Shane, Conakry, Guinea

RedSwan Posted Oct 24, 2011, 3:23 pm	Wow, mummy and I decided that I'm old enough to travel the world and so here I am. Yesterday we went through Ratingen, mainly the fields and a playground. That was fun and I really had a good time. I had the opportunity to swing or to slide. I also was into a sugar beet field. I hided myself and so it was hard to find me. But mummy did. Now I'm ready to go somewhere else and I really can't wait
RedSwan Posted Oct 25, 2011, 12:51 pm	Oh dear! Today I left home and went on my first trip. I'm really excited and nervous. Not sure what the future brings. Mummy told me that it will be a long journey. Now I saw the envelvope I shal travel in. I wonder if I will be able to breathe. But I also can't wait to go. My first stop will be in Florida, USA. I've heard a lot about the US via Television and now I get to know the life over there. If my mummy is already jealous? If it all turns out really well I will be abroad for a quite long time. Will I be able to visit every continent as I was dreaming? Will my hosts treat me well? Do I find new friends? Do I understand what they are talking? Will I be homesick? What will my mother do without me? Questions about questions and I am sure I will find my answers. So now I really have to catch my flight. See you in the United States of America
snapcrackleomg Posted Nov 8, 2011, 8:12 pm	After a really long flight, I have finally arrived at my hosts home. She has a doggy, which is quite small, but really cute. He was just as excited to see me. I can't wait until I get to explore the rest of Orlando and go sightseeing.  I miss you mummy!!!
snapcrackleomg Posted Nov 18, 2011, 6:07 pm	Today has been a pretty fun day. My host mom taught me how to play guitar and piano! She also took me to see two of her rescue turtles. One was a chicken turtle and the other was a yellow-eared slider. They seemed really excited to see her, the smaller one even knows how to escape. My host mom tells me we're going somewhere tomorrow, she says first we are going to the cinema located in the town center and then we are going to the local university to go see a light show, the skating rink, some attractions, and maybe even Santa. I can't wait!
snapcrackleomg Posted Nov 24, 2011, 11:06 pm	Today, I went and had American Chinese food, the beef and brocoli with white rice was extremely yummy, and quite affordable.    After dinner we went to see a 3-d movie. We saw Harold and Kumars 3-d Christmas, and it was pretty funny. We also had the best seats in the house. Afterwards, we walked around the town center and my host mom told me how every year someone always puts bubbles in the fountain to make it into a "Winter Wonderland" and they still have not caught who does it.  Unfortunately, we could not go to the university b/c we were low on gas. All in all, though, I had a pretty good time.
snapcrackleomg Posted Nov 24, 2011, 11:12 pm	Today, my host mom taught me how to drive her truck. It was so sunny, it was getting hard to see. And to make up for not taking me to the light show, she crochet me a slouchy beret. It's really cute and even has holes for my ears. It is made from a pastel rainbow yarn.
snapcrackleomg Posted Nov 24, 2011, 11:30 pm	Today, we celebrated an American holiday called Thanksgiving, there was soooo much food. My host mom told me what her family made was not so traditional Thanksgiving food because she is of Hispanic descent. There was turkey, pastelles, stuffing, candied yams, cranberry sauce, arroz con gandules, seafood pasta, macaroni salad, potato salad, and of course, pumpkin pie. The adults, were drinking something that looked like egg nog, but my host mom told me it was a traditional drink called coquito, and it was not for little bears to drink. I helped set the tables with autumn plates and centerpieces. When things got settled down, I sat around around Christmas trees that were my size and socialized with some new-found friends.
MamiTig Posted Dec 2, 2011, 1:08 am	Shane arrived in Iola, Kansas today! She was so happy to get out of the envelope!
MamiTig Posted Dec 2, 2011, 1:18 am	Host mom took Shane and the other TVs to see the Canada geese at the south lake in Garnett. She said the geese winter here, and in a couple of months, there will be goslings!
MamiTig Posted Dec 3, 2011, 6:28 pm	Shane was excited to see the host family's car all packed for a road trip... so nice to get to travel outside of an envelope!
MamiTig Posted Dec 3, 2011, 6:29 pm	Shane was excited to help unpack, then eat dinner at Waffle House. She is very curious to find out what happens at Arkansas Anime Fest!
