tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63532194781881501552024-03-05T04:15:31.994-08:00Adventures in GabonSuzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-49524318487925859752021-07-19T13:59:00.002-07:002021-07-19T13:59:44.912-07:00Au Revoir Benin!<p> On Friday we took a day trip to Ouidah. Ouidah is a not-so-well-known port in Benin that accounts for the theft of millions of West Africans from the continent during the four centuries of the mid-Atlantic slave trade. It is also a cultural center for vodun, the traditional religion often called voodoo in the US and Caribbean. Contrary to popular belief, vodun is a deep, rich system of beliefs that is grounded in anything but the witchcraft tales white folx made up about it in order to convert people to Christianity and shun those who refused.</p><p>We started off the day at the Python Temple, one of many temples dedicated to many of the sacred symbols in vodun. Pythons are particularly revered. There is a whole temple dedicated to them, but you will see python imagery nearly anywhere that there is vodun representation. Our guide told us about the different buildings within the temple and their purposes within the religion. We were given the opportunity to hold a python as well as to enter a temple and say a prayer to them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8KMpxeP9w9waDEmqOxDHOztypwnJuatEKj8EMYGc7i4DV2hmIoMvIo9mZhDwlkNphiZyhrW9W_sid9PlKJGNUEL5c1h4UxG-X5lGIqDjgEJ29uGQFaFTyJK2QYbGt7LEI1OF-Sa3-80G/s2048/20210709_133005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8KMpxeP9w9waDEmqOxDHOztypwnJuatEKj8EMYGc7i4DV2hmIoMvIo9mZhDwlkNphiZyhrW9W_sid9PlKJGNUEL5c1h4UxG-X5lGIqDjgEJ29uGQFaFTyJK2QYbGt7LEI1OF-Sa3-80G/s320/20210709_133005.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cBYBPODH-xlQLsfTedINpmPZjyMSU92rZU-Q82Ea5y3Xup6qK0WQwpczSgUghTpnS_cKCeJ3Y41lX3iWpNlIOOkCGEqjdsAM7wfI1svJeTg4QQ-ZzsgqY0tG6CV1lWAAS0U_DpcKfkd_/s2048/20210709_130625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cBYBPODH-xlQLsfTedINpmPZjyMSU92rZU-Q82Ea5y3Xup6qK0WQwpczSgUghTpnS_cKCeJ3Y41lX3iWpNlIOOkCGEqjdsAM7wfI1svJeTg4QQ-ZzsgqY0tG6CV1lWAAS0U_DpcKfkd_/s320/20210709_130625.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA9NHetOlmPZWyt-2zuIVtVC-gImODuhij61srbHhGgwpvg7ld5N0tVOap45jXCHAJ0DN8EKH5iPoTcUitQ6lDE5oTgBDRIJOfUHeWV9OvIGs4szJVkYGxqYpNw49vXnlix9sISq-fmn6/s2048/20210709_130722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSA9NHetOlmPZWyt-2zuIVtVC-gImODuhij61srbHhGgwpvg7ld5N0tVOap45jXCHAJ0DN8EKH5iPoTcUitQ6lDE5oTgBDRIJOfUHeWV9OvIGs4szJVkYGxqYpNw49vXnlix9sISq-fmn6/s320/20210709_130722.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some might say Amare wasn't as brave....he's probably just much smarter!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>After the Python Temple we went to the Sacred Forest, that houses many statues of different gods in vodun. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zMTNSBzMj7FpqwwNMoyzkUcMOdBSQT368DpyecsFgDm4VHFoJSt2OtxvJbynvAysh7EkkELmj4xvyj5YeoR95IH9L3DrQv8EizeWMnyp2mzj2Ap9SLL4tHUcrfN8VxzbOCmT-dKCjLhB/s2048/20210709_133618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zMTNSBzMj7FpqwwNMoyzkUcMOdBSQT368DpyecsFgDm4VHFoJSt2OtxvJbynvAysh7EkkELmj4xvyj5YeoR95IH9L3DrQv8EizeWMnyp2mzj2Ap9SLL4tHUcrfN8VxzbOCmT-dKCjLhB/s320/20210709_133618.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj_o8xqvCOnSbZKmbiab3GLeyGRqfEuFGmnTGjO5OLbuaMwaDZaui80dBJixqNFtXLQGTl2YKzMJ_uLSQ185_G4kuyV1vdIJQuqOLOA6mjaXXsc7y28qPEptq-JDyuN_CmPllt1n0VsIN/s2048/20210709_134340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfj_o8xqvCOnSbZKmbiab3GLeyGRqfEuFGmnTGjO5OLbuaMwaDZaui80dBJixqNFtXLQGTl2YKzMJ_uLSQ185_G4kuyV1vdIJQuqOLOA6mjaXXsc7y28qPEptq-JDyuN_CmPllt1n0VsIN/s320/20210709_134340.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you couldn't guess, this god is who you go to with fertility issues.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G5Vi884nAh3jzCDepn7yDkP1_xsZwNTrfli74gB-hj4QvcnDCRLE1VWQndiVwryyHOa_P9jOpCOgjNOHwlsdKeQfF-jGBbqx3idphVNTlHd3kpNMCAhAFn3GC1x_u-f0PP_ITA-zWEvq/s2048/20210709_140942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G5Vi884nAh3jzCDepn7yDkP1_xsZwNTrfli74gB-hj4QvcnDCRLE1VWQndiVwryyHOa_P9jOpCOgjNOHwlsdKeQfF-jGBbqx3idphVNTlHd3kpNMCAhAFn3GC1x_u-f0PP_ITA-zWEvq/s320/20210709_140942.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgxmjtEaPRTBz63qKHaD8jjH34cOPjPEhZWervBMrqDd0J85At1u_mg7VXM6icL4qiRLUuv7Tfq-yviU4t_Dakuy1k3yOvHHCc9AtuXJr88MYYOrzplc4pgit2tYrySz00fRM1ObrUjtQ/s2048/20210709_135118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgxmjtEaPRTBz63qKHaD8jjH34cOPjPEhZWervBMrqDd0J85At1u_mg7VXM6icL4qiRLUuv7Tfq-yviU4t_Dakuy1k3yOvHHCc9AtuXJr88MYYOrzplc4pgit2tYrySz00fRM1ObrUjtQ/s320/20210709_135118.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This monument marks the place where the tree standing behind it fell and then miraculously righted itself the following day.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIfsoAR5L2vDlUg381M3-kHhgRIXQ0UHi9KB-Q7k1c6QYfnZ05239mPGGlOmHuQN9QWHKnSUBUP4z5r7wZvNtLf6GmktOKHh-v6D7z8A4O7oBGilSy8qpn6PPEB2bCfcWaS1OfVXOAyPB/s2048/20210709_135357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIfsoAR5L2vDlUg381M3-kHhgRIXQ0UHi9KB-Q7k1c6QYfnZ05239mPGGlOmHuQN9QWHKnSUBUP4z5r7wZvNtLf6GmktOKHh-v6D7z8A4O7oBGilSy8qpn6PPEB2bCfcWaS1OfVXOAyPB/s320/20210709_135357.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an active vodun temple, so you can only enter it if you've been initiated into the culture. If you notice the serpent statue to the left in the infinite circle, that's a common symbol of vodun culture.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>It is believed that King Kpasse received a sign that he was going to die. In vodun culture, it is considered a bad omen for your enemy to see your dead body. It is a signal to them that you are no longer leading your people and therefore your kingdom is vulnerable to attack. So the king took to the sacred forest and while bathing went underground and sprouted into a large tree. The tree is still in the forest and believers come to bath on its roots, say prayers and provide offerings for ongoing protection from the king. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhA3BMohqGrRIrB9e0dnwZAcCBRzMG8UgltzziJ1G-fB2iLcQNLcIPBVgoN4GEIUxass4oHQ3Dz2xDX5WogC_boib_x5oON1TU0-FL9j8We4JiCtkUxKmNEc85opZD8uWH-_dWw7JcXjc/s2048/20210709_135856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhA3BMohqGrRIrB9e0dnwZAcCBRzMG8UgltzziJ1G-fB2iLcQNLcIPBVgoN4GEIUxass4oHQ3Dz2xDX5WogC_boib_x5oON1TU0-FL9j8We4JiCtkUxKmNEc85opZD8uWH-_dWw7JcXjc/s320/20210709_135856.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Before leaving the forest our guide offered us a moment to do a silent meditation and feel the vibrations of the forest for ourselves. In the midst of total chaos traveling with two small children, it afforded me a deep moment to myself.</p><p>After we left the forest, we stopped at several additional places in Ouidah including the home of the DeSouza family, the most notable slave trading family in Benin at it height. If you can believe it the family still lives in the house, though it now is occupied by descendants of both the slave traders and the women they enslaved and raped, bearing children with deeply conflicting roots. If you have time, you can check out some interviews done with Martine de Souza, one of the descendants and a philanthropist in the community.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKASookASM7XucB_maQ9_KWI9g7JxSlVcPFTu0cjKssIVjSLvteOQVPdw3ipJ-WS09KZ616mkljLCDHIsV3Phlki-QO2D9JxzMM2nKOL7Ij8UX29XHtlRZv9EOIdNIcSXMJUtNko8MdC1Y/s2048/20210709_143918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKASookASM7XucB_maQ9_KWI9g7JxSlVcPFTu0cjKssIVjSLvteOQVPdw3ipJ-WS09KZ616mkljLCDHIsV3Phlki-QO2D9JxzMM2nKOL7Ij8UX29XHtlRZv9EOIdNIcSXMJUtNko8MdC1Y/s320/20210709_143918.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The building to the left is the de Souza house and the large tree is where they used to gather captured Africans to inspect them like objects, determining if they would stay and serve the Europeans in Benin or if they would be sent on a ship.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>We also drove down the road that enslaved Africans were walked down before boarding boats to the US, South America and the Caribbean. There is a monument marking the place where Europeans demanded the vodun leaders of the time put powers into a tree that would erase the memories of the Africans to keep them from rebelling or becoming violent on the voyage. Historically, the vodun leaders did not believe that was possible, but they did the ceremony given the consequences were they not to. Men walked around the tree nine times, women seven, to erase from their memories everything about their communities and culture. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrqR-9sFSn-i6-0C4FKrZxQE_Nto96K3iiDIe3N2N0L0HQiw4gS0n9wXxZPaRb8ibJ09N5kH4ygtVSYfxk2BkYpP8GtoQHInMHyp9Jjm5avOk8GG0cIIoHQW64J1u7Z0BfewGdoKix0hl/s2048/20210709_145456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrqR-9sFSn-i6-0C4FKrZxQE_Nto96K3iiDIe3N2N0L0HQiw4gS0n9wXxZPaRb8ibJ09N5kH4ygtVSYfxk2BkYpP8GtoQHInMHyp9Jjm5avOk8GG0cIIoHQW64J1u7Z0BfewGdoKix0hl/s320/20210709_145456.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Further down the road is a monument to "the dark room." This was a room where all were taken, bound at the hands and feet and gagged and meant to kneel on the floor of a room in total darkness, being fed nothing but cornmeal and water for three weeks or more. This is where, our guide said, most got sick or died of starvation. Those strong enough to survive this torture were then marched on to the beach where many ate handfuls of sand, knowing it would kill them slowly or jumped off of the small boats that took them to the larger boats, drowning to avoid enslavement.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWDEJ8kgkFMBFZRuAhoAbBKSoKDqp2Hn97u5zVDJGDKkQ4HR1fZocIY-FABw9cKOzSFnDOJIzR1AHkeWiCetfCaQO3W7Z5vX3ZMos5ks-DILqG3BSF18qWU4i8N2ClxsHYDhcRR8BJ0yq/s2048/20210709_152621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWDEJ8kgkFMBFZRuAhoAbBKSoKDqp2Hn97u5zVDJGDKkQ4HR1fZocIY-FABw9cKOzSFnDOJIzR1AHkeWiCetfCaQO3W7Z5vX3ZMos5ks-DILqG3BSF18qWU4i8N2ClxsHYDhcRR8BJ0yq/s320/20210709_152621.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The faces on this monument represent all of the tribes in Benin that passed through Ouidah during the slave trade period.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Finally, the road ends at the Pont de Non Retour (the Point of No Return) monument, marking the last place millions saw their homeland before being indebted into centuries of torture, family separation, erasure of their languages and culture, and racism that rages on to this day. Next to the Pont de Non Retour, Benin has constructed the Pont de Retour, a monument symbolizing the country's willingness and desire to welcome back all descendants of those stolen. And if you're reading this thinking this is ancient history, check out Nora Zeale Hurston's book Barracoon, detailing the life of Cudjo Lewis, stolen from the shores of Benin in 1860. Yes, 1860, not even 200 years ago.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOpkVnpg8B-NpBeIqmrGH96SO7i5F_Fy3o5iKzpw0GsNaUEzFx24oVgb1Zu8f2TGttoDgei8pzqzcYGF01-xs8AxW944PGOrXkR4pE-J1fQf-MbzjkUHdHXyaWxk5ewOzxAm4NnNQA4x7/s1186/20210709_182540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="853" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguOpkVnpg8B-NpBeIqmrGH96SO7i5F_Fy3o5iKzpw0GsNaUEzFx24oVgb1Zu8f2TGttoDgei8pzqzcYGF01-xs8AxW944PGOrXkR4pE-J1fQf-MbzjkUHdHXyaWxk5ewOzxAm4NnNQA4x7/s320/20210709_182540.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, the monument was being renovated and we were unable to walk up to it.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSxAB49UU_IUTWlPlr-FONiLqY_h6-APD_7f94XojdRXQyiOfrNXxhOZ-mI14SyjyYdfBY2nr2ZWyLoXWgxM4P2H6zQHOLaTR-LlXDxXx_BxROfTFSvKOVnN7x7abGOLR9asvBJwC3aLp/s2048/20210709_155126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1879" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSxAB49UU_IUTWlPlr-FONiLqY_h6-APD_7f94XojdRXQyiOfrNXxhOZ-mI14SyjyYdfBY2nr2ZWyLoXWgxM4P2H6zQHOLaTR-LlXDxXx_BxROfTFSvKOVnN7x7abGOLR9asvBJwC3aLp/s320/20210709_155126.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Ouidah is always a powerful place to be, between its deep ties to the slave trade, which has such an ongoing legacy of white supremacy in my home of the United States and its deeply spiritual vodun traditions, I find myself grateful and humbled to even stand in the space. Bringing my children here was powerful as well, given the place they'll have as young Black men in America in the not so distant future.</p><p>When our tour was over and we bid our guide farewell, we drove down one of my favorite roads in the world. It's a small dirt road that runs parallel to the ocean with palm trees arching their long trunks in the direction of the ocean. Small straw homes line the road as well as indigenous plants and cacti. </p><p>We stopped at a beautiful resort called Casa del Papa for lunch. It was mid-afternoon, so the dining area was pretty much empty, allowing us a private viewing of the sea, sand, and palms. Our drive home was peaceful, following the same seaside road all the way back to Cotonou. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9an8J5aqd30i22QCdr_3QxFj5_PjIzq7MzvCWKvsFRYFdVeA_Zj_pe3yJfesixbIDTNIBYSjXSS3evrEFWY-V9iwktIVluwynJhc5wIg4j6LtTt0-0lAmHI3a4BhOfWwUb8Z4OgSQUtaB/s2048/20210709_174253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9an8J5aqd30i22QCdr_3QxFj5_PjIzq7MzvCWKvsFRYFdVeA_Zj_pe3yJfesixbIDTNIBYSjXSS3evrEFWY-V9iwktIVluwynJhc5wIg4j6LtTt0-0lAmHI3a4BhOfWwUb8Z4OgSQUtaB/s320/20210709_174253.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC5npBIQ6zUFzdgEBMLa1O9guS3FZlQN0Em05bM6gHJdeDHVIMIhkuFzczkOneHuI-XRJ332yWscdIAUQGzp0F4p4Pr6M-2xo9TVSoCDU1SB6MPecEurqL7JP4DBtAAtVVtOeczzEyOjy/s2048/20210709_174258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC5npBIQ6zUFzdgEBMLa1O9guS3FZlQN0Em05bM6gHJdeDHVIMIhkuFzczkOneHuI-XRJ332yWscdIAUQGzp0F4p4Pr6M-2xo9TVSoCDU1SB6MPecEurqL7JP4DBtAAtVVtOeczzEyOjy/s320/20210709_174258.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPE6fADMnc9xXPmazTNweHIp47yMliO69qo7F6lxDx-y-xzPTd5yroKz1rAzZB4TnkbNlNPuQ11AbgLAl1Pn_iUHsW0ms2GEOQLPyL35b24NzcrKuDc83kBjP0kli4wjv0P6ObPsB-Fn2/s2048/20210709_190926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPE6fADMnc9xXPmazTNweHIp47yMliO69qo7F6lxDx-y-xzPTd5yroKz1rAzZB4TnkbNlNPuQ11AbgLAl1Pn_iUHsW0ms2GEOQLPyL35b24NzcrKuDc83kBjP0kli4wjv0P6ObPsB-Fn2/s320/20210709_190926.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't this how you ride in a car alongside the ocean??</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Sunday morning we were packed up and headed back to Gabon for our final two weeks of visiting with family. Check in and flight went on without a hitch and by 4pm we were on our way back to Georgia's house with Landry's sister, Aimee, which was nice since we hadn't yet seen her.</p>Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-56090679378872430792021-07-19T11:37:00.000-07:002021-07-19T11:37:41.291-07:00Birthday in Benin!<p>I had the gift of turning 39 in Cotonou this year, much as I had the gift of turning 25 here fourteen years ago. I'm a cancer, a water baby, and so there was nothing I wanted more for my birthday this year that to spend it in and by water.</p><p>I found a hotel right on the beach, Hotel Azalai. Most of the hotels with pools allow people to come in for the day for a low rate. The day started out a bit rainy, but it's so warm that the rain almost doesn't really bother you. Except it makes laying on a lounge chair a bit wet and uncomfortable...lol. Once the rain died down, the sun made its appearance and it was a relaxing, enjoyable day.</p><p>The pool was perfect for the boys with a very large wading end, which meant they could play without me. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn44gQGOnsyyMipvEH3u7PftXhqWzpcArogiN5n71X2Sc9n2byTfJ-1ax-HJSVw5qOzij-lo1JdY8OiL3olN5pablNiDCKGYEjay-03jtWWPmgNW_gMGnT_RubQz5uZ4roM0ROn_xn_A4S/s2048/20210708_133045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1719" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn44gQGOnsyyMipvEH3u7PftXhqWzpcArogiN5n71X2Sc9n2byTfJ-1ax-HJSVw5qOzij-lo1JdY8OiL3olN5pablNiDCKGYEjay-03jtWWPmgNW_gMGnT_RubQz5uZ4roM0ROn_xn_A4S/s320/20210708_133045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love that they manage to find friends everywhere, regardless of country, language, and culture</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud20YFqRWjuHm_s1441vFzJ7Uryt83FWMx2kyGI9Yd-5U4VPbkLqqZmWgxl3seN_FQ-AZpEMXhQqgsi28rBEXmkxqU4aAw3-d5dTt5ltpBZT5p-fTfnKKOvbS-4iNaw1mp1FW7DHFnu2O/s2048/IMG-20210708-WA0034.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiud20YFqRWjuHm_s1441vFzJ7Uryt83FWMx2kyGI9Yd-5U4VPbkLqqZmWgxl3seN_FQ-AZpEMXhQqgsi28rBEXmkxqU4aAw3-d5dTt5ltpBZT5p-fTfnKKOvbS-4iNaw1mp1FW7DHFnu2O/s320/IMG-20210708-WA0034.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p>My friend and I ordered cocktails, she insisted on an impromptu photo session to mark the day, which I was thankful for <i>after</i> the fact, and we got some pizza for lunch. Originally we'd planned to do part of the day at the pool and part of the day at the beach, but by the time we decided to leave the pool the kids were tired and we were ready to head back.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmcBMcnSI20K5mo16oKYLrRzSnwDoiPaQIxrdEE1Vfp1oOshbjUkKPY00F0sFM70obaQgjKCgMTg72-GKzxPl_Fg_glBFOp-AoSqfUAYtygbiCLE3mbpo_sdZVRyxSzg6x2AQuj6iM5tu/s2048/20210708_145120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJmcBMcnSI20K5mo16oKYLrRzSnwDoiPaQIxrdEE1Vfp1oOshbjUkKPY00F0sFM70obaQgjKCgMTg72-GKzxPl_Fg_glBFOp-AoSqfUAYtygbiCLE3mbpo_sdZVRyxSzg6x2AQuj6iM5tu/s320/20210708_145120.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2k_dKFoadlr0G-ejvYIm6mgUkP8pTA8VFyXR0CQRj8hwxvGJZuXFa0RDlJLa43qCJ_DkqNnvv6Tpk8IgcnVtazq1RXmCm32ZpFL3aS_ggR6gakTKktLNRevdV5QlNRyuENcDGod5IgQ7/s2048/20210708_150320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV2k_dKFoadlr0G-ejvYIm6mgUkP8pTA8VFyXR0CQRj8hwxvGJZuXFa0RDlJLa43qCJ_DkqNnvv6Tpk8IgcnVtazq1RXmCm32ZpFL3aS_ggR6gakTKktLNRevdV5QlNRyuENcDGod5IgQ7/s320/20210708_150320.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A piggy family passed by us on the beach</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd0g4hivPbF7lIfhJ46grHuEjJki0xj9bvhD4MUyE4EIPY1UiirzFD93crlvnJjuAiOiwSej15wMI4lZx5dtWOUe_qnDL37_-q17MFfKM-YoSt5Agw7yU6x_ulqAV24p-B_yN6PF4bTdK/s1024/IMG-20210708-WA0065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="491" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd0g4hivPbF7lIfhJ46grHuEjJki0xj9bvhD4MUyE4EIPY1UiirzFD93crlvnJjuAiOiwSej15wMI4lZx5dtWOUe_qnDL37_-q17MFfKM-YoSt5Agw7yU6x_ulqAV24p-B_yN6PF4bTdK/s320/IMG-20210708-WA0065.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many winning photos from the shoot</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQw692Xi3zoOGCIoWY6GgZ8GLycKwMqcuotE2ErmfPY_UC8yaKW5zkqIp4IzFMgboxm4gic85KN67ZnEQLFcjfGgvTNEjGhbNsI29tMzTQmV8IZJTf9Npxsqfrbuumt1H7NdgqOmZVhDs/s1024/IMG-20210708-WA0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQw692Xi3zoOGCIoWY6GgZ8GLycKwMqcuotE2ErmfPY_UC8yaKW5zkqIp4IzFMgboxm4gic85KN67ZnEQLFcjfGgvTNEjGhbNsI29tMzTQmV8IZJTf9Npxsqfrbuumt1H7NdgqOmZVhDs/s320/IMG-20210708-WA0099.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the best travel partners I've come across!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sBRMvjWyRL4uYN1PoqZJrGoi7zfUprNBva-OI32-HdQmfJvnhwmLS7ivK6h75I1vCi075P7NPn8gNyLaqxl2nAPAyjCrKjAz7NjMXu-SQ3bnapZMaXESOzzW6ekOFTdc_TxXy5OP3lre/s2048/IMG-20210708-WA0036.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sBRMvjWyRL4uYN1PoqZJrGoi7zfUprNBva-OI32-HdQmfJvnhwmLS7ivK6h75I1vCi075P7NPn8gNyLaqxl2nAPAyjCrKjAz7NjMXu-SQ3bnapZMaXESOzzW6ekOFTdc_TxXy5OP3lre/s320/IMG-20210708-WA0036.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't know how I sensed they might be getting tired...lol<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Since we're staying in the neighborhood where I used to live there are a few places that I'm familiar with that are still around and one of them is an ice cream parlor called Festival des Glaces. I used to go there every so often with the girls I lived with back in 2007. I thought my birthday was the perfect reason to indulge the boys in some ice cream treats. Saye got chocolate and vanilla while Amare chose mint chocolate chip. I ordered a crepe sundae with caramel and coffee ice creams....OMG. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU6WZeMKhy6yQvxy6_sovzbmhqEYm65L3DBPZ7g-IqV5hBsrzWo3ZRCa91gI70Ipa_4eIZGB7yVelp84jHBJmlq6ykHLkGFx86StqLZodRPRgfNbsuKNPTWa4Igsp8JGWa0oKuVoYEWbY/s2048/20210708_203819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPU6WZeMKhy6yQvxy6_sovzbmhqEYm65L3DBPZ7g-IqV5hBsrzWo3ZRCa91gI70Ipa_4eIZGB7yVelp84jHBJmlq6ykHLkGFx86StqLZodRPRgfNbsuKNPTWa4Igsp8JGWa0oKuVoYEWbY/s320/20210708_203819.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie while waiting for ice cream!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP3sEohfZmopD4eDI3cdnS0PQi10ZeWk1GwHlCQSg9BLklWwNzbhHJ5jflcQxM5-b7T5auUiHG7UCTHkBtuKnIpf91cLq4MloVEtOha3EcXWo0Hvzn1WDqnQJCx96fRPk8NU4KWFlfWwb/s2048/20210708_205850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaP3sEohfZmopD4eDI3cdnS0PQi10ZeWk1GwHlCQSg9BLklWwNzbhHJ5jflcQxM5-b7T5auUiHG7UCTHkBtuKnIpf91cLq4MloVEtOha3EcXWo0Hvzn1WDqnQJCx96fRPk8NU4KWFlfWwb/s320/20210708_205850.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crepe sundae from heaven</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qwcaYZCI0rktrxWPyHAwDvHmbFKmMkyIE8QD5traIfH2GMsvKXhovHqcTrKi2OSR3ZGAFpQqrgwNa3yZ3tWzgrGPwUhD8yBSRCiUvAtg2kHjkjjqxSdjJDGFKO1vIlMa2_uZAlFpyJW6/s2048/20210708_210000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qwcaYZCI0rktrxWPyHAwDvHmbFKmMkyIE8QD5traIfH2GMsvKXhovHqcTrKi2OSR3ZGAFpQqrgwNa3yZ3tWzgrGPwUhD8yBSRCiUvAtg2kHjkjjqxSdjJDGFKO1vIlMa2_uZAlFpyJW6/s320/20210708_210000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGSR4XABBDoBUy4PznLrat4TZ8Vj5vAJVVX3Qfo8oPn1YnRL3vdHmdTNXKbekshbEDOfwSxyXqIXbPo41fI0ffVJs3j-2OjcOHs8gpkMlNnps6URRNbzEcFEQl7vfMegakGNTUX_5FS_2/s2048/20210708_231206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCGSR4XABBDoBUy4PznLrat4TZ8Vj5vAJVVX3Qfo8oPn1YnRL3vdHmdTNXKbekshbEDOfwSxyXqIXbPo41fI0ffVJs3j-2OjcOHs8gpkMlNnps6URRNbzEcFEQl7vfMegakGNTUX_5FS_2/s320/20210708_231206.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottle we popped to close out the day after the kiddos were in bed.</td></tr></tbody></table><p> Overall my day was quiet, but exactly what I'd hoped for. Added bonus, I got to ride on a zemi with both of my kids at the same time. Yeah, I know, safety red flags everywhere. #momoftheyear What matters to me is that we survived and they have another experience in their lives.