Sorry for the delay in posts! You can expect them twice a week again!
First off, we left Ecuador. The trip was amazing. Visiting the Galapagos Islands was the definite highlight (there are probably 45 highlights within that one week). I'd recommend for anyone to go... but maybe try to spend less time than we did in Quito if you're not planning on working and learning Spanish.
The past week/10 days I've been frantically getting things together for the next part of the adventure. 'Getting things together' entails seeing the dentist, orthodentist, optician, back doctor, getting 4 different vaccinations, stocking up on 4 months supply of malarone, washing/repairing clothes, playing two rounds of golf (what?) - basically getting an MOT on my body. Why? Because I'm headed to Africa.
I've got the opportunity (and am taking advantage of it) to work/volunteer for two different organizations in southern Africa. The first is a charity called Mary's Meals - they help communities provide meals for children in schools, thus giving the children inreased incentive to go to school - and give the parents incentive to send them (as opposed to having them work). I will be working for Mary's Meals in the Southern Malawian city called Blantyre. I start Tuesday. After working with them for a month, I am hopping over to Maputo, Mozambique to work with Save the Children for two months. The hope is that over these 3/4 months that I will gain experience and insight into the development/philanthropy field of work so that I can work for a similar organization permanently.
I arrived in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, today after connecting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I haven't had a chance to discover the city at all, but I'm excited to visit around tomorrow. The drive from the airport, however, was gorgeous. This part of the country at least is quite lush, full of vegetation - there are these cool trees that have huge yellow flowers. Everyone I've met has been so nice and the hostel I'm staying in is pretty chill.
This weekend will entail visiting Lilongwe a bit, then trekking over to a tiny town called Bwanje to visit someone I met through Couch Surf. I hope to be in Blantyre by Monday to start work Tuesday.
Things seem to be happening pretty quickly. While that is exciting, it is also pretty scary. I am, sadly, doing this part of the trip alone. Kristen is going to be moving to Chicago and start working (good luck!!!!!!!).
Anyway, I'll update on the beginnings of this adventure on Monday. Until then, thanks for reading!
First off, we left Ecuador. The trip was amazing. Visiting the Galapagos Islands was the definite highlight (there are probably 45 highlights within that one week). I'd recommend for anyone to go... but maybe try to spend less time than we did in Quito if you're not planning on working and learning Spanish.
The past week/10 days I've been frantically getting things together for the next part of the adventure. 'Getting things together' entails seeing the dentist, orthodentist, optician, back doctor, getting 4 different vaccinations, stocking up on 4 months supply of malarone, washing/repairing clothes, playing two rounds of golf (what?) - basically getting an MOT on my body. Why? Because I'm headed to Africa.
I've got the opportunity (and am taking advantage of it) to work/volunteer for two different organizations in southern Africa. The first is a charity called Mary's Meals - they help communities provide meals for children in schools, thus giving the children inreased incentive to go to school - and give the parents incentive to send them (as opposed to having them work). I will be working for Mary's Meals in the Southern Malawian city called Blantyre. I start Tuesday. After working with them for a month, I am hopping over to Maputo, Mozambique to work with Save the Children for two months. The hope is that over these 3/4 months that I will gain experience and insight into the development/philanthropy field of work so that I can work for a similar organization permanently.
I arrived in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, today after connecting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I haven't had a chance to discover the city at all, but I'm excited to visit around tomorrow. The drive from the airport, however, was gorgeous. This part of the country at least is quite lush, full of vegetation - there are these cool trees that have huge yellow flowers. Everyone I've met has been so nice and the hostel I'm staying in is pretty chill.
This weekend will entail visiting Lilongwe a bit, then trekking over to a tiny town called Bwanje to visit someone I met through Couch Surf. I hope to be in Blantyre by Monday to start work Tuesday.
Things seem to be happening pretty quickly. While that is exciting, it is also pretty scary. I am, sadly, doing this part of the trip alone. Kristen is going to be moving to Chicago and start working (good luck!!!!!!!).
Anyway, I'll update on the beginnings of this adventure on Monday. Until then, thanks for reading!
sounds like Africa will be exciting. Can't wait to hear about the 1st couch surfing person you meet and the small town you're going to.
ReplyDeleteGreat Galapagos photos and films, thanks!!