Virtual Africa: Sierra Leone and Banana Island

 

Today's virtual travels takes us to Sierra Leone.

Like many of the countries in this region it has been shaped by its history of slavery, conflict, and blood diamonds.

Due to the Covid crisis...it is currently closed to foreigners.

...but this adventure is virtual...so come along...

The country takes its name from the Lion Mountains.

Shown here.

The name translates from Portuguese as lioness mountain.

The area has been inhabited for 2,500 years.

In the 1800's when Britain abolished slavery they established Freetown here...for newly freed slaves. In 1960 Sierra Leone would declare independence from the UK.

Since then they have been engaged in numerous Civil Wars and conflicts.

In 2014 they also incurred Ebola which ravaged a great many of the population.

The temperature stays between 78 degrees and 98 degrees year-round...with a dry and a rainy season.

Currently, we have just entered the dry season...which will last until May.

Homosexuality is considered a crime...and offenders face imprisonment for life.

Tourism is a large source of income today...and beaches, eco-tourism, resorts and shipwrecks are offered.

The best of which is Banana Island.

 Offering all the above...and more!

Tour Banana Island

https://youtu.be/rd-HERZLyc0

https://youtu.be/VGs-ufeCYus

https://youtu.be/t58qX3YkKSE

https://youtu.be/Gk-2p3eBv2M

Next time we will explore Guinea.

Until then...

 

Virtual Africa: Liberia

 

 

Today

our virtual adventure

leads us to the 

West Coastline.

 

Specifically,

the country

of Liberia.

 

You are here.

 

Liberia is unique

as it was 

a
"project"

country

of the

American Colonization Society.

 

English is the official language here.

Most Liberians are Christian.

 

From 1896-1904

Former slaves from America

were shipped

back to Africa

 

(...IKR???)

 

Some say reparations.

Some thought it was the right

thing to do.

Some just wanted them 

"back where they came from"

and didn't care much at all.

 

Most did not survive.

 

They had nothing

in common with the

bush-people of the area and

were viewed as outsiders.

 

There was internal strive

and conflict that

only ended in 2015.

 

Illegal logging and blood diamonds

have perpetuated this small country's

problems.

 

Corruption in local government

is endemic.

 

Ebola also hit Liberia hard in 2014.

 

Rape and robbery are prevalent.

 

Personally...a place

best avoided. 

Next time

Sierra Leone

 

 

Monrovia, Liberia 

at night.

 

 

Thankful...

 It's finally Sunday...after what feels like a long long long long Thanksgiving Weekend.

Despite some road-bumps...there is much to be THANKFUL for this year. 

My Boys...their Spouses...My Grands...Extended family and friends...John, and Love in The Age of Arthritis...and Sofi & Gadget, of course. Some return of part of my sight and general over-all health....and, as always, ENOUGH...and knowing what "enough" is, these days.

Happy. Content. Blessed.

John made it back safely from both The Relatives and crossing the border into Kentucky...lol

Sending me photos of the adventure and videos...almost like being there.

All the Thanksgiving football and food!

...and Amber promises a plate of her home-baked Turkey on Monday...

A long visit by Chris & his guitar...Tina having to work all day.

Nicole and James and family off for Friendsgiving.

Catching up with everyone...and Lennon having finally assembled all those Legos, it took 4 days,  (9000+) to finishing building Titanic.

Might have to send him a bag of white Lego blocks in April.

...iceberg...some assembly required...

Tried something amazing in the midst of the 4 day foodfest with Arby's newest sandwich

                                        The Smokehouse Brisket

With spicy BBQ sauce...and topped with fried onions (think French's)

Sooooo good!!!

Now have remains of the ham bubbling with pintos and butter & onion...and making cornbread & sweet tea.

The pumpkin pie is gone.

Going to relax with The Colts & The Buccaneers game at 1 PM...and enjoy the last bit of fall.

In two days it will all be over, and decorating for Christmas commences!

"Seriously, Mom? You're going to change everything up...AGAIN???"

                                                                                                 SOFI

Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend, too!

 

 

Birthdays....Hospitals & Death...An Early Thanksgiving Trek and More

 

"Nope...I'm staying right here by the heat...thank you very much..."

                                                                                                    Sofi

Seriously.

Fall lasted approximately 2 weeks. Then we woke up to snow and all the leaves down, and 24 degrees.

"Still not moving..."

John sending me two pairs of black thermals this week.  I may live in them until SPRING.

Yes...although Thanksgiving isn't even here yet...Winter is creeping in...and if I am this cold in the 20's and 30's...it will be insufferable below zero.

 

A week of ups and downs for me.

Brenda, in and out of hospitals.

Lennon's 33rd birthday...where everyone is donating to his Birthday Adult Lego Project

Which boasts over 9000+ individual Legos.

He is taking the rest of his vacation days and will send photos as it becomes.

Rumor has it...there is even a Grand Staircase inside (to be built)

Right now it is boxes and bags of Lego bricks.

(iceberg sold separately)

We celebrated Diane's 71st birthday...with Linguini & Shrimp Alfredo and Asparagus Tips.

and shared hugs and tears over the loss of her mom (earlier in the week) at 90.

sigh

Thanksgiving plans made...then dashed.

