France's not so enthusiastic acknowledgement of Biya's win

MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES ÉTRANGÈRES ET EUROPÉENNES

___________________________________________________________

Paris, 22 octobre 2011

DECLARATION DU PORTE-PAROLE DU MINISTERE DES AFFAIRES ETRANGERES ET EUROPEENNES

CAMEROUN – ELECTIONS PRESIDENTIELLES

La France prend acte du résultat proclamé par la Cour suprême du Cameroun.

Le 11 octobre, deux jours seulement après le scrutin, la France a relevé que l'Organisation internationale de la francophonie et le Commonwealth, chargés de l'observation électorale, considéraient que le vote s'était globalement déroulé dans le calme. La France a appelé le même jour à ce que la lumière soit faite sur les différents incidents qui avaient eu lieu.

Parallèlement, lors du scrutin, de nombreuses défaillances et irrégularités ont été constatées. La France souhaite que des mesures soient prises pour que celles-ci ne se reproduisent pas lors des scrutins (législatifs et municipaux) de 2012.

La France appelle tous les acteurs de la vie politique camerounaise à contribuer à l'après-scrutin dans un esprit responsable et constructif.

De même, la France espère que les autorités sauront prendre rapidement les réformes permettant de répondre aux aspirations légitimes du peuple camerounais et qu'elles s'engageront en particulier dans la mise en place de toutes les institutions prévues par la Constitution.

Commonwealth statement on Cameroon Election

COMMONWEALTH EXPERT TEAM

CAMEROON PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

9^th October 2011

PRESS RELEASE

by

Mr. Frederick A. Mitchell MP

Chair of the Commonwealth Expert Team

A peaceful election: some benchmarks for democratic elections have been met, although the playing field needs to be leveled to increase confidence in the electoral process

The Commonwealth was invited by the Ministry of External Relations to observe the 9^th October Presidential Election, and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth constituted a six person Expert Team supported by a professional staff team from the Secretariat in London.  I am honoured to have been invited to Chair the Team which has been present in the country since 3 October 2011.

This statement is our initial view of the election.  It reflects largely our observations in the run up to the election, the polling day itself and the counting process. The Commonwealth Expert Teams were based in five regions in the country. We exchanged our findings with a number of other international and domestic observers, as well as the diplomatic community.  These exchanges corroborated most of the impressions which we formed during the course of our observations.

The election, thus far, has met some democratic benchmarks such as freedom of association, expression, as well as universal suffrage and the right to vote.

This is an interim statement and it is issued prior to the formal declaration of the election results.  We will issue a final report containing our conclusion and recommendations on the entire process at a later stage.

KEY FINDINGS

ELECAM must affirm its independence and must be supported to do so

We laud the establishment of ELECAM as a significant first step.

This election is the first one organised by an independent election management body. We commend ELECAM’s efforts in establishing key structures at the local level in a relatively short period of time; in collaborating with political parties and other stakeholders; and, in the organisation of Diaspora Voting, for the first time in the country’s history.

It was, however, our impression that public confidence in ELECAM was limited.  We noted serious concerns raised that ELECAM was not wholly independent of the government.  We felt that this was due, in part, to the past political affiliations of some of the Electoral Board Members. ELECAM needs to do more to demonstrate its neutrality and inspire the confidence of the electorate in future elections. In this connection, it would be helpful if steps are taken in earnest to enhance the institutional autonomy of ELECAM.

ELECAM was constrained in its performance by the prevailing legal framework: we had the opportunity to discuss some of these constraints - such as the use of multiple ballot papers rather than a single ballot - with some of its board members. In this technical matter, as in others we will highlight in our final report, we are of the view that as the body mandated to manage and supervise elections, ELECAM must influence and drive the process of reform through the legislature and other relevant institutions. It must be supported and encouraged to do so.

The Voter register needs to be refined

In the polling stations we visited, we observed that some voters had their voter identification cards, or receipts evidencing their application for voter cards, and in some cases, their National identification cards. However, their names were absent from the register and therefore they were unable to vote.

We also observed that while at some polling stations, provision was made for the collection of voter cards, many remained unclaimed.

In our assessment, the current voter register requires substantial refinement. We recognize the efforts made by ELECAM to this end, but would strongly encourage ELECAM to consider measures to significantly improve the voter register ahead of the 2012 legislative elections.

