Gabon

I looked at my husband and said, “We’re not in Kansas anymore!”

This isn’t really a tourist type destination, but I spent a month there had a great time. Wouldn’t really recommend it as a vacation destination however. OK, most people here speak French, and my spoken French is terrible. I can’t keep up with what most people are saying, and I struggle to find the right words to express what I need. I was walking down the street in the capital Libreville, rushing to an appointment, late already, and I carelessly managed to walk in front of a truck trying to pull out of a tight spot. A guy in the parking lot was directing the truck, and he was with a number of people. When I got in the way, the director started to scold me in rapid French as I walked away, obviously to the entertainment of the guys standing with him. I turned, walked back to him, and said my one sure-fire french phrase: “I am so sorry, I don’t understand what you are saying. I do not speak French.” The man looked at me, broke into a big smile, extended both arms as if to embrace me and said in perfect English: “I love you my darling!” We both laughed, and I went on to my appointment.

I think of this place as epotomizing what the African jungle is. I believe it is safer than the congo, and I believe their government is striving to be more ecotourism driven, and I want to support that effort.

... but i did chat to loads of people on placements there at the airport and they said it is an amazing place. i was on my way to jo’burg and they left my luggage in Gabon for a week – so at least my stuff got to check out the congo

I’ve lived there two years, thanks to my father’s job. it is worth visiting, I don’t regret those two years at all.