Oldest Running Catoon

First impressions

The other members of the team had me on the previous day receive a warm welcome, a colorful mix of people of various nationalities and professions: doctors, nurses, pharmacists, public health specialists, a dentist, a Protestant priest and several non-medical volunteers, the youngest just 16 years old. We all wear blue T-shirts and are supported by further 15 Liberian translators. The day begins at 5.00 clock in the morning. A short breakfast, we head out to improve the world (at least we think so ...). The base is a hotel in Monrovia. "Medical Team" is written on the four-wheel vehicles. The first impressions of the early morning Monrovia let me fall silent. The main road outside the hotel, "UN Drive" has yet to be built . drag the window past the ruins of burned houses. Yellow, battered taxis fight through the potholes and pollute the air with black smoke . 1989 began the civil war in Liberia. Only in 2005 was the first president in Africa, the peace process be completed with the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Everywhere you see police officers, always in between vehicles of the United Nations, the WHO and other aid organizations. We cross the bridge to downtown Monrovia, the river lined with shabby huts. Countless people scurrying through a muddy market place, where are offered for sale under tattered parasols and wooden tables, food and other daily needs. "Diamond Foods LTD" or "God will hope Grocery Store" are sounding names.
make the large posters on the roadside even more thoughtful:
"Violence leads to jail, youth do not fight"
"Learn a trade, emply yourself"
Rebuilt Liberia, act against gun Violence "(a mob of people going at each other with clubs)
" Stop Mob Violence
"Raped? Seek free treatment now" (a girl is with her legs spread in a man)
or "Your wife is your friend, not your enemy" (a man beats his wife the whip, which is crossed out in red is) as to read and is illustrated with color images. Other posters have to wash your hands before eating ("What do do to avoid running stomach?"), The use of mosquito nets (It's easy to Prevent Malaria ") or repeatedly, at the risk of AIDS (" Abstince is cool, til i decide "I do" or "You do not know if your partner has HIV. Get tested" out). Among all the advertising Coca Cola, baby food, a mobile network, the Miss Liberia ...
The posters are only a first indication of all the trauma, the atrocities and problems, of which I will learn in the next 2 weeks.

Sew In With A Bang That Covers The Whole Forehead

Liberia flight, test No. 2

Monday morning: Item 8 clock I stand in front of the office of the Bellview Airlines at the other end of the airport "We have nothing to do you have your flights on hold in our office.. , do not book at any travel agency in Germany. No refund is not, because we fly so not on Sunday. And today we are full. Have a nice day. " I had the horror stories about African Airlines always dismissed as a rumor, so I have to say now that there is some truth in it .
frustration. Anger. I try to everything-no-problem, somehow it'll be all right, and yet it does not matter anyway "mentality umzuschalten.Mitleidvolle looks from my friends at the service Schalter.Um 9 is a flight with Kenya Airways, $ 300, what the hell, I have to go there! They have seats available and because it is always too late to start as something else. How can I say, unfortunately or fortunately I did not just plug by 300 dollars, not all 3 cash machine at the Accra airport and work There are no reader, to stay on the ground Kreditkarte.Ich sit and wait . I rinse with Coke down my frustration.

10.00 clock : is my tactic: penetrance . I tell all the officers at the check-in, all the officials in any of switches and anyone who wants to know or do not want to know my story. " It's not Africa. It is just Bellview " (mind you the best West African Carrier 2004 ").

11:30 : Check-in begins for the flight. I put down easily. "Put my name on the list. First priority "No, I do not wait over there but right next to the officials

12.30:.! I'm down to the baggage carousel seems to vorgearbeitet.Alles klappen.Das belt stops." We have to check whether there are seats available Are. "Please, my backpack rolling now one meter! My" friend "informs the service point to help." My girlfriend has priority over the other passengers "deep glances, indicating the importance whatsoever. Thank you !!!!! !

