Wow it is just wonderful in here, this country called home. I got in yesterday to Neenah, a day later than planned. That was an expensive mistake. My advice? Don't ever miss a flight after purchasing tickets online... you don't get your money back. And I wish I had a better excuse for missing it... I wanted a picture in front of the Eiffel Tower. Lame. I know. Then it took quite a while to get to the airport, about an hour longer than I expected and I didn't make the check-in. Oh well, I have pretty amazing parents, since, here I am - in good ol' Wisconsin!
So the rest of my trip? I told you I was in Sicily. I did like it; wished I could have made a winery tour but the only one available was a 7 day tour... no good for me! I hung out on the beaches and relaxed since I started getting a cold. I blame all the travel on the trains. So I took a (miserable) night train up to Florence. I slept on the floor in the aisle, trying to keep warm with a towel. But I think Florence is thus far my favorite city in Italy. Amazing. I will upload pictures soon, when I get the chance. It was beautiful there and I had a great hostel as well so ended up staying 2 nights rather than traveling to Venice in order to catch up on sleep, hang out with other American travelers and see the city.
From Florence, I left at about 11am with plans to either stay the night in Milan or Turin. Well I arrived to both and decided I didn't want to be in Italy anymore. I couldn't wait to get to France to be able to speak to people again, especially since I was having a few problems in Turin. I tried to find a hostel to make reservations anywhere, Italy or France, or a train to go directly to Grenoble, but was unsuccessful. My stubborn and exhausted-of-Italian mood came out, so I got on a train going toward Paris, where I would just get out in Chambery to switch trains to get into Grenoble. Or so I thought.
Another problem in Turin was the fact that the train was booked so I couldn't purchase a ticket, but they told me if I just got on the train, I would have to pay an extra 8 euro to make it to my destination. Sweet. So I got on and sat on a flip-out chair in the aisle (again) but the guy checking tickets NEVER checked me! I got a free 63 euro train ride. I'll take it. And then I sat next to a French guy, also sitting in a flip-down chair, who was awesome. I realized I can successfully have a conversation in French and only one or two Wolof words came out. He was great and offered me to stay at his apt, which I turned down in desperate hope to get to Grenoble. So I got out at my stop, which was his home, when it started pouring! I didn't bring anything to keep me warm... I was planning on a Mediterranean vaca, not a mountainous one! So I borrowed his phone, found out the hostel in Grenoble was booked and although I could have gotten on the train to get there and find something else, I didn't really want to do that in the rain at 11pm. So I went to Cyril's house!
He was so nice. We made a pesto-pasta dinner and he took me around to see the chateau in Chambery and other touristy sites after lending me a sweater that he ended up giving to me to keep! His roommate is actually Senegalese and was really interested in meeting him, but never got the opportunity since he got home late and I left by 7:30 to get on a train to go to Chamonix, with a layover in Annecy, another beautiful lake city with mountains all around.
Chamonix is still my favorite city in the entire world. I love it! I got in late, found a hostel and went out for an amazing dinner. I figured since the night before that I had a free dinner and night's stay, I could treat myself to a demi-bottle of wine and tartiflette (traditional cheesy potatoes). The next day I climbed a ski run to not-quite-the-top of a mountain looking down on Chamonix. It was a real tough climb, just as difficult down as up. I was wishing for snow and skis the whole time but the view was incredible. I decided I need to buy a chalet in Chamonix when I am rich. There isn't too much available in my budget at this time.
From Chamonix, I took a night train to Paris. Got in nice and early, at 6, put my luggage in storage and wandered the streets before missing my flight and coming back to find a hostel that evening. I was exhausted and rather upset, so I made dinner and was in bed early. Crazy for me but honestly, all I wanted was to be home.
Kristofer is still uncomfortable and confusing doctors with his chest pain. All I want is for him to feel better. It is amazing being home, sitting here watching a Brewer game while writing this blog, sitting in between my dad and brother, after a sushi dinner at Nakashima's. Life is good. Keep my bro in your thoughts. We need him to get better ASAP! As for plans in Neenah? A few dinners out and a Brewer game on Monday, but I don't have much else so feel free to give me a call. I would love to see you!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Oh Sicilia!
