In an effort to help you understand the benefits of engaging an Anansi guide, I will tell you about some experiences of mine with and without an Anansi guide.

First, let me introduce myself: My name is Kathryn Roe. I am an older American woman originally from North Dakota who had dreamed of going to Africa since childhood. I am a charter member of the "Staff" of Anansi Travel. My volunteer assignment is to help find jobs for Anansi guides.

• 1. An Anansi African guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel so you can rest from your trip.

When I landed in West Africa in 1997, I was alone and knew no one in West Africa. I landed in Abidjan after reading "How to Stay Healthy in Asia and Africa" on the plane. This book, although it might be helpful for some, only served to make me uneasy by describing all the illnesses you can get in Africa, and then telling you exactly how you will get them. When I landed in Abidjan I was greeted by a mob of very demanding people. I knew I needed some help, but I could not read the people; I didn't know who to trust and who not to trust. Providing guides through Anansi Travel is a way of making sure no one has to experience what I experienced in Abidjan that September evening in 1997. By the way, I learned from a friend that it is easy to stay healthy in Africa: "Drink a lot of good water everyday and wash your hands all the time." Actually, that is a good way to stay healthy anywhere.

• 2. An Anansi guide knows where to find safe good food at African prices, and will take you to those places for your meals if you like.

There are tourist restaurants and African eating places (not usually called restaurants). The difference in price is unbelievable. Just this past year I went to the main market in Accra with our Anansi guide, Albert. He led the way through this maze like place to a small stall where a very pleasant woman was selling fried rice to the market venders and anyone else who wanted to eat. I sat in this most interesting place eating wonderful food for less than one U.S. dollar. It was better than the fried rice I had paid $8 for the day before in an inexpensive restaurant.

• 3. Your Anansi African guide can help you find exactly what you want for accommodations.

There are tourist hotels and African hotels. This is a little different from the restaurant choices. African hotels, where it is possible to stay at budget prices, are not always as clean as westerners demand, but medium priced, comfortable hotels are available. If, after being in Africa for a time, you find that your point of reference has changed, your African guide will know the best "cheap" hotels for you. This option gives an additional choice for flexible use of your funds.

• 4. Your Anansi guide will find the easiest, cheapest way to go from A to Z. If you want to rent a car they can arrange that, too, at an affordable price.

African transportation is most interesting, but can be quite intimidating for a western person new to Africa. When traveling on public transportation the most disconcerting thing is the complete lack of personal space. When you travel with an African guide, not only does he know how to get to the right "station," which will save you a lot of time, but he will provide comfort in what could be perceived initially as an uncomfortable situation. There is no better way to experience African culture than traveling with the people, however, this is a better experience with a guide friend. I know, as I've done it both ways.

If you choose not to use public transportation (and there are times when it will not work well for you) your guide can find a reasonably priced car and driver. In Ghana it is difficult to rent a car without a driver. Last fall I talked with some Americans in Mole National Park. It is a problem to get to this park quickly and easily using public transportation. They had rented a driver and car for $100 per day. An Anansi guide can find you a car and driver for less.

• 5. Your African guide will make sure you pay "African" prices for everything. Your guide will save you more money than he or she will cost.

In West Africa it is customary to bargain for almost everything: fabric, artwork, hotel rooms. We westerners are at a disadvantage because we do not know the "African" value for much of anything. We also usually have not developed bargaining skills. Your African guide can do this for you, and in the process teach you how to do the same. By the way, you might find you enjoy the give and take of the bargaining game.

This past year I checked out a tourist place in Accra where many westerners were buying "things." Albert was with me when we found the very same traditional indigo fabric from Burkina Faso that I had bought in the market in Tamale. I had paid 25,000 cedis, the price in the tourist shop was 250,000 cedis.

There are more good reasons to use an Anansi African guide: Our guides spent four months in the year 2000 with seventeen American students, serving them daily because of a touchy political situation in Côte d'Ivoire. They have learned a great deal about Americans. They know much about what we like and what we don't like. They try to adjust their behavior to our preferences.

Often when westerners use a guide to travel within a third world country they hire educated people who already make a good living. Our guides are uneducated by our standards, even though they speak three or four different languages. Because of their lack of formal education it is difficult for them to earn a good living wage. Your Anansi guide money will be helping people in West Africa who need your help.

Also, no one is trying to use Anansi Travel to get rich. The overhead Anansi fees are designed to pay overhead expenses only. Our reason for existance is to help West African people find guide jobs with tourists who could use their help. All African countries need tourist money. So, please travel when you can, and use Anansi Travel when you choose to make West Africa your destination.

© Anansi