13.30:. Wartehalle.Victory seats in the characters I talk with a woman on Liberia before the war, about a beautiful country I can not believe. to finally have a place. who knows, maybe now is the machine is broken or at least my luggage arrived in Sierra Leone?

Sierra Leone
When the flight lifts off on time, I am equally concerned and facilitates . There are only 2 white throughout Maschine.Es are unreserved seating. When starting the engine journey takes komisch.Ausserdem we do not fly directly but through Freetown in Sierra Leone. 4 hours total. As can be only one airline to operate like a taxi?
In Sierra Leone there is exactly one runway. It can be seen from above, nothing but jungle. The luggage here disembarking passengers are loaded onto a cart. It's raining. A helicopter of the UN is in the mud.

arrival in Liberia
When the machine is reduced to Liberia, the same image: nothing but jungle . The Roberts International Airport looks gloomy, one small gray building, next two UN Hubschrauber.Ein space the size of my room to check the passports. An area the same size, which is now stacked the luggage. "What do you do in Liberia?" I mustered the official. "Are you alone?" I asked a Liberian. I say yes. "Wow, you come to visit my country?" As I step out of the building, I expect a representative of the organization. One problem would be solved. We drive the 40 km to Monrovia. Jungle ruins, a river. I've finally arrived. Only when I'm actually landed?

How To Look Less Formal

Another day in Ghana

Ok, after a long day in Ghana . Actually, I've seen it all in Accra, I want to go to Nrumah Memorial Park and visit a wider market. "Take only valuables mit.Pass well. Be back before dark." The owner of the Guest House is clearly worried about the "Obroni. "On Sundays, there are no police. The attack will be up!" I decide still in the city fahren.Wohl I do not sit but all day in a stuffy room?
I say "Makola" and will again thrown out somewhere. I walk through the streets, looking at the colorful houses, hairdressers, children playing and have permanently clamped his hand around a wallet and camera . "Hi". The first runner-up. Rastaman, is called "Spoon", can run theft suspicious movements with his fingers. "You look like an Angel. Where u want to go?" Ignore does not work. I walk towards the park and "Spoon" babbles at me. He is said to have been a dancer and appeared on television. He buys a Kokosnuss.Wieder I'm at Soccer Stadium, a new game!
What the hell. for 5 € a few minutes later I'm sitting next to "Spoon" in the audience, Ghana to Togo! I now have a Ghana flag wrapped around my torso, Ghana go!! seethes The mood, though I can not see much but that does not matter. The mood is further fueled by a one-legged boy who tricks on the bike is doing, the presidential helicopter, which throws off balls and 3 "Obronis" that run through the stage dancing to signalisieriren their support for Ghana. wins
As Ghana 3-0, there is no stopping. GHANA GHANA, GHANA!! Full of national pride, flag waving, I prefer inspired by the streets.
eat the evening I of the road, pasta with white sauce and cabbage to the disco, as listed in the Lonely Planet (a great book). Going the way I have witnessed an Islamic wedding, see a great river, meet the family members from strangers and I have concluded all the phone numbers of famous pop bands of Ghana are in my address book. A Swiss who was promoted at the time ghnaische musical talent brings me heim.Crazy day, we'll see if I'm coming tomorrow to Liberia ...

Rimi Tomy And Kavyamadavan

Who wants to fly here to Liberia?

07.00 Clock : A taxi takes me to the airport. So far, Sogut. My flight with the "Bellview Airlines is to take 2 hours and 11.30 start. Funny only that there are flights available on the screen until 20.00 at night, not only to Liberia ...

