Pretty much couldn't be happier right now. I am on the Island of Lamu off the coast of Kenya ( no, war is over, power sharing agreement signed and Kofi Anan arriving for more mediating tomorrow). Lamu is an island that has somehow escaped the progress of time. There are no cars...transportaion is either a dhow (local wooden boat) or a donkey or by foot. The buildings reflect the coastal Swahili Arabic style...just gorgeous..blue blue waters...and get this...the hotel where I am staying has flown in a European sushi chef for the week!!! The godesses are smiling on me. I will write more as I will have time this week between my snorkeling trips and reading any of the 6 books I brought...oh and this guy is teaching me windsurfing...life is rough sometimes....but not now.
Peace,
Sarah
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
50 cent haircut
Not 50 Cent like the rapper, but I imagine if I had asked for that cut it would have turned out differently. I have the grossest hair these days...bleached out, dry, too long...so I could not take it one more day...went to a barber shop(allegedly "the guy does mzungu hair") Um...I'm pretty sure from the way he a. picked/combed my hair b. didn't wet...or touch it while he cut it, that c. he had never touched a white woman's head before. While one part of me wanted to get up and run, the other just had to see what was gonna happen. It's no secret my hair looks the same since the day I had to let it air dry after swimming in High School...but I like to think there are variations...not so. It looks the same. Just texted Jodi...she said she got her haircut too. her cut cost 60$....I could get 120 cuts for that mess!!! Come on over Jod...I'll hook you up.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Double Rainbows
The girls and I just spent a lazy Saturday afternoon at one of our favorite spots in town. Pearl somehow contracted amoebas and has had a tough time this week. She is very much on the mend and we are all happy about that....today she ate TWO mango ice cream cones....all's well in the world. On the way home from our pleasant afternoon we noticed an amazing double rainbow...I had only ever heard of these...but there it was! We pulled the car over to sit in the mist and enjoy its beauty. Sometimes...moments.....life is just right.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Kicking and Screaming
I am having time to process a lot lately...and it is needed and good. I have been thinking about one thing a lot. I have felt super judgemental about America, consumerism, people who haven't traveled....people who have no idea about Africa. Now, I am taking a step back and realizing the complete stupidity of this. Tanzania and Africa have touched my soul...I am forever changed...my views of the world for me, for my kids....for humanity have been affected. I am now realizing that my "kicking and screaming" approach is not going to ever share that message. I need to share openly, without judgement, what I have felt and how I have been moved. The greatest teachers of this lesson are the Tanzanian people...they are so open and kind and move slowly with concentration of where they are at that moment. Preplanning doesn't exist...they are in the here and now. I think this happens for a variety of reasons....first and foremost poverty drives their lives...each day they are consumed with food, water....how to pay for school, get ahead....these daily needs keep them in the moment. With this struggle comes beauty....simplicity. Hard to really imagine this I think....we equate struggle with pain and suffering....I am learning instead the benefits and long term benefits of it....we grow, we see...we feel.
I just finished reading the Time magazine article by Bob Geldof (is he single?)on Bush's visit to Africa. I knew before that Bush has given more to Africa than ony other world leader EVER. I knew the staggering numbers associated to this money...for example, in 2003 50,000 Africans were on HIV antiretroviral drugs...today 1.3 are receiving medicines for free. 1.5 are getting Malaria and TB meds...for free. The US contributes 50% of all food aid. One of his quotes in this article was "US solutions should not be imposed on African leaders" But that is where my "kicking and screaming" judgemental side kicked in....I wondered...isn't this true of Iraq too? Deep breath...calm...appreciate the good he has done, think about the future Presidents potential to continue to do good work here. The not judging thing is something I am working on....it's a process right?
Peace and musings from my net.
Sarah
I just finished reading the Time magazine article by Bob Geldof (is he single?)on Bush's visit to Africa. I knew before that Bush has given more to Africa than ony other world leader EVER. I knew the staggering numbers associated to this money...for example, in 2003 50,000 Africans were on HIV antiretroviral drugs...today 1.3 are receiving medicines for free. 1.5 are getting Malaria and TB meds...for free. The US contributes 50% of all food aid. One of his quotes in this article was "US solutions should not be imposed on African leaders" But that is where my "kicking and screaming" judgemental side kicked in....I wondered...isn't this true of Iraq too? Deep breath...calm...appreciate the good he has done, think about the future Presidents potential to continue to do good work here. The not judging thing is something I am working on....it's a process right?
Peace and musings from my net.
Sarah
Friday, March 7, 2008
Blog Unrest
First...all....please check out thatskeen.blogspot.com for my friend Sara Wright's reactions to her time here visiting us! She even has pics!
Second....negative comment-er....why? I don't get it....
My mom left tonight...sad to see her go. She has been so open and wonderful this month...we has a great time. Sara leaves early a.m. I am doing my level best to get her to stay!!!
I need to refocus on work and my job here. I am looking forward to getting our next few trips organized. There is a GREAT yoga trip coming in Sept. for anyone interested in a yoga/climb experience. Karen Conter will be leading this trip....she is a smiley positive wonderful human. She would be very fun and inspirational. I think the yoga climb combo will be a great one....more details of that trip coming!
Love to all more later this slow weekend...promise.
Love and Peace
Sarah
Second....negative comment-er....why? I don't get it....
My mom left tonight...sad to see her go. She has been so open and wonderful this month...we has a great time. Sara leaves early a.m. I am doing my level best to get her to stay!!!
I need to refocus on work and my job here. I am looking forward to getting our next few trips organized. There is a GREAT yoga trip coming in Sept. for anyone interested in a yoga/climb experience. Karen Conter will be leading this trip....she is a smiley positive wonderful human. She would be very fun and inspirational. I think the yoga climb combo will be a great one....more details of that trip coming!
Love to all more later this slow weekend...promise.
Love and Peace
Sarah
Monday, March 3, 2008
My Body hates me
Ug...I am lying here in physical pain. Ran the Kili half Marathon yesterday...a glorious not to be missed experience....but today my 42 year old body is reminding me that I just climbed Kili and that she is having NON of this crap. She has advised me to take to my bed....ug.
More later on the amazing experience it was to run 6and a half miles up Kili and 6and a half miles down...all the while being trailed by kids with no shoes but huge grins. I wondered what their impressions of this old white lady running on their streets was??? The course allowed us half runners to view the leaders at several times. They literally flew by going up hill...drawing gasps from teh crowds and other runners. Amazing. The race ended with nell and pearl running with me into the stadium and across the finish line. let me just give you a quick visual....they were the only white kids...barring about 3 others....out of thousands of people...Nell had a Masaai cloth on and Pearl had a sparkly tutu....quite the sight. Love them so much. Ug...gotta go...feel like crap.
More later on the amazing experience it was to run 6and a half miles up Kili and 6and a half miles down...all the while being trailed by kids with no shoes but huge grins. I wondered what their impressions of this old white lady running on their streets was??? The course allowed us half runners to view the leaders at several times. They literally flew by going up hill...drawing gasps from teh crowds and other runners. Amazing. The race ended with nell and pearl running with me into the stadium and across the finish line. let me just give you a quick visual....they were the only white kids...barring about 3 others....out of thousands of people...Nell had a Masaai cloth on and Pearl had a sparkly tutu....quite the sight. Love them so much. Ug...gotta go...feel like crap.
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