THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN ABOUT BENGUELA ANGOLA, A PLACE I WILL SOON CALL HOME!
Article by: Brendan Sainsbury, May 2007
I'm sitting, mosquito repellent in hand, on a near-empty beach in coastal Benguela, Angola's second largest city. I watch two sinewy youths practicing the Brazilian martial art of capoeira, their fluid movements and acrobatic high-kicks blending like a sort of African ballet against the rugged and dramatic backdrop.
Benguela Station
Angola - a country more famous for its landmines than its tourist drawcards - is experiencing something of a cultural renaissance. The national football team is competing for the first time in the World Cup Finals in Germany, the economy is looking up, and the chance of having a safe and memorable adventure in this former cauldron of chaos is now a distinct possibility.
Scarred by years of debilitating warfare, Angola is an isolated and oft-misunderstood traveller's destination, with few outsiders privy to its jaw-dropping scenery and vast cultural riches. But the recent cessation of a three-decade-long civil conflict has ushered in a new era of peace and reconciliation. The country's fledgling tourist industry, coupled with the pioneering efforts of its battling national football team, could soon put the country back on the traveller's map.
Places like Restaurante Escondidinho buzz with young locals practicing the kizombe, Angola's romantic and highly sensuous national dance.
Benguela sits 700 km south of the Angolan capital of Luanda. It was founded by the Portuguese in 1617 and is a former slave port and the erstwhile terminus of the cross-continental Benguela Railway. Spared the worst of a bloody civil war that reduced other inland towns to piles of smouldering rubble, Angola's second city and self-appointed cultural capital is a charming muddle of low-rise apartment blocks and sputtering motorcycles that weave deftly between Benguela's famous crimson acacia trees.
African traditions are strong in Benguela, and the sense of history is palpable, but the real highlight of this diminutive regional capital is not its paint-peeled colonial architecture nor its spectacular beaches but, rather, the Benguelans themselves. They are open and gregarious, with an infectious spirit. Their continued survival in the face of crushing adversity is nothing short of remarkable.
It's not all landmines - a brand new resort hotel near Benguela, Angola
I head slowly north from my spontaneous capoeira-fest towards a sprawling and haphazard fishing village that gives out onto the blustery Atlantic. Swinging inland momentarily I encounter the well-tilled Cavaco River valley, an oasis of green in an otherwise parched and arid desert, and the proverbial bread basket upon which this heavily populated coastal strip so desperately relies.
Cavaco is characterised by patchwork banana plantations and mud-bricked homesteads that nestle like chocolate boxes beneath tall palm trees. It is quintessential Africa at its best, an unending cavalcade of waving children, braying goats and sturdy women in floral wraps who walk to market with bowls of maize balanced on their heads.
The recent cessation of a three-decade-long civil conflict has ushered in a new era of peace and reconciliation.
In town, the attractions are notably less bucolic. Benguela is barely set up for tourism in the modern sense, but nevertheless boasts a handful of reasonable guesthouses, some decent Brazilian-run restaurants and a nascent nightlife. Places like Restaurante Escondidinho buzz with young locals practicing the kizombe, Angola's romantic and highly sensuous national dance.
Festivals are common and religious processions are almost weekly occurrences, but one of the best ways to experience the whole kaleidoscopic panorama of this region is to catch the legendary train from Benguela to its twin port town of Lobito. Rusty old cattle trucks have been hollowed out to accommodate a more lucrative human cargo, and the 30-km journey is a living microcosm of the country at large. It's a disorganised scrum of screaming babies, adolescents hanging nonchalantly from the doorways, and posses of impassive gun-wielding guards snaking their way through the passengers like imposters at a wedding.
The Benguela-Lobito train sometimes resembles a travelling market
Monday, December 17, 2007
update
So I've survived fundraising trip number four!
Barely...
Unfortunately this is not our final trip because we are approx $17,000 dollars below goal. So joy of all joys, it seems as though we'll be back out on the icy pavement in January.
I can't wait!
Truly I can't think of anything I'd love to do more.
Today is VISA preparation day. I'm in North Adams at a coffee shop waiting for a physical so that I can get a letter declaring that I am in good health. The Angolan visa is so difficult. It's taken so long to schedule all of our tests and paper work. At least Tamika and I were able to get our criminal record reports earlier today, so hopefully we're on the right track and will be saying tchau to the US very very very soon.
Our final day of fundraising in Boston was a bust. Tons of people were on the streets but nobody felt the need to stop or donate any money. Shopping was first and foremost in every ones mind. The people in both Boston and Cambridge were extremely rude and snotty. I think we made only $60 dollars on Saturday there. Yep,, it sucked.
Yesterday, on a up note was fantastic. We had yet another winter storm which dumped snow on our mountain to the extent that we couldn't fundraise or do anything so Tamika and I stayed in our warm little room and watched movies all day.
Our film festival included :
St. Elimo's Fire
Children of a Lesser God
Bridget Jones' Diary
and
A Fish Called Wanda
Yes, our choices are somewhat limited considering we have an old VCR player and can only chose movies from the IICD video library. This afternoon and into the evening we will resume our film festivities.
Ok, it's cold!
Barely...
Unfortunately this is not our final trip because we are approx $17,000 dollars below goal. So joy of all joys, it seems as though we'll be back out on the icy pavement in January.
I can't wait!
Truly I can't think of anything I'd love to do more.
Today is VISA preparation day. I'm in North Adams at a coffee shop waiting for a physical so that I can get a letter declaring that I am in good health. The Angolan visa is so difficult. It's taken so long to schedule all of our tests and paper work. At least Tamika and I were able to get our criminal record reports earlier today, so hopefully we're on the right track and will be saying tchau to the US very very very soon.
Our final day of fundraising in Boston was a bust. Tons of people were on the streets but nobody felt the need to stop or donate any money. Shopping was first and foremost in every ones mind. The people in both Boston and Cambridge were extremely rude and snotty. I think we made only $60 dollars on Saturday there. Yep,, it sucked.
Yesterday, on a up note was fantastic. We had yet another winter storm which dumped snow on our mountain to the extent that we couldn't fundraise or do anything so Tamika and I stayed in our warm little room and watched movies all day.
Our film festival included :
St. Elimo's Fire
Children of a Lesser God
Bridget Jones' Diary
and
A Fish Called Wanda
Yes, our choices are somewhat limited considering we have an old VCR player and can only chose movies from the IICD video library. This afternoon and into the evening we will resume our film festivities.
Ok, it's cold!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
BLIZZARD!!!!!!!!!!!
The snow won't stop falling.
It really won't stop!
Let's recap the day...
We began with a team meeting at 9am in the Bella Vista common room. After a long discussion regarding an impending storm we decide not to go to Boston because a severe snow advisory had be posted. Our supervisor walks in and asks us why we're not going to Boston, we explain that going to Boston today would be risky. After getting a lecture about the importance of fundraising we are told that we must go out today. We decided to go to Albany again since that city only had a snow advisory, not a severe snow advisory.
So according to the national weather service, the snow was supposed to fall by noon and would be heaviest between four and six. We decided we would head into Albany (40 mins) and then leave Albany by 3pm to be back on the mountain before the severe snow. Our supervisor was not happy that we were cutting fundraising short, but that was the plan because clearly we were the only people looking after our own best interests and well being.
We head out. All is well. The roads are clear, we are talking and making plans, then suddenly and without warning, the sky turns dark and snow begins to blow everywhere. The wind is getting crazy, the snow is accumulating and it isn't even eleven am. By the time we skid into Albany, there is already a few inches of snow. The snow is falling steadily. Not a good start!
We break off into teams and begin our door to door/ business to business work. After a few minutes we are all covered in snow. I had snow accumulation on my eyebrows, above my lip, on my eyelashes and I was soaking wet. I had on two shirts, two sweatshirts and a coat and I was wet. I had on a pair of pajama pants, a pair of sweat pants and some jeans and I was wet. We were all soaked and we couldn't figure out what was going on.
Finally, after all of the stores started closing (about an hour into our fundraising and only fifteen dollars later) we decided to head home. At this point there is about a foot of accumulation and beneath the snow, was ice, lots and lots and lots of ice. Cars were spinning out around us, the sky was dark, there was fog, the wind was blowing and we couldn't see, I'm talking zero visibility. All around us cars are pulled off to the side of the road, trucks are stuck, buses are stuck, it's chaos. Then we slide of of the road and get stuck.
Tamika is driving and the rest of us get out to push. It takes so long because we have no tread, we are pushing a van on ice. It's terrible. But miracle of miracles the van gets unstuck and we get back in and continue on our fateful journey.
We are on interstate 90, and as we drive underneath an overpass a huge avalanche of snow from a plow above comes down. This causes a white out which causes people to swerve and panic. A nasty accident unfolds directly in front of us. Two cars, collide and fall off of the side of the road onto a shoulder, but we couldn't stop because we'd get stuck so we kept on going.
A few moments later, rounding a steep curve (we are going maybe 15 mph) we spin out and we are just twirling and zig zagging and luckily we stay on the road and there were no other cars around us. So we continue.
By now, we have driven for about three hours and we're still in New York and the windshield wipers are frozen and our windshield is frozen and Tamika has her head out the window as we drive and I've got my hand out the window trying to de-snow and de-ice the windshield. It's just too much and we decided we can't handle it anymore.
We pull into a gas station and call our supervisor to see if we can get a ride. We are told no and that we would get a call back. We wait ten minutes, nobody has called, we call again and we are told that they are unable to make it down the driveway of the mountain to get us. We're all fuming, but have no choice but to continue on our unsafe path.
We get back on the road, we're driving extremely slowly and it takes us about thirty more minutes to get back to the base of the mountain. As soon as we pull off of route 43 onto the driveway we spin into a snow bank and get stuck. So out we go again, pushing and pulling and heaving and hoeing and nothing. We give up. Once again the car would be abandoned for the morning.
Eventually, after three out of five of us call consecutively to request assistance, we are picked up at the bottom of the mountain and driven to the top and are asked "oh, it's not really that bad out there is it?"
We were fuming.
This place is getting too crazy for me. I can't wait to break for Christmas. Three more days of fundraising left, three more days!
Just put my ticket to Angola in my hands and let me be off!!!!!!
It really won't stop!
Let's recap the day...
We began with a team meeting at 9am in the Bella Vista common room. After a long discussion regarding an impending storm we decide not to go to Boston because a severe snow advisory had be posted. Our supervisor walks in and asks us why we're not going to Boston, we explain that going to Boston today would be risky. After getting a lecture about the importance of fundraising we are told that we must go out today. We decided to go to Albany again since that city only had a snow advisory, not a severe snow advisory.
So according to the national weather service, the snow was supposed to fall by noon and would be heaviest between four and six. We decided we would head into Albany (40 mins) and then leave Albany by 3pm to be back on the mountain before the severe snow. Our supervisor was not happy that we were cutting fundraising short, but that was the plan because clearly we were the only people looking after our own best interests and well being.
We head out. All is well. The roads are clear, we are talking and making plans, then suddenly and without warning, the sky turns dark and snow begins to blow everywhere. The wind is getting crazy, the snow is accumulating and it isn't even eleven am. By the time we skid into Albany, there is already a few inches of snow. The snow is falling steadily. Not a good start!
We break off into teams and begin our door to door/ business to business work. After a few minutes we are all covered in snow. I had snow accumulation on my eyebrows, above my lip, on my eyelashes and I was soaking wet. I had on two shirts, two sweatshirts and a coat and I was wet. I had on a pair of pajama pants, a pair of sweat pants and some jeans and I was wet. We were all soaked and we couldn't figure out what was going on.
Finally, after all of the stores started closing (about an hour into our fundraising and only fifteen dollars later) we decided to head home. At this point there is about a foot of accumulation and beneath the snow, was ice, lots and lots and lots of ice. Cars were spinning out around us, the sky was dark, there was fog, the wind was blowing and we couldn't see, I'm talking zero visibility. All around us cars are pulled off to the side of the road, trucks are stuck, buses are stuck, it's chaos. Then we slide of of the road and get stuck.
Tamika is driving and the rest of us get out to push. It takes so long because we have no tread, we are pushing a van on ice. It's terrible. But miracle of miracles the van gets unstuck and we get back in and continue on our fateful journey.
We are on interstate 90, and as we drive underneath an overpass a huge avalanche of snow from a plow above comes down. This causes a white out which causes people to swerve and panic. A nasty accident unfolds directly in front of us. Two cars, collide and fall off of the side of the road onto a shoulder, but we couldn't stop because we'd get stuck so we kept on going.
A few moments later, rounding a steep curve (we are going maybe 15 mph) we spin out and we are just twirling and zig zagging and luckily we stay on the road and there were no other cars around us. So we continue.
By now, we have driven for about three hours and we're still in New York and the windshield wipers are frozen and our windshield is frozen and Tamika has her head out the window as we drive and I've got my hand out the window trying to de-snow and de-ice the windshield. It's just too much and we decided we can't handle it anymore.
We pull into a gas station and call our supervisor to see if we can get a ride. We are told no and that we would get a call back. We wait ten minutes, nobody has called, we call again and we are told that they are unable to make it down the driveway of the mountain to get us. We're all fuming, but have no choice but to continue on our unsafe path.
