Speaking of Money:
Much to our surprise, money became a concern of ours in Zambia. So much that we did not travel to Northwest territory to visit the beekeepers. While in Livingstone, we started to plan with Kennedy, a very trustworthy guide and friend. The trip would require 3 days travel to and then also to return. Yikes! Just in time alone, we did not have the allowance. Fuel is jaw dropping expensive there too! We thought we had it bad here in US! ha, they are charged 1.50-1.75 a liter. There are almost 4 liters to a gallon. That's $6-8 a gallon! Just in fuel alone, we would be broke! There was also lodging and a car needed. And even knowing all this, Gia was not deterred by any of this. I was cringing after adding it all up and sad because it was something my heart called for. We also felt we owed it to Anita. Some one the last words we shared with her in Florida, before she passed away, were about the beekeepers. What to take with us - a polaroid camera and a wind up shortwave radio as a gift. She also encouraged us to follow our hearts and not listen to hierachy corporate beings telling us no, don't go.
So with Anita's spirit urging us on, it was a good 3 days before we finally came to the disappointing conclusion we could not pull it off with what little time & money we had left and all the other things we wanted to do. I still regret not going and I know that I will end up there someday soon. I know Gia and I are not people that can be told no easily. We question, we research and yes, sometimes we just wing it. Going back to meet the beekeepers is still a goal of mine.And not for The Body Shop, but for me, Gia, Anita. Who knows when it will be. And that's ok too.
-Hillary
11.14.2007
A perspective...money
Amazing-Absolutely Wonderful-Incredible: Traveling is something I think everyone should experience. Not just a road trip to the beach. I'm talking down and dirty, overseas, in the bush breakthrough, with language barriers and only the the human connections to get you by! Our trip was raw, organic, point blank, culture in your face stuff. And we loved every minute of it! And after several weeks of saying it was "incredible", here's a better descriptionfor ya!
A Perspective: Money. It is a pulse of life as we know it, yet without money, we are still human. We feel, smell, touch. Without money, we are limited only in a physical nature. Money can be medical help, travel, food, water, phone, electricity, education, Without Money, we still have our imagination, nature, oxygen, speech, walking, talent, love, work ethic. Is there a connection?
When you don't have money, will you work harder? Is our country in a state of apathy because we have too much? What can you live without? Take a moment and imagine yourself without money today. What will you not experience? What would you do today without a job? How will you eat? Drink? What would you be concerned about? Without money, how do you feel? I honestly believe our US culture is stuck in a mode of gimme, gimme and I'm not quite sure how we will ever get out of this. Lately, I picture myself, Dan and the kids in Africa, living a simple life. No bling, no image competition at school, relying on life as we know it to entertain us. Learning that there is nothing in life that we should take for granted. Going out to eat would be a fabulous treat, and wow, a movie! Being outside to play, not n front of the tv. I could go on and on with this...do you get my drift? Is my perspective affecting your own? Good!
-Hillary
A Perspective: Money. It is a pulse of life as we know it, yet without money, we are still human. We feel, smell, touch. Without money, we are limited only in a physical nature. Money can be medical help, travel, food, water, phone, electricity, education, Without Money, we still have our imagination, nature, oxygen, speech, walking, talent, love, work ethic. Is there a connection?
When you don't have money, will you work harder? Is our country in a state of apathy because we have too much? What can you live without? Take a moment and imagine yourself without money today. What will you not experience? What would you do today without a job? How will you eat? Drink? What would you be concerned about? Without money, how do you feel? I honestly believe our US culture is stuck in a mode of gimme, gimme and I'm not quite sure how we will ever get out of this. Lately, I picture myself, Dan and the kids in Africa, living a simple life. No bling, no image competition at school, relying on life as we know it to entertain us. Learning that there is nothing in life that we should take for granted. Going out to eat would be a fabulous treat, and wow, a movie! Being outside to play, not n front of the tv. I could go on and on with this...do you get my drift? Is my perspective affecting your own? Good!
-Hillary
10.23.2007
Mr. Banda
Lexon Banda. A name we won't forget. More importantly a spirit that we won't forget. Who is Lexon Banda? Mr.Banda?
I bet you would never guess. Mr.Banda was our faithful taxi driver. We had no idea how much we would need to take taxi's for transportation. Angela gave us Mr.Banda's phone number when we arrived. "If you need a ride. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time. You call him. He's reliable. He's honest. And he'll give you a fair price." All true.
Now Mr.Banda was more than just our taxi driver. He "saved" us one night. Well I exaggerated a little bit but lets just say that one of the few times we were nervous about our safety Lexon was there.
We were on the long bus ride back from Livingstone. Normally a 6 hr drive. Mr.Banda was going to meet us at the bus station he dropped us off at 3 days earlier (just like a friend would pick you up on your return) until we changed our plans. We decided to take a different bus because it left earlier in the day and it wouldn't be so hot. We knew that this bus would take us downtown to the city center in the late afternoon. But no worries Banda would meet us.
Well lets just say the bus ride went a little longer than expected. We couldn't get a hold of Banda & we weren't sure if he got our text messages. So we just crossed our fingers. Our bus arrived about 2.5 hrs later and it was getting dark. As we rounded the corner to the bus station we realized that we probably weren't in the best part of town. With our backpacks and white skin we we stood out just a little bit. We definitely looked like we had money. And we weren't really sure of where to go to catch a taxi. We were starting to panic a little bit. I remember looking outside the windows trying to assess the scene. The best route to take to get away from the crowds but not to isolate ourselves. The options looked slim. My heart started to race. Maybe we should have baked in the sun and taken the bus that left later. Oops. Did we make a poor decision based on comfort?
The next thing I know....I see the happiest, jolliest, smiling man waving to me. It's Banda. Lexon Banda to the rescue! We couldn't believe it. As we walked off the bus into the crowd he reached up and grabbed a hold of our arms and pulled us to his taxi & gave us a warm welcome "home." I assumed he got my text so he knew to catch us later. Thank goodness!
I bet you would never guess. Mr.Banda was our faithful taxi driver. We had no idea how much we would need to take taxi's for transportation. Angela gave us Mr.Banda's phone number when we arrived. "If you need a ride. If you have to be somewhere at a certain time. You call him. He's reliable. He's honest. And he'll give you a fair price." All true.
Now Mr.Banda was more than just our taxi driver. He "saved" us one night. Well I exaggerated a little bit but lets just say that one of the few times we were nervous about our safety Lexon was there.
We were on the long bus ride back from Livingstone. Normally a 6 hr drive. Mr.Banda was going to meet us at the bus station he dropped us off at 3 days earlier (just like a friend would pick you up on your return) until we changed our plans. We decided to take a different bus because it left earlier in the day and it wouldn't be so hot. We knew that this bus would take us downtown to the city center in the late afternoon. But no worries Banda would meet us.
Well lets just say the bus ride went a little longer than expected. We couldn't get a hold of Banda & we weren't sure if he got our text messages. So we just crossed our fingers. Our bus arrived about 2.5 hrs later and it was getting dark. As we rounded the corner to the bus station we realized that we probably weren't in the best part of town. With our backpacks and white skin we we stood out just a little bit. We definitely looked like we had money. And we weren't really sure of where to go to catch a taxi. We were starting to panic a little bit. I remember looking outside the windows trying to assess the scene. The best route to take to get away from the crowds but not to isolate ourselves. The options looked slim. My heart started to race. Maybe we should have baked in the sun and taken the bus that left later. Oops. Did we make a poor decision based on comfort?
The next thing I know....I see the happiest, jolliest, smiling man waving to me. It's Banda. Lexon Banda to the rescue! We couldn't believe it. As we walked off the bus into the crowd he reached up and grabbed a hold of our arms and pulled us to his taxi & gave us a warm welcome "home." I assumed he got my text so he knew to catch us later. Thank goodness!
Silly me. He didn't get our message. "What message" he checks his phone,"No? No message from you." We couldn't believe it...he waited. He had no idea when our bus would be in. But he would wait. He waited for 2.5 hrs for the two crazy American girls. He WAITED!
Angela was right. Banda is reliable. And he is our friend. We asked ourselves over and over if that would EVER happen here. In our country. Has a taxi driver ever waited 2.5 hrs for you?
So if you find yourself traveling to Zambia...we have a taxi connection for you...Mr.Banda.
Angela was right. Banda is reliable. And he is our friend. We asked ourselves over and over if that would EVER happen here. In our country. Has a taxi driver ever waited 2.5 hrs for you?
So if you find yourself traveling to Zambia...we have a taxi connection for you...Mr.Banda.
This picture was taken at the airport on our way back home. Goodbye Mr.Banda we'll see you next time! Too bad the photo doesn't capture his warm smile...you'll have to trust me on that one.
-gia
-gia
Noah...loved this little guy...
Hillary & I spent a lot of time painting and playing with the children outside while we were at the Kondwa center. So we didn't get a lot of time to "bond" with the kids that were in school. Which was probobly a good thing for me. We spent more time with the Kondwa graduates and some curious wanders that wanted to check out the "white girls" painting.BUT there was this one little guy. His name is Noah. And for some reason I loved this little one. Something about him drew me to him. He wasn't overly outgoing or smiley. He didn't follow me around or fight to hold my hand but he was always there. We would meet eyes and I felt a connection to him. He seemed a bit sad. He seemed like he had survived a lot. Again....none of this I know for sure...it's just what I felt. When we would meet eyes he would smile. That one of a kind amazing and authentic smile. And I felt his warmth.
I wanted a picture with him before I left. I decided to take a self portrait of us and only caught his eyes. Which say a lot. I love this picture. Because it will forever remind me of how I felt when I saw Noah. Ironically right before we took the picture he got smacked around a bit. I think Hillary mentioned early that the kids are pretty aggressive. Survival of the fittest, as they say. So poor little Noah got beat up a bit but still took the picture with me. So you can see some fresh tears in his eyes. He's the boy to my right.
I love you little guy. Thank you for touching my heart.
-gia
Words are symbols twice removed...
I went to Africa with the idea of experiencing the people, the culture, the children and for observation. All of which we did. I just had no idea that when I came home I would become and observer as well. Of our people & our culture. I am still in shock. But it's ok. It's not bad or good, it just is.
When a good friend of mine asked me if I had more adventures to share. I wrote him back and told him that I have been struggling with sharing the stories & writing my thoughts all down. This friend of mine has an incredible way with words and when he wrote me back I felt like he read my heart. So I'm going to steal some of his words and share them with you, in hopes that you will understand how I feel.
