Celebrations & Goodbyes

I am enjoying being back in Arkansas and having time to spend with Keri and my Mom. I'm also trying to catch up at the office. It will be a busy July and August with the need to move offices (again), and get ready for the new graduate class. Good news however! Due to a glitch in the CAA accreditation online reporting system, we have been given a reprieve in submitting our accreditation report/application. Our report is now due in February with the CAA Accreditation visit in the Fall 2012.

Had a wonderful July 4th visit with Mom and a perfect view of the Altus fireworks from St. Mary's Mountain. Mom also had a good time! I really missed Dad this year. He would have loved the perfect viewing spot.

This past week also contained the SURPRISE announcement that Yarnell's Ice Cream was closing its doors immediately. The only ice cream available was already on the shelves. We bought some. It has been so much a part of Searcy that I'm grieving its loss. I'm not a big ice cream eater, but I can't imagine Christmas time without Yarnell's Peppermint ice cream, and I'm really going to miss their new Lemon Icebox Pie.

Arkansas - Home!

We have returned! The trip was exhausting but we all made it safely. At the Memphis airport last night, everyone recieved their luggage except one suitcase of Lauren's. I suspect that the plane from Chicage was just too small to fit everything since most of us had at least two large, 50 pound suitcases each.

We arrived very early at the airport in Lusaka on Thursday. Everyone made it through the exit process smoothly except, nine or ten were told we would need to pick up our boarding passes for the second flight when we arrived in Addis Ababa (never a good sign). We were late getting into Ethiopia and found out quickly that those that didn't have boarding passes were on standby. This was complicated by a three hour delay without food (supper) or water. They finally brought a limited number of drinks just as we boarded after midnight. I had a seat assignment but Ian didn't get a seat until the last minute. We arrived in Washington, D.C. several hours late and rushed through Customs and Immigration only to discover that our luggage had not been checked to Memphis. We had to go out to the check-in counter and recheck our luggage, United couldn't find our reservations, then they had to assign seats (since we didn't have any), and then race for the gate. We barely made the flight. Keri DID come with Gene to Memphis. It was good to see her but since she had to work today, she didn't get much sleep?



We are home, and I woke up on African time. It will take awhile to adjust

Last Days in Africa

Yesterday morning followed the usual routine with therapy and activities. The hard part was that we knew it would be the last time we saw some of the kiddos. These children become so much part of our lives during our time here, that it inconceivable that we will suddenly be without them. The afternoon burial of Andrew in the cemetery behind Haven 2 brought it all home and made a difficult day even harder.

The truck carrying the coffin and many mourners arrived around 15:00 hours followed by several cars and a large truck full of mourners. The coffin was placed on a table and opened for viewing. Mama Cecelia spoke, a group of women sang and then all were invited to view the body. In western cultures, mourners are expected to be reserved but I think here they are expected to be demonstrative. We then all walked to the cemetery. They discovered that the coffin would not fit so the grave had to be expanded. Apparently, coffins are not often used. Megan told Andrew’s story but never mentioned his name. She referred to him as “the baby” and “the child”. There must have been a cultural reason that I knew nothing about. The family (grandmother and other distant relatives) all threw a handful of dirt in the grave and then we waited while the grave was filled and mounded. Megan then put flowers on the grave, