What a difference

It's crazy to think that a year ago I was busily preparing to head to CI. I was excited and nervous and did know what the trip would bring. The trip really and the people that I met along the way really changed my life. I am thankful for every moment I was able to spend there and feel lucky to have had that opportunity. I hope to one day go back and see all of the wonderful people that I met and hopefully experience the peace that they were so eager to achieve. A year sent CI from relative peace to chaos and I truly hope that they will find the peace that they deserve.

The team

CI still at a standstill

While North Africa is erupting in revolution and political change (first Tunisia, then Egypt, now my beloved Algeria), West African nations are still at a standstill. This article from Abidjan.net (still in French, but Google Translate works wonders), http://news.abidjan.net/h/391230.html?n=391230, is an interview with the spokesperson from the Independent Electoral Commission. In the interview he discusses his frustration that the rest of Africa is on its way to democracy and CI is stuck in a dictatorship. I agree. It is frustrating to see that after nearly 3 months Gbagbo is still illegally in power. The rest of the world seems to be losing interest. ECOWAS states are still involved, but all eyes have turned to MENA and what Tunisia and Egypt's success will mean for the rest of the region. Yes, oil prices will rise. But think what Valentine's Day look like when the coffee and cocoa prices rise exponentially as CI falls deeper and deeper into political turmoil. I want my latte, darn it! Even if it is mostly decaf :/