"Trips that change a person that much cannot be described. There is a new appreciation of silence and what that communicates. Our wisdom reveals itself when we are reluctant to describe the indescribable. We are happy to let it be. Words are symbols twice removed from the event. Words never really get to the core. This leaves us frustrated in two ways. First, we are unable to relate our experience in a meaningful way to the people we care about. We want them to "get" what we got. But, this can never be and we have to leave it alone. It was for us and our growth. Our loved ones must seek their own experiences and grow from those, not ours. Second, in our effort to explain, we cheapen our experience, we "dumb" it down so as to make it explainable. Again, frustrating. Our experience was HUGE, but describing it makes it small, as if it were relatable and easily passed on. It cannot be passed on. It is yours. Keep it, own it. Let it grow within you for the rest of your life. "
I hope this helps all of you to understand a little bit more of how we feel. With this said....we do want to share stories and pictures because our trip was life changing. And we want to share it with you. It's just hard. And it's especially hard for me. I'm a talker not a writer. So I will do my best to keep the stories coming. Thank you for waiting.
- gia
When a good friend of mine asked me if I had more adventures to share. I wrote him back and told him that I have been struggling with sharing the stories & writing my thoughts all down. This friend of mine has an incredible way with words and when he wrote me back I felt like he read my heart. So I'm going to steal some of his words and share them with you, in hopes that you will understand how I feel.
"Trips that change a person that much cannot be described. There is a new appreciation of silence and what that communicates. Our wisdom reveals itself when we are reluctant to describe the indescribable. We are happy to let it be. Words are symbols twice removed from the event. Words never really get to the core. This leaves us frustrated in two ways. First, we are unable to relate our experience in a meaningful way to the people we care about. We want them to "get" what we got. But, this can never be and we have to leave it alone. It was for us and our growth. Our loved ones must seek their own experiences and grow from those, not ours. Second, in our effort to explain, we cheapen our experience, we "dumb" it down so as to make it explainable. Again, frustrating. Our experience was HUGE, but describing it makes it small, as if it were relatable and easily passed on. It cannot be passed on. It is yours. Keep it, own it. Let it grow within you for the rest of your life. "
I hope this helps all of you to understand a little bit more of how we feel. With this said....we do want to share stories and pictures because our trip was life changing. And we want to share it with you. It's just hard. And it's especially hard for me. I'm a talker not a writer. So I will do my best to keep the stories coming. Thank you for waiting.
- gia
Thank you and Goodbye - story of a girl off to an orphanage
The past weeks have been a blur of emotion, daily tasks and more. I did not expect such a huge time to need for processing my experiences in Africa, yet it has all been worth it! I have so many pieces of Africa floating inside me, it is hard to choose where to start when I share with others. I usually begin with little nibbles of info because I don't know what is wanted from me. And even sometimes I feel that if I depart from the information, it won't return to me. What a silly notion, yet it is the only way I can describe how I cherish my experience so!
One story that I will and must share with you started a while back. And I had typed it all up intending to send it off and the computer I was using froze! Yikes! So here goes....
We were at Kondwa having a late lunch with Angela and her friend Marianne. An older man was there talking with her when we arrived. He was tall and thin, with white hair and a long white, yellowing beard. He wore a simple white tunic, brown slacks, sandals & a thin white "beanie" on his head. It was a very traditional Muslim way to dress. There was also a younger man with him who I found later to be the one driving. When the older man left the room, Angela explained that he was of the Muslim faith. It is a very popular belief in Lusaka because the Muslim Church will pay you to receive their religion. Monthly stipends, help with food & board.
When he returned to the room, a lovely young girl was with him. She looked to be 8-10 years old. Angela commented how pretty she looked in her dress. "Your best dress on, eh?" It reminded me of a traditional hispanic dress. White cotton with colorful striped, broad collar with lace, fitted waist. Her hair in braids, worn sandals. She waited by the door quietly, almost shyly, happily as the older man discussed something with Angela. He then turned, took the girl's hand and they both left. Angela then told us about them.
The older man was the young girl's grandfather and they had come to say thank you & goodbye. He was taking her to an orphanage today where she will live. The grandfather can no longer afford to take care of her. Angela helped them find the orphanage and the family sees this as a wonderful opportunity for the young girl. “It is a privilege,” Angela says.
Imagine being this girl. Imagine being the adult that takes the child away to a better place. I followed them out and by the time I got to the school yard they were in the car with the younger man, driving away. I wanted to talk with them, say goodbye too. I went back to Angela who helped me understand this situation.
Orphans in Africa (the number is exceeding 2 million today) are children that have lost one or both parents. Orphanages are not just bare-bone shelters. They are home to these children. Single or “half” or Double orphans are usually taken in by other relatives or people in the villages. And most of these families have hardships of their own. So this is why going to an orphanage is seen as a privilege. There is a selection process they must go through and it helps if you know someone familiar with the system. That is why so many people go to Angela for help. Orphanages or homes make sure the children go to school. They work at the homes – gardening, laundry, cooking, crafts to sell, etc. They have friends, adult support, a place to sleep, food, running water, clothes, shoes, a toilet.
Poverty is the number one reason why people die of AIDS, Malaria, dysentery. Poverty is what makes an orphanage a wonderful place for a child. I am moved by this story because it shows what little I knew. So many may see this as a sad scenario and I initially reacted this way as well. And I now understand poverty in Africa. Who am I to say that they don’t have enough? I saw many happy families, children thriving in the compound. Have I compared these people to our own standards of living here in the US? What would you do without the luxuries of tv, ipods, Playstation?. Fuel is cheap here compared to Lusaka. Could you go without drinking water every time you were thirsty? What do you consider bare necessities? Poverty is only what happens to you. For many it is not the way they love, think and act. It is not who they are, it is only what they live in and what they call it is life. And I see them being so much richer than me.
- Hillary
One story that I will and must share with you started a while back. And I had typed it all up intending to send it off and the computer I was using froze! Yikes! So here goes....
We were at Kondwa having a late lunch with Angela and her friend Marianne. An older man was there talking with her when we arrived. He was tall and thin, with white hair and a long white, yellowing beard. He wore a simple white tunic, brown slacks, sandals & a thin white "beanie" on his head. It was a very traditional Muslim way to dress. There was also a younger man with him who I found later to be the one driving. When the older man left the room, Angela explained that he was of the Muslim faith. It is a very popular belief in Lusaka because the Muslim Church will pay you to receive their religion. Monthly stipends, help with food & board.
When he returned to the room, a lovely young girl was with him. She looked to be 8-10 years old. Angela commented how pretty she looked in her dress. "Your best dress on, eh?" It reminded me of a traditional hispanic dress. White cotton with colorful striped, broad collar with lace, fitted waist. Her hair in braids, worn sandals. She waited by the door quietly, almost shyly, happily as the older man discussed something with Angela. He then turned, took the girl's hand and they both left. Angela then told us about them.
The older man was the young girl's grandfather and they had come to say thank you & goodbye. He was taking her to an orphanage today where she will live. The grandfather can no longer afford to take care of her. Angela helped them find the orphanage and the family sees this as a wonderful opportunity for the young girl. “It is a privilege,” Angela says.
Imagine being this girl. Imagine being the adult that takes the child away to a better place. I followed them out and by the time I got to the school yard they were in the car with the younger man, driving away. I wanted to talk with them, say goodbye too. I went back to Angela who helped me understand this situation.
Orphans in Africa (the number is exceeding 2 million today) are children that have lost one or both parents. Orphanages are not just bare-bone shelters. They are home to these children. Single or “half” or Double orphans are usually taken in by other relatives or people in the villages. And most of these families have hardships of their own. So this is why going to an orphanage is seen as a privilege. There is a selection process they must go through and it helps if you know someone familiar with the system. That is why so many people go to Angela for help. Orphanages or homes make sure the children go to school. They work at the homes – gardening, laundry, cooking, crafts to sell, etc. They have friends, adult support, a place to sleep, food, running water, clothes, shoes, a toilet.
Poverty is the number one reason why people die of AIDS, Malaria, dysentery. Poverty is what makes an orphanage a wonderful place for a child. I am moved by this story because it shows what little I knew. So many may see this as a sad scenario and I initially reacted this way as well. And I now understand poverty in Africa. Who am I to say that they don’t have enough? I saw many happy families, children thriving in the compound. Have I compared these people to our own standards of living here in the US? What would you do without the luxuries of tv, ipods, Playstation?. Fuel is cheap here compared to Lusaka. Could you go without drinking water every time you were thirsty? What do you consider bare necessities? Poverty is only what happens to you. For many it is not the way they love, think and act. It is not who they are, it is only what they live in and what they call it is life. And I see them being so much richer than me.
- Hillary
10.09.2007
We're Home....culture shock!
We're home!
I can't believe we've been home almost 2 weeks now...so sorry for the delay with the updates on our blog site. We had a LONG journey home and we're greeted by our families smiling faces. It was hard to say goodbye to Africa...but we know we'll be back!!
We have both been adjusting back to life in our worlds....we're definitely experiencing more culture shock coming home than going to Africa. We have so much here....it's a little overwhelming to take it all in....at the same time we are grateful.
We promise to update the site with stories this week...and PHOTOS!! We can't wait to share more of our journey with you.....thanks to all of you that have been following us along the way....please leave comments and let us know your thoughts!! We never know who even reads this....sometimes it feels like we're writing to ourselves!! Let us know you're out there!!
Much Love....gia
I can't believe we've been home almost 2 weeks now...so sorry for the delay with the updates on our blog site. We had a LONG journey home and we're greeted by our families smiling faces. It was hard to say goodbye to Africa...but we know we'll be back!!
We have both been adjusting back to life in our worlds....we're definitely experiencing more culture shock coming home than going to Africa. We have so much here....it's a little overwhelming to take it all in....at the same time we are grateful.
We promise to update the site with stories this week...and PHOTOS!! We can't wait to share more of our journey with you.....thanks to all of you that have been following us along the way....please leave comments and let us know your thoughts!! We never know who even reads this....sometimes it feels like we're writing to ourselves!! Let us know you're out there!!
Much Love....gia
9.19.2007
Unable to update until London
Unfortunately, due to the cost of internet and the frequently crashing computers in zambia, the blog is too difficult to update. We will update the blog with stories when we arrive in london.
All is well and we are having amazing experiences. Stay tuned!!!!!
All is well and we are having amazing experiences. Stay tuned!!!!!
9.16.2007
Saved by a banana!
I'm feeling super skittish right now after my encounter with a HUGE baboon! (BTW this isn't a picture of the baboon I encountered) I love monkeys and I'm fascinated by them and I thought it would be really cool to see one while I was here. I just never thought it would be up close and personal.
Hillary and I were unpacking our bags in our outdoor tent in Livingstone when she saw a momma and a baby baboon go by. I was so disappointed I missed them. A few minutes later Hillary left to the office while I finished unpacking. I had just hung a garbage bag on the back of the chair on our little patio outside our tent. There was an empty water bottle and a banana peel in there.
The next thing I knew there was a HUGE male baboon on the step to our tent looking in at me. He was a little bit skittish as was I....we looked at each other. He would move. Then I would move. He didn't seem to care much that I was there....not really afraid. He grabbed my grocery bag off the chair and ripped out the banana peel and ate it. I kept my eyes on him the whole time and was wondering if I should grab my camera or run. I tried to call Hillary but she didn't hear me. No one was around.
