My baby's (surprise) birthday

I was thinking of a birthday gift for my baby but did not really know what to offer to him at a remarkable point in his life.

I'm still not financially buoyant but I decided to go a bit out of my comfort zone to offer him a little moment to remember.

Inviting friends was not an easy task because of their various time schedules, but we have wonderful friends who will be there at all times, and they did rise up to the occasion.

Even the kids..........

I only missed not to have an image of the look on the celebrants face when he walked into the apartment and saw friends he had not seen for quite a while.

Lady organiser and Govaert traiteur Lille

Cake and champagne time..........

Breakfast time, hot chocolate time..........

Thanks to all our friends for this very lovely week end we spent together (even though we had to transform the apartment into a camping ground in order to make room for sleeping).

It was a successful surprise party.

President Obama's White House: difficult times ahead but a new begining

The world was thrilled over the choice of the 44th president of the USA on the 4th of November 2008.

I'm happy to have contributed in my own little way to this "Obama movement" through my blog during the course of the nomination of a democratic presidential cross bearer. Then, I wrote an article titled "a message to the US Democrats".

It is clear that concerning the issue of diversity in politics, the USA is a clear leader in the need for evolution and modernisation. We wait to share in the joy of Americans with the swearing in ceremony which is scheduled to hold on the 20th of January 2009. I'm optimist it'll be a happy and successful transition.

Now to the main issue that is bothering Americans as well as the world all over. The president elect I believe is fully aware of the responsibilities that lye ahead and if I may say, is eager to get in action as quickly as possible as he can.

But, like most politicians would say, promises during elections only binds those who believed in them. Obama is a politician, but I want to believe that he is a man of honour. So, he should not fail to understand why 52% of Americans preferred him to his opponent.

He is not expected to be a messiah, nor a magician, but he should try to leave up to his democratic values and work towards the programme that distinguished him from every other presidential aspirant in the course for the White House.

Obama, if maybe some day you happen to read my blog, try to carry every of your fellow citizens along. No racism (even if mostly the blacks in US, and all minority groups suffer this treatment daily) nor by partisanship, because, this is what will make the difference between you and any other closed minded individual.

We are heading into a century of fresh and positive thinkers and so, Obama's banner of change might be a promising motto for a more peaceful tomorrow.

In this aspect, I engineer the new administrative body of government to not rush into costly wars, which will only bring about financial and human losses.

To the USA, Russia, and every other country leaders who are hungry for power, while measuring your strenght, you should make an effort to put into considerations, the harm your drastic decisions might cost to the economy, the finance and to the planet.

Take heed from the aftermath of the present wars that the world is experiencing today.

Second business in Nigeria after oil: church business

I think we should stop being ignorant as regards to how people spend their money should be no one's business. Religion palaver in Nigeria ofcourse needs to concern all and sundry.

I'm not forcing my ideas on anyone, but I'm only concerned at the level of backwardness, and the extent of this deep and unanalysing beleive in god in the country.

The country is infested by religion that even engineers, doctors, other well educated entities allow these mostly uneducated individuals to fool them.

Our universities are no longer a place where thinkers are trained, a place where we are supposed to bring up world level entities who can make a difference (do remarkable things in the economic/scientific fields).

Go to the University of Lagos on a normal day, you often fall on traffic on campus. Why? because the mosques and church are having either seminars or prayers.

Students skip lectures only to attend prayer meetings. Friday afternoons are lecture free period because our muslim counterparts have to go for worship.

Nigeria is the right climate for religious extrimist programmes. Its not really the people's fault but a government who does not see the need to be concerned of its people's wellfare, a government who is not concerned about its position/place in the world.

Students who graduate from our nigerian universities are not taken seriously outside our shores. Why will they be taken seriously when they don't take themselves seriously either.

When we read on the net and in books on religion, Nigeria is mentioned 3rd after Brazil and one other country.

These unrepenting deceivers bounce on citizens whom their futur have been left in the hands of fate by the government.

We copy US as religious model. We can not even think seriously and try to know the thinking ability of a basic american who simply can not place their country on the world's map.

Nigeria is too old for time wasting and thus should not spend its precious time to train daft minds.

I would like nigerians to ask ourselves the question as to why we are too religious even in the 21st century.

Have nigerians not yet come of age to understand that religion should not guide our daily activities?

It shocks me to read articles that are simply logical, only to read people refering always to god.

An important personality was talking on TV some time ago, and had to make reference to the Bible about Moses in a country where there leaves people of all religions and all works of life.

When will Nigeria stop to be under the influence of religion; we are leaving in religious mental jail, which brings about big loss to our economy.

