Sacred Heart Basilica

Another beautiful picture from Notre Dame . . .

The Golden Dome--University of Notre Dame

I just took this picture with my IPhone so can't say much about the quality.  Also, the weather isn't cooperating at all.  Anyway, this is the administrative building at my university (taken on my most recent trip) and is commonly referred to as the "Golden Dome."  An interesting fact, the football team's helmets are painted with the same mixture of gold/paint that is used in the dome.  More pictures of the campus coming soon.

Merry Christmas!

Happy to be home rather than overseas at this moment.  Although I love to travel, there's a lot to be said for the conveniences we have here in the US.

I Need To Start Posting More!

I lose my enthusiasm for updating this blog when I'm not traveling.  I need to start getting out more and seeing the sights in my local area, right?  What's common for me here in San Antonio might be interesting for those who've never been here.

Czech-Slovak Festival

Here is a video with accompanying music that was played at this festival in San Antonio a few weeks ago.  Everyone was hospitable and I had a great time.

Raccoons!

I snapped this picture with my IPhone while on vacation at my family's house in West Virginia. It's amazing how tame these wild animals can be when they're hungry. This fellow was only one of many that regularly visit the deck in the backyard.

It's Been Too Long

I haven't been able to post the last few weeks due to a lot of events happening in my life.  I flew back safely from Djibouti and was absolutely exhausted upon my return.  After all, I was in transit 40 hours!!!  I also had some difficulties with my house that took a lot of my time.  Finally, I visited Kentucky in order to see family.  I go back to work tomorrow (ugh!) but am glad to be home.  I hope to do better in the future.

On The Way Home!

Well, I survived Djibouti a second time which few can say.  I am now in Johannesburg awaiting my flight to Atlanta.  I still have more pictures of DJ but will wait to post when I get home.  Too tired now!

Which One Is The Cutest?

I'm taking care of these animals during my last week in Djibouti.  It's very therapeutic after what I've been through.  Now, let me give you some information about each picture.

#1 His name is James and he funtions as an alarm clock usually before daylight.

#2 I can't remember her name but she's the shy one in the bunch and the sister of James.

#3 This dog is called "The Mouse" because of his face, I believe.  He originates from the Canary Islands.

#4 Finally, these are the outside cats who don't have any names.

Okay, which one do you think is the cutest?

Lake Assal Revisted

I visited Lake Assal four years ago during my last assignment here but wanted to see it again this time before I left.  It's reputedly the lowest point in Africa at 509 ft below sea level and the third lowest in the world.  Here are two pictures with the second clearly showing the salt content in the lake.  I dipped my hand in the water and was still scraping salt off my hand a few hours later!

Just When I'm Leaving . . .

they put up traffic lights.  These are literally the first traffic lights I've ever seen in Djibouti.  They were working the other day but they had to turn them off.  Why?  The lights caused two accidents because drivers assumed other drivers would stop when they didn't.  I like the old system of every man for himself!

Let me add, there are no people on the streets because it's 4pm, Ramadan, and 110F outside.

Follow The Directions

I've been passing this sign every day and finally decided to take a picture of it.  The one strong message I get from it is "Don't turn right!"

Well, as of today, I have only 12 days remaining in Djibouti.  I can't believe it's almost over.  If I have learned one thing over here, it's that there are many things more important than money!

First Day Of Ramadan . . .

. . . in Djibouti.  I've been told the fasting will cause the amount of work to decrease.  How could that be possible?  Does that mean people will cease having a pulse?

Major Sandstorm!

There's a major sandstorm happening in Djibouti right now!  I took this picture around 5pm but it doesn't convey the seriousness of the storm.  Current temperature is 106 having cooled down because the sun is blocked out by the sand.  The wind sounds like a freight train.  I hope it's over by tomorrow morning because I have a long drive to work.

Five Weeks To Go!

Yes, only five weeks to go but this is going to be the longest five weeks of my life!  The temperature ranges from 110-115F every day and doesn't go below 100 at night.  Since the AC in my hotel room isn't the best, I always feel a little warm.  Those who know me, know that I actually like warmer weather and keep the AC on low in my own home.  Imagine how you'd feel if you were here.  And, August is supposed to be even hotter!  Since I don't have AC at all at work, I don't know how I'm going to manage.