By now the baboon wanted more food and he knew I had it. We had a cool interaction yet I was scared to death at the same time. I was wondering what he was going to do next. I tried to untie the tent so I could close it but it was knotted up. The baboon was really jumpy but very forward. I was going to run but I knew he would destroy our tent and who knows maybe he would run off with our passports!
So a few seconds later he came towards me and started to reach to open our tent...mind you we're only about 3 feet away from each other before he walked towards me. I felt trapped. He was almost as tall as me squatting. He had huge strong fingers and gigantic yellow teeth. His eyes were very human like and determined. To say the least my heart was racing.....
So I acted quickly and grabbed a banana off our shelf and threw it out into the grass. He ran after it and started to eat it. I zipped the tent and RAN! I found Hillary and the staff right away They ran so fast towards our tent to throw rocks at the baboon to get him to run away...which he did...after he ate the banana of course.
I didn't realize how scared I was until after it happened. I had no idea that I might have to use my self defense skills to get away from a baboon! We saw the whole family later that night across the river...and he even looked gigantic from a distance.
After a few hours I felt better but I was fairly jumpy and the rest of the night....Hillary was a great sport to put up with me!
Now when I look back on it I can laugh...too bad it wasn't caught on film!
Just wanted to sum up that we saw so many cool animals just by chance. We saw about 5 elephants driving back home last night and ate dinner with the cutest little bush baby....he literally flew out of the tree, landed on our picnic table and started to lick our yogurt lid....not afraid at all.
Then we had the privilege of watching the hippos come down the water last night...they were amazing to watch. The way they would open & close their mouths in the water. We were on edge just in case they decided to climb up the little hill towards us. They're so fast! We found out that they were on the lawn a few hours later. They are one of the most dangerous animals here to people.
This morning we woke up and the elephants were back in our camp this time.....so beautiful. It's so incredible to see them outside of a zoo...where they should be. We also saw a crocodile sun bathing in the afternoon heat. It's so wild to be so close to all of these animals. We are grateful we saw them with out even looking for them!
-gia
Once again I apologize for my horrible grammar and sentence structure. For some reason my brain isn't working properly. I think I'm so engrossed in my experience that I've lost all control over my language skills and typing skills....I just want to keep the stories coming to you......
Hillary and I were unpacking our bags in our outdoor tent in Livingstone when she saw a momma and a baby baboon go by. I was so disappointed I missed them. A few minutes later Hillary left to the office while I finished unpacking. I had just hung a garbage bag on the back of the chair on our little patio outside our tent. There was an empty water bottle and a banana peel in there.
The next thing I knew there was a HUGE male baboon on the step to our tent looking in at me. He was a little bit skittish as was I....we looked at each other. He would move. Then I would move. He didn't seem to care much that I was there....not really afraid. He grabbed my grocery bag off the chair and ripped out the banana peel and ate it. I kept my eyes on him the whole time and was wondering if I should grab my camera or run. I tried to call Hillary but she didn't hear me. No one was around.
By now the baboon wanted more food and he knew I had it. We had a cool interaction yet I was scared to death at the same time. I was wondering what he was going to do next. I tried to untie the tent so I could close it but it was knotted up. The baboon was really jumpy but very forward. I was going to run but I knew he would destroy our tent and who knows maybe he would run off with our passports!
So a few seconds later he came towards me and started to reach to open our tent...mind you we're only about 3 feet away from each other before he walked towards me. I felt trapped. He was almost as tall as me squatting. He had huge strong fingers and gigantic yellow teeth. His eyes were very human like and determined. To say the least my heart was racing.....
So I acted quickly and grabbed a banana off our shelf and threw it out into the grass. He ran after it and started to eat it. I zipped the tent and RAN! I found Hillary and the staff right away They ran so fast towards our tent to throw rocks at the baboon to get him to run away...which he did...after he ate the banana of course.
I didn't realize how scared I was until after it happened. I had no idea that I might have to use my self defense skills to get away from a baboon! We saw the whole family later that night across the river...and he even looked gigantic from a distance.
After a few hours I felt better but I was fairly jumpy and the rest of the night....Hillary was a great sport to put up with me!
Now when I look back on it I can laugh...too bad it wasn't caught on film!
Just wanted to sum up that we saw so many cool animals just by chance. We saw about 5 elephants driving back home last night and ate dinner with the cutest little bush baby....he literally flew out of the tree, landed on our picnic table and started to lick our yogurt lid....not afraid at all.
Then we had the privilege of watching the hippos come down the water last night...they were amazing to watch. The way they would open & close their mouths in the water. We were on edge just in case they decided to climb up the little hill towards us. They're so fast! We found out that they were on the lawn a few hours later. They are one of the most dangerous animals here to people.
This morning we woke up and the elephants were back in our camp this time.....so beautiful. It's so incredible to see them outside of a zoo...where they should be. We also saw a crocodile sun bathing in the afternoon heat. It's so wild to be so close to all of these animals. We are grateful we saw them with out even looking for them!
-gia
Once again I apologize for my horrible grammar and sentence structure. For some reason my brain isn't working properly. I think I'm so engrossed in my experience that I've lost all control over my language skills and typing skills....I just want to keep the stories coming to you......
You know you're in Africa when....
We will be adding to this as we go....
-You look up and come face to face with a very large baboon and you're not at the zoo
-Mosquito nets are all the rage, deet is the #1 seller at the Shoprite
-A hot shower is a blessed event
-"No thank you" and "yes please" are used in the same sentence
-You wake to monkey barks and roosters calling
-People actually say "hello, how are you?" and actually want to hear your answer
-Children play outside and create their own entertainment at all hours of the day
-Walking & biking is the preferred transportation
-Children want to go to school and it is a privilege, not an inconvenience
-There's not a coffee shop on every corner
-Bananas taste like candy
-Using the internet is a luxury
-People hug because it means something special!
-You look up and come face to face with a very large baboon and you're not at the zoo
-Mosquito nets are all the rage, deet is the #1 seller at the Shoprite
-A hot shower is a blessed event
-"No thank you" and "yes please" are used in the same sentence
-You wake to monkey barks and roosters calling
-People actually say "hello, how are you?" and actually want to hear your answer
-Children play outside and create their own entertainment at all hours of the day
-Walking & biking is the preferred transportation
-Children want to go to school and it is a privilege, not an inconvenience
-There's not a coffee shop on every corner
-Bananas taste like candy
-Using the internet is a luxury
-People hug because it means something special!
Speechless
Muzungu is me - I am color of heart, sight and mind
Have you ever had an experience that left you speechless? Not because of shock, but because words would not do it justice. It's like taking a picture of Victoria Falls, one of the 7 wonders of the world, knowing that the photo only captures the moment in time and not the full beauty, majesty and amazement of that moment. This is what I feel when when I think of my time in Africa. Gia and I have filled our days with so many moments, experiences, events, memories, that I will be up for days and nights trying to sort it all out. I'll do my best to summarize for you....
Upon our arrival, the adjustment to the culture took only a day. The Zambian people are so welcoming and open that by Monday, we were ready to dive right into whatever came our way. And we did just that. The Kondwa Center- Angela Malik is an amazing woman. What she has done for the community, her people, the children...wow! And she keeps going. Angela is bright, kind, savvy, sweet, energetic, smart and loving. She is the guardian of N'Gombe Compound. She is a hero of our times!
There is a mural on a very large wall in the school yard that Angela despised.....we are now painting a new mural there, one of children, rainbows, movement and community. We also took liberty to paint other walls with bright colors and designs that make the children happy, singing and wanting to join in! Paint is very expensive here so we have had to improvise and the block wall...well, this is a welcomed challenge that we are relishing in!! I still pinch myself that I am in Africa and am doing art! How cool is this!!!!
As we make our acquatinces at Kondwa - the staff is absolutely beautiful, inside and out, the children are definitely pulling at my heartstrings every time I think of them - we have also made time to meet other people of the community. Paul, Angela's grandson, Aaron, her first born son...both wonderful and we wish to spend more time with them. Marianne - Angela's childhood friend who is a business woman & miner in eastern Zambia.
All our taxi drivers rock! James, Max, Banda - thank you for answering all our crazy questions. Fanelli, Clement, Ruth and Noreen at the guest house, what would we do without you!? In Livingstone, all I can say is that when you come, you have to call Walter. he is our friend, our tour guide and transportation and we have loved every minute with him! He will someday soon be the #1 tour guide in all of Zambia! You rock Walter! Thank you for such a great time! Kelvin & Kelvin at the Maramba Lodge - keep asking questions, save your money and come to the US. Follow your dreams! the Grand canyon awaits you :) Sister Benedicta of Lubasi - you are the heart and soul of the word fundraising and I am inspired by your tireless mission to keep your children safe, well fed and supported in so many wonderful ways!
As I end this, we are typing like mad women in an internet place in Livingstone. Walter is patiently waiting to take us back to the lodge. And I want to buy him a Mosi just because! Tomorrow, we are going to the Lubasi home for children. To meet, play with, observe the ways of the children and staff. Later we plan to get down and boogie with the locals. My heart has been dancing since I got here and now I can really cut loose!
-Hillary
Have you ever had an experience that left you speechless? Not because of shock, but because words would not do it justice. It's like taking a picture of Victoria Falls, one of the 7 wonders of the world, knowing that the photo only captures the moment in time and not the full beauty, majesty and amazement of that moment. This is what I feel when when I think of my time in Africa. Gia and I have filled our days with so many moments, experiences, events, memories, that I will be up for days and nights trying to sort it all out. I'll do my best to summarize for you....
Upon our arrival, the adjustment to the culture took only a day. The Zambian people are so welcoming and open that by Monday, we were ready to dive right into whatever came our way. And we did just that. The Kondwa Center- Angela Malik is an amazing woman. What she has done for the community, her people, the children...wow! And she keeps going. Angela is bright, kind, savvy, sweet, energetic, smart and loving. She is the guardian of N'Gombe Compound. She is a hero of our times!
There is a mural on a very large wall in the school yard that Angela despised.....we are now painting a new mural there, one of children, rainbows, movement and community. We also took liberty to paint other walls with bright colors and designs that make the children happy, singing and wanting to join in! Paint is very expensive here so we have had to improvise and the block wall...well, this is a welcomed challenge that we are relishing in!! I still pinch myself that I am in Africa and am doing art! How cool is this!!!!
As we make our acquatinces at Kondwa - the staff is absolutely beautiful, inside and out, the children are definitely pulling at my heartstrings every time I think of them - we have also made time to meet other people of the community. Paul, Angela's grandson, Aaron, her first born son...both wonderful and we wish to spend more time with them. Marianne - Angela's childhood friend who is a business woman & miner in eastern Zambia.
