Sundays in My City--Happy, Smiling Faces

 All the kids are happy because we have a new swimming pool. 

We're all happy because Peter learned a new skill

Wanna know why I'm happy? It's because on Friday I wasn't arrested.

Why would an innocent such as I even come close to being arrested?

Well, on Friday we were in Mansa taking care of the usual errands and shopping.

We ended up at one government office where we had to get ID cards made.

As is typical here it was a matter of hurry up and wait.

Even getting our photos done was an ordeal. They had to take our picture three times since the normal setting wasn't good for 'muzungu'* skin.

As we waited, I picked up my camera and decided to get a shot for the Fab Friday Feature. 

My favorite trees, the Jacarandas, were sitting right there in the parking lot. True, they weren't really picturesque versions of my loves, but it gave me something to do. I love Jacarandas because they bloom during the dry season when nearly everything else is bare, brown or burned.

After I took two photos, Tom moseyed over to stand next to me and casually mentioned that I might not want to take pictures right then because the direction I had pointed my camera was the Army Headquarters. It is against the law to take pictures of any government or military installations. Oops! I did know this but was so focused on the trees I didn't even look at the buildings behind them.

Sure enough, moments later, a military man walked in our direction. He was friendly enough but asked me if I had been taking pictures of him, his men or their cars. No sir, just my favorite tree. He said that was fine but reminded me that what I had done was against the law and if any people or cars showed up in the pictures I should not develop them.

So, here are my hard earned shots. No people or cars visible.

Aren't you glad I wasn't detained? Of course that would have been a really neat adventure, but there's only so far I'm willing to go for this little ol' blog.

Now, celebrate all our freedoms by surfing around the world via Unknown Mami's Sundays in my City feature.


*Muzungu= white person