Have we asked what pastors do with all the offering they receive every sundays, how come they don't feel guilt in extorting poor people in order to ride Hummer jeeps.

Company staffs robb from their companies and give to the churches.

If we make a mathematical calculus here:

suppose we have about 50% of nigerians who are christians thus making 70 million people. Lets assume that every one of them gives only 100 naira every sunday.

This represents 7 billion naira each sunday (43.7 million euros). This makes 2.2 billion euros a year.

Don't you think this is enough to build good hospitals, schools to educate our young ones for a brighter tomorrow for Nigeria ?

A few things this money can pay:

- 186 000 teachers with 1000 euros (140 000 Nairas)/month salary.

- 1/2 of an oil deep water field development (which NNPC can develop itself without needing foreign investment)

- 10 airbus A330 (bigger model)

- 2 nuclear plants of 1000MW eachIn a year

- we can construct 62 kilometres of automatic state of the art metro/subway (36 Million € /km), (VI to Elekon beach for instance, or two lines Ikeja/VI)

I advice that instead of giving this load of money to the so called "man of god", nigerians should invest this money into infrastructures and public actions.

This way the never ending expectations for miracles that we go to church for, will happen quicker in our days.

With this level of fanatism, how will the country progress.

Yes, lets believe that there are infants who don't pay to the pastor, and other adults who give 25 naira, it is still half a billion €/year but the 100 naira/person each sunday was an average.

Indeed, what about the engineers of oil companies who give up to 750 000 naira/year (4500 €); that is 10% of offshore international salary. Bankers who give 1/10 of their salaries to the church?

Some people will oppose me that I can as well reproach beer drinker to spend their money on drinks and not help the economy.

I am not refering to beer drinkers in the bar palours, at least they are paying their tithes to the beer and night life industries, which creates jobs.

Am not only talking abouts christians here, but any kind of abuse of the poor man's hopes for miracles. This is robbery in disguise.

The government has its part to play, but if these churches should at least use the money showered upon them by their poor victims, in community action/programmes, at least we will depend a bit less on an inexisting government.

I think that people should wake up from their slumber.

You go to church on foot while your pastor comes on a newly released car that a master degree holder, qualified from a prestigious international university will not dream to earn untill after 10 years of experience. These pastors come to church in imported designer suits.

Followers money builds universities their kids can't afford to attend. A pastor owns TV/radio stations from your offerings and tihtes. Most of these pastors kids are already schooling in US.

Lagos real estate madness

I can't imagine how the cost of accommodation in Lagos has become such a luxury, that real estate agents no longer find it ridiculous to advertise scandalous amounts for their properties.

Due to the fact that I am tired of paying a lumptious sum annually, as well as the fact that my landlord keep increasing his house rent (2007 = 420.000 naira, 2008 = 550.000 naira)160 naira = 1 euro), I decided to see if I can find a cheaper but safe residential area.

I was searching on the internet for flats for rent in the Lekki area of Lagos and just imagine what I fell on. Prices you will never pay in developed countries, where you are sure of constant power supply, where you are sure that when you turn on the water tap, there is clean and steady water.

The most annoying part of all this hilarious prices put up in the real estate market of Lagos is that, these acclaimed high standard residential areas are often flooded during raining seasons. To go by your daily activities (that is if you are not forced to stay indoors), you need heavy industrial rain boots. You are always afraid and pray for the raining season never to come for fear of having your car parked, and if you have the guts to go into these rivers called streets, be ready to visit or have your car impounded at the mechanic workshop immediately after the raining season. For this reason, most people resolve in buying 4 wheel drives.

I used to believe that the high price of accomodation is only on the Island. Only to realize that the same price of accomodation implies in all parts of Lagos, even in areas where you would not spend a night, not even for a dime.

I don't understand if every one in Nigeria have become trillonaires overnight. These estate agents announce prices like it is a chicken change. They talk in millions of naira like it is easy to come by. They almost no longer talk in local currency, but give their prices in dollars and in pounds.

All properties are paid two years up front, plus 10% agency and agreement fee.

I find this unconsiderat, considering the standard of leaving and the rate of joblessness. No wonder many young men and women tend to end up their lives leaving at their parents, even with their new family (wife and kids).

With the look of things, they are simply out of touch because this is being unrealistic for a common man.

What makes me sad is that the government is reluctant about all this. They fail to understand that with the level of inequality in the country, people will have no choice but to opte for the easy way out. Thereby, the result of high rate of criminality and prostitution.

