First attempt, from Freetwon

So, at last I take the big plunge.
First Facebook and now a blog, really getting out there!
Obviously I'm still new to the whole blogging-thing, but some people have been nagging for more news, so here it goes.


Blog name is travel adventures, although my travels will pretty much be restricted to the small West African country of Sierra Leone for the next 5 months. I should probably have started the blog earlier, since my year in Northern Saskatchewan (Ile a la Crosse, for those with Google Earth - look it up), was quite a big adventure and I do spend a lot of time thinking back to my time there.
















For those who don't know about Sierra Leone -

• It's where "Blood Diamond" (Leonardo DeCaprio movie) takes place
• 11 year civil war that killer about 50 000 people ended in 2002
• Notoriously well known for Child soldiers and rebels hacking off people's limbs (read about a chils soldier in the book " Long way gone "- it's for sale in Starbucks for those lucky enough to have that option!)
• One of the poorest countries in the world (averadge income about 12 US cent a day)
• Highest child mortality rate in the world ( one in 4 kids die before their 5th birthday!)
• 8deg north of the equator, so nice and warm
• Rainy season lasts for 4 months and in rainy season -IT RAINS
• Friendly people
• Great beaches

Freetown has that feel of many Africa cities -
more trade happening on the street than in shops (anything from bread, books, toothpaste, luggage, car parts, fish and cassava leaves), overfull taxi's with "God Bless" slogans, brightly colored cellphone ads, BIG election posters and so much more.

If you eye catches the sun just right or you look from just the right spot (from the hill near Mamba Point or even from our house), you might for a moment not see the dilapidated houses, stray dogs and garbage lined, potholed streets and just enjoy the constant laughter of kids playing or the cheering at the roadside soccer match.


So, it's from here that I'll be blogging along...