Africa
In Her Element
My husband always remarks when I return that Africa suits me. I’m always looking and feeling good, despite the long journey (or at least he is smart enough to tell me this!). It’s been fun to have a colleague on my recent travels who also likes to take photos. This means I have more pictures…
Read MoreResidency in Congo
I’ve now reached my marker for having “lived in a place”. I had set this as five months, given that my study abroad programs in college were one semester each, where I lived in Ecuador and Australia (going back for a second round in Australia to co-lead the program there. This is what I had…
Read MoreToy Soliders
Being a soldier anywhere is hard work, but particularly in Africa. While unnamed wars still drag on, the continent is now seeing a bit of a reprieve from the last several decades of fighting seen in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Angola, Mozambique, Somalia; the list goes on. On my last trip to Congo, I was struck…
Read MoreFishnets and Corsets
Going out in Africa is often part of being an expatriate. Whether you are 20 something or 50 something, I would venture to say that most of us go out more often when we are on the road or living abroad than we would in our own everyday lives. While I certainly enjoy going out…
Read MoreFirst Female King in Ghana
I was tipped off by one of my fellow RPCVs (Return Peace Corps Volunteer), on this article in the Washington Post, All the King’s Men: As the first female ruler of Otuam, Ghana, Peggielene Bartels has had to deal with a legacy of corruption — and no shortage of sexism, about the first female King…
Read MoreInflux of Whites to Rwanda
My colleague here on Congo tipped me off to this great blog, This is Africa, that covers many of my stomping grounds within Africa. I haven’t had a chance to explore more of his blog, but based on this first post I will definitely be back for more. Rwandan officials appeal to Western governments: Please,…
Read MoreNi Paix Ni Guerre
Neither peace nor war. It says so much. This is how eastern Democractic Republic of Congo was described in a report that was developed on the joint assessment trip that I wrapped up last week (though I’ve stuck around DRC – in Goma now – for a couple of additional weeks). As you can see…
Read MoreKids will be Kids
One of the things that I’ve learned through my travels, is that kids are often very similar, the world over. In this case in point, give a kid a pair of funny colored glasses and they’ll find a way to goof off with them!This boy captured my heart instantly when he gave me this winning…
Read MoreDancing Raindrops
There is something incredible about rain, life renewing, replenishing, and sometimes just all around fun. This afternoon, just when we were ready to delve into a budget, the African rain started pouring. When I saw the raindrops pounding Lake Kivu beyond, I couldn’t help but put budgets on hold and convince my equally crazy colleague…
Read MoreInto your Psyche
One of the realities of life on the road are long, long work days. Last year when I was in DR Congo for two months, I worked 16 hrs days every day except for one day seeing gorillas and one day walking through the town of Bukavu with my colleagues for a much needed break.…
Read More