</p><p>Since this is the birthday post, I'm going to skip over Friday and talk about Saturday night for a moment. Saturday was the day that my cousin Koudous decided we would go out for my birthday. Since it was the weekend we could take the kids to his sister's house in Porto Novo for a sleepover. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IS5lqPFvyVCAU4lS7n0kN5kGVMm_vP0dC0gZip_3LfkYdesx4v1i48lLDteLIcSuJSOeaxnDBl1kSrsqkPKQ3erSUACeX2mJTsZ2BXisPYG6T_2H333qZHcZR13sWi-dgIw9HuhHL87G/s2048/20210710_184733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IS5lqPFvyVCAU4lS7n0kN5kGVMm_vP0dC0gZip_3LfkYdesx4v1i48lLDteLIcSuJSOeaxnDBl1kSrsqkPKQ3erSUACeX2mJTsZ2BXisPYG6T_2H333qZHcZR13sWi-dgIw9HuhHL87G/s320/20210710_184733.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About five seconds after we got to his cousins he was like, "Peace out mom, I got better things to do!"</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Now, if you've not spoken to me much about going out in Africa, it's important to note that when the lights are coming on in Philly and they've made the last call for drinks that's when you SHOW UP at the club.</p><p>We went to a spot called Makoomba where there was bottle service, great music, and great company. First of all, I can't really describe how great it felt to just be back out in a club after the last year and a half that we've had. </p><p>COVID never really hit Benin very hard at all. In the whole time the pandemic has happened, they've recorded 8200 cases and only 105 deaths. Now, it may be that their testing was not as widespread as in the US, but across many African countries numbers have been really low. And Benin also never shut down. The President felt there were far too many people living day to day from earnings in the market and other areas of work who wouldn't survive a lockdown. It was about the lesser of two risks and the numbers for COVID just couldn't justify a shut down. Masks are required in certain places and the test requirements to enter and exit the country are very strict, but I felt far safer here than I do in the US.</p><p>Now, back to Makoomba. We arrived around 1:45am and it was still dead (imagine that!), so we went outside to grab a bite to eat and then headed back in around 3.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf0ya_CSh16_2JbKLdNa_MJ73o7VvW9joDCNS7rXiHehHmyMJcryjTmVEaLNfK1Hus0KT8UgVeNraptH3iCX1TslBZcHnphV-jF6Y0NkLTnc_JZST5A1B2NfGI_HmANPVe9vBR-ZzdfNH/s2048/20210711_040231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPf0ya_CSh16_2JbKLdNa_MJ73o7VvW9joDCNS7rXiHehHmyMJcryjTmVEaLNfK1Hus0KT8UgVeNraptH3iCX1TslBZcHnphV-jF6Y0NkLTnc_JZST5A1B2NfGI_HmANPVe9vBR-ZzdfNH/s320/20210711_040231.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-Inc9cGBLwXU9JYu6QKkTUJVcmELI8CwrhbVqraWAevHTun3JrJHzYh7QGOBn1SJkMxuqB9qYaBC5axFfZrJxDzNfQmhWFOqbzv4iWfM03lrCYpQ4HnQTUGlBZo9KceJsi7rne3z-FBs/s2048/20210711_041557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-Inc9cGBLwXU9JYu6QKkTUJVcmELI8CwrhbVqraWAevHTun3JrJHzYh7QGOBn1SJkMxuqB9qYaBC5axFfZrJxDzNfQmhWFOqbzv4iWfM03lrCYpQ4HnQTUGlBZo9KceJsi7rne3z-FBs/s320/20210711_041557.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cousin Koudous and one of his closest friends, Saeed. These two treated me like absolute royalty all week long. So grateful for them both.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3skyfuJ__Bl-ylk-3OsXHHKBWo-cbDUmNYmvARtZDHunTo8sAcQUqopdqOCfrMgpkUhgJWUHeHaM8GwRpbzvbk3-FNEaqFxOIKJ9RGxuHtvduNHz2zdeMYv60NAt4uJXAX5AbspJYm2y_/s2048/20210711_042445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1353" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3skyfuJ__Bl-ylk-3OsXHHKBWo-cbDUmNYmvARtZDHunTo8sAcQUqopdqOCfrMgpkUhgJWUHeHaM8GwRpbzvbk3-FNEaqFxOIKJ9RGxuHtvduNHz2zdeMYv60NAt4uJXAX5AbspJYm2y_/s320/20210711_042445.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, what, does that bottle say Dom Perignon??? Whaaaatttttt?!?!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliWpOjtHN2nyeeSjVF9oqDpqgj7lJjvuCWm7WWWqUmQ879EQJrYy3GrLZAmU6AAdPhrIkyyY-VwOcVeCqlL_BJqi7za7BYRt_b5ZLH9Rf8_dDuzE397zGUH-G3TsbqVY39WVeXLXKptpp/s1600/IMG-20210711-WA0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="860" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliWpOjtHN2nyeeSjVF9oqDpqgj7lJjvuCWm7WWWqUmQ879EQJrYy3GrLZAmU6AAdPhrIkyyY-VwOcVeCqlL_BJqi7za7BYRt_b5ZLH9Rf8_dDuzE397zGUH-G3TsbqVY39WVeXLXKptpp/s320/IMG-20210711-WA0023.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXnyoDBhZqpzrz1nbJaEyHf4qELnOXRrgqdicH-horvXEhMa8Ba8Hpa7MQz22ary8U9jAu7KnEXOFU1mUfUFvxIkAeYTXJY7jnhv5tt4b55SGXLUsX6T_b4Gn6lVItkuxkAWU_HVf408D/s2048/20210711_053830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXnyoDBhZqpzrz1nbJaEyHf4qELnOXRrgqdicH-horvXEhMa8Ba8Hpa7MQz22ary8U9jAu7KnEXOFU1mUfUFvxIkAeYTXJY7jnhv5tt4b55SGXLUsX6T_b4Gn6lVItkuxkAWU_HVf408D/s320/20210711_053830.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIg8bjiVsRs8R8lpyr6istXlZ4_S67_3uARB5o2zVwmSB4H1zzQGhTh9azZuQ8cUwPDRtGkECOtnQpAnyIUNdaQNOVOayvS4-JwLaq4vPSnUQu-C9ZVz9-u6zmYRlb0ZPq0ia5Jjofbwi/s2048/20210711_054005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIg8bjiVsRs8R8lpyr6istXlZ4_S67_3uARB5o2zVwmSB4H1zzQGhTh9azZuQ8cUwPDRtGkECOtnQpAnyIUNdaQNOVOayvS4-JwLaq4vPSnUQu-C9ZVz9-u6zmYRlb0ZPq0ia5Jjofbwi/s320/20210711_054005.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>The club closed at 6 and then we went back to my cousin's house to hang out for a bit and eat spicy spaghetti. In the US, after the club, most people hit a diner or a pizza spot. In Benin, you grab spicy spaghetti from a roadside cafeteria. It's basically noodles, meat if you choose, and spicy peppers with a fried egg on top. Simple, delicious and totally satisfying after a night out. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1r-PbWtjG4cB2nj9ccPkHZyHRGyZ50z8kR3SzVuiROfYsYil-nxTd-5eZYYyLiTtUDiSfj7KuANCEM_W0QIlOk8pSg1SVMDWc7gDdhxOyL1R4H1WOmav1VM8BWW-zdum421Rk_lerRug/s2048/20210711_073103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1r-PbWtjG4cB2nj9ccPkHZyHRGyZ50z8kR3SzVuiROfYsYil-nxTd-5eZYYyLiTtUDiSfj7KuANCEM_W0QIlOk8pSg1SVMDWc7gDdhxOyL1R4H1WOmav1VM8BWW-zdum421Rk_lerRug/s320/20210711_073103.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>I went to bed feeling utterly grateful for the opportunity to be here, for the love shown to me, and for my family in Benin, which has now grown as I've met more people to connect with on future visits.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoin7jRvyVx9-hVyjPcP9MX_yLoX5M2i3u2evNXnNey-W-stfH5jcRvflrDHQ6gv_DExWB0EfOnDuEpYjTaIbI07UK7YZw6XI2iL4DJDPzBZXDd0LgbXieEabFmhhcVC8Adkdpq40dubSy/s2048/IMG-20210711-WA0024.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1151" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoin7jRvyVx9-hVyjPcP9MX_yLoX5M2i3u2evNXnNey-W-stfH5jcRvflrDHQ6gv_DExWB0EfOnDuEpYjTaIbI07UK7YZw6XI2iL4DJDPzBZXDd0LgbXieEabFmhhcVC8Adkdpq40dubSy/s320/IMG-20210711-WA0024.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I say I'm grateful for my celebration and my week, literally all the credit goes to him. #familyfirst</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-1286592124133628062021-07-08T14:40:00.000-07:002021-07-08T14:40:06.836-07:00Return to Benin!<p>I'm so excited to be writing this post from my living room in Cotonou, Benin. Many of you know, but some may not, that I lived in Cotonou for about four months in 2007. It was an experience that changed my life. The freedom and fear of living in a new place, so far from home, in a language I could barely speak when I arrived was thrilling. I learned so much about myself here. I also learned what it's like to be an outsider, a non-native speaker, and misunderstood frequently. It was a humbling experience.</p><p>This was also the first place that I met Landry's mom. She is from Benin and was here visiting family the summer I was living here. It was completely intimidating to meet the mother of my boyfriend alone in her country and in her language, but I remember her being so impressed with my ability to take a taxi bus to her city and maneuver my way around. It turned out to be a pretty foundational building block to our relationship.</p><p>I've wanted to come back here for so long and just did not have the means or the opportunity. When we decided to go to Gabon this summer our cousin Koudous had just moved back to Benin from the US, "Uncle Juicy" as the kids call him (a three-year old Amare mispronunciation of Koudous that stuck....lol). It seemed an opportune moment to come out here for a week, visit with him, and reconnect with a place that has stayed so deeply with me despite fourteen years of time and space. </p><p>In my last blog I recounted the drama over our flight here. As you can see, Amare took to his business class flying like a champ. Probably a bit too comfortable if you ask me!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaaoXSVIahw8zd3WnkVdV4aQ0lk1OrZ1t29jbPJgekxQ3StAWC8Cez-ofTISiBsXfYRCnGn4CUEue1dd0b3XO5NvyPc52Nw-KG25pngSAR0eklD1GcxYn4vljHU5JVJfZ9xPgjiyU5LIt/s2048/20210704_094107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaaoXSVIahw8zd3WnkVdV4aQ0lk1OrZ1t29jbPJgekxQ3StAWC8Cez-ofTISiBsXfYRCnGn4CUEue1dd0b3XO5NvyPc52Nw-KG25pngSAR0eklD1GcxYn4vljHU5JVJfZ9xPgjiyU5LIt/s320/20210704_094107.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>The flight to Benin is only about two hours from Gabon, so it was easy to keep the kids entertained and relax a bit. When we landed we were ushered onto a bus that took us to a tent for COVID testing. After that it was back on the bus to passport control, baggage, customs and finally, BENIN! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPLPcIEMHLeVC1c-TyFThXKIHpr4_mgpKRxWY-Vn23xSPKUhnl0W2XVZdmlJp8gaO2k1vGolRxdeXp8s_a9iRWN0l8ppDfMjjQT2u3qauav5X4T0u5PmP_Tq_sf1cj6nTmR6hhRptvgWP/s1024/IMG-20210704-WA0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPLPcIEMHLeVC1c-TyFThXKIHpr4_mgpKRxWY-Vn23xSPKUhnl0W2XVZdmlJp8gaO2k1vGolRxdeXp8s_a9iRWN0l8ppDfMjjQT2u3qauav5X4T0u5PmP_Tq_sf1cj6nTmR6hhRptvgWP/s320/IMG-20210704-WA0023.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Koudous secured us a great apartment in the neighborhood I used to live in, Akpakpa, which was all the more exciting for me to not only return to the country and city, but the very neighborhood. My friend, Keisha, also decided to join us so after we got ourselves settled into the apartment we went back to pick her up at the airport. </p><p>Our first full day in Benin was spent in Porto Novo, the capitol city. We went to visit with Tonton Moucha, Tanty's brother. This was the house I came to in 2007 when I met Tanty for the first time. Koudous and Landry decided it would be fun to surprise him, so we didn't tell him we were coming. What a surprise it was for him to see me show up with my kids! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuhvkAA8p7WbyFGp1BD2faghzYAsJxvtOXEYASiyFbUJbeJegI3p4UQYaNb28f5w8jmaVWvXoudJQu-HCylmLUguuyuELudIMJ6OtGewKGM3E4lmiua-gOQ-XfXch8OBUvqvVOMNFBgFM/s2048/20210705_152654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuhvkAA8p7WbyFGp1BD2faghzYAsJxvtOXEYASiyFbUJbeJegI3p4UQYaNb28f5w8jmaVWvXoudJQu-HCylmLUguuyuELudIMJ6OtGewKGM3E4lmiua-gOQ-XfXch8OBUvqvVOMNFBgFM/s320/20210705_152654.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting Tonton Moucha for the first time</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzloy2Nw-I1IYtfuZzkkXEDbhw73bL_w6tCN4-oTzqj_QCqMyHmBjC4RgN1HFIJLpkf0DcKrsyPNvvmwy2KmNPHyV9rovI2rqc2tP3snoZfD3dqrB4faZ5NDdlM80eCnHZsXEsWNRlMHsY/s2048/20210705_161144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzloy2Nw-I1IYtfuZzkkXEDbhw73bL_w6tCN4-oTzqj_QCqMyHmBjC4RgN1HFIJLpkf0DcKrsyPNvvmwy2KmNPHyV9rovI2rqc2tP3snoZfD3dqrB4faZ5NDdlM80eCnHZsXEsWNRlMHsY/s320/20210705_161144.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I absolutely love the ceilings in this house. It's one of the things I remember most vividly from my first visit with Tanty.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpil18wPNnflK8VHNlavqMJTne2iiOW1ZFUPCzmis4rSMuNsPT093T7UueXQ-3ItIlLJsawfDzJBwx6LMBtWJf1ayLSYrZnWRgOwiLujJ8b0jwPhR9llBZQkmeC1T85PsH8ZuBFCb9nAp/s2048/20210705_172842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpil18wPNnflK8VHNlavqMJTne2iiOW1ZFUPCzmis4rSMuNsPT093T7UueXQ-3ItIlLJsawfDzJBwx6LMBtWJf1ayLSYrZnWRgOwiLujJ8b0jwPhR9llBZQkmeC1T85PsH8ZuBFCb9nAp/s320/20210705_172842.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEJxu6SjwVu9Z_wP8KSlrj7JpYYKmdnrXSlk3rIpMD11ntIN7I-N-2NwKTbHbAlMpiB70sYRi9eUHm_SHopbYfxb617LhhuMPPHg7xq_gk_8PZaO6M58H68TNpXbZt2pzN6nfCCwVNYXc/s1936/Photo_2021-07-05_11-13-21_PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEJxu6SjwVu9Z_wP8KSlrj7JpYYKmdnrXSlk3rIpMD11ntIN7I-N-2NwKTbHbAlMpiB70sYRi9eUHm_SHopbYfxb617LhhuMPPHg7xq_gk_8PZaO6M58H68TNpXbZt2pzN6nfCCwVNYXc/s320/Photo_2021-07-05_11-13-21_PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fourteen years apart, same place. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>We visited with him for a few hours, his wife made us a delicious meal that may still be the best thing I've eaten since we arrived, and then we took lots of family photos. It meant a lot to me for the kids to be able to see the home that their grandmother grew up in and to be held by her brother. Its the closest I can get them to her and that's something I just can't put words to.</p><p>Tuesday we visited Ganvie, the "Venice of Africa." Ganvie is one of several towns on Lake Nakoue right outside of Cotonou. Almost all of the buildings are built on stilts and sit above the water. There are a few manmade islands that house a school, maternity hospital, and cemetery. Legend has it that the ancestors of those who live there now were fleeing the Fon warriors, who were capturing rival tribes and selling them into enslavement. Fon people believe that a demon lived in the lake and wouldn't step foot into it, so those who lived on the water were saved. Ganvie translates roughly to "those who found peace." The kids really enjoyed the boat ride tour and we were served a delicious lunch at one of the restaurants in Ganvie. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR0RItEryMa5H8_ivcNETSO6F60Zge3epC-Z8YOC-MzPlP277_qdmsdammHKCYti4ZEcA08_qF8P4ThxKRfdCgikMdVDTKFC_Sdmn3H6aoSnZfsIxj8fqMFszBfsKxD8Fp3QHDBS46qXq/s2048/20210706_114621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkR0RItEryMa5H8_ivcNETSO6F60Zge3epC-Z8YOC-MzPlP277_qdmsdammHKCYti4ZEcA08_qF8P4ThxKRfdCgikMdVDTKFC_Sdmn3H6aoSnZfsIxj8fqMFszBfsKxD8Fp3QHDBS46qXq/s320/20210706_114621.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb67ru9CABUuAwbWeOgrpuMIYqwVOkADUZdl1m6vOLxdM1uHdwRBJSWF3rCgre9f2kW3BgeX-l-8UJGIgmr8__hxujYX90moymnLbrgH0PzdqZ-u6_6hCdc58_0-pcS02Dwo0I4nE12hR/s2048/20210706_114604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIb67ru9CABUuAwbWeOgrpuMIYqwVOkADUZdl1m6vOLxdM1uHdwRBJSWF3rCgre9f2kW3BgeX-l-8UJGIgmr8__hxujYX90moymnLbrgH0PzdqZ-u6_6hCdc58_0-pcS02Dwo0I4nE12hR/s320/20210706_114604.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXPGdWDFwsUdZWcLJldBmX3PglYXebRdE3Eg59ikJRhA3Gst8fYxM8DyGVYkKjGkrv2okXc3yyMSlHPJxRUqlTmaqsQzs7FYlEQYAaP97-4UREN416U77RfC0RxowWQqWACF9G7LMfiPZ/s2048/20210706_123313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXPGdWDFwsUdZWcLJldBmX3PglYXebRdE3Eg59ikJRhA3Gst8fYxM8DyGVYkKjGkrv2okXc3yyMSlHPJxRUqlTmaqsQzs7FYlEQYAaP97-4UREN416U77RfC0RxowWQqWACF9G7LMfiPZ/s320/20210706_123313.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92RZyvSC0cA2i-2UO-NOH6VmDekEPbInDDznWsVKoVv_MJn1fttEcqZ_3tTUxPzGx_WqwKMnuUjo2wT_9QZeu_xQsZ1qiKn8RP1sgrEM4cwfzsbaOKxo70DOwhNLHnpXdZbMUkXWpb1pZ/s2048/20210706_145132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92RZyvSC0cA2i-2UO-NOH6VmDekEPbInDDznWsVKoVv_MJn1fttEcqZ_3tTUxPzGx_WqwKMnuUjo2wT_9QZeu_xQsZ1qiKn8RP1sgrEM4cwfzsbaOKxo70DOwhNLHnpXdZbMUkXWpb1pZ/s320/20210706_145132.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKxsDG2w1Zs4ld_VxifuGJ6TRIvr601ns4gQyH4nJf44aNcm-JowGy9lACHX56s8oxEnDsNwgcMbJi00QgPdghtU0lpo5gYrVk_kLwCdgGQIc8EOeEWOAvrgHGV4LFnXxj9piFzLP8zo7/s2048/20210706_120108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKxsDG2w1Zs4ld_VxifuGJ6TRIvr601ns4gQyH4nJf44aNcm-JowGy9lACHX56s8oxEnDsNwgcMbJi00QgPdghtU0lpo5gYrVk_kLwCdgGQIc8EOeEWOAvrgHGV4LFnXxj9piFzLP8zo7/s320/20210706_120108.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies0pcf8179T3e-bYtCK9z9iEG_VJizkHJ5Y88HvRDvKQ-wLvfXXVWoPeUmixvIPdkxUBgWfeskKypg7SROE3X76PY5FoI3YHjMae7rNSBSBsn5O9MhpdS7YUHm0goEAhXr9ndvnOj2Ewv/s2048/20210706_130325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies0pcf8179T3e-bYtCK9z9iEG_VJizkHJ5Y88HvRDvKQ-wLvfXXVWoPeUmixvIPdkxUBgWfeskKypg7SROE3X76PY5FoI3YHjMae7rNSBSBsn5O9MhpdS7YUHm0goEAhXr9ndvnOj2Ewv/s320/20210706_130325.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saye and our guide, Laurent</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApoGyHzqwlCuXoxM7vvsS4UVMI3ua6huQB12n4GwuxUwVb6xBYgDgOshtWbn5uwqpSMjx_HRG7kuJFORYlzHTVAKbCcbSUmR8ROfIfeNKZ8MtbL_tCaP9VbiLSOKQs2x1Cm8IbaKaBy23/s2048/20210706_124524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApoGyHzqwlCuXoxM7vvsS4UVMI3ua6huQB12n4GwuxUwVb6xBYgDgOshtWbn5uwqpSMjx_HRG7kuJFORYlzHTVAKbCcbSUmR8ROfIfeNKZ8MtbL_tCaP9VbiLSOKQs2x1Cm8IbaKaBy23/s320/20210706_124524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6WbQSg39A-gwITcDW0lV6vfhzegewIeMbfXCXKQl3BaI_6nW1fL_Zzwnj5Jf5UbyuuCA6IFQ3rTTGLu4Tsgl8_YF9CEniMtyImNdo6To7yKNqQfSaaftbZNOVu4jhJmUdXrH3lt8zpke/s2048/20210706_124718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6WbQSg39A-gwITcDW0lV6vfhzegewIeMbfXCXKQl3BaI_6nW1fL_Zzwnj5Jf5UbyuuCA6IFQ3rTTGLu4Tsgl8_YF9CEniMtyImNdo6To7yKNqQfSaaftbZNOVu4jhJmUdXrH3lt8zpke/s320/20210706_124718.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyKzRmz3etGoQg_uDgL2ohyKlSr_SMirDbo2IaDp9UxoR8ZyJEAD1iGoJ2TDWa2QyToyhZjgzJh-Nt2GJfzuQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m_EjDBx3l6XYq7DiQ7e3ynKMELF52yZCAvWj6D1dgP44a0nDgKkA6iOEugykthkOFUo7y1vwUZqTdl7rnXYn2YFe3z3kiCYg492smYg-_iaR1oPgL1PaRRyY6Q_BLQyj4_2FAp7L_WsU/s2048/20210706_140327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m_EjDBx3l6XYq7DiQ7e3ynKMELF52yZCAvWj6D1dgP44a0nDgKkA6iOEugykthkOFUo7y1vwUZqTdl7rnXYn2YFe3z3kiCYg492smYg-_iaR1oPgL1PaRRyY6Q_BLQyj4_2FAp7L_WsU/s320/20210706_140327.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pate rouge (my favorite!) and grilled fish with onion and tomato sauce</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIeM7wRGdx9-WST0bnYohEHHVPh64UrRESHRAzkQQJesLuy-Sc4r9KM70in_FRdiFJ3i9GKNM4aRcGG_Dc9_iMmMPrDHLE0BPs_9x_CUKG-8vkirkqC8Q_VzRmZF-M2-jkx7_1ZXMVA2Z/s2048/20210706_135912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIeM7wRGdx9-WST0bnYohEHHVPh64UrRESHRAzkQQJesLuy-Sc4r9KM70in_FRdiFJ3i9GKNM4aRcGG_Dc9_iMmMPrDHLE0BPs_9x_CUKG-8vkirkqC8Q_VzRmZF-M2-jkx7_1ZXMVA2Z/s320/20210706_135912.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVVtOuUDfyqSYKqbxHsYyrkuNHFE7AOtkhJ41F9WtuzKvGN0NHcOUFtwqJfDQY5thiv895CjNEOEZwmAAH8v4OO-zJlGshk7ad4gCtDBXmNkQs48mOrzAOSsrbnvFDRvbSElLVgGBgZHi/s2048/20210706_151703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVVtOuUDfyqSYKqbxHsYyrkuNHFE7AOtkhJ41F9WtuzKvGN0NHcOUFtwqJfDQY5thiv895CjNEOEZwmAAH8v4OO-zJlGshk7ad4gCtDBXmNkQs48mOrzAOSsrbnvFDRvbSElLVgGBgZHi/s320/20210706_151703.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>When we came back from Ganvie the girls that I lived with back in 2007 came over for a visit....but they're not girls anymore! They're grown women with children of their own. While I didn't get to visit with all of them, it was so nice to see some of them in person after 14 years of speaking via text and sending photos back and forth. You can see from the collage how much we've all grown and changed. The first picture was the night I left Cotonou and the second is the picture we took together on Tuesday night. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3kddNXmsqfL3gteC4WYPRWOpyxI9K72vIB30jDHIkfBFyVOH8VMDWZVeT3P1TzPkcEBvu6BLPGwjaLTlO_Y6VM8lHrRX-ngp_depWSmKDbnAWtuZi4bI4FL59Qfo7jQO5Z9DomvQXG8E/s2048/20210706_215115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3kddNXmsqfL3gteC4WYPRWOpyxI9K72vIB30jDHIkfBFyVOH8VMDWZVeT3P1TzPkcEBvu6BLPGwjaLTlO_Y6VM8lHrRX-ngp_depWSmKDbnAWtuZi4bI4FL59Qfo7jQO5Z9DomvQXG8E/s320/20210706_215115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgmea8milM-2PYJn8ksjDRSa4inyb5-4U6_OIRAF0qbn6R6zJw10QRYforRXkz536DgKGu8SQ-UMZnHd0yRxUVWd0WwelKxUCTBWTiYD9KBoWChh-VNm9SAZWkVmlKCcUxAvOZrPE5dMm/s1936/Photo_2021-07-06_10-35-36_PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="1936" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgmea8milM-2PYJn8ksjDRSa4inyb5-4U6_OIRAF0qbn6R6zJw10QRYforRXkz536DgKGu8SQ-UMZnHd0yRxUVWd0WwelKxUCTBWTiYD9KBoWChh-VNm9SAZWkVmlKCcUxAvOZrPE5dMm/s320/Photo_2021-07-06_10-35-36_PM.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2007, my last night in Cotonou and 2021, girls all grown up with kids of their own!</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Yesterday Koudous took Saye for a few hours so that I could take Amare and Keisha to Dantokpa Market. Dantokpa is one of the largest open air markets in West Africa. We walked around for an hour or two. Keisha bought some fabric and spices for friends at home and we bought fresh pineapple. The pineapple here is soooo good. So much less acidic that what we get in the US. The women in the market cut the pineapple up for you, put it in a bag with a toothpick and you can just walk around and eat it. We also picked up some toys for the boys to play with on the beach.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP56IQJcykRH3fys6GVEQJVMs7os0YzHH545dH_ldjAX9nNtTXSNuKh_1wUf56DqVcvFmtNP_1_JAtJS6sVrc4ll_B-5sdLWrQvhlYmcG2BJZPgNTUErhJbAEpl8j5AThyphenhyphenSJgwhiMnn3xk/s2048/20210707_134421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP56IQJcykRH3fys6GVEQJVMs7os0YzHH545dH_ldjAX9nNtTXSNuKh_1wUf56DqVcvFmtNP_1_JAtJS6sVrc4ll_B-5sdLWrQvhlYmcG2BJZPgNTUErhJbAEpl8j5AThyphenhyphenSJgwhiMnn3xk/s320/20210707_134421.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dantokpa Market....and very bright sun</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>To get to and from the market we took zemijdans. Zem or zemi for short, are motorcycle taxis. This is basically the only way I got anywhere when I lived here in 2007. It's cheap and fast. Granted, not the safest way to travel. But I also trust that the drivers know what they're doing and operate accordingly. Amare was thrilled with the opportunity to hop on a motorcycle and keeps asking me when we can do it again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA5zucRf4AQNnt8ITVX0KcSXu58muO_OzlJGvPPzxoaMOi7O_C3X0bOB34P5hXfWDVXKWlSRCF8a-pWpZEKzfocRd00TF5PJD9-Z72CRD8JJN8a-b5s6VNWk9cUJeJdYv2DFKKl4XL1Ep/s1024/IMG-20210707-WA0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcA5zucRf4AQNnt8ITVX0KcSXu58muO_OzlJGvPPzxoaMOi7O_C3X0bOB34P5hXfWDVXKWlSRCF8a-pWpZEKzfocRd00TF5PJD9-Z72CRD8JJN8a-b5s6VNWk9cUJeJdYv2DFKKl4XL1Ep/s320/IMG-20210707-WA0014.