Some of the coolest #windows I find when strolling through #mytown. I wonder what this building looked like in its prime. Who else peered through this window before me? I love the brilliance of colors and the history and stories held in this structure. #peacecorps #peacecorpsnamibia #txtonam #namibia #okahandja #movingwrightalong #baphotochallenge

A photo posted by «–« k r y s t a l »–» (@movingwrightalong) on Sep 11, 2016 at 9:22am PDT

@bloggingabroad Whether traveling from the village or within #Moldova’s #capitol #Chișinău, there are multiple #ways to get around #mytown. #Rutieras (mini buses) are everywhere (seen on your #left) but so are trolley buses ( #old like the one I am on in your bottom right and #new like the one coming towards me in the same photo), #taxis, by #bike and of course à pied (on foot). I’ve even added an “inside-view” of what a #rutieră looks like (upper right). #baphotochallenge #transportation #warmweather #beautifulday #strollweather #getlost #fallleaves

A photo posted by izzygirl (@izzie_gal) on Sep 10, 2016 at 9:06am PDT

Taxis run all over Winneba. You have two options: a shared line taxi that drives a set route through town or a drop taxi that you get all to yourself and goes anywhere you want. Shared taxis cost ¢1-1.80 ($0.25-$0.50) while drop taxis cost ¢5-10 ($1.25-$2.50). 🚖🚖🚖 I love the decals of sayings on the back windows and I keep a note on my phone of my favorites. . . . . . #taxis #therestimeforeverything #transportation #mytown #baphotochallenge #bloggingabroad #sheexplores #exploremore #neverstopexploring #getoutstayout #instapassport #instatravel #instagood #photooftheday #winneba #ghana #westafrica #africa #everydayafrica #everydayghana @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by Christine Bedenis (@noon_thirty) on Sep 7, 2016 at 10:27am PDT

It may not be much, but our little balcony #garden brings me such joy. I love the vibrancy and contrast of colors, harvesting the tiny chilies and sharing them with neighbors, and how something so simple can be a gentle reminder to slow down and breathe. #peacecorpsnicaragua #peacecorps #bloggingabroad #BAphotochallenge #haymastiempoquevida #howiseepc #greenthumbintraining 🌿

A photo posted by Emily Allen Nilsen (@eallennilsen) on Sep 9, 2016 at 9:55am PDT

The closest thing I’ve seen to a #garden in my coastal Colombian town is the landscaping behind my house. My host mom loves flowers, and I love having the pop of color. #baphotochallenge #mytown @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by b. hope (@thisbriannahope) on Sep 12, 2016 at 8:22am PDT

In #mytown the Namibia Coat of Arms is present on most government buildings. – Anchored in the sand of the centuries old Namib Desert. The fish eagle has excellent vision and is thus a symbol of the farsightedness of our country’s leader. It also represents the north and our country’s water resources. The two Oryx on either side of the shield are indigenous, specifically to the semi-arid parts of Namibia. They are renowned for their courage, elegance and pride. The Welwitschia mirabilis, rooted in the desert sand is a unique desert plant, a fighter for survival and, therefore, a symbol of fortitude and tenacity. The headband refers to the traditions of our people and the diamond shapes symbolise the importance of diamonds to the country’s economy. #peacecorps #peacecorpsnamibia #txtonam #namibia #ondobe #movingwrightalong #BAphotochallenge #signs #bloggingabroad #unity #liberty #justice

A photo posted by «–« k r y s t a l »–» (@movingwrightalong) on Sep 13, 2016 at 7:35am PDT

Hand painted signs used to be the norm in Ghana. They’ve since been taken over by the ease and cheapness of vinyl signs. But every once in a while, you come across one of the hand painted ones and it’s such a delight. . . . . . #sweetjesusenterprise #coldstore #meatmarket #handpainted #signs #mytown #baphotochallenge #bloggingabroad #getyourmeat #sweetjesus #artisanal #portlandorghana #sheexplores #exploremore #neverstopexploring #getoutstayout #instapassport #instatravel #wanderlust #winneba #ghana #westafrica #africa #everydayafrica #everydayghana @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by Christine Bedenis (@noon_thirty) on Sep 11, 2016 at 10:35am PDT

This was the community #health clinic in our nearest town in Jamaica, although Peace Corps Volunteers were always sent to private hospitals and clinics when we needed care. Fortunately, Jamaica’s clean water system is reliable (in most places) so the biggest risks to PCVs seemed to be outbreaks of mosquito-born things like dengue and chickengunya. Diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and asthma are also growing in the Jamaican population. #baphotochallenge #health #mytown #jamaica #peacecorps #rpcv

A photo posted by Intentional Travelers (@intentionaltravelers) on Sep 5, 2016 at 7:27am PDT

One of my former community class students, Nahir, works as a nurse here in #Repelon, promoting #health and #healthyhabits to the locals. While this is a challenging field to work in here on the coast, due to high sugar diets and a general lack of motivation to exercise, she tackles each day with a massive smile and a positive attitude! @bloggingabroad #baphotochallenge #peacecorps #colombia #mytown #nurse #pharmacy #rolemodel

A photo posted by Michael Owen (@mowen1101) on Sep 9, 2016 at 9:10am PDT

Here on the coast of Colombia, there are three major cell carriers, two dish networks, and one cable provider. Throughout town there are tons of the spots to recharge your cell phone with minutes and data from any of the carriers, as well as use a shop phone to make calls to other networks. Basically, #communications in #mytown can be quite a pain. #baphotochallenge

