The ABC's of Trip Planning, Pt 1- K is for Keeping Things Kooky- Drinks V-Z; pg. 197 + New Link

[Flossbolna]

I love your plans for Africa! I was all set to plan a trip to Zimbabwe after I had been in Namibia in 1999. But then all hell broke out there politically and I kind of abandoned my ideas. And then I started to travel to WDW instead...

I will be very interested to hear what you experience there... A good friend of mine in the UK grew up there. Her father was a professor at the university in Rhodesia...

 

[Steppesister]

I love your plans for Africa! I was all set to plan a trip to Zimbabwe after I had been in Namibia in 1999. But then all hell broke out there politically and I kind of abandoned my ideas. And then I started to travel to WDW instead...

I will be very interested to hear what you experience there... A good friend of mine in the UK grew up there. Her father was a professor at the university in Rhodesia...

I have a LOT Of research to do! I really know nothing about any of the countries there, but am excited to visit an area of the world I've never been too. The closest I've come is Tunisia in 1984. A LONG time ago.

I imagine that things are yet pretty unstable politically. I know we have some friends who lived in Nigeria for like 25 years and had to flee- awful. Just horrible there now.

I need to do some dialogue with my Aunt and see what she has in mind for the trainings and see if I can get my Nursing Bestie to go with me and we can teach together. I dunno... at this point just an idea and dream.

 

[Flossbolna]

I have a LOT Of research to do! I really know nothing about any of the countries there, but am excited to visit an area of the world I've never been too. The closest I've come is Tunisia in 1984. A LONG time ago.

I imagine that things are yet pretty unstable politically. I know we have some friends who lived in Nigeria for like 25 years and had to flee- awful. Just horrible there now.

I need to do some dialogue with my Aunt and see what she has in mind for the trainings and see if I can get my Nursing Bestie to go with me and we can teach together. I dunno... at this point just an idea and dream.

Depending on where you end up going, history and culture would be so different. I ended up being quite interested in Southern Africa, so Namibia, RSA, Zimbabwe mainly. I do have quite a lot of literature on this region and can definitely recommend some reading... I got a Masters degree from a university in London called School of Oriental and African Studies and the time there sparked my interest in Africa, oh and also the boyfriend I picked up there who was getting a PHD in African History... ;-)

 

[Steppesister]

Depending on where you end up going, history and culture would be so different. I ended up being quite interested in Southern Africa, so Namibia, RSA, Zimbabwe mainly. I do have quite a lot of literature on this region and can definitely recommend some reading... I got a Masters degree from a university in London called School of Oriental and African Studies and the time there sparked my interest in Africa, oh and also the boyfriend I picked up there who was getting a PHD in African History... ;-)

u
I had no idea you had a degree in African studies- knew you'd been there and about the boyfriend, but didn't realize you'd studied it too.

We have some friends from the RSA and actually emigrated to the States about 5 years ago. (But lived in Kaz for about 10 before that.)

I dunno, for some reason I'm drawn to W. Africa. I REALLY want to see the local dress, hear the drumming, and dance a little. BUT, Betty (my aunt) says that if it's a safari I"m after, that E. Africa (Tanzania or Kenya) is the place to go. I'm sure it'll work out exactly as it's meant to, meantime I'll start with seeing what she has in mind.

 

[Flossbolna]

u
I had no idea you had a degree in African studies- knew you'd been there and about the boyfriend, but didn't realize you'd studied it too.

We have some friends from the RSA and actually emigrated to the States about 5 years ago. (But lived in Kaz for about 10 before that.)

I dunno, for some reason I'm drawn to W. Africa. I REALLY want to see the local dress, hear the drumming, and dance a little. BUT, Betty (my aunt) says that if it's a safari I"m after, that E. Africa (Tanzania or Kenya) is the place to go. I'm sure it'll work out exactly as it's meant to, meantime I'll start with seeing what she has in mind.

I guess you just need multiple trips to Africa!

 

[pkondz]

Oh how I know this 'tude. However, the last 2 years in school has really given mine a reality check on that. Mom hasn't always been there; in fact, Mom's rarely ever there right now. Errant on the other end of the spectrum I suppose.

That'll learn 'em.

There are some things I do, actually. A MUCH simpler way of life, fresh food (at least what you could get- like horse and goat meats, veggies and dairy products), and WAY better internet for cheap. Border crossings: not so much.

Interesting.

I doubt it.

Keep thinking that...

Me too, and my bathroom was even clean.

Always nice to have a clean place to relieve oneself.

Did your family do anything special?