We get back on the road, we're driving extremely slowly and it takes us about thirty more minutes to get back to the base of the mountain. As soon as we pull off of route 43 onto the driveway we spin into a snow bank and get stuck. So out we go again, pushing and pulling and heaving and hoeing and nothing. We give up. Once again the car would be abandoned for the morning.
Eventually, after three out of five of us call consecutively to request assistance, we are picked up at the bottom of the mountain and driven to the top and are asked "oh, it's not really that bad out there is it?"
We were fuming.
This place is getting too crazy for me. I can't wait to break for Christmas. Three more days of fundraising left, three more days!
Just put my ticket to Angola in my hands and let me be off!!!!!!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
prrrrrrrrrrrr....
We have the most beautiful starry night today. Walking up the cold mountainside, it was hard to be bitter because the sky was so beautiful. I even caught a glimpse of a shooting star.
We were trail blazers today! So sick of inching up the icy mountainside we created our own path through the woods. It was dark, it was cold, there was a stream that we almost fell into, but we made it and we didn't slip or fall.
And now, I am in a warm lodge with a cat purring on my lap
;0)
bliss....
We were trail blazers today! So sick of inching up the icy mountainside we created our own path through the woods. It was dark, it was cold, there was a stream that we almost fell into, but we made it and we didn't slip or fall.
And now, I am in a warm lodge with a cat purring on my lap
;0)
bliss....
um hum...
Day number two of internet on the mountain :0)
Day number two of taking an ice cold shower first thing in the morning ;0(
With every victory comes defeat!
Today we will go to Albany, New York to fundraise door to door. First we are all scheduled to receive hiv/aids tests at a free clinic outside of Albany so that we may apply for our visas to Angola. Angolan visas are very difficult to obtain. We have a long list of things that we must do in order to be able to apply.
We are still in the middle of a massive ice storm. Last night, we pulled our white van approx one foot up the 1/2 mile mountain driveway expanse before it gave out and began spinning back onto the street. We were all so tired from fundraising that we just got out and left it. It took us so long to work our way up the mountain. The path was pure ice. Imagine walking on ice in slippers at a 90 degree incline, that's what it was like. We were all holding hands. I was the first to fall. I took two steps outside of the van and landed flat on my face in the snow and ice, it was fantastic!
We called for back-up to see if anyone with four wheel drive could drive down to get us and no-one could make it down the mountain. So we were left to our own devices, or left for dead depending on your perspective. Luckily, after twenty minutes of inching forward, arms linked in a human chain, with hail striking at us like missiles from the sky, our director pulled up in her jeep and was able to drive us the rest of the way up the mountain.
Everyday is a new adventure!
Today, who knows?
After the traumatizing events of last night, I had a dream. I hardly ever remember my dreams, but this one was vivid. Tamika, Makiko and I were in an unspecified country in Africa. Somehow we were all together without any luggage in a massive airport terminal where nobody spoke English, Portuguese or Japanese and there were no signs so none of us could communicate. Then we were outside on this long dusty road. It was hot and windy, red dust was everywhere. We didn't know what to do so we walked and walked and walked. Finally a person tells us to turn right at the bush and we're like what bush? Then there is an enormous tumbleweed-like biblical bush and we turn right. Right in front of us is a small hut. We enter and a lady is inside, she welcomes us to our project and takes us to a tiny dark room with one window and two cots and says this is where you'll be staying and disappears. We all look at each other and she leaves. Makiko and Tamika claim the two cots as I stand staring at the window that has no screen. What about me? I ask and they say, oh you'll sleep on the floor. What! There are scorpions, I'm not sleeping on the floor in the bush! So they push the rickety, dusty cots together and the three of us hop on and stare at each other. There is no screen in the window, we're going to die of malaria Tamika states matter of factly and then the dream was over.
Yep!
Good times!!!!!!
Day number two of taking an ice cold shower first thing in the morning ;0(
With every victory comes defeat!
Today we will go to Albany, New York to fundraise door to door. First we are all scheduled to receive hiv/aids tests at a free clinic outside of Albany so that we may apply for our visas to Angola. Angolan visas are very difficult to obtain. We have a long list of things that we must do in order to be able to apply.
We are still in the middle of a massive ice storm. Last night, we pulled our white van approx one foot up the 1/2 mile mountain driveway expanse before it gave out and began spinning back onto the street. We were all so tired from fundraising that we just got out and left it. It took us so long to work our way up the mountain. The path was pure ice. Imagine walking on ice in slippers at a 90 degree incline, that's what it was like. We were all holding hands. I was the first to fall. I took two steps outside of the van and landed flat on my face in the snow and ice, it was fantastic!
We called for back-up to see if anyone with four wheel drive could drive down to get us and no-one could make it down the mountain. So we were left to our own devices, or left for dead depending on your perspective. Luckily, after twenty minutes of inching forward, arms linked in a human chain, with hail striking at us like missiles from the sky, our director pulled up in her jeep and was able to drive us the rest of the way up the mountain.
Everyday is a new adventure!
Today, who knows?
After the traumatizing events of last night, I had a dream. I hardly ever remember my dreams, but this one was vivid. Tamika, Makiko and I were in an unspecified country in Africa. Somehow we were all together without any luggage in a massive airport terminal where nobody spoke English, Portuguese or Japanese and there were no signs so none of us could communicate. Then we were outside on this long dusty road. It was hot and windy, red dust was everywhere. We didn't know what to do so we walked and walked and walked. Finally a person tells us to turn right at the bush and we're like what bush? Then there is an enormous tumbleweed-like biblical bush and we turn right. Right in front of us is a small hut. We enter and a lady is inside, she welcomes us to our project and takes us to a tiny dark room with one window and two cots and says this is where you'll be staying and disappears. We all look at each other and she leaves. Makiko and Tamika claim the two cots as I stand staring at the window that has no screen. What about me? I ask and they say, oh you'll sleep on the floor. What! There are scorpions, I'm not sleeping on the floor in the bush! So they push the rickety, dusty cots together and the three of us hop on and stare at each other. There is no screen in the window, we're going to die of malaria Tamika states matter of factly and then the dream was over.
Yep!
Good times!!!!!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
stormy weather, just can't get my poor self together....
I woke up this morning to the sweet smell of sewage
the septic tank (located near my door)
has had a malfunction.
I'm not sure how much more free-spirited humor is left in my frozen system.
Once again, we are in the midst of an ice-storm. The dogs were sliding all over the place this morning.
We'll head into Bennington, Vermont today, Albany tomorrow and then Boston for the week-end. That is if the weather permits. We've got a new plan. Hopefully one that will bring in enough money to sustain our projects in Africa.
the septic tank (located near my door)
has had a malfunction.
I'm not sure how much more free-spirited humor is left in my frozen system.
Once again, we are in the midst of an ice-storm. The dogs were sliding all over the place this morning.
We'll head into Bennington, Vermont today, Albany tomorrow and then Boston for the week-end. That is if the weather permits. We've got a new plan. Hopefully one that will bring in enough money to sustain our projects in Africa.
Monday, December 10, 2007
is this hell is this hell is this hell is this hell that i'm feelin???
My fingers are stiff purple sticks as I type this. It’s FREEZING! Really.
I just finished my six hour shift standing in the freezing cold on North street in Pittsfeild Mass.
Nope, I didn’t make goal today. None of us did or even came close for that matter.
We are in the middle of an ice storm.
I opened my front door today, took a step and slid right off of my porch about three feet and came to a natural slow halt.
It then took me 15 minutes to make it about twenty feet to the dining hall.
Where I could, I walked over icy snow that cracked beneath my steps. The dogs were sliding all over the place. Everything was frozen. I literally had to crawl on my hands and knees over one particularly icy patch. All this just to get breakfast.
After breakfast we slid down our half mile long driveway, narrowly missing trees, and headed into Pittsfeild to have a questionable day of street fundraising.
There were like five people out and about today and there were four of us standing on the street trying to collect money. You can do the math.
Once again, I had encounters with outpatients from the mental health clinic across the street from where I was attempting to fundraise. We were all just standing out there chatting it up. Me because, well, I had no other place to go and couldn’t get away, and they, well, who knows why the chose to yammer on and on at me?
I am so sick of fundraising.
Five days left to go until this is all over (theoretically), I hope we make it!
I just finished my six hour shift standing in the freezing cold on North street in Pittsfeild Mass.
Nope, I didn’t make goal today. None of us did or even came close for that matter.
We are in the middle of an ice storm.
I opened my front door today, took a step and slid right off of my porch about three feet and came to a natural slow halt.
It then took me 15 minutes to make it about twenty feet to the dining hall.
Where I could, I walked over icy snow that cracked beneath my steps. The dogs were sliding all over the place. Everything was frozen. I literally had to crawl on my hands and knees over one particularly icy patch. All this just to get breakfast.
After breakfast we slid down our half mile long driveway, narrowly missing trees, and headed into Pittsfeild to have a questionable day of street fundraising.
There were like five people out and about today and there were four of us standing on the street trying to collect money. You can do the math.
Once again, I had encounters with outpatients from the mental health clinic across the street from where I was attempting to fundraise. We were all just standing out there chatting it up. Me because, well, I had no other place to go and couldn’t get away, and they, well, who knows why the chose to yammer on and on at me?
I am so sick of fundraising.
Five days left to go until this is all over (theoretically), I hope we make it!
Friday, December 7, 2007
bom dia
bom dia
is it???
freezing cold today
woke up
did my yoga
tried to take a shower
the pipes were frozen
i took an ice cold shower
in a bathroom with no heat
just to go outside into the 15 degree air
i am ready for fundraising to be over
i am ready to go home for christmas
A.S.A.P.!
is it???
freezing cold today
woke up
did my yoga
tried to take a shower
the pipes were frozen
i took an ice cold shower
in a bathroom with no heat
just to go outside into the 15 degree air
i am ready for fundraising to be over
i am ready to go home for christmas
A.S.A.P.!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
no money blues!
It's freezing cold. We're in a cafe in Pittsfeild MA. Fundraising is not going well today. We spent the entire day going business to business and door to door and we haven't even made one hundred dollars. It is so difficult fundraising during the holiday season; almost everyone says they don't have the money to contribute, as if we are asking for hundreds of dollars. If everyone just gave a dollar or a quarter, how much better things would be.
Even pennies are magical.
Even pennies are magical.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Ribit!
Today was a much better fundraising day. We hit Northampton again and I must admit I like the town. The people are super friendly and approachable. And wonder of all wonders, my can was full of MONEY!!!!!
I did encounter some crazies though (of course). On the up side, they kept me company on the freezing street corner so it wasn't too bad.
One guy swore he knew me from a bar in Williamstown circa 1979. I kept telling him that I was born in 1979 but it did no good. The man was convinced he knew me from "back in the day"????
Another man kept calling me Kermit, as in the frog???? What could I do, Kermit it was, Kermit I am.
Rrrriiiiibbbbbiiiiittttt!
I did encounter some crazies though (of course). On the up side, they kept me company on the freezing street corner so it wasn't too bad.
One guy swore he knew me from a bar in Williamstown circa 1979. I kept telling him that I was born in 1979 but it did no good. The man was convinced he knew me from "back in the day"????
Another man kept calling me Kermit, as in the frog???? What could I do, Kermit it was, Kermit I am.
Rrrriiiiibbbbbiiiiittttt!
Monday, December 3, 2007
loca loca
LOCA LOCA
YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF THOSE DAYS THAT WAS TOO CRAZY TO EVEN SEEM REAL. BUT IT WAS. AND I AM SO TIRED. BUT I WILL TELL THE STORY.
SO YESTERDAY WAS OUR FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF FUNDRAISING. IT BEGAN SIMPLY ENOUGH. MAKIKO, ALEXANDRE, ANSELMO, TAMIKA AND I HAD A PLAN. THE PLAN WAS SIMPLE. WE WERE TO GO TO WILLIAMSTOWN FOR A FEW HOURS TO FUNDRAISE DOOR-TO-DOOR AND BUSINESS TO BUSINESS. WE HAD A PERMIT, BUT WE HAD TO STOP IN AND VERIFY OUR PERMIT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE COULDN'T INDEED FUNDRAISE IN WILLIAMSTOWN AND THAT WE NEEDED TO COME BACK ON MONDAY TO SPEAK WITH THE SECRETARY WHO WOULD FINGERPRINT US, TAKE OUR PICTURES AND DO A FULL CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK SO THAT WE COULD FUNDRAISE. CRESTFALLEN WE HAD TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER PLAN.
WE DECIDED TO DRIVE AND HOUR AND A HALF INTO MASS TOWARDS NORTHAMPTON WHERE WE FUNDRAISED BRIEFLY THE DAY BEFORE ON WORLD AIDS DAY. SO WE ARE DRIVING AND WE DON’T HAVE A COPY OF THE DIRECTIONS BECAUSE WE WEREN’T PLANNING TO GO THERE AND WE THOUGHT WE REMEMBERED THE WAY BUT TWO HOURS LATER WE WERE IN CONNECTICUT. WE TRY AGAIN, IT IS ANNOUNCED ON THE RADIO THAT THERE IS A SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT. WE BECOME NERVOUS.
