At our hike’s end today is supposed to be a waterfall. I’ve been to waterfalls before, so this destination does not particularly compel me to press on. It is the beauty of the hike – the journey – and the not knowing what wonder will be around the next bend that makes me put one [...]
Archive for the ‘Africa’ Category
5 Oct
Chaga, pt. 3
The homes were fewer in number the further we hiked, often standing alone amid tall banana trees or bunched together in a cluster. Oscar points to a ridge on the side of a hill facing us, indicating to us the beginning of Kilimanjaro National Park. “Beyond that line,” Oscar says, “no one can live.” [...]
3 Oct
Chaga, pt. 2
While much of the western world walks down shiny aisles of supermarkets and chooses from six different brands of celery salt, the Chaga depend fully on the soil they walk on. Living off land replete with natural resources that Kili gives them, the Chaga grow maize, sweet potatoes, yams, arums, beans, peas, red millet and [...]
1 Oct
Chaga, pt. 1
Clinging to the side of mighty Mt. Kilimanjaro’s fertile southern slope, a people group thrives on practices of living that have survived millennia.
Their simple homes, easily entertained children, kind smiles, and sweat-inducing field labor — not to mention their almost complete lack of “modern technological conveniences” — speak to a society that exists in [...]
26 Sep
generalizations
Reading back through my post from a few days ago, I realize I made some very sweeping generalizations about an entire continent based on two weeks’ experience in one small land block. I apologize for this. As some of you said, lack of “forward thinking” and fatalism are obviously not the same everywhere in Africa.
I [...]
24 Sep
reflections on life
In a number of ways, life “post-Tanzania” will not be the same as life “pre-Tanzania.”
For one, today is my first day working from home as a freelance writer rather. That reality is both exciting and terrifying. How do I begin? What if I fail, and I don’t get paid enough? Will I be able to [...]
20 Sep
TZ photo essay
Now that the jet-lag has worn off (a little), we thought we’d share some of our favorite captured memories (photos) from our Tanzanian adventure. These are just our faves. (you may view these on Flickr by clicking here).
Captions (top to bottom): Chameleon on a stick in Lushoto, Tanzania; Children at the Church of Christ [...]
3 Sep
made it
We arrived in Moshi, Tanzania, safely on Saturday night but are only getting to an Internet cafe today. Right off the plane in Moshi, we were met with quite the “African experience”: being pulled aside because of two crates of goods we were bringing our friends, told that the normal duties on such an import [...]
28 Aug
misc
Attention Music Lovers: Allow me to point you to two very important links.
Link #1: http://acl.mp3.com/feature/soundandjury/?band=HOMER-HICCOLM-AND-THE-ROCKETBOYS
If you click on the link above, you will have the opportunity (dare-I-say, “privilege”) of voting for my dear brother’s band in a contest to play at the world-famous Austin City Limits festival. Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys have made it [...]
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