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>We went out to dinner last night to a nice spot that had a big screen with a soccer game and plenty of space for the kids to move around and not be totally distracting. However, I think we failed at that when Saye walked out into the middle aisle of the restaurant and pulled his pants down to his ankles. Apparently they'd started to sag and fall down and he thought the best solution to that was to just take them off completely instead of pulling them back up. Yup...this one's going to be a problem.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rYuPJzq_3aX2yxdsMYyO9eANTt9xMsxObCIEwkn7K38TnjDdGGPnr0sfQSL-_TVLvaYTfgcYscbkQnrMfrVpdsNWnTskuRQ_kJtX5vySocguQ9-_xTK4vtkvVjubyf9agMn3aUZH9T5p/s2048/20210707_231325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rYuPJzq_3aX2yxdsMYyO9eANTt9xMsxObCIEwkn7K38TnjDdGGPnr0sfQSL-_TVLvaYTfgcYscbkQnrMfrVpdsNWnTskuRQ_kJtX5vySocguQ9-_xTK4vtkvVjubyf9agMn3aUZH9T5p/s320/20210707_231325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We came back to the house just before midnight and so Koudous and his friend Saeed stayed until midnight to sing me happy birthday and do a birthday shot with me. I got big hugs from the kiddos too and then it was off to bed. Today has been a great day so far and I'll be sharing more of it in my next post.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBHytjFiMu6cuiOCKj9vFc_iTluRmc-7oUPf4cQKpH70qNQfipLtoBxlX_-QUln8gfuPvE-DKTeIIpaA-u9ZCt5fLuBptiJG5NoTSQXmLGIzwWWamLaoCcSKkdghFI_K8HAlTEaB-7TTJ/s1024/IMG-20210708-WA0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNBHytjFiMu6cuiOCKj9vFc_iTluRmc-7oUPf4cQKpH70qNQfipLtoBxlX_-QUln8gfuPvE-DKTeIIpaA-u9ZCt5fLuBptiJG5NoTSQXmLGIzwWWamLaoCcSKkdghFI_K8HAlTEaB-7TTJ/s320/IMG-20210708-WA0012.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday hugs from my babies<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-88009744919227389292021-07-03T13:12:00.000-07:002021-07-03T13:12:35.233-07:00We're Back!<p>I failed to post much on social media about our trip this summer to Gabon, save for a post in a FB travel group that I'm a part of which went a little viral with over six thousand likes and like 500 comments....mostly about Amare and Saye's hair...lol.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge50C2n2zfRezGS4z_-s4aOpKwUcXEWsPnDaGHtZGq9KFHCYo91JzKe6DLEsj7vNtcztR1mNNVrSyIwf0-pCK4bE5kOZt-p7w0caZqNtB_9dyxNVW9DEJVVk0jP7f7K4fTm07163MP5nRI/s2048/20210625_213744%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge50C2n2zfRezGS4z_-s4aOpKwUcXEWsPnDaGHtZGq9KFHCYo91JzKe6DLEsj7vNtcztR1mNNVrSyIwf0-pCK4bE5kOZt-p7w0caZqNtB_9dyxNVW9DEJVVk0jP7f7K4fTm07163MP5nRI/s320/20210625_213744%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTamXcvywob2kKsxsM4JVLTb8HIISawRjBQSEF-93lXES2v0sZhPf6XH5I_JQyIuKs7btPobjc7hih3-2s_GioWHBdqSOqpjbnFBkaI-M6RfAR1_zLZHzuBq57TBVhjgR0MezWjMKn9Uk/s2048/20210625_222545%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxTamXcvywob2kKsxsM4JVLTb8HIISawRjBQSEF-93lXES2v0sZhPf6XH5I_JQyIuKs7btPobjc7hih3-2s_GioWHBdqSOqpjbnFBkaI-M6RfAR1_zLZHzuBq57TBVhjgR0MezWjMKn9Uk/s320/20210625_222545%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryW_mlhLLadcknfZBXvdlQD867S3fx-2weGRLIzhdZQY9_shfF8QXJzjyBFa95aq3EAZolmSJjO_Ha2Rf6MNye4YIoc-fnRklrRaiI67AY6SUNva6FS6gz5rA40oUPOtRtdQ8hcPBka5C/s2048/20210626_021454%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryW_mlhLLadcknfZBXvdlQD867S3fx-2weGRLIzhdZQY9_shfF8QXJzjyBFa95aq3EAZolmSJjO_Ha2Rf6MNye4YIoc-fnRklrRaiI67AY6SUNva6FS6gz5rA40oUPOtRtdQ8hcPBka5C/s320/20210626_021454%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>That being said, we are back in Gabon. We arrived last Saturday, just me and the boys, for a four week trip. We left in the midst of a cold for Saye, which turned into a cold for me, so once we arrived on Saturday the first few days were little besides Vitamin C, rest, and jet lag. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv1oO4HKljTqLHv2vAHhsNQM8Ve77twXjjXb-Egp_8HnankXPs1odEj3elFbjpJCGd1LCRPp7dpK87YwL8n8FrzIy-RX4iGsSxeOEbZswVZtohm8SURz1cWlxIRfNFFrmyHCBoCm97Q9x/s2048/20210628_143807%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1644" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv1oO4HKljTqLHv2vAHhsNQM8Ve77twXjjXb-Egp_8HnankXPs1odEj3elFbjpJCGd1LCRPp7dpK87YwL8n8FrzIy-RX4iGsSxeOEbZswVZtohm8SURz1cWlxIRfNFFrmyHCBoCm97Q9x/s320/20210628_143807%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty much all they want to do, but at least they're playing together.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>On Tuesday, I was supposed to get my hair done, but y'all know by now I can't travel without some kind of drama. So, we're supposed to be taking this side trip to Benin for a week, which I'm so excited about since I have been there since I lived there back in 2007. So, I booked our flight online several weeks ago via RwandAir.</p><p>Well, as it turns out, Gabon has limited all airlines to one flight in and one flight out per country per airline, so our departing flight out of Gabon was canceled. Of course the airline, nor the third party company I purchased the ticket from, provided us with any notification of the changes. We only discovered it on Tuesday when Landry's sister Georgia called a friend who works for RwandAir to ask about COVID test requirements and she informed Georgia that there was no Monday morning flight. </p><p>Instead of getting my hair done, I spent the day being shuffled around the city by Georgia and Mignon, trying to figure out a solution to not having a departing flight this Monday. Under normal circumstances we could have maybe just gone at another time or canceled altogether, but a friend of mine is flying from the US to meet us there and so it was necessary that we get there. </p><p>We finally found a flight on Air Burkina for Sunday, July 4th, a day earlier than we planned to leave and cost us about as much as the original round trip flight. We're still fighting with the third party agency to refund us partially for the flight...to be continued on that. Basically, I'm just glad we were able to get ourselves on a flight.</p><p>The rest of the week went by pretty chill. Wednesday was a lovely day spent mostly by the pool. Partly with the kids and partly by myself with a book. Thursday I got my hair done in the morning and then worked on Thursday evening and Friday morning.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji18_unmXd9X5aee3yT_NT-WOlq9E-zd8vGzbHGBarLIa9cBuZFJ9TK3fmUu6_NTgglR-XwVL7NT26tP20Z7Es2V6u1t-LYcy9JJwEUqOH44FJvw6YgvIB-QcqnWVYrzak9FB2PevUp91t/s2048/20210628_162842%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji18_unmXd9X5aee3yT_NT-WOlq9E-zd8vGzbHGBarLIa9cBuZFJ9TK3fmUu6_NTgglR-XwVL7NT26tP20Z7Es2V6u1t-LYcy9JJwEUqOH44FJvw6YgvIB-QcqnWVYrzak9FB2PevUp91t/s320/20210628_162842%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZ0hESPmkO0B1ZbB1dFqKQ44W5aOXzp-d5ljakuqQ8q3Ql0xjEK-6-l3e8TKWzmMau0TRoTaB8M1yZHd_t-6C2L92WKAnYTjtJwBdoj7Vjonl3wxOF7KtpwaVGEYanUZPRGPdaBNAY_cy/s2048/20210628_221516%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZ0hESPmkO0B1ZbB1dFqKQ44W5aOXzp-d5ljakuqQ8q3Ql0xjEK-6-l3e8TKWzmMau0TRoTaB8M1yZHd_t-6C2L92WKAnYTjtJwBdoj7Vjonl3wxOF7KtpwaVGEYanUZPRGPdaBNAY_cy/s320/20210628_221516%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBrtVUutMmGXieeTq8tcnIrs_J4w7ya0oz1-FJ2T9sgYA8GXEoPmCEVoE_a4zWpOFmwILPrIAzEXll6JVkjmmlOk0OY3x-JlJ8bEmwtX9Q6mUCcVp61YH3NPDE0YxHVDmN0o0-mwQUZgy/s2048/20210630_122944%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1570" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBrtVUutMmGXieeTq8tcnIrs_J4w7ya0oz1-FJ2T9sgYA8GXEoPmCEVoE_a4zWpOFmwILPrIAzEXll6JVkjmmlOk0OY3x-JlJ8bEmwtX9Q6mUCcVp61YH3NPDE0YxHVDmN0o0-mwQUZgy/s320/20210630_122944%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkINlHi63Xz2jLt9xO53JcM3jr5tCrE9zrzv_hCsYcuO7Fe6KVdHBk9Kd3RQwLidxH1G9rPedIfG1qpp4YbAxvou6vuo93ec6hro2Joitvn3WD99WRYTwxR6uVXPfswbSH3F7v-mxKEIt/s2048/20210630_131248%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1899" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkINlHi63Xz2jLt9xO53JcM3jr5tCrE9zrzv_hCsYcuO7Fe6KVdHBk9Kd3RQwLidxH1G9rPedIfG1qpp4YbAxvou6vuo93ec6hro2Joitvn3WD99WRYTwxR6uVXPfswbSH3F7v-mxKEIt/s320/20210630_131248%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfv9OI1s8xh-a4pAiYQTvBypF8dHH4dFC_PbdcwaotoqEUx0wJAAxOAuxMOWS_VheaJvZhfEPZbv5B70cC3HmMLb69nCCoB_VQZ8fODA3ZaErY8Q5onpNXrd4c1Fw1oG7Y6xy6r2dvfg-/s2048/20210629_132812_01%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfv9OI1s8xh-a4pAiYQTvBypF8dHH4dFC_PbdcwaotoqEUx0wJAAxOAuxMOWS_VheaJvZhfEPZbv5B70cC3HmMLb69nCCoB_VQZ8fODA3ZaErY8Q5onpNXrd4c1Fw1oG7Y6xy6r2dvfg-/s320/20210629_132812_01%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First time meeting my sweet nephew, Raphael</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinyIvfohWJlD_buT9l8XQ_Ii8WFJ-RFQxlcPenKiSkqJ0KX2aLXw-76ruPaF3Y4I60Ru6PZREw2A3ua2RqF7cFceMEBAS4CiactjBUQNrY8su6lzBrVCrDkl6a52f02o1PL-nv7UbgMFj/s2048/20210701_134914%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1424" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhinyIvfohWJlD_buT9l8XQ_Ii8WFJ-RFQxlcPenKiSkqJ0KX2aLXw-76ruPaF3Y4I60Ru6PZREw2A3ua2RqF7cFceMEBAS4CiactjBUQNrY8su6lzBrVCrDkl6a52f02o1PL-nv7UbgMFj/s320/20210701_134914%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think they're going to be a good match for each other in a year or two...lol</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsHatowuz3GL38ZIMvD7hjHYaC7bUnl5jqDB_-Jy0wFZbS_oLZuugmr7uXtb8vhl0Jiko1ycWk1wf_d7nfcZBEuNYS7p7l9CPIamNM8rmRrCC0Cez374HYI0KlFpcEbUoJOd4WydKdlEz/s2048/20210629_133208%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsHatowuz3GL38ZIMvD7hjHYaC7bUnl5jqDB_-Jy0wFZbS_oLZuugmr7uXtb8vhl0Jiko1ycWk1wf_d7nfcZBEuNYS7p7l9CPIamNM8rmRrCC0Cez374HYI0KlFpcEbUoJOd4WydKdlEz/s320/20210629_133208%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of Tanty's grandbabies in the same room 💓</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-MJz3pLFzU9MbENioxylDRgmjokGwmIfx831WS6sL3DOKktj7a2mXlBsiydEeXMdz0FwAbMD0aFHFpasQYxzQGw-tGdq6_yWbNRyz5k_mJsrbYKuJBTqJ4BUYPByiBhW2wWfCZ6ETD2s/s2048/20210701_134925%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1475" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-MJz3pLFzU9MbENioxylDRgmjokGwmIfx831WS6sL3DOKktj7a2mXlBsiydEeXMdz0FwAbMD0aFHFpasQYxzQGw-tGdq6_yWbNRyz5k_mJsrbYKuJBTqJ4BUYPByiBhW2wWfCZ6ETD2s/s320/20210701_134925%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>Today was the best day so far. We celebrated my nephew's first birthday. It was really special to me that we were able to be here to celebrate the day. It was the first time the boys and I were meeting him. Landry got to meet him in October when he was here. </p><p>The celebration brought together all the people I love most here. It was a bittersweet celebration, as we did it at Mignon's house, which is an apartment behind the house his mom lived in. It was the first time I've spend much time at the house since she passed in 2015 and the first time I've been with all of the people she brought into my life in Gabon. While it was a super fun party and the kids had a great time playing with their cousins, it certainly was a reminder of the deep void she's left by not being here for these important moments. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRdZ6826c_u7QxeEY4EHc_hfX3Kj0Bgs5piHOYm1tP4jycnpI5SKYI_x1O2mAsKY4oqxpyOeJlg_y2F4wl5hJPN4aq8VsQbz14-iTPt2_R4zH8zhoPaOAnTkcbDrjn-S6Xmcsz7y8IiWi/s2048/20210703_134951%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1355" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRdZ6826c_u7QxeEY4EHc_hfX3Kj0Bgs5piHOYm1tP4jycnpI5SKYI_x1O2mAsKY4oqxpyOeJlg_y2F4wl5hJPN4aq8VsQbz14-iTPt2_R4zH8zhoPaOAnTkcbDrjn-S6Xmcsz7y8IiWi/s320/20210703_134951%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joyeux Anniversaire Raphi!!!</td></tr></tbody></table></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgqkJFe4wphVw2Ed-QZNDPpWrug6PnRYG4YlI291-KCdAs-lZqg8nuScz3ItWGJWQExWiIsrMnctigfB-gkqpv0HRB4xGt4IiqwfTF5_dAstzB8GWYFgWz1k8MwrmAtiyvSUUBdmJeZO7/s1080/IMG-20210703-WA0031%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQgqkJFe4wphVw2Ed-QZNDPpWrug6PnRYG4YlI291-KCdAs-lZqg8nuScz3ItWGJWQExWiIsrMnctigfB-gkqpv0HRB4xGt4IiqwfTF5_dAstzB8GWYFgWz1k8MwrmAtiyvSUUBdmJeZO7/s320/IMG-20210703-WA0031%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my baby, Sybelle. She was SEVEN when I met her, SEVEN...now she's all grown up 😢</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvc_dCqPqv_TiaxV_Vpmx3ZF4dxsJ9HgMWH47WgdJn2UGGCz16189XDnLE3tAAAILkwbHx8dFs2-L25zPLjZbtwxN_61bs07zOL2w5rrq3eH00n2yNr7t24B1cGnHhQ78lHDwbdOExfMg/s2048/20210703_175618%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvc_dCqPqv_TiaxV_Vpmx3ZF4dxsJ9HgMWH47WgdJn2UGGCz16189XDnLE3tAAAILkwbHx8dFs2-L25zPLjZbtwxN_61bs07zOL2w5rrq3eH00n2yNr7t24B1cGnHhQ78lHDwbdOExfMg/s320/20210703_175618%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQmypFN5YP6z0WR_ufwT3DuiKQ674VE-faZhwTMkn6Wragf8IIZeuATus5Bas8Pk6j5-Z9_YnruphCIPPQ4lc69_yk-vjQgEM0YX_S8IbRSFQPCVlygymf-g9tBEHoCIRVjQOnXy-XvEE/s2048/20210703_171941%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQmypFN5YP6z0WR_ufwT3DuiKQ674VE-faZhwTMkn6Wragf8IIZeuATus5Bas8Pk6j5-Z9_YnruphCIPPQ4lc69_yk-vjQgEM0YX_S8IbRSFQPCVlygymf-g9tBEHoCIRVjQOnXy-XvEE/s320/20210703_171941%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibcTisFmHpjF5KgUGPuPG6R7vKrwOBTSyhx6bw2EUC4SJWjQ-UkWDz6o1f5LbBIUVYypBpAeIvnyxRP78REpjsSrC_j7k874eYG8ynEmt8A5NWY-hSRK7pQtkipPSFRD7OxRJnWlpwf-B/s2048/20210703_171403%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibcTisFmHpjF5KgUGPuPG6R7vKrwOBTSyhx6bw2EUC4SJWjQ-UkWDz6o1f5LbBIUVYypBpAeIvnyxRP78REpjsSrC_j7k874eYG8ynEmt8A5NWY-hSRK7pQtkipPSFRD7OxRJnWlpwf-B/s320/20210703_171403%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdVweRo0kjpu92p7-Fxbaym__jGKRx3cTiC80v0btYbRIif8yJ-rhEB3SznxeMSegGl_GgQXY_JS57a0LuusukWBQBff-n6lTkTMTHcJhjetocBFHRcvzk24M8zhgPy_WzMqSWW57Mg6i/s2048/20210703_163806%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdVweRo0kjpu92p7-Fxbaym__jGKRx3cTiC80v0btYbRIif8yJ-rhEB3SznxeMSegGl_GgQXY_JS57a0LuusukWBQBff-n6lTkTMTHcJhjetocBFHRcvzk24M8zhgPy_WzMqSWW57Mg6i/s320/20210703_163806%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Herwan tried to climb in my suitcase and leave with us the first time we visited Gabon. He was FOUR. Now he towers over me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxEnoL2lG49KSqvX1qamTI4Ravw4C2k-w_f_4CUVkuqWWSZhOEhCPM1XPeVkZqvSVGKkqQHjtT7Ep3ahq7-O6RvK31ucYcm3UJ2_1aT8d2EJRtwUkmzkK6lObBHxii-Ysd-BESszSWVf4/s2048/20210703_163511%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxEnoL2lG49KSqvX1qamTI4Ravw4C2k-w_f_4CUVkuqWWSZhOEhCPM1XPeVkZqvSVGKkqQHjtT7Ep3ahq7-O6RvK31ucYcm3UJ2_1aT8d2EJRtwUkmzkK6lObBHxii-Ysd-BESszSWVf4/s320/20210703_163511%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj176sLU8lVbjKnoS53cAQsxl6lk18-1hKH6JYa9yJMvqx7k2H6f33AA6TQllTZo3nAfjyPnR3RaCqYkqF3BLgqRfPIQHPTVBJkHEiTvMQMwGQ1Pi3BUsPO6hYX0dhdZ3x2ra6ibConxzpR/s2048/20210703_160808%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj176sLU8lVbjKnoS53cAQsxl6lk18-1hKH6JYa9yJMvqx7k2H6f33AA6TQllTZo3nAfjyPnR3RaCqYkqF3BLgqRfPIQHPTVBJkHEiTvMQMwGQ1Pi3BUsPO6hYX0dhdZ3x2ra6ibConxzpR/s320/20210703_160808%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhpsAWHTA1BcxjPZDKK5qEQzQIL0lh0wdx9HiyopbEKdpkV5Q1wD-X5cg4wHe5FzT0jwd59xg-SNF4cGeOAjqx8pQw6pO276hD6yB290U53ZYWk8xNJC61bsJ7-YXezYnC9uFVQIg7USo/s2048/20210703_160310%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhpsAWHTA1BcxjPZDKK5qEQzQIL0lh0wdx9HiyopbEKdpkV5Q1wD-X5cg4wHe5FzT0jwd59xg-SNF4cGeOAjqx8pQw6pO276hD6yB290U53ZYWk8xNJC61bsJ7-YXezYnC9uFVQIg7USo/s320/20210703_160310%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5Pe7pFy91dd-LMc-UwWu8-pPDOnwuPXYRXviKDWC8d8qlRPdQzVZg5JRMCMNm0XcVNA4WHdsmnmqCfQ32XQ2nAC_HGVb-gsW6Y-XkAK6H-KDUYvwLgM6RgWRqtdny5oMcrhDP2b2YmU1/s2048/20210703_154308%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5Pe7pFy91dd-LMc-UwWu8-pPDOnwuPXYRXviKDWC8d8qlRPdQzVZg5JRMCMNm0XcVNA4WHdsmnmqCfQ32XQ2nAC_HGVb-gsW6Y-XkAK6H-KDUYvwLgM6RgWRqtdny5oMcrhDP2b2YmU1/s320/20210703_154308%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Tomorrow we get up early for our flight to Benin. We'll be staying in Cotonou for most of the time, visiting with our cousin Koudous and seeing the sites. This is the real vacation of my stay, since I've been working and will continue working when I return to Gabon. I'm looking forward to lots of fun, sight seeing and family time. I'll definitely post from our trip there as well. </div><p></p>Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-10353533822392101492020-01-08T09:23:00.005-08:002020-01-08T09:23:44.903-08:00While mom's away...It looks like Landry and the boys have been having a fun time while I've been gone in Kenya for work. Over the weekend, they enjoyed the last days of their cousin's holiday break. They went back to school on Monday and, as you can imagine, the house has been much quieter. <br />
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On Monday, Landry took Amare into downtown Libreville to see his high school. They stopped along the route to get fresh coconut water, which Amare liked at first, but then decided he wasn't such a big fan. I think they're planning to go out into the city again later this week to check out some of the local monuments and museums. Once the weekend comes it will be cousin central again!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lycee Leon Mba</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of the gym</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Someone was not happy about sitting down to eat his breakfast</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trampoline day!</td></tr>
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<br />Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-61690288781862854442020-01-03T00:28:00.003-08:002020-01-03T00:28:36.510-08:00Point Denis...EncoreFor those of you that have been following my travel blog from the beginning, you likely read my <a href="https://suzenw.blogspot.com/2008/08/pointe-denis.html">Point Denis post</a> from 8/30/08. I certainly don't expect anyone to remember it, but I wanted to reference back to it because we just spent the most glorious of two days on a mini vacation at <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293793-d4697038-Reviews-Hotel_La_Baie_des_Tortues_Luth-Libreville_Estuaire_Province.html">La Baie des Tortues</a> in Point Denis. <br />
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Back in 2008 there wasn't much to La Baie. It was more of a restaurant that offered a day pass for people like us that were on the island just to visit for the day. In 2008 we were traveling on a dime and went hungry for the day, avoiding La Baie all together. However, this time around, it was the only thing on my to-do list. <br />
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I have only ever visited Gabon in the summer months, which is great for whale watching (you can read more about that <a href="https://adventuresaugabon.blogspot.com/2013/08/whale-watching.html">here</a> on this blog post!). But from January-March, sea turtles lay their eggs on the shores of Point Denis and you can go on walks, hoping to catch sea turtles hatching. Obviously, in order to do this, we'd need to stay overnight at La Baie, which is now a sprawling luxury hotel with bungalows, bars, a pool and lots of beach access. <br />
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In order to get to Point Denis, we had to meet the boat at the marina at 9:15 on New Year's Day. Needless to say, our New Year's Eve was quiet at home and we were in bed by 12:10. But what a way to start of 2020! We took a speedboat out to the island and were greeted with fresh juice upon arrival at reception.<br />
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Our room wasn't ready yet as they'd been full the night before for New Year's Eve, so we wandered over to the pool, got the kids changed, and let them play for a few hours. The sea air and sun hit them both hard. By noon, Saye was snoozing on a lounge chair and a few hours later Amare was sound asleep taking a nap. For those of you who know Amare, this NEVER happens. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOepMKULew2ln7HQ54wkgB77LTLCuCvYQOFImnmBWLGdd-dNw039bNyzbiPaTfwZLPUwxO2VceEbwZyq2vfUJvMLtUdf2MCcwCHhSM-E4jO_7DhEf1QkWwyySNiAzs-TzqBtbyqMvhinl/s1600/20200101_104938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOepMKULew2ln7HQ54wkgB77LTLCuCvYQOFImnmBWLGdd-dNw039bNyzbiPaTfwZLPUwxO2VceEbwZyq2vfUJvMLtUdf2MCcwCHhSM-E4jO_7DhEf1QkWwyySNiAzs-TzqBtbyqMvhinl/s400/20200101_104938.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This kid is living his best life and he's not even 2 yet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6G6ki4rOSRYRXDJAkt_AOJoKts6tIkUkVoEP9aXf7hivH833i0SlNUFpK9tWYiDFRjv_mshdlSnyyVuu0DovsVQCx_lvMcpme6-COrJSptz9Ku2FNnAV_B2CvHsV0-1HGdjgc4p_W7Nh/s1600/20200101_105022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6G6ki4rOSRYRXDJAkt_AOJoKts6tIkUkVoEP9aXf7hivH833i0SlNUFpK9tWYiDFRjv_mshdlSnyyVuu0DovsVQCx_lvMcpme6-COrJSptz9Ku2FNnAV_B2CvHsV0-1HGdjgc4p_W7Nh/s400/20200101_105022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizORzJhUrm1JeYJiB-BvfwhOFoqIWhE-SEqHi3Te70lTVdO4Si0zkOKTYKgW-Oev77cTnPIvqA_FxR6Oto5wRKfNFNxRx0FSfzXQnieOdeVm5o7jOjTzeyYj4HTmj9g1IT3HwrEoKenzdp/s1600/20200101_111742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizORzJhUrm1JeYJiB-BvfwhOFoqIWhE-SEqHi3Te70lTVdO4Si0zkOKTYKgW-Oev77cTnPIvqA_FxR6Oto5wRKfNFNxRx0FSfzXQnieOdeVm5o7jOjTzeyYj4HTmj9g1IT3HwrEoKenzdp/s400/20200101_111742.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZy2XK2OVNB9QpXxDanjSI4e6ayNK_B_DJ0uqcWVOONjT8X35MxhAg_g0eiJDh8DNfXS8TPF5T98YKW8VW2g0tAEuBAxDEgnr65hyuh-YzMUtHPlZzZFfdJLM4xc-WS3YFnkM0XP_tQCxd/s1600/20200101_144417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1258" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZy2XK2OVNB9QpXxDanjSI4e6ayNK_B_DJ0uqcWVOONjT8X35MxhAg_g0eiJDh8DNfXS8TPF5T98YKW8VW2g0tAEuBAxDEgnr65hyuh-YzMUtHPlZzZFfdJLM4xc-WS3YFnkM0XP_tQCxd/s400/20200101_144417.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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After the pool we were asked to find our way to the restaurant for lunch. A buffet lunch of several different types of salads, rice, plantains, veggies, chicken, shrimp, beef and fish plus dessert after, it satisfied all. At that point our room was finally ready and pretty much everyone was ready for a nap. We stayed in Bungalow 7, right behind reception, which was a great location for proximity to activities and the restaurant. Our room had two queen size beds and bunk beds, with a shower and sink and a separate room for the toilet. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzyOiMpcr_LjqHmIY_hrfnXrmIEXHbJeXlV80aXOspeuTSrr6_rHawj7PMipemLJ-Fu4yDLsNfyazBqtPHhqnJbmVYF6SgXW3TK1Ht_golHjnVXWASLkX2SgPgmuaVvjInfzM2T3NWdID/s1600/20200101_125743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzyOiMpcr_LjqHmIY_hrfnXrmIEXHbJeXlV80aXOspeuTSrr6_rHawj7PMipemLJ-Fu4yDLsNfyazBqtPHhqnJbmVYF6SgXW3TK1Ht_golHjnVXWASLkX2SgPgmuaVvjInfzM2T3NWdID/s400/20200101_125743.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le petit prince</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRfHaE_YpWZWelHCQNc877VO4Nz4XWegWYRmj0P5ATvIrJMMsFIFLlZQpYbaXtWuHNIhw0pGYbbDLndoNJMYoe7v7HxRthlcJze1MgSDEZT9Vp5H6py1qNFL3xXNKeiHPCLWnUslzDqGq/s1600/20200101_163437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRfHaE_YpWZWelHCQNc877VO4Nz4XWegWYRmj0P5ATvIrJMMsFIFLlZQpYbaXtWuHNIhw0pGYbbDLndoNJMYoe7v7HxRthlcJze1MgSDEZT9Vp5H6py1qNFL3xXNKeiHPCLWnUslzDqGq/s400/20200101_163437.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bungalow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S-UEXyPvDMkHMh7ecsGGzXWmDnlnPyWBZZPValFz5Zsi0oJpaeH8wcaHXiElwMdOmpBc_ULqojxbnOccNHixXX4-21Oqzo9Yvhs_p6NlF9UUAOrzmOhDwUHrcAYNfBTRO6QcI2zzIkLE/s1600/20200101_163427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3S-UEXyPvDMkHMh7ecsGGzXWmDnlnPyWBZZPValFz5Zsi0oJpaeH8wcaHXiElwMdOmpBc_ULqojxbnOccNHixXX4-21Oqzo9Yvhs_p6NlF9UUAOrzmOhDwUHrcAYNfBTRO6QcI2zzIkLE/s400/20200101_163427.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6wD944mWALKUc54Xy7qXBIZFVUuIOWPEcTSDlKtSEfSdxe6H8ce-3g50X-MYm37xkd4nreFh4Q2S3UuQ5A8BfxS55ht9mwsZdO943dkaGKbV1XmSxs09csfNje4-VZOj6I8-6N0vzGmk/s1600/20200101_135812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6wD944mWALKUc54Xy7qXBIZFVUuIOWPEcTSDlKtSEfSdxe6H8ce-3g50X-MYm37xkd4nreFh4Q2S3UuQ5A8BfxS55ht9mwsZdO943dkaGKbV1XmSxs09csfNje4-VZOj6I8-6N0vzGmk/s400/20200101_135812.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KVCrGR-omAtmlJZbbumBmOXtJFNOqPqbPdwHJ_UtnzPjVUcmACi2Uca6x5aKAYX9740jQmLIfiTQW0_TRtwmtzv1J4SGEaSc-6xkxFgI8KLqynBuZEiQfT-0XX9dUNry2_6NqK_ffg5-/s1600/20200101_135848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1KVCrGR-omAtmlJZbbumBmOXtJFNOqPqbPdwHJ_UtnzPjVUcmACi2Uca6x5aKAYX9740jQmLIfiTQW0_TRtwmtzv1J4SGEaSc-6xkxFgI8KLqynBuZEiQfT-0XX9dUNry2_6NqK_ffg5-/s400/20200101_135848.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I dozed for a bit while the kids watched a movie and then got up to wash my face. Thirty seconds later I came out of the bathroom and everyone was sound asleep! At that point I wasn't feeling super tired anymore, so I took a walk around and sat on our front porch looking out on the ocean and reading.<br />