The election campaign: separating the role of party and state

We commend the provision of state funding for political parties’ activities during elections.

However, we noted repeated complaints from some stakeholders and members of the opposition about the lack of distinction between the state and the ruling party when it came to the use of state resources for campaigning. An example highlighted was the disproportionate coverage accorded to the ruling party’s campaign by the state media as compared to that of the Opposition.

We appreciate the natural advantages that accrue to an incumbent government. However, the magnitude of resources that appeared to us to have been deployed by the ruling CPDM party and its overwhelming advantage of incumbency challenged the notion of a level playing field in the entire process.

It is therefore important that the existing laws on election campaign financing, and media coverage during the campaign period be reviewed with the aim of strengthening accountability and transparency.

In the Commonwealth’s election observation reports of 2004 and 2007 the pervasive influence of the ruling party in all aspects of the electoral process was highlighted as a major area of concern. If Cameroon is to further progress in the consolidation of its democracy, reforms in this area should be of top priority.

We also heard allegations from the main Opposition leader of the SDF, Mr John Fru Ndi at a political rally on Saturday 8^th October, that he was prevented on two occasions from moving about the country to campaign because the ruling party’s candidate had already been granted precedence to campaign in those particular areas. 

The campaign of the ruling party’s candidate should not be conducted to the detriment of other candidates. For future elections equitable arrangements should be put in place for election campaigns.

Polling Day

On the whole, the election was peaceful.  We note an improvement to preparations for these elections, as compared to previous ones.  Voters who could vote expressed their will freely.  The process was generally transparent.  We commend the inclusion of large numbers of women in the local polling commissions.  

We regret, however, that turnout appears to have been low in the areas that we observed.  This, in our view, reinforces the repeated complaints about a pervasive sense of public apathy. We wish to highlight the following observations which will be further elaborated upon in our Final Report.

Generally polls opened on time, though we received some reports that in a number of areas there were delays. In some instances, this was attributed to a lack of preparedness on the part of election officials. In another case, the delay was caused by preparations being made for senior government officials and other personalities to vote.

The use of multiple ballots interfered with the smooth flow of the voting process and led to different procedures from station to station on how voters collected the ballot and disposed of them.

There were complaints about the ink and the inconsistent manner of its application. We also observed instances where the ink was washed off soon after its application. We would encourage the use of, and consistent application of indelible ink for future elections to safeguard the integrity of the process.

We also wish to underscore that it is considered best practice to apply the ink immediately upon issuance of a ballot paper to a voter.

The Commonwealth’s partnership with Cameroon

In some cases, ordinary citizens approached the Team to express various concerns regarding the overall management of the electoral process, the campaign period and seemed to suggest that the Commonwealth and other international organisations could resolve these issues.

The Commonwealth has engaged with Cameroon to deepen its democracy since it joined the organisation in 1995. We will continue to engage by making constructive recommendations and assisting the people and government of Cameroon to implement them. However, the people of Cameroon must play a central role in this process.

We believe that this country has to examine in the future how the issues that were brought to our attention, and those we have highlighted can be addressed to enhance the democratic credentials of Cameroon.

It is our hope that improvements will be effected in time for the next elections.

In the meantime, it is our fervent hope that the results process will be managed in a transparent manner and without undue delay.

Wikileaks explosive cables could spice Cameroon Oct. 9 election

Wikileaks release last week of never before seen unredacted cache of explosive U.S diplomatic cables on Cameroon and Biya's regime could potentially spice Cameroon's October 9 presidential election.

The cables confirms some suspicions Cameroonians have been having on how the country has been governed for nearly three decades by Biya.  They provide an interesting insight into the sad state of Cameroon politics. Examples such as how and why Biya orchestrated the constitutional tweak in 2008 to remove presidential term limits and jostling by potential successors, are detailed in the cables.

Biya meeting U.S. Ambassador Garvey  Source: Cameroononline

A cursory read of the documents could be an emotional roller-coaster for Cameroonians who normally know little or nothing about what is going on in the corridors of power. From sadness and shame on how a misguided group led by an even clueless individual have manage to highjack the destiny of a nation, precipitating it towards an inevitable catastrophic outcome, to sheer incredulity and disgust at the arrogance of some the utterances by top barons of the regime as recorded by U.S. diplomats.