In the Nigerian society today, you have to be rich to "belong". Even people who try to make ends meet in a more proper way are seen ridiculed. What a way to go.

An insight to what an average man in Lagos have to go through when thinking of accomodation........

Apartment For Rent Lagos Nigeria :

- Flats For Rent LagosApartment for rent Lagos Nigeria. Please go through our list of flats for rent Lagos Nigeria. We are a reliable real estate agent known for its emphasis on customer satisfaction. Walk your way through the list and make your pick. Then contact us for a tour of the apartment.

List of Apartment For Rent

4. Block of 4 flats apartment for rent each of them 3 bedroom each Ikoyi (New house) Rent Price: =N=5 million per flat Code: ola.md.18

15. 5 bedroom massive detached house + BQ for let at A.A. street Victoria island Lagos Nigeria. The property is on large ground and suitable for banks.

Rent Price: =N=12 million per annum Code: ola.md.18

24. 5 bedroom detached house on Allen Avenue (for commercial purposes)

Price: =N=4 million per annum

25. 2 wing of duplex along Opebi road (for commercial purposes)

Price: =N=6.5 million per annum ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

36. 5 bedroom detached house with BQ at park view

Price:=N=6 million x 2yrs. confi.rep.19

44. 5 bedroom detached house in F. O. rd old ikoyi lagos.

Price:$60,000 p.a Code: sweet.rep.9

46. Detached 6 bedroom house on A. way lekki phase 1

Price: =N=5 million x 5yrs. Code: sweet.rep.9

47. 7 nos 4 bedroom town house apartment for rent Victoria Island lagos.

Price: $45,000 p.a each Code: sweet.rep.9

48. Luxury 4 nos 3 bedroom flat apartment for rent with Swimming pool and BQ lekki phase 1 Price:$25,000 per flat for lease only Code: sweet.rep.9

58. Detached house (good for show room) at Awolowo road.

Price:=N=6 million x 3yrs. code: ball.rep.13

5 bedroom luxury detached house with split units,j accuzzi in all rooms, cctv, pabx, private study,marble finishing and 3 sitting rooms with 3 rooms guest chalet and 2 rooms BQ plus olympic size swimming pool on 1 acre of land at ikeja GRA

Price:$75,000 p.a

105. Office space for bank use at Ilupeju

Price:=N=2.5 million p.a x 5yrs. olass.rep.22

Back to Lille

After spending two months in Paris and its regions (Melun), I am so happy to be back home in my beautiful city Lille.

I love the fact that I worked, but I missed the feeling of my new adopted home.

Yes, my summer training period is finished and I am back to realities, back to my student life, where I am obliged to work hard if I intend to graduate one day.

Too bad I only had 8 days to rest before studies resumed. These 8 days where spent in moving into a new apartment and working hard to put my new apartment in order (no resting).

On my arrival, I was greeted with the annual "Braderie de Lille" which holds every first week end of September and lasts for two days. The carnival begins with a semi marathon, a market that is open to all culture, where you can find interesting and uninteresting things to buy (international tourism). The braderie is equally an interesting way to discover the Ch'ti's delicacy "moules-frites", and all other delicacies from around the globe.

The semi marathon begins and ends in front of my building (in front of the city hall), but this year, I did not have enough time to go out and mingle with visitors who came from all parts of France and neighbouring cities to Lille. This was due partly to the fact that my partner and I had to do some painting in our new apartment (professional painters are way too expensive), and partly because it rained this year at the occasion. Of course I could not bear to not participate in the event, but I only went around in the evening hours.

Here is an image of the marathon from the city's news paper "La Voix du Nord". I'll post the few photos I took as soon as I can.

My humble self (summer trainee)

Winner of the semi marathon

Moules-frites (local delicacy)

Les effets des vacances de juillet/aout au travail

En principe, en France, entre Juillet et Août, il n'y a pas grande choses à faire dans le milieu professionnel car tout le monde part en vacances.

C'est aussi le cas ici chez Schlumberger, où je suis en stage depuis un mois et quelques. Jusqu'à la semaine dernière, j'ai eu beaucoup de travail à faire. Mais depuis vendredi dernier, il y a un manque de travail malgré le fait que mes collègues sont en vacances et que je devrais quand même avoir plus de travail sur ma table.

Cela m'ennuie un peu. Étant donné que je suis quelqu'un qui déteste de ne rien faire, je demande à mes collègues de me donner les tâches qu'ils ont en trop.

J'occupe le poste de stagiaire dans l'administration, et mon département de travail s'appelle en anglais "shared services", c'est a dire que je fais un peu de tout le travail administratif. Et c'est la raison pour laquelle j'ai cru que j'aurais toujours des choses à faire.