Italy is wonderful. I spent 2 nights in Rome waiting for my luggage to catch up with me. Well, I didnt wait in the hostel... I walked, or more like wandered, the streets. Rome is great but on a strict budget i didnt go inside much and decided to spend my money on better things, like gelatto! Mom, Dad and I hit all the touristy sights when we visited Rome 4 years ago. All thats left is the Sistine Chapel that I will hit on my way out!
I traveled south from Rome to Naples. Overall, not impressive. Nearly left on the next train after seeing the neighborhood where my hostel was but I decided to give it a chance. Downtown, it was nice and there was a great view from a mountain. I daytripped to Pompeii, which in year 79AD a volcano errupted covering a whole city. Now it is a tourist attraction... the entire city! Pretty cool! Another day trip out of Naples was to an island called Ischia. I wish I would have spent 3 days there rather than anytime in Naples! Loved it!
I left Naples at midnight to spend the night on the train to Sicily. Sat in a 6 person cabin with a nun, an english speaking couple and an italien in his 30s who hogged 2 seats. I didnt sleep at all until he got off at like 5am. But then the 3 others freed up the 3 person bench just for me! Living in Africa, traveling on a budget... gotta milk it for all its worth right?
I spent the day in Siracusa and took a boat tour to some island caves and then went to Messina to spend the night. Got up early and caught a 3 hour train to Palermo, where I am now. It's located where the big toe would be of the boot of Italy! Amazing beach just a 20 min bus ride from the hostel and today I hope to find a vineyard.
So whats the plan now? (since they have changed a bit) I will take a night train to Florence and spend the night, then to Venice for the day to Turin for the night. Then to Grenoble, to Paris and then.... to Neenah Wisconsin! My brother has been real sick; a doctor's mystery for far too long. He was diagnosed with Diabetics Neuropothy a few days ago and is responding well to meds, thank goodness! So I will be in America to see him and anyone else who may want my company August 25 through September 5!
I traveled south from Rome to Naples. Overall, not impressive. Nearly left on the next train after seeing the neighborhood where my hostel was but I decided to give it a chance. Downtown, it was nice and there was a great view from a mountain. I daytripped to Pompeii, which in year 79AD a volcano errupted covering a whole city. Now it is a tourist attraction... the entire city! Pretty cool! Another day trip out of Naples was to an island called Ischia. I wish I would have spent 3 days there rather than anytime in Naples! Loved it!
I left Naples at midnight to spend the night on the train to Sicily. Sat in a 6 person cabin with a nun, an english speaking couple and an italien in his 30s who hogged 2 seats. I didnt sleep at all until he got off at like 5am. But then the 3 others freed up the 3 person bench just for me! Living in Africa, traveling on a budget... gotta milk it for all its worth right?
I spent the day in Siracusa and took a boat tour to some island caves and then went to Messina to spend the night. Got up early and caught a 3 hour train to Palermo, where I am now. It's located where the big toe would be of the boot of Italy! Amazing beach just a 20 min bus ride from the hostel and today I hope to find a vineyard.
So whats the plan now? (since they have changed a bit) I will take a night train to Florence and spend the night, then to Venice for the day to Turin for the night. Then to Grenoble, to Paris and then.... to Neenah Wisconsin! My brother has been real sick; a doctor's mystery for far too long. He was diagnosed with Diabetics Neuropothy a few days ago and is responding well to meds, thank goodness! So I will be in America to see him and anyone else who may want my company August 25 through September 5!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Stepping off the plane
In training, our trainer said something like “Get off the jumbo jet, and take the train”. He was comparing the work ethic, style and way of doing things in America compared to Senegal. I have this quote written on my wall and think about it often. The problem is, though, that I am American, and some things never change.
Today was my second town meeting about the compost project in Bambey. The last one followed my vacation in Kedougou so I wasn’t around to invite anyone so this time I tried my best to go to people’s houses, talk with them about the meeting and the plans that I have for the future, and fully convince them to show up. 5/8 success. The one man that didn’t show up was there like 2 minutes after the meeting was scheduled and left since no one was there (expected, since no one in Senegal comes for the first hour of a scheduled meeting). Another showed up as we were all leaving. Whatever. I’ll take it.