One of the cables succinctly summarised what is wrong in and with Cameroon in a report of the Cameroon government's handling of the Kenyan Airways crash in May 2007 that killed 114.

The cabel, marked confidential and titled  "Keyan Air Crash puts Cameroon's governance problems in stark relief" said:

 "Although the event (the plane crash) would have challenged even a capable government, Cameroon's response was hampered by many of the same factors that impede progress on development and reforms: an aversion to public communication, a stifling regard for hierarchy and protocol, a crippling regard for style over substance, and an inability to react to events in a timely manner.  For the few days when the world's attention was focused on Cameroon, the Government was left looking lost, uncaring, and incompetent," it said.

Under a subheading, Who is in charge? the cable said:

"The GRC's (Government of the Republic of Cameroon) efforts were further crippled before they began by the lack of an effective government spokesperson and the complete absence of the Minister of Transportation."

"President Biya, off in his village, was entirely absent from the public eye (and, as far as we can tell, from internal deliberations as well) for the duration of the crisis and he never made any public statement of condolence (though he did call a day or mourning two weeks later).  Biya's silence appeared even worse as he did find time to congratulate the French and Nigerian presidents-elect."

Prime Minister Inoni wearily recounted having left numerous unanswered messages on Dakole's  (Transport Minister Dakole Diassala) voice mail over the 10 days since the crash informing him of the plane crash and the need for his presence. Given his incompetence, it is unlikely that Dakole's presence would have helped as all levels of the GRC appeared unable to adapt its strict hierarchical style to allow for the necessary decentralized, rapid decision-making for a proper response.  Nonetheless, his evident absence only served to highlight his irrelevance and had Cameroonians -- not to mention foreigners -- openly asking what purpose he serves.

It concluded: The GRC's handling of the Kenya Airways crash is a metaphor for the problems that plague Cameroon's governance more generally and stymie even the best efforts for reform. Even observers steeped in the peccadilloes of African governments professed incredulity at what they perceived to be the GRC's complete disinterest and incompetence in the face of a terrible and enduring disaster.  The characteristics that manifested themselves so starkly in this episode -- an inwardly focused ruling elite, a President who takes all key decisions despite being out of touch, excessive deference to hierarchy and protocol, no sense of urgency.

Perhaps, the cable with a potential to be explosive especially within the ruling CPDM party ahead of the October election and the jockeying to succeed Biya, is the one recounting Vice-Prime Minister Amadou Ali, a northern baron of the regime's candid but frightening admission to the U.S. ambassador what the northerners would do post-Biya. 

Cameroon's Justice Minister says north will support Biya, but not another Beti or Bami.

Vice PM Amadou Ali

"The struggle for Cameroon's future, including President Paul Biya's succession, should be viewed through ethnic and regional lenses, according to Amadou Ali, 

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Justice.  In a recent, wide-ranging and frank discussion with the Ambassador, Ali said the foundation of Cameroon's stability is the detente between Biya's Beti/Bulu ethnic group, which predominates in Cameroon's South Region, and the populations of Cameroon's three Northern Regions, known as the Septentrion, which are ethnically and culturally distinct from the rest of the 

country," the cable said.

Ali's view augurs a worrisome outlook for Cameroon, which so far has managed a semblance of peaceful cohesion. It is clear that post-Biya's Cameroon holds a lot of danger and could become the latest theatre of bloody succession conflict just like many others that have mired other post-independent African nations.

Missing president notice: where the hell is Paul Biya?

On July 17, Cameroon's president Paul Biya, left the country for three-day state visit to China. While there, China promised more money, Biya promised more resources and contracts were signed. Then Biya disappeared.

Missing President.  Photo. Finbarr O'Reilly/Reuters

It should be said that this is not Biya's first or last fugue. Among African or one could dare say world leaders, Biya is easily the one who spends the least time actually running his country. In a year, it is reported that he spends about 150 to 200 days outside the country, mostly in Geneva, Switzerland, where is young children school and where he seems to have a permanent residence at the Geneva Intercontinental.  It reached a point early this year when a group of Cameroonian activists in the video below, staged a protest at the hotel.