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When everyone woke up we wandered down to the beach for a bit. At this point the sun was on its way down and the temperature was more tolerable. Amare played for a bit while Saye lounged in a chair. He's not much for the beach at this point. Still doesn't like the sand on his feet. Then we took the kids over to the playground so they could run out a little energy before showering and heading to dinner.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxaSPBuEEMpyly5ZwOT4ioHDLE7fpkj6IisYdVfhYXQkcMmsZPq6ripVrtmIJc47aPpK4f00CBubAGJmnCzCTZsktmO0DH0ZF8JJjN_MJChSIrGx37jfcTgqxViMRzfsodqaV7NGMAKvX/s1600/20200101_172406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxaSPBuEEMpyly5ZwOT4ioHDLE7fpkj6IisYdVfhYXQkcMmsZPq6ripVrtmIJc47aPpK4f00CBubAGJmnCzCTZsktmO0DH0ZF8JJjN_MJChSIrGx37jfcTgqxViMRzfsodqaV7NGMAKvX/s400/20200101_172406.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocI2_yqqHbhUX6BjtfhKvCM2SIFCIAmiMT6zEm_-UVJvyouBLUIj1vakRE4Jlcq4Q2uPpmaJXXpvSRg-TPa9ppepUNJy-xPTcEj1PGk1EnY0LacvsZlb1z18wqymnpQMV9EheVsNwxQz_/s1600/20200101_172729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocI2_yqqHbhUX6BjtfhKvCM2SIFCIAmiMT6zEm_-UVJvyouBLUIj1vakRE4Jlcq4Q2uPpmaJXXpvSRg-TPa9ppepUNJy-xPTcEj1PGk1EnY0LacvsZlb1z18wqymnpQMV9EheVsNwxQz_/s400/20200101_172729.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UE9cma_IBbu958C-HtBKSOWVFSDvmG-uxTL0FIvEMhUnXw88R2BKaSnEhp9QXy0i74-Nyb03_Hdjp90AWAjlfCty4ZUWT_kvEgy2apFrNEISfQsAWkaymaCd2b2TvFx8LekCTCJh4gD1/s1600/20200101_172734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UE9cma_IBbu958C-HtBKSOWVFSDvmG-uxTL0FIvEMhUnXw88R2BKaSnEhp9QXy0i74-Nyb03_Hdjp90AWAjlfCty4ZUWT_kvEgy2apFrNEISfQsAWkaymaCd2b2TvFx8LekCTCJh4gD1/s400/20200101_172734.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy9qoOSL1uHq3SjleeITNsMYYh27_8MHGKqVn10OP-d0DeJnEm0ejjA1sGtZ7Dco6x784AXy2lg9jUEVrBVOwvz1gq26QtDnKpeFLbPtVyouPHP1uCqGHKRnaJK3wgjXJKn4jEsMUYKRR/s1600/20200101_174000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy9qoOSL1uHq3SjleeITNsMYYh27_8MHGKqVn10OP-d0DeJnEm0ejjA1sGtZ7Dco6x784AXy2lg9jUEVrBVOwvz1gq26QtDnKpeFLbPtVyouPHP1uCqGHKRnaJK3wgjXJKn4jEsMUYKRR/s400/20200101_174000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisQCjnIl9aajmdk8kXynG1cBKmGk4Efr5ICfF-jRIbnLT2LX5CsxM0Ggf_1yNh48JY2WjVRtBKatln7cGZuYEV1reR0gKFlFQXMUmZx22LMRwtiMSIEycA2Ix-BGfr77prkeG7Cevucb1/s1600/20200101_174021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisQCjnIl9aajmdk8kXynG1cBKmGk4Efr5ICfF-jRIbnLT2LX5CsxM0Ggf_1yNh48JY2WjVRtBKatln7cGZuYEV1reR0gKFlFQXMUmZx22LMRwtiMSIEycA2Ix-BGfr77prkeG7Cevucb1/s400/20200101_174021.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVjU_mTdxzmasuZ_bATevaWii0mfryxQfuSZy1PPtBOceDoWui5Ong1nsg9f2Groimds0iO61-MwRMtCvvF8hmFo24IIcaVw4Es2wFBRMwkNpWciqJ3ojdzFKZRAOv6iMjoYa0AyimyuK/s1600/20200101_174921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVjU_mTdxzmasuZ_bATevaWii0mfryxQfuSZy1PPtBOceDoWui5Ong1nsg9f2Groimds0iO61-MwRMtCvvF8hmFo24IIcaVw4Es2wFBRMwkNpWciqJ3ojdzFKZRAOv6iMjoYa0AyimyuK/s400/20200101_174921.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This kid is my beach bum soul mate!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Dinner was a sit down meal where we had ordered in advance. The food was excellent and again, SO MUCH. I had a mozzarella, tomato and pesto salad for an app and fish kabobs with rice and plantains for dinner. Landry ordered the crab farci as an app, which is a very typical dish here. It's crab meat mixed with seasoning, served back in the top shell of the crab. Dessert was chocolate mousse for me, creme caramel for Landry, and chocolate ice cream for Amare. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZPNe1ndKvoiEiWyh9omJbmpMQnijOezdpNRg84MR4g4Tn5dVt6gR__HBtBDKUhqYPVrycdbd2bfDd_vRT7J722nvTSK1MeQ0iRpf6uiGoTofMt8kMvdyvNdqv_izRNB7u_ZZceAZMT57/s1600/20200101_214735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZPNe1ndKvoiEiWyh9omJbmpMQnijOezdpNRg84MR4g4Tn5dVt6gR__HBtBDKUhqYPVrycdbd2bfDd_vRT7J722nvTSK1MeQ0iRpf6uiGoTofMt8kMvdyvNdqv_izRNB7u_ZZceAZMT57/s400/20200101_214735.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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After dinner, we met up with our turtle guide, Jores, who took us on a very long walk down the beach. We were told it would be about an hour out and an hour back, but an hour and forty minutes in we were still walking away from the hotel. Amare was a rockstar about walking all that time, but he was getting tired and we didn't want the kids up half the night. After several parents voiced similar concerns, one of the guides flagged down an ATV which took him back to the hotel and he returned with ATVs to give us all a ride back.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5jnFA7mAyQbX4jWVKUNjfvHx8Nz8mO54JoN3C-G04hEb8imoyGyIxk9o6QjO80P_gIdGVQN7TnEwwWr9_wI7fM1vfHX2krHa3zk12G5r1HflXtTqRhO9_gPvfUFzs8TNrwh0AoeFw4cD/s1600/20200101_225125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5jnFA7mAyQbX4jWVKUNjfvHx8Nz8mO54JoN3C-G04hEb8imoyGyIxk9o6QjO80P_gIdGVQN7TnEwwWr9_wI7fM1vfHX2krHa3zk12G5r1HflXtTqRhO9_gPvfUFzs8TNrwh0AoeFw4cD/s400/20200101_225125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXKWcAOB0PNGQ56TLcEt2IfgddgbV-OD6kSlIEHaVSuvtqjRFAAS-DYV-HaSvftbKJgHYdRj7MXH9_b3ZQUIyOI5cF8Jf9q_k_ERCBq1cyVMzI9i_eaLtkj1TQsvGPB_ZgFgkttxiYPsi/s1600/20200101_223938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioXKWcAOB0PNGQ56TLcEt2IfgddgbV-OD6kSlIEHaVSuvtqjRFAAS-DYV-HaSvftbKJgHYdRj7MXH9_b3ZQUIyOI5cF8Jf9q_k_ERCBq1cyVMzI9i_eaLtkj1TQsvGPB_ZgFgkttxiYPsi/s400/20200101_223938.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the nests. The tip of the tallest mound is where the eggs are buried.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SOIvc7MjbAX2Wv2HvfFQ3e3CQph6b2yJIJtCMzxLfFV-m3AhEcc8tI1bEOvZs7q2Sr3uVO6Tf62k0Tj0ntNj-wFCfZDbG2g2wB7E0sq-TWA968VR1hncOZ5cP-GlxoJgPP4RaN5Eerc8/s1600/20200101_231508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SOIvc7MjbAX2Wv2HvfFQ3e3CQph6b2yJIJtCMzxLfFV-m3AhEcc8tI1bEOvZs7q2Sr3uVO6Tf62k0Tj0ntNj-wFCfZDbG2g2wB7E0sq-TWA968VR1hncOZ5cP-GlxoJgPP4RaN5Eerc8/s400/20200101_231508.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are sea turtle tracks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDrn57c2tbCHoch8dnWxg25mlU-24pCS6-bcG8uOYj71mTL8Ntb6ggHTy_jTOW8lmLQmanNChF6Y2Lqwsy4rMrym5AJSk8Oyi1uWy_cA12YYFKTsBpw5rzZpS8aA1BC8cKTIxW5BHCTpm/s1600/20200101_232455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDrn57c2tbCHoch8dnWxg25mlU-24pCS6-bcG8uOYj71mTL8Ntb6ggHTy_jTOW8lmLQmanNChF6Y2Lqwsy4rMrym5AJSk8Oyi1uWy_cA12YYFKTsBpw5rzZpS8aA1BC8cKTIxW5BHCTpm/s400/20200101_232455.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dead baby turtle we found :-(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0vwwYCgPAFVOnNMu89oh85_ByWjNZtSqgk7_U-wkwoyuBUMS7CuVkuztdsmifUWw3xS8qQ3paEVKNR8ABTg6vL0cO4bGDts7fAVXRfiByYEICgxHTs2TbP0h02f5FSQYArevP9Thp95r/s1600/20200101_233932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0vwwYCgPAFVOnNMu89oh85_ByWjNZtSqgk7_U-wkwoyuBUMS7CuVkuztdsmifUWw3xS8qQ3paEVKNR8ABTg6vL0cO4bGDts7fAVXRfiByYEICgxHTs2TbP0h02f5FSQYArevP9Thp95r/s400/20200101_233932.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Sadly, we never did get to see the turtles hatching. It's definitely something I want to come back for another time. We did see several nests, lots of momma sea turtle tracks, and we found one dead baby turtle, evidence of how hard it is for them to actually make it to the sea. Our guide told us that of all the eggs the turtle lays only one or two will survive to the sea. Many times animals pillage the nests before the eggs even hatch. Or they attack the turtles on their way to the sea. And some simply get lost and die before they find the ocean.<br />
<br />
Thursday morning I woke up first (I know, twilight zone) and walked over to reception bar where I got milk for Saye and a cafe au lait for myself. The coffee was brought to me at our bungalow where I sipped on it with my feet up listening to the sounds of the beach in front of me and the jungle behind. There really is no other way to start a day!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPQwOoK1G4VrH3qAHum01B2OCC1L1EBNt5vdsIcohBfU-excqkqBbZQtWF_KLuGFuwPA1TPMV2-sM2QQAAn2jBK15jVRf5xZrD2KlafudHbGO31S3gC7vclgUXoG_NKxT-NRH2tqG3Fg9/s1600/20200102_090905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPQwOoK1G4VrH3qAHum01B2OCC1L1EBNt5vdsIcohBfU-excqkqBbZQtWF_KLuGFuwPA1TPMV2-sM2QQAAn2jBK15jVRf5xZrD2KlafudHbGO31S3gC7vclgUXoG_NKxT-NRH2tqG3Fg9/s400/20200102_090905.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Once Landry was up we walked over to the breakfast buffet, made some plates for ourselves and the kids and took them back to our room to eat on the porch while the kids began to stir. First on Amare's list of things to do for the day was to jump on the trampoline bungees they had set up. Landry also really wanted to go out on the jet ski and I was hoping we could take an ATV out to see some elephants for Amare. But that was a lot to do with a nap in the middle for Saye and our boat leaving at 5pm. <br />
<br />
I went to the office desk to discuss tours and pricing. The man running the desk, presumably the owner?, offered us to stay an extra night and just pay for our food and drinks so that we could do an ATV tour for elephants after 5pm. I explained that I had a flight to catch the following day and asked if it was possible to take a boat after 5pm. He agreed without hesitation and booked us a tour for 5pm. I was surprised and so grateful for the opportunity.<br />
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We first went over to the pool where we waiting for the staff person who works the trampolines to arrive. He was the same person doing turtle tours the night before and told me he'd taken another group out until 5am. The people at La Baie work long and hard!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCTswnnohyphenhyphenEMA0P6Wdv5vICdy19UTAWYxH52lp1IHVSNxWRRjb1H9napItWeajsA5804nSrCplIYGUGKqUzqPLlx-xP-QP3_AMOZgjhnsn-CvYfIrH7ZkODyV9m_-drWbrKqyTiYXCJ6j/s1600/20200102_125115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCTswnnohyphenhyphenEMA0P6Wdv5vICdy19UTAWYxH52lp1IHVSNxWRRjb1H9napItWeajsA5804nSrCplIYGUGKqUzqPLlx-xP-QP3_AMOZgjhnsn-CvYfIrH7ZkODyV9m_-drWbrKqyTiYXCJ6j/s400/20200102_125115.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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After the trampoline we hung out at the pool for a while. Saye was already down for a nap by the time we headed to lunch. There are peacocks hanging all around the grounds of the property, so after he finished his lunch, Amare went out and about to explore the lizards and the peacocks. When Landry went back to the room to check on Saye Amare went with him and said he was tired. He actually asked to nap, again. Are pigs flying somewhere???<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga82sKBVSynef2iBh2dH5UhzwdRpugWBjyKhfB8wTmPhf93xzMm7VY3ntxkzCTGiBm3ten7Rhit34UpM6HtmMJuBBh75yoFvvI8FRBYDyiuwz1kQKsI0CQIAJ_wilNbu_5AOS_Ug0NjqeU/s1600/20200102_151721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga82sKBVSynef2iBh2dH5UhzwdRpugWBjyKhfB8wTmPhf93xzMm7VY3ntxkzCTGiBm3ten7Rhit34UpM6HtmMJuBBh75yoFvvI8FRBYDyiuwz1kQKsI0CQIAJ_wilNbu_5AOS_Ug0NjqeU/s400/20200102_151721.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlaHCeY_4Z3ocf0R4oWd_RsE1LoXEYiRqVfoyNSInsaJ4qBGHkBRo358eo2vIVVH5jaEI8oAhrrqTGSl6quQTLSyvoSf_ethQHXjkyz5r_-61Fp5MMIeECUOgOh4Z1pOCN3pxUZ8VSjwj/s1600/20200102_152506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlaHCeY_4Z3ocf0R4oWd_RsE1LoXEYiRqVfoyNSInsaJ4qBGHkBRo358eo2vIVVH5jaEI8oAhrrqTGSl6quQTLSyvoSf_ethQHXjkyz5r_-61Fp5MMIeECUOgOh4Z1pOCN3pxUZ8VSjwj/s400/20200102_152506.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48qqPdZt3MhfeecsmwYOq8ZNwhyphenhyphenFETQyRMFRy9nhA4LnzVvSqwMQpVhQ_RXwQB5izdoiU6KJCJ6kJM2gypufuO2bPXQkwfNiaPVGaq_hOoNFh2cRANxuBFfUdN9hiRTGbmvdx2jQT-jZh/s1600/20200102_181733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48qqPdZt3MhfeecsmwYOq8ZNwhyphenhyphenFETQyRMFRy9nhA4LnzVvSqwMQpVhQ_RXwQB5izdoiU6KJCJ6kJM2gypufuO2bPXQkwfNiaPVGaq_hOoNFh2cRANxuBFfUdN9hiRTGbmvdx2jQT-jZh/s400/20200102_181733.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are even peacocks on roofs!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW5x0WJNBO20MLccPzZLNyNPHTtfSaM3-VEhtyFXPe6TE-9AlxcX-WpYBXBn-gtDsxxKx3m87ExhG0GOzK2Km3fgwdaKXwM0BstqL2aDg_M2PnZr9GAgpXijWH4yun_EnSj3MIS8Tbq91/s1600/20200102_145800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLW5x0WJNBO20MLccPzZLNyNPHTtfSaM3-VEhtyFXPe6TE-9AlxcX-WpYBXBn-gtDsxxKx3m87ExhG0GOzK2Km3fgwdaKXwM0BstqL2aDg_M2PnZr9GAgpXijWH4yun_EnSj3MIS8Tbq91/s400/20200102_145800.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof of the requested nap</td></tr>
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While the kids were napping we enjoyed the one precious hour we had to eat together and walk along the beach sans kids. It was really cool to be back in a place 11 years later. The first time I came to Gabon, we'd only been dating for 2 years. I hadn't gone back for my MSW yet, much less thought about a PhD. We weren't married, kids weren't even a consideration. I've been watching everyone do their decade reviews on Facebook this week and our two day mini-vacation in Point Denis was really a full circle kind of live action decade review.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGv5g1DDBtY8z7kUx6nnUNheA6U9bWWD-y6nn_G_gRKhZRMadwsAdCqPPPBb5bsZ98HKVv85vWvo-ym5Uzf6NZO7C0ahgcfpL1bDDioVWL7vtSX10dZr5awBjiUSvAen2IoFHyhmiLAa1/s1600/20200102_154319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGv5g1DDBtY8z7kUx6nnUNheA6U9bWWD-y6nn_G_gRKhZRMadwsAdCqPPPBb5bsZ98HKVv85vWvo-ym5Uzf6NZO7C0ahgcfpL1bDDioVWL7vtSX10dZr5awBjiUSvAen2IoFHyhmiLAa1/s400/20200102_154319.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBur6HGjBZYIg_5hTrRwB6wwmogoflrdm26cUnXSfd5kwY7-rRQUeyVApFB0A0Ts7AbqscfNDO9AMF49u7mXVBiyStZ44yaElwbybq28rW6ay5OiPv1vceP5MwRk_ByT1IYb0plGYZ93pr/s1600/20200102_154357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBur6HGjBZYIg_5hTrRwB6wwmogoflrdm26cUnXSfd5kwY7-rRQUeyVApFB0A0Ts7AbqscfNDO9AMF49u7mXVBiyStZ44yaElwbybq28rW6ay5OiPv1vceP5MwRk_ByT1IYb0plGYZ93pr/s400/20200102_154357.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jungle background selfie</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2-s8GPTEdN173iUdKRtLxDv5zOOo5DjRD1UCK_NDxpMrSnLiV-gkf1MVewLD4vaci5yA9T3lPHxDFLSatVqr7dj08EMtIaj09fanxpffcw0chF-GPyLNdlBKSrL_x9cv0Wo_IIfslQCu/s1600/20200102_154417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2-s8GPTEdN173iUdKRtLxDv5zOOo5DjRD1UCK_NDxpMrSnLiV-gkf1MVewLD4vaci5yA9T3lPHxDFLSatVqr7dj08EMtIaj09fanxpffcw0chF-GPyLNdlBKSrL_x9cv0Wo_IIfslQCu/s400/20200102_154417.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean background selfie!</td></tr>
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When we got back to the room we woke up the kids and packed up our bag. It was time to jet ski! Landry took Amare out and he loved it. We went straight from that to the ATV ride. I was so hopeful we would see elephants for Amare, but no dice :-( We did see some buffalo and got to ride through the jungle, which he thought was pretty cool. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPMPrqAUX5lkU4k-TDBGuU6fBCMiZrtOyU_gRB-q638Sn4BUjIqnyd4hNgONbVdTuxl7OZ-HhAXKET6NMmPzsfzCzwpLFUcvSZMxAxIb8qfSgTFlfaNg3M9Lf0yW8zmQRL156lLqc_j48/s1600/20200102_165402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPMPrqAUX5lkU4k-TDBGuU6fBCMiZrtOyU_gRB-q638Sn4BUjIqnyd4hNgONbVdTuxl7OZ-HhAXKET6NMmPzsfzCzwpLFUcvSZMxAxIb8qfSgTFlfaNg3M9Lf0yW8zmQRL156lLqc_j48/s400/20200102_165402.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhSWhoa78y7qDyuJ0anDgEz3vL3O6_71Mevd0UIZvxM22wpaVrlBjuVkneUc7HnK9RotyGcG0cG03qkVXkmTOJ2VJcRVFPcLcFFBHhI1bbeBE_kspnJepRO8zPo7_KamNCEZFknDClmBz/s1600/20200102_170020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhSWhoa78y7qDyuJ0anDgEz3vL3O6_71Mevd0UIZvxM22wpaVrlBjuVkneUc7HnK9RotyGcG0cG03qkVXkmTOJ2VJcRVFPcLcFFBHhI1bbeBE_kspnJepRO8zPo7_KamNCEZFknDClmBz/s400/20200102_170020.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CsmX58trG0BNHy7MVSzHu_quvUPp44gMO6nOXsoVXsmsrTI-aKOvLYtXy1x5C1uO1SfPFccpXcp97n1Ley6_zYy2pPbcjv49yWxOR2kHKkAiLz1NQjyAvxd82Aampm1KlqZ6zI9V0FJZ/s1600/20200102_170543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CsmX58trG0BNHy7MVSzHu_quvUPp44gMO6nOXsoVXsmsrTI-aKOvLYtXy1x5C1uO1SfPFccpXcp97n1Ley6_zYy2pPbcjv49yWxOR2kHKkAiLz1NQjyAvxd82Aampm1KlqZ6zI9V0FJZ/s400/20200102_170543.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialFFAyLNpdGD-GF96QaMhOe2nvONEbsvZxBtUs1e4IGBU3Eog2UbN2wMIalbEUoWzkK0SniYio2QESfTF1RVQevOwst31JeF5zrQ_tGF57Q7PPy6TTxocYz_a0rtiW6U18unAnefbQRQT/s1600/20200102_172410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialFFAyLNpdGD-GF96QaMhOe2nvONEbsvZxBtUs1e4IGBU3Eog2UbN2wMIalbEUoWzkK0SniYio2QESfTF1RVQevOwst31JeF5zrQ_tGF57Q7PPy6TTxocYz_a0rtiW6U18unAnefbQRQT/s400/20200102_172410.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlelphD-Gtf5F-2Ux7ZLYPiMxW7lRTwV9F3fcsA2H4JooU0hptxxoNNqi0AicdzLQFh2SC179sCzSeLK8bUJqXrnHmMpjcNQrl74rZqLy4GenHueWlUrq2WRvizTfb6uwWbhwHltIwX8-B/s1600/20200102_173708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlelphD-Gtf5F-2Ux7ZLYPiMxW7lRTwV9F3fcsA2H4JooU0hptxxoNNqi0AicdzLQFh2SC179sCzSeLK8bUJqXrnHmMpjcNQrl74rZqLy4GenHueWlUrq2WRvizTfb6uwWbhwHltIwX8-B/s400/20200102_173708.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwAZkPFOJOgtONcMiCFgGFIwrdPRiG9I628hJ3tTzPqUBhxw07WPdEhoj5znZw3_7MJC-eT5vy6D8Dn2Y_Hp_DZu8zattSDOQJ8yzkUINadfYL3nd5dy9q7kdjzxI91ICxphFu4FNF1u2/s1600/20200102_173731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwAZkPFOJOgtONcMiCFgGFIwrdPRiG9I628hJ3tTzPqUBhxw07WPdEhoj5znZw3_7MJC-eT5vy6D8Dn2Y_Hp_DZu8zattSDOQJ8yzkUINadfYL3nd5dy9q7kdjzxI91ICxphFu4FNF1u2/s400/20200102_173731.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Several buffalo cooling in marsh water</td></tr>
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The ATV returned us to the resort and our boat was waiting for us on the dock. I'm sad that the time is over, but so grateful that I had the opportunity to come here with my kids and do all of these amazing, fun things with them. Landry and I often marvel at the experiences and opportunities they're having a bi-cultural, bilingual kids that we didn't have growing up and how it's going to have such a huge impact on their worldview. I love it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZi8WEOrrHRHZ1q1_Y87It6bp0ajsS6lXffFBXzI1kI9enWsGqEM9tCGDASdG50P6mCXgLOin1tAWFhddHkR6cL5A0dKOzJc6leaQhTdHYx4QSbF_vOBqRkxEXyRYfThkIBnBb-BJzOuY/s1600/20200102_183545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZi8WEOrrHRHZ1q1_Y87It6bp0ajsS6lXffFBXzI1kI9enWsGqEM9tCGDASdG50P6mCXgLOin1tAWFhddHkR6cL5A0dKOzJc6leaQhTdHYx4QSbF_vOBqRkxEXyRYfThkIBnBb-BJzOuY/s320/20200102_183545.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Today I head off to Kenya for work for two weeks. Once there I'll probably switch between the two blogs, posting pics I get from Landry about what they're doing here, as well as posting about my work in Kenya. Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-57717072649296394162019-12-31T08:42:00.003-08:002020-01-03T00:30:08.809-08:00Surprise!<div class="MsoNormal">
It's the return of the travel blog! Last year I reached out to Landry’s sister Georgia several
months before Asaye was due to see if she could come in mid-August to surprise
Landry and be here for the birth. She
said that she wasn’t going to be able to come and then she showed up four days
before my due date with her kids in tow and surprised us both. While I was super happy she ended up being
there for when Saye was born, I vowed revenge and this week I got it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Landry and I were supposed to travel to Gabon last winter
break, but there was some uncertainty with the President’s health and while we
weren’t overly concerned about safety, we were concerned that some
infrastructure may shut down, like the airport, and we didn’t want to get
stranded. As such, we pushed the trip to
this winter break. But a few weeks ago
Landry told the family that we probably weren’t going to be able to make it
again this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, we celebrated Christmas Eve and Day as we usually do and
then spent the following 36 hours clearing up our house, packing, shopping and
at 8:20pm on the 27<sup>th</sup> it was wheels up! We got a great deal on our flights out of JFK
(getting to JFK is the sacrifice for good ticket prices!) and flew on Royal Air
Maroc. Flying with kids is stressful, flying
with kids on a nighttime flight where they don’t turn out the lights until 3
hours before you land is kind of a nightmare.
