Slipper merchants, people under cars fixing them in the middle of the roads, umbrellas to protect from heat and rain. Only 2 seasons here – hot season and rainy season. I think we are in both now. Bad time to be here as elections are coming up in 1 month and a lot of political and military tension. GSM shops to Pimp and Unlock your GSM. Buy Your Kerosene Here painted in army stencil font on a dumpster. Call Your Plumber and a phone number scratched on a cardboard sign. Busy streets with stares provoking us in our prissy oil & gas company bus escorted by a convoy on each side. People plowing fields with sickles! Muscles all over.

You can get anything here. You don’t even have to get down from your car; you pull up and the vegetable merchant comes to you and you can pick and ask for things from your vehicle window; query to cash. Old 1980 Benzes, demolished cars left and right, barbed wire brick walls around facilities. Harsh accents – clear and firm, people speak with undaunted confidence. I feel like I’m going to get a bullet at any minute. Oh, it’s only a couple of weeks…

Weather is a hot 85 degrees – I’m in safari clothes, just imagine. Got my bags and mobile e-mail access. Cell phone works. First thing I saw on stepping out after the escorts was a masjid and a church right next to each other on the near horizon. Allahu akbar, many Muslims in colorful outfits here! I am listening to Bob Marley in this Jamaica-esque minibus. Memories…miss you all!