After every trip abroad, Biya rarely goes home directly. There's always a Geneva stopover for a couple of weeks, but never over 40 days. After a 40-day absence, there is a risk of the presidency being declared vacant and fresh elections called. The state-controlled media describes the trips as "brief short visit" or "brief private visit". However, it is not like him being in Cameroon will make a difference. A resources and manpower-rich nation, which was suppose to be the economic motor of the Central African region has slumped into a miasma of corruption, fainéantisme, state-sponsored sycophancy and economic decay with millions of youths reduced to paupers. In a recent book an AFP colleague, Fanny Pigeaud writes of Cameroon's government under Biya as an authoritative but lax regime that has plunged Cameroon to the bottom of every economic and social indicator since Biya came to power in 1982.

"While maintaining and deepening former president Ahidjo's dictatorial style of governance, Biya has introduced other trends and features such as neglect, inertia, and criminality within state structures. Together, all these has resulted to an unproductive and paradoxical system. For nearly 30 years, Cameroonians are subjected to power wielded by their leaders who are doing everything to stay in power without governing the country," she writes.

"Cameroon is a country where two years could go by without the president presiding a cabinet meeting, where the head of the police can imprison an innocent person for murder to cover a guilty one; or where a citizen could call police emergency to report that they have just witnessed a woman being assaulted and want to make a statement, only to told: "But let the woman come and complain herself! What is your business in it?" before getting hung up on; where the president pays with suitcases stuffed with cash when he buys jet fuel for his plane; ...where it takes two days to find the remains of a Boeing 737-800 that crashed, with 114 passengers, thirty seconds after take-off," Pigeaud added.

Cameroon is expected to hold presidential elections in October, yes in about two months. Though 78-year-old Biya has not said whether he would be seeking another mandate, his sycophantic crowd have been on overdrive in the past months, printing books, pamphlets and holding rallies, urging him to run. Biya had somewhat shown his intentions in 2008 when he orchestrated a constitutional reform which removed presidential term limits, effectively, according to their calculations, clearing the way for him to run again if he wanted. So, two months to elections, there are no campaigning, no primaries. Cameroonians are in suspense, waiting for Biya to decide whether elections will be held and if he would run. Even his own political party is stuck in the limbo. Potential successors cannot openly challenge him or even been seen to be vying for the throne because they'll find themselves in jail so fast on corruption charges, like others before them.

Meanwhile Biya is holed up somewhere in Geneva, no explanations, nothing, nada, while a nation awaits, as it has always done. But for how long? Egypt? Tunisia? Libya? Syria?

Senegal Holiday in pix - Dakar - St. Louis - Dakar

On the road. The drive from Dakar to St. Louis was pretty easy on a very good road. The landscape is breathtaking if you have the time to stop and admire the baobab trees that dot the semi-Sahel vegetation.

Baobab dotted landscape en route to St. Louis   photo. BF

Semi-Sahel vegetation

Passengers perch atop a bus

Sometimes you do have some ghastly accidents

St. Louis: Former the capital of Senegal during French colonisation, has gradually lost some of its lustre. Though endowed with some very attractive sights, St. Louis or Ndar as the locals call it in Wolof, seems to have stood still since the colonial era. In the main section of the town, you'll hardly find new constructions, partly because most of the colonial houses are somewhat national treasures. However, most of them are in dire need of renovation. Also, the city and the river Senegal, whose two branches cut across the city from north to south, leaving a narrow island of just over 2km long and about 400 metres wide,  is heavily polluted. But it is worth the trip. 

A stray dog catches a beautiful sunrise in St. Louis

The city's landmark  Faidherbe bridge under renovation

All kinds  of rubbish 

A horse-drawn cart rides past colonial building along the old quay

A woman walk past a row of colonial houses along the quay

 

Snap Shadow

Mboro: Senegal's garden belt. 

All around the camp are thousands of gardens

About 3km away from the city and the camp is the Mboro beach

Trying to eat a Mango 

  Back in Dakar: Senegal traditional wrestling, the national sport.
 The this is huge in Senegal. The fans love it. The big fights bring the nation to a standstill.

Fans trashtalk before the big fight

 

Mouhamed Ndao, aka Tyson's marabout prepares his gris-gris

A wrestling awash himself with magic potions before the bout

Tyson warms up before the big fight against Balla Gaye 2

The Demba Diop stadium is packed to the rafters

Balla Gaye 2 fans celebrate his win over Tyson

 

Cameroon, Senegal: Miserable old buggers won't quit

Its not ageism. It is just that I have had it with some of these miserable old farts at the helm of some African countries. Merde!. Why do we have to suffer these old fools who continue to cling to power despite decades of spectacular failures as  leaders.