We were those people on the plane with a screaming baby who was so deliriously
over tired he didn’t know what to do with himself. But, in the end, both kids did fall asleep
for about three and a half hours and then we landed in Casablanca, Morocco and
it was 9am!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beginning of our trip, when we weren't screaming</td></tr>
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We had a ten-hour layover in Casablanca (another reason the tickets were such a good deal!) and so we got off the plan, changed, and left the airport to explore a new city. I had booked an <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/1172206">AirBnB experience</a> tour and our guide Adam was great. He was born and raised in Casablanca, but has also spent a lot of time living in Canada. He took us through the Old Medina (medina means city in Arabic, so think Old City in Philadelphia, except much, much older!) and then we stopped at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lasqala/">LaSqala Café</a> for lunch, which is situated in an old Portuguese fort right on the coast. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnmY8rEOYusd2wzPV3gT5tPcAhDCRjWFhPgX0YbAI1VYnGFSZoef6amLalmJsuvLVoSThGjeK18J3aCPY2Owl0Qr6ataYX2Clnny5ZIHG8rj8vB2H9001OHZSdCxO2KD_KrG5jvcJR-6y/s1600/20191228_123112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnmY8rEOYusd2wzPV3gT5tPcAhDCRjWFhPgX0YbAI1VYnGFSZoef6amLalmJsuvLVoSThGjeK18J3aCPY2Owl0Qr6ataYX2Clnny5ZIHG8rj8vB2H9001OHZSdCxO2KD_KrG5jvcJR-6y/s400/20191228_123112.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance to the ancient Medina</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGgDcsCZvkhFWzu5iOoQ5xKkcvLK_j7-02aM6Q3jVAQDMSQdVKn7tEbxODQwUW3VcUg9s1Er1OrXH277ckLpHOg14j2RGZRgtsavKXqyz7DQ1tMeX3GNiWgdYdfbYUQ0_K5bXARfJzFDH/s1600/20191228_130241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGgDcsCZvkhFWzu5iOoQ5xKkcvLK_j7-02aM6Q3jVAQDMSQdVKn7tEbxODQwUW3VcUg9s1Er1OrXH277ckLpHOg14j2RGZRgtsavKXqyz7DQ1tMeX3GNiWgdYdfbYUQ0_K5bXARfJzFDH/s400/20191228_130241.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to La Sqala Cafe and the old Portugeuse fort. Behind me are the old canons.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't Instagram often...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My vegetarian tajine...can't go to Morocco and not have tajine!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional tajine pots</td></tr>
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After lunch we wandered out of the medina and took pictures in front of <a href="http://www.rickscafe.ma/">Rick’s Café</a>, which will be familiar to those of you familiar with the movie Casablanca. Rick’s actually never existed in Casablanca as the movie was shot entirely in Hollywood. However, an American expat decided to create Rick’s in Casablanca as a nod to the movie and now it draws tourists from everywhere for photo opportunities. Adam said the food isn’t bad either, making it a fun place to have dinner if you’re in Casablanca for more than a ten-hour layover!<o:p></o:p></div>
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From Rick’s we walked across the street, through a mall and out onto a walkway built right up along the coast. It’s a cool thing to see your ocean from the other side. The path led us right up to the <a href="https://www.fmh2.ma/en/node">Hassan II Mosque</a>, which is the third largest mosque in the world. It’s absolutely stunning. Completed in 1993, it is built out over the Atlantic Ocean, a nod to the sacred nature of water in Islam. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgootqIAoikawY0ImqHSr-BnCuQOL5hQwbZ5rS7CgUUN0Vxp-ibaM6HN9jFJ91nRFC58wo8ecVwW9uJvmps3rE_ivnmzTzXJzMYbq6Cr_rZk6Ut6Aj2FwJ9qfLusrCzw9aBBJXojgp3l8TA/s1600/20191228_144012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgootqIAoikawY0ImqHSr-BnCuQOL5hQwbZ5rS7CgUUN0Vxp-ibaM6HN9jFJ91nRFC58wo8ecVwW9uJvmps3rE_ivnmzTzXJzMYbq6Cr_rZk6Ut6Aj2FwJ9qfLusrCzw9aBBJXojgp3l8TA/s320/20191228_144012.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorcxbeWtEGC_HngEi7QWjvpPZOdbLIXQt6T_t_NLAWseuAt-mnuCaFNwu_K3jn5rAa00fIEewtnv5KQPpN0DQ_I_4srxYeE-5QnW0vYs0nWEbqF9O9TmncIPR4szO7Xk0HS_gJCBRokLu/s1600/20191228_145200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorcxbeWtEGC_HngEi7QWjvpPZOdbLIXQt6T_t_NLAWseuAt-mnuCaFNwu_K3jn5rAa00fIEewtnv5KQPpN0DQ_I_4srxYeE-5QnW0vYs0nWEbqF9O9TmncIPR4szO7Xk0HS_gJCBRokLu/s400/20191228_145200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The port at Casablanca</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zkd_X4cCLrruQT6bRiHjfsAAd7i8GCs_pASfK8Ea1Fk9ZtwK4zI1m3eJ6oRzL8CEALXzg_9E_KTeyP9MFXu99n8H6Uf81Ja8Hqf43Mzx3dvDwkjhINlw0T8HgBp3AKwbPqJ_YBHEPzzf/s1600/20191228_145207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zkd_X4cCLrruQT6bRiHjfsAAd7i8GCs_pASfK8Ea1Fk9ZtwK4zI1m3eJ6oRzL8CEALXzg_9E_KTeyP9MFXu99n8H6Uf81Ja8Hqf43Mzx3dvDwkjhINlw0T8HgBp3AKwbPqJ_YBHEPzzf/s400/20191228_145207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rH3kpen-G91FLrpNzALDYf9jn3hVwgdJ0QF980XwFAaSooheYD5NdPxvKZsXA8OSbgTPlKjVdeR1pKifggz9s5UyuY2vZs82wTPRLLbjLTJux9phMAgMdPEq-4Y4o6vWcLNp21jjSzsB/s1600/20191228_150542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rH3kpen-G91FLrpNzALDYf9jn3hVwgdJ0QF980XwFAaSooheYD5NdPxvKZsXA8OSbgTPlKjVdeR1pKifggz9s5UyuY2vZs82wTPRLLbjLTJux9phMAgMdPEq-4Y4o6vWcLNp21jjSzsB/s400/20191228_150542.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jetlag much?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tYhqyTjzmPuwH802UJ_IV1H5HhxoMhD4JWf44t4KyKMlH5OgxLdCfvz_UzZV4Xp2q91lSkkub59DTH7gj1UsYhiEuzcluHqa8Mp9rA4z-b6ZYoeKfAHvsG7KMhL_6lqa8BlnBhiUDZ33/s1600/20191228_151750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tYhqyTjzmPuwH802UJ_IV1H5HhxoMhD4JWf44t4KyKMlH5OgxLdCfvz_UzZV4Xp2q91lSkkub59DTH7gj1UsYhiEuzcluHqa8Mp9rA4z-b6ZYoeKfAHvsG7KMhL_6lqa8BlnBhiUDZ33/s400/20191228_151750.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupqnD2TYecylhT8QJKk7PcIUdEFAJ8kTgZm-DS41iGpG8JNoYljF-1vKQxaZcPRcRbdEEKIImNbolXWYx2Zsya3PN0SsMghmr5zfaJkRTKdagSjNS6ZUv8aeD8xjN4zLQAGXF-pnHPWNq/s1600/20191228_151802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupqnD2TYecylhT8QJKk7PcIUdEFAJ8kTgZm-DS41iGpG8JNoYljF-1vKQxaZcPRcRbdEEKIImNbolXWYx2Zsya3PN0SsMghmr5zfaJkRTKdagSjNS6ZUv8aeD8xjN4zLQAGXF-pnHPWNq/s400/20191228_151802.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-LyxSleG9rvuaHqP2Rdwxt46Yi56csUpZRjnzq1vS4ffbtYIQhjKkx_UoablnGTU8-nlekWXt3fa-AZOeTI3FKzlnrQaLy-ZfrWUsjQBDYOMYkXXCocp5hotbb9usGNRURGmwlceOCbL/s1600/20191228_152714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-LyxSleG9rvuaHqP2Rdwxt46Yi56csUpZRjnzq1vS4ffbtYIQhjKkx_UoablnGTU8-nlekWXt3fa-AZOeTI3FKzlnrQaLy-ZfrWUsjQBDYOMYkXXCocp5hotbb9usGNRURGmwlceOCbL/s400/20191228_152714.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi9ajI8aX27eEZxawA4PuupBfQSIoA0-G7FHHNdBjCdOUh2dSFIJwSjK6_ofvlFJNsAd0QEUR6yrta7yKZNuEEXfhWKY_OJgAscJEqhdAVTWZQIqVTT3bEzkRZwNjBjq9YpJBLXt9jUX_/s1600/20191228_152728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNi9ajI8aX27eEZxawA4PuupBfQSIoA0-G7FHHNdBjCdOUh2dSFIJwSjK6_ofvlFJNsAd0QEUR6yrta7yKZNuEEXfhWKY_OJgAscJEqhdAVTWZQIqVTT3bEzkRZwNjBjq9YpJBLXt9jUX_/s400/20191228_152728.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWVjZ5-XtqldnmP81BncdwIQ1yv757VjqbxWww74f4H-wUcsKDjNiQlyt3PL5AgbNflp0xxn_-z89fOqUOxWS8vTGSvTf6RipBbzbu2dy2SvZ-ruaLZOYc1fX_lSLuuNb7bMdDNb10Mc-/s1600/20191228_152746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWVjZ5-XtqldnmP81BncdwIQ1yv757VjqbxWww74f4H-wUcsKDjNiQlyt3PL5AgbNflp0xxn_-z89fOqUOxWS8vTGSvTf6RipBbzbu2dy2SvZ-ruaLZOYc1fX_lSLuuNb7bMdDNb10Mc-/s400/20191228_152746.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The detail is just amazing</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T9Y7qkWq3oycTlZIT5Y7iay60T2gm8KHv1vxA_yIhW8z4S8aKaIRaJGSErKZ5wfRFJuGZQyRBp7AIaH_EJTamsg8mE_LtQvbg8_hSR0oHdSV8jdDLioyjhteLHv_0G0flwSSBYVOK_mJ/s1600/20191228_153106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7T9Y7qkWq3oycTlZIT5Y7iay60T2gm8KHv1vxA_yIhW8z4S8aKaIRaJGSErKZ5wfRFJuGZQyRBp7AIaH_EJTamsg8mE_LtQvbg8_hSR0oHdSV8jdDLioyjhteLHv_0G0flwSSBYVOK_mJ/s400/20191228_153106.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That tiny dot there is Amare in front of a really, really big door</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Exhausted, we said goodbye to Adam, walked around the grounds a bit more, and piled back into a taxi for our return to the airport. A few hours later we were flying again on our way to Libreville, Gabon. On this second flight, the lights were out within an hour of takeoff and as a Christmas miracle, the row across from us was empty, so we were able to move and give both kids two seats to lay across and sleep, which they did for nearly the entire flight. </div>
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We landed, all of our bags arrived safely with us (this is never a guarantee!), and customs was a breeze. Then, as Landry predicted, our hotel shuttle did not show to pick us up and when we called they said the driver was resting and no one would be coming. So, a Tetris master of a taxi driver managed to pack our four suitcases, pack and play, backpacks, stroller and us into his Subaru station wagon and dropped us to our hotel. By the time we checked in, showered, and settled it was 3am. We all passed out and slept until 11 the next morning.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKMKmG544UQtioAa0fAyW0kOE5dCCj-4lWkwksFQL-D8dLPQxzH-HCjAwwtpQ6TpFUO99LY64JGcophqV8v2Hi31_EfxM0kGozRMNrKsUn692qPbZbiFfSESAmON5CdK1FrYJTo0FO_9v/s1600/20191228_201032.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKMKmG544UQtioAa0fAyW0kOE5dCCj-4lWkwksFQL-D8dLPQxzH-HCjAwwtpQ6TpFUO99LY64JGcophqV8v2Hi31_EfxM0kGozRMNrKsUn692qPbZbiFfSESAmON5CdK1FrYJTo0FO_9v/s400/20191228_201032.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEida4ibVTO3Xmd6lBu7It7sQYfdNdRfzgIPHj_XkCIIfdkUSAPy3yfIMVtiLZbaqa2giZBOJDRgtQj2mgOdwpnNrYmfnytfD5CSGB8N-W-zYeoAcAM7zNVMbl1G0hPgtx4fdwXR_xmhHVTf/s1600/IMG-20191229-WA0000.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEida4ibVTO3Xmd6lBu7It7sQYfdNdRfzgIPHj_XkCIIfdkUSAPy3yfIMVtiLZbaqa2giZBOJDRgtQj2mgOdwpnNrYmfnytfD5CSGB8N-W-zYeoAcAM7zNVMbl1G0hPgtx4fdwXR_xmhHVTf/s400/IMG-20191229-WA0000.jpeg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrival in Gabon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKEur8vVHx4ka3wphfOSO5F8AaP9Pg5qa_NadpKTzT2Kaez-ENqdMUbMXfMgbrqjoI3m7r2JJXNLTMhlODu_KvByUn5mgqaIjGa0D61SvSRCTplxMEsHBH9vedXR4wcXLuLIPl0TUJrJ6/s1600/20191229_013954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKEur8vVHx4ka3wphfOSO5F8AaP9Pg5qa_NadpKTzT2Kaez-ENqdMUbMXfMgbrqjoI3m7r2JJXNLTMhlODu_KvByUn5mgqaIjGa0D61SvSRCTplxMEsHBH9vedXR4wcXLuLIPl0TUJrJ6/s400/20191229_013954.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the baby is already riding shotgun with no carseat...smh</td></tr>
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Sunday was the big surprise day. We loaded everything up again and stored it at the hotel, took another taxi with just our essentials, and arrived at Geo’s house unannounced. Below are the videos we took at her house and then again at Landry’s brother’s house.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxHJ0E90r7JTqh4ASX1Zj_ViGYkWwC02PoXXCg2qc-ivSOvalDd0eQdkQ_cJKDPZ2OGVYWn49p0rg_Bo1Cv3w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6P6mHI_uFo9OvaaJzEkKzjQu5YiSNM1sZAvRrxY5seAtfeEvGPNhVRwwsCJwCHcL7UEY9XtOJvawvzs44Fjm0w9-74xvrI1UOI6oUyaBnWXaTGUYTcD3ITQ599fOxk5UFN9piw-OUB9J/s1600/IMG-20191230-WA0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1080" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6P6mHI_uFo9OvaaJzEkKzjQu5YiSNM1sZAvRrxY5seAtfeEvGPNhVRwwsCJwCHcL7UEY9XtOJvawvzs44Fjm0w9-74xvrI1UOI6oUyaBnWXaTGUYTcD3ITQ599fOxk5UFN9piw-OUB9J/s400/IMG-20191230-WA0056.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzU1rHy8f9V7M-it0Ry-cx2qwPelV6nB3Yav0aOxj5wHQ3HHxS9U-fFmp4cL8XIez8DAte94Y-plDGUwAptKV1byepqpKf6hmVyxVt1GXfBq-vweiiv3apdCOG72Jv5mbx8LeIchglUsn/s1600/IMG-20191230-WA0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzU1rHy8f9V7M-it0Ry-cx2qwPelV6nB3Yav0aOxj5wHQ3HHxS9U-fFmp4cL8XIez8DAte94Y-plDGUwAptKV1byepqpKf6hmVyxVt1GXfBq-vweiiv3apdCOG72Jv5mbx8LeIchglUsn/s400/IMG-20191230-WA0057.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Amare and Asaye have been having a blast with their cousins since we arrived. Geo’s house is amazing. They have a pool, jungle gym, and trampoline, so the kids have tons of stuff to do. She also has a guest house, which is where we’re staying. It’s a really spacious suite with a bed, sitting area, and bathroom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYDzOair8XmOWv1qQkMaN9zxkXr3Zlr0UERrXhne5oi0FN0HxlIIy4EA3e79ugLUwH0Ogg_sfuxW3WefGO-YzDTrruzdmPF_9mkshX5ekBwq-uJLh-9CUbCvNEgMmc6uOeZTQTz2Q4xaN/s1600/20191229_160650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYDzOair8XmOWv1qQkMaN9zxkXr3Zlr0UERrXhne5oi0FN0HxlIIy4EA3e79ugLUwH0Ogg_sfuxW3WefGO-YzDTrruzdmPF_9mkshX5ekBwq-uJLh-9CUbCvNEgMmc6uOeZTQTz2Q4xaN/s400/20191229_160650.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've missed this soda!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA7RLgPynE0PWdNfcpWUCVnhbhgiHvuSamJBMG6_EU4p7LdAGG6iDqpNhdIDb-lNVKUNUj1zjR1EIQ00GXMNUch_P4FrO01aPSpsOwNVIESu-ZpfqIYO1yDFJMhw6pAZEjpfE1vsWqPIE/s1600/20191229_161659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigA7RLgPynE0PWdNfcpWUCVnhbhgiHvuSamJBMG6_EU4p7LdAGG6iDqpNhdIDb-lNVKUNUj1zjR1EIQ00GXMNUch_P4FrO01aPSpsOwNVIESu-ZpfqIYO1yDFJMhw6pAZEjpfE1vsWqPIE/s400/20191229_161659.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Monday was Amare’s birthday. I woke him up with his traditional Zoom birthday song and then I’m not sure he stopped jumping on the trampoline from the time he got up until his birthday party started around 6. It was a dino themed party (of course!) and the highlight was a piñata that he’d been asking for constantly, so it was a great surprise for him. And his Tonton Amenem created this amazing video for him of his party.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IXGFKeUG0hHEKItjphPJW0G-NCmHWXryd0rQu55quZhZs4lSeR73v395ChLp8iNSR3Fe-fOWUdKSdvqd9vYLRXqdFQnKd6TczLs5SryG8Cmy1zsub3KHbq7rtUC2PYT6ruUOnroyWeMG/s1600/20191229_213357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IXGFKeUG0hHEKItjphPJW0G-NCmHWXryd0rQu55quZhZs4lSeR73v395ChLp8iNSR3Fe-fOWUdKSdvqd9vYLRXqdFQnKd6TczLs5SryG8Cmy1zsub3KHbq7rtUC2PYT6ruUOnroyWeMG/s400/20191229_213357.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last night as a four year old!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Today is New Year’s Eve. We don’t have any big plans for tonight. We’ll just hang out at the house with the family
I think. Tomorrow Landry, the boys and I
head for Point Denis for a night. There
are elephants and the sea turtles are nesting now, so I’m really, really hoping
we get to see that while we’re there.