WE CONTINUE TO DRIVE, I AM HUNGRY, I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM, THE GAS IS LOW. THERE ARE NO GAS STATIONS. WE ARE DRIVING THROUGH SMALL TOWN AFTER EVEN SMALLER TOWN ON A SUNDAY AND ALL OF THE RINKY DINK GAS STATIONS ARE CLOSED. THE GAS LIGHT BEGINS TO BLINK AND MAKE AN OMINOUS NOISE. WE ARE ALL PANICKING. I REALLY HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AND JUST AS THE CAR BEGINS TO PUTTER, WE SEE A CITGO AND WE ARE SAVED FOR THE MOMENT.
WE GET GAS, WE PEE, WE GRAB SNACKS AND WE ARE ON OUR WAY. WE MAKE IT INTO NORTHAMPTON IN TIME TO FUNDRAISE FOR TWENTY MINUTES BECAUSE IT’S A SUNDAY AND EVERYTHING CLOSES EARLY. AFTER FUNDRAISING FOR TWENTY MINUTES AND MAKING TWO DOLLARS WE DECIDED TO TRY TO FUNDRAISE SOME FOOD BEFORE HEADING BACK HOME. WE GO FROM SHOP TO SHOP AND WE ARE DENIED FREE FOOD. WE GET TO A CHINESE RESTAURANT. I SAY THE SPIEL, THE MAN LISTENS INTENTLY. I THINK I’VE MADE A CONNECTION, WE ARE ALL ANTICIPATING THE BIG YES, WHEN SUDDENLY THE MAN BEGINS TO SCREAM. “WHAT WHAT WHAT YOU WANT???” TAMIKA COMES UP TO HELP ME FOR BACK UP. WE TRY TO EXPLAIN THAT WE ARE WITH A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND THAT WE WANT FREE DINER BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE A FOOD BUDGET AND THAT WE WILL GIVE THEM A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT IN EXCHANGE FOR A MEAL. THE MAN GRUNTS AND HANDS US A TEN DOLLAR GIFT RECEIPT. WE ARE CONFUSED, THERE ARE FIVE OF US, BUT WE THANK HIM AND STEP OUTSIDE TO VIEW THE MENU TO SEE WHAT TEN DOLLARS WOULD GET FIVE PEOPLE…
EGGROLLS.
WE COULD GET FIVE EGGROLLS. WE GO BACK IN AND ORDER FIVE EGGROLLS, TWO VEGETARIAN AND THREE REGULAR. A LADY FILLS OUR ORDER AND WE WAIT FOR OUR FOOD. THEN THE MANAGER RETURNS. “CAN I HELP YOU??” “OH WE JUST CAME TO USE OUR GIFT RECEIPT” I TRY TO EXPLAIN. THE MAN BEGINS TO SCREAM ONCE AGAIN AND IS CAUSING A SCENE. CUSTOMERS BEGIN TO LOOK AT US. “WHAT I THOUGHT YOU WERE A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, YOU ARE USING THE CARD, I THOUGHT IT WAS FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION,” EVERYONE IN THE RESTAURANT IS LOOKING AT US LIKE WE’RE CROOKS. TAMIKA TRIES TO EXPLAIN AND THE MAN BECOMES EVEN MORE IRATE. “WE CAME IN TO ASK FOR A FOOD DONATION FOR US, SO WE COULD EAT DINNER” I KEPT REPEATING. FINALLY HE GOT IT. CALMED DOWN. AND TOLD US OUR ORDER WOULD BE OUT IN A MOMENT. EVERYONE IN THE SMALL RESTAURANT CONTINUED TO STARE AT US. WE GET OUR EGGROLLS AND BOUNCE!
WE ARE DRIVING AND IT BEGINS TO SNOW. THE ROAD IS SLICK. WE ARE SLIDING. I’M DRIVING A RENTAL CAR. I CAN’T FIGURE OUT HOW TO HEAT THE WINDSHIELD. ICE IS FORMING ON THE WINDSHIELD. I CAN’T SEE PROPERLY. WE ARE SLIPPING. THE WINTER STORM ADVISORY IS ON EVERY STATION. I FINALLY FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THE BRIGHTS AND TAMIKA FIGURES OUT HOW TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. WE ARE DRIVING. GOOD MUSIC IS PLAYING. WE ARE SINGING AND LAUGHING AND JOKING.
I NARROWLY MISS HITTING A SMALL UNIDENTIFIABLE ANIMAL. BUT ALL IS WELL. AS WE GET CLOSER TO OUR MOUNTAIN, WE DECIDE THAT WE WILL DRIVE THE CAR 1/2 MILE UP THE HILL (AS WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED NOT TO DO IN THE SNOW) BECAUSE WE ALL WANTED TO GRAB OUR LAPTOPS AND GO INTO TOWN TO CHECK THE INTERNET. IT TAKES 20 MINUTES TO WALK UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. THE CAR WAS HANDLING WELL. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GOOD IDEA. I BEGIN TO DRIVE UP THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. ALL IS WELL. SUDDENLY AS SOON AS I ANNOUNCE THAT DRIVING UP THE MOUNTAIN IS EASY THE CAR SPINS OUT.
PANIC!!!!!!
THE CAR, THE RENTAL CAR WITH THE FIVE OF US IN IT IS SLIDING BACKWARDS DOWN A VERY STEEP AND WINDY MOUNTAIN SIDE. IT SPUN OUT AND STOPPED. WE WERE ALL SILENT. I TRIED TO DRIVE BACK UP BUT I WAS STUCK.
EVERYONE JUMPS OUT EXCEPT ME. MIND YOU OUR TWO MEN WERE FROM BRAZIL AND MOZAMBIQUE AND HAD NO EXPERIENCE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, YET THEY WERE MEN, AND MEN ALWAYS THINK THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THESE SITUATIONS. SO THUS BEGAN THE TWO-HOUR TANGO THAT BECAME OUR STRUGGLE UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.
OUR FIRST TACTIC WAS TO GET THE CAR UP. I TRIED NEUTRAL, I TRIED ONE AND TWO. NOTHING! PEOPLE WERE SCREAMING IN PORTUGUESE AND ENGLISH AND I WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL PANICKING. I WAS TOLD TO TURN MY WHEELS TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT BUT THE BACK WHEELS WEREN’T WORKING AT ALL.
NEW TACTIC.
DOWN THE HILL. TAMIKA BEGAN TO CONTROL THE SITUATION. THE MEN WERE MAKING NO SENSE. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AS DIRECTED AND BEGAN TO BACK THE CAR SLOWLY. ANSELMO AND ALEXANDRE GUIDED THE BACK OF THE CAR. PROGRESS WAS GAINED AND THEN LOST. THE WHEELS SPUN AND SCREECHED. THEN, ANSELMO, HAD THE BRIGHT IDEA TO GATHER TALL WEEDS FROM THE FOREST TO PUT UNDER ALL FOUR WHEELS TO PROVIDE TRACTION. EVERYONE LEAVES ME AND RUNS INTO THE WOODS TO GATHER WEEDS.
THE TIRES HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY WEEDS AND STILL THEY DON’T WORK. SUDDENLY I HEAR TAMIKA SAY. WE CAN’T HAVE HER DRIVE ANYMORE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL SLIDE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. WHAT I SAY?? ARE YOU ALL TRYING TO KILL ME? I’M IN THE CAR, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE ME SLIDE DOWN THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN.
NO DON’T WORRY THEY ALL SAY. WE’LL SUPPORT THE CAR, JUST CUT THE WHEELS THIS WAY AND BACK UP SLOWLY AND WE’LL DIRECT THE CAR. I REFUSE.
I’M THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DRIVE THOUGH SO EVENTUALLY I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO COMPLY WITH THEIR PLAN.
WE TANGO, UP AND DOWN, BACK AND FORTH AND FINALLY. I AM ABLE TO GET UNSTUCK AND TOGETHER, I AM DRIVING AS EVERYONE IS PUSHING THE CAR. WE MAKE IT DOWN THE HILL AND PARK THE HEINOUS VEHICLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ROAD OFF OF ROUTE 43.
NOW WE HAVE THE FUN TASK OF CLIMBING BACK UP THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. IN THE SNOW AND ICE. WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED.
WE MAKE IT THOUGH AND HEAD TO THE CAFETERIA FOR DINNER. DINNER AT EIGHT! WE TAKE OUT THE EGGROLLS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO FUNDRAISE AND IT TURNS OUT THERE WERE NO VEGETARIAN ROLLS AT ALL. I FOUND THIS OUT AS I BIT INTO MINE. THE FIRST FEW BITES WERE FINE. THEN SUDDENLY I HIT PORK. PINK NASTY PORK, A VEGETARIANS NIGHTMARE. SO THE WORST PART COMES NEXT. WE HAVE A WOMAN ON THE MOUNTAIN WHOM I WILL REFER TO AS C SHE’S OUR RESIDENT CRAZY AND SHE’S ALSO A STRICT VEGETARIAN. SHE WANDERS OVER TO OUR TABLE. “OH YOU HAVE FOOD”. YES BUT THERE IS MEAT IN IT I SAY. SHE DOESN’T HEAR OR UNDERSTAND ME AND TAKES ONE. “NO C, THERE IS MEAT IN THE EGGROLL, DON’T …” I’TS TOO LATE SHE HAS TAKEN A BITE AND TO MY HORROR SHE CLOSES HER EYES, SWAYS FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND SAYS MMMMMM…
IT’S TOO MUCH; I CAN’T CONTAIN MYSELF AND BEGIN TO SQUEAL AND SHRIEK WITH LAUGHTER. MAKIKO AND TAMIKA ARE KICKING ME FROM UNDER THE TABLE. IT’S NO USE. I AM OUT OF CONTROL.
“WHAT IS IT? WHAT’S THE MATTER?? IT’S THE MOON YOU ARE CRAZY BECAUSE OF THE MOON,” SHE SAYS BEFORE GRABBING ANOTHER EGGROLL.
I REMOVED MYSELF FROM THE ROOM QUICKLY BEFORE I WET MY PANTS AND STUMBLED HOME IN THE SNOW, COLD, WET, HUNGRY AND EXTREMELY AMUSED.
YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF THOSE DAYS THAT WAS TOO CRAZY TO EVEN SEEM REAL. BUT IT WAS. AND I AM SO TIRED. BUT I WILL TELL THE STORY.
SO YESTERDAY WAS OUR FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF FUNDRAISING. IT BEGAN SIMPLY ENOUGH. MAKIKO, ALEXANDRE, ANSELMO, TAMIKA AND I HAD A PLAN. THE PLAN WAS SIMPLE. WE WERE TO GO TO WILLIAMSTOWN FOR A FEW HOURS TO FUNDRAISE DOOR-TO-DOOR AND BUSINESS TO BUSINESS. WE HAD A PERMIT, BUT WE HAD TO STOP IN AND VERIFY OUR PERMIT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE WERE TOLD THAT WE COULDN'T INDEED FUNDRAISE IN WILLIAMSTOWN AND THAT WE NEEDED TO COME BACK ON MONDAY TO SPEAK WITH THE SECRETARY WHO WOULD FINGERPRINT US, TAKE OUR PICTURES AND DO A FULL CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK SO THAT WE COULD FUNDRAISE. CRESTFALLEN WE HAD TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER PLAN.
WE DECIDED TO DRIVE AND HOUR AND A HALF INTO MASS TOWARDS NORTHAMPTON WHERE WE FUNDRAISED BRIEFLY THE DAY BEFORE ON WORLD AIDS DAY. SO WE ARE DRIVING AND WE DON’T HAVE A COPY OF THE DIRECTIONS BECAUSE WE WEREN’T PLANNING TO GO THERE AND WE THOUGHT WE REMEMBERED THE WAY BUT TWO HOURS LATER WE WERE IN CONNECTICUT. WE TRY AGAIN, IT IS ANNOUNCED ON THE RADIO THAT THERE IS A SNOW ADVISORY IN EFFECT. WE BECOME NERVOUS.
WE CONTINUE TO DRIVE, I AM HUNGRY, I HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM, THE GAS IS LOW. THERE ARE NO GAS STATIONS. WE ARE DRIVING THROUGH SMALL TOWN AFTER EVEN SMALLER TOWN ON A SUNDAY AND ALL OF THE RINKY DINK GAS STATIONS ARE CLOSED. THE GAS LIGHT BEGINS TO BLINK AND MAKE AN OMINOUS NOISE. WE ARE ALL PANICKING. I REALLY HAVE TO GO TO THE BATHROOM AND JUST AS THE CAR BEGINS TO PUTTER, WE SEE A CITGO AND WE ARE SAVED FOR THE MOMENT.