MamiTig Posted Dec 4, 2011, 4:43 am	Shane had a great time at the Arkansas Anime Festival today. She met lots of fun people!
MamiTig Posted Dec 5, 2011, 2:56 am	On the way home from the Arkansas Anime Festival, the host family stopped to take the TVs to the Precious Moments Chapel. It is a beautiful place, and very peaceful there.
MamiTig Posted Dec 6, 2011, 5:14 am	Shane and Fidditch wondered what (or who) host mom was making!
MamiTig Posted Dec 7, 2011, 1:49 am	Shane thought the first dusting of snow was lovely!
MamiTig Posted Dec 9, 2011, 3:48 am	Shane got to see the ethanol plant in Garnett today. They distill corn to make ethanol fuel, as well as a very high protein cattle feed. It always smells like delicious yeast around the ethanol plant. Shane also got to see a train this morning!
MamiTig Posted Dec 10, 2011, 4:07 am	Host mom took Shane to one of her favorite local places, the Neosho River. Host mom said she likes to watch the trees and the level of the water as the seasons change.
MamiTig Posted Dec 11, 2011, 7:16 am	Shane visited Chanute today and got to see the cement plant.
MamiTig Posted Dec 12, 2011, 4:09 am	Shane met some very unusual sushi today. It began to wiggle and jiggle, and all the TVs clustered around... and it turned back into a fish!
MamiTig Posted Dec 13, 2011, 4:00 am	Host mom made a very interesting (and delicious) nacho casserole for dinner!
MamiTig Posted Dec 14, 2011, 5:18 am	Shane went to the middle school Christmas concert today!
MamiTig Posted Dec 15, 2011, 3:41 am	Shane enjoyed going to host mom's Iola office Christmas party today. She thought the tree was lovely!
MamiTig Posted Dec 17, 2011, 3:57 am	Shane was impressed with the gigantic sushi... but a little surprised when it turned into a fish!
MamiTig Posted Dec 18, 2011, 4:34 am	Shane and the other TVs visited the Strawberry Hill Museum in Kansas City, Kansas! They were all disappointed that there were no pictures allowed inside because it was so amazing, with all the cultural displays, but they did get some of the outside!
MamiTig Posted Dec 18, 2011, 4:35 am	Shane decided that she likes Mongolian BBQ!
MamiTig Posted Dec 20, 2011, 5:08 am	After a long day of shopping, the host family took Shane out to China Star!
MamiTig Posted Dec 20, 2011, 5:09 am	Shane had a wonderful time learning about line dancing and watching an indoor snowball fight at the Classique dance studio Christmas party!
MamiTig Posted Dec 21, 2011, 4:48 am	Shane is heading to Australia!
fleursmum Posted Jan 10, 2012, 6:44 am	Hi Mum, I have arrived!!!  Finally out of the squishy travel bag. I was met by lots of very welcoming TV's and Mum they are all from Germany, so there will be lots of talking and catching up about travels tonight!!  Here we all are Hasune, SchokoCookie, Toto, Binky, and Bubblegum I am good after my travels Mum, I met Tupai the chow chow - he seems friendly although he tickles when he sniffs  here I am outside the family room door - look at that big gum tree! this is the back yard - Sue said they had two 40 degree days 2 weekends ago so the grass has gone brown there are some nice roses in the garden still in flower, this one smelt really good! more yard outside and this is where I am staying!  Sue says she will take another photo when the sun is shining, it is cloudy today! Off for a rest now Mum, tomorrow we are off to Ballarat. Love and hugs Shane xxooxxoo
fleursmum Posted Jan 14, 2012, 12:53 am	Hi Mum, Today we drove up to Ballarat to have a walk around the lake and to look at caravans, the weather was so bad we only got to look at caravans and then came home. In the afternoon we had to go and pick up David's car and then took the chowchow for a walk in a different park Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 14, 2012, 12:59 am	Hi Mum Today we drove up Mount Macedon and had a look at the lake at the top - the reflections were beautiful. Love and hugs Shane xx00xx
fleursmum Posted Jan 14, 2012, 1:02 am	Hi Mum, Today we said out goodbyes to Bubblegum, he is off travelling again -this time to South Africa!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx PS Tomorrow we are off to New Zealand, will be back on the 22nd Jan.
