I wish, I wish.
I just took a Finnish exam today to demonstrate my long-term outlook. I still hope to get back sometime this year but it's looking increasingly unlikely. Enjoy Dakar for me--I recall it's not a favorite of yours, but I think it has its good points.
Hope to see Taharqa in Dakar, I'm sure if we do some swotting we'll be able to converse in Finnish ....
Not a favourite of mine but I'm getting a little more tolerant, last there in early 2009 for a seminar and actually enjoyed it; hopefully this will reiterate that!!!
We'll have a drink for you!
Kira
"Sometimes I feel that people think I put out mis-information for the fun of it
Is it worth even posting this stuff, if you are then told that you're probably wrong?? Or have to re-post because they don't trust you on the original thread?!?!"
"... the OP put up another post which I was answering to & warning him of the pitfalls of having not already got the visa. Then this was posted as if the other one didn't answer the first question. I only answered here so you were in the picture about the new rules. Thanks seem to be in short supply on both threads, but you live and learn, we've both been on here long enough to know that!"
Kira - I hope this isn't directed at me as being untrusting or inconsiderate! I am new to the Thorn Tree forum therefore I do not know if or how threads are cross posted. That's why I posted the question in multiple locations in an atempt to get more information. I have no reason not to trust you or Chris and assume you both know what you are talking about more than others based on the type of reply, number of posts, etc.
As far as thanks being in short supply in both threads, again, was that directed at me? I did say thanks in several posts of this thread but haven't checked the other lately. I'm not sure how many times I have to say it before it can become implied? I am not checking this every day for updates, rather when I have time and think of it, therefore I do not reply to every post.
FWIW - Thank you Kira, thank you Chris, thank you owadavid, thank you starsonesp, and thank you to anyone I missed. As I mentioned earlier, I tried to contact the Ghanaian embassy in the US but my email got returned. I may inquire or try to get one in Bamako when I get there (to verify owadavid's post) but at this rate, it's not really worth the hassle. (I've been hassled enough here in Morocco!) As much as I'd like to visit Ghana, I can skip it just as easily.
Thank you again, EVERYONE! These forums are helpful even if you sometimes have to repeat information because as starsonesp said, "It's worth it for those of us who may miss it the first time around..."
Eric
Welcome Eric - as for 'hassled enough here in Morocco' - get out of Marrakech/Agadir & all tourist points & head south, less hassle, lovely people who take you for what you are rather than your pocket!
Kira
Thanks Kira. I understand and have experienced some great hospitality along the way too. I've been weaving in and out of touristed and non-touristed places for the past two months now. Sometimes I get hassled, sometimes I don't. There's no real rhyme or reason but it seems everyone is out to make a buck....want to sell me something, or guide me somewhere. Some don't understand or accept no means no. Sometimes I just like to wander, I'm not lost. I cannot explain that well enough to folks. Unfortunately, I don't speak French or Arabic so I found it difficult to travel too far outside touristed areas. As much as I wanted to meet and spend time with local folks, I want to meet other travelers as well. Love the journey for all it's hassles, pleasant surprises, people I meet, and would love to return some day but time to move on to Mali now. I know I'm picking some hard countries to visit without knowing French or Arabic but it is what it is and I make the best of it.
eric
Never been to Mali, because I find Malians very much in your face & have heard from friends who've been there that it is like this in Mali - not my cup of tea & from the sounds of it, not yours.
Try going on couchsurfing.com - find an English speaking local ... might make your life easier
Burkina is far more laid back!
Enjoy
Kira
Thanks Kira. Was here in Mali only three days and got swindled. Didn't realize it until I was right smack in the middle of nowhere without any money to get back to Bamako. But hey...at least I can say I've been to Tombouctou! :)
Definitely if you go into the markets it is as you described. Everyone wants you to come into their shop and "just look!" If you don't want what they show you first, they have a dozen more items for sale and they are damn persistant! If I hadn't cut my teeth in Morocco hearing the same stuff, I would be overwhelmed. I've been calcified enough and now am pretty good at saying no with a smile persistantly until they run out of things to show me and not feel guilty about walking away empty handed. There are definitely some genuinely nice people here but you have to wade though the throngs to get to them, kind of like Morocco! I'm certainly a magnet....they see me and think rich, white, American/ European! Will try Kenya next and see what happens. Again, thanks for all your help!