Random views

We're not allowed to take pictures of public places in Kinshasa. If you're seen walking around with a camera, you will be stopped. When it comes to pictures, random individuals will approach you and tell you that you are breaking the law. This is why we can't take pics of the street where we live, and that is why I'm not posting any forbidden views. I just wanted to share some views OF our balcony (not FROM).

The first one is of my avocado plant that I started growing from seed.



This one is of the iron bars that protect our balcony. We live in a third floor, but you never know. Apologies for the baobab in the back.



Another detail of our wonderful bars. Apologies for the building and the lumberyard in the back. I almost had to apologize for the river but it was too hazy so, phew.



I wish I could post a picture of our view of the river. We've got only a partial view, but still, it is the Congo. Unfortunately the Congo is also an international border, so nope.

Mini-Ale and Marthe stopped by today and Ale helped me upload the pics. She tried my vanilla yogurt today and loved it!!



She checked the views and pondered for a while and then she let me know it was ok to post the pics. She's still a very serious little girl so I trust her opinion.





Marthe and Mini-Ale will be flying back to Mbandaka on the 16th. We'll meet once more before they leave, then it won't be until I go to Mbandaka next time that I'll see Marthe, Tinda and Alejandra.

This is my favorite pic because they have the same expression.



Marthe also loved the yogurt. She wouldn't touch the black beans, though. This is in the country where people eat grasshoppers, caterpillars and most members of the animal kingdom...Marthe eats beans, I know, because she prepared them for me once in Mbandaka. She just thought the color was weird or something. Oh well.