Guinea

We're headed back to west Africa for our next country, Guinea. We did the meal awhile ago, and the lesson today, so Guinea was a bit disjointed. In fact, it was really a 'phone this one in' kind of country for me. But, there's 196 of these things, so I've got to cut myself slack somewhere. Sorry, Guinea! 

Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world. It doesn't help it's been under decades of dictatorial rule and standoffs between the army and the people of Guinea.  

It's also where the Ebola outbreak of 2013 started. 

So, Guinea has had it rough. It's also hard to come up with a landmark for a country who has been through so much. There's not even a national park here. Wildlife has disappeared here. You may find a few elephants and the last of the west Africa's chimps. The populations of those animals has steadily declined because of the bush meat trade, logging and mining. 

So, let's go to the mining for our landmark: The Artisanal Mining in Kamsar. Small-scale gold mining is popular in Guniea. The 'artisinal' miners work on their own, hand digging deep well-like holes. Then they head to the open air market where traders buy the gold from the miners. The miners then spend their newly earned cash at the same market on anything from basic necessities to liquor. 

Gold isn't all that is mined in Guinea. Kamsar is the main bauxite mining export town, where major exports of bauxite leave the country. Bauxite, an aluminum ore, is the world's main source of aluminium. Guinea ranks first in the world in bauxite reserves, and accounts for 94% of Africa's mining bauxite. 

The town of Kankan in Guinea is known for it's bustling markets, but also for its trade of the Kola nut. The kola nut is the fruit of the kola tree that are native to the tropical rainforests of Africa. The caffeine-containing fruit of the tree is used as a flavoring ingredient in beverages, and is the origin of the term "cola". In Guniea the nuts are chewed and are an important part of social gatherings and ceremonies. 

Turning gears to entertainment in Guinea, you can always try your hand at playing the Balafan. This distinctive Guinean instrument is like a xylophone made from dried calabashes (gourds). It's been played here since the 13th century. 

You could also catch the Circus Boabab. Yes, like the tree (another Disney nod!). The circus troop is the first African acrobatic circus. They are also known for their juggling, trapeze artistry, and dancing- all on a stage set to look like the Boabab tree. They've become so popular, they now tour around the country. 

Oh, and one last thing, you're probably wondering if the Guinea pig comes from Guinea. The answer is no. However, it's said that the pigs were transported from Peru (where they eat them), to Europe (where they're pets), and had a stop over in Guinea, and the name just happened to stick. 

It didn't stop the boys from putting guinea pigs in their postcards though. 

Calib's postcard featured some rivers. At least 22 African rivers start in the highlands of Guinea including the Niger, Senegal, and Gambia rivers. 

Peyton's featured some miners looking for gold. 

And Hayden's featured the circus. 

So I cheated on this dinner a little. First of all, don't just google 'Guinea' recipes, unless you want to contemplate eating the family pet. 

Second of all, I was trying to work with what I had right before we went to Ohio. I came up with coupe coupe, aka Hickory Smoked Flank Steak Sandwiches. I had to alter the recipe a bit, you know, because I have a kid with braces where steak and baguettes aren't ideal. 

In Guinea, they're also big fans of sweet potatoes (even in fry form), but the best I can get my family to eat are those Alexia sweet potato tots (and I only had half a bag, so I threw in regular tater tots). 

We had pineapple and corn just to round out the meal. 

So, was this authentic Guinean food? Not so much. But, hey, I can't be amazing all the time. And, people liked it. My Americanized version of Guinea food earned 5 spoons up. 

I apparently forgot to take a picture of the table too. (I'm such a slacker these days). But, it's on the west coast of Africa just to the north of Sierra Leone. 

That's 141 down, 55 to go! 

And with that, we no longer have an African-majority of countries left. 

Here's the breakdown

15 Asian countries left

15 African countries left 

12 European countries left

6 North American countries left

6 South American countries left.

2 Oceania countries left

Next Up: Venezuela