WE GET GAS, WE PEE, WE GRAB SNACKS AND WE ARE ON OUR WAY. WE MAKE IT INTO NORTHAMPTON IN TIME TO FUNDRAISE FOR TWENTY MINUTES BECAUSE IT’S A SUNDAY AND EVERYTHING CLOSES EARLY. AFTER FUNDRAISING FOR TWENTY MINUTES AND MAKING TWO DOLLARS WE DECIDED TO TRY TO FUNDRAISE SOME FOOD BEFORE HEADING BACK HOME. WE GO FROM SHOP TO SHOP AND WE ARE DENIED FREE FOOD. WE GET TO A CHINESE RESTAURANT. I SAY THE SPIEL, THE MAN LISTENS INTENTLY. I THINK I’VE MADE A CONNECTION, WE ARE ALL ANTICIPATING THE BIG YES, WHEN SUDDENLY THE MAN BEGINS TO SCREAM. “WHAT WHAT WHAT YOU WANT???” TAMIKA COMES UP TO HELP ME FOR BACK UP. WE TRY TO EXPLAIN THAT WE ARE WITH A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND THAT WE WANT FREE DINER BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE A FOOD BUDGET AND THAT WE WILL GIVE THEM A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT IN EXCHANGE FOR A MEAL. THE MAN GRUNTS AND HANDS US A TEN DOLLAR GIFT RECEIPT. WE ARE CONFUSED, THERE ARE FIVE OF US, BUT WE THANK HIM AND STEP OUTSIDE TO VIEW THE MENU TO SEE WHAT TEN DOLLARS WOULD GET FIVE PEOPLE…
EGGROLLS.
WE COULD GET FIVE EGGROLLS. WE GO BACK IN AND ORDER FIVE EGGROLLS, TWO VEGETARIAN AND THREE REGULAR. A LADY FILLS OUR ORDER AND WE WAIT FOR OUR FOOD. THEN THE MANAGER RETURNS. “CAN I HELP YOU??” “OH WE JUST CAME TO USE OUR GIFT RECEIPT” I TRY TO EXPLAIN. THE MAN BEGINS TO SCREAM ONCE AGAIN AND IS CAUSING A SCENE. CUSTOMERS BEGIN TO LOOK AT US. “WHAT I THOUGHT YOU WERE A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, YOU ARE USING THE CARD, I THOUGHT IT WAS FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION,” EVERYONE IN THE RESTAURANT IS LOOKING AT US LIKE WE’RE CROOKS. TAMIKA TRIES TO EXPLAIN AND THE MAN BECOMES EVEN MORE IRATE. “WE CAME IN TO ASK FOR A FOOD DONATION FOR US, SO WE COULD EAT DINNER” I KEPT REPEATING. FINALLY HE GOT IT. CALMED DOWN. AND TOLD US OUR ORDER WOULD BE OUT IN A MOMENT. EVERYONE IN THE SMALL RESTAURANT CONTINUED TO STARE AT US. WE GET OUR EGGROLLS AND BOUNCE!
WE ARE DRIVING AND IT BEGINS TO SNOW. THE ROAD IS SLICK. WE ARE SLIDING. I’M DRIVING A RENTAL CAR. I CAN’T FIGURE OUT HOW TO HEAT THE WINDSHIELD. ICE IS FORMING ON THE WINDSHIELD. I CAN’T SEE PROPERLY. WE ARE SLIPPING. THE WINTER STORM ADVISORY IS ON EVERY STATION. I FINALLY FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE THE BRIGHTS AND TAMIKA FIGURES OUT HOW TO DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. WE ARE DRIVING. GOOD MUSIC IS PLAYING. WE ARE SINGING AND LAUGHING AND JOKING.
I NARROWLY MISS HITTING A SMALL UNIDENTIFIABLE ANIMAL. BUT ALL IS WELL. AS WE GET CLOSER TO OUR MOUNTAIN, WE DECIDE THAT WE WILL DRIVE THE CAR 1/2 MILE UP THE HILL (AS WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED NOT TO DO IN THE SNOW) BECAUSE WE ALL WANTED TO GRAB OUR LAPTOPS AND GO INTO TOWN TO CHECK THE INTERNET. IT TAKES 20 MINUTES TO WALK UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. THE CAR WAS HANDLING WELL. IT SOUNDED LIKE A GOOD IDEA. I BEGIN TO DRIVE UP THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. ALL IS WELL. SUDDENLY AS SOON AS I ANNOUNCE THAT DRIVING UP THE MOUNTAIN IS EASY THE CAR SPINS OUT.
PANIC!!!!!!
THE CAR, THE RENTAL CAR WITH THE FIVE OF US IN IT IS SLIDING BACKWARDS DOWN A VERY STEEP AND WINDY MOUNTAIN SIDE. IT SPUN OUT AND STOPPED. WE WERE ALL SILENT. I TRIED TO DRIVE BACK UP BUT I WAS STUCK.
EVERYONE JUMPS OUT EXCEPT ME. MIND YOU OUR TWO MEN WERE FROM BRAZIL AND MOZAMBIQUE AND HAD NO EXPERIENCE DRIVING IN THE SNOW, YET THEY WERE MEN, AND MEN ALWAYS THINK THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THESE SITUATIONS. SO THUS BEGAN THE TWO-HOUR TANGO THAT BECAME OUR STRUGGLE UP AND DOWN THE MOUNTAIN.
OUR FIRST TACTIC WAS TO GET THE CAR UP. I TRIED NEUTRAL, I TRIED ONE AND TWO. NOTHING! PEOPLE WERE SCREAMING IN PORTUGUESE AND ENGLISH AND I WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL PANICKING. I WAS TOLD TO TURN MY WHEELS TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT BUT THE BACK WHEELS WEREN’T WORKING AT ALL.
NEW TACTIC.
DOWN THE HILL. TAMIKA BEGAN TO CONTROL THE SITUATION. THE MEN WERE MAKING NO SENSE. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AS DIRECTED AND BEGAN TO BACK THE CAR SLOWLY. ANSELMO AND ALEXANDRE GUIDED THE BACK OF THE CAR. PROGRESS WAS GAINED AND THEN LOST. THE WHEELS SPUN AND SCREECHED. THEN, ANSELMO, HAD THE BRIGHT IDEA TO GATHER TALL WEEDS FROM THE FOREST TO PUT UNDER ALL FOUR WHEELS TO PROVIDE TRACTION. EVERYONE LEAVES ME AND RUNS INTO THE WOODS TO GATHER WEEDS.
THE TIRES HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY WEEDS AND STILL THEY DON’T WORK. SUDDENLY I HEAR TAMIKA SAY. WE CAN’T HAVE HER DRIVE ANYMORE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL SLIDE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. WHAT I SAY?? ARE YOU ALL TRYING TO KILL ME? I’M IN THE CAR, YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE ME SLIDE DOWN THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN.
NO DON’T WORRY THEY ALL SAY. WE’LL SUPPORT THE CAR, JUST CUT THE WHEELS THIS WAY AND BACK UP SLOWLY AND WE’LL DIRECT THE CAR. I REFUSE.
I’M THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN DRIVE THOUGH SO EVENTUALLY I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO COMPLY WITH THEIR PLAN.
WE TANGO, UP AND DOWN, BACK AND FORTH AND FINALLY. I AM ABLE TO GET UNSTUCK AND TOGETHER, I AM DRIVING AS EVERYONE IS PUSHING THE CAR. WE MAKE IT DOWN THE HILL AND PARK THE HEINOUS VEHICLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ROAD OFF OF ROUTE 43.
NOW WE HAVE THE FUN TASK OF CLIMBING BACK UP THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. IN THE SNOW AND ICE. WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY EXHAUSTED.
WE MAKE IT THOUGH AND HEAD TO THE CAFETERIA FOR DINNER. DINNER AT EIGHT! WE TAKE OUT THE EGGROLLS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO FUNDRAISE AND IT TURNS OUT THERE WERE NO VEGETARIAN ROLLS AT ALL. I FOUND THIS OUT AS I BIT INTO MINE. THE FIRST FEW BITES WERE FINE. THEN SUDDENLY I HIT PORK. PINK NASTY PORK, A VEGETARIANS NIGHTMARE. SO THE WORST PART COMES NEXT. WE HAVE A WOMAN ON THE MOUNTAIN WHOM I WILL REFER TO AS C SHE’S OUR RESIDENT CRAZY AND SHE’S ALSO A STRICT VEGETARIAN. SHE WANDERS OVER TO OUR TABLE. “OH YOU HAVE FOOD”. YES BUT THERE IS MEAT IN IT I SAY. SHE DOESN’T HEAR OR UNDERSTAND ME AND TAKES ONE. “NO C, THERE IS MEAT IN THE EGGROLL, DON’T …” I’TS TOO LATE SHE HAS TAKEN A BITE AND TO MY HORROR SHE CLOSES HER EYES, SWAYS FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND SAYS MMMMMM…
IT’S TOO MUCH; I CAN’T CONTAIN MYSELF AND BEGIN TO SQUEAL AND SHRIEK WITH LAUGHTER. MAKIKO AND TAMIKA ARE KICKING ME FROM UNDER THE TABLE. IT’S NO USE. I AM OUT OF CONTROL.
“WHAT IS IT? WHAT’S THE MATTER?? IT’S THE MOON YOU ARE CRAZY BECAUSE OF THE MOON,” SHE SAYS BEFORE GRABBING ANOTHER EGGROLL.
I REMOVED MYSELF FROM THE ROOM QUICKLY BEFORE I WET MY PANTS AND STUMBLED HOME IN THE SNOW, COLD, WET, HUNGRY AND EXTREMELY AMUSED.
fundraising IV.
Happy be-lated World AIDS Day!
on December 1st, we took to the streets of Northampton, Massachusetts and sold red ribbons. It was pretty successful actually. It was also extremely cold.
Yesterday and today, we haven't had as much luck. We are in the middle of a blizzard in Western Massachusetts. We are driving through ice and snow and slush. Last night, our vehicle got stuck going up the mountain.
This is however, our last fundraising trip and it will be successful, we will make goal!
Friday, November 30, 2007
a long and winding road...
We got in this morning around 5:30am
We left yesterday morning around 10am
You can do the math!
I think i've slept for three solid hours (maybe?)
All was fine with our caravan of five cars until our rickety white jeep broke down on the side of the road in nowhere Ohio. We literally waited for about six hours for triple A to arrive, tow the car to a shop just to hear that we couldn't afford the part that was needed...then we needed to find a cheap part, searched everywhere, found one that couldn't be shipped until Monday, and ended up renting a car do drive four out of the five people back home to the mountain. Poor J.T. has to spend the week-end in a motel in the middle of nowhere Ohio because the car can't be fixed until Monday morning. Then he will drive 12 hours on his own. I don't envy him at all.
It is so nice to be home!
The mountain is empty. Most people are away fundraising. A few of us will stay behind and fundraise in Boston, Massachusetts College Towns, Bennington Vermont and Albany. It will be so nice to be on the mountain in one place for the three weeks before I go to Maryland for Christmas.
Hopefully we'll make goal and this will be our final trip. Two of our team members dropped out of the program, so our fundraising goal is now $12,000.00 lower. I really don't want to fundraise in January and freeze to death.
We will kick off our fundraising efforts tomorrow in North Hampton, Massachusetts, selling red ribbons to commemorate World Aids Day.
Am in town on the Internet because as usual, it doesn't work on the mountain.
And i've got to get to work now!
We left yesterday morning around 10am
You can do the math!
I think i've slept for three solid hours (maybe?)
All was fine with our caravan of five cars until our rickety white jeep broke down on the side of the road in nowhere Ohio. We literally waited for about six hours for triple A to arrive, tow the car to a shop just to hear that we couldn't afford the part that was needed...then we needed to find a cheap part, searched everywhere, found one that couldn't be shipped until Monday, and ended up renting a car do drive four out of the five people back home to the mountain. Poor J.T. has to spend the week-end in a motel in the middle of nowhere Ohio because the car can't be fixed until Monday morning. Then he will drive 12 hours on his own. I don't envy him at all.
It is so nice to be home!
The mountain is empty. Most people are away fundraising. A few of us will stay behind and fundraise in Boston, Massachusetts College Towns, Bennington Vermont and Albany. It will be so nice to be on the mountain in one place for the three weeks before I go to Maryland for Christmas.
Hopefully we'll make goal and this will be our final trip. Two of our team members dropped out of the program, so our fundraising goal is now $12,000.00 lower. I really don't want to fundraise in January and freeze to death.
We will kick off our fundraising efforts tomorrow in North Hampton, Massachusetts, selling red ribbons to commemorate World Aids Day.
Am in town on the Internet because as usual, it doesn't work on the mountain.
And i've got to get to work now!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
a long road to massachusetts...
On the last night of the conference, we had a Mozambiqan/Angolan dance party. I learned the subtle art of dancing the xu-zosa (i'm sure i'm spelling this incorrectly).
Now I have a 15 hour drive ahead of me
woooo...hoooo.....
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Curative Herbs
Curative herbs:
HERB INDICATIONS HOW TO PLANT
Aloe Relieves constipation. Boil and drink the concentrated water. Grow outdoors in warm climates, plant in full sun or light shade. Needs fast draining fertile soil. In the winter needs less water in the summer soak the soil and make sure it is completely dry before re-watering.
Basil Antiseptic for mouth sores. Use as a gargle. Boil in water and cool and gargle. Soil must be well dug and weed free. Moist soil is needed so water the day before planting. Sow in late March when there is no frost. Sow thinly, cover with ½ cm of compost and firm gently. Water every week (avoid wetting stems). Pinch out any flowers that grow. Harvest the top leaves first.
Coriander Helps to increase appetite. Controls bacteria and fungi. Add to meals. Needs light well-drained soil after the last frost. Sow thinly in shallow drills and cover with compost. Pinch the flowers off.
