Travel. A Disappearing Memory.

I've been reflecting a lot lately on my travels and travel in general. One thing that is hard for me to understand is how it is possible to be somewhere, living it up, exploring, serving, totally emerged in the moment and then, it's gone. A day passes, a week, and it feels as a balloon floating further...

read more "Travel. A Disappearing Memory."

Africa: Final Thoughts

From the words of those on my trip: "I woke up surrounded by the orphans, as they had piled on the mattresses and blankets Matt, Carolyn, and I laid out for them for sleeping the night before. The oldest ones of the 60 were already up and gone, but all the little ones still laid there soundly sleeping...

read more "Africa: Final Thoughts"

Africa: The Journey Home

The next two days, yes, TWO DAYS, are dedicated to getting me home. And we thought the journey here was rough. However, as exhausted, cranky, and upset as I was on the way here, I would totally do it again for the experience. And I thought I was done with big travel. Ha! I will however stay committed to paying more to shorten the journey. Thinking...

read more "Africa: The Journey Home"

Day 8: Rafting the Nile

Today we white water rafted the Nile River. Add that to the reverse bucket list. We woke up at 5am and headed to Jinja. Here we ate breakfast and watched some of the men bungee jump. Then we got in another van and drove an hour. Upon arrival we were fitted with helmets and life jackets. At this point I was mildly panicking. The idea of being stuck...

read more "Day 8: Rafting the Nile"

Day 7: Sipi Falls

Today we hiked Sipi Falls. We left the house at 6:30 and began the drive. Arriving at 9:30 we began the hike. I was previously told it would be a 3-4 mile walk. Ha! I was worried in the beginning as we began to gain in altitude very quickly. Add mud and slippery rocks to that equation and I wasn't doing so well. Never fear Moses swiftly brought aka...

read more "Day 7: Sipi Falls"

Day 6: Eyes & Surgery

This morning we awoke and headed back to Child of Hope to screen all of the kids. We eye tested a few hundred and then helped the Dr. with his eye camp. We then went to the hospital. We toured and ....It was a lot to handle. Actually it was like what you would see in a horror movie or a war hospital. Old furniture, rocks used to prop up and elevate...

read more "Day 6: Eyes & Surgery"

Day 5: Thanksgiving Orphanage

After child of hope we got back into the vans and headed to the orphanage. This orphanage has been a project of one of the guys on our team, Matt. On our way to the orphanage we had to go through a police check which we did not pass. Awhile later with some money and talking we were on our way again. When we got to the top of the hill we were greeted...

read more "Day 5: Thanksgiving Orphanage"

Day 5: Child Of Hope

After a sleep in the Mbale house we headed to the organzination: Child of Hope. I've been holding back tears since we left the gates. First: Child of Hope is an organization started by Bex, a European, and her Ugandan husband Moses. Once married on their honeymoon Moses had a dream to start a nursery...

read more "Day 5: Child Of Hope"

Day 4: Books, Eyes, Jewelry

Man. I wrote a post but I don't know where it went.Last night we drove in at 1:30 am. It was so hot and humid in our car. However when I work up this morning there was HOT WATER! Hot water! Yes! You should have seen the red dirt coming off me. I then took my malaria pill mad twenty minutes later I was over the toilet puking stomach acid. That was not...

read more "Day 4: Books, Eyes, Jewelry"

Day 3: Safari & Refugees

I'm sitting here in the safari van watching the sunrise over the savannah(?) with animals surrounding us. There is a herd of deer to my right and warthogs to my left. We just found the two mother lions and their cubs!Then it got ticket and started to hiss? Roar? Growl? All of the above. Seeing these animals in the wild is an experience. There is something...

read more "Day 3: Safari & Refugees"