Then on Friday I’m off to Nairobi for work</span></div>
Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-95579163004071052013-08-10T08:48:00.001-07:002013-08-10T08:48:22.026-07:00Buffalo, Monkeys and Elephants...Oh My!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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This past weekend Landry and I took the train out to Lope
National Park for the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our
train was scheduled to leave at 7:30 on Friday night, so we left promptly at
9am on Saturday<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was actually a cargo train derailment
during the day on Friday that had to be cleared before any trains could leave
the station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their system is set up so
that there are several tracks at each station, but only one track between
stations, so there’s no way to pass an accident or stalled train unless it’s at
a station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I digress.</div>
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Lope National Park is one of many national parks in Gabon
and it has both forest and savannah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
were supposed to arrive in the early morning hours of Saturday, but since our
train didn’t leave the city until 9am we decided to extend our trip for a day
and come back on Monday night instead of Sunday night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gave us a little extra time to enjoy
all that Lope has to offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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There’s an incredibly nice hotel in Lope that’s pretty
affordable, but it’s completely isolated from the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to stay in a motel, also owned by
the hotel, but that sits right in the center of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This allowed us to take advantage of all of the hotel amenities,
but we could eat local and explore the town a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We signed up for four excursions while we were in Lope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did a forest walk, a boat ride down the
Oogue River, a 4x4 safari, and we climbed Mont Brazza, a mountain that
overlooks the river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Local fare was a
lot of chicken and rice, but it was good, and the locals were incredibly friendly,
trying to give us tips on where to see elephants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, seeing an elephant in their backyard is like us
waking up to see a deer or squirrel!</div>
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The excursions were wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw buffalo several times, which look very different from the
buffalo we have in the states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got
to see TONS of elephants, some monkeys, and the views from the top of Mont
Brazza were amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bag still has
not been located, so I was pretty limited in what I had to wear for these
excursions and I ended up climbing the mountain in my flip flops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was proud about climbing a mountain
period, but in my flops?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Put an extra
check mark next to climbing a mountain on the bucket list!</div>
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Our return home was another adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had taken the express train up to Lope,
but they only run every other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
offer first class seating for a minimal upgrade price and the seats are
spacious, plus there’s air conditioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The local was running on Monday, so that was our only choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No option for upgrading seats, no air
conditioning, and I can’t say for sure, but I’m pretty certain the toilets
runneth over because when we stopped the smell at times was almost
unbearable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water had leaked in between
the two panes of glass in my window and an aquarium of algae was beginning to
grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were delayed at two stations
on the way waiting for the train going in the other direction to pass us and we
arrived at 11am instead of the scheduled 8:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Despite the travel bumps, this was definitely the
highlight of our vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just the
right combination of adventure and relaxation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m really looking forward to returning to Lope some day and maybe
showing some of our friends around…any takers??</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzhafSuHoQx0QoX0nrHbJYIt5F-j_tqpQISG8rsL-49GdeWSgMYlyQxcz4QsQigRYPeHZWBEM83qNUShou35vPXq8d935PDu-fItBuLBRwSEUYVisR8t05-aFpGRn2mQDbG1O2N_SHTV5/s1600/SAM_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzhafSuHoQx0QoX0nrHbJYIt5F-j_tqpQISG8rsL-49GdeWSgMYlyQxcz4QsQigRYPeHZWBEM83qNUShou35vPXq8d935PDu-fItBuLBRwSEUYVisR8t05-aFpGRn2mQDbG1O2N_SHTV5/s1600/SAM_0961.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The train station in Owendo, the town next to Libreville</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUAgS0aHKAESal4FGeJ7xBTzV8K4aq8U8dSn43quJVmHsicSt3BFiEcHyhf_XD9yAE-_rmGKi318CY-h2oqxzaFJ72-jjrwYFtxSZixSI_HNwnpdQ5P9HzzV_SLfg742YwDb6q-H5HaY1/s1600/SAM_0964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUAgS0aHKAESal4FGeJ7xBTzV8K4aq8U8dSn43quJVmHsicSt3BFiEcHyhf_XD9yAE-_rmGKi318CY-h2oqxzaFJ72-jjrwYFtxSZixSI_HNwnpdQ5P9HzzV_SLfg742YwDb6q-H5HaY1/s1600/SAM_0964.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our car on the train</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4B0p77pDNnhWqvQ3B3RQEGaIUNdYURnBiWAX-686RD2memwIvb6t6g00OMNzI9Y9nwHs49XkLlMJldliPc7fro5zYNRR1tSSxlYvfnm5qsAG8ZYwbD1CAmdA-XJP68ijD_p8WCTLr44h/s1600/SAM_0970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4B0p77pDNnhWqvQ3B3RQEGaIUNdYURnBiWAX-686RD2memwIvb6t6g00OMNzI9Y9nwHs49XkLlMJldliPc7fro5zYNRR1tSSxlYvfnm5qsAG8ZYwbD1CAmdA-XJP68ijD_p8WCTLr44h/s1600/SAM_0970.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to depart Owendo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEjMzoEzx0kxcriAmlz_dTZstT_mNhKUkrYI3LNq0j5LoV_jeHDU5peeHczN5JnB-Rw7XHMlAGpMOO8FR6wtyA3mWM0ynj8dwzZIkX9tkdENYSbfpIW-Hn2t1LxpYlKVUh9cWVpt52Pec/s1600/SAM_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEjMzoEzx0kxcriAmlz_dTZstT_mNhKUkrYI3LNq0j5LoV_jeHDU5peeHczN5JnB-Rw7XHMlAGpMOO8FR6wtyA3mWM0ynj8dwzZIkX9tkdENYSbfpIW-Hn2t1LxpYlKVUh9cWVpt52Pec/s1600/SAM_1024.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally arrived! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTxvKlDVNY_mGK6TSxt-bngiMDZJRg7jM4fBmsbI2tk5N5RCFPBMgfpQBb902HHXyd6UXcb_cpo3KHlvMW60sDNsADoDplb5Pn4uEg1uU6i0gLP7vO5eFjb9SdorKf4NBDr4sG2f5Iwht/s1600/SAM_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTxvKlDVNY_mGK6TSxt-bngiMDZJRg7jM4fBmsbI2tk5N5RCFPBMgfpQBb902HHXyd6UXcb_cpo3KHlvMW60sDNsADoDplb5Pn4uEg1uU6i0gLP7vO5eFjb9SdorKf4NBDr4sG2f5Iwht/s1600/SAM_1025.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting off the train in Lope</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B0BAXTAir5nbJnOsBhaXZ9522h3Wmmv51Yw7Mbu506LvNnvwne2bC_4c_eBL38vHoU7pZeZjcbPw3ut8dyQ7ybUSEgpPkA0vOMY3w534U0uiD6Jm8KCfIQuwtoRXjxgl5xeLaEgbWJAB/s1600/SAM_1184.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B0BAXTAir5nbJnOsBhaXZ9522h3Wmmv51Yw7Mbu506LvNnvwne2bC_4c_eBL38vHoU7pZeZjcbPw3ut8dyQ7ybUSEgpPkA0vOMY3w534U0uiD6Jm8KCfIQuwtoRXjxgl5xeLaEgbWJAB/s1600/SAM_1184.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign for our motel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NBb40M15MWZ455xfeekDhoHIIRgifFv0pH_Vxi7njhJ1KLeI7BbT-NNx9OlzUcFtJ0p6I9oqSgg8pg1_orN2DpTiF-HWX8UvWLKVtc8spph3vfN0UCgMU0Jcgsco5ssUi87nR_iL-kN_/s1600/SAM_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NBb40M15MWZ455xfeekDhoHIIRgifFv0pH_Vxi7njhJ1KLeI7BbT-NNx9OlzUcFtJ0p6I9oqSgg8pg1_orN2DpTiF-HWX8UvWLKVtc8spph3vfN0UCgMU0Jcgsco5ssUi87nR_iL-kN_/s1600/SAM_1026.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motel rooms are a bit simpler in Lope, but the bed was comfy, the room had AC, and we were so busy we barely saw the room but to sleep in it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgUbI6tRDyupecOd46IhTHgCcfH_q4tAnaOiJnmlfUiNF8M3_Ve-oLYuPnYRS4OfMp8KTeIppi8Y7dG3dlLAhVdk0we-dAwlqZrOAOyzLGQ3JH5rN_mEg5qD27ffDoZgsDUvEWYM67jFD/s1600/SAM_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgUbI6tRDyupecOd46IhTHgCcfH_q4tAnaOiJnmlfUiNF8M3_Ve-oLYuPnYRS4OfMp8KTeIppi8Y7dG3dlLAhVdk0we-dAwlqZrOAOyzLGQ3JH5rN_mEg5qD27ffDoZgsDUvEWYM67jFD/s1600/SAM_1030.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grounds of our motel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC1SNWacwoCnCG5vjM67kafoKPOjpG9cT9vNsecgr9XGoen8UGFQFTY7JuOf7os0OmLo-u-CT3Dixh1x1ulsT8acK2N74WQk6ZNs7IMBd7t3AK4dkKMVbAcbhS2KOF7ILOwcLXvWXodES/s1600/SAM_1162.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSC1SNWacwoCnCG5vjM67kafoKPOjpG9cT9vNsecgr9XGoen8UGFQFTY7JuOf7os0OmLo-u-CT3Dixh1x1ulsT8acK2N74WQk6ZNs7IMBd7t3AK4dkKMVbAcbhS2KOF7ILOwcLXvWXodES/s1600/SAM_1162.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know this looks like a dirt road running through town, but it's actually National 1, the highway that runs across the whole country.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjMugvzqoXUiJZ56SngJ63F0jphzSip6GCef1ZkHwrRI5I44c0KR7op7O7HVjD3ziThbQm-5x1MNGSiFdk1KT0ejqcckXPicZgVnVsokfRzyQ0dKgbSvhYXaK5rAGREC949V-cc-S1u33/s1600/SAM_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjMugvzqoXUiJZ56SngJ63F0jphzSip6GCef1ZkHwrRI5I44c0KR7op7O7HVjD3ziThbQm-5x1MNGSiFdk1KT0ejqcckXPicZgVnVsokfRzyQ0dKgbSvhYXaK5rAGREC949V-cc-S1u33/s1600/SAM_1052.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landry holding up the roots of a fallen tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgRLqiTuSN-q6Y9Ua5ci91ckk2DAzGMzIAPEvwMDXFbxjAXeO257a5GIeoVcTJV0dfXiSzYgrfRyWxdvXYGQHHfd-Z1q6tQq2aKweaAyPXsVh04myN0kJRZx27m_7BZamQxHO_gW7Q1qy/s1600/SAM_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgRLqiTuSN-q6Y9Ua5ci91ckk2DAzGMzIAPEvwMDXFbxjAXeO257a5GIeoVcTJV0dfXiSzYgrfRyWxdvXYGQHHfd-Z1q6tQq2aKweaAyPXsVh04myN0kJRZx27m_7BZamQxHO_gW7Q1qy/s1600/SAM_1056.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our forest walk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh762_wKpvm51Vnay4x_RkIKDutrGY0-VOqE2IKp3Z_eL_f3HAYvO61B_FAUP2bP1asGrvrzC2krpsuSBGdUgEGojUX4rm9cF5C7Fb4h4VCBzah14dpKe0ThpFtaeO4xqx9zmfHjeZlGuD6/s1600/SAM_1062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh762_wKpvm51Vnay4x_RkIKDutrGY0-VOqE2IKp3Z_eL_f3HAYvO61B_FAUP2bP1asGrvrzC2krpsuSBGdUgEGojUX4rm9cF5C7Fb4h4VCBzah14dpKe0ThpFtaeO4xqx9zmfHjeZlGuD6/s1600/SAM_1062.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me climbing vines in the forest. Our guide said that in the event an elephant should charge us we would need to find vines like these and climb them quickly to escape. Kinda glad we didn't see any elephants this day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4jG_AoaMbJHkLl5u6_SDvc0N022sLb-BFrWLCoYanTz7nCrTeGvSK5a05Ov3ZP8PZzF7kpfZXcVHLmusW5J5oNBrEncI2qJBsHkaN6E0Lyqx1mhS0vAcGpKqUXSwX98L4l-P97F5nfsH/s1600/SAM_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ4jG_AoaMbJHkLl5u6_SDvc0N022sLb-BFrWLCoYanTz7nCrTeGvSK5a05Ov3ZP8PZzF7kpfZXcVHLmusW5J5oNBrEncI2qJBsHkaN6E0Lyqx1mhS0vAcGpKqUXSwX98L4l-P97F5nfsH/s1600/SAM_1070.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wandering through the savannah.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ga0uVJSgt60YXsBR93KJ1m8T5lUFpT8RvuA_u3R3FOHFd49-F9vgGordYr54Gn8A-Mu5XHGnQG54zi3NB6cJy6GwYwqBMYamIfFrW2opsejqcV5LlMrWTkJ1KdhiTaEAetGGXZ3m6AgG/s1600/100_1355.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ga0uVJSgt60YXsBR93KJ1m8T5lUFpT8RvuA_u3R3FOHFd49-F9vgGordYr54Gn8A-Mu5XHGnQG54zi3NB6cJy6GwYwqBMYamIfFrW2opsejqcV5LlMrWTkJ1KdhiTaEAetGGXZ3m6AgG/s1600/100_1355.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkey in the trees during our forest walk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9I5L1J-WEq57gvqjZ4weGW7W1Bm4cjbQdQjrj60S3oZ9ogluJv1bfsvRWHZr_EgHfdvXJQFoitYJ5AfYuVfZsVx-_nNpih21TgiKTccge7MrgMTNFESr2GTz4mSLqVTm270aRjHKFSpo/s1600/100_1383.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9I5L1J-WEq57gvqjZ4weGW7W1Bm4cjbQdQjrj60S3oZ9ogluJv1bfsvRWHZr_EgHfdvXJQFoitYJ5AfYuVfZsVx-_nNpih21TgiKTccge7MrgMTNFESr2GTz4mSLqVTm270aRjHKFSpo/s1600/100_1383.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buffaloes we spotted while driving to the forest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Qf4r9zOBLmY0lpOKfZHwkLSgqD0jb3ZzpFqiQHtIpx7_x_1EUoh5dS_El53Q2okhwStrTZQ1r8NBKtWYwuORgggQpMZgrTn_IWTwzo1g4BrOvBPxOBHRUoZL3jOx_q9rlWpsQsevpR6B/s1600/SAM_1073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Qf4r9zOBLmY0lpOKfZHwkLSgqD0jb3ZzpFqiQHtIpx7_x_1EUoh5dS_El53Q2okhwStrTZQ1r8NBKtWYwuORgggQpMZgrTn_IWTwzo1g4BrOvBPxOBHRUoZL3jOx_q9rlWpsQsevpR6B/s1600/SAM_1073.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Mont Brazza and the Oogue River from the pool at the Lope Hotel. All of the rocks you see are completely underwater during the rainy season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJGejBAgsmAKroeL4WwMNYUZgxeNz9ZiMym5wqrCpEFRWyDABrRvLZVIxNcfvO-rs2QG-EGJWs5wnqC6sftcF8v6SUHRbkVMuOaWTt31THJnrrrOHx1kHWqQbsCSEThIr4idOsvKCX3h_/s1600/SAM_1077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJGejBAgsmAKroeL4WwMNYUZgxeNz9ZiMym5wqrCpEFRWyDABrRvLZVIxNcfvO-rs2QG-EGJWs5wnqC6sftcF8v6SUHRbkVMuOaWTt31THJnrrrOHx1kHWqQbsCSEThIr4idOsvKCX3h_/s1600/SAM_1077.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Likely the most relaxing moment of my vacation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaZM-Xt8PWJr4X8xF6xFgentCKn5oJsw8alXVB5IPon0M3OOGusZxDKKgzlT90WLT3-L93AsID7WpSNnItXfBveMtKSZAYSJTFau66AePPlosjbOSzWtAtpy8PuT0uC2XvjioL9237cKD/s1600/SAM_1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqaZM-Xt8PWJr4X8xF6xFgentCKn5oJsw8alXVB5IPon0M3OOGusZxDKKgzlT90WLT3-L93AsID7WpSNnItXfBveMtKSZAYSJTFau66AePPlosjbOSzWtAtpy8PuT0uC2XvjioL9237cKD/s1600/SAM_1086.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our boat ride down the Oogue River</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQl8yANgv47JmW8Rn0GGuk5LzNKpknDJbbBur87zWCwcnhYYiXxs0QZieOgAFMmouibjqX1QsLa54klpsAtxYb2-Eqa4kvgq6ZAg_zWuoeDyDq3KSBPZTwQzfu6VrT3tpNTa7ye0nhQL3/s1600/SAM_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQl8yANgv47JmW8Rn0GGuk5LzNKpknDJbbBur87zWCwcnhYYiXxs0QZieOgAFMmouibjqX1QsLa54klpsAtxYb2-Eqa4kvgq6ZAg_zWuoeDyDq3KSBPZTwQzfu6VrT3tpNTa7ye0nhQL3/s1600/SAM_1091.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzlD_Z7mxkHKlaK6rQxeBUv0ywekCUwahtBXVrACCWu3Ea0zSkRIOlvCqQetNedrgVO-LfnwGEyHatTs4xxKajVaxd8tiMII1kmEqFdLC9h8ZTKHLqVm4-38vAAwpD7wVh95kUyF9Nvv_/s1600/SAM_1094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHzlD_Z7mxkHKlaK6rQxeBUv0ywekCUwahtBXVrACCWu3Ea0zSkRIOlvCqQetNedrgVO-LfnwGEyHatTs4xxKajVaxd8tiMII1kmEqFdLC9h8ZTKHLqVm4-38vAAwpD7wVh95kUyF9Nvv_/s1600/SAM_1094.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a National Treasure moment. There are prehistoric engravings on these rocks, but they're hard to see. Pouring water on them makes them more visible.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDh32YyptIsQYVdRvDTjP_PPlKeucS8GKxvvkvVdT3S4xsfoWBxIwUnUYqCymhflJQ_aaOstVeSi4_vLimOup8P9xP8eTMjQLcU71eQBMCAmCbH2Wz1UVIJbl1DPj2v-TDXOJ9uO_h7ff/s1600/SAM_1097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDh32YyptIsQYVdRvDTjP_PPlKeucS8GKxvvkvVdT3S4xsfoWBxIwUnUYqCymhflJQ_aaOstVeSi4_vLimOup8P9xP8eTMjQLcU71eQBMCAmCbH2Wz1UVIJbl1DPj2v-TDXOJ9uO_h7ff/s1600/SAM_1097.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock engravings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhLpdd7_brpwPRkScNoo5FEIbmF0eiOG8YOb1HIGd2m_X7SWLgKnVC7UUXGbh8jpXscRlyRBadrVw0CGVkv1SJogHx7jCO_XiZpZmOTwNMsmIoa8IZoKbXFdWGCiSSB75PH7ipy5eTz-6/s1600/SAM_1098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhLpdd7_brpwPRkScNoo5FEIbmF0eiOG8YOb1HIGd2m_X7SWLgKnVC7UUXGbh8jpXscRlyRBadrVw0CGVkv1SJogHx7jCO_XiZpZmOTwNMsmIoa8IZoKbXFdWGCiSSB75PH7ipy5eTz-6/s1600/SAM_1098.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing back down to the beach and boat after our hike to see the rock writing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUwYIXXRLCpXX2f6uEq-loXq3EXtmdHiCoCacL2QGH-ix6ovG2YXWyZkskPwJB3AjJj24S7f08sqHWnSDYTesHtTvNhe6vbNzUaK4qOCpG5vzCkdaj7UMFcPCNT7tMvwningjruCShmVK/s1600/100_1380.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUwYIXXRLCpXX2f6uEq-loXq3EXtmdHiCoCacL2QGH-ix6ovG2YXWyZkskPwJB3AjJj24S7f08sqHWnSDYTesHtTvNhe6vbNzUaK4qOCpG5vzCkdaj7UMFcPCNT7tMvwningjruCShmVK/s1600/100_1380.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A chimpanzee our guide spotted on the mountainside while returning from our boat ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wvZ-9Ag7MfpAgLmduGf6J6un7XtMurTkMzbOMmHrWXNUyuqYYqvNPuYWCToYFwIjV2wTDNq5XZpW-q4A_LDHjuM5T0y7HrKsvwLfEZJ4LjBaRRpTzbMBE2HuJi1rKIH_nIdMA1DruslC/s1600/SAM_1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wvZ-9Ag7MfpAgLmduGf6J6un7XtMurTkMzbOMmHrWXNUyuqYYqvNPuYWCToYFwIjV2wTDNq5XZpW-q4A_LDHjuM5T0y7HrKsvwLfEZJ4LjBaRRpTzbMBE2HuJi1rKIH_nIdMA1DruslC/s1600/SAM_1099.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the bank of the Oogue River.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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</span><div style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvuRPeCrjAD43Zzm1YVTTZrxcm6txo_ZcPo2oecFPes1P8QOldgssHtqoixjmLRNZALj4YE0oXEtYzDBnPI-vLgTj5jDSHu3sA5Ge-tyBv0pwQWJJPIW4a3laqnsaO5RLEnCWG3q3Z9XV/s1600/100_1381.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvuRPeCrjAD43Zzm1YVTTZrxcm6txo_ZcPo2oecFPes1P8QOldgssHtqoixjmLRNZALj4YE0oXEtYzDBnPI-vLgTj5jDSHu3sA5Ge-tyBv0pwQWJJPIW4a3laqnsaO5RLEnCWG3q3Z9XV/s1600/100_1381.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had to document our feet in the waters of the Oogue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-4rRTM3RQGnZAlXSqD7ja3dS8rZaQXKpt0JAQbwUWmNrUOpWQddGU3qLKmBYuWLqdXKo5_IS9plHFq-YKeesj2NXSoApseCg_Pkbko2BN0hJhb2drzXTZ91uIDDpYuyCVlxNwIdqKMDQ/s1600/SAM_1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-4rRTM3RQGnZAlXSqD7ja3dS8rZaQXKpt0JAQbwUWmNrUOpWQddGU3qLKmBYuWLqdXKo5_IS9plHFq-YKeesj2NXSoApseCg_Pkbko2BN0hJhb2drzXTZ91uIDDpYuyCVlxNwIdqKMDQ/s1600/SAM_1116.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date night!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV83hlQrI74AvsmFycEkdKw4txrc7jd_PLgd0S9ZtZuRXMV7sll5Y98dKG9D2rV1v_il1Y1eNF9W-NIeWC-zkFZs5OCIXmgYJlBXu9yUn0DjmbkABSh64rpO-pevPdIYm43a0K32tZLV8/s1600/SAM_1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieV83hlQrI74AvsmFycEkdKw4txrc7jd_PLgd0S9ZtZuRXMV7sll5Y98dKG9D2rV1v_il1Y1eNF9W-NIeWC-zkFZs5OCIXmgYJlBXu9yUn0DjmbkABSh64rpO-pevPdIYm43a0K32tZLV8/s1600/SAM_1117.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water tower in Lope</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIpeD7pbMjoyU4CfC7JwBAjdOUC4yPpVbukPSj1md3CmM-afoY_uzhVdSWONPXULxHLc9mj-8fWsdooa-16wJX6VR8T1gEAuk69QWhOd93L_dE8dY14d9Xnkj6m9cuE9ngEQMTX72e0-n/s1600/SAM_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCIpeD7pbMjoyU4CfC7JwBAjdOUC4yPpVbukPSj1md3CmM-afoY_uzhVdSWONPXULxHLc9mj-8fWsdooa-16wJX6VR8T1gEAuk69QWhOd93L_dE8dY14d9Xnkj6m9cuE9ngEQMTX72e0-n/s1600/SAM_1118.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half way up the climb to the peak of Mont Brazza</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOSf0RBd15VPSi-wv19_oqts7FWslpW_V1n8HPCw0-Xwf1zf3egJhqvDJsz4mBOhQuU8qIb6SzK2ChZgidQmSQ4G9mjh-DPWTFK7BznKrcMnBSqU1y7TkRjendj5KzytPmEGkNiJbKP0n/s1600/SAM_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOSf0RBd15VPSi-wv19_oqts7FWslpW_V1n8HPCw0-Xwf1zf3egJhqvDJsz4mBOhQuU8qIb6SzK2ChZgidQmSQ4G9mjh-DPWTFK7BznKrcMnBSqU1y7TkRjendj5KzytPmEGkNiJbKP0n/s1600/SAM_1124.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep climb!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8eWmxXzqD_6R_wo-ziapkV31F7HWxTCeiHc-DOqx8TK4DuSHQumguEmn24CW1Sab5Sgr_D0Y_lB7iy6xxefQhaV5_lwvvxolVXUuhhoovjydYsa9isWQRx85bXBHAuQNv5SKVxAfRJ_r/s1600/100_1395.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8eWmxXzqD_6R_wo-ziapkV31F7HWxTCeiHc-DOqx8TK4DuSHQumguEmn24CW1Sab5Sgr_D0Y_lB7iy6xxefQhaV5_lwvvxolVXUuhhoovjydYsa9isWQRx85bXBHAuQNv5SKVxAfRJ_r/s1600/100_1395.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So steep!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinwuHuu3f7aCzA20baUH7p06IGI8QLYbpo47bTHkbqOiVhYjhUzAaaCYkIDBCNvtwDXsNijrJ_K6B9G2RBioN8y50YWIUuim4Xd4Fa7v4C2Ihx0KYbkF79EK38ziOHXL11QRQL_GNugMH/s1600/SAM_1141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinwuHuu3f7aCzA20baUH7p06IGI8QLYbpo47bTHkbqOiVhYjhUzAaaCYkIDBCNvtwDXsNijrJ_K6B9G2RBioN8y50YWIUuim4Xd4Fa7v4C2Ihx0KYbkF79EK38ziOHXL11QRQL_GNugMH/s1600/SAM_1141.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of the world!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Hkz46sBma1HDMnsa-51j7E7QXWjztsWUYlA-BVgXsEPuGGAl-2LDJJ-iA2kIjQ-t7Pxfj8lVaiW86J-iEioqMy6w2jH6ZaJ6x5gdrPFTdKdkW15-iVRhYn5pYsT1h5-Yz1TqPPJp4XAv/s1600/SAM_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Hkz46sBma1HDMnsa-51j7E7QXWjztsWUYlA-BVgXsEPuGGAl-2LDJJ-iA2kIjQ-t7Pxfj8lVaiW86J-iEioqMy6w2jH6ZaJ6x5gdrPFTdKdkW15-iVRhYn5pYsT1h5-Yz1TqPPJp4XAv/s1600/SAM_1177.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating our achievement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYf5AzqCCaUiGxtXcFMkFze4mBHmZdP-T2rXhzKsgYFpkQaX3-h3hOZXr4V-rq12_XQsb8Oc-UBVKfzZr8uBcA8Dz1D4tcpVuH3uQtbK9txTTSH_TNXhqBWQZXZACaeMaHGhCFcMXnlNv/s1600/100_1408.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCYf5AzqCCaUiGxtXcFMkFze4mBHmZdP-T2rXhzKsgYFpkQaX3-h3hOZXr4V-rq12_XQsb8Oc-UBVKfzZr8uBcA8Dz1D4tcpVuH3uQtbK9txTTSH_TNXhqBWQZXZACaeMaHGhCFcMXnlNv/s1600/100_1408.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When we got to the top of the mountain there was a cement block with several pieces of slate engraved with the names of people who have climbed Mont Brazza.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXDZsQPwx4lP_m1j63cZHHgkKx5ENDVQvn2X1lefTRthBpi7Z7XI0xxy5KNNRDJgDzwlf3ob_zAs_9x5-Dz7bA6fBrvpcU_RxDLhs0P1wIbxvn4c7v3WX4R_6EH-FbscvjatD-8HBeas0/s1600/100_1410.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXDZsQPwx4lP_m1j63cZHHgkKx5ENDVQvn2X1lefTRthBpi7Z7XI0xxy5KNNRDJgDzwlf3ob_zAs_9x5-Dz7bA6fBrvpcU_RxDLhs0P1wIbxvn4c7v3WX4R_6EH-FbscvjatD-8HBeas0/s1600/100_1410.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's our addition, L+S '13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh840fQNAZFSxnyYB69DX5ag0i9sIfhwdQZEwYsZ2GVQ8LEdylKrhyphenhyphenl2Ez2eHFYmBjEvG9OtmmbUdRFhDURlfZS_Mszgmg9nafg2rOb6e9DeiTzfVCTMTlkqe20SgeqL0_0TT68KO256fFG/s1600/SAM_1150.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh840fQNAZFSxnyYB69DX5ag0i9sIfhwdQZEwYsZ2GVQ8LEdylKrhyphenhyphenl2Ez2eHFYmBjEvG9OtmmbUdRFhDURlfZS_Mszgmg9nafg2rOb6e9DeiTzfVCTMTlkqe20SgeqL0_0TT68KO256fFG/s1600/SAM_1150.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading back down the mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XlOGUrkx5aFIJNt5Hu_ccCYOw_RnLEohyphenhyphen2cEP8GlFGnpQSYg3xuVM8VqziMJI863m43cLr8Avxdla-RM0VZn2HQiOYKkaeXZ0nMKpRtTXqiEkHxPksgJUceDpI3rJhSOhWFj-3Vc8euW/s1600/SAM_1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XlOGUrkx5aFIJNt5Hu_ccCYOw_RnLEohyphenhyphen2cEP8GlFGnpQSYg3xuVM8VqziMJI863m43cLr8Avxdla-RM0VZn2HQiOYKkaeXZ0nMKpRtTXqiEkHxPksgJUceDpI3rJhSOhWFj-3Vc8euW/s1600/SAM_1180.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one of the restaurants in town. The whole interior was paneled in tree bark...pretty cool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzqG4duVHKpVor_020fyY24V5TIrlilyAPbem1DBzhNT01NkBQdLGJTf4tlvYdM_5egdTeJMuChLZu89UYCdl8gGUz5mrt7banC0-FOdLNzjuCtwZH49AqLrDVdd8-y6VBoTngrXwvaP-/s1600/SAM_1183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzqG4duVHKpVor_020fyY24V5TIrlilyAPbem1DBzhNT01NkBQdLGJTf4tlvYdM_5egdTeJMuChLZu89UYCdl8gGUz5mrt7banC0-FOdLNzjuCtwZH49AqLrDVdd8-y6VBoTngrXwvaP-/s1600/SAM_1183.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another local restaurant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAYnwnRvHlajXgTtf0H_iPBvC1_AH4TQBzCCywH3_uzkE5Cgztp1gSXYkxNna8g4HkQJE0NigdoDC0_eUiWqUtgDwUC6HX1kUxg0wIJjQSI0368oTk7c1OkhPdQR67LQdzCwPtSzwMXjq/s1600/SAM_1185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAYnwnRvHlajXgTtf0H_iPBvC1_AH4TQBzCCywH3_uzkE5Cgztp1gSXYkxNna8g4HkQJE0NigdoDC0_eUiWqUtgDwUC6HX1kUxg0wIJjQSI0368oTk7c1OkhPdQR67LQdzCwPtSzwMXjq/s1600/SAM_1185.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at Maison Mere, omelets, fresh bread, and coffee. Yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjPS7tbglFDW57R2RUbO9uMCUjRH7UjCImw18zgDgUsd1QCIu5s5SqkXxoGgFVZF4UDTFUdfKjrFn1DCJUHt1vqZfq3W3EJNN0ZCud3U6i7WNNGdIN7QsCv8CL7x1gRHm45-iLkwCZpmO/s1600/100_1433.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjPS7tbglFDW57R2RUbO9uMCUjRH7UjCImw18zgDgUsd1QCIu5s5SqkXxoGgFVZF4UDTFUdfKjrFn1DCJUHt1vqZfq3W3EJNN0ZCud3U6i7WNNGdIN7QsCv8CL7x1gRHm45-iLkwCZpmO/s1600/100_1433.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephant behind the restaurant where we ate breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1I84TYBl6-Q9-Zf48Qy24hCkETBKZ39AfSf6aBBbH06rbmp2jEHX4-JRcmZIujUVPinIAHg_FPtKZkNT-rFMQptvlNB0UKIztTxYESwdRepeHhb9oVmfuSmCHC1iGJ8YiH6H98NW4HT-u/s1600/100_1446.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1I84TYBl6-Q9-Zf48Qy24hCkETBKZ39AfSf6aBBbH06rbmp2jEHX4-JRcmZIujUVPinIAHg_FPtKZkNT-rFMQptvlNB0UKIztTxYESwdRepeHhb9oVmfuSmCHC1iGJ8YiH6H98NW4HT-u/s1600/100_1446.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephants playing in the savannah during our 4x4 ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJFsgxNqOF6tl8b_cB9UHGA7kRR_qYyh0RaLKAZOurf42PSClG2zeHSIZ976-z03s61YkjK8ZXXi7KDaQKVfvFGxddMVq5FkTvHWQ1hZ0FZUtVT-GJrmQ7xWFDaghPjBIFEkVP1EARGNH/s1600/100_1455.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJFsgxNqOF6tl8b_cB9UHGA7kRR_qYyh0RaLKAZOurf42PSClG2zeHSIZ976-z03s61YkjK8ZXXi7KDaQKVfvFGxddMVq5FkTvHWQ1hZ0FZUtVT-GJrmQ7xWFDaghPjBIFEkVP1EARGNH/s1600/100_1455.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;">A family of elephants!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Dz5Y4pCZd3hFFnf0gWpx1pXtebgyRWKuLz99JoItjtTALT3Mhzrz94w0mYyk3mc5RkWDBAxgOU7VPKhY-IPxHpbOeAv4ql4elAyJ-GQfgZ0sBb1ELaJjrkUM7MtIgZKLe-D780JdQlBl/s1600/100_1453.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Dz5Y4pCZd3hFFnf0gWpx1pXtebgyRWKuLz99JoItjtTALT3Mhzrz94w0mYyk3mc5RkWDBAxgOU7VPKhY-IPxHpbOeAv4ql4elAyJ-GQfgZ0sBb1ELaJjrkUM7MtIgZKLe-D780JdQlBl/s1600/100_1453.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this shot with the elephants in the background. And look at us reppin' Philly hard!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkcw5kpSje8wxy8RQ88HaBKFRqjyxNtrSijkwTWPJGCy5PMZoN6H9Wn1z54pqlQCS99CJ1ILvDenFDN4fnXrgBuOA7-tiiVzc7emHeAzY9RWaUxVmXNYW6mB2ByE75yZsOGiDfytykYo9/s1600/100_1458.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkcw5kpSje8wxy8RQ88HaBKFRqjyxNtrSijkwTWPJGCy5PMZoN6H9Wn1z54pqlQCS99CJ1ILvDenFDN4fnXrgBuOA7-tiiVzc7emHeAzY9RWaUxVmXNYW6mB2ByE75yZsOGiDfytykYo9/s1600/100_1458.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkeys in the trees during our 4x4 ride. There were so many, but they moved too fast to catch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWg_KdZWEndx9FQjU2TUyZyputFWYYJ8BQYnTxJ0tNCyEQbyhRdyqe-q6-UWtuUEl2-EhkirY6wZcpyD3BcTW_gQRU27iqm_Pn8_lTMMUIon65NbwwEixsMZa1ayfLMGscC1-UTru6-0a/s1600/100_1459.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWg_KdZWEndx9FQjU2TUyZyputFWYYJ8BQYnTxJ0tNCyEQbyhRdyqe-q6-UWtuUEl2-EhkirY6wZcpyD3BcTW_gQRU27iqm_Pn8_lTMMUIon65NbwwEixsMZa1ayfLMGscC1-UTru6-0a/s1600/100_1459.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkeys jumping from one tree to another from a distance.</td></tr>
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</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl2GS_XCwali_FuXCxYoCILMX70l2PG_wzNxvBGrinLT-O9NOEcEP_PfS_cgxjF1G342JJKC_n4xud2t5womCNRrgOZ6bbFJ9YP5doOuKNLcvYC_LrqBoTS6eRRkD53RFY7vZ4Ge61gxZ/s1600/SAM_1189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl2GS_XCwali_FuXCxYoCILMX70l2PG_wzNxvBGrinLT-O9NOEcEP_PfS_cgxjF1G342JJKC_n4xud2t5womCNRrgOZ6bbFJ9YP5doOuKNLcvYC_LrqBoTS6eRRkD53RFY7vZ4Ge61gxZ/s1600/SAM_1189.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our sweet ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjK-u3Wi6yOhpFjjPSEg5j1IWQ61k2UNFHyks3y632I_xr0yTZLbg-2L4SSvcjtNv4ToiVd8K1AnUst5a4riHy6cDoixjjE3riK5EhfFGbFTFPfYvuFwDYpAFbry4BEO4dbeAqSM93nue/s1600/SAM_1191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjK-u3Wi6yOhpFjjPSEg5j1IWQ61k2UNFHyks3y632I_xr0yTZLbg-2L4SSvcjtNv4ToiVd8K1AnUst5a4riHy6cDoixjjE3riK5EhfFGbFTFPfYvuFwDYpAFbry4BEO4dbeAqSM93nue/s1600/SAM_1191.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">VERY tired after a long ride back on the local train.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8eWmxXzqD_6R_wo-ziapkV31F7HWxTCeiHc-DOqx8TK4DuSHQumguEmn24CW1Sab5Sgr_D0Y_lB7iy6xxefQhaV5_lwvvxolVXUuhhoovjydYsa9isWQRx85bXBHAuQNv5SKVxAfRJ_r/s1600/100_1395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh840fQNAZFSxnyYB69DX5ag0i9sIfhwdQZEwYsZ2GVQ8LEdylKrhyphenhyphenl2Ez2eHFYmBjEvG9OtmmbUdRFhDURlfZS_Mszgmg9nafg2rOb6e9DeiTzfVCTMTlkqe20SgeqL0_0TT68KO256fFG/s1600/SAM_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
</span>Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-64156547639833803552013-08-01T19:41:00.002-07:002021-05-20T05:03:29.740-07:00Whale Watching!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today we went whale watching off the coast of Gabon and it
was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G! A woman who lived in
Gabon for two years and is now currently living in Benin gave me the name of
the captain. She and I exchanged a few
emails earlier this summer when I was trying to get information about places to
go and things to do. Our captain was
the first white Gabonese person I’ve met.
