Karen's mileage tracker

Karen's ride for Malawi

Monday, August 13, 2012

Malawi journal cont'd....

September 2007....

Within our first 48 hours in Malawi, Shannon said she wanted to go home...she said she hadn't really wanted to go but felt like I made her go.  We talked and cried and we both were going through our own stuff and as I look back on it now, it was still one of the worst times of the trip. 

That very afternoon we were given the opportunity to go visit the medical clinic in the village and I was happy to be doing something!  It had been a long morning so far so I was excited to have something to take my mind off some of the difficult things.  We  were given the task of weighing patients and taking their temperatures.  It was Shannon's first time holding a baby, she realized and pretty scary for her!  There was a 'seat' we had to put the babies in to weigh them...it reminded me of the bouncy chairs that we used when the kids were small.  The difference was this was a scale, not a toy! 

Some of the babies were really good and others screamed bloody murder!  No different than here, I thought, and then learned that the mothers told the children sometimes that if they didn't behave the mzungus (us, white people) would bite them!  Mzungu really doesn't just mean white people, but in our case it kind of did.  I understand it refers really more to a class of people than color.

While we were at the clinic, we were making bags of patano - which is like tylenol - I looked out the window and I saw a monkey in a tree!  Just across the street from the clinic it was in a tree!  Not in a zoo, in its natural habitat!  It was really cool! 

We had peanut butter and banana sandwiches forlunch and for dinner Joab (one of the cooks) made us some rice and beans - like red kidney beans. He added tomatoe and onionto the beans and it was soooo good!  So tomorrow we are going to reant a kayak and go aroudn the island, at least one of them. .....
.....I really hope I can sleep tonight. It's quiet - I haven't really heard much music.  Nadine says that when it gets quiet, it means someone has died - I wonder if that's it!  We played cards, did a budget and made some trail mix for tomorrow to take with us.  I also boiled some eggs.  So, all in all the day turned out ok. "

The next day we did go out in the kayak, for 21/2 hours!!  it was a double kayak and I remember it being very difficult and a little scary!  The water was very choppy and it was windy, so we had to work against a current almost!  There was a rudder in the back (where I was) but I do not think it worked very well due to the water conditions.  Shannon and I had quite a challenge coordinating our paddle strokes as well...it was pretty ugly a couple times, let me tell you!!

After our kayak trip we spent some time in the village, meeting people and looking around at the shops and stuff.  Then there are the 'beach boys' as we came to know them...they are vendors selling various crafts and wares.

"I think I disappointed some of the vendors today - I think when you say you want to look at something, they think it means you want to buy it - I guess there is no window shopping here!  We did end up buying some fabric today that we can use to have some skirts makde and I'm going to have a bag made as well.
I have moments when I'm really happy and comfortable here and then there are moments of...just extreme sadness, it's like homesickness, adn it is almost a physical feeling.  I felt that way after Shannon and I had a tiff, it was really not a big deal - but I felt like I had no one else to talk to or anywhere to go...I didn't feel better being away from her - I felt worse!"

Here are some of the pictures that we took today while we were walking around in the village:


 

 
 
 

These pictures were taking down near 'Otter Point', which is at one end of the village.  There is National Park there, hence the pictures we took in front of the signs...The inside of the museum was very interesting; there were displays of various fish and water 'creatures'...I didn't take notes so cannot tell you anything about them.  And furthermore, I do not retain many details from museums anywhere, so it's not just limited to Malawi!!  The lake was beautiful and we have since learned that in addition to its beauty, it has the largest number of species in a body of fresh water.
I think that will be all for today!!  My hope is to continue on through my journey...maybe in larger portions next time, who knows...I write what I can when I feel like it and maybe someone will be interested in some of it.  I really just wanted to shared about my experiences that started my journey to Educate Malawi!!

Zikomo and Peace! 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

MORE SPONSORS NEEDED TO REACH MY GOAL!

Hi all!

I have taken a little break from training, riding and writing to travel for vacation to North Carolina with my husband.  Tomorrow we head north and I plan to pick up the serious riding and training and fundraising efforts. I rode a small bit on this trip and took some pics (below left is the view at the Smokey Mountains, and right is in Waynesville, North Carolina).  We only rode a total of 23 miles while in this part of the country, but it was a beautiful scenic ride.

I feel grateful to be able to travel and spend time in other places and it helps me appreciate our country more and more!  It is absolutely beautiful here and my heart feels full of pride to be a part of this country.  We have continued our efforts for Malawi and I have confidence that the wonderful people of our country will come through for us!


Only 3 and 1/2 weeks until the Big ride starts!!  I am getting ready...stay tuned.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Video Blog 2 - AUGUST 1, 2012


Hi friends,

Before viewing my newest video, I want to say that I am enjoying talking to you (and myself) in this new form of blogging...it is quicker and easier for me and I like to think it's more personal!!  I would like to bring your attention to 2 things at this point:

1.) My current mileage for the year is 1060 miles toward  2,500  miles for the year and

2.) I am almost 1/4 of the way to my $3,000 goal for Karen's Ride!!!  Woo hoo!  Thank you all who have donated so far...Please help me reach my goal; any amount will be greatly appreciated and it all adds up!

Thank you and enjoy this segment of my blog.  Oh, and don't let the ringing phone bother you in the video, it didn't bother me! 

TIONANA!!



p.s.  Stay tuned for some exciting Educate Malawi news in the next couple of days!!  I can't wait to post it...it is really huge for us!