It was... weird.
Elle and Ruby went one way, Kay stayed home, I went a different way.
Go figure.

We had a nice dinner with my hubby's sister and her family of 5 (her engaged daughter and her fiance didn't make it), my married daughter and SIL, and my FIL all gathered around my table. After I'd only gotten home at 5:00AM that morning. It was.... an adventure. My girls and hubby pulled off an amazing event without me being part of it whatsoever.

Nice that all that got done with no effort on your part!

Amish country is a serious challenge because of their disdain for being photographed. Finding that fine like between respect and taking artist's license if tricky.

That can be tricky. How'd you manage it?

I did. And am sleeping so much better now that a huge chunk of that nasty stress is gone.

Good!

Right?! WE so totally need a new laptop on this house. Might be the first purchase after the wedding stuff is paid for.

You could buy worse things.

 

[Steppesister]

Always nice to have a clean place to relieve oneself.

Lately, it's a novelty. Before my excuse was studying. Now it's sunny weather. Then again, ANYTHING to avoid cleaning that place.

It was... weird.
Elle and Ruby went one way, Kay stayed home, I went a different way.
Go figure.

That would be.... weird. Trying to figure.

Nice that all that got done with no effort on your part!

For reals! Of course, my part was doing all the dishes. Naturally.

That can be tricky. How'd you manage it?

I didn't do very well. We came across one house where a couple of women were getting ready to get in a buggy. They saw us stop and promptly grabbed their young kids and (quite literally) ran into the house. The few I got were tough. I understand they don't want to be a spectacle, but then again, they kinda are. I dunno.

You could buy worse things.

Yes, a Mac.

 

[pkondz]

Then again, ANYTHING to avoid cleaning that place.

I hear you.
It was one of three things I resolved to do today.


Maybe tomorrow?

That would be.... weird. Trying to figure.

Easter's never been a big supper meal around my family.
Brunch... sometimes.
Ruby went with Elle to a church in another town.
I didn't since I had to work that evening.
Kay stayed home while I went to our Church.
Met the folks there who said they were going for brunch right after.
"Where?" Says I.
At a place that's right by my work.... so I went with them before heading off to work.

Like I said. Weird.

For reals! Of course, my part was doing all the dishes. Naturally.

Oh. I think I'd rather do the cooking.

I didn't do very well. We came across one house where a couple of women were getting ready to get in a buggy. They saw us stop and promptly grabbed their young kids and (quite literally) ran into the house. The few I got were tough. I understand they don't want to be a spectacle, but then again, they kinda are. I dunno.

Interesting.

Yes, a Mac.

I dunno. Elle got a Mac 5 years ago and it's still working really well.
I can't say the same for my PC.

 

[mom3sonstt]

just caught up on about a months worth of posts. I'm looking forward to hearing the results of the powwow with Marv and pat and what kind of meets and gatherings are planned.
I've got a trip coming in 2 1/2 weeks, and am starting to pre-plan the October trip.

 

[Elevationist]

I'm here, don't punch me!

Obviously, I have an obsession with Cardinals.

Beautiful!!!

These are not Cardinals:

You don't say.

BUNNY! I love him!

This is a VERY cool photo!

 

[Steppesister]

C is for Central Oregon Beauty​

I apologize to those of you who've seen these on FB; I know it gets tedious double seeing stuff. For those of you who aren't (all you have to do is ask, if you'd like to be) here are some photos from our family field trip yesterday to Smith Rocks, Oregon near Redmond. The weather was delicious, the scenery unbelievable. The photos absolutely just don't give the area its just due.

If you are not interested... scroll down after the next post for a tiny bit of trip-related news.





















Continued in next post:

 

[Steppesister]

The other half of the shots I captured during my day of (for the most part) solitude and rest:



















It's a wild place still: Cougars are regularly sighted, coyotes are all over the place, and rattlesnakes are rampant.







We have to travel up and over the Santiam Pass to get to Central and Eastern Oregon. There was still quite a bit of snow at the summit and on the higher elevations. Here is Mt. Washington with a crap ton of snow still on it. Hopefully, this means an ease on our horrible drought.



In trip-related news, I have had to pass the buck to Brook in making all of our ADRs. Being that I'm scheduled to be on-shift at 3:00AM on the 13th, there is no way I can plan to have a break when I need to call, and the web session may take far more than the half hour I get for lunch. I also had to task her with buying our MNSSHP tix and the Train Tour tix as well- just not enough hours in my day.