08.00 clock : demand from the "Information". Oh yes, now a flight goes to Liberia.Warten simply over there! ". At least in the handwritten list of the officers my flight is listed." Check-in starts at 08.30 clock in the switch 1 "

09.00 Clock: No flight available , no check-Renewed demand .." No problem, are running late. "I go to the" Customer Service "on the first floor." You can not rein.Aber for a few dollars I ask for 'desperation. Add to the officers 1 dollar, he confirmed to me that the flight "is guaranteed today,"

10.00 clock. Wait at least I'm not .. more alone, a pretty Liberia Erin also want today to Monrovia, the assignment on the switch again demand changes

11.00 clock. We are now really anxious I ask the flight attendants the same information

11.30 clock... : Have we missed the flight there is a second terminal Weiss? Finally something here, what's going on ????? Then, finally, an information transfer from the switch: "The Bellview Airlines flight on Sunday is not everything Come back tomorrow.." I smile tortured. "Then what about my ticket?" "Well, the office is closed on Sundays. The flight is fully booked. But you can come tomorrow at 8 clock in the morning and put on a waiting list. 14:30 the flight was then." "And if I do not get a seat?" "Well, maybe a flight on Wednesday. God bless you "....

12.00 clock : I'm hungry, I'm tired, I'm frustrated. I have no money. Scratch 50 000 Cedi together and go to "Kokomlemle Guest House." Lengthy negotiations may pay for the room in the mix € Cedi.

Infant Viral Syndrome

A Day in Accra

Fufu finger food

the evening I spend with the Ghanaian students at the restaurant: Somewhere in Adabraka, a large room illuminated by blue neon lights. We order fufu, a traditional West African Court: In a large bowl, a sticky dumpling floats from cassava in a spicy broth with fish pieces . I have to wait until I can put into the hot sauce, to form the mass of bite-sized balls. It tastes delicious, just what is the water bowl next to me? The waitress cleans up and washes the dishes in the dish.
I will then have presented various family members, we are sitting on the street, " Obroni, obroni" ("White") calls the group of children in the choir . is proudly presented to me a German printing press in 1956, a 3-foot monster, carefully nurtured by the uncle who runs a print shop so . Another family member is a tailor and has me in stylish African fashion, security schonmal he takes my measurements.
Clock Around 10 I take a cab back to the Hostel.Es needs 1 hour, a lot of patience and 3 phone calls to rediscover the place, because unfortunately there is no exact address! I fall asleep soon and am curious what to expect tomorrow to be in Liberia!

Size Of Denise Milani Breasts

Part 3 A Day in Accra, Part2

the National Museum of Ghana

Another Trotro, I have to ask me through to the National Museum. When I arrive, I am greeted music, clapping and dancing in the forecourt loud, I'm apparently landed in the middle of a party! The celebrants wear black and red, some men have a sarong thrown over the shoulder.

from the museum itself, housed in a futuristic circular structure Glass is beautiful and very informative. The significance of the colorful kente fabrics explains elaborate gold weights of Ashanti in animal form are shown, masks and statues. Ghana has a mystical and fascinating to me . The various ethnic groups are still ruled by a traditional chief, there are secret societies, initiation rites mark the transition into a new phase of life. I take home with many stories like that of Akua, who tied on a wooden doll on the back because she could not bear children. It will therefore be but then became pregnant, and everywhere one looks in Ghana since the wooden Akua-Ba (baby) dolls with big heads. I am shocked before foot, hand and neck chains with which the slaves were tied together . Upstairs are further evidence of the great African cultures, from Egypt to Nigeria-issued. James, an engineer from Ghana, has me even in a couple of cultural specificity, is his home. " What is out there for a party that really there?" I ask for leave. "Party?" Oh, that's a funeral, "I explained. A happy goodbye.

Independence Arch
I'm trying to figure out the bus stop a Trotros to the coast. Felix and Assis, 2 students explain then after a little chat too happy to take me to walk there. Show me first the National Theatre, then we walk through the government district (somehow bring the buildings of the ministries with me the impression that it would be warehouses), I learn a few words in Ga, Twi and Fanti. After the morning shock effect Accra on Saturday afternoon and yet again completely relaxed, I breathe the cool breeze of an ocean. photo shoot before the independence arch: 1957 Nkwame Nkrumah led the country into independence.
I put the feet into the sea, walk a few 100 meters entlang.Ferien on the beach! While the youth as a gateway between two poles still practiced diligently, will be in the big football stage kicked profits are below me. The mood outside the madness that is half the city seems to be on his feet to support their team with a powerful voice and trilling. A sea of yellow, red and green, the national colors of Ghana!