fleursmum Posted Jan 23, 2012, 8:45 pm	Hi Mum, Today we are off to New Zealand!!  we are ready to board the plane on our way now! More soon, Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 23, 2012, 9:06 pm	Hi Mum, We landed safely in New Zealand, picked up the bag and went to get the hire car, then headed off down the motorway.
fleursmum Posted Jan 23, 2012, 9:20 pm	Hi Mum On our way we stopped at Paeroa a little town that is famous for it's big bottle. Lemon and Paeroa is a drink "World Famous in New Zealand" that was made by combining lemon juice with the local mineral water - it is now made by the Coca-Cola company. This bottle is a favourite photo stop!  This was the park with the big bottle On the way out of Paeroa we stopped at another park by the river and had a look at the swing bridge this is a busy place lots of people come here to picnic by the river or to go bush walking, there are alot of tracks and old mining sites and you can walk along the old railway line and through a tunnel. Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 24, 2012, 10:22 pm	Another stop on our trip Mum....Waihi is an old gold mining town and a few years ago another mine was opened up. The Martha Mine was the one we had a look at. It is a long way down there!!  Sue thinks this is the old cooling tower - it was moved from the old mine site to here so people could see it near the new mine. Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 24, 2012, 10:50 pm	Hi Mum, We found this wonderful water fall between Paeroa and Waihi It was lovely and peaceful here Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 25, 2012, 3:41 am	Hi Mum, Today we had a drive around a bit of Tauranga SchokoCookie and I had a look at this Maori Canoe - it is used on special days and for ceremonial occasions this sign told us all about the carvings next to it I liked this one! More soon Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 28, 2012, 8:30 am	Hi Mum, This afternoon we went on a drive to Mount Maunganui - last October a container ship called the Rena ran aground on a reef 20km off the coast and since then oil, containers and  contents of containers has been washing ashore. But today it was beautiful Here I am at Pilot Bay on the harbour side of Mount Maunganui here we are on the ocean side of Mount Maunganui Love this beach Mum, it goes for miles and Miles!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 28, 2012, 8:39 am	Hi Mum, We went for a walk after dinner down to the beach and around the block - we could see Mount Maunganui from where we walked to. Ahhh...I think Toto is trying to push me off the table!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 4:50 am	Hi Mum, Today we had a ride on the harbour in a boat it was a bit windy and choppy but not too bad In the afternoon we went to a friends place and from the house had a really nice view of the beach and the harbour Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 5:26 am	Hi Mum, Today we had a big drive to Rotorua. Our first stop was at Rainbow Springs we had a ride on a moa a flightless huge bird that has been extinct for a long time. up on the perch is a kaka - a NZ parrot next we went under water to look at the trout this is a baby tuatara they are reptiles and the adults can go for 6 months with out eating and 1 hour without blinking!!   Not very exciting to watch Mum, but the babies moved around quite a lot. we had a little rest by the waterfall this was the only kiwi we could take a photo of, the kiwi are nocturnal and don't like bright light. Now I am in the government gardens in Rotorua Mum - this building used to be the baths where people came to bathe in the hot mineral waters for their health Behind us is the natural spring where the water comes from for the baths - it is 212 degrees Fahrenheit and 100 degrees Celsius. I didn't want to fall in there Mum!!  This carving is near the memorial for the Maori men who went off to fight in WW1 Here we are sitting by Lake Rotorua You have to be very careful here and stay on the path, the earth crust is thin here and changes so you can fall through and get a bad burn from the hot water underneath. The yellow rock is caused by the sulphur and smells like rotten eggs  On the way home we stopped at the big Kiwifruit at Te Puke for a quick look Early night for us tonight it has been a busy day!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 5:37 am	Hi Mum, Today we had a look at the beach Sue used to go to when she was little Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 5:55 am	Hi Mum, Today we are driving back to Auckland - we had a break at the beach here Ohhh...Mum...if only there was time to have a surfing lesson!!  I like this beach Mum  Love and hugs Shane xxoxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 6:24 am	Hi Mum, Today we had a look around Auckland - here we are near the Harbour bridge Sue did a bridge climb here a few years ago we had a look at the marina and the boats then went to cafe for a cuppa Next we went to the Sky Tower in the lower level there is a shop selling Weta Workshop. I had a photo taken with Gollom from Lord of the Rings!  