Some minor annoyances that used to be funny are making me really angry now.  For example, due to the heat, the electricity is always going off during the afternoon.  My hotel has a generator so it never becomes dangerous but when the electricity goes off, you lose the internet for at least the next several hours.  You see, there may not be anyone at the internet company in the afternoon to restart the system.  I know that's hard to believe but it's true.  No one is in the internet building in the afternoon because the culture here allows people to go home for several hours after lunch.  It boggles my mind that the whole country loses internet access for several hours because no one's at work to fix the system!

Five more weeks to go!

What's Wrong With Me?

I haven't posted anything in two weeks?  I need to get off my butt and take some pictures and put them up.  The problem is the 110F plus weather.  It makes me not even want to go outside!

111 Degrees in Djibouti

According to weather reports, the temperature hit 111 degrees in Djibouti yesterday.  I believe that is the hottest temperature I've ever experienced.  I don't even want to go outside!

The Tipping Point

I've been miserable this week!  I don't know if it's the heat or the culture finally wearing me down but I've been angry with everyone and overreacting to every event.  I have nine weeks to go but I wonder if I can hold on until then without doing something crazy.  I would kill right now for a good conversation.  I would also pay money to be left alone while walking around in public.  I lay in bed at night fantasizing about being home and doing the most mundane chores.

This isn't culture shock, it's culture electrocution!!!

Halfway Home

Well, I am now over the halfway mark for my time here in Djibouti.  I'm supposed to be here for a total of six months and I only have about two and a half left.  I was hoping the remaining time would pass quickly but then I thought of a mountain I climbed five years ago in Slovakia.  It was only 2,500 meters but the two-hour walk to the base had already tuckered me out.  I really struggled to reach the summit but once I did, I heaved a sigh of relief.  I mean, after all, I knew the walk back down would be much easier than the climb up.  Yet, when I began the descent, I began to experience worse pain than I could have possibly imagined.  Every time my foot hit a rock, a jolting pain would shoot up my spine.  At the end, I was totally worn out and demoralized.

I hope the descent in Djibouti doesn't have the same effect on me!

The Boy Who Cried Wolf!

Or, maybe he didn't.  You can see in this picture a shepherd tending his flock.  Actually, you can't see the shepherd very well because he's lying on the ground sound asleep.  Admittedly, I have no experience in this vocation but common sense dictates that a shepherd should stay awake while doing his job, right?

Just another day in Djibouti.

Delicious Moroccan Food

One week ago, I was invited to the apartment of a Moroccan co-worker for dinner.  Following the American custom, I normally eat my dinner between 5-6pm but waited till 8pm to begin this meal.  It all started with snacks including nuts, dates, and other fruits.  They were tasty but I didn't want to spoil what I knew would be a big dinner so I tried not to eat too many of these.  When the meal was served, it began with an appetizer called 'Bastilla' which tasted a bit like dessert.  The main course was a dish called 'Cous Cous,' a mixture of some type of wheat extract with beef and assorted vegetables.  All in all, it was a very delicious meal and the first time I'd experienced Moroccan food.

The conversation was interesting as well and the event makes me want to visit this country some day.

Just Monkeying Around . . .

. . . on a Thursday afternoon.  I have no desire to go outside now what with the touts and oppressive heat.  The guys in the picture have the right idea

SOS!!! Please Help!

What should I do in the following situation?


Yesterday, one of the clerks at my hotel asked if he could speak with me. He seemed really upset so I agreed. What a story he told me! He began to speak of the new French manager and how things were changing under her regime. I was aware of her but didn't really know who she was as the hotel has never really seemed to have a manager or, one I ever knew about. Anyway, he told me she has instituted several new rules to improve hotel operations. First of all, no one is allowed to sleep while on duty! Can you imagine! The clerk is not even permitted to sleep at night! When asked for her rationale for such a spartan rule, she exclaimed that hotel security is compromised when the clerk is asleep. Apparently, this person asked if he could sleep as long as he kept his shoes on allowing him to give chase after any thief immediately. The manager replied that he could not sleep under any circumstances because doing so while on duty was also very unprofessional and didn't look good in front of the guests. I think she is being totally unreasonable on this issue.

Another new rule, when a guest makes a request, the hotel employee must strive to fulfill this request as soon as possible. To facilitate this, under no circumstances are the clerks permitted to leave the phone off the hook due to it's ringing too much. The employees should also never try to barter something in return for fulfilling the request. They were told this is part of their job and not something they are doing on their own time.

