Day 2 - First Adventures

Jet Lag definitely set in last night, not to mention the mosquito net made it an uncomfortable night of sleep for me.  I would move and then the net would tickle my skin and wake me up.  We all woke up early and decided to have a delicacy for breakfast - spaghetti omelets!  David, our RD, took us to a little place a few blocks from the student house to this woman's little outdoor restaurant.  She used to come to the student house last term a few nights a week and cook the students dinner.  She fried spaghetti and two eggs with some spices and pieces of sardines from a can...surprisingly delicious!  It was very filling and good to get a big breakfast.

On our way back to the student house, David took us grocery shopping at the supermarket Martinez Hermanos. I was shocked to see as many American brands as I did - Dove, Pringles, Lays, ice cream brands, types of cereal, Coke products, and many others! I guess even places you wouldn't expect are becoming Westernized.   At the back of the mercado across the street from Martinez Hermanos is a tiny bakery and it smelled delectable... I couldn't resist!

Later on, we met up with one of the people associated with BBPP, the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, the main reason we are here.  Our research projects will aim to help with the conservation of various species on the island that are in danger of habitat destruction and/or endangerment.  After chatting over some cafe solo, we went to the Paseo Maritimo to run.  Paseo Maritimo is a boardwalk that they are building along the coast.  It's amazing how even in a crazy little city you can find an escape - not to mention it was beautiful and you could see the top of Mt. Cameroon while looking out over the coast! Once I take some pictures and get them up here you can be the judge.

For dinner, we went to eat at an American couple's apartment.  It turns out that the man had also been a study abroad student here in Bioko when the program was still under Arcadia University.  He was then the RD at the student house and now is back working for an NGO that involves healthcare.  It was cool hearing both of their stories and playing with their puppy - how cute!

I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Hasta luego,
Lindsey