I am super-psyched for Kilimanjaro. In 6 weeks we'll be on the mountain. We’ve done lots of preparation but still have quite a bit to do. I think we’ve finally ordered the last bit of gear – spare camera batteries. It takes so long for us to receive mail here that we are nearing the drop-dead date for when we can order and receive in time. (We’ve bought so much crap that I’m already thinking ahead to the next trek. I’d hate to use this stuff once and then have it sit in the closet for years. I’m obsessed with Nepal right now, second to Kili.)
Mike weighted my pack (all those bricks of soap from Costco that we bought last August!) and I’ve done my local mountain hike with it three times now. It’s only around 20 pounds and I don’t want it to get much heavier. I feel healthy and strong though. The pack is working out great. I feel the weight in my hips and quads, not my back or shoulders, and that’s good.
We’re so focused on climbing the mountain that the week-long safari afterward has been at the backs of our minds. It will be so relaxing compared to the trek. I got Mike a Blu-Ray player for Christmas and one of the first discs we watched was the Planet Earth episode on great plains. It got us really excited for the safari. I also reread the Northern Tanzania chapter of my Tanzania guidebook to refresh myself on the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Olduvai Gorge. I can’t wait to see all the animals!
Happy New Year! May your mountains be climbed in 2009.
31 December 2008
29 December 2008
Reading in 2008
I joined a challenge on Goodreads to read 50 books in 2008. I’m surprised I barely made it past the halfway mark, considering how much time I spent on planes and trains and without Internet access and regular American TV this year. Some of the books I read though are really long.
1. From Bloodshed to Hope in Burundi by Robert Krueger
2. Daisy Miller by Henry James
3. The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemmingway
4. The Last King of Scotland by Giles Foden
5. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
6. Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
7. The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
8. Cotton: The Biography of a Revolutionary Fiber by Stephen Yafa
9. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
10. Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey
11. Girls in Pants by Ann Brashares
12. Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux
13. Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz
14. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
15. Take the Cannoli: Stories of the New World by Sarah Vowell
16. When a Crocodile Eats the Sun by Peter Godwin
17. Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
18. Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson
19. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
20. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
21. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
22. Trespass by Valerie Marin
23. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
24. Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares
25. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
26. The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
27. I’m nearly finished with rereading Anne Rice’s The Witching Hour. It will be done by Wednesday night. Hmm, maybe Thursday morning.
1. From Bloodshed to Hope in Burundi by Robert Krueger
2. Daisy Miller by Henry James
3. The Snows of Kilimanjaro by Ernest Hemmingway
4. The Last King of Scotland by Giles Foden
5. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
6. Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
7. The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
8. Cotton: The Biography of a Revolutionary Fiber by Stephen Yafa
9. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
10. Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey
11. Girls in Pants by Ann Brashares
12. Dark Star Safari by Paul Theroux
13. Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz
14. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
15. Take the Cannoli: Stories of the New World by Sarah Vowell
16. When a Crocodile Eats the Sun by Peter Godwin
17. Thunderstruck by Erik Larson
18. Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson
19. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
20. When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
21. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
22. Trespass by Valerie Marin
23. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
24. Forever in Blue by Ann Brashares
25. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent
26. The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
27. I’m nearly finished with rereading Anne Rice’s The Witching Hour. It will be done by Wednesday night. Hmm, maybe Thursday morning.
23 December 2008
Sneezin's Greetings
Greetings to all of you in cold climates who will be having white Christmases this week!
Here I am in 80-degree (26 C) weather trying on all the layers I'll need to wear at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro (where it's way colder than 80 degrees):
I think I'm getting a flu shot today. I haven't had one in about 10 years. And why should I have gotten one? I'm one of those young healthy adults who have been discouraged from getting them recently because I'm not a child, I'm not elderly, and I never worked with children or the elderly. But a nurse that I work with here made a convincing case as to why I should get one this year.
1. I'm in a different place filled with different germs than I'm used to. I think my immune system is starting to get tired of battling new germs.
2. I'll be traveling this winter and be in contact with many international people who have the flu or have been exposed to it. I don't want to get sick on vacation and I should try not to bring the flu back to Bujumbura.
3. If I do get sick with something, it will be easier to rule out specific diseases based on the vaccines I've had. (Oh you had that flu shot, well then these symptoms could be malaria or avian flu!)
4. She's getting a boatload (actually a plane load) of flu shots in today and it will be free.
So what's left to ponder? I certainly don't want to be responsible for the Burndian flu epidemic. I guess I'm getting the shot.