All our taxi drivers rock! James, Max, Banda - thank you for answering all our crazy questions. Fanelli, Clement, Ruth and Noreen at the guest house, what would we do without you!? In Livingstone, all I can say is that when you come, you have to call Walter. he is our friend, our tour guide and transportation and we have loved every minute with him! He will someday soon be the #1 tour guide in all of Zambia! You rock Walter! Thank you for such a great time! Kelvin & Kelvin at the Maramba Lodge - keep asking questions, save your money and come to the US. Follow your dreams! the Grand canyon awaits you :) Sister Benedicta of Lubasi - you are the heart and soul of the word fundraising and I am inspired by your tireless mission to keep your children safe, well fed and supported in so many wonderful ways!
As I end this, we are typing like mad women in an internet place in Livingstone. Walter is patiently waiting to take us back to the lodge. And I want to buy him a Mosi just because! Tomorrow, we are going to the Lubasi home for children. To meet, play with, observe the ways of the children and staff. Later we plan to get down and boogie with the locals. My heart has been dancing since I got here and now I can really cut loose!
-Hillary
9.13.2007
Eyebrow Ring
I didn't realize that over here the Zambian people don't have their eyebrows pierced. I guess that's not something I really thought about before I came! HA!
So I get a lot of crazy looks and stares. The kids are too cute...they come right out and ask me about it...
Does that hurt?
What is that?
Why did you put that there??
I love kids honesty....no different than at home....except for in the U.S. its common...over here the African people don't have eyebrow rings....
All the kids today at Kondwa were giggling and pointing at it..they're so curious...but they don't have the language to ask me questions about it.....I love it! So if I don't want the attention I put my sunglasses back on.....
Thought you would giggle at that one!
-gia
So I get a lot of crazy looks and stares. The kids are too cute...they come right out and ask me about it...
Does that hurt?
What is that?
Why did you put that there??
I love kids honesty....no different than at home....except for in the U.S. its common...over here the African people don't have eyebrow rings....
All the kids today at Kondwa were giggling and pointing at it..they're so curious...but they don't have the language to ask me questions about it.....I love it! So if I don't want the attention I put my sunglasses back on.....
Thought you would giggle at that one!
-gia
Painting Murals
The Kondwa school is enclosed with big cement brick walls. There are a few murals on some of the panels but most are blank. Angela said she would love if if we could paint some of them while we were here. Since Hillary has the talent and I'm great at following directions we decided that this would be a great way to get us started at the school without anyone feeling like they had to look over us.
We drove to the paint store with Angela and purchased some paint for the project. We used some of the money that was donated to us for our trip. So thank you to everyone that has helped us with our fundraising. We can't wait to show you the photos.
We decided to paint a few butterflies that round a corner and a HUGE heart with wings which we both love at the end of the playground. We're also working on a community of kids playing with a rainbow etc....and we made a happy sunshine that you see when you walk into the school.
There are a lot of kids that come to Kondwa to hang out for lunch (most of them are Kondwa graduates) or they wanted to see what we were doing. They were DYING to paint with us....we had to let them. They were so cute! The next thing we knew there was paint everywhere! They filled in the heart ...dripped all over their heads and clothes no matter how hard we tried to help them out.....they still managed to make a mess....I fit in perfectly.
I think my favorite part about painting with the kids was afterwards....when they needed to wash off. There's hardly any water around for bathing and no clean water in the compound that I know of. I was carrying the paint bucket full of brushes and paint back to dump to refill with fresh water. Before I could get to the trash the kids were bathing in it..dumping it on their heads and washing their hands...I quickly stopped them and brought back fresh water from the sink.
They're not allowed to use the facilities because they're for the school children. So I helped wash off their dirty painted bodies. Anywhere you could put paint they had it....their heads, eyebrows, hair clothes, shoes & feet (most of the children don't have shoes). They let me help them get clean and they were so happy. I did sneak the littlest girl with the wiry crazy braids to the bathroom to get a little sink bath....she's 3 ...her name is Diana....so cute....I decided not to wash her legs or feet because they would be dusty in 2 seconds running around. It's amazing how unfazed the kids are because its all they know. One little boy was pretty upset because someone got paint on the back of his shorts....I did the best I could to help get it off....I'm sure it was probably one of the only pairs he had.
We were so excited to have shared the mural project with the kids. It was a colorful day...gia
We drove to the paint store with Angela and purchased some paint for the project. We used some of the money that was donated to us for our trip. So thank you to everyone that has helped us with our fundraising. We can't wait to show you the photos.
We decided to paint a few butterflies that round a corner and a HUGE heart with wings which we both love at the end of the playground. We're also working on a community of kids playing with a rainbow etc....and we made a happy sunshine that you see when you walk into the school.
There are a lot of kids that come to Kondwa to hang out for lunch (most of them are Kondwa graduates) or they wanted to see what we were doing. They were DYING to paint with us....we had to let them. They were so cute! The next thing we knew there was paint everywhere! They filled in the heart ...dripped all over their heads and clothes no matter how hard we tried to help them out.....they still managed to make a mess....I fit in perfectly.
I think my favorite part about painting with the kids was afterwards....when they needed to wash off. There's hardly any water around for bathing and no clean water in the compound that I know of. I was carrying the paint bucket full of brushes and paint back to dump to refill with fresh water. Before I could get to the trash the kids were bathing in it..dumping it on their heads and washing their hands...I quickly stopped them and brought back fresh water from the sink.
They're not allowed to use the facilities because they're for the school children. So I helped wash off their dirty painted bodies. Anywhere you could put paint they had it....their heads, eyebrows, hair clothes, shoes & feet (most of the children don't have shoes). They let me help them get clean and they were so happy. I did sneak the littlest girl with the wiry crazy braids to the bathroom to get a little sink bath....she's 3 ...her name is Diana....so cute....I decided not to wash her legs or feet because they would be dusty in 2 seconds running around. It's amazing how unfazed the kids are because its all they know. One little boy was pretty upset because someone got paint on the back of his shorts....I did the best I could to help get it off....I'm sure it was probably one of the only pairs he had.
We were so excited to have shared the mural project with the kids. It was a colorful day...gia
Overview so far....
We have had many adventures since we've been here and it's so hard to try and write them all down...I'm going to sum them up a bit and then we are going to blog thoughts....stories...in random order from our experiences so far...enjoy! - gia
Sunday, Sept 9th
-We had the privilege of being invited to a community meeting with Angela
-We met many influential, involved people in the area.
-We joined them in their church meeting and listened to their scriptures and failed to participate in the discussions....but we were great listeners!
-We tried our first African meal....we were nervous to go first because we don't eat the same diet and are both concerned about getting sick...thank goodness they have pizza here! The owner of the house has 2 restaurants and she is an incredible cook! Thank you Mable! Hillary tried the chicken. I don't eat meat.
-We continued on to Angela's house for some incredible discusions....I love this woman already!
- We met Angela's adorable grandson, Paul he's 5...we bonded quickly playing trucks something I'm used to with my son, Tobin.
- We watched a little bit of Prison Break, my new favorite show with Angela's first born son, Aaron.
Monday, Sept 10th
- up 6 am....yes I'm turning into a morning girl...don't faint...for those of you that know how much of a night owl I am....it's the heat!
- Angela picked us up, drove to Kondwa Day Center and introduced us to the children and staff
- We found our first project...to paint murals in the playground/entrance to the school
- We use some of the money that was given to us by some of you to buy colorful paint for the murals...you will love the pictures...thank you!! You are a part of the center now.
- We ate Nashima for the first time....passed on the meat that came with it...it was a real treat for the kids to have meat
- Everyone drinks coke out of glass bottles
- Met Angela's old childhood friend MaryAnne, a miner, she shared so many stories with us
- Little girl & her grandfather come to say goodbye she was off to an orphanage....leaving Kondwa to have a place that she can live at where they can take care of her
- Wanting to take so many photos...I love photography but it is difficult because it is invasive and feels rude.....so taking so many pictures with my mind. We will bring our Polaroid soon so we can share the photos with the locals....
Tuesday, Sept 11th
- We take the short cut trail and walk to Kondwa today
- We experience the Ngombe compound and people for the first time up close.
- More painting on the murals
- Play with children at recess...teach London bridges and ring around the rosie...they love to hold our hands and they actually fight over it
- We are falling in love with the kids....so adorable and loving
- We meet some of the women from the widows group that Angela belongs to. ...they are at the school shelling peanuts to make peanut butter
- walk home...kids pass us and giggle as we go by.....they say, "How are you?....Fine.."
- go out to our first dinner....find out we're at the restaurant where Bill Clinton ate one month ago....our waiter was excited he met him
- We find out Anita Roddick died
- We also remember 9-11
- pack to leave to Livingstone tomorrow
Wednesday, Sept. 12th
- leave 6:00am to catch the luxury bus to Livingstone....stories to come!
-6 hours later we arrive
- check in the Maramba lodge...our tents await...its really hot here!
- Gia's encounter with a baboon...yeah laugh a little...more to come...
- Meet Kalvin & Kalvin...yes they have the same name....the chefs at the lodge
- Share similarities and differences with Kalvin's for a few hours....amazing conversations
- look for hippos, crocodiles near our lodge....didn't see any yet
- rig up our mosquito net so Hillary can rest well....she's a bit freaked by malaria....more to come on that one!
- Sleep
Thursday, Sept. 13th
- open air shower
- hot tea....its chilly
- meet Walter our tour guide...that was recommended by Leah & Shea...he's perfect...we feel spoiled!
- Visit Lubasi orphanage
- Visit Victoria Falls
- Hike
- Baboons
- watch bungee jumpers
AND....here we are.....stories will follow.......gia
Sunday, Sept 9th
-We had the privilege of being invited to a community meeting with Angela
-We met many influential, involved people in the area.
-We joined them in their church meeting and listened to their scriptures and failed to participate in the discussions....but we were great listeners!
-We tried our first African meal....we were nervous to go first because we don't eat the same diet and are both concerned about getting sick...thank goodness they have pizza here! The owner of the house has 2 restaurants and she is an incredible cook! Thank you Mable! Hillary tried the chicken. I don't eat meat.
-We continued on to Angela's house for some incredible discusions....I love this woman already!
- We met Angela's adorable grandson, Paul he's 5...we bonded quickly playing trucks something I'm used to with my son, Tobin.
- We watched a little bit of Prison Break, my new favorite show with Angela's first born son, Aaron.
Monday, Sept 10th
- up 6 am....yes I'm turning into a morning girl...don't faint...for those of you that know how much of a night owl I am....it's the heat!
- Angela picked us up, drove to Kondwa Day Center and introduced us to the children and staff
- We found our first project...to paint murals in the playground/entrance to the school
- We use some of the money that was given to us by some of you to buy colorful paint for the murals...you will love the pictures...thank you!! You are a part of the center now.