We passed the Infrastructure Bill...

Yes...it has been an emotion filled week.

John away right now...on a trek with his daughter and son-in-law for an early Thanksgiving.

I miss you...and wish I were there, too.

By Friday...this week's saving grace was

It was absolutely the funniest film I have seen this year...

And did I need it!

Just the interaction....banter and wit between Ryan Reynolds and
Dwayne Johnson is worth the price of admission.

Excellent, with many unexpected twists and turns.

A must-see.

Now to get laundry in...dishes done and settle in with Football & Food. The Colts play at  1 PM and the Chiefs at 4:25.

"Staying right here, Mom..."

UPDATE:

The Colts kicked ass!!!

So did the Chiefs!!!

Okay...maybe with a little help...

 

Virual Africa: The Ivory Coast

 

Although the name remains...the ivory industry is gone, thankfully.

Now replaced by coffee and chocolate export.

Under French rule for most of its existence...after the 2011 Civil War...now an Independent country.

Because of the massive trade in chocolate and coffee, the people here are much better off than most of the nearby African Countries, and enjoy a higher standard of living. 

The official language is French...but The Ivory Coast is the most diverse linguistically.  70 different languages are found here. 

Agriculture is king here.

Chocolate...Coffee and beautiful seaside...I'm HOME!!!!

Cocoa Plantation

Chocolate Production

https://youtu.be/-5U6xMoL0Ls

Try some yourself!

https://www.amazon.com/Cote-dOr-Milk-Chocolate-Gram/

 

Coffee Plantation

 Most of the IC coffee is robusta or green coffee.

and an exclusive from the Ivory Coast-Choffy

 

 A blend of both chocolate and coffee.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Choffy-Brewed-Cocoa-Ivory-Coast-Medium-Roast-10oz-bag

Which can be bought here.

Who knew??

Next time we will explore Liberia...

 

Fall has Fell...Fresh Trout...and More

 

It is a LOT like this, now...

Everything muted...muddy yellows and oranges and browns...and then the rains came.

My Black Locust is almost completely devoid of leaves.

Evenings and dropping into the high 20's and mid-30's.

Went out for weekend provisions yesterday, and ended up clutching my rotisserie chicken for warmth as I waited for the transit.

This does not bode well.

I foresee thermals before Winter actually arrives.

My guy out for some last minute Fall Fishing...with photos of Our Duck and pals.

and catching (stocked) trout at the lake.

He filleted three this size, and we will be having Trout Almondine with lemon butter before long.

James and Nicole celebrated their 8th Anniversary this week.

My friend Brenda is back in the hospital and awaiting surgery.

Angie has been busy doodling.
 

And slowly, we are readying for winter...which seems to be approaching quickly this year.

I'm definitely picking up those thermals this week.

Friday's Movie:

The 25th Bond Movie.

Good story line...predictably James Bond...lots of action.

You'll love it.

Spoiler Alert

I have never cared for Daniel Craig as Bond...so maybe the best part, for me, was when he was dispensed of in the end.

Craig just never struck me as a guy that anyone would swoon over...much less throw themselves at his feet.

Not sexy.

For me....he never fit the action hero type either.

I'm glad to be done with him.

sigh

But it was all handled very tastefully, and M and the program will go on.

Embarking on a Cinderella Day here...and planning football and Fall Food for tomorrow!

Later!

Sunday Morning:

Woke to the first snowfall of the season. Gigantic duckfeather snow.

Beautiful!

So warm it will not last the day, or clutter the walks and road...but wonderful to wake up to!!

Pecan pie and coffee now...and making chicken and dumplings later.

The Colts play The Jaguars at 1:00.

Perfect Day!

Virtual Africa: Benin...Togo...Ghana

 

Benin

Togo

Ghana

The reason I have decided to explore all three countries together is their relative tininess...proximity...but mostly their similarities.

This area is known as the Slave Coast.

Located on the Gulf of Guinea, it was a main port for slave trade. 

Today, there is something that remains from that era that is amazing.

The traditional Voodoo religion.

Although this area is 45% Roman Catholic now...and a few Muslim...the largest part of the people in these three countries follow and practice Voodoo.

There are Voodoo Priests, Festivals and Gatherings.

 2021 Voodoo Festival

In fact, Benin is touted as The Birthplace of Voodoo.

Kpohinto Medji: Voodoo Priest

Here in The States the oversimplification of Voodoo (Voudou) brings to mind images like this...

Actually...Voodoo is a monotheistic religion (one god) much like Christianity.

The god, Bondye, is rather uninvolved after the creation...and multiple spirits called Loa tend to the day to day events.

There are specific loa for everything.

Farmers might pray to the loa of agriculture, for instance.

Each loa has its own name.

Voodoo is a combination of folk medicine, ethics, stories (passed from generation to generation) and song.

They strongly believe in the spirit world and its assistance.

Benin is also known for its bronzes.

 

Togo for its palm-lined beaches.

 and Ghana for their Gold.

 

Unfortunately, most of the residents of these three countries live in extreme poverty.

 Like most of Africa's countries and population divided into the very rich or the very poor.

Next we will explore The Ivory Coast!

Until then... `

                                                         Togo Sunset