Out and About

So this week I have to carry the pager around with me. That means no leaving the ship for me. So to make up for that I've been busy the past couple weeks going out and about and taking in everything in this new country.
There is so much to see just walking around the streets of Conakry. These kids were playing dolls and makeup on the mat behind them. I wanted to get a candid shot of them but as soon as they saw my camera they jumped up and crowded around me with their biggest smiles.
I do need to be careful taking pictures of people. They may demand money for taking pictures of them so we are supposed to ask them first. Taking pictures of buildings can be dangerous too. A couple of people from the ship where actually taken to the police station for taking pictures and detained for an hour. But its so hard for me not to take pictures!

Conakry is located on a little peninsula sticking out into the Atlantic Ocean. There are a lot of boats like this all around the shores that people use for fishing and to get to the couple of islands just off shore. There is a lot of garbage that washed up onto the sand. There is a lot of garbage every where really. Most places (including the local hospital) just dump their garbage into the ocean.

On the weekend we went out to this little cafe, Cafe Obama. It was out on a dock up on stilts over the water, with the ocean breeze blowing through. There was again some live African music and the lights were flickering and we just sat back and enjoyed a bottle of wine and some calamari. It was such a cool atmosphere.









We went out for desert the night after to a hotel close by and sat outside close to the pool. Very different setting then the night before. You could very easily forget that you were in Africa. The hotel lets us use the pool.







 On our days off we can go off ship and visit an orphanage or the local hospitals or the baby rescue center. This past weekend I went to the Lazare Orphanage. The children there were so adorable and just loved to be held. You walk in and within seconds a child will run up to you withe their arms outstretched.

 











While driving to and from the orphanage I was able to take a lot of shots out the window without to much fear of being harassed. Here's a couple of the ones that turned out:

There are always kids playing football, either on the street or on "fields" like this one.

This weekend I also had the opportunity to relax in one of the islands about a 45 minute boat ride away. Lying on the beach, playing in the waves and exploring the little village was a perfect way to spend a hot sunny day.
This beach is cleaned by the owners of a little place that rents cabins. It was gorgeous and the water was amazing.

As always there were people playing football. These guys were playing on the beach, taking shots on net. They absolutely love this sport.







There is so to see and do around here. I'm trying to take it all in and enjoy every moment of it. I am so thankful to God everyday for this opportunity to be here and meet new people, experience new things and be a part of this organization that brings some hope to this country.