Here I am in 80-degree (26 C) weather trying on all the layers I'll need to wear at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro (where it's way colder than 80 degrees):
I think I'm getting a flu shot today. I haven't had one in about 10 years. And why should I have gotten one? I'm one of those young healthy adults who have been discouraged from getting them recently because I'm not a child, I'm not elderly, and I never worked with children or the elderly. But a nurse that I work with here made a convincing case as to why I should get one this year.
1. I'm in a different place filled with different germs than I'm used to. I think my immune system is starting to get tired of battling new germs.
2. I'll be traveling this winter and be in contact with many international people who have the flu or have been exposed to it. I don't want to get sick on vacation and I should try not to bring the flu back to Bujumbura.
3. If I do get sick with something, it will be easier to rule out specific diseases based on the vaccines I've had. (Oh you had that flu shot, well then these symptoms could be malaria or avian flu!)
4. She's getting a boatload (actually a plane load) of flu shots in today and it will be free.
So what's left to ponder? I certainly don't want to be responsible for the Burndian flu epidemic. I guess I'm getting the shot.
22 December 2008
Shopping at Mutoyi
Another little office write-up on local shopping.
We don’t have Crate and Barrel in Bujumbura, but we do have Mutoyi. Mutoyi is where you’ll find hand-made ceramics and other products from the Italian mission. The ceramics are colorful glazed clay and they range from coffee mugs, pitchers, and teacups to vases, candlestick holders, and electric lamps. You can also find woven placemats and hanging baskets, linens, and wooden carvings.
In this small indoor marketplace you’ll also find mission-raised chickens and a variety of fresh-made baked goods.
After you leave the building and blink into the blinding sunlight, look across the street for the “tartine” sign. Cross the ditch and draw the curtain and you’ll find yourself in a bakery and ice cream shop. Yes, this is fresh ice cream, scooped to order into a cone or cup (depending on which they have). Small containers of ice cream are also available sometimes.
To get to Mutoyi, follow chaussée du Peuple Murundi past Hopital Maison Medical. You’ll see a sign for the Jabe neighborhood on your right and an arched entrance to a church on your left. Turn right. Look for the blue and yellow painted building with arched windows on your left. The entrance is on the corner.
We don’t have Crate and Barrel in Bujumbura, but we do have Mutoyi. Mutoyi is where you’ll find hand-made ceramics and other products from the Italian mission. The ceramics are colorful glazed clay and they range from coffee mugs, pitchers, and teacups to vases, candlestick holders, and electric lamps. You can also find woven placemats and hanging baskets, linens, and wooden carvings.
In this small indoor marketplace you’ll also find mission-raised chickens and a variety of fresh-made baked goods.
After you leave the building and blink into the blinding sunlight, look across the street for the “tartine” sign. Cross the ditch and draw the curtain and you’ll find yourself in a bakery and ice cream shop. Yes, this is fresh ice cream, scooped to order into a cone or cup (depending on which they have). Small containers of ice cream are also available sometimes.
To get to Mutoyi, follow chaussée du Peuple Murundi past Hopital Maison Medical. You’ll see a sign for the Jabe neighborhood on your right and an arched entrance to a church on your left. Turn right. Look for the blue and yellow painted building with arched windows on your left. The entrance is on the corner.
16 December 2008
A Taste of Burundi for You
There are a lot of rumors brewing about the coffee here in Burundi. We were told it was some of the best in the world, and we were psyched to try it. But when we got here we were disappointed and couldn't wait until our Peets from California arrived. We think the "good" coffee gets exported while the cheap stuff stays on the shelves here.
I've discovered where the good coffee goes: Burundi: Starbucks Now Sells Locally-Grown Coffee. I'm curious to know who can find Burundian coffee at their local Starbucks. Let me know if you see it! I'm also curious to know once and for all how it tastes compared to what we can buy here. Mom, if you're reading this, send me a bag. :) (OMG I'm living in Burundi, having my Burundian coffee imported from the United States! I'm a big carbon footprint loser.)
I've discovered where the good coffee goes: Burundi: Starbucks Now Sells Locally-Grown Coffee. I'm curious to know who can find Burundian coffee at their local Starbucks. Let me know if you see it! I'm also curious to know once and for all how it tastes compared to what we can buy here. Mom, if you're reading this, send me a bag. :) (OMG I'm living in Burundi, having my Burundian coffee imported from the United States! I'm a big carbon footprint loser.)
Two Things
1. Mike and I had our first tennis lesson on Sunday. The instructor said we both did quite well for complete beginners. He moved us on to the backhand right away since we both had good forehands.
