Preparing to Travel

Trip Start Sep 05, 2007

Trip End Oct 07, 2007

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Flag of United States Milford, Ohio, United States
Monday, August 27, 2007

This should be an interesting trip. It will include a variety of stops both urban and extremely rural; some stunning natural beauty and some man-made ugliness.

I haven't been in the RDC (Congo-Kinshasa) in well over a year. It has always been a challenging place to visit: bureaucratic, chaotic and volatile.

Kenya should be fun and beautiful - if I can get out of Nairobi.

Rwanda is always fascinating for its mix of modern and ancient, and surprisingly pleasant considering its infamous recent history.

Cameroon is often colorful, and has a vibrant but slightly desperate culture.

Togo used to be pleasant, and still has some lovely people but the grinding poverty seems to be wearing them out.

I'm curious about Cote d'Ivoire: they've had a civil war end recently, and were the victims of a toxic waste dump that killed several and sickened thousands last year. A European waste treatment compnay was in cahoots with corrupt government officials. Last I heard the case was still in the courts in Europe. I sometimes play a sort of game there: "At how many armed checkpoints will I be stopped today?" Hopefully not many this time.

Through all this I'll be visiting simple people; "little people" who are holding fast to their faith, and hoping for a better tomorrow for their children.

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Comments

fmeeker on Aug 29, 2007 at 04:15PM

Hey Dad!
I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you for visiting all of these countries, no matter how risky they are. You have an aweful lot of courage and I will definitely be praying for you! I hope everything goes well and that you come home without too many stories (though still a few!)!

fmeeker on Aug 29, 2007 at 04:17PM

Hey Dad!
I just wanted to let you know how proud I am of you for visiting all of these countries! You have so much courage and you are such a hard worker! You will definitely be in my prayers and I hope you come home without too many stories (though still a few!)

gkmeeker on Aug 30, 2007 at 12:10AM

Us too!
We enjoy all your adventures vicariously--it's safer and less nerve-racking that way! We wish you success and safety wherever you go. Love and prayers.
Dad and Mom