- We ate Nashima for the first time....passed on the meat that came with it...it was a real treat for the kids to have meat
- Everyone drinks coke out of glass bottles
- Met Angela's old childhood friend MaryAnne, a miner, she shared so many stories with us
- Little girl & her grandfather come to say goodbye she was off to an orphanage....leaving Kondwa to have a place that she can live at where they can take care of her
- Wanting to take so many photos...I love photography but it is difficult because it is invasive and feels rude.....so taking so many pictures with my mind. We will bring our Polaroid soon so we can share the photos with the locals....
Tuesday, Sept 11th
- We take the short cut trail and walk to Kondwa today
- We experience the Ngombe compound and people for the first time up close.
- More painting on the murals
- Play with children at recess...teach London bridges and ring around the rosie...they love to hold our hands and they actually fight over it
- We are falling in love with the kids....so adorable and loving
- We meet some of the women from the widows group that Angela belongs to. ...they are at the school shelling peanuts to make peanut butter
- walk home...kids pass us and giggle as we go by.....they say, "How are you?....Fine.."
- go out to our first dinner....find out we're at the restaurant where Bill Clinton ate one month ago....our waiter was excited he met him
- We find out Anita Roddick died
- We also remember 9-11
- pack to leave to Livingstone tomorrow
Wednesday, Sept. 12th
- leave 6:00am to catch the luxury bus to Livingstone....stories to come!
-6 hours later we arrive
- check in the Maramba lodge...our tents await...its really hot here!
- Gia's encounter with a baboon...yeah laugh a little...more to come...
- Meet Kalvin & Kalvin...yes they have the same name....the chefs at the lodge
- Share similarities and differences with Kalvin's for a few hours....amazing conversations
- look for hippos, crocodiles near our lodge....didn't see any yet
- rig up our mosquito net so Hillary can rest well....she's a bit freaked by malaria....more to come on that one!
- Sleep
Thursday, Sept. 13th
- open air shower
- hot tea....its chilly
- meet Walter our tour guide...that was recommended by Leah & Shea...he's perfect...we feel spoiled!
- Visit Lubasi orphanage
- Visit Victoria Falls
- Hike
- Baboons
- watch bungee jumpers
AND....here we are.....stories will follow.......gia
Meeting Mrs. Malik
I forgot to mention that after we passed out at our guest house we awoke what seemed like the middle of the night (we found out later it was only 6pm) to a light tapping on our door.
We heard the sweet voice of Mrs. Angela Malik on the other side. We slowly opened the door to the most radiant smile and open arms welcoming us to Zambia. Who is Mrs. Malik? Angela Malik is the incredible woman that has the heart of a saint. She saw a neeed in her community where she lived and decided to do something about it. Over time...the Kondwa Center was built. We will share the story with you at a later time.
As you know we came here to work with Angela and her students at the Kondwa Day Center. We were so excited to finally meet her. She has had quite a few visitors this summer and we didn't want to get in her way...so we weren't sure of what to expect....
Mrs. Malik is the definition of kindness and love....she is an inspiration!
- gia
We heard the sweet voice of Mrs. Angela Malik on the other side. We slowly opened the door to the most radiant smile and open arms welcoming us to Zambia. Who is Mrs. Malik? Angela Malik is the incredible woman that has the heart of a saint. She saw a neeed in her community where she lived and decided to do something about it. Over time...the Kondwa Center was built. We will share the story with you at a later time.
As you know we came here to work with Angela and her students at the Kondwa Day Center. We were so excited to finally meet her. She has had quite a few visitors this summer and we didn't want to get in her way...so we weren't sure of what to expect....
Mrs. Malik is the definition of kindness and love....she is an inspiration!
- gia
When we awoke.....
I'm here!! And it's so crazy it still hasn't really hit me...not sure when it will. I'm sitting here outside on a rusty white wire chair in the sun with a gentle breeze blowing. The sun is warm but not too hot at the moment.I'm a little antsy because I want to go out and explore everything. But we're not really sure of where we are, where to go or if it's safe. We quickly decided to go for a little walk outside the guest house to see what was around us.
We were surprised at all of the gigantic walls that surround most of the houses right here. The roads are dry and dusty but its very clean. There are beautiful pink flowers, cactus and some tall grass. Hillary feels at home with the similar vegetation to Arizona. Me...the mountain girl....I'm hot.
We saw quite a few people walking around. Most people didn't greet us or even smile....some did. We felt noticed yet not uncomfortable at all. We've realized now that the more settled we are here the more the Zambian people smile and greet us. I think it was us who we're hesitant not them.
We could see other communities near by but decided to ask Angela if it's ok to go there. We passed people on bikes and saw some kids playing...most of them are barefoot. We passed a few egg stands.
The winds died down and the heat became intense so we headed back. It felt so good to get out....I definitely feel like I'm in Africa now.
- gia
We were surprised at all of the gigantic walls that surround most of the houses right here. The roads are dry and dusty but its very clean. There are beautiful pink flowers, cactus and some tall grass. Hillary feels at home with the similar vegetation to Arizona. Me...the mountain girl....I'm hot.
We saw quite a few people walking around. Most people didn't greet us or even smile....some did. We felt noticed yet not uncomfortable at all. We've realized now that the more settled we are here the more the Zambian people smile and greet us. I think it was us who we're hesitant not them.
We could see other communities near by but decided to ask Angela if it's ok to go there. We passed people on bikes and saw some kids playing...most of them are barefoot. We passed a few egg stands.
The winds died down and the heat became intense so we headed back. It felt so good to get out....I definitely feel like I'm in Africa now.
- gia
Welcome to Zambia!
We made it!
We flew from London to Johannesburg...had a 2 hour layover then were off to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.
We are in good spirits....just tired. It's hot here. Most people visit here in June & July...not us, we're here in the beginning of their hot season! They have 2 seasons the rainy season and the hot season. We waited in the long customs lines, claimed our bags, and exchanged our money from dollars to Kwachas. The exchange rate is about $1.00 to $4,000 kw. The taxi drivers were right inside the airport eager to take us to our guest house. It was very smooth.
I wasn't quite sure of what to expect when I got here....but the visions I had in my head were quite different from what we saw outside. I had pictured more of a busy city downtown environment...lots of people, cars, some buildings and chaos. But it was calm, quiet, and not crowded at all. Very peaceful and welcoming. Our taxi drivers name is James.
We threw our bags in the back (they all arrived) and headed to our guest house. In Africa like most parts of the world they drive on the other side of the street. I'm still trying to get used to it....I keep trying to get into the drivers side....they giggle at me.
We passed people walking, biking and some cars and trucks. We saw billboards and lots of brush...dry, dry land. The taxi ride only took about 15-20 min. We finally passed the University to turn down the road to the Zebra Guest house where we are staying. The closer we got the more people we saw. It still hasn't really hit me that we are here. I think I was just absorbing everything...taking it all in.....we finally rounded a corner and saw a HUGE zebra....we are here.
We met the friendly staff, went to our room then I crashed out! I barely remember Hillary asking me where my money was to pay for the lodging...well at least that's what she said she was doing with it! I hand her my wallet and I'm off in dreamland...in Africa.
- gia
We flew from London to Johannesburg...had a 2 hour layover then were off to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.
We are in good spirits....just tired. It's hot here. Most people visit here in June & July...not us, we're here in the beginning of their hot season! They have 2 seasons the rainy season and the hot season. We waited in the long customs lines, claimed our bags, and exchanged our money from dollars to Kwachas. The exchange rate is about $1.00 to $4,000 kw. The taxi drivers were right inside the airport eager to take us to our guest house. It was very smooth.
I wasn't quite sure of what to expect when I got here....but the visions I had in my head were quite different from what we saw outside. I had pictured more of a busy city downtown environment...lots of people, cars, some buildings and chaos. But it was calm, quiet, and not crowded at all. Very peaceful and welcoming. Our taxi drivers name is James.
We threw our bags in the back (they all arrived) and headed to our guest house. In Africa like most parts of the world they drive on the other side of the street. I'm still trying to get used to it....I keep trying to get into the drivers side....they giggle at me.
We passed people walking, biking and some cars and trucks. We saw billboards and lots of brush...dry, dry land. The taxi ride only took about 15-20 min. We finally passed the University to turn down the road to the Zebra Guest house where we are staying. The closer we got the more people we saw. It still hasn't really hit me that we are here. I think I was just absorbing everything...taking it all in.....we finally rounded a corner and saw a HUGE zebra....we are here.
We met the friendly staff, went to our room then I crashed out! I barely remember Hillary asking me where my money was to pay for the lodging...well at least that's what she said she was doing with it! I hand her my wallet and I'm off in dreamland...in Africa.
- gia
The journey....
Sooooo......I have some time to sit and email....I will try and back track and post some stories from our journey so far....some of the inserts will be from e-mails sent home and others are from my journal....get ready to read! I apologize for the delay in our updates....gia
We left Reno....about 30 min late due to stormy weather in Chicago. And when it was time to land they had us do circles in the sky because there was too much traffic to land. It was a bit bumpy but worth it. It was so beautiful because of the storms....the clouds were AMAZING...the sun was popping through and we even saw a rainbow. We would have missed our connecting flight but it was delayed by 40 min due to weather. Whew....close call....
Once we landed we boarded the next plain right away then waited another 45min or so for other passengers that were coming in late from their connecting flights. It was definitely nice to have a huge cushion of time here so we didn't worry much about the delays.
Our flight to London was perfect....smooth and roomy enough..sometimes its nice to have short legs..hee..hee. We talked for awhile then we both passed out. I'm exhausted. All the months of running around planning and wondering and dreaming about this trip have caught up with me. I could have easily slept for 6 more hours.....but we landed.
Once we arrived at Heathrow airport we were told to walk down this crazy maze to the customs counter. We got there finally and the woman working told us to fill out the slips to claim our bags and recheck them....when we were told early not to. So went back to fill out the forms walked up to the counter and spoke to a gentleman this time. He said, "Why did you fill this out? You don't need to go through customs...so go back to where you came from, catch the bus to the other terminal and through security. But before you do...make sure you take your purse and put everything into one bag...it doesn't matter how big it is...just make sure it's all in one." So we're a bit surprised but we listen, leave the line, catch the bus and re-pack our backpacks.
Just so you know we each brought a check on bag that has items we could live without if they don't arrive in Zambia...but our carry on is EVERYTHING we want to have with us..cameras, clothes, food, mosquito net, shoes, art supplies for the kids etc...so they are packed full already. Somehow we shove, push and stomp all of our other items into the bags so we can continue through the security line.
Just as we're through another worker comes up and says to us, "Your bags are way too big!They're not going to let you through." Feeling a bit frustrated we are trying to figure out what to do. ....when ANOTHER worker walks up and says, "Do you have another little bag, like a purse? You should take some items out of your backpacks and put your stuff back in your purse then you'll be fine, it's the size of the bag that matters not how many!" AHHHH!! We were about to die so we re-packed one more time then got in the security line. We waited for about 2 hours total to get finally get through....WHEW we made it!