Now we are up the tower we could look right down to the road through this glass  Tonight we had dinner at the Cock and Bull and English style pub Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 7:16 am	Hi Mum We are on our way back to Australia now!  Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 7:19 am	Hi Mum, A new TV came today - she is from Chile and her name is Meav Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 7:29 am	Hey Mum - another TV arrived today - he is Freaky and comes from Switzerland, he took a long long time to get here so his parents thought he was lost, but he finally turned up.  Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 7:34 am	Hi Mum, Today is Australia Day so we went to the park to see what was happening. we watched the flag raising ceremony and learned that the flag is made up of the English, Irish and Scottish flags plus the Southern Cross -the star constellation you see in the southern sky. Happy Australia Day!!  Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 7:42 am	Hi Mum, Today we took Sue's friend to Tyabb because there is a big antiques centre there -it is in the old fruit packing shed near the train line. we had lunch in the Rattling Red's cafe which was an old train carriage Yum, I liked the chips!! we had a sit on a bench in a shady spot after lunch. Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Jan 29, 2012, 7:53 am	Hi Mum Today Sue scanned a special photo we had taken at the Sky Tower in Auckland...was a bit scarey...but toyvoyagers are brave!!  Good photo aye!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 4, 2012, 10:12 am	Hi Mum, Here I am!  It has been very hot weather here so we haven't done very much and now Sue is back to work - this is her face - Tee hee - no only joking! We went to work today with Sue, we met the lucky cat - it was made from colour printed and folded paper by the Japanese teacher - pretty good huh!! We played hide in the shelves I think Freaky's tail gave us away!!  Time to go home now Mum More soon Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 6, 2012, 10:03 am	Hi Mum, Well I had a busy day today and boy it was hot! The temp got up to 33 degrees C and it was very windy. But as Sue was going to visit some friends at Albert Park, she had a look around to see if there was something on for us to look at. She learned that Midsumma was on and there was an art exhibition just around the corner from where she was going - a plan formed!! Sadly we didn't get to see the gay pride parade - I would have achieved part of a mission - Sue says sorry but we just couldn't get there!  here we are on the freeway heading up the Westgate Bridge at the top of the bridge coming down the bridge - there is a P & O cruise ship in the background  coming down the bridge - you can see the city of Melbourne behind us here Mum this is the first of the paintings Mum - the artist is a lady called  - Rynelle Walkershe is aboriginal and paints in the traditional style but with a contemporary vibrancy (we got that off the brochure!! ) I really like this painting.  These paintings are all celebrating women. this was the brochure at the art gallery that had all the different events in it Mum this lady does sculpture using recycled wood Outside there was a sculpture on the wall of wings- so Sue's friend Ingrid helped me be an 'angel' for a little while!! In the garden outside we found some bush tucker these are also known as bush tomato We are very hot now Mum so are going to head back to the house to cool down. Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 6, 2012, 10:21 am	Hi Mum, Today we found a rose in the garden - there aren't many left because the weather had been so hot, but this one smelt beautiful.  Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 7, 2012, 8:45 am	Hi Mum Tonight we helped with the dinner - wonder if we have enough veges?  Maybe a few more! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 7, 2012, 8:48 am	Hi Mum, Today we said goodbye to Toto, he is off to stay with a new host in Orange in NSW for a while Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 14, 2012, 7:22 am	Hi Mum, Today we went in to the city to have a look around here we are at Docklands, it is near the train station - it was old docks but has been modernised and now there is a huge sports stadium, apartments and restaurants. we went on the tram that goes around the city in a big circle we got the tram here at the State Parliament building - the building over the road is one of the theaters I am in the city centre now opposite St Paul's Cathedral we are sitting on a bridge that goes over the Yarra river - on the left is South Bank and the right Flinders Street Station this statue is near the Arts centre, it is called Family 2, so we decided to join in too!! this statue, Family 1, had been taken away so we decided to become the family instead!!  now we are down by the river, Mmmmm...not bad here, it is a nice day today! the square block looking building over the river is the National Art Gallery in Federation Square Back on the bridge over the Yarra - this time looking the opposite way - in the distance is the Melbourne Cricket Ground - the sports centre where cricket and Australian Rules are played Now I am in Federation Square and here...outside St Paul's cathedral looking over to Flinders Street Station. this is the train we are going home on Home we go! I am ready for a snooze now!!  Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 14, 2012, 7:27 am	Hi Mum, Here I am at Ocean Grove - it is windy and cloudy but warm and I am hoping for a surfing lesson!! mmm.not to many people surfing here we found the learn to surf trailor, but all the teachers were out in the water teaching young people!  Not my day again Mum!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 14, 2012, 7:32 am	Here we are a little up the coast from Ocean Grove at Barwon Heads - it has a surf beach then a tidal river and a calm swimming beach - this area is known at the Ship Wreck Coast because so many sailing ships ran aground here in the 1800's. Just after this photo was taken I was blown off the post Mum!!  But I was ok - lucky I didn't get blown out to sea!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 14, 2012, 7:36 am	Up the coast a little further Mum to the Point Lonsdale jetty and lighthouse. Later in the evening I helped cook hamburgers for dinner!  Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 14, 2012, 7:58 am	Sunday was a really nice day Mum, we went for a walk along the beach - St Leonards is where Sue goes to stay at the beach.  Tee hee!! Sue got her feet wet here but I stayed dry!! Was nice sitting in the sun Mum!  Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 19, 2012, 8:34 am	Hi Mum, Tonight we went to an open air concert at Hanging Rock and fwe got to see Rod Stewart this sign is nearly at the entrance we went into - someone has hung a rock off the sign!! here we are enjoying the last of the afternoon sun  sun is going down now that little yellow blob centre stage is Rod Stewart Mum!! Honest!! We had a good time Mum lots of dancing and singing Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 26, 2012, 7:13 am	Hi Mum, Today we went to the Ballarat Wildlife Park to see some Australian animals, Here we go.... we saw sleeping koalas!!  They sleep a lot because they only eat gum leaves and that doesn't give them a lot of energy this is a Tasmanian devil - see how red it's ears are Mum? That's how it got it's name. The early settlers in Tasmania couldn't see the animals but could hear them screaming and see the red devil horn shaped ears in the bush - hence they called them Tasmanian Devils. this is Tilly the koala - she loves her gum leaves - and she has a tiny tiny baby in her pouch!  this is a grey kangaroo - they love people especially people who feed them!!  these are red kangaroo - they aren't so used to people so they have to have their own enclosure. Oops..Sue says sorry for the shakey photo!! This is Patrick the wombat - he was sleeping but happy for us to have photos taken with him - he is nocturnal so only comes out at night. this is a giant tortoise it isn't Australian but we took a photo anyway! we think these are salt water and fresh water crocodiles! Someone forgot..... Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 26, 2012, 7:16 am	Hi Mum. Today we went to Harcourt with Sue and her family - they went for a family gathering - Harcourt Valley is a lovely place they grow lots of apples here. Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 27, 2012, 6:48 am	Hi Mum, Today has been really hot, but in the afternoon the weather changed and a big storm came over it was like night time when the cloud came over More soon Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Feb 27, 2012, 6:56 am	Hi Mum,  This morning there was thunder and lightening and lots of rain Sue had to go to work so we stayed in and watched TV In the afternoon Sue came home with a box the box has come from Finland and inside was another TV  ...Diddl-Maus nearly fell over in surprise!! This is Big Foot and he brought lots of lovely things from Finland..we might have a snack later!  Ohhh Mum ..I nearly forgot... I finally got a photo with Shane, Sue's son - a boy called Shane that's a bit strange!!! We were trying to fix his computer..mmm..maybe if we plug it in??? I met a nice bear from New Zealand, we had a chat about being a TV and travelling the world, I may have talked him into it, I am not sure! Can only try!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Mar 1, 2012, 6:12 am	Hey Mum A new TV arrived today - it is LittleLucy, she is from Germany but has come to us from Japan. Love and Hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Mar 5, 2012, 6:23 am	Hi Mum, We are on our way to St Leonards but stopped for a bollard photo at Geelong these are the life savers the sea captain tried to keep us in his bird cage, but we managed to slide out!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Mar 5, 2012, 6:24 am	Hi Mum, Lovely day for the beach today Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
fleursmum Posted Mar 8, 2012, 3:09 am	Hi Mum, Today I said goodbye to everyone... put my hat on and climbed into my travel box and I am ready to go.... Bye! See you next in Guinea!! Love and hugs Shane xxooxx
poissonrouge Posted Apr 23, 2012, 12:12 pm	Hi ! I am in Africa !!! Last week, a postman tore the parcel open, but I bit his finger. When I got out, the first thing I saw is Fansidar the cat !