Eucalyptus Anti-bacterial (lungs/bronchitis). Prepare a tea from the leaves. Plant in full sun, in average soil. Don’t use fertilizer. Will not tolerate much moisture in soil. Water before and after planting and plant before winter sets. Plant 1”-2” inches below soil surface. Firm soil and water regularly.
Garlic Anti-bacterial/antiviral and antifungal. Aids in digestion and feelings of weakness. Good for treating throat infections, herpes and diarrhea. Make in a tea or add to food. Plant in full sun and in well drained soil. Good with all soil types. Fall planting is best. Plant 4-6 weeks before significant ground freezing may occur. Plant 2” below soil. Water the soil several hours before planting so it is moist and not muddy.
Ginger Improves digestion, relieves nausea, relieves diarrhea. Drink as a tea or add to food. Plant in a lightly shaded site with rich and well-drained soil. Plant in the Spring when temperatures are 75 degrees to 85 degrees F. Soak overnight in warm water before sowing then set them just under the surface with the buds facing up. Water lightly at first then more heavily when growth starts. Is mature when 2-4 feet.
Lemon Grass Calming, stress-relief, good digestion. Drink as a tea. Purchase lemongrass stalks with roots. Place in shallow water and room temperature to sprout. Once roots are an inch or two long it’s time to transfer to soil. Plant after frost and bring indoors during winter months.
Mint Anti-inflammatory helps digestion. Drink tea or gargle for mouth sores or chew leaves for digestion. Mint needs room away from others to roam freely. Plant in partial shade and in moist moderately rich soil. Plant in early Spring. Does not grow well from seeds. Keep soil moist. Pinch stem ends off each spring to keep plants bushy.
Neem Brings down fever. Boil twig and drink as tea or chew bark. Grows in almost all types of soil. Well-drained soil is necessary. Thrives on dry stony shallow soil. Neem tree needs little water and sunlight. Neem grows slowly during first year of planting. A neem tree bears fruit between 3-5 years. Protect from intensive shade, frost and cold.
Peppermint Helps nausea and controls vomiting and sleeplessness. Drink as a tea. Grows naturally
Thyme Antiseptic, antifungal, relaxes coughing and increases mucus secretions. Gargle as a mouthwash. Plant in well-drained light soil. Sow seeds in March and cover lightly with compost. Once seedlings sprout and danger of frost has passed move outside. Plant a distance apart. Don’t harvest first year. Water only in day conditions. Harvest year round.
Wormwood Antiseptic, helps with gastric pain and is a fever reducer. Plant in dry soil in bright sunlight. Make sure the soil is rich. *Toxic if taken in large doses!
HERB INDICATIONS HOW TO PLANT
Aloe Relieves constipation. Boil and drink the concentrated water. Grow outdoors in warm climates, plant in full sun or light shade. Needs fast draining fertile soil. In the winter needs less water in the summer soak the soil and make sure it is completely dry before re-watering.
Basil Antiseptic for mouth sores. Use as a gargle. Boil in water and cool and gargle. Soil must be well dug and weed free. Moist soil is needed so water the day before planting. Sow in late March when there is no frost. Sow thinly, cover with ½ cm of compost and firm gently. Water every week (avoid wetting stems). Pinch out any flowers that grow. Harvest the top leaves first.
Coriander Helps to increase appetite. Controls bacteria and fungi. Add to meals. Needs light well-drained soil after the last frost. Sow thinly in shallow drills and cover with compost. Pinch the flowers off.
Eucalyptus Anti-bacterial (lungs/bronchitis). Prepare a tea from the leaves. Plant in full sun, in average soil. Don’t use fertilizer. Will not tolerate much moisture in soil. Water before and after planting and plant before winter sets. Plant 1”-2” inches below soil surface. Firm soil and water regularly.
Garlic Anti-bacterial/antiviral and antifungal. Aids in digestion and feelings of weakness. Good for treating throat infections, herpes and diarrhea. Make in a tea or add to food. Plant in full sun and in well drained soil. Good with all soil types. Fall planting is best. Plant 4-6 weeks before significant ground freezing may occur. Plant 2” below soil. Water the soil several hours before planting so it is moist and not muddy.
Ginger Improves digestion, relieves nausea, relieves diarrhea. Drink as a tea or add to food. Plant in a lightly shaded site with rich and well-drained soil. Plant in the Spring when temperatures are 75 degrees to 85 degrees F. Soak overnight in warm water before sowing then set them just under the surface with the buds facing up. Water lightly at first then more heavily when growth starts. Is mature when 2-4 feet.
Lemon Grass Calming, stress-relief, good digestion. Drink as a tea. Purchase lemongrass stalks with roots. Place in shallow water and room temperature to sprout. Once roots are an inch or two long it’s time to transfer to soil. Plant after frost and bring indoors during winter months.
Mint Anti-inflammatory helps digestion. Drink tea or gargle for mouth sores or chew leaves for digestion. Mint needs room away from others to roam freely. Plant in partial shade and in moist moderately rich soil. Plant in early Spring. Does not grow well from seeds. Keep soil moist. Pinch stem ends off each spring to keep plants bushy.
Neem Brings down fever. Boil twig and drink as tea or chew bark. Grows in almost all types of soil. Well-drained soil is necessary. Thrives on dry stony shallow soil. Neem tree needs little water and sunlight. Neem grows slowly during first year of planting. A neem tree bears fruit between 3-5 years. Protect from intensive shade, frost and cold.
Peppermint Helps nausea and controls vomiting and sleeplessness. Drink as a tea. Grows naturally
Thyme Antiseptic, antifungal, relaxes coughing and increases mucus secretions. Gargle as a mouthwash. Plant in well-drained light soil. Sow seeds in March and cover lightly with compost. Once seedlings sprout and danger of frost has passed move outside. Plant a distance apart. Don’t harvest first year. Water only in day conditions. Harvest year round.
Wormwood Antiseptic, helps with gastric pain and is a fever reducer. Plant in dry soil in bright sunlight. Make sure the soil is rich. *Toxic if taken in large doses!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
michigan
So i've arrived.
After 15 hours in a four door sedan with luggage and plastic bags jostling us around, we reached Michigan.
We're here for the Development Conference which is held once a year at the IICD school in Michigan. All of the Development Instructors from Massachusetts and California have come to brainstorm about you guessed it "DEVELOPMENT"!
I'm so tired.
We've been working like crazy.
There have been lectures and meetings and presentations and I haven't slept in er.... I don't know how long.
Monday I gave a presentation on education in Angola.
Today, I'm giving a presentation on the African American experience in America in an interpretive poem.
Our main task at this conference is to update the DMM system which is an educational data base containing the courses Humana uses to train it's teachers at the Teacher Training Colleges. So we are busy creating and uploading files. The work is tedious. We do this from 9am to 10 pm minus our food breaks.
On the up side the food is fantastic. I'm usually first in line. It's also great to meet all of the Development Instructors from the schools in the US to hear about their experiences with the program or in Africa.
It's interesting that we have all totally segregated ourselves here. The Americans and other English speakers (all seven of us) stick together like glue. The Brazillians, all twenty something of them are a team and the Japanese and Koreans have formed an alliance. To an extent things are segregated on the mountain by nationality but this is an extreme version. Its interesting to observe, there are a few floaters people who are sole representatives of there perspective countries, but for the most part, we separate.
Ok, i'm supposed to be working.....
After 15 hours in a four door sedan with luggage and plastic bags jostling us around, we reached Michigan.
We're here for the Development Conference which is held once a year at the IICD school in Michigan. All of the Development Instructors from Massachusetts and California have come to brainstorm about you guessed it "DEVELOPMENT"!
I'm so tired.
We've been working like crazy.
There have been lectures and meetings and presentations and I haven't slept in er.... I don't know how long.
Monday I gave a presentation on education in Angola.
Today, I'm giving a presentation on the African American experience in America in an interpretive poem.
Our main task at this conference is to update the DMM system which is an educational data base containing the courses Humana uses to train it's teachers at the Teacher Training Colleges. So we are busy creating and uploading files. The work is tedious. We do this from 9am to 10 pm minus our food breaks.
On the up side the food is fantastic. I'm usually first in line. It's also great to meet all of the Development Instructors from the schools in the US to hear about their experiences with the program or in Africa.
It's interesting that we have all totally segregated ourselves here. The Americans and other English speakers (all seven of us) stick together like glue. The Brazillians, all twenty something of them are a team and the Japanese and Koreans have formed an alliance. To an extent things are segregated on the mountain by nationality but this is an extreme version. Its interesting to observe, there are a few floaters people who are sole representatives of there perspective countries, but for the most part, we separate.
Ok, i'm supposed to be working.....
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Saturday, November 17, 2007
sunday brunch photo shoot
Here are some pictures from last Sunday's brunch at La Palapa.
Thanks guys for a great day!
Friday, November 16, 2007
site-finding sucess!
today
we found three sites in lebenon pa. (don't ask!)
it took a long time
it took a lot of work
but it happened
wew!
(granted four is goal but it's better than zero!)
we found three sites in lebenon pa. (don't ask!)
it took a long time
it took a lot of work
but it happened
wew!
(granted four is goal but it's better than zero!)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Site-finding blues!
Site finding in Philly is hard!
We're working for a non-profit organization that is affiliated with IICD called Planet Aid. Planet Aid's aim is to improve the environment by recycling clothing and supporting economic and social progress in developing countries.
Basically, Planet Aid has a bunch of yellow clothes collection boxes that they place at sites. They collect the clothes (usually 70 million pounds/year) and sell them wholesale to a number of customers in the U.S. and abroad as a means to financially support development projects (like IICD) overseas. Planet Aid donates 3/4 of their net income to support projects in eleven different countries in Africa, Central America, China and India.
Yay!
So we get to go from business to business to see if they would be willing to host one of the big yellow boxes. For each box we place, Planet Aid donates $150.00
Once again YAY!
But there is a catch...
Nobody wants a box. It's so frustrating. We need to try to average two a person/day and well, as seems to be usual for this trip, we are behind. We are very very behind.
We're working for a non-profit organization that is affiliated with IICD called Planet Aid. Planet Aid's aim is to improve the environment by recycling clothing and supporting economic and social progress in developing countries.
Basically, Planet Aid has a bunch of yellow clothes collection boxes that they place at sites. They collect the clothes (usually 70 million pounds/year) and sell them wholesale to a number of customers in the U.S. and abroad as a means to financially support development projects (like IICD) overseas. Planet Aid donates 3/4 of their net income to support projects in eleven different countries in Africa, Central America, China and India.
Yay!
So we get to go from business to business to see if they would be willing to host one of the big yellow boxes. For each box we place, Planet Aid donates $150.00
Once again YAY!
But there is a catch...
Nobody wants a box. It's so frustrating. We need to try to average two a person/day and well, as seems to be usual for this trip, we are behind. We are very very behind.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
oy!
fundraising in new york is difficult
too many people
too many distractions
too many other organizations competing for the attention of frustrated pedestrians and business owners
but i will not be defeated
if at first you don't succeed
try
try
again...
too many people
too many distractions
too many other organizations competing for the attention of frustrated pedestrians and business owners
but i will not be defeated
if at first you don't succeed
try
try
again...
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Boo!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Today,
in honor of this marvelous holiday
five members of my team and I will
do door to door fundraising in Williamstown
to raise money for our team and to get treats for ourselves.
Woooo...ha....ha....ha....ha......!
Today,
in honor of this marvelous holiday
five members of my team and I will
do door to door fundraising in Williamstown
to raise money for our team and to get treats for ourselves.
Woooo...ha....ha....ha....ha......!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Anopheles Attack!!!!!!
MALARIA: Where it's found and how to keep yourself healthy!
Malaria is preventable!
All deaths due to malaria are preventable!
Malaria is a fatal but curable disease that is caused by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is caused by one of four protozoan species of the genus plasmodium:
1) Plasmodium Falciparum
2) Plasmodium Vivax
3) Plasmodium Ovale
4) Plasmodium Malarie
The female Anopheles mosquito injects the infective sporozite plasmodium forms which multiply in the liver cells and become hepatic shizonts that rupture and release merozoites into the bloodstream.
Malaria begins immediately after incubation, which can differ from one Plasmodium species to another, usually 6-30 days.
Other ways to contract:
1) Blood transfusion
2) Hypodermic syringe sharing
3) Mother to fetus
Malaria is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa!
Malaria is very prevalent in Benguela, Angola and is the number one cause of child mortality under the age of five.
Where there is warmth and water, there are mosquitoes!
The only malaria free zones are North America, Europe and Australia!
How to Protect Yourself:
1) Prevent the breeding of mosquitoes near your living space by covering pools of stagnant water, wells, open containers, latrine and garbage.
2) Prevent yourself from being bitten by:
- Wearing long sleeves/clothes that cover your entire body
- Use insect repellent on exposed skin (DEET works well, but is highly toxic)
- Sleep under mosquito nets
- Dwell in well-screened areas
-Anopheles mosquitoes are nocturnal feeders. Transmission occurs between dusk and dawn. Avoid being outdoors at these times.
- Use a parathyroid- containing flying insect spray in living and sleeping areas (once again, these are highly toxic)
- Take your malaria medication before, during and after traveling as prescribed by a doctor
-If bitten know the symptoms and seek early treatment
Symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
-Lethargy
-Body Pain
- Muscular Aches
- Nausea
-Diarrhea
-Vomiting
* Treat the symptoms of Malaria early because Placsmodium Falciparum infections can cause Kidney failure, coma and death.
