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This is a tale of how Trade Aid's Tanzanian Manager
perceived the UK on his recent and first trip over to
England.  Trade Aid is a UK charity whose aim is to
create sustainable employment in a particularly lovely part
of southern Tanzania, Mikindani, near Mtwara.

On the 14^th June, after a long
wait, our beloved Mikindani leader, Mr Dennis Willy Massoi,
arrived in England.  After Mtwara International
Airport, he looked totally shell-shocked at Heathrow,
particularly when it was pointed out that he was only in
Terminal 4, the smallest!  A quick excursion onto the
M25 was enough for him to decide that he didn't want to
drive in England (know the feeling?).  Two hours
later, after an M3 experience, he was dropped off in the
New Forest at my home.  He did notice that there
seemed to be more animals (horses, cows, pigs and deer)
running around than in Mtwara area.

That night he was taken to the Salisbury Bandari Club,
(also known as The Chicago Rock Café) which was full
of drunken ladies dancing on tables and celebrating Hen
Nights.  Dennis said it would never happen in
Mikindani.  On Saturday, suitably attired in an
England football shirt, Dennis watched the England-Denmark
game in a pub in Salisbury and seemed to enjoy the 3-0 win
as much as the locals.  After a few days with Jacob
Amuli in Taunton, Dennis returned to work at Trade
Aid.  Several exciting things had been lined up for
him, but probably the most interesting was the visit to
Tony Herbert's apiary in the Chalk Valley.  Clad
in spacesuits, we were still very nervous of the thousands
of bees who seemed oddly irritated at us opening the hive
and removing their honey.  It is hoped in the future
to have a beekeeping trial project in Mikindani under the
supervision of Tony.

Very, very early on Friday morning, we collected Dennis
from Salisbury, along with some former Trade Aid
volunteers, and headed for Stonehenge, to watch the sunrise
over the stones on the Summer Solstice. Dennis had probably
never seen 22,000 people all in one place before, and
especially not the eclectic group that gathers there each
year, with music, dancing, drums and fire eaters, children,
dogs, colourful costumes and some rather dubious practices,
all benignly watched over by the Wiltshire
Constabulary.  English weather was true to form and
the sun didn't so much rise as ooze into the lowering
clouds.  When we felt that Dennis had seen enough of
the spectacle, we walked the mile or so back to the car
through the teeming rain, and headed for Salisbury, and the
England - Brazil match.

After another Friday night out boogying, it was all
building up to the big Saturday night event at
Burgate.  We had around 100 guests who enjoyed a
marvellous African Buffet by Pompi Parry, after listening
to talks by Tony Herbert and Len Coleman.  Ian and
Nicola, recently returned from Tanzania, were there,
together with many ex-volunteers and visitors to
Mikindani.  The highlight was Dennis explaining what
he thought of England!  Apparently he had been worried
at Mrs Brian's absence.  “Who will do the
cooking?” 

The answer was Mr Tesco, convenience food
department.  These totally unhealthy items, pizza,
steak pies, fish and chips, Indian takeaways, combined with
those marvellous machines ' the Microwave and the
Dishwasher had him wondering “why on earth does anyone
in England get married?”  Good point Dennis,
I'm sure there is an answer to this tricky question,
but we'll have to think about it.  An excellent
evening raised about £850, which will be spent
entirely in environmental projects in Mikindani.

On the Sunday Dennis went up to London and saw all the
main sights from the London Eye.  On Monday he did a
bus tour to have a closer look, Buck House, Houses of
Parliament, Big Ben etc etc, all caught his eye.  By
around 4pm though he'd had enough of the culture and
was to be found in a pub near Trafalgar square. 
Before he returned to Tanzania on the Tuesday, we asked
what had made the biggest impression on him, was it the
Stonehenge Solstice, Heathrow, Houses of Parliament
etc?  None of these impressed him as much as the
Salisbury B & Q!  So many tools and building
materials under one roof, he couldn't believe
it. 

For more information about Trade Aid, volunteers and
their work, please visit their website "http://www.mikindani.com/">www.mikindani.com

Greetings from Antigua, again!

When last I wrote I was in San Cristóbal las Casas
and just started on my trip through Mexico, and here I am
ready to launch in to the second section of this trip as we
leave for Honduras tomorrow, and the last of the Mayan
ruins in our itinerary. Strangely I am not all
'ruined' out yet and am quite looking forward to
seeing the temples and stones of Copan on Monday.