poissonrouge Posted Apr 30, 2012, 12:05 pm	I am discovering my new home : Kissidougou. This is one of the main roads. When it rains, it is not a road anymore, but a big lake. I hope I will be able to take some pictures one day.
poissonrouge Posted Apr 30, 2012, 12:09 pm	Today, I discovered a beautiful tree I had never seen in my life : a flame tree. It was blooming, and very beautiful !
poissonrouge Posted Apr 30, 2012, 12:13 pm	I am drowning into tropical fruits ! It's mangoes time and I love it !
poissonrouge Posted Apr 30, 2012, 12:16 pm	I am a plumber ! If you want to survive in Guinea, you have to be able to do many things by yourself. This is what I am learning.
poissonrouge Posted Apr 30, 2012, 12:20 pm	You don't know what rain is until you have been in Guinea during the rainy season. And you don't know what wind is either... Poissonrouge says this was only a little rain, but for me, it was a huge tropical storm ! I was a little afraid, but not as much as the cat. Poissonrouge said that the most dangerous thing is to get a falling mango on the head... especially if the mango is not ripe yet.
poissonrouge Posted May 4, 2012, 12:06 pm	Mum, guess what : I am building a house ! You don't believe me ? Look at the photos !
poissonrouge Posted May 4, 2012, 12:11 pm	Now I am a petrol fridge specialist ! It is very complicated and very messy.
poissonrouge Posted May 4, 2012, 12:16 pm	No, it's not a motorcyclists meeting, those are a few of the many motorcycles at the burial today. One of poissonrouge's friend lost her father. Everyone was sad, but also relieved, because he was very old and very sick. And as he was a well-known and beloved man, maaaany people came.
poissonrouge Posted May 4, 2012, 12:19 pm	To build a house, you need a lot of sand !
poissonrouge Posted May 4, 2012, 12:24 pm	Mum, when I will be back home, I will be able to do anything for your house : now, I am a plumber, a builder, a fridge specialist, and a locksmith ! I got stuck in the bathroom, unable to open the door. It lasted only five minutes, but five minutes are very long in such a case. When I got out, I asked poissonrouge to call a locksmith. But she said that : - there are no phone books - there are no locksmiths - the telophone does not work So I did the job myself.
poissonrouge Posted May 9, 2012, 2:18 pm	The building is getting high !
poissonrouge Posted May 9, 2012, 2:25 pm	Today was a sad day : Fansidar the cat has disappeared since yesterday. We hope it is safe and will come back soon. Another sad thing is the habit of bushfires in Africa. They are dangerous, and bad for the nature. But people love them and think it is a good thing to do before planting anything.
poissonrouge Posted May 9, 2012, 2:28 pm	Fansidar is back !!! Poissonrouge thinks that someone who had too many mice in his house just locked the cat inside so that it would chase the rodents. I don-t know if it is true, and if yes, I don-t know if it worked, but anyway Fansidar is back. He ate a lot and slept a lot, then got back to normal.
poissonrouge Posted May 12, 2012, 11:02 am	Today, I went to the library. There are a few books there... but really a few !
poissonrouge Posted May 12, 2012, 11:04 am	Here is the photo I promised you a some days ago : Kissidougou's main road, during the rainy season. You'd rather have a good car or motorcycle, because it is quite deep... or find another road.
poissonrouge Posted May 12, 2012, 11:07 am	The work is going well !
poissonrouge Posted May 12, 2012, 11:11 am	Guess what : I am going to Sierra Leone !!!! Poissonrouge wants to visit an important literacy project, and she will take me with her ! I can't wait to visit a new country. But I will not be able to post updates for one week. So, see you later !
poissonrouge Posted May 21, 2012, 11:54 am	Today, we entered Sierra Leone. At first, it was easy, because a colonel was passing the boarder in the same time as us. So everything was open, and we went through without even noticing that we were at the boarder... But suddenly we realised, and we went back to have our passports checked. Then we drove to Mile 91. We had a puncture, but could change the wheel fast. At Mile 91, we visited the first literacy center. They literacy and numeracy, but also bakery. Look at this big oven !