A photo posted by b. hope (@thisbriannahope) on Sep 19, 2016 at 11:03am PDT

#communication is important. I knew when I was accepted into the #peacecorps I would be learning Romanian. But one of the most surprising things when I talk to locals is what animals say. Today when I was leaving #mytown I had a joyful discussion on what naf naf was. It is the sound a pig makes. I grew up learning oink oink and thought it and all animals around the world said the same thing! This sign is placed in the central meat market and was taken as vendors unload their meat to sell. #BAphotochallenge @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by Jenny Sayles (@saylesj21) on Sep 16, 2016 at 10:01pm PDT

The majority of Moldovans practice the Eastern Orthodox #religion. No matter how simple the exterior of the Orthodox Church may be (and often it is far from simple), the inside never disappoints. With the gilded #iconostasis and colorful paintings of saints, their lives, and biblical stories that span from the floor to the ceiling, each #biserica is breathtaking and peaceful. 🇲🇩⛪️🕊 #Chisinau #Riscani #Moldova #baphotochallenge #rettaliatastravel #OurMoldova @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by Rachel Rettaliata (@rachrettaliata) on Sep 15, 2016 at 11:12am PDT

I’ve heard that Ghana is the most religious country in the world. I don’t know if that’s true, but if I just went by the names of shops, I’d believe it. Many shop names reference God, Jesus or Nyame (God in the local language). See also, Sweet Jesus Enterprise a couple posts back. . . . . . #godswillenterprise #godswill #religion #mytown #baphotochallenge #bloggingabroad #sunset #sheexplores #exploremore #neverstopexploring #getoutstayout #instapassport #instatravel #wanderlust #instagood #photooftheday #winneba #ghana #westafrica #africa #everydayafrica #everydayghana @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by Christine Bedenis (@noon_thirty) on Sep 16, 2016 at 10:36am PDT

Here in the #capitol there are some designated areas in which one has the opportunity to recycle. From LEFT to RIGHT: These bins labeled “Plastic” (yellow), “Glass” (green) and “Paper” (blue) are right behind my #apartment complex leaving me very few excuses NOT to #recycle! Albeit, I do pray they are disposing of the #recycled items properly and not contributing to more #pollution. 😳 #baphotochallenge #Moldova #MyTown #conservation @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by izzygirl (@izzie_gal) on Sep 12, 2016 at 5:26am PDT

#Pollution can be found in various forms here in the #pueblo and this photo highlights two of those – #trash and #streetdogs. #Trashcans are in short supply here and when not collected in a #trashbag, water bags, soda bottles, and other remnants of life line the streets. Sadly, the presence of street dogs makes this a bigger #problem as the dogs tend to root through discarded bags waiting to be picked up by the garbage truck, thus amplifying the quantity of trash visible in the pueblo. @bloggingabroad #baphotochallenge #mytown #repelon #colombia #peacecorps

A photo posted by Michael Owen (@mowen1101) on Sep 14, 2016 at 6:51am PDT

My #communityclass members have also been #learning a lot as well. Recently, this group of #outstanding students completed research on a #country and gave a #presentation all in #English about what they had learned. I am continually #impressed by the level of #dedication and #effort they have shown in #improving their abilities! @bloggingabroad #baphotochallenge #repelon #colombia #peacecorps #mytown #soproudofthem

A photo posted by Michael Owen (@mowen1101) on Sep 15, 2016 at 5:28am PDT

When I need #learning supplies in #MyTown, I head to the shop on the right: my friendly bookshop, or #librarie. They sell both school supplies (pens, markers, scissors, paper, highlighters, etc.) as well as test books, literature, maps, and educational posters. I’ve been going here since my first week in #Criuleni. The staff are always kind, patient, and helpful, managing to deal well with my poor Romanian language skills from the very beginning. I pop in here regularly for odds and ends. For example, I stopped in on Friday for a yellow marker. #BAPhotoChallenge @bloggingabroad

A photo posted by Rebecca Lehman (@lehmanrebecca) on Sep 17, 2016 at 6:31am PDT

Yesterday was a big deal in American #politics. Here in #Moldova, the presidential #elections will be held on October 30th. It will be the first time in 20 years that the people will directly #elect the president, as the parliament has voted-in the president since 1996. This #campaign ad can be seen all over #Chisinau and closely resembles a certain U.S. candidate’s slogan: “Together We Are Stronger” 🇲🇩 @bloggingabroad #baphotochallenge #MyTown #OurMoldova #rettaliatastravel

A photo posted by Rachel Rettaliata (@rachrettaliata) on Sep 27, 2016 at 2:17pm PDT

Did you know…? Similar to the U.S., Jamaica has a two party system of #politics, though their head of state is Prime Minister, so it’s actually much closer to the British system. The parties are represented by the colors green or orange (we were instructed not to wear these colors to avoid unwanted association). The Queen of England still appoints a Governor General as her representative in Jamaica, but this is mostly a ceremonial role since Jamaica has been independent from Britain for over 50 years. #baphotochallenge #politics #mytown #jamaica #culture #peacecorps #rpcv #nowyouknow

A photo posted by Intentional Travelers (@intentionaltravelers) on Sep 12, 2016 at 8:29pm PDT