The last three weeks have been excellent fun. My lads
have been good value and we are still getting on well so
that has helped to make the time positive. And the Ruta
Maya took us through some of the loveliest parts of
southern Mexico. We detoured down to the Guatemalan border,
in Chiapas, to explore a new road and visit the lesser
known sites of Yaxilan and Bomampac and they remain two of
my favourites due to the smaller size and the exquisite
carvings and paint work there. Camping for about half the
time, we cooked some excellent meals and stayed in lovely
places. Palenque was made more accessible by our excellent
guide, Ernesto, and Uxmal was made worthwhile due to the
fact that we missed most of the tourist hordes by being
there as the site opened. Chichén Itzá wa huge
and very touristy but very interesting. We then retired to
the beaches of the Caribbean, south of Cancun, for a couple
of days. Swimming in the turquoise waters there was lovely.
Throughout this time the food remained good and people
friendly. Our last ruins in Mexico were those at Tulum, a
small site built on the edge of the Caribbean and for the
worship of the dawn. I also went for a cavern snorkel
nearby - fun and blessedly cool after the heat and humidity
of the area.

We crossed into Belize with the minimum of fuss and
headed straight to Caye Caulker for two days of sun, sea
and relaxation. Although I managed to get sunburnt and not
to see a manatee (dugong family of sea-cow), we had a fun
time snorkelling, watching dolphins and wandering around
the small town. Back to the mainland and straight out of
Belize city. A short stop at the small but lovely zoo,
getting drenched in a tropical downpour, and then to San
Ignacio for two nights. During that time I did another
cavern tour - beautiful colours and formations - in a
canoe, and we all worried about a sudden closing of the
Guatemalan/Belize border due to a demand for back pay by
the ex-paramilitary forces who had blocked the roads in and
around the Petén area (i.e.: where we were headed).
Thankfully it was all settled quickly and we lost no time
but the prospect or retracing out steps through the north
of Belize and most of the parts of Mexico that we had
already traversed was not a welcome one.

Into Guatemala and the Petén area we had mid-summer
in Tikal, perhaps the most important and largest Mayan site
in Central America. Unfortunately the sun did not cooperate
and show us how all the buildings were built according to
the seasons and light directions but it was a brilliant
mornings ramble. I think I have climbed more stairs in the
last three weeks than I have climbed in the last three
years! We saw lots of wildlife and had another excellent
guide. Part of the film 'Return of the Jedi' was
filmed there and it was amazing to be high over the canopy
top looking into the greenness and seeing structure over a
thousands years old poking up through the trees. Wonderful!
From there we went to a place called Finca Ixobal, for
lovely food and a chance to rest and relax before
Antigua.

From there it was a straight drive to Antigua and more
great views of the volcanoes that surround this town. I
introduced my friends to a cafe that served eggs benedict
and we all indulged in good coffee and other delights to be
found here. Our travels also allowed me to revisit
Chichicastenango and Panjachal and from there revisit my
friends in San Pedro. I have revelled in the chance to feel
at home here as I know where things are and how the system
works - but from here on in it will be new territory.

The next four weeks promise to be full of adventure and
new experiences as we traverse the lesser known and less
touristy countries of Central America. Costa Rica is
perhaps the exception to that but to me it will be all new.
The other change will be the addition of a new member to
our group, a British lass who is due to arrive today. She
will be my roommate for the rest of the trip so …fingers
crossed we get on. There will be no more camping or cooking
off the truck though, as there are few places that suitable
between here and Panama City so it is hotels and
restaurants all the way. Should any of you get the
inclination, a real letter would find me in Panama City at
the hotel address on my list and I would love to hear from
you.

Thanks Jacqui and keep us posted!  If anyone
would like to contact Jacqui, her e-mail is: HREF=
"mailto:jacquitrotter@yahoo.com">jacquitrotter@yahoo.com

What have you seen on your travels? Drop a line to the
Beetle! "mailto:Beetle@globetrotters.co.uk">Beetle@globetrotters.co.uk

Since the arrival of the West Indian population in
London, in the 1950s and 1960s, Brixton Market has been the
place for Afro-Caribbean foodstuffs especially along
Electric Avenue, while the African and Asian fabrics are
also worth a look.  Check out the biggest Ghana Yams
in London - they're the size of a small child. 
They say it's Europe's biggest Caribbean foods
market and they could be right.  

Brixton Market is mainly for ethnic foods, fruits and
vegetables.  You can find odd merchandise, from wigs,
rare records, homeopathic root cures, to plantains and hair
extensions.  Fish is fresh and well priced, as are
flowers and fruits. You can find the latest R&B CDs for
a tenner each and fill up your toiletries cabinet for
£1 per item. 

The market covers several areas of Brixton:
Reliance Avenue - a short and narrow
covered market running between Brixton Rd and
Electric Avenue. Stalls include children's
clothes, camera/watch shop and a vacuum cleaner spare parts
store! Brixton Station Rd - big outdoor
market mainly selling second hand clothes and bric-a-brac
with some electric goods of uncertain origin.
Electric Avenue - the original market that
was once protected by extended awnings running the length
of the street.  Mainly fruit and veg and clothes
stores. Granville Arcade - large covered
market with an eclectic mix of shops including a tattoo
studio, cafes, Caribbean bakery, several fishmongers and
all kinds of unsavoury trays of animal produce.  Not
for sensitive veggies! Station Arcade -
small selection of stores leading up the druggies favourite
haunt, Brixton railway station. Market Row
- Another big covered market with a large selection of
stores including the superb Eco Pizzas and Cafe Pushkar.
Tunstall Rd - New art market opposite Brixton tube.

