So, let me go ahead and address something you may have been wondering about: photos.

People in Freetown really, REALLY do not like getting their picture taken. No one on the ship is really quite sure why this is. I've had people suggest that the photographers that came during the war left a really bad impression, but I can say for a fact that is the reason. Outside of the city people are a bit more willing to let you photograph them, but unless you walk up to them and ask for permission first, be prepared to have some very angry people.

On my first trip out of the ship I was warned about this and the 'rules' of taking pictures in Sierra Leone: wide shots are usually ok (though some people have still gotten yelled at when they weren't taking pictures of anyone in particular), ask permission for shots of individuals, and don't even look like you are taking a picture anywhere near a police officer or government building.

One woman I know was just taking a picture of a street scene and a police officer happened to walk by. The officer came over and demanded to see the photo. Even though the officer wasn't even visible in the photo she demanded that the photo be erased.
Another person told me as we drove though the government center that if the guards there see you with a camera, they would probably smash it onto the ground.

I have taken some photos that I've posted onto a public Facebook album (for some reason Blogger just times out when I try to upload anything), but this post is sort of to explain why this blog is text-only.

In other news, I injured my foot in the pool last week so walking around was really painful and I got sick so I didn't really get to do anything on my days off. I went back to the church in Waterloo that I had gone to on the first week I arrived, but aside from that I lay around and tried to not move around anymore than I had to.

We got a new roommate who just finished two years of service in the Peace Corps in Benin. I asked her why she decided to come here right away and she said, "Well, I've been away from home for 27 months, what's another 3?"