The police, your friend and helper??
I walk on through the government district, taking photos. "Not Allowed.Give me your camera". is at once an armed policeman in front of me and takes me off my digital camera. delete this image is not enough that I could my camera tomorrow by the Bureau pick . My flight to Liberia does not matter or come along tomorrow. I allow myself to start discussions. I will this brazen officials offer no money! Other officials added. A police car stops. The policeman beckons to a taxi driver. I could take my camera, but only if I with the taxi immediately (unheard of for a price) going home, that would be only for my protection. I accept the camera and let the taxi drivers are in bold. No one asks more after the alleged unauthorized photo. After all, 20 I've done in 20 minutes, wasting no money to corrupt Ghanaian police officers. I wave a couple of further punishment for a cheap Taxi approached.

Scholl And Outlet And Malaysia

A Day in Accra, Part 1

The sardines car ride on the Trotro in the city

1 day in Ghana: About 8 clock in the morning I wake up wet with sweat auf.Von outside I hear horns, words in a language unknown to me and dogs barking . Yes, I am back in Africa! The stop in Ghana, I would like to take to get a taste of West Africa. Sightseeing is announced.
The refrigerator in the Crystal Hostel is empty, so I walk down the runway at the hungry Darkuman Main Road, a "Trotro" spot in the city. In my bag is the equivalent of 1 Euro Ghana Cedi, let's see how far you get with it! A few minutes later I'm sitting in the back seat of a rickety minibus. And it takes for the fills! Not only is that every single seat occupied, it will be opened out additional seats on the sides until I am caught completely-not for the claustrophobic! The vehicle rattles after about 40 minutes to collect passengers at last going towards "Circle". How can I get out of it is that I am still unbegreiflich.Die guys next to me make me in pidgin English advances while the other passengers silently looking out your window . Accra has now dusty and poor. Hut hut on the roadside. "Get out". Thrown out in a not very attractive looking Side street. "Where u want to go?" I try to make my "companions" to show that I'm looking for a bank. The road leads first through a herd of goats, the heck out over the waste of some market stalls, then along the open sewage gutter on the only higher buildings far and wide. I say good bye and may the 3rd Starting last money wechseln.Neue confusion: There are 2 currencies in Ghana, called on the new currency is "10 000" when a 1 is on the ticket. That is 1 euro.

M Akola market over-stimulation of the senses
Another Trotro brings me to the Makola Market, this time it is faster. Again, me at the "stop" is not clear where I find myself actually. I ask a passer-by can understand at all why you want to visit a market.
I am getting carried away by the colorfully dressed women who vollkommen.Die to the stalls drängen.Es overwhelmed me most goods are spread out on blankets on the floor or lie on simple wooden tables. The first thing I see and I can smell the fish: to offer women with big yellow sun hats for sale, dried or fresh fish geräuscherte in the blazing sun. In big buckets crawl fist-sized snails. There are all sorts of root vegetables, cassava, cassava, onions and tomatoes. There are candy, cell phones, Toothpaste, so virtually everything that you need for everyday life now, . The women praise the goods to loud. They seem to belong entirely different ethnic groups, some have tattoos on his face. I buy a fantasy-like drink and cookies and give a hair from 10 € for it because I'm still not clear with the new currency. The market woman is honest and has me still take good care of my money.
I cross the street to visit the textiles market. lie on the floor, unfolded clothes in wild disorder in knee-high pile. A Jean seller haunts me. General Indignation and outrage when I want to shoot a photo. After maybe 40 minutes, I just want one thing: Escape! The image of the revised Ghana relaxed in my Kopf.Was I see is poverty, what I see is Dreck.In my head, the rate is spreading: "West Africa, the conditions here are really different ..." I wonder how on earth, then it will look good in Liberia?