Cependant, je trouve que le travail qui m'a été laissé par la dame que je remplacerai pendant 3 semaines (elle s'occupe de préparer des "cash cards" pour les ingénieurs stagaires), ne me prend pas trop de temps. Et le plus dur pour moi c'est que la dame a divisé les tâches de création des cartes entre moi et une autre collègue, qui s'occupe de la coordination des formations. Alors, quand je finis ma part du travail, je commence à regarder le ciel.

Résultat (disons positif), j'ai le temps pour communiquer avec mes camarades bloggeurs. Tant mieux!!

Déclenchement de l'alarme

Le 24 juillet c'était le jour ou j'ai appris à déclencher l'alarme. Un des 3 chefs est entré dans mon bureau et m'a invitée à venir avec lui.

En descendant de l'escalier, il m'a expliqué qu'on est en train d'aller déclencher l'alarme. J'ai compris que cette expérience est obligatoire une fois par mois. C'est censé éduquer et mettre en garde en cas de danger, tous les nouveaux arrivants (les ingénieurs stagaires en formation), les employés, et toutes les personnes qui se trouvent dans le bâtiment.

Les employés de la réception se sont habillés d'un gilet de sécurité. On est tous sortis et mis dehors, tout le monde à une place réservé ( selon son poste de travail).
Comme je suis stagaire, je me suis placée sur le marquage au sol indiqué par la lettre V (visiteur).

Après avoir assuré que tout le monde est sorti du bureau, un "roll call" a été fait et on est retourné, chacun, reprendre son boulot.

C'était une expérience intéressante et importante, surtout quand c'était moi à qui on a demandé de déclencher l'alarme.

Dédicace au mariage de Ben et Cris

J'ai passé le week-end à Paris avec mes copines, pour l'enterrement de vie de jeune fille de Cristina. Elle a célébré son mariage civil à la mairie de St Mandé le 27 juillet. On n'a pas eu le temps pour fêter entre filles l'enterrement de vie de jeune fille avant le mariage civil. Donc on a décidé de le faire avant le mariage religieux qui se déroulera le 23 août au Portugal ( chez la mariée).

Mariage civil à Paris

La famille et les amis

Je suis partie de Melun rejoindre les filles et on est allées au Loisir Prod, ou on a fait le "Trio", qui comprend le baby foot humain (fait en équipe avec un autre groupe, venu aussi pour fêter l'EVG de leur copain), le combat japonais, et le tir.

La mariée sumo

On s'est bien amusées toute la journée

A la fin, changement de vêtements chez Cris et préparation pour la soirée entre filles. On a gardé la surprise du planning pour la soirée. Ainsi, la mariée était surprise lorsqu'en sortant de l'immeuble, elle a vu juste devant l'entrée, une limousine blanche de 6 portes. Parade de star à Paris en limousine.

L'arrivée des filles

Il faut rester sage

Plutôt cool non?

Un jeu pour tester la patience de la mariée

Très intéressant, ce jeu

Génial ce déguisement

Le reste de soirée s'est passé au restaurant et je suis rentrée le lendemain reprendre ma vie de stagaire.

Cris et ses cousines

Cris ta voiture est énorme!!!

Ballade à Paris

Une vue de la tour Eiffel

Soirée entre filles

Mariage religieux au Portugal

3eme journee

Moi et mes collègues ont travaille jusqu'au déjeuner car on a eu tant à faire, qu'on n'a pas vu le temps passer.

Ayant reçu une adresse e-mail, j'ai pu commencer à travailler. Chez Schlumberger, quand la journée commence, le boulot commence. J'ai réussi à faire quelques lettre d'invitation, envoyer quelques mails pour demander des informations supplémentaires aux gens concernés, pour pouvoir compléter les vides manquant dans les documents. Cela est très important dans le travail administratif, pour faire avancer le plus vite possible les demandes de visa, et la demande auprès du Ministère du Travail et de l’Emploi (pour la demande de droit de travail, cela s’appelle la lettre DDTE) pour les étrangers, arrivant en France.

Je me suis ensuite mise à apprendre et à préparer la création de "cash card". Cela me parait très facile maintenant, mais c'était un peu dur car il faut une concentration importante, étant donné que ce boulot concerne l'argent. Les cash cards faites, il y a eu quelques lettres d'invitations et les DHL à préparer et à envoyer.

Enfin, j'ai bien réussi la semaine et, j'attends la deuxième semaine chez Schlumberger en tant que " Training Admin".