As ADR Day looms ever closer, the excitement mounts! I have to be busy tonight studying, but when I do post next, which may be tonight depending on which shoulder's voice wins out, I will post the OWLA- that's the official acronym for "Official Wish List of ADRs", just so you know.

Cheers,

Steppe

 

[pkondz]

I apologize to those of you who've seen these on FB; I know it gets tedious double seeing stuff.

Yeah! What's with that???

From now on, I'm going to look at FB with my left eye and the DIS with my right.

The weather was delicious

I've never heard weather referred to as "delicious" before.

Actually... it's usually "&#$% weather!"

If you are not interested... scroll down after the next post for a tiny bit of trip-related news.

Nope. I looked.
Some I hadn't seen and in any event, they're bigger now that I'm on the 'puter as opposed to my iPod.

The other half of the shots I captured during my day of (for the most part) solitude and rest:

Um... this is not solitude. This is called "Being with others".

It's a wild place still: Cougars are regularly sighted, coyotes are all over the place, and rattlesnakes are rampant.

Cool.

In trip-related news, I have had to pass the buck to Brook in making all of our ADRs. Being that I'm scheduled to be on-shift at 3:00AM on the 13th, there is no way I can plan to have a break when I need to call, and the web session may take far more than the half hour I get for lunch. I also had to task her with buying our MNSSHP tix and the Train Tour tix as well- just not enough hours in my day.

Wow. I dunno if I could hand that off to someone else.

As ADR Day looms ever closer, the excitement mounts! I have to be busy tonight studying, but when I do post next, which may be tonight depending on which shoulder's voice wins out, I will post the OWLA- that's the official acronym for "Official Wish List of ADRs", just so you know.

Standing by.

 

[Steppesister]

Um... this is not solitude. This is called "Being with others".

Ask me how long I hung around. Go ahead...

Wrong! It was 5 minutes. I did a 3 mile loop hike, toddled around another 2 hours, then sat in the car and read. It was glorious.

 

[pkondz]

Ask me how long I hung around. Go ahead...

How long did you hang around? I'm guessing about 5 minutes.

Wrong! It was 5 minutes. I did a 3 mile loop hike, toddled around another 2 hours, then sat in the car and read. It was glorious.

Niiiiiiiice.

 

[afwdwfan]

Great pictures! Looks like a beautiful spot for some time away from the grind!

It's a wild place still: Cougars are regularly sighted, coyotes are all over the place, and rattlesnakes are rampant.

The cougars and coyotes, I can deal with.

But rattlesnakes???

Nope. Only if I have a gun in my hand.

In trip-related news, I have had to pass the buck to Brook in making all of our ADRs. Being that I'm scheduled to be on-shift at 3:00AM on the 13th, there is no way I can plan to have a break when I need to call, and the web session may take far more than the half hour I get for lunch. I also had to task her with buying our MNSSHP tix and the Train Tour tix as well- just not enough hours in my day.

With as much planning as you've been putting into this trip, it has to be hard to give up any control of the process. I wish her luck in getting the ADRs so that she doesn't have to feel your wrath.

 

[jedijill]

Finally playing catch up after being gone on my trip! I'll just say congrats to finishing another term and fantastic start to your last term! Your photos are stunning!

Hang in there....you are almost done!

Jill in CO

 

[irene_dsc]

OH no! It's only a short term thing, for a couple weeks. At this point just a dream and connection source. We'll see over the next months how that pans out.

Cool. A short term adventure is a lot easier to fit into life. This also makes me curious how much Senegal has changed since I was there (very briefly) back in 1989 (as mentioned on pkondz's TR). I didn't spend much time in Dakar, but there was one area with a bunch of skyscrapers and a big park where I hung out for a little bit before catching my plane back to Paris. (My then-bf was in The Gambia in the Peace Corps, but there weren't any direct flights from Paris, where I was studying abroad at the time, so I flew into Dakar in Senegal instead.) There were also some areas with little open air markets that I remember. And of course, French is an official language there, so speaking French helps a lot.

 

[irene_dsc]

And catching up some more...gorgeous photos! Sounds like a great day - hiking and reading - my kinda day!

Instead, we spent much of the weekend cleaning, lol. The almost 12 year old did a deep clean / redecorate (reorganize stuff on walls) on her room, with the least amount of help from me yet on that type of endeavor. It desperately needed to be done, so I was proud of her. Lots of boxes - some stuff to donate, some stuff to hang onto in storage, some stuff to give to baby cousin, some to consign...

 

[glennbo123]

Because it was there, I take it?

Rappelling down looks more fun than climbing up.

Good luck to Brook on getting those ADR's...good thing you have her.