My extendors are a little out of shape, though, leaving my arm a bit shaky. Now it's just a tad sore. But we're excited to continue with lessons. We think it will be a good activity for the two of us to do together. It's somewhat self-contained, we can do it any time, and there are tennis courts all over the world.
2. Yesterday we visited the two orphanages that we'll be donating Christmas toys to. Oh, those kids are so adorable and heart-breaking. I wanted to take them all home with me. They walk right up and take your hand and say Bonjour. Comment t'appelle tu? Je m'appelle... ("Hello. What's your name? My name is...") They know how to get themselves loved.
My extendors are a little out of shape, though, leaving my arm a bit shaky. Now it's just a tad sore. But we're excited to continue with lessons. We think it will be a good activity for the two of us to do together. It's somewhat self-contained, we can do it any time, and there are tennis courts all over the world.
2. Yesterday we visited the two orphanages that we'll be donating Christmas toys to. Oh, those kids are so adorable and heart-breaking. I wanted to take them all home with me. They walk right up and take your hand and say Bonjour. Comment t'appelle tu? Je m'appelle... ("Hello. What's your name? My name is...") They know how to get themselves loved.
15 December 2008
Television
I feel like I’ve been away from the United States long enough to be disconnected with the pop culture. I’ve heard the new James Bond movie is out now and isn’t there some lame-looking romantic comedy about Christmas? (I’m just guessing about that lame Christmas movie – I assume there’s one every year.)
We get South Africa and British tv and they are a little behind the United States. They show American programs a season or two behind. “Boston Legal” just started season 4. One channel has season 1 of “Dirty Sexy Money” and another has season 2 (it’s so confusing to watch out of order, but I can never remember which channel is showing which season). I resisted watching that show for a long time but now I’m unfortunately hooked.
Is there a show called “Carpoolers” in the United States? If so you should check it out. I suspect it’s an American show rather than a British one because it takes place in Los Angeles and none of the actors have British accents. But I never saw it on in the States. I’m starting to love this show. It’s not as great as “Arrested Development” (nothing ever will be), but it’s filling a void left by the “Seinfeld” and “Simpsons” reruns that aren’t on here. And it has Jerry O’Connor, who I think of as the poor man’s Jason Bateman. It’s created by Bruce McCullough of “Kids in the Hall”. (All the Kids are Canadian, which makes me think it could just as easily be a British show as American.)
I kind of miss the “South Park”/“Futurama” hour on Comedy Central. I really miss “The Daily Show” and “Colbert Report”. CNN International does a half-hour weekly global edition of “The Daily Show” and it’s not nearly enough Show to keep me happy.
We have a channel called “go” that’s only on for four hours every night. It’s the Commonwealth cousin of the CW. It shows stuff like “Gossip Girl” and “Greek” and I’m positive it must have had “One Tree Hill” and “Gilmore Girls” on at one point. It seems to be stylized after an Atari game, its branding is all green and pixilated.
There’s a South Africa reality channel with the most hilarious TV-show name of all time: “Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses.” I can’t believe I haven’t found time to watch that yet.
We get South Africa and British tv and they are a little behind the United States. They show American programs a season or two behind. “Boston Legal” just started season 4. One channel has season 1 of “Dirty Sexy Money” and another has season 2 (it’s so confusing to watch out of order, but I can never remember which channel is showing which season). I resisted watching that show for a long time but now I’m unfortunately hooked.
Is there a show called “Carpoolers” in the United States? If so you should check it out. I suspect it’s an American show rather than a British one because it takes place in Los Angeles and none of the actors have British accents. But I never saw it on in the States. I’m starting to love this show. It’s not as great as “Arrested Development” (nothing ever will be), but it’s filling a void left by the “Seinfeld” and “Simpsons” reruns that aren’t on here. And it has Jerry O’Connor, who I think of as the poor man’s Jason Bateman. It’s created by Bruce McCullough of “Kids in the Hall”. (All the Kids are Canadian, which makes me think it could just as easily be a British show as American.)
I kind of miss the “South Park”/“Futurama” hour on Comedy Central. I really miss “The Daily Show” and “Colbert Report”. CNN International does a half-hour weekly global edition of “The Daily Show” and it’s not nearly enough Show to keep me happy.
We have a channel called “go” that’s only on for four hours every night. It’s the Commonwealth cousin of the CW. It shows stuff like “Gossip Girl” and “Greek” and I’m positive it must have had “One Tree Hill” and “Gilmore Girls” on at one point. It seems to be stylized after an Atari game, its branding is all green and pixilated.
There’s a South Africa reality channel with the most hilarious TV-show name of all time: “Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses.” I can’t believe I haven’t found time to watch that yet.
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