Outdoor nurseries are sprinkled all over Yaounde, the capitol city of Cameroon.  They are always located within a short distance of a swamp, which provides a free source of water for their plants.  And every last nursery is right next to a major street or highway.  To visit a nursery is to take your life in your hands.  

Today we did just that.  Our driver parked on one side of the busy highway while Guy and I darted between cars to get to the other side of the road.  We stood inches away from traffic that was whizzing buy.  Each plant we choose was set right next to the black top.  I tried not to think of how easy it would be to die in the situation I found myself in.  I concentrated instead in choosing between white, yellow, or pink flowers.  Or maybe we should select a gorgeous purple orchid.  We were there to pick out little plants that will grow into a new hedge.  Last week we removed our old, scraggly, worn-out hedge.  Why not buy a variety of plants for our pots while we were at it?  The prices are so good.  Most plants range from 500 F to 1,000 F ($1 - $2).  You really have to wonder how the gardeners manage to make a living.

Back at Shiloh Guy spends the remainder of the day preparing the ground and planting our new hedge.  That hopeful row of new plants holds such promise for tomorrow.  We are already exclaiming over how lovely it will be.  Things grow so fast here in the tropics.  It won't take long.