2eme journée au travail

Il n'y a pas eu grande chose à faire aujourd'hui. J'ai simplement fini le classement de document qui me restait hier.
Ensuite, j'ai été briefée par une de mes collègues ( elle s'occupe de preparer les "cash cards", un système de carte de crédit pour les gens en mission), ce qu'il faut faire pour elle quand elle sera en vacances.

Bref, je ferai presque la tâche de chacune, quand elles vont partir pour les vacances d'été. Mon poste sera de remplacer tour à tour les membres du service administratif de l'Europe Learning Centre (ELC).

Ils m'ont preparé une adresse e-mail et ils ont fait les installations nécessaires pour effectuer mon boulot.

Mon premier jour chez Schlumberger

Après l'appel que j'ai reçu de la responsable de personnel m'indiquant que j'étais prise pour un stage dans l'administration chez Schlumberger à Melun, il a fallu trouver un appartement pour 2 mois.

J'ai trouvé un logement à 20 minutes du site de travail; un studio de 11m2. J'ai ensuite fait le nécessaire pour l'assurance habitation touts risques. Enfin, j'ai pris mon abonnement "Navigo" mensuel.

La journée était longue mais simple. Mon premier jour au travail fut bien rempli jusqu'à 18h.
J'ai du commencer à préparer une documentation sur mon ordinateur, un document qui sera utilisé par toute personne arrivant de l'étranger pour disposer d'un itinéraire pour aller aux hôtels déjà réservés. Ce document a été enregistré dans le système utilisé par l'administration.

Mes collègues (7 femmes) sont sympathiques avec moi; on se tutoie et j'ai beaucoup aimé le déjeuner qui est d'ailleurs gratuit.

Une belle expérience pour commencer.

Stage/internship Schlumberger

Pour une lecture en Français

Après une longue recherche de stage en France, je suis bien enchantée de déccrocher finalement un stage chez Schlumberger.

J'avais perdu l'espoir d'avoir un stage après avoir vécu deux refus; un de Bouygues Rouen et l'autre de Schlumberger Montrouge.

Celui de Montrouge c'est simplement pour des raisons justes, donc je n'ai pas à me plaindre.

La raison pour laquelle j'écris cet article est d'observer que Schlumberger me semble une entreprise hors du commun. Elle donne de la chance à tout le monde, sans discrimination de race, de sexe, ni quoi que ce soit.

Cela fait des mois que je cherche un stage en France sans succès; enfin, une entreprise qui donne d'égalité de chance à tous, une entreprise qui laisse les gens montrer ce dont ils sont capable d'offrir.

J'ai bien conscience que le lieu de travail est un endroit où je dois donner ce pourquoi l'entreprise m'a fait confiance pour m'embaucher et je suis prête à accumuler d'expérience, surtout dans une entreprise comme Schlumberger qui tient une place importante dans la technologie pétrolière.

Je commencerai mon stage en Juillet pour deux mois et je vais vous tenir au courant de ma vie comme stagiaire chez Schlumberger.

For English readers

Hello dear readers, this time I have good news for you. I have been offered two months internship at Schlumberger France.

You remember I wrote earlier informing you how difficult it has been for me to land myself an internship in France where I live and study.

It is very difficult to get a job in Europe but I refused to relent my efforts and my efforts have been crowned with success.

I would love people to know that if you are qualified and have an interesting profile, Schlumberger is a company out of the ordinary. Schlumberger is a company that gives equal opportunity to any qualified candidate who marches the requirements of the company.

My internship will commence first week of July and I will have to live in Paris and shuttle from Paris to my new place of work.

I will keep you posted on my daily life as an intern, and I do hope to spend a quality time living like the professionals do, like waking up early to go to my place of work and coming back late after a long day at the office.

Andy and Esther dangerous road users

I saw this video of Andy and Esther on Youtube. They were traveling by road from the UK to Africa, an expedition across the Sahara and West Africa sponsored by Toyota.

I commend their courage to go on such expeditions (because I travel a lot and I know what it is like as regards their travel adventures), but I must say that I strongly disagree with their attitude towards the road safety rules.

Every one who leave and travel around Nigeria would agree with me that the country is one place where you really do have to be very careful and cautious if you must sit behind the wheels.

You might want to take a look at this video and you will understand that this couple are a serious danger to fellow road users. The driver Andy was even proud to say in the camera that they have been driving all the way from Morocco without their seat belts. Listening and simply looking at him (his tired look driving all day), I was frightened and I imagined what the situation would look like if there is to be two of his kind on the road.

