Maximum Security

I discretely snapped a picture of the jail where Abele is staying. It reminds me so much of the Old West. He seems to be doing OK, just hungry and he gets cold at night (someone stole his jacket and his sheet). There are 4 other Baka guys in prison there from various places, so he has some company and can speak his own language with them. We certainly don't understand the system, but the jailer said that we had to bring him something if we wanted to see our friend. So we brought him (the jailer, and we brought some for Abele as well) a regime of plantains. He said, "What is this? I want money." Which was the first time since this new "fight against corruption" that someone flat out asked for money. Usually they just beat around the bush, knowing that we KNOW that they want money but they aren't legally allowed to ask for it. The jailer let Nathan in anyway and I stayed in the car with the kids. Nathan was so surprised when Abele came out and gave him a hug! The Baka as a people are not huggers or kissers (or really even much of hand-shakers). Abele asked to see me, he said, "Please, I'd like it if your wife just came and shook my hand." It was neat! This second picture is of a common security system that folks use around here. Especially in the city, places are protected by walls with broken glass bottles stuck into the concrete to prevent anyone from climbing over the walls. Ouch...that would stop me! This picture is not from the jail, but it is the same as what they use at the jail (but you can't tell by the first picture).