Take the case of Abdoulaye Wade in Senegal, legally about 84-years-old, but rumoured to be on the wrong side of 90. Yes he came to power late in his political life, but has had 11 years to at least lay the foundation for what ever vision he had for Senegal. Instead what does he do? He engages in the old game of tinkering with the constitution to try and prolong is stay in power.

This has served as a catalyst for pent-up anger and anti-government sentiments to explode. We've had a series of riots in the past week alone. First over the proposed constitution change, then over excessive load-shedding that had left some neighbourhood without electricity for over 48 hours. It is clear Wade is not longer energetic to be able to stay on top of the burning issues of poverty, unemployment, corruption etc., that is plaguing the country, but he is insisting only he can bring salvation to the country, pissing off a whole section of the population that can't wait to get him out come presidential elections billed for February next year.

Caricature of Biya saying we are unshakable.  Author unknown

 Another is Cameroon's 78-years-old Paul Biya. This is a guy who is been in power for over 29 years Yes 29, one of Africa's longest-serving presidents. But Cameroon remains one of the world's worst governed country. Corruption is rife in every sector of the country. The economy, albeit with great potentials, has stagnated for decades due to mismanagement, lack of vision, heavy state bureaucracy, and downright theft orchestrated by the ruling class.

Biya himself as an absentee landlord who spends more of his time outside the country. It has been recorded that in a given year, Biya spends over 150 days or more out of the country, particularly in Switzerland where his young children from a second marriage attend school. Early in his regime, he was asked about his prolonged absences from the seat of power and his answer was..."Cameroon was on auto-pilot". Go figure.

In 2008, aided by the sycophants in parliament, he removed presidential term limits from the constitution and is expected run again in elections planned for October this year, meanwhile the country continues its long decay while tensions continues to simmer. It will one day get to the point where it would explode just like in Senegal now and as it started in north Africa early in the year.

Painful dune walkabout

So, I went to check out the scenic Lac Rose. I decided not to book any of the guided tours on quad bike, camel or 4X4. The plan was take couple of pictures around the lake then walk the suppose less-than-800 meters across sand dunes separating the lake from the Atlantic seaboard.
Firstly don't believe guide books. When they said less-than-800 meters, they forgot to precise that that distance was as the crow flies between two shortest point. If you are going to hike up and down dunes, zigzag through a smallish pine forest, the distance is more like 1.5km. Oh! and it is scorching hot.

                    Hiking on dunes is a pain                                   Photo - BF

I yielded to pressure from local guides and hired one of them to go with me after they told me it was dangerous to go walking about the sand alone. So we set off with Diop, my guide, after he reassured me that the coastline was just beyond the sand, he said, pointing towards the dunes the eye could see.
After the first hundred meters, I realised walking on sand with flip-flops was uncomfortable and slow, so I took them off. Big mistake. It was hot, very hot and it felt as if my soles were roasting. Back to the uncomfortable flip-flops. It was impossible trying to get any kind of traction walking. I was more like plodding along and after 200 meters, I felt a sharp pain on my lower back. 

Diop had to halt several time to wait while I catch my breath    Photo - BF 

 "Je vois que vous n'est pas en forme," Diop said as I bent double, holding my waist to catch my breath and rub my lower back. The nerve!  But I was not going to admit that I was out of shape. Turning back was out of questions so we continued. But after another hundred meters I was ready to surrender. I needed to sit or lie flat on my back to ease the pain. 
I should have hired a quad bike, a 4X4 or a camel at the nearby camp I thought. At this point I really didn't think I'll make it back. I was thirsty and somehow had manage to forget my water in the car. I asked Diop if it would be possible to hitch a ride back with one of the cars or quad bike on our way back. He said not a chance. You are suppose to register first, they are all booked out, he said. Oh merde!

Diop advances while I plod along                    Photo - BF                            

The sea is just beyond the pine trees            Photo - BF

We finally made it out of the plastic-littered pine woods, up the last dune to the Atlantic seaboard.

Voila! je vous avez dit que c'est n'est pas loin, Diop said, totally zen like he just did a stroll across the park while I finally succumbed and crumble on the sand, clutching by sides. 

