Shortcut, episode 1

So, it was time to leave the hotel for the airport, and our flight to Abidjan. The original shuttle was taking other passengers, and so they gave us the 'other' shuttle. Bright, almost phosphorescent, green refurbished piece of machinery, halfway between ice cream van and rapist getaway vehicle. But I digress.

We were quietly making our way to the airport, taking in the sights (goats being herded, fake Starbucks, etc..), all the while taking a few pictures. As we drove past the ministry of Agriculture, I noticed that the driver was taking somewhat of a shortuct. I thought, 'oh great, we will get to see another area'. Halfway through the shortcut, the driver abruptly jams on the brakes, and out of nowhere comes this light truck and four mean-looking (read, not friendly to picture-taking bums) dudes all come out and start yelling uncontrollably at the driver. We quickly realize that obviously they have beef with us (foreigners) taking pictures all of place, especially of that aforementioned Ministry.

The driver comes in, and asks whether we were taking pictures. We said yes. He goes, crap, I told them you didn't. He then requests that we turn in the cameras so he can show that the pics were random and benign. Never mind that we have two kids with us, but apparently this looks like a well organized covert (the van, the kids, the pics) spying expedition to the Ministry.

Kim is pissed because now she really can't take pics of the goat herd passing by. Adis is absolutely petrified (even though this is, technically, her country). Yves is busy switching memory cards lest a potential confiscation. I am trying to figure out what I will do with 100GB of memory cards and no cameras (more on that several posts later).

There seems to be no end to this... Our flight leaves in two hours.


Mathieu