Global Vagabond

      Hey all, I know its been a while, (sorry!), but i finally have internet again and Ive added lots of photos to show you what Ive been up too for the holidays and then some.  I got to the house on the 24th where we had a pretty casual new years eve dinner and we just did a lot of prep, along with some shenanigans, for the big day on the 25th.   On Christmas morning we all sat around our charlie brown Christmas tree and did a white elephant gift exchange.  Some of the gifts were absolutely hilarious (wigs, traditional maize "beer, a day old sandwich, maize, a USA jacket, male/female sex soap, to name a few), and our tree was decorated with all the nic-naks from around the house.  Afterwards Zach and I made a HUGE batch of gnocchis with vodka sauce for everyone, which was a big success, and we had some many gnocchis left over 6 of us ate them the next night with homemade pesto.  Also, very delicious.  Our tree. Our wrapping is a littl...

     Just before Thanksgiving my intake of RAP (rural aquaculture promotion) volunteers took a trip to Kasonka National Park to watch the annual fruit bat migration.  Its ranked as one of the top natural wonders of the world and it was truly phenomenal.  We did a 4 night 3 day camping trip in the park which included two walking safaris, a barbecue, and some night walks.   The park was BEAUTIFUL and made me a little sad knowing that a lot of Africa doesn't look like this anymore, but at least its close to where I am (about 8 hours) and I will definitely being going back next year.    Here we are hanging out in the bush waiting for twilight.  The gang. Still waiting for twilight, when the bat start flying, so killing time in typical PC fashion Finally! Were all getting ready with our cameras While we were waiting we saw some other wildlife lingering around - here are some hippos I believe these guys are ca...

       Ok, so since rainy season is upon us here, or getting REALLY close, the enthusiasm for digging ponds is slowing down because everyone needs to start planting for next season.  So Ive been occupying my time with other projects, such as GLOW, Girls Leading Our World, which is a youth girl power after school program (which Ill post about in December) and my newly formed women's groups.         Bread is a hard item to find outside of the bomas (or major town areas) so when the news spread that I can make bread in the village there was a lot of interest among the women and older girls to start learning how to bake.  So obviously to bake on a village level my little cast iron isnt going to work so we went about making adobe style wood/charcoal burning ovens.  For those reading this who may not know my background, I have absolutely no idea how to make such an item.  My mom remembers stories from the one pottery course Ive ...