Driving in Nigeria might be very annoying given that there is a police road block almost every 200 to 500 yards and the police officers tend to ask for money from drivers. But I think that this couples' manner of approach was unruly.

I asked myself why Andy was proud to say in the camera that they have been driving since Morocco without there seat belts. I hope the sponsors of this expedition (Toyota) realises that the man in whom they are investing is a danger to fellow road users.

This article is not meant to be nationalist article but I wonder if Andy and Esther are not taking the African road rules for granted. If he said that they have driven all the way since they got into Africa without their safety belts, it confirms the fact that he is disrespectful to the rules of driving. Why did they not start their expeditions all the way from the UK without their belts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBpYDBtwBCo

The police force in Nigeria is about 99% corrupt, yes we all know that, but I can say that the National Road Safety is about 90% far from being corrupt and they are there for the safety of all road users.

I laughed at Andy's statement of being frightened driving on the Nigerian roads. What can be more dangerous as driving without safety belt. Even your co-navigator was relaxed with the idea of driving without safety belts; I must say that you guys are courageous because what you did was suicide mission.

I have travelled far and wide, I have driven in most countries where I have been to, and I can tell you that one thing one should try to respect, is the law enforcing body of a country.

To Andy and Esther, before you complain in your video that Nigeria is the only country where you've been the most frightened to drive, please make sure that every security checks that might make you be in fault have been examined. Then and only then can you criticize others.

Such acts (neglect and disrespect to a law enforcing officer) can only be condoned in Nigeria and the reason you got away with it is because you are a foreigner. If it was to be a citizen who acted the way you did (like saying to the police or road safety officer that you do not have your vehicle's particulars in hand), you know it would be considered as an offence.

Keep traveling safe and try to consider other road users. Anyway, I love your travel blog and your expeditions.

Diving the Gulf of Siam

Thailand is one of the most visited countries in Asia. Despite the Tsunami, people were still trilled to visit this country and so was I; which made Thailand to come on top of my February2006 travel destination.

Since Phuket was touched by the devastating Tsunami, my group of friends and I decided to visit Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. We only had 10 days holidays, which is not sufficient to make a remarkable trip but we tried as much as we could to make good use of the time we had.

The aim of this trip was to go diving in the sea of Thailand. I do not swim even till date but after my first dive (CMAS) in Bora Bora in the French Polynesia, I decided to try the PADI "discover scuba" diving training. I do love diving and wish to take classes in order to have either the N1 or the "open water" diving certificate, which will allow me to be autonomous at greater depths. But my only problem till date is the courage to learn how to swim.

Some images of my Thailand travel:

Bangkok train station

Monument at the Grand Royal Palace

Grand Royal Palace soldier (Bangkok)

Grand Royal Palace (Bangkok)

Diving Ang Tong national park

Guardian Grand Palace

Tuck Tuck quick transport

Elephant ride

Client extortions by Western Union

Today is workers day, am not a worker but as a student, its equally holiday for me. So I need to profit of my free time to communicate with my blog companions.

I often have remarks to make about what goes on around me. This time, I wish to make a few comments on the way and manner Western Union money transfer functions.
If you live abroad or have a child who studies abroad, and the bank system in your country is not up to the international banking standard (transfer of money using IBAN), you will agree with me that you will be more or less subjected to using the international money transfer agencies.

This is where agencies like Western Union Money transfer comes handy. I appreciate the fact that there is at least a system that makes it easy to send and receive money, but what I do not appreciate is the level of extortion these agencies practice.
I doubt if clients of these agencies have not noticed the high level of fees one have to pay just to send money.
Firstly, you are obliged to pay a transfer fee that is close to 7% of the amount you wish to send. Secondly, you equally pay 3.3% of exchange rate, which means that you actually loose money because these agencies definitely do not practice the official exchange rate. And lastly, their rates keep increasing almost every quarter of the year.

So many people use these money transfer services (mostly legal and illegal immigrants), which makes that these agencies make a huge income.
I would love to strongly pass a message across to these money transfer agencies (mostly Western Union ). Please, when dealing with clients try to apply a bit of decency and consider clients because this is the soul of business. Stop extorting your faithful clients.
It is true that the main aim of every business is to make profit, but this does not justify why after haven made your clients pay more than 3% fee for service rendered, they (clients) still have to pay inconsiderate exchange rates.

Take for instance, the official rate of 1 euro = 183.97 naira, but with these money transfer agencies, 1 euro = 173 or 175; which makes a difference of 10.97 naira. Imagine you need to transfer a few thousands of euros and you have to loose 11 naira in every euro you send, you definitely agree with me that this is extortion.