So here we are...hanging out...too tired to walk around with our heavy packs and too goofy to take a nap. We're waiting to sleep on the plane so we can try to be on the right time later. I need Joes coffee chai tea right about now! HA! We're both really excited to keep going...and it feels so strange to be here in London at the same time. I can't believe we're off to Africa next...I think it's going to be a HUGE culture shock.
We left Reno....about 30 min late due to stormy weather in Chicago. And when it was time to land they had us do circles in the sky because there was too much traffic to land. It was a bit bumpy but worth it. It was so beautiful because of the storms....the clouds were AMAZING...the sun was popping through and we even saw a rainbow. We would have missed our connecting flight but it was delayed by 40 min due to weather. Whew....close call....
Once we landed we boarded the next plain right away then waited another 45min or so for other passengers that were coming in late from their connecting flights. It was definitely nice to have a huge cushion of time here so we didn't worry much about the delays.
Our flight to London was perfect....smooth and roomy enough..sometimes its nice to have short legs..hee..hee. We talked for awhile then we both passed out. I'm exhausted. All the months of running around planning and wondering and dreaming about this trip have caught up with me. I could have easily slept for 6 more hours.....but we landed.
Once we arrived at Heathrow airport we were told to walk down this crazy maze to the customs counter. We got there finally and the woman working told us to fill out the slips to claim our bags and recheck them....when we were told early not to. So went back to fill out the forms walked up to the counter and spoke to a gentleman this time. He said, "Why did you fill this out? You don't need to go through customs...so go back to where you came from, catch the bus to the other terminal and through security. But before you do...make sure you take your purse and put everything into one bag...it doesn't matter how big it is...just make sure it's all in one." So we're a bit surprised but we listen, leave the line, catch the bus and re-pack our backpacks.
Just so you know we each brought a check on bag that has items we could live without if they don't arrive in Zambia...but our carry on is EVERYTHING we want to have with us..cameras, clothes, food, mosquito net, shoes, art supplies for the kids etc...so they are packed full already. Somehow we shove, push and stomp all of our other items into the bags so we can continue through the security line.
Just as we're through another worker comes up and says to us, "Your bags are way too big!They're not going to let you through." Feeling a bit frustrated we are trying to figure out what to do. ....when ANOTHER worker walks up and says, "Do you have another little bag, like a purse? You should take some items out of your backpacks and put your stuff back in your purse then you'll be fine, it's the size of the bag that matters not how many!" AHHHH!! We were about to die so we re-packed one more time then got in the security line. We waited for about 2 hours total to get finally get through....WHEW we made it!
So here we are...hanging out...too tired to walk around with our heavy packs and too goofy to take a nap. We're waiting to sleep on the plane so we can try to be on the right time later. I need Joes coffee chai tea right about now! HA! We're both really excited to keep going...and it feels so strange to be here in London at the same time. I can't believe we're off to Africa next...I think it's going to be a HUGE culture shock.
9.11.2007
"Hallo" from Africa!
Hello everyone...we are here!!
I have so much to share with all of you. This is the first time I have had a chance to get to the internet cafe and now it is getting dark and we must go back to our guest house. I wanted to at least post a little something to say that we made it...we're well and we are enjoying ourselves.
Zambia is amazing...the people are welcoming and we LOVE Angela the director of the Kondwa Center. We have been busy working there painting murals in the entrance of the school and the children's playground....photos to come....and we love the children!
We are both a bit shocked right now because we just got word that Anita Roddick died. She had a brain hemorrhage. We are so sad....in fact if I think about it too much I will cry. Anita was not only the founder of The Body Shop, the company we work for but she was a woman that I admire and love and relate to. She will always be with me. We are so grateful to have talked to her in August about our trip....I'm still in disbelief.....blessings to her and her family and to any of you that feel as I do....
With that said....I have to go....more soon.....love to all of you....gia
I have so much to share with all of you. This is the first time I have had a chance to get to the internet cafe and now it is getting dark and we must go back to our guest house. I wanted to at least post a little something to say that we made it...we're well and we are enjoying ourselves.
Zambia is amazing...the people are welcoming and we LOVE Angela the director of the Kondwa Center. We have been busy working there painting murals in the entrance of the school and the children's playground....photos to come....and we love the children!
We are both a bit shocked right now because we just got word that Anita Roddick died. She had a brain hemorrhage. We are so sad....in fact if I think about it too much I will cry. Anita was not only the founder of The Body Shop, the company we work for but she was a woman that I admire and love and relate to. She will always be with me. We are so grateful to have talked to her in August about our trip....I'm still in disbelief.....blessings to her and her family and to any of you that feel as I do....
With that said....I have to go....more soon.....love to all of you....gia
9.06.2007
This is it!
So, this is it! After 6 months of planning, making piles of stuff, researching, emailing, phone calls, the day is finally here. I'm over the shock and numb with anticipation.....of what I will see, experience and bring with me into the rest of my life. OK, I'm in a swirling realm of emotion (haven't started crying today ...yet!) It was hard to leave my family yesterday. My life revolves around them and it is strange not being with them. I am also very blessed to be so welcomed into Gia's surroundings and family. Justin and Tobin are great, cool, at peace with life and way too cute! Gia's parents, Judy & Skip are divine, sweet. gracious, smart people that sooo love Gia and her 2 men. I have absolutely enjoyed my time here in Truckee/Reno. Gia's home is full of light & love, just like her! Thank you for sharing birthday dinner with me! My journey began when Gia called me about going and now we are setting out for the next leg of this great adventure. Off we go....Chicago....London....Johannesburg....LUSAKA! We'll blog again soon! Love, Hillary
Hillary's HERE!
Wow...it's actually happening...we're off tomorrow...well technically today...I have to go to bed! Hillary flew in this afternoon and joined me in my last self defense class...then helped celebrate my mom's birthday & finally met my family! Happy birthday mom!! My awesome parents drove down from Washington to help with Tobin. Thank You!!
OK...off to bed and I guess I'd better finish packing...HA!
-gia
9.04.2007
True Map
LOVE THIS!! by one of my favorite writers/poets....Brian Andreas of Story People..enjoy! -gia
This is the Story of the Day called - True Map
There is no one who comes here that does not know this is a true map of the world, with you there in the center, making home for us all.
This is the Story of the Day called - True Map
There is no one who comes here that does not know this is a true map of the world, with you there in the center, making home for us all.
9.03.2007
Are you excited??
I think one of the hardest parts of preparing for this trip is dealing with my crazy thought process. I’m one of those people who constantly thinks about other people…what they have and more importantly what they don’t. The basic stuff…you know…like food, water, clean clothes to wear, a healthy body, a family that loves them, a safe place to live and people that believe in them.
I truly have an amazing life and such incredible people surrounding me. I am so blessed. I know that my purpose in this world is to be a voice for those that need someone to help them speak and be heard. To be a humanitarian advocate…if you will…is there such a thing?? Is that the right word? Writers out there…help me out…..
Quite often I find myself feeling guilty for being able to have extra things in my life…to live in a beautiful place and home and to be able to afford to work for myself and stay home with our son. I’m definitely much better than I used to be at being able to have compassion for other people and to appreciate the things I have in my life at the same time…although it can be an inner struggle sometimes.
So its no surprise to me that while I’m preparing for our trip and planning things to bring & pack etc….that I freeze up and feel overwhelmed with guilt and sadness at times. For example…. I just climbed into bed to write a few thank you notes and I noticed how beautiful the stationary is that I’m writing on. And all I could think about is the cost of the cards (which was about $18) when 80% of the people in Africa are living on less than US$ 1 per day. I ask myself how that is possible…and why is it OK? It’s not OK with me. It shouldn't be OK with anyone.
Call me crazy…call me deep but I’m sharing all of this with you to give you a little insight into my soul into my the heart of who I am. So when people ask me if I’m getting excited for my trip…I hesitate to answer…because excited isn’t the right word. I’m ready to go and at the same time I’m trying to prepare myself for the unknown…for the culture shock and for the poverty I’m going to see. I know it will a beautiful journey and I know it will also change my life forever. One of my friends said it so well…he said, “I can’t wait to meet the new Gia when you get back.” And to be honest…neither can I.
So I guess I’m more grateful than excited and I’m a little bit in disbelief that I’m actually going. I’ve imagined this trip for so long…and it's almost here......
Goodnight friends….gia
I truly have an amazing life and such incredible people surrounding me. I am so blessed. I know that my purpose in this world is to be a voice for those that need someone to help them speak and be heard. To be a humanitarian advocate…if you will…is there such a thing?? Is that the right word? Writers out there…help me out…..
Quite often I find myself feeling guilty for being able to have extra things in my life…to live in a beautiful place and home and to be able to afford to work for myself and stay home with our son. I’m definitely much better than I used to be at being able to have compassion for other people and to appreciate the things I have in my life at the same time…although it can be an inner struggle sometimes.
So its no surprise to me that while I’m preparing for our trip and planning things to bring & pack etc….that I freeze up and feel overwhelmed with guilt and sadness at times. For example…. I just climbed into bed to write a few thank you notes and I noticed how beautiful the stationary is that I’m writing on. And all I could think about is the cost of the cards (which was about $18) when 80% of the people in Africa are living on less than US$ 1 per day. I ask myself how that is possible…and why is it OK? It’s not OK with me. It shouldn't be OK with anyone.
Call me crazy…call me deep but I’m sharing all of this with you to give you a little insight into my soul into my the heart of who I am. So when people ask me if I’m getting excited for my trip…I hesitate to answer…because excited isn’t the right word. I’m ready to go and at the same time I’m trying to prepare myself for the unknown…for the culture shock and for the poverty I’m going to see. I know it will a beautiful journey and I know it will also change my life forever. One of my friends said it so well…he said, “I can’t wait to meet the new Gia when you get back.” And to be honest…neither can I.
So I guess I’m more grateful than excited and I’m a little bit in disbelief that I’m actually going. I’ve imagined this trip for so long…and it's almost here......
Goodnight friends….gia
8.31.2007
Who knew?
My wrists hurt, my knuckles are bruised….my knee is a bit swollen and my arms are so soar…lets not even talk about the fact if I get up too fast I might get a charlie horse in my leg.
It’s called Self Defense class…karate style. Have you ever taken a class where you learn how to protect yourself and while you’re learning... you beat yourself up at the same time? Well that's me....
I promised Justin, my husband…that I’d take a self defense class before I went on this trip.It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but somehow I always seem to miss the sessions when I read about them in the paper. So a few days ago he reminded me about it and found a class in Reno where they teach private lessons. So I signed up for my first “free” session last week.
I walked in expecting to learn the basics....how to scratch someones eyes, to kick to the right places and to box someones ears. But what I didn’t expect was the insane workout I would get and who knew.... I think I'm addicted! I love it! Not only am I stronger in 4 sessions…and not only do I have some great tools to use to help me get away from sticky situations but I feel so EMPOWERED! I highly recommend it!!
