Flashback Friday- Africa, Christmas 2002

I haven't done a Flashback Friday for a long time. I thought my next one would be my BYU days (going sort of chronologically) but I've been thinking a lot lately about my trip to Senegal so decided to post this instead. First, sorry about the poor quality (and large number) of photos. Instead of trying to find my CDs of photos I just snapped photos of some of the hard copies in my photos album.

I think Africa has been on my mind lately because I've been on a bit of a spending spree, buying things I "need" (new TV, etc) and feeling kind of guilty. When I came back from this trip I swore to change my view of what I "need". I'm such an sterotypical American living in excess. I was so impressed with how little everyone had and how happy everyone was. Not to mention most of them were living with malaria! It definitely made me reevaluate what brings happiness and how much I really don't need. It seems I need to be reminded of this quite often as I'm sucked into materialism over and over. We thought it would be fun to stop in NYC on our way home for New Years' Eve an hit some of the after Christmas sales. Big mistake! I was totally sick plus we didn't expect to have such culture shock which made shopping seem disgusting. At midnight we stood there (a couple of blocks from Times Square because we couldn't get any closer in the crowds) impatiently waiting for the ball to drop so we could leave. Not exactly the Dick Clark Rockin' New Year's Eve we'd anticipated. Anyway, here's some photos of the trip.



This is one of the "buses" we took from Dakar to Koussanar. It kept breaking down. It took us something like 14 hours to get there when it should have been 5-6.



I brought some bubbles to play with the kids. We'd walk outside our bunks and within minutes kids would be swarming. They loved the bubbles. We had poised cute for this photo (you can see me in the back) but then Allison went to take the photo and held up her fingers counting to three. Of course, these kids didn't understand English so they just mimicked her and held up their fingers for the photo.



This is one of the classes we taught. I love this photo because it looks like I'm superimposed in it.

They had numerous dances/celebrations for us. They'd pull you out of the crowd to perform. Then eventually everyone would join in.

We took some donkey carts to outlying smaller villages. These girls were grinding some kind of grain. This is one of the photos that didn't rephotograph too well. We had a former Peace Corps volunteer with us. She took us to these smaller communities where we showed them how to make ovens to cook on to conserve fuel. You make them out of clay you dig up and termite mounds. Apparently termite spit is really bonding and holds the ovens together well.

I have no idea why this uploaded upside down. This is one of our interpreters showing us how to use the bathroom (can you see the little hole right beneath him?) We actually had plumbing where we stayed so I never actually used one of these "facilities".

Me with some of the kids. Can you see me starting to look hammered? People in our group were starting to get really sick. I could tell my body was trying to fight it off for days and I was slowly losing the battle.

Someone in our group brought stars to give the kids at school. When we started giving them out the women also wanted them for accessories.

This was after the final day of school. This little girl stuck to me pretty close the whole time I was there. I had brought that little stuffed dog to use for games in class. She was cute and so patient with me and my attempts to speak to her in French. She asked us to come visit her home after the last day of school. It was a humble little place where she lived with extended family, but she proudly took us around to show us everything. She was especially proud of their mango tree in the yard and an Easter hat. Her grandfather took us into their prayer building and gave us a blessing. I think of this girl often. She was such an eager student. I would guess by now she is married with kids and working harder than any of us will ever have to.

Here's me completely out of it. We were trying to pack to leave and I could barely roll over in bed. I seriously have never been that sick before. Allison was so nice and took care of me, packed my bags and everything. I was actually starting to feel a little better by the time we started traveling back.

Here is the whole group the last day in Koussanar. I really didn't want to be out of bed for this photo, but also didn't want to miss saying good-bye to everyone. Hey-I'm wearing that same shirt right now (DHC). It's now my pajama's.

Another bad photo, but this is regular traffic in downtown Dakar (capital of Senegal) This is right by the market. It was insanity! We toured a little before coming home including visiting Goree Island where they took slaves before being transferred to Europe and America.

So there is it. Sorry this was way long. It's just been on my mind a lot lately.

Happy weekend everyone!

p.s. I just talked to Heidi and she suggested I post my Africa journal and pics. I just did a quick blog of the journal (see link on right). I'll dig up the CD of photos and get a slide show on there later.

Biking Photos

A couple people have asked for me to post some photos of a bike ride. I took my camera on the Elephant Rock/Mueller Park ride this evening. My batteried died- duh. I did get a few shots first....

That's elephant rock. No idea why it's called that


Here is some of the gang at the rock. Big group this time! The trail is not too steep or too technical but really fun, everyone comes out to do it.


This is a fun little boardwalk section. I know i should have gotten a rider on it, but I didn't want wait for someone and then make them stop. Not a lot of passing space on this trail. It's a really fun ride going downhill.


I think that is Jerry getting to the rock.


I'm bummed my camera died. It is an incredibly pretty trail. Nice and cool and out of the valley heat. BTW- mountain biking doesn't bother my hand like the road bike does. Bonus.