For more information regarding Malaria, contact the Malaria Hotline at 404.332.4555
The above is a presentation that I gave today for volunteers preparing to go to Zambia, Angola, Mozambique and Namibia. I'm in the process of translating this presentation into Portuguese so that I can present it to people in my community in Benguela. It will be difficult though. Not because of the language barrier, but because I don't know how to seriously look at a group of people who have lost their children and loved ones to Malaria and tell them something they already know, and have no control over. There is no money for mosquito nets, there is no money for pills, there is no money for fancy sprays and there is no money for screens. I am looking into mosquito net alternatives, I am looking into natural mosquito repellents, but it looks bleak.
If anyone has any helpful hints or tips, please let me know.....
Muito Obrigada!
Malaria is preventable!
All deaths due to malaria are preventable!
Malaria is a fatal but curable disease that is caused by the bite of a female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is caused by one of four protozoan species of the genus plasmodium:
1) Plasmodium Falciparum
2) Plasmodium Vivax
3) Plasmodium Ovale
4) Plasmodium Malarie
The female Anopheles mosquito injects the infective sporozite plasmodium forms which multiply in the liver cells and become hepatic shizonts that rupture and release merozoites into the bloodstream.
Malaria begins immediately after incubation, which can differ from one Plasmodium species to another, usually 6-30 days.
Other ways to contract:
1) Blood transfusion
2) Hypodermic syringe sharing
3) Mother to fetus
Malaria is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa!
Malaria is very prevalent in Benguela, Angola and is the number one cause of child mortality under the age of five.
Where there is warmth and water, there are mosquitoes!
The only malaria free zones are North America, Europe and Australia!
How to Protect Yourself:
1) Prevent the breeding of mosquitoes near your living space by covering pools of stagnant water, wells, open containers, latrine and garbage.
2) Prevent yourself from being bitten by:
- Wearing long sleeves/clothes that cover your entire body
- Use insect repellent on exposed skin (DEET works well, but is highly toxic)
- Sleep under mosquito nets
- Dwell in well-screened areas
-Anopheles mosquitoes are nocturnal feeders. Transmission occurs between dusk and dawn. Avoid being outdoors at these times.
- Use a parathyroid- containing flying insect spray in living and sleeping areas (once again, these are highly toxic)
- Take your malaria medication before, during and after traveling as prescribed by a doctor
-If bitten know the symptoms and seek early treatment
Symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
-Lethargy
-Body Pain
- Muscular Aches
- Nausea
-Diarrhea
-Vomiting
* Treat the symptoms of Malaria early because Placsmodium Falciparum infections can cause Kidney failure, coma and death.
For more information regarding Malaria, contact the Malaria Hotline at 404.332.4555
The above is a presentation that I gave today for volunteers preparing to go to Zambia, Angola, Mozambique and Namibia. I'm in the process of translating this presentation into Portuguese so that I can present it to people in my community in Benguela. It will be difficult though. Not because of the language barrier, but because I don't know how to seriously look at a group of people who have lost their children and loved ones to Malaria and tell them something they already know, and have no control over. There is no money for mosquito nets, there is no money for pills, there is no money for fancy sprays and there is no money for screens. I am looking into mosquito net alternatives, I am looking into natural mosquito repellents, but it looks bleak.
If anyone has any helpful hints or tips, please let me know.....
Muito Obrigada!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
winterization
Time is flying.
We just said goodbye to the May Team. They are off to Mozambique, Malawi or South Africa. It's so weird because they were just starting when I arrived in July. Now we have a new team coming, the November Team and my team has a approximately three months left. Time goes by so quickly.
This week-end was another building week-end and we winterized our facility. Plastic is covering the windows and the bases of the buildings have been wrapped in insulation and it's just in time because today has been COLD! Definitely around forty degrees (only).
This week I'll be preparing for fundraising trip number three in New York City. Yay, I get to go back home to New York. Hopefully it will be a money maker!
We just said goodbye to the May Team. They are off to Mozambique, Malawi or South Africa. It's so weird because they were just starting when I arrived in July. Now we have a new team coming, the November Team and my team has a approximately three months left. Time goes by so quickly.
This week-end was another building week-end and we winterized our facility. Plastic is covering the windows and the bases of the buildings have been wrapped in insulation and it's just in time because today has been COLD! Definitely around forty degrees (only).
This week I'll be preparing for fundraising trip number three in New York City. Yay, I get to go back home to New York. Hopefully it will be a money maker!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
EPF
I just received my official job description.
From February 2008- August 2008, I'll be working at the Escola de Profesores do Futuro em Benguela ( school for future teachers of benguela).
The focus of the school is to train teachers from the primary schools in rural areas. The education is progressive in its approach and rigorous.
I'll be responsible for teaching some of the following courses (in Portuguese) : English, Mathematics, Science, Communications, The World Today, Angola Today, Geography, History, Arts, Economics, Philosophy of Education, Didactic, Pedagogy, Psychology, Ethics, Sociology and School Administration. (Needless to say, I think I'll leave the Math to someone else!)
I'll also be doing political Theatre Workshops, Gardening Club, Health Club and English Club (where i'll teach English through popular songs ;0) ) and depending on how my studies go, I may hold HIV/AIDS and Malaria prevention workshops (time will only tell).
I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From February 2008- August 2008, I'll be working at the Escola de Profesores do Futuro em Benguela ( school for future teachers of benguela).
The focus of the school is to train teachers from the primary schools in rural areas. The education is progressive in its approach and rigorous.
I'll be responsible for teaching some of the following courses (in Portuguese) : English, Mathematics, Science, Communications, The World Today, Angola Today, Geography, History, Arts, Economics, Philosophy of Education, Didactic, Pedagogy, Psychology, Ethics, Sociology and School Administration. (Needless to say, I think I'll leave the Math to someone else!)
I'll also be doing political Theatre Workshops, Gardening Club, Health Club and English Club (where i'll teach English through popular songs ;0) ) and depending on how my studies go, I may hold HIV/AIDS and Malaria prevention workshops (time will only tell).
I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, October 22, 2007
I've been spooked!
I am delirious right now. Want to know why? I’ve been haunted. Day three of sleeping alone in my haunted room and I had a supernatural experience.
I am completely serious. Here are the hard facts:
Last night around 12:30 am I went to bed.
I sleep on top of my bed in a sleeping bag now that I am alone because I get maximum coverage and it's easy for me to burrow and hide in the event of an occurrence...
So, I'm in bed, lights are off, I'm holding my flashlight and I'm trying to go to sleep,
all of a sudden, my fan on the nightstand next to my head turns on. I didn't do it. My heart is pounding in my chest and I'm panicking under my sleeping bag and I'm afraid to look because I don't want to see what might be there. Then the fan goes off. Then it comes back on again. Then my bed begins to shake. It's like a slow rumbling quake. I'm freaking out. I'm still burrowed in my sleeping bag. Then it stops. I wait. All I can hear and feel is my heart beat. Quickly, I jump out of bed, run to the light-switch across the room and turn on every light in my room. My bed is slanted on an angle, but I see nothing else unusual. I spend the rest of the night (literally) awake in bed, with the lights on, the ladybugs buzzing, listening to my i-pod writing. I didn't sleep at all. It sucked!
And now to change the subject, I will be published in "About Time" magazine this November. I wrote a travel narrative about my experiences volunteering in Ghana and my upcoming project and it will be published. You can pick up a copy at your local news stand or online.
And now it's time for me to do my malaria research...
I am completely serious. Here are the hard facts:
Last night around 12:30 am I went to bed.
I sleep on top of my bed in a sleeping bag now that I am alone because I get maximum coverage and it's easy for me to burrow and hide in the event of an occurrence...
So, I'm in bed, lights are off, I'm holding my flashlight and I'm trying to go to sleep,
all of a sudden, my fan on the nightstand next to my head turns on. I didn't do it. My heart is pounding in my chest and I'm panicking under my sleeping bag and I'm afraid to look because I don't want to see what might be there. Then the fan goes off. Then it comes back on again. Then my bed begins to shake. It's like a slow rumbling quake. I'm freaking out. I'm still burrowed in my sleeping bag. Then it stops. I wait. All I can hear and feel is my heart beat. Quickly, I jump out of bed, run to the light-switch across the room and turn on every light in my room. My bed is slanted on an angle, but I see nothing else unusual. I spend the rest of the night (literally) awake in bed, with the lights on, the ladybugs buzzing, listening to my i-pod writing. I didn't sleep at all. It sucked!
And now to change the subject, I will be published in "About Time" magazine this November. I wrote a travel narrative about my experiences volunteering in Ghana and my upcoming project and it will be published. You can pick up a copy at your local news stand or online.
And now it's time for me to do my malaria research...
Post from 10/20
We arrived back on the mountain this morning at 4:30am. The drive was a blur, I just remember being stopped halfway up the mountain because an enormous tree fell across our path. Poor Sergio had to get out and toss it to the side so that we could continue our way up our two-mile driveway to get home.
I spent the night alone for the first time since I moved to haunted Brook House. I didn’t really sleep until six when the sun came out. My two roommates weren’t back yet. I was also greeted with a ladybug infestation. About 100 (literally) dead ladybugs were scattered across our room and maybe twenty were flying/crawling around. Yep. We all know how I feel about bugs, ladybugs are no exception.
All in all, my team did really well in Rochester/Buffalo. We exceeded goal ;0-)
We finished last night with a concert at Starry Night Café in Rochester. My friend Liza performed a little benefit concert for us. Much obliged Eliza.
I can’t get over how absolutely beautiful Western Mass is in autumn.
Today we had a special program presented by the May team. They are almost finished with their six month training period and will be leaving in another week ;0(
So before each team goes, they need to plan an unforgettable evening and today was their day.
We had a concert this afternoon by a punk/folk/ bluegrass band called Bread and Roses. It was really cool. I now want to learn to play the Mandolin and the Ukulele (I’ll put that on my post-Angola checklist).
Afterwards, we had a candy hunt in our woods. Mind you we are on acres and acres of woods and the candy was spread so far out. I only found four pieces. I fell twice (flip flops are no good on moist leaves and branches).
Then there was hot apple cider and pumpkin pie.
At eight o’clock we had our haunted trail walk. We have this really creepy trail that’s like forty minutes long and I only walk it when it’s really really bright outside but today in the rainy dark chilly weather we went in.
I spent the night alone for the first time since I moved to haunted Brook House. I didn’t really sleep until six when the sun came out. My two roommates weren’t back yet. I was also greeted with a ladybug infestation. About 100 (literally) dead ladybugs were scattered across our room and maybe twenty were flying/crawling around. Yep. We all know how I feel about bugs, ladybugs are no exception.
All in all, my team did really well in Rochester/Buffalo. We exceeded goal ;0-)
We finished last night with a concert at Starry Night Café in Rochester. My friend Liza performed a little benefit concert for us. Much obliged Eliza.
I can’t get over how absolutely beautiful Western Mass is in autumn.
Today we had a special program presented by the May team. They are almost finished with their six month training period and will be leaving in another week ;0(
So before each team goes, they need to plan an unforgettable evening and today was their day.
We had a concert this afternoon by a punk/folk/ bluegrass band called Bread and Roses. It was really cool. I now want to learn to play the Mandolin and the Ukulele (I’ll put that on my post-Angola checklist).
Afterwards, we had a candy hunt in our woods. Mind you we are on acres and acres of woods and the candy was spread so far out. I only found four pieces. I fell twice (flip flops are no good on moist leaves and branches).
Then there was hot apple cider and pumpkin pie.
At eight o’clock we had our haunted trail walk. We have this really creepy trail that’s like forty minutes long and I only walk it when it’s really really bright outside but today in the rainy dark chilly weather we went in.
Old Post from 10/21
Today was just fantastic!
I began the day with a hike through the woods with Jai and J.T.
We discovered a new trail and hiked for about three hours uphill. It was so beautiful outside. I love Sundays, my commune with nature days. We sang Broadway show tunes as we hiked.
Open Sushi bar was our dinner. Can you say delicious!
Then to end the day off right, Tracy, Iliana, Jai and I had an interactive RENT the movie viewing party. We sang, we danced, we delivered powerful monologues… It was a Tony award winning scene.
I began the day with a hike through the woods with Jai and J.T.
We discovered a new trail and hiked for about three hours uphill. It was so beautiful outside. I love Sundays, my commune with nature days. We sang Broadway show tunes as we hiked.
Open Sushi bar was our dinner. Can you say delicious!
Then to end the day off right, Tracy, Iliana, Jai and I had an interactive RENT the movie viewing party. We sang, we danced, we delivered powerful monologues… It was a Tony award winning scene.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
ring a ling ling
My ears are buzzing. I set off the ADT alarm system about forty minutes ago when I arrived home from fundraising. It was terrible. There were lights and the noise kept changing decibels and I couldn't cut it off. I have such a headache right now. It took the police about 20 minutes to arrive, just to say they could do nothing. Luckily my drivers licence matches my home address otherwise I'd be in the back of a squad car right about now. So the officer is in the house trying to figure out how to cut the power to silence the screaming machine and suddenly, after a half an hour of agony, it hit me, I remembered the code. I punched it in and there was sweet silence. The officer looked at me like I was an idiot, which, well...um...er...