There were other rules established but those were the two most egregious. But, you haven't heard the worst yet! This manager has even taken measures to cut off the revenue stream of the hotel employees! For example:

*The TV technician is not allowed to manipulate the channel selections (all Somali language channels) in order to elicit bribes from guests who prefer other channels

*The security guards must stop others (or themselves) from letting air out of guests' tires with the hope of then receiving funds to replace the air

*Finally, the maids cannot cull discarded magazines from guests' trash cans and resell them at magazine shops in the city

What is it with this manager?! Is she the Ayatollah of all managers or what? Anyway, I seek your sage advice for how to handle this situation. A dark cloud is now hovering over this hotel and me and the other guests are on suicide watch for the hotel employees. I don't know if they're going to survive these draconian measures and I'm seriously thinking about reporting this to a human rights organization.

Hopefully, someone, somewhere on this vast planet can help me solve this problem.

Of Taxis And Men

Three years ago, I wrote about taxis in Djibouti and how they constantly harrass you when you're walking down the street.  They don't seem to understand when you DON'T need a taxi nor how you could never provide them with a destination when you're exactly where you want to be.  Well, another fact about DJ taxis struck me the other day.  In both my trips to Djibouti, I don't think I've ever seen anyone riding in a taxi!  Of course, someone must hail them and pay or how would they stay in business?  Gas is about $6/gallon here so how could they drive around all day with no customers?  Could it be the government is subsidising all these taxis to drive around, toot their horns, and all in all, annoy the crap out of pedestrians!  This is a mystery I must solve before I leave Djibouti again.

Down And Out In Djibouti

Or, at least my blog was!  For the past few days, I was unable to access this site.  Every time I clicked the link or typed in the address, I would be redirected to "Google.fr."  Then, I started getting a blank page.  Finally, I was able to access it again.  I hope to post some pictures in the next few days.

A Plea To All Djiboutian Pedestrians!

In the course of my driving in Djibouti over two visits here, I have been shocked by the negligence of the pedestrians in this country.  Day after day after day, I grip my steering wheel tightly while praying I don't hit one of you.  So, I beg all of you to consider the following:

-It is perfectly fine to cross the road but check first to make sure no car is coming.  You should especially NOT step out right in front of a car.

-I realize there aren't enough sidewalks in Djibouti but walking on the side of the road is a preferable alternative to walking in the middle of the road.

-You should be even more cautious during rainy weather, fog, and at night.  This cuts down on driver reaction time and will more likely result in injury.

-Yes, pedestrians have the right of way but do not have the right of conducting a meeting as far as I know.  When you have a party in the middle of the road, it makes it even more difficult for drivers to avoid you.

I don't know what your motives are in conducting yourselves so carelessly when it comes to interacting with hurtling vehicles.  However, I can tell you it will come to no good.  The driver who hits/kills you may have to pay compensation in a civil action but it won't benefit you if you have already left this earth.  So, please be more cautious when walking along these dangerous highways.

As for Djiboutian drivers, you're doing a much better job even better than where I come from.

Decan Cheetah Refuge7

These are the last of the pictures--a hyena and a hungry lion!  I'll try to acquire some photos of downtown Djibouti in the next few days.

Deflated Expectations

Well, sort of.  I came home from work ready to start the weekend off right.  I soon left my hotel room and went downstairs to hop in my car.  I noticed when I started to pull out, some unknown Djiboutian began violently signaling me to stop.  This happens all the time and I ignored him for fear he was going to ask me for money.  I then proceeded to the embassy to cash a check.  When I parked there, I noticed that one of my tires was almost flat and had a nail in it!  I guess this was what the stranger wanted to tell me.  Oh well, I avoided having to tip him for the information.

Anyway, I got some cash and then told my supervisor about the tire.  I was going to try to make it to a gas station but he insisted on helping me change it.  Together, we got it done in about 10 minutes, faster than a lot of pit crews!  After that, I drove to "Pyramid Rental Cars" and they repaired the tire in about 15 minutes.  Everything was so efficient, I almost appreciated being here.  Almost!

Actually, it's not that bad.  I even got to mark off the list one of the hundred things I must do before I die--change a flat tire in Djibouti!

Decan Cheetah Refuge6

This ostrich was mean but the zebra was tame enough.  I'll be posting more pictures of the various animals we saw over the next few days.  The cheetah refuge isn't just for cheetahs!

Esquire Article On Djibouti

This an amazing article on Djibouti from '06.  It focuses on the khat trade but also provides a lot of insight into what I endure every day (usually with a smile on my face).  Anyway, please read it and let me know what your impressions are.

Here's the link:

http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0906KHAT_182