A Few Random Things

Random Thing #1: I love the show So You Think You Can Dance, but can't stand the way they film the dancing. It's more like a music video than showcasing amazing choreography. For a show created by dancers, I can't believe they'd do this. In Fred Astaire's movies, he insisted on full body shots and the camera have little/no angle changes so you could really see him dance. SYTYCD needs to take a lesson.

Random Thing #2: Microsoft 2007 stinks!! I hated it when I first got it but was willing to give it a try thinking it would grow on me-- it hasn't. It is a source of daily frustration.

Random Thing #3: I have a bee sting on my face. That's the thanks I get for tending to all those flowers in mom and dad's yard. I give it pollen, it gives me a huge welt on my face- fair trade I guess. :)

Random Thing #4: I had fun watching Wimbledon (just have to be sure all my random things aren't complaints). The Williams sisters rock!

Random Thing #5: I said good-bye to cute Milo and his family last night. Sad to see them go. Good luck in Texas guys!!

Random Thing #6: I think acupuncture is like magic. He fixed up my hand last week in just minutes. It's amazing. (It also doesn't hurt that my acupuncturist is about the most attractive man I know. Ü)

Random Thing #7: Conversation on the hiking trail yesterday.

I was startled by a huge rattlesnake on the side of the path, a minute later two girls were hiking the opposite direction (judging by their looks, I could tell they were not big hikers). I just warned them about the snake and kept hiking. I heard this conversation going on behind me.

Girl 1: What do you do if you see a rattlesnake?

Girl 2: Run!

Girl 1: Doesn't that make more come out to get you?

Girl 2: No, I think that is just in the movie, Tremors.

Girl 1: Oh, right. Are they poisonous?

Girl 2: I think they might kill you instantly.

Then I was out of earshot. I really wanted to turn around and stealthily follow them until they came to the snake to see what they did. I half expected them to be paralyzed in their tracks when I was coming back down an hour later. Alas, girls and snake were nowhere to be seen.

Weekend Update

Another fun and exhausting day. The 4th of July was one party after another. :) First, up at 6:30 to get breakfast going for the ward party. The party started with a flag ceremony courtesy of the Scouts at 8:00 a.m.

Then we did the annual triathlon. Twice around the block on a bike, once on foot, then slip and slide across the finish line. Here's a bike/run transition.

Megan and Joe Roth were the big winners. How cute are they! Here's Megan crossing the finish line and getting a hug from Joe. Then they did a unison victory slide! (nice form Megan!)

Then inside for a hearty breakfast. We had about twice as many people as we thought; it was a total fish and loaves situation. We had egg casseroles, Ikea cinnamon rolls, fruit, bacon and juice.

Next was the family reunion. It was great to see everyone, especially all of you fellowing blogging cousins IRL. I didn't take many photos and a lot were with Steph's camera. Here are a couple.

This is the cake I made. Lemon cake with whipped cream frosting, strawberries and blueberries.

A few of the kiddos

We did the big slip and slide down the hill. A few of "big kids" (adults) made it off the end.

Here's video of Asher going to down.


After the party we headed to the Stadium of Fire. Sorry, no pics of Miley. :) Actually, I had never heard any of her songs. It wasn't as teeny-bopper as I thought it would be. The kids really liked it. The fireworks were great.

One fun thing about it was where we parked. Kasey's friend came with us and her aunt offered to let us park in her driveway. The house ended up being right behind Grandma and Grandpa H's old house. It was so fun to walk by and see people there having dinner in the yard and doing fireworks in the circle just like we used to every year growing up. Then that walk from their house to the stadium is so familiar and reminiscent of 4th of July and football games. Steph and I were telling the kids about it, and they didn't really care, which reminded me of when we were kids and mom & dad would take us around Provo to show us their old houses and we thought it was boring. Ya dad, I get it now. :)

Saturday I slept in- it was fabulous. Then went for a bike ride - mistake. My hand was almost better and I thought if I kept changing my hand position and making sure my shoulders and neck were loose it would be OK. I realized at the TOP of City Creek Canyon that I didn't have the strength in my hand to use my brakes or shift. Not a good thing to discover as you're starting down. It was an adventure, and now my hand is all numb again. I guess I need to stay off my bike until it heals.

I FINALLY bought new mattress and TV (yay joined the HD world) yesterday afternoon. I know I think I've blogged three times that I bought them, but it just never quite worked out. They are actually paid for this time, although the mattress won't be delivered for a week and I could not figure out how to hook up the TV (I miss dad!). I ended the day with dinner and movie with a friend (Thai food and the Broadway theater). Not a bad holiday weekend.

Yeehaw

The cute new pink pleated tennis skirt did it's magic. We won tonight. 6-2 6-4. I always think tennis is fun, this winning thing is new and it makes it extra fun. :) Also fun that one of the girls on the opposing team I knew from high school. Always a bonus to kick the butt of some athletic chick from high school. :)