Fundraising was a success
my team is on the right track
we move in to Buffalo tomorrow until Friday
The weather is beautiful again
I'm ready to finish strong
Fundraising was a success
my team is on the right track
we move in to Buffalo tomorrow until Friday
The weather is beautiful again
I'm ready to finish strong
Monday, October 15, 2007
Sunday, October 14, 2007
boa noite
AAAgh! I'm so tired!
Today was our first day fundraising in Buffalo and it wasn't so great. It was cold and people weren't too friendly or in the mood to donate money.
We're still staying in Rochester due to the fact that we haven't been able to secure housing which is great for me cause I'm staying at home.
Today we made great strides in our food fundraising efforts. Krispy Kreme donated two dozen donuts to us this morning. And i'm afraid to say, that the four of us ate them all, a half of a dozen each.
Then we fundraised diner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Niagara Falls. We have a Brazillian and a Japanese on our team who had never been to the falls and they really wanted to go and since we weren't exactly making money today anyhow, our team leader decided it was time for a mini-excursion. We toured the American and the Canadian sides. It was cold, but relaxing.
Long drive home, which brings me back to the beginning and being tired...
Today was our first day fundraising in Buffalo and it wasn't so great. It was cold and people weren't too friendly or in the mood to donate money.
We're still staying in Rochester due to the fact that we haven't been able to secure housing which is great for me cause I'm staying at home.
Today we made great strides in our food fundraising efforts. Krispy Kreme donated two dozen donuts to us this morning. And i'm afraid to say, that the four of us ate them all, a half of a dozen each.
Then we fundraised diner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Niagara Falls. We have a Brazillian and a Japanese on our team who had never been to the falls and they really wanted to go and since we weren't exactly making money today anyhow, our team leader decided it was time for a mini-excursion. We toured the American and the Canadian sides. It was cold, but relaxing.
Long drive home, which brings me back to the beginning and being tired...
Friday, October 12, 2007
Your voice is needed!
*NOTE: The following information was taken from the ONE.org website. Please read this information, take it seriously and TAKE ACTION!!!!!!
THE JUBILEE ACT
The Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2007 For decades, many impoverished countries were spending billions of dollars each year repaying debts to donor countries and international financial institutions. Many of these loans were given for political reasons during the Cold War to prop up particular governments, and in many cases, were wasted by corrupt and unaccountable regimes. These large debts became a serious impediment to poverty reduction and economic development. Countries began taking on new loans to repay old ones.
Debt Cancellation Works
- Mozambique used its debt service savings to vaccinate children against tetanus, whooping cough and diphtheria, as well as build and electrify schools.
- Nigeria is using the $750 million in debt service savings from 2006 to train and recruit new teachers.
- Cameroon used its debt savings to launch a national HIV/AIDS plan for prevention, education, testing and mother-to-child transmission abatement.
WHY DEBT CANCELLATION IS CRUCIAL
For the world's most impoverished countries, the cost of debt overshadows their ability to provide access to clean water, education and basic healthcare. Some countries spent as much as 25-30% of their annual budgets servicing their debt, more than was spent on education and healthcare combined. Debt cancellation would help ensure funds were used for poverty reduction, ultimately decreasing poor countries dependence on foreign aid. While the debt crisis is far from over, the U.S. and other industrialized countries have taken action to relieve debt burdens in many of the most impoverished countries and these commitments have proven effective. Debt relief has been extended through two initiatives: the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI). However, only 21 of 40 countries that are eligible for the HIPC program have obtained 100% cancellation.
The majority of the 19 remaining countries have been delayed by the requirement that they comply with harmful economic reforms, including moves to privatize water or restrict spending on health care workers. For every dollar African countries receive in aid, they still pay out $2.30 in debt service.
KEY PROVISIONS OF THE JUBILEE ACT
- Calls on the U.S. Treasury to support 100% cancellation of bilateral and multilateral debts
- Calls for an audit of other outstanding debt claims, to determine the odious and illegitimate origins of impoverished country debts
- Prohibits specific structural adjustment conditions including the imposition of user fees on health and education and mandated privatization of water
- Contains a provision that governments should allocate 20% of their budgets on social services and development, including education and health care
- Debt cancellation would be financed through the IMF and World Bank's existing resources to the extent possible
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Ask your Member of Congress to cosponsor the Jubilee Act (HR 2634) - sponsored by Reps. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Spencer Bachus (R-AL) - which will extend debt cancellation without imposing harmful economic conditions on all impoverished countries that are required to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
OK NOW THAT YOU'VE READ THIS, HERE IS WHAT YOU CAN DO...
I just sent a message urging my representative to support the Jubilee Act, which will relieve some of the debt that keeps many developing nations trapped in a cycle of poverty.
You can help this important bill move forward by taking action here: http://www.one.org/40days/
Grata!
Start your week-end out with an act of good-will!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Careful What You Wish For!!!!!!!
Fundraising in Rochester has actually been successful. Personally I have made goal for everyday that we've been here, granted one day I made seven dollars and another two hundred and seventy eight, but so it is.
Well after my rant about the weather being oppressively hot hot hot, the weather decided to become cold cold cold. We dropped from almost 90 degrees to under 50 degrees in one day, literally. And I was outside to observe the shift. It has been raining also, violent thunder and lightning storms. These are crazy times!
I got my beads and jewelry back from Studio 34 and they were fantastic. It seems I am a natural jewelry maker/artisan. My glass blown beads were particularly beautiful. If anyone is ever in the Rochester area, you should really take a class at Studio 34 on Elton street (off of University), it's a great jewelry studio.
Alright, bringing on day number six of fundraising, wish me luck...
Well after my rant about the weather being oppressively hot hot hot, the weather decided to become cold cold cold. We dropped from almost 90 degrees to under 50 degrees in one day, literally. And I was outside to observe the shift. It has been raining also, violent thunder and lightning storms. These are crazy times!
I got my beads and jewelry back from Studio 34 and they were fantastic. It seems I am a natural jewelry maker/artisan. My glass blown beads were particularly beautiful. If anyone is ever in the Rochester area, you should really take a class at Studio 34 on Elton street (off of University), it's a great jewelry studio.
Alright, bringing on day number six of fundraising, wish me luck...
Monday, October 8, 2007
fundraising II
Fundraising part II.
So far so good. Individually I've had a lot of success and am way over goal. As a team, we are under goal though :-(.
I'm very lucky to be able to stay at my own house this time around instead of the accommodations provided for the team because the accommodations are sketchy at best. Yikes!
We've been in front of Wal-Mart for the last two days and the people have been so receptive.
Problem:
It's October and in being autumn, the weather should be a nice mild 60-70 degrees, so why, please someone tell me is it almost 90???? It's so hot! It's too hot! I've had enough heat, enough of being outside in the scorching sun. I've got about five different erratic tan lines. I'm going to turn into a wrinkled old lady called Magda soon. Enough is enough! I'm ready to wear a sweater and romp through the leaves.
My tantrum ends here!
So far so good. Individually I've had a lot of success and am way over goal. As a team, we are under goal though :-(.
I'm very lucky to be able to stay at my own house this time around instead of the accommodations provided for the team because the accommodations are sketchy at best. Yikes!
We've been in front of Wal-Mart for the last two days and the people have been so receptive.
Problem:
It's October and in being autumn, the weather should be a nice mild 60-70 degrees, so why, please someone tell me is it almost 90???? It's so hot! It's too hot! I've had enough heat, enough of being outside in the scorching sun. I've got about five different erratic tan lines. I'm going to turn into a wrinkled old lady called Magda soon. Enough is enough! I'm ready to wear a sweater and romp through the leaves.
My tantrum ends here!
Friday, October 5, 2007
beads
Special thanks to Studio 34 in Rochester for allowing me to learn to make jewelry. I've had so much fun creating beads out of glass and learning the ins and outs of jewelry making. I feel ready to begin planning my income generating project. It will, surprise, surprise, involve making jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
* Let's all send positive thoughts to my college roomie and good friend Lizzy who has fallen ill while serving in Uganda in the Peace Corps
GET WELL SOON CRAZY GIRL!
* Let's all send positive thoughts to my college roomie and good friend Lizzy who has fallen ill while serving in Uganda in the Peace Corps
GET WELL SOON CRAZY GIRL!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Oy!
It is so hot.
Hot, hot, hot...
The leaves are absolutely beautiful though. Everything is changing.
Our internet is down, has been for the last four days.
I've been going into town everyday to the cafe to get online. I feel like a Williams College student, we're around them 24/7 now. Have even been attending lectures at the University and using the Library, it's very convenient and is a nice break from the mountain.
Will post autumn in the Berkshires photos later.
Tciao!
It is so hot.
Hot, hot, hot...
The leaves are absolutely beautiful though. Everything is changing.
Our internet is down, has been for the last four days.
I've been going into town everyday to the cafe to get online. I feel like a Williams College student, we're around them 24/7 now. Have even been attending lectures at the University and using the Library, it's very convenient and is a nice break from the mountain.
Will post autumn in the Berkshires photos later.
Tciao!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
the bear is back!
So yesterday I went for a nice hour long walk in the woods in the morning. It was great. The leaves were beautiful, the air was warm, the birds were singing. I'm just trotting deeper and deeper into the woods and suddenly I see this black thing the size of a four door sedan near a stream. Hmmm.. I think to myself, what could that be??? Then as if it heard my thoughts, a bear lifts it's head and stares directly at me. I'm looking at it, and it's looking at me. Slowly I began to take steps backwards. It's still looking at me, I'm still stepping backwards. Then as if I didn't even exist, it goes back to drinking it's water and I turn around and RUN!!!!!!!!!
Day two of building week was yesterday as well. I painted some more ceilings. Picked some flowers and basically that was that. No injuries, no worries.
Brunch time, tciao!
Day two of building week was yesterday as well. I painted some more ceilings. Picked some flowers and basically that was that. No injuries, no worries.
Brunch time, tciao!
Friday, September 21, 2007
a few thoughts
Today, I am a painter. Once again, I have the task of painting. I feel like painting is somehow in my destiny. I’m always painting here. This time I painted a bathroom and I actually did a great job. Maybe I secretly like painting when I’m not standing outside in the burning hot sun.
Today marked the beginning of building week. This happens once a month when all of the staff and Development Instructors here at IICD drop what we are doing and help to update and tweak our lovely mountain facility. It lasts the whole weekend and you learn lots. As I write, trees are being cut down, leaves are being raked, grass is being cut, carpets are being installed, the pool is being covered up and a well is being insulated???
Whatever that’s about?
I finished early and am hiding out in my room, trying not to be discovered because I don’t want another task.
Our next fundraising trip is being planned and for some crazy reason, me and four other people will be fundraising in my hometown of Rochester, New York. Hmmmmm….
It was one thing to fundraise in D.C. where the likely hood of me running into people that I know was pretty low (give or take a relative here or there) but Rochester, where I know too many people yikes! At least I can go home to free food and laundry ;-)
Yesterday we had an amazing lecture on child soldiers. It was disturbing in an action rousing way. We focused on child soldiers in Mozambique, Angola and Uganda. It’s such a horrifying reality. If anyone is interested in the subject, I have a book recommendation “A Long Way Gone” by: Ishmael Bea (not sure if this is spelled correctly). It’s a memoir about his experiences as a boy soldier in Sierra Leone and it’s beautifully written.
Second recommendation, the film “Guns, Germs and Steel” we watched it yesterday as well and had a discussion and it really gives you something to think about. The film explores how guns, germs and steel along with environmental location led to Europe’s world conquer and then discusses the implications of that and the historical effects. It’s really interesting because most people don’t learn about this in school. Most people don’t take the opportunity to consider why certain people/groups have the majority of the power in the world, but it’s important to understand because it also explains why certain people have so little and in this understanding we can create solutions. Ignoring problems and accepting certain advantages without taking the personal responsibility to be informed and act in accordance may be one of the most damaging maladies of Western society today.
My favorite kitten Greylock has fleas ;-(
Let’s hope for a speedy recovery
Alright, it’s lunch time. Time to creep back towards the cafeteria.
Must look busy, must look busy, must look busy…
Today marked the beginning of building week. This happens once a month when all of the staff and Development Instructors here at IICD drop what we are doing and help to update and tweak our lovely mountain facility. It lasts the whole weekend and you learn lots. As I write, trees are being cut down, leaves are being raked, grass is being cut, carpets are being installed, the pool is being covered up and a well is being insulated???
Whatever that’s about?
I finished early and am hiding out in my room, trying not to be discovered because I don’t want another task.
Our next fundraising trip is being planned and for some crazy reason, me and four other people will be fundraising in my hometown of Rochester, New York. Hmmmmm….
It was one thing to fundraise in D.C. where the likely hood of me running into people that I know was pretty low (give or take a relative here or there) but Rochester, where I know too many people yikes! At least I can go home to free food and laundry ;-)
Yesterday we had an amazing lecture on child soldiers. It was disturbing in an action rousing way. We focused on child soldiers in Mozambique, Angola and Uganda. It’s such a horrifying reality. If anyone is interested in the subject, I have a book recommendation “A Long Way Gone” by: Ishmael Bea (not sure if this is spelled correctly). It’s a memoir about his experiences as a boy soldier in Sierra Leone and it’s beautifully written.
