Somalia

What is going on in Somalia right now is one of the worst famines ever.
We need to do something. Every dollar counts. I am sure that you have a couple to spare.
Please.

I just donated to Médecins Sans Frontières here and to UNICEF by texting FOOD to UNICEF (864233). Doesn't get easier than that.
Here is how you can help.

Urges.

I have urges, being here in Africa, to give away all my stuff. Everything. Even my sunglasses. (although that would probably be a bad idea. It's very bright here.)
I find myself observing everyone that I see and trying to make out what they might need that I have. A towel? Flip flops? Shampoo? I know it sounds strange, but whenever I travel, I do this. Particularly because I recognize that I have so damn much. So much. It's amazing how much we need to feel well and satisfied as compared to people in other parts of the world.
Last time I was here, our professor talked about monetary versus personal poverty. He explained how poverty to us is different than to the Kenyans we were working with. Although we could physically survive with far less than we have, we would feel emotionally empty due to all the associations we have with the objects around us.

So we'll see. But I'm definitely giving away most of my stuff away the week before I leave. I just have to figure out the who and the how.

safari gear

There is this phenomenon among travelers to Africa I call 'safari gear'. And it gets me every single time I see it (which is often). You know the type: all beige, awkward pants that zip off at different lengths, very unflattering pocketed shirts, some kind of sporty shoe. It's actually pretty funny. Because while it can be quite dusty here, meaning that white and black clothing can end up looking grimy, there really is no reason for going to some mountain equipment sports store and paying a couple of hundred dollars on clothes you'll only wear for ten days once or twice in your entire life. But that's just my opinion. (And thanks for listening. I needed to get that one off my chest.)

Africa footwear

For some reason, several people have wanted to know what I packed for my African adventure. A few people in particular have been very specific in asking about the kind of footwear I lugged here with me. When one lady e-mailed as she is about to go on safari, I decided to write a little post about the 5 pairs of shoes I brought.


1. The wear-on-the-plane-and-to-work TOMS shoe in navy. I picked it for it's comfort level (amazing), breathability and especially the elephant print inside. Perfect closed-toe shoe for very warm weather.
2. The everyday-after-work-and-even-sometimes-to-work shoe.
When I lived in Japan, I became a Birkenstock fan. Mainly because they had much nicer designs (and patent leather).

3. The if-I-ever-need-to-do-some-sort-of-physical-activity shoe. (Which has yet to happen, btw.)
4. The week-end-and-evening-and-basically-whenever shoe.
Yep, another pair. What can I say I'm a fan.

5. The it's-raining-buckets-but-I-still-want-to-wear-this-cute-dress shoe. (in black.)
It's a CROC (*gasp*). But in Africa, you need a CROC. You really do.

Jambo from paradise

Greetings from the land of Zanzibar!
All is well here, the people are welcoming, the streets are confusing, the kids are cute, and the air is hot. Very, very hot.
We have been here a week, and managed to find an apartment, take the local minibuses to the hospital, find a mobile phone, score free wireless internet, go on a spice tour (pictured above), and get ourselves invited to a local wedding. (More on those last two later.)
Hope that all is well with everyone and that the start of 2011 has been sweet.
xox

off, off and away

I am on my way to Zanzibar for the next few months.
Haramaki Love will continue to be run by my one and only.
Hopefully I'll get to share bits and pieces of my adventures along the way!

In the meantime, here's to wishing everyone a very sweet 2011.
2010 was pretty awesome, what with jah wedding and all.

I'll be thinking of (+ missing) you.
xx

back to africa

This just in: Mr. D, our friend Christy and I just booked tickets to TANZANIA.
We will be there for 2 months doing a clinical internship in a hospital in Zanzibar, a tropical paradise off the coast of Dar Es Salaam. Gulp. Sigh. OMFG!! (As a note, I am not one to typically use acronyms such as OMFG. But I felt like it was deserved for this announcement.)

Last time I was in Africa, I made some best friends, and had some of the craziest adventures of my life. I was also told numerous times that you always go back to Africa. I didn't really believe it at the time, but I guess those people were right.

Better start brushing up on my Kiswahili.