Instead of planning a powerpoint or something technical, I put an outline of topics to discuss on flip chart paper for everyone to read. I mentioned how I only have a year left of service but will dedicate half of my work to the compost project. I told them we have been given a plot of 30 square meters of land. Then I began talking about how we should go about training and who the important people should be, who will monitor the compost and who will help write a budget. I was then cut off. They don’t care who runs the compost facility nor who will help set up the fence around it. They need to only concentrate on how to get the door-to-door trainings accomplished. I agree! Honestly I agree it is the most important part but all I can think about is November of 2009 when I am on a plane outta here and I don’t know if by that time anything will be accomplished. Shouldn’t we at least mention how we want things to turn out in the next 3, 6, 12 months? Why do they leave everything else up to God? Yes, things can change, but then we can change out plan; alter it to fit the new situation. This is just not the case.
So I am slowing myself down, again. It’s ok. I really wanted to get the application completed for the PC partnership for money but since that isn’t on the priority right now; I have to wait until after my vacation. All the women are meeting on the 12th to discuss funding they received from another organization so they can travel to Mauritania and Mali to buy from markets there and sell them here for a profit. That’s great and all, even though it has nothing to do with the project, but it means that all the women are actually going to show up for the meeting, unlike my meetings since I have no money to offer. I still haven’t met them all yet. And I fly out the morning of the 12 so I can’t meet them.
Who knows if the men who were at my meeting tonight will show up to this women’s group meeting on the 12th. I can encourage them to show but there isn’t a whole lot I can do besides that. All I know is that whether anything gets done while I am traveling or not, I will have work to do when I get back. Although none of my questions were answered at my meeting, it was still a good meeting. And now all I can think about is stepping of the plane in Rome and catching a few trains to see some unfamiliar Mediterranean Sea!
Today was my second town meeting about the compost project in Bambey. The last one followed my vacation in Kedougou so I wasn’t around to invite anyone so this time I tried my best to go to people’s houses, talk with them about the meeting and the plans that I have for the future, and fully convince them to show up. 5/8 success. The one man that didn’t show up was there like 2 minutes after the meeting was scheduled and left since no one was there (expected, since no one in Senegal comes for the first hour of a scheduled meeting). Another showed up as we were all leaving. Whatever. I’ll take it.
Instead of planning a powerpoint or something technical, I put an outline of topics to discuss on flip chart paper for everyone to read. I mentioned how I only have a year left of service but will dedicate half of my work to the compost project. I told them we have been given a plot of 30 square meters of land. Then I began talking about how we should go about training and who the important people should be, who will monitor the compost and who will help write a budget. I was then cut off. They don’t care who runs the compost facility nor who will help set up the fence around it. They need to only concentrate on how to get the door-to-door trainings accomplished. I agree! Honestly I agree it is the most important part but all I can think about is November of 2009 when I am on a plane outta here and I don’t know if by that time anything will be accomplished. Shouldn’t we at least mention how we want things to turn out in the next 3, 6, 12 months? Why do they leave everything else up to God? Yes, things can change, but then we can change out plan; alter it to fit the new situation. This is just not the case.
So I am slowing myself down, again. It’s ok. I really wanted to get the application completed for the PC partnership for money but since that isn’t on the priority right now; I have to wait until after my vacation. All the women are meeting on the 12th to discuss funding they received from another organization so they can travel to Mauritania and Mali to buy from markets there and sell them here for a profit. That’s great and all, even though it has nothing to do with the project, but it means that all the women are actually going to show up for the meeting, unlike my meetings since I have no money to offer. I still haven’t met them all yet. And I fly out the morning of the 12 so I can’t meet them.
