It's a bird! It's a plane! It's the 44th President of the United States of America!

I have to introduce the Gabonese concept of Barack Obama with a story. The first time I heard his name in this country, I was in town with Mr. Paul and the crew. We had just dropped off some gigantic boards to be planed, and so we were waiting by the truck. I was hanging out with the guys, Mr. Paul was off figuring out costs and whatnot.

One of them, Igor, pointed just behind me and said "Barack Obama".

Now, I'll have to put the story on pause for just a second to put you in the correct frame of mind, that is to say, mine.

The entire crew I work with speaks French, with the exception of Mr. Paul and myself, who both speak only English (effectively). To bridge this gap, there's a lot of joking around, using the few French and English words everyone knows. Igor is the biggest jokester of them all, by a good bit.

So naturally, I assumed he was kidding with me. I laughed, and arched my eyebrows in a sort of genial, "yeah, sure" manner.

His face became more serious. Unfortunately for the sake of communication however, I was aware of his amazing ability for Poker Facedness.

He pointed again, said "Barack Obama," then indicated drinking, and then dancing.

Well now I was thoroughly confused.

I asked him, in French, if he was talking about a club. He said yes, then "Barack Obama" again.

So, piecing together what I have so far, Igor, the Eternal Jester, was telling me that the President of my country was drinking and dancing at a club in Lebamba, Gabon.

So I'm laughing again, because, y'know, comedy.

But now the rest of them get serious faces.

They point again, and say "No, that is Barack Obama."



Ladies and Gentlemen, Barack Obama is the name of a nightclub in Lebamba, Gabon.

And this my friends, is their ode to him, among other things. I've also seen his face on Grocery bags that say

"Thank You"

and then below that

"BARACK OBAMA"

And it had a picture of him. On the grocery bag. Barack Obama is a sort of unlicensed superhero over here. Slap his picture on something, and it's got instant cool factor.