Tv Tuner White Screen

arrival to Liberia, Part 1

Intercultural Frankfurt
Thursday afternoon, it rains. November weather. I pack my last things quickly in the red backpack trip around the world, not much time left. At 7 clock in the morning I had an early gynecological examination stored, sold or in the evening before UNICEF greeting cards. I'm booked on KLM: on Friday morning it will go from London to Ghana.
is a train to Frankfurt, it does not strike the train drivers. Fortunately I was able to organize the day before a ride . meeting before the REWE market in Jena I mean riders: Khalid, the driver finds himself as a "gypsy" in front. Beside him sits a Turk who speaks no German, so I talk all the time in English with our Chinese fellow passengers, a cross-cultural journey, then! It is 21.00 clock as we arrive in Frankfurt. I address myself to a long night at the airport ...


I now have friends from Afghanistan
I'm even more surprised than me invites Khalid, but later this evening with his sister to essen.Wenige minutes I'm sitting in an Afghan house, around me the pictures long-bearded tribal leaders (the family ancestors), I drink and eat delicious Kardamomtee Afghan potatoes and lamb. I am again overwhelmed by the hospitality of our foreign roommate ("Now you know that we are Afghans, not all terrorists, haha I ..."). I can not rest for 2 hours and at 4 clock in the morning Khalid me to the airport, just in time! Africa, here I come!


time beating dead in Amsterdam
The stopover in Amsterdam takes 5 hours . following activities, I try to kill time:
1) Schlafen.Möglicherweise the most effective method. Despite an insomnia night I can, however, even in the comfortable deck chairs at the airport does not find rest
2) Essen.Leider also ineffective, because the prices are too high for my wallet looking
3) Psychological support: This is it! "How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want To Be," a fitting name for the book that I buy. Depth insights that bring me closer to my goal indeed!


a relaxed African capital
Finally, check in at 12.30. I am one of the few whites on the flight. I watched fascinated as a traveling binds her baby on her back. Africa, here I come!

20.00 clock. Landing in Accra "Akwemba" welcomes you. Surprisingly, I received a driver of the "Crystal Hostel" (probably the cheapest accommodation in Accra, which I had reserved for my visa to fake over the internet) at the airport . Ok, why not. I'm just tired. For 5 euros, we moved into the neighborhood "Darkuman. Accra is different from all the cities I ever seen habe.Es is absolutely no high-rise buildings, instead, only small bungalows. From the speakers of the taxi sounds Cameroonian music. Everywhere along the roadside market women sit, their stalls are small acts of romantic oil lamps erhellt.Es, peaceful. Accra seems relaxed, almost rural, yet I had the usual loud African road chaos expected! I like the atmosphere at first.

"Auntie", my African host mom welcomes me with a smile. The Crystal Hostel is located in a courtyard in a poor district and outside awards not even with a shield. I agree me a room with 2 volunteers from England, the room is messy, filled with African souvenirs, not locked. I grant myself a cold shower and sleep finally humming to the sound of the ceiling fan ....

Nerovision Express 3.1.0.25 Seriel Number

Where are you going, LIBERIA ????!!!!

"Liberia, because where is that?"
"Help, do not be kidnapped!"
"Are you completely Out of Control?"
"I think it's great that you people SO want a country medical help!"
"Send me a card, from Liberia, I determined never again be a war!"
heard something like this at the reactions when I told the families and friends for the first time of my plan, just like that my medical school to pause for 3 weeks to participate in a medical project in Liberia. On 15 November it was finally over: the journey began. For the first time I had a slightly queasy feeling. Liberia, a country that was over 14 years of civil war in 2005 came to rest war.Das Foreign Office advised "of travel much from Liberia," was read on the internet that in the whole country without electricity or running water was, it was of former child soldiers talk about a "highly problematic" medical care, simply by chaos and destruction. So what would await me here? What drove me to go there to help the will, the desire for new experiences, adventure or just plain madness? At first, however, was the arrival in Liberia to cope, which is also .... as "highly problematic" turned out