As most of you know I'm not the tallest gal around…standing at 5 feet and I'm also not a woman who chooses to live in fear. BUT the reality is that I am a woman and I am small and there are times when that I wish I could rely on myself rather than feeling like I have to have a man around to feel safe. It can be frustrating and flat out annoying but it’s the reality of the world so I'm glad I'm doing something about it!
I think the biggest concern that people have for us on our trip is safety. We get asked over and over...do you feel safe? People say to us.....I wish you were going with more people….isn’t there a guy that can go with you?? And to be honest at times Ive asked myself the same questions. And the answer is…yes I feel safe….no I don’t wish I was with more people and we didn’t meet any men that wanted to join us…or that could make it happen on short notice….so here we are…and we're not worried...we're excited.
We appreciate all of your concerns and please know that we will be safe. We have contacts in Zambia, people that know we're coming. We plan on being in before dark (we'll have lots of down time at night...I'm planning on learning yoga from Hillary and I'm going to teach her self defense....look out! ) and traveling with locals as much as possible. All of the same things we would do if we were visiting downtown in a big city here in the U.S. We will be alert and present. So please don't worry for us...but instead send us your love and support and blessings....that's what will keep us going!
And remember....I might be small but if I were you I wouldn't surprise me from the back anytime in the near future...I don't quite have all the "moves" under control yet!
THANK YOU BRANDY...my rockin' karate teacher!!
-gia
It’s called Self Defense class…karate style. Have you ever taken a class where you learn how to protect yourself and while you’re learning... you beat yourself up at the same time? Well that's me....
I promised Justin, my husband…that I’d take a self defense class before I went on this trip.It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but somehow I always seem to miss the sessions when I read about them in the paper. So a few days ago he reminded me about it and found a class in Reno where they teach private lessons. So I signed up for my first “free” session last week.
I walked in expecting to learn the basics....how to scratch someones eyes, to kick to the right places and to box someones ears. But what I didn’t expect was the insane workout I would get and who knew.... I think I'm addicted! I love it! Not only am I stronger in 4 sessions…and not only do I have some great tools to use to help me get away from sticky situations but I feel so EMPOWERED! I highly recommend it!!
As most of you know I'm not the tallest gal around…standing at 5 feet and I'm also not a woman who chooses to live in fear. BUT the reality is that I am a woman and I am small and there are times when that I wish I could rely on myself rather than feeling like I have to have a man around to feel safe. It can be frustrating and flat out annoying but it’s the reality of the world so I'm glad I'm doing something about it!
I think the biggest concern that people have for us on our trip is safety. We get asked over and over...do you feel safe? People say to us.....I wish you were going with more people….isn’t there a guy that can go with you?? And to be honest at times Ive asked myself the same questions. And the answer is…yes I feel safe….no I don’t wish I was with more people and we didn’t meet any men that wanted to join us…or that could make it happen on short notice….so here we are…and we're not worried...we're excited.
We appreciate all of your concerns and please know that we will be safe. We have contacts in Zambia, people that know we're coming. We plan on being in before dark (we'll have lots of down time at night...I'm planning on learning yoga from Hillary and I'm going to teach her self defense....look out! ) and traveling with locals as much as possible. All of the same things we would do if we were visiting downtown in a big city here in the U.S. We will be alert and present. So please don't worry for us...but instead send us your love and support and blessings....that's what will keep us going!
And remember....I might be small but if I were you I wouldn't surprise me from the back anytime in the near future...I don't quite have all the "moves" under control yet!
THANK YOU BRANDY...my rockin' karate teacher!!
-gia
8.18.2007
Powered up!
I'm taking a class on AIDS next week, so in the meantime, I'm getting my reading done! The AIDS numbers are blowing me away...not only internationally, but also here in the US. As "modern" as we are, it's so sad what's going on with this virus. Also, My mind is overwhelmed by not only all the good so many people are working so hard to spread, but the obstacles in Africa, Thailand and the US. The drug "cocktails" needed are a very strict & medically monitored regimen. Some pills need to be taken at least 3 times a day. Some with at least a liter of water. Some on an empty stomach and then some with a high fat meal. The water in Africa is a huge issue...Polio, TB, Dysentery...and a high fat meal? There are no McD's where we're going! What is one person to do? I have the enlightenment, the power within me to find out & take action! What about you?
-Hillary
-Hillary
8.10.2007
My emotions are running rampant
I am in awe that in 27 days I will be on my way to AFRICA! When I think about what to expect, my mind swims with the images and stories of the others that have gone before me. And I am joyfully inundated by thoughts of self-transformation, the love I feel for people I have yet to meet & the support I continuosly experience everyday. My emotions are running rampant at times that I cannot express in words what I think about this time of my life. Gratitude is my foundation. And to know we are all connected. To know I will be holding hands with a child in Africa, to know I am doing my part for a world that hurts. This is enough to get me through each day. The anticipation could drive me crazy. The redtape could just make me say no. The $ worries could stop me in my tracks. But my heart sings and pulls me in a direction I have little control over and I follow the song with eyes wide open & arms spread like wings.
I love you all....your friendship, your willingness to share of yourself...let me take this to Africa with me....Hillary
I love you all....your friendship, your willingness to share of yourself...let me take this to Africa with me....Hillary
8.08.2007
Feelin' the LOVE Body Shop sistas!!
Thank you to all of our incredible Body Shop sistas!!
I want each one of you to know how much kindness was shared with us this past weekend in Orlando during our annual conference. We had no idea that so many of you would be interested in our trip to Africa. And I can't even begin to tell you how much it meant to us to have so much love from all of our co-workers and friends that we work with. We were asked so many questions and handed such beautiful cards full of kind words, encouragement and support! Some of you even gave us some money to put towards our trip. THANK YOU! We are so grateful!!
We also had the opportunity to speak to Anita Roddick, The Body Shop founder and world activist a little bit more about our trip. She was so positive and excited for us to meet up with our community trade suppliers in Zambia, where source honey from for some of our products. She had some great suggestions of what to bring with us...one of which was a wind up radio...to give as a gift. She said they will love it. So we knew we had to make that happen.
I kid you not...no less than 30 minutes later a nice gentleman from the Australian Body Shop came up to us and said that he had overheard our conversation with Anita about visiting the CT suppliers. He had also attended our training on Profits with Principles and was excited for us and our journey. He then proceeded to open up his wallet and handed us some cash....he said..."It's not much but please take this money and put it towards that wind up radio." We couldn't believe it....we had just met this man....his name is Mark...but we don't have his last name yet....and we want to say THANK YOU MARK!! You are so KIND!! We will definitely be bringing a wind up radio with us!
So I will end this with one last virtual hug...to my/our Body Shop co-workers and friends. Not only do we work for a phenomenal company founded on amazing values but we are surrounded by such incredible women...so many I am proud to call my friends! I promise you that you will be with us in spirit. And we will do everything that we can to document our journey so that we can share it with all of you when we get back!
This won't be my only trip to Africa...I know I will be back...and maybe next time some of you will come with me!
Thank you ....thank you....thank you......
With love & gratitude....gia
I want each one of you to know how much kindness was shared with us this past weekend in Orlando during our annual conference. We had no idea that so many of you would be interested in our trip to Africa. And I can't even begin to tell you how much it meant to us to have so much love from all of our co-workers and friends that we work with. We were asked so many questions and handed such beautiful cards full of kind words, encouragement and support! Some of you even gave us some money to put towards our trip. THANK YOU! We are so grateful!!
We also had the opportunity to speak to Anita Roddick, The Body Shop founder and world activist a little bit more about our trip. She was so positive and excited for us to meet up with our community trade suppliers in Zambia, where source honey from for some of our products. She had some great suggestions of what to bring with us...one of which was a wind up radio...to give as a gift. She said they will love it. So we knew we had to make that happen.
I kid you not...no less than 30 minutes later a nice gentleman from the Australian Body Shop came up to us and said that he had overheard our conversation with Anita about visiting the CT suppliers. He had also attended our training on Profits with Principles and was excited for us and our journey. He then proceeded to open up his wallet and handed us some cash....he said..."It's not much but please take this money and put it towards that wind up radio." We couldn't believe it....we had just met this man....his name is Mark...but we don't have his last name yet....and we want to say THANK YOU MARK!! You are so KIND!! We will definitely be bringing a wind up radio with us!
So I will end this with one last virtual hug...to my/our Body Shop co-workers and friends. Not only do we work for a phenomenal company founded on amazing values but we are surrounded by such incredible women...so many I am proud to call my friends! I promise you that you will be with us in spirit. And we will do everything that we can to document our journey so that we can share it with all of you when we get back!
This won't be my only trip to Africa...I know I will be back...and maybe next time some of you will come with me!
Thank you ....thank you....thank you......
With love & gratitude....gia
8.07.2007
Shared Journal
Hillary being the artist that she is sent me the most beautiful book in the mail. She called it a shared journal. She created a few pages then asked me to add some of my own and send it back. We plan on exchanging it back and forth a few times before we go. I loved the idea of sharing our thoughts of our trip with each other this way....so here's a little sneak peak ....enjoy! More to come
Hugs...gia
7.23.2007
I am so full of gratitude....
It all started with a phone call!
Gia & I talk on the phone all the time! So when the idea of going to Africa emerged one day, a part of me jumped up & down, saying “me too!” and now here I am, chompin’ on Typhoid vaccines and counting down to the day I leave for Zambia!
My heart is singing and my mind is just blown away by my own courage, self realization & joy. I am so full of gratitude. For my friends & family, your open minds and hearts, for letting me fly freely, & supporting me in whatever I do! The response has been amazing and I feel so encouraged, excited & loved!
Share yourself!
Of all the people I’ve connected & conversed with over the last few months regarding this trip to Africa, there is one very clear message....What ever it is I do, see, think, feel in Africa, it will be with me forever.
As our own personal funds have gone into travel expenses, we are left with little resources when it comes to purchasing power. I do understand that orphanages are in constant need of blankets, art supplies and books & these are what we plan to seek out when we are there.
With this said, allow me to explain our one call for help before we leave for Zambia....the monetary donations we receive will be spent in Africa. We plan to travel light and purchase needed items locally. $1US = $3,800 Kwacha. Imagine how this can help the African communities we visit. So please seriously consider donating money.
My eyes are wide open to how much we have here in the US and how habitually we fill our spaces, lives and thoughts with more than we need. To take a boxful of clothing, shoes and even toys would be completely overwhelming, presuming and thoughtless without researching the needs of the African community we plan to visit. I discovered that churches donate frequently to African daycares and orphanages and now the GAP hand me downs have put local Zambian tailors out of business.
Doing something like this changes your perspective on how things are in life and what’s going on around you. This trip is not about taking pictures of animals and more about human life. 2 weeks will go by fast and oh, will we have tons to tell you when we get back!
