The Earth will swallow you up in Africa

 

I am amazed at the rate of growth and decay in Africa.  If I laid on the ground too long I feel I would be swallowed up by something.  Termites build their mounds on old tree stumps and eat into the stump until there is nothing left except a pile of something.  This electrical pole is being consumed by hungry termites. 

 

I have become fascinated by vines in Africa.  They are beautiful and odd.  This is called the Stinky Passion Flower.  I was curious about its name and discovered, after popping one of the pods in my fingers, where it got its name.

This vine is called the Mexican Creeper.  The flower is thick and pink.  The leaf is a perfect heart.  They use this vine for ornamental purposes at weddings and funerals.  It is considered a roadside vine and easy to access.

This vine climbing up a telephone wire is called "Mile a Minute" vine.  It has a beautiful purple flower but can cover a forest or fence or electric pole very quickly.  These vines are the reason Machete's (called Cutlesses in Africa) are used to get through the jungles.