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January 14, 2005

Basara

Arrived in a village called Basara today. Went to a school and worked with a medical clinic. Most Somalis in this area have never seen white people before, even the ones whose age is 30 and above. They comment on us in curious fashion; "They have no skin" or "Their skin is like mole color skin"
"Their hair is like dead grass"
"Why do they have a metal arm" referring to the camera
We felt like John Smith in Virgina 1604. Somalis petting our arms and fightened at any motion of our hands. Then once they relised we were friendly smiles and handshakes broke any fears they had of "the Whites causing any harm.

Back at the school house we posed with one of our gunmen for a photo. AK's are as pleniful as wristwatches in Somalia and to be without one is like not wearing a shirt. The gunmen only thought it right for us take the photo with an AK as well

Posted by Admin at January 14, 2005 06:21 PM