Tu parles!.

I was no longer interested in the vista the greeted us. All I wanted to do was lie there and never stand up again, but I had to think of the return journey. Why didn't I just sit by the lake and drink cocktails or go float on the salty waters of the lake. Eish!

Band of brothers from a nearby village take a stroll   photo - BF

Football: Could the Lions put an end to this Senegalese smugness

Senegal vs Cameroon AFCN Qualifier in Dakar

I have had it. Since Senegal manage to earn a die-minute 1-0 victory over Cameroon back in March, every Senegalese I come across put on an air of smugness whenever they find out that I am Cameroonian, like they won the World Cup or something. 

The other day, it was a traffic cup. While doing a routine check I handed over my drivers licence, he had one look and smirked. 

"Tu est Camerounais,?" he asked. "Oui," I replied. 

"Oh je suis désolé pour vous," he said, handing back my licence and then called over a colleague.

"Eh! Diop, hahahah, il est Camerounais, un supporteur des Lions Indomptables," and they both continue to laugh as I drove off.

The same scenario has played out countless of times since the March victory.

The nerve!

You see, to Senegalese fans, beating Cameroon was like winning the World Cup and at the same time delivering them from a long-suffering they have endured for nearly 20 years.

Cameroon has been very mean to Senegal when it comes to football. Back in the 90s when Senegal had good crop of talents, they hosted the African Cup of Nations in 1992, hoping to win it or at at least make it to the semis or the final. Only one team stood in their way, those terrifying Cameroonians.

Before the quarter-final game, some Senegalese players such as legend Jules Bocande, went about boasting that they'll trash Cameroon, that the Cameroonian squad was made up of old players living in past glories and were still in the dream of their epic exploit at the World Cup in Italy, two years before.

Now for those who know the Cameroonian team of the late 80s, 90s and early 2000, that kind of trash-talking enrages the Lions. Go ask the Moroccans, Ivorians, Nigerians and Malians. On the day of the quarter-finale game in front of a packed home crowd against them, the Cameroonians did what they do best in such circumstances; break the heart of a whole nation with a one-nil win.  

The Senegalese were inconsolable. From Bocande bawling on the pitch, to the agonising fans, threatening to throw themselves from the rafters of the stadium.   

Then in 2002, a new generation of Senegalese talents emerged. The team that included El Hadji Diouf, Khalilou Fadiga, Papa Bouba Diop, Ferdinand Coly etc, went to do great things at the World Cup that year, beating France and going on to play the World Cup quarter-final. But before that, they had an old score to settle, they had to beat Cameroon in the African cup of nations that year. 

After disposing the host nation Mali, in display of football master-class in front of a hostile home crowd, Cameroon met Senegal in the final. The talented Senegalese did everything they could but Cameroon held its ground and the final was decided on penalties. Of course Senegal went home heartbroken again. 

So when they finally beat their "bête noire" in March, it is understandable that they should be happy. But I think rubbing it on every opportunity they get on every Cameroonian, and being smug all the time, I think they are asking for it again. We have done it before and we'll start all over just to make it clear that Cameroon is the Indomitable Lion. On this June 4 day in Yaounde, could the Lions please put an end to this smugness.

Dakar scenes

Baobab tree on Île de Gorée - Pic BF

Baobab alley, Artists resting - Île de Gorée

Cliff on Île de Gorée 

Grande Mosque on Ouakam beach

Beautiful sunset off Ouakam beach

My local beach - Ngor. Exactly 10mins from home 

I found these walls on Ngor island facinating

Doorway to the sea - Ngor island

Unfortunately no waste disposal plan - Ngor island

Wade's African Renaissance monument

We are back!

Transport to Ngor Island - Photo by Bate Felix

Finally. I've decided to start blogging again. I moved to Dakar, Senegal from Brussels at the end of February to start my new assignment as Reuters Correspondent for West & Central Africa.

The Reuters team of four Dakar-based text correspondents plus stringers in all the countries, cover news stories ranging from politics and economics to general news stories in over two dozen countries from Senegal to the DRC, excluding Nigeria.

There is a lot going on in the region in which I'm very passionate about. Some of the funny, sad crazy or inspirational stories and encounters I'll come across may not make it to the Reuters wire, so I'll be sharing them with you right here. Stay tuned.!