Northern Tunisia

Group of people dining together at a long table in a cozy restaurant.

May 2004 Northern Tunisia Anzie and I spent two weeks in Tunisia in May. Why Tunisia? It was a nostalgia trip. Anzie spent two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer there 30 years ago, 1972-74. She wanted to show me her Tunisia. We saw that plus a lot more, too much to give you all…

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Journey to the Religious Center of Touba 

Interior view of an ornate mosque with arched windows and columns.

April 18, 2004 Journey to Touba Well, it’s been a while since our last journal. Things are great here. Anzie just returned from four weeks on the road – Cape Verde, Burkina Faso and Malawi. I just finished teaching my Marketing Course at Suffolk U.– just putting the final grades together. It turned out well.…

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Goree Island and Mama Africa

Distant view of a coastal town across the water under a clear sky.

January 5, 2004 A Night on Goree Island (click to follow link) Meet Florence, a.k.a. Salimata (all Peace Corps Volunteers are given a Senegalese name by their host family during Pre-Service Training), a.k.a. Mama Africa ( the name by which she’s mostly known on Goree). She’s a 67 year old African American Peace Corps Volunteer.…

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A New Year’s 2004 roof top party​ photos

Woman sharing a moment with Santa Claus indoors.

January 5, 2004 A Night on Goree Island (click to follow link) Meet Florence, a.k.a. Salimata (all Peace Corps Volunteers are given a Senegalese name by their host family during Pre-Service Training), a.k.a. Mama Africa ( the name by which she’s mostly known on Goree). She’s a 67 year old African American Peace Corps Volunteer.…

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Pink Lake and Strange French Customs

A boat floats on a pink-hued lake shore under clear skies.

January 2004 Pink Lake and other strange French customs: Lac Rose/ Lac Retba: Two weeks ago we decided to take in this site to see what everyone was talking about. 45 minutes and 30 kilometers later, we arrived at the edge of this small lake that is, indeed, pink. It’s not huge. It stretches about…

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December 2003 and Christmas

Person dressed as Santa Claus with white beard and red hat.

December 22, 2003 Yep, it’s me at the kids’ Christmas Party. Only two more shopping days left. And I’m not making house calls anymore. Love and a Merry, Merry Christmas! Dear Family: OK. So we couldn’t make it to the Candlelight Service this year. What to do? What to do? As a substitute we attended…

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President Bush Visits Dakar

People exploring a historic red sandstone building with curved stairs.

July 9th, 2003 President Bush’s visit For the past few weeks the town of Dakar has been preparing for the visit of President Bush. It all culminated in his five-hour visit yesterday, July 8. Anne couldn’t go into work because the town was virtually sealed off. Thought you might be interested in the preparations that…

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Racism in Africa

A dense settlement with makeshift homes and laundry hanging outside.

November 16, 2003 Racism in South Africa: The following is a response to friend Edith Maxwell’s query about any evidence we saw of “The Problem”. Edith: I’m glad you brought it up. What I found extraordinary was the difference between the South African Blacks and the Senegalese. In Senegal we’re used to everyone you meet…

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Traveling Through South Africa

Two zebras standing close together under a tree in a dry landscape.

September 21, 2003 Traveling through South Africa So, there we were, face to face with a steenbok about to charge … “WE ARE MARCHING TO PRETORIA” These are words from a song the Brits used to sing to commemorate their victory in the Boer Wars in the late 1800’s. On Sunday, September 21 we departed…

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Kruger Game Park South Africa

A group of impalas standing in a sunlit dry woodland area.

September 16, 2003 Kruger Game Park South Africa Now, check out the Kruger Game Park South Africa photos attached – Meet Jumbo. He’s one of two guides on our sunset Bush Walk in Kruger National Park – South Africa. A strapping 6’5” white Namibian, he looks like Central Casting’s choice for the role of Great…

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