- Hillary
Gia & I talk on the phone all the time! So when the idea of going to Africa emerged one day, a part of me jumped up & down, saying “me too!” and now here I am, chompin’ on Typhoid vaccines and counting down to the day I leave for Zambia!
My heart is singing and my mind is just blown away by my own courage, self realization & joy. I am so full of gratitude. For my friends & family, your open minds and hearts, for letting me fly freely, & supporting me in whatever I do! The response has been amazing and I feel so encouraged, excited & loved!
Share yourself!
Of all the people I’ve connected & conversed with over the last few months regarding this trip to Africa, there is one very clear message....What ever it is I do, see, think, feel in Africa, it will be with me forever.
As our own personal funds have gone into travel expenses, we are left with little resources when it comes to purchasing power. I do understand that orphanages are in constant need of blankets, art supplies and books & these are what we plan to seek out when we are there.
With this said, allow me to explain our one call for help before we leave for Zambia....the monetary donations we receive will be spent in Africa. We plan to travel light and purchase needed items locally. $1US = $3,800 Kwacha. Imagine how this can help the African communities we visit. So please seriously consider donating money.
My eyes are wide open to how much we have here in the US and how habitually we fill our spaces, lives and thoughts with more than we need. To take a boxful of clothing, shoes and even toys would be completely overwhelming, presuming and thoughtless without researching the needs of the African community we plan to visit. I discovered that churches donate frequently to African daycares and orphanages and now the GAP hand me downs have put local Zambian tailors out of business.
Doing something like this changes your perspective on how things are in life and what’s going on around you. This trip is not about taking pictures of animals and more about human life. 2 weeks will go by fast and oh, will we have tons to tell you when we get back!
- Hillary
7.13.2007
Somebody pinch me please!
I wake up every morning and ask myself....AM I DREAMING?
I don't know if any of you have always wanted to do something...REALLY bad but you were never quite sure of when you would do it... or if it would ever happen....if so...then you will relate to me. I've been dreaming of visiting Africa for about 10 years or so...but I sort of just tucked the idea away in the back of my mind...not really sure of when I would go or who with... but I always knew that I would.... when the time was right.
So... here's my story...how it all started....
As most of you know I work for the company, The Body Shop and I use my work as a way to raise funds to give back to people in my life & community that need assistance. At the end of each year I send out an e-mail to my customers, friends and family to let them know how their money helped me to make a difference. This January... 2007 I sent out the end of the year e-mail and as people do with e-mail...it was passed along by a friend of mine Trina, (Thank you Trina!) to a woman named Erin McCann. So Erin, a stranger to me, replys...and briefly says... "Gia, I thought you might be interested in checking out this organization that I support." And with that e-mail she sent the most adorable photo of her with a bunch of African children. (see photo) So right away I click on the website she sent and it linked me to a school in Ghana, Africa. I read the entire website and realized that Erin supports this school, has obviously traveled there and has a connection wtih the founder and children there. We are talking on the phone in minutes.
We connected instantly...and within about a week I realized that my dream of visiting Africa was actually going to happen! I told Erin about my desire to travel to Africa...to experience the culture, spend time with the people and give of my time. I expressed to her that I've never made it happen because of timing and trying to find that right person to travel with that has the same desire as I do and that has the time to go. She quickly told me that she wanted to go back and she asked when I wanted to go. I said this fall and she said let's do it! I jumped up and down and ran around the house screaming because I was so excited...you might have heard me! Just know that I haven't even mentioned this to my husband or even thought about who would take care of our son while I was gone or how I was going to pay for it....minor details I decided....when a dream is unfolding...I always say...it will work out...if you believe in it enough.
So to make a long story longer.....Erin was my rock...my safety net...she'd been before...she had connections and she's a go getter....we were a perfect match. We met a few months later and giggled because we felt like we knew each other so well yet not really at all.
A few weeks after we met Erin got a new job...and soon found out that she wouldn't be able to have enough vacation time to make the trip happen this fall. She tried so hard to make it work and she was so supportive of my dream that she wasn't about to let me not go. I had no idea what I was going to do but I wasn't about to give up now!
Meanwhile....Hillary....had been thinking about joining us but she was waiting for more information. By the way Hillary and I met through our work with The Body Shop At Home. Hillary also uses her business as a fundraising tool to give back in her community....and was drawn to the company because of the values like myself. Now 2 years later... we're pretty much soul sisters...with that said....
During the time that Erin and I were sorting through the details of our trip....Hillary ironically met a woman at a work event that helped start a school in Zambia, called The Kondwa Children's Foundation, quite similar to the one we were going to go to in Ghana. Coincidence?? You decide. Hillary decided to do some fundraising for them and just kept waiting to see how the details of my trip unfolded.
Once I found out that Erin was out I called Hillary to see if she would commit....she processed the idea a lot and discussed it with her family then decided to dive right in! I LOVE THIS GIRL!We decided that we would switch the original destination of Ghana to Zambia since Erin wouldn't be joining us this time....Can you guess where my next trip to Africa might be?? Hee...Hee....
So here we are.....7 months later.....planning....raising funds....getting vaccinations...reading travel books....reaching out to people that have been there.....opening our souls to what this experience might be like....getting visas...sharing a journal, talking 3 times a day and squealing with delight at the idea....the dream....that is now a reality.
So that's the story...and if you took the time to read this....and I have you thinking about your dream...the one that's waiting for you...I encourage you to keep dreaming....to hold on to it....and believe in it....because I know it will happen for you....if you want it to....and I'd love to hear your dreams....so post a comment....and let us know what you want to do in your life.....
OUCH!.....thanks for the pinch......it was worth it!
Hugs,
gia
I don't know if any of you have always wanted to do something...REALLY bad but you were never quite sure of when you would do it... or if it would ever happen....if so...then you will relate to me. I've been dreaming of visiting Africa for about 10 years or so...but I sort of just tucked the idea away in the back of my mind...not really sure of when I would go or who with... but I always knew that I would.... when the time was right.
So... here's my story...how it all started....
As most of you know I work for the company, The Body Shop and I use my work as a way to raise funds to give back to people in my life & community that need assistance. At the end of each year I send out an e-mail to my customers, friends and family to let them know how their money helped me to make a difference. This January... 2007 I sent out the end of the year e-mail and as people do with e-mail...it was passed along by a friend of mine Trina, (Thank you Trina!) to a woman named Erin McCann. So Erin, a stranger to me, replys...and briefly says... "Gia, I thought you might be interested in checking out this organization that I support." And with that e-mail she sent the most adorable photo of her with a bunch of African children. (see photo) So right away I click on the website she sent and it linked me to a school in Ghana, Africa. I read the entire website and realized that Erin supports this school, has obviously traveled there and has a connection wtih the founder and children there. We are talking on the phone in minutes.
We connected instantly...and within about a week I realized that my dream of visiting Africa was actually going to happen! I told Erin about my desire to travel to Africa...to experience the culture, spend time with the people and give of my time. I expressed to her that I've never made it happen because of timing and trying to find that right person to travel with that has the same desire as I do and that has the time to go. She quickly told me that she wanted to go back and she asked when I wanted to go. I said this fall and she said let's do it! I jumped up and down and ran around the house screaming because I was so excited...you might have heard me! Just know that I haven't even mentioned this to my husband or even thought about who would take care of our son while I was gone or how I was going to pay for it....minor details I decided....when a dream is unfolding...I always say...it will work out...if you believe in it enough.
So to make a long story longer.....Erin was my rock...my safety net...she'd been before...she had connections and she's a go getter....we were a perfect match. We met a few months later and giggled because we felt like we knew each other so well yet not really at all.
A few weeks after we met Erin got a new job...and soon found out that she wouldn't be able to have enough vacation time to make the trip happen this fall. She tried so hard to make it work and she was so supportive of my dream that she wasn't about to let me not go. I had no idea what I was going to do but I wasn't about to give up now!
Meanwhile....Hillary....had been thinking about joining us but she was waiting for more information. By the way Hillary and I met through our work with The Body Shop At Home. Hillary also uses her business as a fundraising tool to give back in her community....and was drawn to the company because of the values like myself. Now 2 years later... we're pretty much soul sisters...with that said....
During the time that Erin and I were sorting through the details of our trip....Hillary ironically met a woman at a work event that helped start a school in Zambia, called The Kondwa Children's Foundation, quite similar to the one we were going to go to in Ghana. Coincidence?? You decide. Hillary decided to do some fundraising for them and just kept waiting to see how the details of my trip unfolded.
Once I found out that Erin was out I called Hillary to see if she would commit....she processed the idea a lot and discussed it with her family then decided to dive right in! I LOVE THIS GIRL!We decided that we would switch the original destination of Ghana to Zambia since Erin wouldn't be joining us this time....Can you guess where my next trip to Africa might be?? Hee...Hee....
So here we are.....7 months later.....planning....raising funds....getting vaccinations...reading travel books....reaching out to people that have been there.....opening our souls to what this experience might be like....getting visas...sharing a journal, talking 3 times a day and squealing with delight at the idea....the dream....that is now a reality.
So that's the story...and if you took the time to read this....and I have you thinking about your dream...the one that's waiting for you...I encourage you to keep dreaming....to hold on to it....and believe in it....because I know it will happen for you....if you want it to....and I'd love to hear your dreams....so post a comment....and let us know what you want to do in your life.....
OUCH!.....thanks for the pinch......it was worth it!
Hugs,
gia
7.11.2007
Something much bigger....
"There came a moment in the middle of the song when she suddenly felt every heartbeat in the room & after that she never forgot she was part of something much bigger."
-Brian Andreas
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
Just a quick note to let each one of you know that I wouldn't be....we wouldn't be going on this journey without each one of you supporting us along the way!
Please join us...subscribe to our blog and add comments...we'd love to hear from you!
I can not express in words how much this trip to Africa means to me. (As most of you know I will never claim to be much of a writer...so please hang in there with me...I'm much better at speaking!)
But I do know that I will be changed forever...
From the minute I step off the plane...
To the first smile I share...
To the first tear I shed...
The first hand I hold...
And I want you to know that I will be back to Africa...and maybe some of you will come with me.....This is just the beginning of something much bigger! And I thank you for your love and support...I wouldn't be who I am without all of you.
Love to you!
gia
7.07.2007
Who we are...
Our family and friends have said we have a servant’s heart. We suppose there is truth to this if one observes our on-going desire to help people and the planet. This is not pretense, it is mostly who we are. It is entirely who we want to be. We are humbled by a desire to make the world a better place, and not because of our help, those served will think more like us, and thus be “better”. The world is comprised of enormous cultural and bio diversity, our sense of better is simply an improved understanding of our interconnectedness.
Thanks to Jim Rosendale for helping us put our ideas into words! - Gia & Hillary
Thanks to Jim Rosendale for helping us put our ideas into words! - Gia & Hillary
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