.565-04:00More Ridiculous Corruption<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">In many African countries, ‘power’ is divided into multiple ministries (economic minister, minister of forestry, minister for transport, interior, national defense, foreign affairs, etc.). It sounds like this is set up to prohibit corruption…it isn’t. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">First of all, in most countries, ministers are assigned, not voted into office. Secondly, there are so many ministers assigned it is hard to keep track of them. Gabon used to have 50 ministers, although the new President, Ali, has apparently made a lot of cuts in an attempt to weed out corruption…or is it just a closer distribution of funds to friends and family, we’ll see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Across the continent, money for ministries is doled out from the top. The ministers then dole it out to local state/county government officials and programs. By the time it gets down to street level, you can imagine what portion is actually spent on programs for the people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Because there is such a wide dispersion of power and funds, and because transparency is not a common concept to the continent, what each does with their portion of the annual budget is pretty much their business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">The other challenge to this set-up is that everyone is competing internally for dollars. If I am the minister of roads and bridges and I receive a large enough budget to keep my family and friends in BMW’s and Lexus’, I might actually be able to build a road (not a bridge, that’s too expensive). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">This competition for funds increases the likelihood of corruption. If I don’t get enough from the top, I am more likely to try to get it from other sources, outside sources, which my ministry may touch (you know, like oil, mining and timber companies looking for license, or tourism corporations looking to develop, or how about an airline interested in adding Libreville to their network – I don’t care that this will increase competition and ultimately make it less expensive and more convenient for my family to go on vacation, plus increase the taxes legally received by my ministry and increase our budget - lets see how much they are willing to pay to include this armpit of an airport to their service).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Enough ranting, lets get down to the reason for my post. The US Navy has been pursuing efforts to help the countries along the Gulf of Guinea to increase maritime security throughout the region. Much of the gulf is rich in oil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: 14pt;">Although Gabon has 550 miles of coastline, they really don’t have a Navy because they don’t have ships capable of going much distance beyond a local port. The US Navy recently donated two vessels to the Gabonese military. By vessel, I mean large, metal, million dollar pieces of machinery. Guess why two million dollars in donated ships can’t be used by the Gabonese military? Someone needs to pay the duty to the person who runs the port…seriously.<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=IMovedToAfrica&loc=en_US">Subscribe to I Moved to Africa by Email</a></div>Brethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15332737714964849300noreply@blogger.com0