poissonrouge Posted May 21, 2012, 11:57 am	Today, we visited a center that teaches weaving and tailoring.
poissonrouge Posted May 21, 2012, 12:02 pm	Another literacy-numeracy-weaving-tailoring center. And soap making too.
poissonrouge Posted May 21, 2012, 12:08 pm	I forgot to tell you I went to Kenema too yesterday. It is in the East. Today, after Pujehun, we went to Magburaka. I saw interesting trees, and I made friends with a dog and a parrot in a house that was... very decorated.
poissonrouge Posted May 21, 2012, 12:13 pm	Two very special things today : At Ferry Junction, we saw the monument held in comemoration of the first meeting for the end of the war. There was a war in Sierra Leone from 1991 to 2002. This place has been chosen for the peace meeting, because it is the geographical center of the country. Later, we visited a school, where the president was to come during the afternoon. Everyone was very busy getting everything ready for him.
poissonrouge Posted May 21, 2012, 12:19 pm	One more puncture today ! But thanks God, we were in a town, and could find a garage to repair it immediately. Loot at the photo : isn't it a nice garage ? Then we went back to Guinea, but we took the wrong road. The good news is that there was no real boarder, we did not have to show our passports and loose time. The bad news is that instead of good roads, we had bad ones... The photo shows a good one. But anyway, we made it safe to Kissidougou !
poissonrouge Posted May 22, 2012, 12:42 pm	We bought a catfish today ! It was still alive, but not for long... We will eat it with sweet potatoes leaves. Yummy !
poissonrouge Posted May 22, 2012, 12:47 pm	Washing day !
poissonrouge Posted Jun 30, 2012, 12:35 pm	The building is over ! I love the purple door. And I love the fact that I contributed to build something in Africa.
poissonrouge Posted Jun 30, 2012, 12:38 pm	I found a nice bus today, from a french ski school. At fist, it looked quite good. Then, I went on the other side... Believe it or not, it will be repaired quite easily and will live many happy years as a taxi.
poissonrouge Posted Jun 30, 2012, 12:40 pm	Today was exam days for poissonrouge's students. Everyone got good marks, poissonrouge is happy. Now, I will spend some more time here, then travel in the forest area of Guinea, and finally go back to Conakry, then to Switzerland with one poissonrouge's friend, then... I don't know yet.
poissonrouge Posted Jun 30, 2012, 12:44 pm	Guess what I visited today : a prison ! I did not take any photos from the inside, it would not have been nice for the prisoners. But here is the outside. I don't understand how it is that there are still people inside, because it is so easy to escape from here. Poissonrouge told me that if they escape and are caught again, they might be killed. Ok, I think I would stay. The prisoners were friendly, and happy to see people (and a bear) from the outside.
poissonrouge Posted Aug 2, 2012, 3:38 pm	I am travelling again, to the South of the country. The roads are bad, the car is filthy, so I am... But I made a friend. I am a bear and she is a mouse, but she is much bigger than me ! We found the perfect bananas : just the right size.
poissonrouge Posted Aug 2, 2012, 3:42 pm	I visited the market today. There were really a lot of people, things, food, chicken, dead or alive, motorcycles, cars, ... quite stressing !
poissonrouge Posted Aug 2, 2012, 3:44 pm	I want to go on a safari one day. The time has not come yet, but I am training : I rode an elephant today, then I went to see the chimpanzees.
poissonrouge Posted Aug 2, 2012, 3:47 pm	Actually, I am not here for the holidays, but to train teachers. Today, I explained them how to make puppets and have little plays with them.
poissonrouge Posted Aug 2, 2012, 3:52 pm	Back in Kissidougou !
poissonrouge Posted Aug 2, 2012, 3:54 pm	For my last day in Kissidougou, I walked to this nice bridge.
poissonrouge Posted Aug 2, 2012, 3:57 pm	My journey in Guinea is nearly over. I am in Conakry now, waiting for the depature tomorrow.
poissonrouge Posted Aug 2, 2012, 3:59 pm	This is my last outdate from Guinea. I am leaving today, so good bye everybody ! I had a great time here, but it has been raining too much these days. Rain non stop since two days is too much for me, I need sun now. I will be travelling with an elephant, that will stay in Switzerland, while I am going further to UK. Maybe I will see the queen ?

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