I imagine that these agencies already make enough money through their transfer fees and for this reason, I suggest they stop cheating on their faithful clients and practice at least a fair exchange rate. They surprisingly will keep their clients and every one (agencies as well as clients) will smile, which will make business to continue to flourish.

A message to the US democrates

I know less about the US politics, better still nothing about politics and that is why I would love to have a better explanation on why the US democratic party still has up till this stage,two presidential aspirants.

France is not better than a lot other countries in politics related issues, but I think she has some positive ideologies about politics that some countries might need to learn from. Such as, at national level, France understands its mixed race and cultures and gives it the chance to co-exist. A testimony is the recent minister of justice Rashida Dati who's parents were immigrants; as well as the young minister of Human Rights Rama Yade who was born in Senegal but naturalised and became French.

I remember last year's presidential elections in France, the recent president of France (Nicolas Sarkozy) was nominated the unique candidate of his UMP republican party mostly known as the rightist party. This nomination led to the wining of the presidential sit by the UMP party because Nicolas Sarkozy had every support he most needed from his party members to out match his opponent Ségolène Royal of the socialist party, who went through thick and thin due to lack of support from her party.
I doubt if history will not repeat itself as regards the US republican party wining the upcoming presidential elections in November.

I was believing that the US have come of age and have out grown the race and religion issues. I am really disappointed to know that US is still not accepting the fact that it is a country with mix race, people, culture and religion. I expected this election to have been its turning point to truly make a change with the way politics is played. I do not have any lessons to give to a sovereign state but as an observer, I think the people of US should more concentrate on how to resolve their internal problems and give the chance to the candidate who most can deliver and render solutions that will bring about positive results.

How long will we continue to leave in a world full of discrimination? How long will we continue to see each other differently? Why do we draw back ourselves and put our families and country in jeopardy due to our lack of understanding. I sometimes ask if we really do want and fight for world peace. If the answer is yes that peace in the world is what we want, why do we then segregate one another?
No he is black, he is not capable enough to rule and we use the pretext that Obama is not well experienced. I suppose a president of a country has a qualified and capable personnels/cabinet, even if he makes the final decisions.

It is true Hillary Clinton was once a first Lady of the US and might have learnt a couple of things from the way her husband led the country, but that does not make her any more experienced than her opponent. She has never held the position of a president and the hard task of making a tough decision when necessary.

My advice is that if the democratic party wants to win the upcoming presidential elections, it should stop the show and rally around a candidate who not only has the chance of wining, but who can also deliver, bring US back on the right track and make a positive change.

The US people fail to understand that the US is not indispensable to the world, but that their political decisions in choosing the right candidate in this presidential elections do matter to the entire world.

I watch the presidential debates and hear the candidates call some countries their enemies. Its not because a country is an Islamic country that a Christian country can not be in good terms with the Islamic country. I am not taking sides with any religion but I only look forward to the day when the US will stop counting their enemies and learn to make peace even with people who do not agree with their ideas.
We all wish to live in a world that is war free, a world that is terrorist free, but we do not fight war with war; we can learn to make peace by dialogue.

Whether its the democrates or the republicans who wins the final elections, all we want is that the US people keep sentiments aside, take away the barriers of choosing a candidate based on his faith and believes, take away the barriers of race and look at the realities that face them. Then and only then, will they make quality decisions and give their country the best that it desrves.

Special China travel

I often spend my holidays visiting new places and so I was going to have the usual 2 months June-July vacations. Given that most of my friends in Lille are Asians and that I admire their courage to travel far and wide to study or settle in countries where they have to learn new languages, I decided to make China my next destination. I was equally keen in better understanding the people in their own home.

My mother in-law called to know if I was travelling and if so, she inquired about my intended destination (because she knows I always had interesting travel destination ideas). Informing her of my plan, my globe trotting family decided to join in the adventure, apart from Mat who was already working in Venezuela and their father who had to visit his home in Colombia.

Sent our passports to the Chinese embassy in Paris, got our visas and then set to go.
On the d-day, we all met at the Charles De Gaulle airport, took our different flights and rejoined ourselves in Moscow, where we finally took off for Beijing.

On our arrival at the Beijing airport, we jumped in a bus right outside the airport and headed to the centre of the city where we booked a hotel close to Tienanmen square.
I must say that I am proud to be one of the last people who saw China before they dismantled buildings in some parts of the city, in preparations for the forthcoming Olympics.