His name is Arnauld Duffy and he had a really interesting story about
how his Irish dad came to live in Gabon as a scientist, met his mom here and
never left, so he was born and raised in Gabon. He actually went to the same high school that Landry did, but
he’s about twelve years older, so they wouldn't have crossed paths. He’s trying to bring more tourist options to
the country because they’re so limited right now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whales migrate up the coast of Gabon during the summer and
the prime viewing opportunities are in August, so we were right on time with
the first of the month. We saw TONS of
whales, culminating with our final set that were jumping way out of
the water like what you see on Discovery channel or something. I’d never seen anything like it. The photos tell a far better story than my
words.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUi_YFrpYQ8irkN1uK3wEiVv5XSjs27QYzdIwious5HvLahlc-ihOmkPwVbtur1Yukvz7zo3A6dInXKH7D5y92pm0bof8COi_6egmJJxVPeVVEkRatmk97FItwgkJh_oWKK6hti8kKEMF/s1600/IMAG0602.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUi_YFrpYQ8irkN1uK3wEiVv5XSjs27QYzdIwious5HvLahlc-ihOmkPwVbtur1Yukvz7zo3A6dInXKH7D5y92pm0bof8COi_6egmJJxVPeVVEkRatmk97FItwgkJh_oWKK6hti8kKEMF/s320/IMAG0602.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boat, after it was pulled out of the water of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKKLZZXizhg_sNfp2kGVU0XBJ_gQoJoFYF4rUssnsI9l6zkBB74FlBBc09LBo8BbIceKk1UF6lvuqTptwLTRCzXp2x0F1COa1Ng5gDw9Tx828EPshCcrxzqRDUJfxu4oZnWs-Kma84Hds/s1600/SAM_0957.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKKLZZXizhg_sNfp2kGVU0XBJ_gQoJoFYF4rUssnsI9l6zkBB74FlBBc09LBo8BbIceKk1UF6lvuqTptwLTRCzXp2x0F1COa1Ng5gDw9Tx828EPshCcrxzqRDUJfxu4oZnWs-Kma84Hds/s320/SAM_0957.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us with our captain, Arnauld</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the boat, heading out to sea</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLKP5UUoTbc_de-GTm6yiQi8loV1nPDoTVvZ-4PQKFEaZj-U_SckyKkC24kDALJgdr6uSPUGMRQKvfqQw9uNdsZF4RMjUodeFzbMauA-TtOMTVXOU8HCxLIoOBmKH7kCqYXOMNdO4Um3j/s1600/SAM_0896.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLKP5UUoTbc_de-GTm6yiQi8loV1nPDoTVvZ-4PQKFEaZj-U_SckyKkC24kDALJgdr6uSPUGMRQKvfqQw9uNdsZF4RMjUodeFzbMauA-TtOMTVXOU8HCxLIoOBmKH7kCqYXOMNdO4Um3j/s320/SAM_0896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking and waiting<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDL-gK8LzpB9FihX0EWtlG2lRp0OMmAcBHHjKQ36W3_xDzkfAdfSQQBgQlRk4jDZcaUi6UwTaoJD5Pt7p50KKhw82u5n7GzEBqyT3GG1j4-eg7hJNmCFeZqdUiXq3uM26c_59dKi_WTwc/s1600/SAM_0921.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDL-gK8LzpB9FihX0EWtlG2lRp0OMmAcBHHjKQ36W3_xDzkfAdfSQQBgQlRk4jDZcaUi6UwTaoJD5Pt7p50KKhw82u5n7GzEBqyT3GG1j4-eg7hJNmCFeZqdUiXq3uM26c_59dKi_WTwc/s320/SAM_0921.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The tail of one of our first whales<br /></td></tr>
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And for those of you who have been following the luggage saga, still no bag as of today. It's been two weeks now, which, number 1, I can't believe two weeks have already gone by and, number 2, I'm now so used to not having my bags that I'm not letting it impact the trip at this point. Hopefully it will arrive before we leave!</div>
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Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-13329069759631725952013-07-29T13:55:00.001-07:002013-07-29T13:56:11.810-07:00The Civil Wedding<div class="MsoNormal">
If coming home after sunrise and sleeping until 6pm is any
indication of a good time, I think we can safely say wedding #2 was a
success! It was a long day because here
the ceremony and reception are separated by several hours. The ceremony took place in a building that
would be like City Hall back home.
There were 27 weddings on Saturday!
The room was fairly large and the set up was much like a church would
be, seating on either side of an aisle for the groom’s family and the bride’s
family. Georgia wore a beautiful, big,
fairy tale type gown. When the
officiant came into the room they played this official music that made me feel
like I was at a taping of Judge Judy…lol.
The ceremony was fairly short, but beautiful. Georgia’s husband, Cyrille, has quite a sense of humor. When the officiant asked him “Do you take
this woman?” he took the microphone, stood up, and said, “I have a few
questions first.” Everyone, even the officiant,
got a good laugh out of it.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNCE3xsWKvEe_vvOcSyY0US1rwsI_aMDAY255y2I7GVGubTkcdh4SmFaX2RfnpQEV45L8SUsgsCfuku-q7NW5OSFNLhiYBtS4G8dIMTAnDRAAFh39fw8qyYQaJ0e8-5F_a_xi7zwsT8eO/s1600/SAM_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNCE3xsWKvEe_vvOcSyY0US1rwsI_aMDAY255y2I7GVGubTkcdh4SmFaX2RfnpQEV45L8SUsgsCfuku-q7NW5OSFNLhiYBtS4G8dIMTAnDRAAFh39fw8qyYQaJ0e8-5F_a_xi7zwsT8eO/s320/SAM_0759.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chairs for the bride and groom in front of the ceremony room.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQpFdsIN-mB63xCvwqPWDumeybQDQXXxgADQvmlHKQutI_g9jyykntcqafwV1hEUwpyOeIQjX0j_jJ3_YZKrRe6CcDdZqjfiffYZtTjFifzB2Jq451gq-rwi8bA11QlIQJer23SanCt1c/s1600/SAM_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQpFdsIN-mB63xCvwqPWDumeybQDQXXxgADQvmlHKQutI_g9jyykntcqafwV1hEUwpyOeIQjX0j_jJ3_YZKrRe6CcDdZqjfiffYZtTjFifzB2Jq451gq-rwi8bA11QlIQJer23SanCt1c/s320/SAM_0761.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The groom enters with his mom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpvO8595vTUC8AZFpHGXAZiIUOici9Szs0oxhXwOVJ2lMBNoXsepapIscsuDShH4T-RFmea5Pvb6afT9Spyf8_Hsg4AYgugl2fch1wlsmtyzHuf1tHv76Y6w0XPTRHPI1y-XhGI-R0YFA/s1600/SAM_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpvO8595vTUC8AZFpHGXAZiIUOici9Szs0oxhXwOVJ2lMBNoXsepapIscsuDShH4T-RFmea5Pvb6afT9Spyf8_Hsg4AYgugl2fch1wlsmtyzHuf1tHv76Y6w0XPTRHPI1y-XhGI-R0YFA/s1600/SAM_0763.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front row seats for the family!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyqEXS1n1vwsRl7pgwcCL-W0f0M8gTCWmfszCn-kS4uxWdEzVbuQNV6WrOuEqxhT854upOzUCVhrNjGGuiRoNbBLawh_0_MwCXUloFxHrO5dokU720paYsfAUv7-jFWdyRWbt-OcQnenM/s1600/SAM_0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyqEXS1n1vwsRl7pgwcCL-W0f0M8gTCWmfszCn-kS4uxWdEzVbuQNV6WrOuEqxhT854upOzUCVhrNjGGuiRoNbBLawh_0_MwCXUloFxHrO5dokU720paYsfAUv7-jFWdyRWbt-OcQnenM/s320/SAM_0769.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The elders on the bride's side</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjHwJKsUUJHHDpC3V-I4mpCbYlUNXqgXSZzU7mX8LDazbowRH2Fj8FM7BSkt77_Q1y1M_zzo3m9i-odLldluhvgFg-e83QDPpS69KOlN0B7Mv8KPZrzAqqmzsqiuyBZ6Ceci_5pYEdOGB/s1600/SAM_0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjHwJKsUUJHHDpC3V-I4mpCbYlUNXqgXSZzU7mX8LDazbowRH2Fj8FM7BSkt77_Q1y1M_zzo3m9i-odLldluhvgFg-e83QDPpS69KOlN0B7Mv8KPZrzAqqmzsqiuyBZ6Ceci_5pYEdOGB/s1600/SAM_0772.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgia raising her hand to show she's ready for Cyrille to put a ring on it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpK0zWomavsM1l2Cnrllhyphenhyphen1cJfNesrU8u5lOc-Vl6jp54vVoiC44OcgYzGNCTnqK5guhWRFE9mhxUMkoPS_kzd5-HQI2AUOugxurSMdgKIGTT4FXNHNze8kfZzSy8VG3cm5fCCCwJlW0M/s1600/SAM_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpK0zWomavsM1l2Cnrllhyphenhyphen1cJfNesrU8u5lOc-Vl6jp54vVoiC44OcgYzGNCTnqK5guhWRFE9mhxUMkoPS_kzd5-HQI2AUOugxurSMdgKIGTT4FXNHNze8kfZzSy8VG3cm5fCCCwJlW0M/s320/SAM_0777.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyrille, Georgia, and the officiant...it's official!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After the ceremony we went outside for some photos and then
took off in a motorcade to the cocktail hour.
When people get married here they get a police escort and the first car
in the motorcade is a pick up truck with a bunch of people chanting and singing,
plus a videographer who hangs out the back and videos the married couple’s car,
which is following the pick up truck.
Everyone else in the wedding follows those two cars and traffic pulls
over and lets everyone pass by. </div>
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The cocktail hour was at The Beach Club, which is where we
went back for the reception later Saturday night. It was a beautiful space and Georgia and Cyrille had rented the
place for the day, so we had it all to ourselves. At around two in the afternoon, after hors d’oeuvres and drinks
we headed back home for much needed naps.
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6khANkYjzUa4_TnOfAkFXiGllwKDVaVoPZc1DH086Ke9t4KxdNmTJJYbVN_WZh47NmZQLiNrwWm0SR_89l5ak9UWrt21YDIpm8L-TE3BxNysR8LLYtx5CzZIdAvelRcwCedq4YyFE_9V/s1600/SAM_0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6khANkYjzUa4_TnOfAkFXiGllwKDVaVoPZc1DH086Ke9t4KxdNmTJJYbVN_WZh47NmZQLiNrwWm0SR_89l5ak9UWrt21YDIpm8L-TE3BxNysR8LLYtx5CzZIdAvelRcwCedq4YyFE_9V/s320/SAM_0779.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride and her little brother at cocktail hour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The reception was scheduled to start at 8:30 that night and
this event required invitations. No
invitation, no entrance. There was a
receiving line to take photos with the bride and groom and then you were seated
in the large hall. Weddings here are
big on entertainment, so there was an MC and throughout dinner up until at
least midnight there were dancers, singers, and comedians who came and
performed on the dance floor. Sometime
after midnight the dancing started and went all night long until the sun was
coming up. I think we may have left
around 5 in the morning. We dropped
some people off at the club (which also don’t close until the sun comes up),
grabbed something to eat, and trudged our way into the house around 6am. I don’t even remember my head hitting the
pillow and the next thing I knew I was waking up at 6pm Sunday evening. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgaBfaeL-i4AqshZRh_DM_c0biosuPE4G1OvOvbNQDPRqmowSI0NwCPjUYNBXues2AnvYur8MZB1MGPnJ9LSe5zCn1_t9tgcnxRztLkIp9t-iOY98xwT6qh89RT-vWGEPhmz-2el4fe1I/s1600/SAM_0788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidgaBfaeL-i4AqshZRh_DM_c0biosuPE4G1OvOvbNQDPRqmowSI0NwCPjUYNBXues2AnvYur8MZB1MGPnJ9LSe5zCn1_t9tgcnxRztLkIp9t-iOY98xwT6qh89RT-vWGEPhmz-2el4fe1I/s320/SAM_0788.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The reception room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig79fI8vg0WICAuc1DedluxFAInO8Z7rtGFxcPTV5WT8zcEFMU_T_Nt-lpP2w-HgHXn8N9_gixEzA0bRCuk1Qg5BNwDNckie7cKENubeYHqK7vHEbThHF5a8d7JJBI-od6rzkZhMy0yM4n/s1600/SAM_0789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig79fI8vg0WICAuc1DedluxFAInO8Z7rtGFxcPTV5WT8zcEFMU_T_Nt-lpP2w-HgHXn8N9_gixEzA0bRCuk1Qg5BNwDNckie7cKENubeYHqK7vHEbThHF5a8d7JJBI-od6rzkZhMy0yM4n/s320/SAM_0789.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweetheart table</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZVCYENvN3KGNSdQ-sNYz66eSngVHvw8hsbzPw3sVhwVxvaSyL2nEwOkoiwhagxRLFIINgezL2haoNstdVsNuneELnRVXUjLR9BTB88LCv05Gdm_vJGbfJIDLQ-O5cnfDb5yN7bTjOAM3/s1600/SAM_0877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZVCYENvN3KGNSdQ-sNYz66eSngVHvw8hsbzPw3sVhwVxvaSyL2nEwOkoiwhagxRLFIINgezL2haoNstdVsNuneELnRVXUjLR9BTB88LCv05Gdm_vJGbfJIDLQ-O5cnfDb5yN7bTjOAM3/s320/SAM_0877.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sweetheart table all lit up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4lS6LkS5CFoJ2PLywG5wi59oNODKQ5llcZe9q-RS2gYSGkuXHh02LpqHMRlkIhm1OKOY-KKnFibcHpf6h10HKBygK-bBVCzM9tQM7zq1G2Q8Dar6wIWI1iwNX-IGQ2z_htHfJDeoKaxx/s1600/SAM_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy4lS6LkS5CFoJ2PLywG5wi59oNODKQ5llcZe9q-RS2gYSGkuXHh02LpqHMRlkIhm1OKOY-KKnFibcHpf6h10HKBygK-bBVCzM9tQM7zq1G2Q8Dar6wIWI1iwNX-IGQ2z_htHfJDeoKaxx/s320/SAM_0806.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyrille and Georgia make their entrance. Everyone waves their napkins in the air.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQgWatB6K-E1ZXiO90I_Ylt_ukz2KDC4bHLs5SlyaEMwOH3srjZpe33JfxUsKlna1XZnixAdZQV28aS5Ze71Fu7JGQRUMVJ_fRqVhAfeAItf5OhnqCNlZszN-UtKvUULZnxEsMkJ-MgLe/s1600/SAM_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnQgWatB6K-E1ZXiO90I_Ylt_ukz2KDC4bHLs5SlyaEMwOH3srjZpe33JfxUsKlna1XZnixAdZQV28aS5Ze71Fu7JGQRUMVJ_fRqVhAfeAItf5OhnqCNlZszN-UtKvUULZnxEsMkJ-MgLe/s320/SAM_0820.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful cake display</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkLsjleYeh4QEC3RKxvoPHrn8bR4h0JDFqqD2URU8ql9Y6ktx0zH_FFD531z60xnGEqfPiHfUN2EzbKvopqxMyf7KkADdozMcTbuTFH0bK7VfJEpLnb_afhaClvoW6kuk-hQn0tSkx9H1/s1600/SAM_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkLsjleYeh4QEC3RKxvoPHrn8bR4h0JDFqqD2URU8ql9Y6ktx0zH_FFD531z60xnGEqfPiHfUN2EzbKvopqxMyf7KkADdozMcTbuTFH0bK7VfJEpLnb_afhaClvoW6kuk-hQn0tSkx9H1/s320/SAM_0825.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landry and his Auntie Jean, one of his mom's best friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDjagGjhZc8pbm4_7PoI95Dewk89jnKO0IijoYCFiW5fpnBpPqKrvtcB3H4onlRrrp2v3hvf31BmYlZyNKxUiZG9ian2Y5_TSEJMVJFsB8Xje8_5nytkg7m76wLP6rkmE5LtbQ49iLtJt/s1600/SAM_0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDjagGjhZc8pbm4_7PoI95Dewk89jnKO0IijoYCFiW5fpnBpPqKrvtcB3H4onlRrrp2v3hvf31BmYlZyNKxUiZG9ian2Y5_TSEJMVJFsB8Xje8_5nytkg7m76wLP6rkmE5LtbQ49iLtJt/s320/SAM_0826.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing with the father of the bride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT4yXZn-dCVDZbcUmfiGm3b2_TqFVn9keWtjAAMK1tL0IHzlex8lIbOTVI1JY3BXtvioqAENNCgLZI03ZKGJu547QKhcFS7xdz7qyx2o4eTbzlg-L5CDfMRff7QEW5-Oa4EPbGrBLGoWA/s1600/SAM_0831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizT4yXZn-dCVDZbcUmfiGm3b2_TqFVn9keWtjAAMK1tL0IHzlex8lIbOTVI1JY3BXtvioqAENNCgLZI03ZKGJu547QKhcFS7xdz7qyx2o4eTbzlg-L5CDfMRff7QEW5-Oa4EPbGrBLGoWA/s320/SAM_0831.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe 2am??</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinh18VDxfV5Vdj9T43hRMmUfQPzBTerKsEZYAR_8z699V5MKtFTSlr8P6eO7mtOhRQLHqLq1_CdruE2gKopsSXgNP0EZ4nJQSpBJsWYmBJCylMITxxMYBzj1W2YhvTM_UF8ECFS8_ZTJGQ/s1600/SAM_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinh18VDxfV5Vdj9T43hRMmUfQPzBTerKsEZYAR_8z699V5MKtFTSlr8P6eO7mtOhRQLHqLq1_CdruE2gKopsSXgNP0EZ4nJQSpBJsWYmBJCylMITxxMYBzj1W2YhvTM_UF8ECFS8_ZTJGQ/s320/SAM_0858.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landry's brother, Mignon, and his girlfriend Loris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIhEMyXEBMMvAAQw-sAT1Uhc0NnGCuurDXxngLOtBQS2oP1wGarQWmto6xhKHIkXTFz3GWqGF6Fz1UGG-xOkL6huqh1NWmuxz2oa5GOW9XKRpRIhp5HSTm_4Wd1ieWCSZg-s9YjXV9Na2/s1600/SAM_0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoIhEMyXEBMMvAAQw-sAT1Uhc0NnGCuurDXxngLOtBQS2oP1wGarQWmto6xhKHIkXTFz3GWqGF6Fz1UGG-xOkL6huqh1NWmuxz2oa5GOW9XKRpRIhp5HSTm_4Wd1ieWCSZg-s9YjXV9Na2/s320/SAM_0861.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know these two</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsCDEtjYARYdQRV2xvnEng4Z0slyVEl3vlCEmjGyAqvJ0bleW20XpbtHBrqHoaJEHe2ZTnkH0j7WXYN50FKsXIJHfea4C2v1gSIEFfctXvjbDWrHOKaQCSlIsQ9mzKhINZfBxMXITRkjr/s1600/SAM_0863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsCDEtjYARYdQRV2xvnEng4Z0slyVEl3vlCEmjGyAqvJ0bleW20XpbtHBrqHoaJEHe2ZTnkH0j7WXYN50FKsXIJHfea4C2v1gSIEFfctXvjbDWrHOKaQCSlIsQ9mzKhINZfBxMXITRkjr/s320/SAM_0863.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mignon and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6Tc70UybBG-_nxyEVSreMY3WUAQNeMk_JpxSIgHNAfwCz_vQGBTPNfWyk-QnbatHUnQlplPZuRVlIm4i_av1iJIJvgIhgEoEO2n2a9Kb_-Wfy_STaB8jVHN88e-gkj17ZAvLZ07VRFMC/s1600/SAM_0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6Tc70UybBG-_nxyEVSreMY3WUAQNeMk_JpxSIgHNAfwCz_vQGBTPNfWyk-QnbatHUnQlplPZuRVlIm4i_av1iJIJvgIhgEoEO2n2a9Kb_-Wfy_STaB8jVHN88e-gkj17ZAvLZ07VRFMC/s320/SAM_0866.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride and her brothers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UBF9ltqVqaTkbRRGFWErTWV0iyvy8Toby6X9Jrw2Z0Hkkr7bHFTf9fL_ElFTM8C3BcOtIvliAqkCb4j3NxvjJabG7Wtaaowy7C16nCaFnsUowSAuMCee0IDdysxX9wDAcuIY4Fsy5ZJq/s1600/SAM_0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UBF9ltqVqaTkbRRGFWErTWV0iyvy8Toby6X9Jrw2Z0Hkkr7bHFTf9fL_ElFTM8C3BcOtIvliAqkCb4j3NxvjJabG7Wtaaowy7C16nCaFnsUowSAuMCee0IDdysxX9wDAcuIY4Fsy5ZJq/s320/SAM_0869.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La famille</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5Nn46vZ-I04f2Lj_hV4UtV5Ixu-ApCEe0TMdP2K1xDWo8TdIdzfLDa-H9PclYp5WxTaTBrzOSZHzuvrC-W8mqHH2_wBfHMN9o0eSoVksnD4FP_X5Odd46hyphenhyphen30iQnLq0jPIO_1fxBmgdI/s1600/SAM_0874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5Nn46vZ-I04f2Lj_hV4UtV5Ixu-ApCEe0TMdP2K1xDWo8TdIdzfLDa-H9PclYp5WxTaTBrzOSZHzuvrC-W8mqHH2_wBfHMN9o0eSoVksnD4FP_X5Odd46hyphenhyphen30iQnLq0jPIO_1fxBmgdI/s320/SAM_0874.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Loris</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-61486904717307377562013-07-25T12:02:00.000-07:002013-07-25T12:02:12.664-07:00The Week in Review<div class="MsoNormal">
This week has been an interesting one to say the least. On Sunday afternoon Landry and I went back
to the house of the uncle who hosted the cultural wedding for a meeting with
the bride’s side of the family. It was
time to divvy up all of the money and goods that had been given by the groom’s
family. We didn’t expect anything
ourselves, but as the brother of the bride, it was expected that we
attend. We ended up carrying a bunch of
plastic chairs down a hill to a storage room on the side of the house. The room was made of cinder block with one
light inside, but we were all seated outside of the room and a green mat was
placed on the ground. Landry’s dad had
a list of the items given, items that had been requested, but were missing, and
a stack of money. Each item was
discussed in great detail and often times the discussion went well off
track. We were there well after dark
listening to the back and forth discussion before we were allowed to pull the
cars around and load everything up. I
didn’t take any pictures because I didn’t want to seem like a tourist at the
family event, so hopefully my description is enough. We ended up carting back several cases of Heineken and soda, a
huge jug of red wine, two machetes and an ax, a big tin basin full of liquor
bottles, cooking oil and rice in containers larger than what you might find at
a Sam’s or Costco, twenty-five different 6-meter pieces of fabric, 25 silk
scarves, a hat, and an embroidered suit jacket.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After packing up the goods I thought we were done, but then
we headed back up to the house to listen to more talking for at least another
hour. As best I could tell very little
of it was about the actual divvying up of goods, but they were speaking part in
French and part in Fang, so I lost the ability to follow the conversation
fairly quickly. Fortunately a TV was on
in the background and watching that helped to pass the time a bit quicker. I think by the time we left it was nine or
so at night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Monday we went to see Landry’s sister at work and I was able
to use their Internet connection, which is much more reliable than the one at
the cyber café. I spent my time trying
to catch up on email and what’s happening with everyone on Facebook. Then we took a walk around downtown and
settled on a small café for dinner.
Below is a picture of my croque madame and white wine (this pic is for
you, Jacqui!). The food is so good
here!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jGhWWbB4if4wRwtwUNkdEcGEMtBB2upyX0uwcoBsqSgJNC9WmnXXk-Gysh_dz1DKsTHPN3qvOT6wYzZgxO4RJkGm6hdkWrVs2Or_p1vciaQ2nmLn3zByLxSxNm8VPF5XN9VAyIwJmYz0/s1600/croque+madame.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3jGhWWbB4if4wRwtwUNkdEcGEMtBB2upyX0uwcoBsqSgJNC9WmnXXk-Gysh_dz1DKsTHPN3qvOT6wYzZgxO4RJkGm6hdkWrVs2Or_p1vciaQ2nmLn3zByLxSxNm8VPF5XN9VAyIwJmYz0/s320/croque+madame.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Croque Madame (bechamel sauce, ham, egg, and gruyere cheese) and a bottle of wine for $5! :-)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tuesday I went to get my hair done. For those of you who have known me for a
while you know that I’ve run the gauntlet with hairstyles, but it’s so
expensive to have done in the US. I was
SO excited to get back to my braids.