Second recommendation, the film “Guns, Germs and Steel” we watched it yesterday as well and had a discussion and it really gives you something to think about. The film explores how guns, germs and steel along with environmental location led to Europe’s world conquer and then discusses the implications of that and the historical effects. It’s really interesting because most people don’t learn about this in school. Most people don’t take the opportunity to consider why certain people/groups have the majority of the power in the world, but it’s important to understand because it also explains why certain people have so little and in this understanding we can create solutions. Ignoring problems and accepting certain advantages without taking the personal responsibility to be informed and act in accordance may be one of the most damaging maladies of Western society today.
My favorite kitten Greylock has fleas ;-(
Let’s hope for a speedy recovery
Alright, it’s lunch time. Time to creep back towards the cafeteria.
Must look busy, must look busy, must look busy…
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Loucas... na cozinha
This crazy video was shot in August while we were supposed to be cleaning our dishes after lunch. We have a lot of fun here!
I'm the gal in the pink going crazy!!!!!
;-)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Fundraising (the final D.C. chapter)
Today was our final day of fundraising (yes!).
We started off at the Peace March in D.C. this morning. It was great! We got signs and kinda got a little carried away. We marched with the anti-war demonstrators from the White House to the Capitol, ok, we ourselves were anti-war demonstrators and we went the whole nine yards (sorry fundraising). My favorite moment of the day was holding up peace signs to all of the pro-Bush/pro-War folks when our groups converged. All in all it was beautiful to see the solidarity, especially all of the returned Iraq War vets who were marching for peace (muaww...).
We made some money today (not a lot, not goal, but we tried) outside of the white house and at the protest itself. We tried evening street fundraising in Dupont Circle as well tonight and it was interesting to see all of the drunk people, however, it wasn't a money maker.
I can't wait to return to the mountain and jump back into work and my regular non-fundraising routine. Long drive tomorrow but I'm one step closer to Benguela!
We started off at the Peace March in D.C. this morning. It was great! We got signs and kinda got a little carried away. We marched with the anti-war demonstrators from the White House to the Capitol, ok, we ourselves were anti-war demonstrators and we went the whole nine yards (sorry fundraising). My favorite moment of the day was holding up peace signs to all of the pro-Bush/pro-War folks when our groups converged. All in all it was beautiful to see the solidarity, especially all of the returned Iraq War vets who were marching for peace (muaww...).
We made some money today (not a lot, not goal, but we tried) outside of the white house and at the protest itself. We tried evening street fundraising in Dupont Circle as well tonight and it was interesting to see all of the drunk people, however, it wasn't a money maker.
I can't wait to return to the mountain and jump back into work and my regular non-fundraising routine. Long drive tomorrow but I'm one step closer to Benguela!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
what can i do?
www.ONE.org
help fight global poverty
help the world reach the millennium development goals
all it takes is one person
that one person
is
YOU!
help fight global poverty
help the world reach the millennium development goals
all it takes is one person
that one person
is
YOU!
Monday, September 10, 2007
IICD Main Building
Here's a video someone shot during our 20th anniv celebration.
Check out IICD and the mountain!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
fundraising II
Day number six in the hot hot sun. And it's so hot. I thought to myself today, wow, you must be really dedicated to this cause to stand outside for eight hours a day in the blazing heat asking strangers to donate money. I've done well. I've exceeded goal. I made 150.00 today ;-)
We hit the Silver Spring Jazz festival and made a killing. In five months I will be in the hot sun again, only then I will be in Bengela. My eyes are on the prize.
We hit the Silver Spring Jazz festival and made a killing. In five months I will be in the hot sun again, only then I will be in Bengela. My eyes are on the prize.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Um yeah...er...so it's really hot outside.
Fundraising is successful, but I'm not a fan anymore.
I did manage to make $246.00 outside of a Safeway in Silver Springs yesterday.
The community was so receptive and the people were lovely.
I'm getting tired of begging on the streets for money though and then after a long day, trying to convince restaurants to feed you for free.
Exhausting!
A group of us did manage to get amazing Moroccan food tonight in Adams Morgan from Soussi, a Moroccan restaurant. That was however after asking seven other stores and getting NO!!!!!!
Alright
Boa Noite
Fundraising is successful, but I'm not a fan anymore.
I did manage to make $246.00 outside of a Safeway in Silver Springs yesterday.
The community was so receptive and the people were lovely.
I'm getting tired of begging on the streets for money though and then after a long day, trying to convince restaurants to feed you for free.
Exhausting!
A group of us did manage to get amazing Moroccan food tonight in Adams Morgan from Soussi, a Moroccan restaurant. That was however after asking seven other stores and getting NO!!!!!!
Alright
Boa Noite
Monday, September 3, 2007
fundraising
Fundraising in the greater D.C. area is amazing! I, for some odd reason, actually enjoy asking strangers on crowded streets for money? I made $115.00 today, and our team goal is $100.00/person/day. We have had so much success fundraising food also (big thanks to Chipotle Mexican Grill and Coldstone Creamery, yum... ).
It's so nice to be off of the mountain. When you're on the mountain, you don't always, at least, I don't always realize how isolated I am until I emerge and there's a world out there and life in America is happening. I almost feel on the mountain, that I'm not in the United States considering that there are so few Americans and the main language that I hear is Portuguese. It's so nice to be back home.
My team has been great so far, we're working hard and we work well together. Let's raise a toast to successful fundraising and a conflict-free two weeks.
SALUT!
It's so nice to be off of the mountain. When you're on the mountain, you don't always, at least, I don't always realize how isolated I am until I emerge and there's a world out there and life in America is happening. I almost feel on the mountain, that I'm not in the United States considering that there are so few Americans and the main language that I hear is Portuguese. It's so nice to be back home.
My team has been great so far, we're working hard and we work well together. Let's raise a toast to successful fundraising and a conflict-free two weeks.
SALUT!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Where in the world will Sojourner volunteer?
Ok, so it's official!
I just received my assignment. I will be working at the EPF Teacher's Training College in Bengela Angola.
Yay!!
This is the placement that I wanted. Bengela is supposed to be beautiful, it's in the Northwest and is apparently lush and green, surrounded by a beach. The project leader there is also rumored to be great! I will be traveling with two other people from my team, so there will be three of us living together.
Yay!!!!!!!!!
I just received my assignment. I will be working at the EPF Teacher's Training College in Bengela Angola.
Yay!!
This is the placement that I wanted. Bengela is supposed to be beautiful, it's in the Northwest and is apparently lush and green, surrounded by a beach. The project leader there is also rumored to be great! I will be traveling with two other people from my team, so there will be three of us living together.
Yay!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
star
we have an old dog
13 human years
many dog years
sometimes she runs
today she staggers and shakes...
13 human years
many dog years
sometimes she runs
today she staggers and shakes...
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
online again
I'm online again! This is now a rare luxury. Actually, I'm at an internet cafe in Williamstown with my team. We've had so much research to do for our fundraising trip coming up in September and our internet has been down, so fieldtrip time.
The last few days here have been busy however, this week-end was a free week-end and after finishing my papers and presentations which I will talk about later, Tamika, Valeria and I headed for New York. It's great showing people around New York for the first time. Valeria is from Argentina and her mouth was wide open the entire trip. Tamika who is from Baltimore was excited too, I think this was her second time in the City. Thanks Krista and Dawn for entertaining us on the Lower East side and super thanks to Krista for putting us up for the night. It was fantastic to be back in town, even if it was for one night only.
My time at IICD has been divided into many parts:
1) Planning the IICD Olympic Games which our school in Massachusetts will be hosting (there are two other schools in the US - Michigan and Cali). The games will be held this week-end and the activities are crazy (scavenger hunt in the woods, paint ball, sprint up the side of the mountain, biggest splash in the pool, tug of war, etc...) I'm conducting the opening ceremony and have prepared a speech and will be donning a toga.
2) Preparing for our first fundraising trip which will be to Washington D.C. from September 3-16th. We need to secure permits, accommodations, strategies etc... We need as a team to fundraise approx $86,000.00. We will have four two week fundraising events. The strategies include door to door begging in residential neighborhoods, setting up tables in front of stores such as Wal-mart and Trader Joe's, setting up booths at colleges and universities, speaking at churches, and anything else that we can come up with. (YOUR IDEAS ARE VERY WELCOME!!!!)
3) Preparing a presentation on the Berlin Conference. Basically the Berlin Conference was when the various European nations decided to get together and slice and divide the African continent. The country borders that we see today are a direct result of this conference which marked the beginning of Africa's official colonization. You'll notice that certain countries around Lake Victoria in particular are cut irregularly because every European country wanted a piece of the lake or a piece of a particular beach/coast. It was a terrible thing obviously, families were split apart, apartheid became the political norm, Africans were virtually enslaved all over again and subjugated and forced to work for the Europeans in order to make money to pay the taxes that were imposed on them, Africa's natural resources were robbed and used to fuel Europe's economy and further their industrial revolution, farmers were forced to abandon growing the crops that fed their families and were forced to grow cotton so that it could be shipped to Europe and starvation grew rampid and soil was leeched, to name a few consequences... Don't get me started, I could go on and on all day!
My focus is on Portugal and how they received Mozambique, Angola and Portuguese Guinea. Which is perfect because I will be going to Angola.
My presentation will be on Tuesday.
As I've said before the classes are very interesting and we are very busy. The people on this mountain are interesting, some are fantastic and others are completely crazy and I wonder why they are even participating in this program. Certain people and things are larger than life and you wouldn't believe me if I told you so I'll spare you those details.
Last night was so fun. A group of about ten of us decided to play flashlight tag around midnight. Have I mentioned that our mountain is pitch black at night, it was a crazy game. Then some of us went for a walk in our "haunted woods", as protection we took Bear, one of our dogs with us in case we ran into a bear or something else. So four of us, including myself are brave or stupid enough to enter the woods while everyone else waited outside. At first things are great, we're walking and joking and singing and suddenly, Bear stops leading us, he gets really quiet and still. He looks left and then right and then looks at us and whines. This crazy dog then jets, he left us, so we followed suit screaming and running wildly with vines and branches smacking us in the face. It was really funny.
The last few days here have been busy however, this week-end was a free week-end and after finishing my papers and presentations which I will talk about later, Tamika, Valeria and I headed for New York. It's great showing people around New York for the first time. Valeria is from Argentina and her mouth was wide open the entire trip. Tamika who is from Baltimore was excited too, I think this was her second time in the City. Thanks Krista and Dawn for entertaining us on the Lower East side and super thanks to Krista for putting us up for the night. It was fantastic to be back in town, even if it was for one night only.
My time at IICD has been divided into many parts:
1) Planning the IICD Olympic Games which our school in Massachusetts will be hosting (there are two other schools in the US - Michigan and Cali). The games will be held this week-end and the activities are crazy (scavenger hunt in the woods, paint ball, sprint up the side of the mountain, biggest splash in the pool, tug of war, etc...) I'm conducting the opening ceremony and have prepared a speech and will be donning a toga.
2) Preparing for our first fundraising trip which will be to Washington D.C. from September 3-16th. We need to secure permits, accommodations, strategies etc... We need as a team to fundraise approx $86,000.00. We will have four two week fundraising events. The strategies include door to door begging in residential neighborhoods, setting up tables in front of stores such as Wal-mart and Trader Joe's, setting up booths at colleges and universities, speaking at churches, and anything else that we can come up with. (YOUR IDEAS ARE VERY WELCOME!!!!)
3) Preparing a presentation on the Berlin Conference. Basically the Berlin Conference was when the various European nations decided to get together and slice and divide the African continent. The country borders that we see today are a direct result of this conference which marked the beginning of Africa's official colonization. You'll notice that certain countries around Lake Victoria in particular are cut irregularly because every European country wanted a piece of the lake or a piece of a particular beach/coast. It was a terrible thing obviously, families were split apart, apartheid became the political norm, Africans were virtually enslaved all over again and subjugated and forced to work for the Europeans in order to make money to pay the taxes that were imposed on them, Africa's natural resources were robbed and used to fuel Europe's economy and further their industrial revolution, farmers were forced to abandon growing the crops that fed their families and were forced to grow cotton so that it could be shipped to Europe and starvation grew rampid and soil was leeched, to name a few consequences... Don't get me started, I could go on and on all day!
My focus is on Portugal and how they received Mozambique, Angola and Portuguese Guinea. Which is perfect because I will be going to Angola.
My presentation will be on Tuesday.
As I've said before the classes are very interesting and we are very busy. The people on this mountain are interesting, some are fantastic and others are completely crazy and I wonder why they are even participating in this program. Certain people and things are larger than life and you wouldn't believe me if I told you so I'll spare you those details.
Last night was so fun. A group of about ten of us decided to play flashlight tag around midnight. Have I mentioned that our mountain is pitch black at night, it was a crazy game. Then some of us went for a walk in our "haunted woods", as protection we took Bear, one of our dogs with us in case we ran into a bear or something else. So four of us, including myself are brave or stupid enough to enter the woods while everyone else waited outside. At first things are great, we're walking and joking and singing and suddenly, Bear stops leading us, he gets really quiet and still. He looks left and then right and then looks at us and whines. This crazy dog then jets, he left us, so we followed suit screaming and running wildly with vines and branches smacking us in the face. It was really funny.
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