The streets of China

Even though we made reservations for the first 2 nights, arriving at the hotel in Beijing, you need some re-explanations for the receptionist to understand your demands. They already gave out our rooms to their Chinese clients for fear we might not show up, and they do not wish to loose their clients. One thing you need to know is that tourists in China are mostly the Chinese themselves.
We finally got installed and went to fill our stomach as well as visit the place, of course like other tourists would do.

Eating the Chinese way(Lao Tseu restaurant Beijing)

Happy to be in China

View behind is The People's Hero (Tienanmen)

Public bus

T he following day, we commenced our real visit starting with Tienanmen square, the Summer palace and other interesting sites. To visit these sites around the square, you do need to wake up early in order to avoid the big rush because the Chinese are anxious people who love to know and understand their legendary history . In other words, you will meet a never ending queue and will not have the opportunity to visit a site you made thousands of kilometres to see.

A view on Mao's memorial hall

The forbidden city

Ticket stand to the Forbidden City

The Forbidden City under reconstruction

Throne in the Forbidden City

Chinese playing game

The Cixi's Marble boat built in 1893 (Summer Palace)

Dragon head at the Forbidden City

Spectacle in Beijing

Transit boat through Lake Kunming (Summer Palace)

We went to visit the Great Walls of China after visiting the centre of Beijing. You might call us selfish travellers but we like visiting a site and having it all to ourselves. For this reason, we opted for Simatai which is less populated and you can have a swell time up and down the walls.

The Great Walls of China (Simatai)

We had the Simatai walls to ourselves

Simatai from above

After a few days in Beijing, we headed south ward to Xian and Chengdu in the Sichuan province. We first needed to make a stop in Datong to visit the Buddha cave. We arrived Datong at 3 am without hotel reservations but we sure got ourselves a place to lay our heads for the night (trust the Chinese business spirit).

The next day, we took a 2 to 3 hours bus to Ping Yao, a small mining town with traditional buildings. Ping Yao is expensive due to the fact that the locals are used to tourists; which explains why you pay twice for a product in Ping Yao than the price the same item is sold in Beijing, the capital city of China. We left for the train station to catch up with any train heading to Xian. Since we did not know in advance that we were visiting the cave, we could not board on an early train. We later got on a soft sitter space ready for a 10 hour journey to Xian.

Leaving for Datong (Beijing train station)

A Buddha encrusted into the mountain at the Datong cave

The way to Xian and Chengdu was very long and tiring. In the case of Xian, the roads were chocked up with commercial trucks and trailers and we spent more hours than previewed. Going to Chengdu was by train and since its usually a 16 hours travel, I demanded we travel by night. I also demanded we have the possibility to lay down comfortably and stretch out our tired bodies. Unfortunately, I learnt that the soft sleepers were completely booked. We had to contend with what we had at the moment (half loaf of bread is better than nothing) and this time, we reserved in advance.

You can travel by road either by train or by bus and I assure you that the transport system is very well organised and well maintained. The roads are long with many a times, tiny and high bridges in the mountains, but you will be entertained by watching Chinese movies and listening to Chinese songs.

If you must visit other states of China by road, try and book your tickets 10 days in advance, in order to avoid every inconveniences. In Datong, there is a system put in place to help visitors purchase their transport tickets (either by air or by land). Ask for the foreigners transport aide office at the train station in Datong.

Xian (armées entérées) old and new soldiers

If you wish to travel to China, the Lonely planet is a good guide to help you maneuver your way around thanks to some useful translated words in Chinese. If you are having difficulties in pronouncing some words to a Chinese, you can simply show the person you are speaking to, what you intend to say and you bet, the misunderstanding is resolved immediately.
The down side of this guide is that their accommodation proposals will only be useful if you are travelling alone or if you are a back packer. My advice is when travelling in China, look for newly built hotels; you are sure to sleep on a clean bed and take a proper shower.



Tea spectacle on the streets of Chengdu

Chengdu panda reserve

Mao's statue (Chengdu)

Traveling to China is an enriching experience and if you love to visit more than Beijing, you need to be adventurous and patient. This entails learning how to insist when you are refused some favours by the Chinese who are used to saying "meyu" (do not mind my spelling) meaning, it is finished or we no longer have in stock what you demand. You will learn a lot about the way the Chinese go about their daily activities; for example, the way they travel, like taking long hours transport, and the way the locals live. You will gradually feel at ease sharing common space with the Chinese who are comfortable with spitting in the public.

Asian and Western attires

Camping in the mountains of Tibet

Camp guards and Tibetan horse riders

Well, China was a great experience and I learnt a lot from the people whom I met. I had a wonderful time camping in the mountains at the border of Tibet. We all wished the holidays continued but we had to go back home.