Below is the first of probably two styles that I’ll get while here and
it only cost $24! Gabon is actually a
fairly expensive country to visit for many things, but hair braiding is not one
of them, which makes me a very happy traveler!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLGPlS8N5s8K0x0p48X5v18QlCKFSs5HrL9cYvIRCgjbqKrGurYUXEAQmU88pjrscIaLUY-QT5Nm6GyoM9RuttpOPPjuVoNYR7ojO2aIbIrMkXfXeiQiX8W4JSXGAbwVlHw4CuN-ljrcH/s1600/hair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLGPlS8N5s8K0x0p48X5v18QlCKFSs5HrL9cYvIRCgjbqKrGurYUXEAQmU88pjrscIaLUY-QT5Nm6GyoM9RuttpOPPjuVoNYR7ojO2aIbIrMkXfXeiQiX8W4JSXGAbwVlHw4CuN-ljrcH/s320/hair.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadly, I wasn’t happy for long. I’d been having some stomach issues, which isn’t all that odd for
my first week of traveling, but then that turned into chills, full body aches
and weakness, a headache and fever.
Tanty quickly determined that it was malaria and gave me medicine. Malaria!
I guess my third visit to Africa was the charm since I’d been able to
avoid it the first two times. Cathie,
if you’re reading this, ignore all my talk and take your meds! Though I must say, the malaria medicine
works almost instantly. By the time I
woke up on Wednesday morning the weakness, fever, and chills were gone. I was still a little achy, but apparently
that’s to be expected and today I feel great.
Next time I’ll be sure not to forget my bug spray, which I’m convinced
played a big role in sparing me from malaria the first two times I was here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, if my suitcase arrives from Turkey tomorrow morning my
week will be complete! Yup, that’s
right. Three of our four suitcases
arrived on Monday and the one that was missing had ALL of my clothes in it
except for one dress and two pairs of underwear that I threw in a different bag
last minute…and thank goodness I did!
Another flight arrived on Wednesday and still no bag. They keep saying it’s because people are
coming to the airport with 6, 7, 8 bags, but I just think it’s stupid that they
don’t track excess baggage in some way.
So I, who only brought two bags, am stuck without my bags for a week,
when someone who brought eight gets all eight upon landing?? And then yesterday when we went to the
airport, bags that were missing from Monday’s flight had arrived, but mine
still hadn’t! We had more than a word
with the rep from Turkish Airlines yesterday who promised me on Friday that our
bags would be here Monday. He said he
sent an urgent message to the baggage office in Turkey to ensure my bag would
arrive on Friday…we’ll see. Thankfully,
my dress for the civil wedding and my shoes were packed in a separate bag, so
at least I have that if nothing else.
And the adventure continues…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYINKUVT5NS0RU9494g__oz3aky2GgI_qdfLSSWnCFGzZjxTUd6vzYmFKwsO-PXb6wEnXx0HkD9oZMOgkcDHzeBfcs2id3xJINDO5EoFzY1VwnCeM3dnD2rLPwXxcKfxlqtLiJgTHeiOPB/s1600/lyn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYINKUVT5NS0RU9494g__oz3aky2GgI_qdfLSSWnCFGzZjxTUd6vzYmFKwsO-PXb6wEnXx0HkD9oZMOgkcDHzeBfcs2id3xJINDO5EoFzY1VwnCeM3dnD2rLPwXxcKfxlqtLiJgTHeiOPB/s320/lyn.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our niece, Lyn, just because she's so cute!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-41356774319299280092013-07-21T08:02:00.003-07:002013-07-21T08:02:53.633-07:00The Cultural Wedding<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Yesterday was
Landry’s sister’s cultural wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
decided to celebrate both traditionally with their families, as well as with a
civil ceremony and a reception much like what we have in the States.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve decided to post a ton of pictures here
and let them tell the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
the brief background of the cultural wedding is that the bride and groom’s
families come together and the oldest male from each side takes the lead in
negotiating the marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bride and
groom each choose a fabric from the market and everyone in attendance buys that
fabric and has an outfit made, which is why you’ll see almost everyone is in
one of three fabrics (the market ran out of Georgia’s first fabric, so she had
to choose a second one).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the
families come to an agreement, the bride changes out of the dress in her fabric
to a dress in the groom’s fabric to symbolize the joining of the families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no invitations for the cultural
wedding, so hundreds of people can show up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the wedding there’s a huge dinner, music, and socializing. The civil wedding will be next week.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2q8AFyvI3ETct3jUFqw-OCePXSS65BSgwMurt-HL0k0UBW0EZ9bb58o5-RtGEjhElhrlC0verj5TfnoTbRZ-F68MGwEcsjFMZHSRCP0dNrWEbGzL0SKw_gkGFwPCANwnpL1XwdQEg20-/s1600/SAM_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2q8AFyvI3ETct3jUFqw-OCePXSS65BSgwMurt-HL0k0UBW0EZ9bb58o5-RtGEjhElhrlC0verj5TfnoTbRZ-F68MGwEcsjFMZHSRCP0dNrWEbGzL0SKw_gkGFwPCANwnpL1XwdQEg20-/s1600/SAM_0633.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The groom's family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQSf0MM0DP-8jFVXjme09CobMmY8a-0EHjMrNfgJxegFr2drpcDGwhL86sAKejsvvwvovUdTDPGKolOEi17a7ilUQBxYdZOrBGFJGCOZElH-So5G1Nf9U-_IdycdJaKV9DxtBguvD5p5V/s1600/SAM_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQSf0MM0DP-8jFVXjme09CobMmY8a-0EHjMrNfgJxegFr2drpcDGwhL86sAKejsvvwvovUdTDPGKolOEi17a7ilUQBxYdZOrBGFJGCOZElH-So5G1Nf9U-_IdycdJaKV9DxtBguvD5p5V/s1600/SAM_0634.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride's family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWTuZ0gcErd4Oy-yQ0Heg74hbjmXaHAFu-mi07zk3k3j0VmmaxxxfJWNH6WpAAPzGPVgRG4E4w11disfLtLA-F0jUkfHflfgDLsF3RdSfSJq0-PVksIjPizuqcd8n7FBUpIlCeBKIxz0m/s1600/SAM_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWTuZ0gcErd4Oy-yQ0Heg74hbjmXaHAFu-mi07zk3k3j0VmmaxxxfJWNH6WpAAPzGPVgRG4E4w11disfLtLA-F0jUkfHflfgDLsF3RdSfSJq0-PVksIjPizuqcd8n7FBUpIlCeBKIxz0m/s1600/SAM_0635.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The groom's family counting money to be given to the bride's family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbRCXQcBFdpo_3OHZOad__Tzg_ZYOfoG18gl3JaaECHlRmA7Xs0GeWaV7QAifUatKOf68e0KCHC8ClcH14bBoen1Qjep-3aOErwwpwX58W84uRx9uwTCZiKLIcfEw2oRMjP3KMjlbRub5/s1600/SAM_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbRCXQcBFdpo_3OHZOad__Tzg_ZYOfoG18gl3JaaECHlRmA7Xs0GeWaV7QAifUatKOf68e0KCHC8ClcH14bBoen1Qjep-3aOErwwpwX58W84uRx9uwTCZiKLIcfEw2oRMjP3KMjlbRub5/s1600/SAM_0638.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A comedian performs while the bride's family privately discusses what has been offered by the groom's family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4HWTJIO6E_uLByKd0R_OskgG4GhvO9PXXhaZQT6005mZiaXsXDs4Z8ysytLC-btkpJ2bVRh16UqLhjaCpjziSKgJ_TIIL6CdpkLAvTs5nAiATAflmrjdEHcjPG9xyAkKjtJ0XkxzI-0h/s1600/SAM_0640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4HWTJIO6E_uLByKd0R_OskgG4GhvO9PXXhaZQT6005mZiaXsXDs4Z8ysytLC-btkpJ2bVRh16UqLhjaCpjziSKgJ_TIIL6CdpkLAvTs5nAiATAflmrjdEHcjPG9xyAkKjtJ0XkxzI-0h/s1600/SAM_0640.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The loot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeadJpio0T6y8-wI5NX1jO5c3K758ElFD5q6EfdjID4t0XzW9p5eKAXBnNXFGTeUVmdIYg-0OWDMWlPbzakjguPeWeBcg9p67NB0C_2RSXtxFnIf3FGCt2xPxhu4-DylvE85-3uVILq1_e/s1600/SAM_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeadJpio0T6y8-wI5NX1jO5c3K758ElFD5q6EfdjID4t0XzW9p5eKAXBnNXFGTeUVmdIYg-0OWDMWlPbzakjguPeWeBcg9p67NB0C_2RSXtxFnIf3FGCt2xPxhu4-DylvE85-3uVILq1_e/s1600/SAM_0641.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landry and Maelys' friend, Emanuelle "Manu"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkt57o5ZBgSq4MZ35xKgx62Gpt_IDVg2kUlC7eGO2rDX8V5IVH0lmcGYiUy1gqgyv065CcDIqqEa5PuQqF-vFOcyZ0iSWe4WcP993PfKk7eF1YQsSnvR32n5ARMEFM4K9FlzhR7p60win/s1600/SAM_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkt57o5ZBgSq4MZ35xKgx62Gpt_IDVg2kUlC7eGO2rDX8V5IVH0lmcGYiUy1gqgyv065CcDIqqEa5PuQqF-vFOcyZ0iSWe4WcP993PfKk7eF1YQsSnvR32n5ARMEFM4K9FlzhR7p60win/s1600/SAM_0645.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The families have come to a preliminary agreement and the bride comes out in her processional.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOptjkrZ_BmrAvJN5M6rsYsDpo7utpAohXnk5KJsjo9Ib-dCBrKMYWhWBOwTlbw3JBAujO-FwBBzfutYZITQNAayxajp6LHN4DPqJHoeMU6Nl3kNEcMgnwjXFlDHNTwCguLkodztD-Rx0-/s1600/SAM_0648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOptjkrZ_BmrAvJN5M6rsYsDpo7utpAohXnk5KJsjo9Ib-dCBrKMYWhWBOwTlbw3JBAujO-FwBBzfutYZITQNAayxajp6LHN4DPqJHoeMU6Nl3kNEcMgnwjXFlDHNTwCguLkodztD-Rx0-/s1600/SAM_0648.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride hides her face with a fan and a palm leaf.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzt1PxKtNF6U5hCo0sb3Mf2dimcZazBqfoA0HYdbtAHxS9r-9929jTYUN0O52FDYuTqn8s0T_2YGctBGXxfZpoyZtl23FjZKIltsPhf3z1SdIvyG7MyN0lQYUR1k_BLNzSkXXJaBgOlXJ/s1600/SAM_0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzt1PxKtNF6U5hCo0sb3Mf2dimcZazBqfoA0HYdbtAHxS9r-9929jTYUN0O52FDYuTqn8s0T_2YGctBGXxfZpoyZtl23FjZKIltsPhf3z1SdIvyG7MyN0lQYUR1k_BLNzSkXXJaBgOlXJ/s1600/SAM_0656.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride's aunts tear the palm leaf in half, revealing the bride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEKYQaQpaef-0MT5keaUoWxtu9mcXiFG3FP3uZUvNF5AurjsGmDW89yaI8RuHPDJu9X4m_bupbChMI48Icx1fzUbD9pMr0O6nzIR17l7_fSeYJjUy7JXckBvLXE-VNjGfdLnBYjCDEEy9/s1600/SAM_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEKYQaQpaef-0MT5keaUoWxtu9mcXiFG3FP3uZUvNF5AurjsGmDW89yaI8RuHPDJu9X4m_bupbChMI48Icx1fzUbD9pMr0O6nzIR17l7_fSeYJjUy7JXckBvLXE-VNjGfdLnBYjCDEEy9/s1600/SAM_0660.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bride's uncle, and eldest male</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPG4iHGWDzT0FxUA6Fxry9MWW-zM09ClXBG32IaGekxra0GmgGejAQas3BgavDqnVoMVTLflA5Nk_S91nORxVE0X5k21OY4LkOiHN9BKj7zRboVdECqRXU7m26DEaifvH4ihU3p6fbHSo/s1600/SAM_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoPG4iHGWDzT0FxUA6Fxry9MWW-zM09ClXBG32IaGekxra0GmgGejAQas3BgavDqnVoMVTLflA5Nk_S91nORxVE0X5k21OY4LkOiHN9BKj7zRboVdECqRXU7m26DEaifvH4ihU3p6fbHSo/s1600/SAM_0661.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Manu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJoobS8cwbsMwtzTFX9BBjcJ4VbWAs9PbH3_sBeA0GASBXzI1T_PacseaYTNn-pVKmt7jFu8vPyNCTag4f4P5BvNGx6RZe1NUh6BerIOfD-2ATFwyGjQWXABDQgfHidjI2gcSDwoMeOSD/s1600/SAM_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJJoobS8cwbsMwtzTFX9BBjcJ4VbWAs9PbH3_sBeA0GASBXzI1T_PacseaYTNn-pVKmt7jFu8vPyNCTag4f4P5BvNGx6RZe1NUh6BerIOfD-2ATFwyGjQWXABDQgfHidjI2gcSDwoMeOSD/s1600/SAM_0676.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A supposed agreement had been reached and then the bride's uncle came out with a shotgun demanding more from the groom's family. He put on a convincing show!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dNB3hzX-T9i57qTPZsD4fqZbKCCyBftASt7vUyxsDfevICEUpztYhEzhsweGa7jt_WWCsTQ0bMh-KwA16COui2eO7ZPol8JU0roXXsvwOQbQNp4SZZuwdd8Vp6-b5y8y5zIyK3R6TqkP/s1600/SAM_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dNB3hzX-T9i57qTPZsD4fqZbKCCyBftASt7vUyxsDfevICEUpztYhEzhsweGa7jt_WWCsTQ0bMh-KwA16COui2eO7ZPol8JU0roXXsvwOQbQNp4SZZuwdd8Vp6-b5y8y5zIyK3R6TqkP/s1600/SAM_0688.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally an agreement between the elders</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-0" class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" width="320" height="266" ></object></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjxZ1V7zEmMWyx4mtGJX68ybFD2CPV_cDmQ5cN2LYCV_8YFE_o8_CQM6Rjd8KXr8Eh-u_1Faa5KXlLm5nVA2nq-2KK-Epvj9XKfh-8Xvr5PjA5CvlMmSDTzrddr9q5NPBFhgEwyB5neKm/s1600/SAM_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjxZ1V7zEmMWyx4mtGJX68ybFD2CPV_cDmQ5cN2LYCV_8YFE_o8_CQM6Rjd8KXr8Eh-u_1Faa5KXlLm5nVA2nq-2KK-Epvj9XKfh-8Xvr5PjA5CvlMmSDTzrddr9q5NPBFhgEwyB5neKm/s1600/SAM_0694.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newly married couple!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOjaoPo1uHiaq0lPXFYgs5DVBKq90KsDQ91v_YEbfZIrICzqiE7cOgPOGIcNIgdRSKEArJyBYKGlYLi9nBx_X4MhnFJCtOhprnUTzj8zZQ02Ebg0sMDEfhml22hhyphenhyphen3Ruvw8TUQ_OfGi3H/s1600/SAM_0697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOjaoPo1uHiaq0lPXFYgs5DVBKq90KsDQ91v_YEbfZIrICzqiE7cOgPOGIcNIgdRSKEArJyBYKGlYLi9nBx_X4MhnFJCtOhprnUTzj8zZQ02Ebg0sMDEfhml22hhyphenhyphen3Ruvw8TUQ_OfGi3H/s1600/SAM_0697.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mother of the bride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJxnlQxb4VfD2UIoFtYzEfNzb3IxcfEFM9FbwXXmNvw9w_Dr6lXt_RTDJZpXqNH3YOibNpjOy48b3leKcEm1anbjp8loKwUpwj4DW9H5BTh1W7iMTUTxEmff5_a16MyFMCADhgMPG6PiS/s1600/SAM_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJxnlQxb4VfD2UIoFtYzEfNzb3IxcfEFM9FbwXXmNvw9w_Dr6lXt_RTDJZpXqNH3YOibNpjOy48b3leKcEm1anbjp8loKwUpwj4DW9H5BTh1W7iMTUTxEmff5_a16MyFMCADhgMPG6PiS/s1600/SAM_0717.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvJ9E8NWLCt0JjCALsJ2PzzyUw-Fw1LzVP1dTKtX766J51pt2SmA11cZRdJAQ31Td9iNpxMfpRlOvpm7m42S3IORwLlJDoeB1seAu4g36S3kItg0kBk-aLfIWrhHAsEVhq2GcTTTi5_A1/s1600/SAM_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvJ9E8NWLCt0JjCALsJ2PzzyUw-Fw1LzVP1dTKtX766J51pt2SmA11cZRdJAQ31Td9iNpxMfpRlOvpm7m42S3IORwLlJDoeB1seAu4g36S3kItg0kBk-aLfIWrhHAsEVhq2GcTTTi5_A1/s1600/SAM_0720.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maelys and Landry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyZC7887rROSmKiAsQh65bTPHAcOzAQGWha5DuVTBYpFuz82ClEWhV6dY3qpegWaGuKRxZR3f15dxYpryfcixO54Qq_ytXpwhOwjkAAaxwsRQwMq-1e_MJxcXpq7qh9NZsrTOW0YLfbAk/s1600/SAM_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyZC7887rROSmKiAsQh65bTPHAcOzAQGWha5DuVTBYpFuz82ClEWhV6dY3qpegWaGuKRxZR3f15dxYpryfcixO54Qq_ytXpwhOwjkAAaxwsRQwMq-1e_MJxcXpq7qh9NZsrTOW0YLfbAk/s1600/SAM_0725.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just when we thought the negotiations were complete, more gifts were brought out, including sugar cane, plantains, rice, chickens, ducks, and a goat</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis899m8kj3JTCkqhtqpiDIZ-AAF9PvjuV2EE-gJ9tKps-YJx56mEU5-yLaNOhrHYpHwtc9JGDh6_BJ1lwmzXSyEN8PFBxmZCjhEOGeXHtIendk-G3mRDpLJ8DNUtPrQyV2izb2ay8n4Ykq/s1600/SAM_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis899m8kj3JTCkqhtqpiDIZ-AAF9PvjuV2EE-gJ9tKps-YJx56mEU5-yLaNOhrHYpHwtc9JGDh6_BJ1lwmzXSyEN8PFBxmZCjhEOGeXHtIendk-G3mRDpLJ8DNUtPrQyV2izb2ay8n4Ykq/s1600/SAM_0730.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a very fiesty pig</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAOYugkuIlUT8n6r44tGobm0Wa1Z-jrBW2Ni3UVw3knyDH-KrvYNo0ZzvjJsNGF3CuNkByYN9gpzaVG7jYlFmtb16WScRvukAhLN_xVaFu9ivgC4QOR5hi_-hMvc0H1YaCEmugTuwnQZJ/s1600/SAM_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAOYugkuIlUT8n6r44tGobm0Wa1Z-jrBW2Ni3UVw3knyDH-KrvYNo0ZzvjJsNGF3CuNkByYN9gpzaVG7jYlFmtb16WScRvukAhLN_xVaFu9ivgC4QOR5hi_-hMvc0H1YaCEmugTuwnQZJ/s1600/SAM_0735.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For those of you who followed our last trip to Gabon, this is our niece Sybelle. She's so grown up now!!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTFNKAzpV7rcgiDOVTioqUPf_W-mocTJgErqhyphenhyphenEvy-i9vYICxYvXFksIYNyEvt8RMu-2J3OifC9dABqq-knum30Qha_qZrnHSHGKhoZcIHRrBAwMzDLR_vv7Gv46Tzg0Anm60l7HlkKmy/s1600/SAM_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTFNKAzpV7rcgiDOVTioqUPf_W-mocTJgErqhyphenhyphenEvy-i9vYICxYvXFksIYNyEvt8RMu-2J3OifC9dABqq-knum30Qha_qZrnHSHGKhoZcIHRrBAwMzDLR_vv7Gv46Tzg0Anm60l7HlkKmy/s1600/SAM_0737.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landry and I in full effect</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7xpnFNaIGa3Sj1mfrC9mfGZYyivGZuC2vpgQrGTf6PDUBnEDa0UQVjYMKR6u8jpuHnW-3y81UZO6lURIBEBniB7mFDgDZc2L7dKmPUCI3kcQyhvx8bkBlJvCOFozXIeV_5a93qM3QZ1k/s1600/SAM_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7xpnFNaIGa3Sj1mfrC9mfGZYyivGZuC2vpgQrGTf6PDUBnEDa0UQVjYMKR6u8jpuHnW-3y81UZO6lURIBEBniB7mFDgDZc2L7dKmPUCI3kcQyhvx8bkBlJvCOFozXIeV_5a93qM3QZ1k/s1600/SAM_0738.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The aftermath of dishes (the bride's mother is responsible for food at the cultural wedding, so this was our backyard Sunday morning.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Well, as always seems with my travels, our
trip started off as quite an adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About eight minutes before we arrived at Dulles Airport in DC
(remembering that we live about three hours away in Philadelphia) I realized
that I had left my old passport at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had my valid passport with my married name, but had failed to realize
that my visa was in my old passport!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Landry called his friend who is watching our house and he had to take a
picture of the visa with his phone and email it to Landry’s sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just hoped that the airline would allow me
to board in Turkey without a valid visa in my passport.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The first leg of our trip was about ten
hours long and we landed in Turkey around 4pm local time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We only had about an hour once we had made it
through the transit terminal and there were three things I wanted to try:
Turkish coffee (as a shout out to Haifaa and Bahjat), apple tea, and ice
cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we were in such a rush and
didn’t know how far we had to walk to get to our gate we passed the only place
I saw to get ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll have to
save that and the apple tea for our flight back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ended up getting Turkish coffee and Landry
got some really good baklava.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWVaD7mSr8LU6mTdIdyLz2yau9dggoMjiamkLe3WY1nKnVYI8SaW0QLrrNMSPruQU4IErArrIfVJ-v6_gnGK3kMdPIB6y9oldEHgEPO9dA81TyDLqcYA_OgZyppmzo4SdpD6p2neY1yhA/s1600/IMAG0573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWVaD7mSr8LU6mTdIdyLz2yau9dggoMjiamkLe3WY1nKnVYI8SaW0QLrrNMSPruQU4IErArrIfVJ-v6_gnGK3kMdPIB6y9oldEHgEPO9dA81TyDLqcYA_OgZyppmzo4SdpD6p2neY1yhA/s1600/IMAG0573.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkish coffee and baklava</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAecylve2BzylJdZ37THMIVmGtSggwFv2IiiuTVM9JqryvLGAIHe-Dc04jq6D0kbgK2j2GgVCAD7n3R2Ba1VVWanYOw0o_cdU3NK_pkfXlKJ4yXraIaNfx2N-QfnC_vlYwV_Goaqd3ZTe/s1600/IMAG0575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAecylve2BzylJdZ37THMIVmGtSggwFv2IiiuTVM9JqryvLGAIHe-Dc04jq6D0kbgK2j2GgVCAD7n3R2Ba1VVWanYOw0o_cdU3NK_pkfXlKJ4yXraIaNfx2N-QfnC_vlYwV_Goaqd3ZTe/s1600/IMAG0575.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what happens after you've already been flying for ten hours</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao9Sn4QcvuXZtHig2WkRxWPtllfTj0X52WzbNn4FvQ22S74-FbILTC4y0TZxZvve8LhxNdvEUoP3-goo9gFAZgpodsH2tYRhfRMFYoCwxyDRom3Go4iEu3UafchSZqFLQlF8c9ZoRu8Uz/s1600/IMAG0576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao9Sn4QcvuXZtHig2WkRxWPtllfTj0X52WzbNn4FvQ22S74-FbILTC4y0TZxZvve8LhxNdvEUoP3-goo9gFAZgpodsH2tYRhfRMFYoCwxyDRom3Go4iEu3UafchSZqFLQlF8c9ZoRu8Uz/s1600/IMAG0576.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views of Istanbul from the airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8eIqDIgr0ooEFC3p5gGYIDMZCQd22XgBRJdEaNvWytYlLERUkyh6cdtb6Q-Wx8n1SVR4B_1eRe0YRoBLtkaW7e5jdZMwxHllUUmBj4WsCuZEMi2_C1pmQlYq-yB_qTsd0VgeMeI_Kmfk/s1600/IMAG0577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8eIqDIgr0ooEFC3p5gGYIDMZCQd22XgBRJdEaNvWytYlLERUkyh6cdtb6Q-Wx8n1SVR4B_1eRe0YRoBLtkaW7e5jdZMwxHllUUmBj4WsCuZEMi2_C1pmQlYq-yB_qTsd0VgeMeI_Kmfk/s1600/IMAG0577.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The line at our gate was crazy long and
they weren’t even boarding yet, so we sat down and waited until the line had
gone down to just a few people before getting up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were two of the last three people to board
and sure enough, the agent at the gate told me that I couldn’t board the plane
without a visa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I explained to him that
I had a valid visa, I had just forgotten my passport and that my sister-in-law
would have my visa waiting for me when we landed in Gabon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He argued back and forth with us for a while
and then called his supervisor who, after several heart pounding minutes, agreed
to put me on the plane after explaining that Gabon was not required to accept
me and I may need to turn right around and head home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say, I spent the next six and a
half hour flight worrying about whether or not we’d get through customs in Gabon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Enter Landry and the infinitely small
community of Libreville (and when I say small, I mean that everyone seems to
know everyone, despite hundreds of thousands of residents).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we even got completely off the plane
he had run into two people he knew from high school, one of whom worked with
security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Landry explained the situation
to him and he ran around the airport until he found a security officer that
would help us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The security officer
escorted us past customs, sat me down on a bench, and had Landry go out to get
the copy of my visa from his sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
came back with the copy and after much flipping through my passport,
photocopies, and lectures about how complicated we had made things, my passport
was stamped and we were in Gabon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3WdnFkcUeQ32J0yKiTI3sAwY1daGxlbi8apvw6jgAU1cuxUSLwzP9mgrLKIfdlS3re7SgcyqH2AMF01O0Vny_6lCRTld5sh6eowAnyriTpypq6dpNqJt6hyphenhyphenI_Fm0lfb-70F2n9LmBl4p/s1600/IMAG0579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3WdnFkcUeQ32J0yKiTI3sAwY1daGxlbi8apvw6jgAU1cuxUSLwzP9mgrLKIfdlS3re7SgcyqH2AMF01O0Vny_6lCRTld5sh6eowAnyriTpypq6dpNqJt6hyphenhyphenI_Fm0lfb-70F2n9LmBl4p/s1600/IMAG0579.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what you look like when you've forgotten the second most important document of your international travel :-(</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Relief was very quickly replaced by
frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had made it to Gabon,
but once again our bags had not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
landed at 2am on Friday….our bags will land at 2am on Monday…hopefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, we packed everything we needed
for the cultural wedding in our carry-on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I must say though, except for the bag issue, Turkish Airlines is awesome. Free pillows, blankets, slippers, and travel kits, good movies, and free wine with dinner!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s been great being back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met our niece Lyn for the first time and
we spent yesterday and this morning hanging out, helping to get ready for the
wedding this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More stories,
I’m sure, to follow and definitely many pics!</span></div>
Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6353219478188150155.post-45259068956087015212013-07-15T11:51:00.000-07:002013-07-15T11:51:15.609-07:00Welcome!Just wanted to say a quick hello and welcome to our Gabon travel adventures. The last time we traveled I did a separate blog, but I figure this is a place we'll be coming back to time and time again, so why not catalog it all in one place? I hope you'll subscribe and enjoy the stories and photos to come.<br />
<br />
For those of you who don't know, we're leaving this Wednesday for a three and half week trip to Gabon to celebrate Landry's sister's wedding. The cultural wedding is on July 20th and the civil wedding is on July 27th, so I'm sure there will be tons of fun pictures and stories to tell. We plan to travel a bit around Gabon once all of the wedding excitement is over and that should be quite the adventure. Landry's never traveled outside of Libreville! <br />
<br />
Thanks for your interest in our travels and stories. Stay tuned for more later this week!Suzen14http://www.blogger.com/profile/09510504659681784960noreply@blogger.com0