Who knows if the men who were at my meeting tonight will show up to this women’s group meeting on the 12th. I can encourage them to show but there isn’t a whole lot I can do besides that. All I know is that whether anything gets done while I am traveling or not, I will have work to do when I get back. Although none of my questions were answered at my meeting, it was still a good meeting. And now all I can think about is stepping of the plane in Rome and catching a few trains to see some unfamiliar Mediterranean Sea!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Top 10
10 reasons I think I deserve to go on vacation:
1. I killed 5 mosquitoes, full from a night of feasting, this morning who took up residence inside my net.
2. When one rash goes away, another comes
3. My room leaks... a lot
4. Power outages all the time!
5. Many cancelled meetings because of rain
6. 3 books read in 3 days (I broke my computer and its getting fixed)
7. No compost site yet: we have no mayor so the job keeps getting passed on to the next guy
8. I rub deet mosquito repelent all over like body lotion daily
9. I sweat all the time
10. Havent been to France since Spring of 05... I'm due
Just 10 days until gelatto :P
The 10 things I need to do before I leave:
1. Meet with my host mom's womens group about funding a possible garden
2. Door to door trainings about composting (like all 40 will get done in the next week! not being negative... just realistic)
3. GET A COMPOST SITE which was supposed to happen like 2 weeks ago
4. Go to Thies: pick up my new pants and dress, see the host family, pick up my computer, check internet and meet a friend's mommy!
5. meet with a compost steering group: but they don't really know yet that they are in it so first I have to convince them to join the group and then to show up to the meeting... hmmm
6. plant a lime tree! host mom wants a new tree, i want something to do and host sister likes limes!
7. set up my room with many many buckets to catch the rain
8. make a list of everyone to buy gifts for in italy
9. call or visit all work partners!
10. PACK for the most amazing vacation of all time!
Have I mentioned that its just 10 days away? 10 days until:
1. I can wander around and not be stared at or called toubab
2. i dont have to tell anyone where i am going or where I am coming from
3. eat whenever i am hungry
4. stop eating whenever i am full
5. be confused when people speak a foreign language... wait a minute... but not get ridiculed when i dont understand
6. eat gelatto!
7. drink wine!
8. I wont have to greet and shake everyone hands whenever i walk into a room... even though i will have the tendancy to do it anyways!
9. i can expose my knees
10. i can opperate on my own schedule!!! yey!!
10 days friends. 10 days!
1. I killed 5 mosquitoes, full from a night of feasting, this morning who took up residence inside my net.
2. When one rash goes away, another comes
3. My room leaks... a lot
4. Power outages all the time!
5. Many cancelled meetings because of rain
6. 3 books read in 3 days (I broke my computer and its getting fixed)
7. No compost site yet: we have no mayor so the job keeps getting passed on to the next guy
8. I rub deet mosquito repelent all over like body lotion daily
9. I sweat all the time
10. Havent been to France since Spring of 05... I'm due
Just 10 days until gelatto :P
The 10 things I need to do before I leave:
1. Meet with my host mom's womens group about funding a possible garden
2. Door to door trainings about composting (like all 40 will get done in the next week! not being negative... just realistic)
3. GET A COMPOST SITE which was supposed to happen like 2 weeks ago
4. Go to Thies: pick up my new pants and dress, see the host family, pick up my computer, check internet and meet a friend's mommy!
5. meet with a compost steering group: but they don't really know yet that they are in it so first I have to convince them to join the group and then to show up to the meeting... hmmm
6. plant a lime tree! host mom wants a new tree, i want something to do and host sister likes limes!
7. set up my room with many many buckets to catch the rain
8. make a list of everyone to buy gifts for in italy
9. call or visit all work partners!
10. PACK for the most amazing vacation of all time!
Have I mentioned that its just 10 days away? 10 days until:
1. I can wander around and not be stared at or called toubab
2. i dont have to tell anyone where i am going or where I am coming from
3. eat whenever i am hungry
4. stop eating whenever i am full
5. be confused when people speak a foreign language... wait a minute... but not get ridiculed when i dont understand
6. eat gelatto!
7. drink wine!
8. I wont have to greet and shake everyone hands whenever i walk into a room... even though i will have the tendancy to do it anyways!
9. i can expose my knees
10. i can opperate on my own schedule!!! yey!!
10 days friends. 10 days!
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