Just a word of warning, Brixton is a great and lively
place during the day, but late at night, it can be a little
scary.  Be careful with your possessions at all times
whilst in any market. 

Open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm, except Wednesday
when it's open 9am to 3pm.

Next month: Covent Garden market

Texas meetings are usually held at the New Braunfels
library, which was recently flooded.  Almost all the
TV news coverage in New Braunfels took place at the bridge
on Common St and the library could be seen, high and dry at
the top of the hill.  July
13^th's meeting saw Mary Ann
Hollmig, local coordinator for Elderhostel, as our guest
speaker.  

The July meeting marked our one-year anniversary here in
Texas!  (Yippee!) Our group has grown from 6 folks to
almost 100!!  We are putting together a questionnaire
for our members in order to develop a travel information
directory that will enhance networking among us “Texas
Globies”. 

Next meeting: August 10^th,
A reminder that Texas meetings will start one hour
earlier, at 2pm and not 3pm.

Meetings are held at 2pm at the New Braunfels
Public Library, 700 E. Common Street in New Braunfels,
Texas. The meeting ends at 5 p.m. If you would like to
continue travel talk on a more informal basis, we plan to
adjourn to the Hoity-Toit, a local New Braunfels
establishment. If anybody would like to enquire about
meetings or help Christina, please contact her on:
"mailto:texas@globetrotters.co.uk">texas@globetrotters.co.uk

As soon as we get information on the annual barbecue we
will let you know what happened! 

For information on Ontario meetings, please contact:
Svatka Hermanek: "mailto:shermanek@schulich.yorku.ca">shermanek@schulich.yorku.ca
or Bruce Weber: tel. 416-203-0911 or Paul Webb: tel.
416-694-8259

Meetings are held on the third Friday of January,
March, May, September and November. Usually at the
Woodsworth Co-op, Penthouse, 133, Wilton Street in downtown
Toronto at 8.00 p.m.

Hello Globies! I hope everyone is having a wonderful
summer!  I have been told that a lot of you will be
travelling and exploring the world, so I am going to CANCEL
the August meeting as well. WE WILL HAVE A SEPTEMBER
MEETING - STAY TUNED FOR GUEST SPEAKER INFORMATION!! Enjoy
the summer and see you all in September!  Laurie

New York meetings are held
at The Wings Theater, 154 Christopher Street (btw Greenwich
St and Washington St), to the right of Crunch Fitness, in
the Archive on the first Saturday of each month at 4
pm.

This month we had the annual member's slides show.
We were treated to eight mini talks from club members,
covering three continents. I have described them below in a
geographical order and not the actual sequence in which
they were presented.

We will start with the Americas. The Seattle suburb of
Freemont took us on a tour of the strange public art on
display there. This ranged from a wall decorated with
gunshot to a gigantic troll who “lives”
underneath a bridge. We then moved down into Mexico for a
look at the less touristy areas west and north of Mexico
City, taking in Guadalajara and Oaxaca. Cuzco in Peru was
our last port of call in the Americas, we saw weavers in
traditional garb and a saline river that helps the local
people to a living.

Across the Atlantic Ocean to the Cape Verde islands off
the coast of Senegal. We saw some excellent slides of this
remote set of islands and its stark landscapes. Into
southern Europe we stopped off at the Spanish City of
Barcelona, to see some exciting pictures of a festival that
included devils and fire breathing dragons as well as
giants and human pyramids. Across the channel via Paris we
saw some of Britain and France's architecture.  We
saw London's Millennium wobbly bridge, the glass
pyramid of Paris' Louvre and the pyramid in
Bedford!

In Asia we called in at Rajastan in India, from the Far
West City of Jaisalmeer, with its spectacular hill top
fortress and it's camels, then across to Udaipur on
Lake Pichola, where we saw the washing ghats and the Lake
Palace Hotel. Our final stop is in Cambodia at Siem Reap.
We saw some of the spectacular temples at Angkor Wat,
before seeing some of the local villages, which are
accessible only by boat.

Thank you to all the members who spoke to us.

There is no London meeting in August, but we will be
back on Saturday 7^th September
when Marion Bull will be talking about her recent
travels, “Travelling with the Tuareg” in the
Southern Algerian Sahara and rock paintings of the Tassili
N'Ajjer.  Julian Webster will be sharing
his thoughts and slides: “India - a Kaleidoscope of
Memories, Moments and Surprises.

London meetings are held at The Church of
Scotland, Crown Court, behind the Fortune Theatre in Covent
Garden at 2.30pm the first Saturday of each
month.

For more information, you can contact the Globetrotter
Info line on +44 (0) 20 8674 6229, or visit the website: HREF=
"http://www.globetrotters.co.uk">www.globetrotters.co.uk

Meeting news from our branches around the world.