The Incredible Freedom of African People

Your podcasts are great, as they add an oddly interesting-in-its-own-way physical Andy presence that counter-balances the long-standing tumbling-over-itself mix of words you've put out for us readers over the years in your daily missives.

Both versions of you are interesting, as they seem to cut right to the chase of what you are experiencing in your travels.

I am glad you have chosen to not really edit yourself in most ways.

Your recent experiences in Ivory Coast, then in the unpleasant transitory place, and onto where you are now in Ghana, with Bah, have been really wonderful in both helping me understanding places I had absolutely zero clue about (and then looked up, and Wiki'd and Google'd as a result of your messages)...

...are better described as being a wonderful way to enwrap us with your experiences.

While quite a bit of your daily life is quite cryptically odd to most of us (including for me the vast portion of your connection with Bah...who may be the best person in the universe, and perfect for you...but really seems not well defined for us out here yet in the blog-o-sphere in the ways previously described...but seems to comes across as a rather standard demanding abusive user type that you might to help us better understand in a different way)...

...there still is the really interesting way you write that entraps my imagination to be where you are that is quite worthwhile in the daily readings over these multiple years.

I sent you a contribution during the dark days several years ago.

These days, you are self-sufficient, so doesn't seem really needed these days...so my next best advice:

Dude, finish writing the book! Reap the rewards of authorship while in Ghana, and then continue the journey.

While we all know you do not write in best King's English, or take the time to master perfect syntaxt...

...and people undoubtably will forever get endlessly pissed at any random particular moment with your specific comments spoken from the heart...

...anyone who understands the most basic concept of the HoboTraveler, and why you are doing this...

...will support you in the future.

Best wishes,

--Bill
fellow traveler

Gadget from has written 1,020 comments

Anyone who wants to ask a question can call this USA voicemail 24/7 and record a question:

206-888-2290

Or
http://www.hobotraveler.com/podcasts/a-life-less-normal.php

I believe you are up to date on some African news!! However, since you wonder why they cut you off from different internet facilities, I saw this on CNN and post it for your reading.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/web/04/05/motherboard.ghana.sakawa/index.html?iref=NS1

Gadget from has written 1,020 comments

Yes, Ghana is a scam capital of the planet.

What is interesting, MTN, the major cell and internet provider does not allow many normal functions.

When I receive a copy of the link to this Blog in my e-mail box, it does not allow me to click because it has a redirect that counts the clicks.

I do not like this, but have no way to stop every telephone company on the planet. I suspect though that 99 percent of the scams originate in Accra, the main city.

Andy,
Your girlfriend sleeps because she is depressed .. classic symptom .. and who can blame her. She's lost her home, family,friends and way of life. It'll take her a while to get over the loss.
I enjoy your blog and photo's, and wish you the best.
Tommy H.

Said it. She needs her folks.

I (European) say only hello to others from here, and then I continue my own way. There is nothing between us because of same origin. But this African ladies need each other, never found out why, but it is so.

Take up the challenge, develop new skills, find others from Ivory Coast, give them a focus point for the time being till they can return. And listen to their stories ... never ending ...

hello, Andy you have said that you are working on your book please, Put me on the list for a hopefully, very cheap, kindle copy. Pre -published working edition is fine with me, need information ,not pretty cover etc. thanks, giocomo

Spot on guys, Bay is depressed. She needs her Sisters !!

ANDY find her sisters, Bah, as well as you will be glad you did.

Asiabill from has written 260 comments

Younger people's body chemistry is suppose to extend their length of sleep in the morning. Also in the past when I have been depressed I could sleep for 16 hours or more and after Bah's traumatic situation with the danger she faced and having her family in danger and house ransacked it'd be quite understandable if she's using sleep as an escape mechanism I have in the past and it works until I get so bored I start writing and then get back to LIVING LIFE actively.

Interesting but not surprising that Lithuania has a high suicide rate as many cold climate nations' residents suffer from depression in the winter months. Korea ahead of Japan on the list did surprise me as suicide has always been a part of Japanese samurai ethic and culture.

PayPal limited my acct March 29 as soon as I accessed it from India and looks like nothing will change until May according to their corporate generic answer. I may start using xoom also or look into other methods.

Excellently written article, if only all bloggers offered the same level of content as you,
the internet would be a much better place. Please keep it up!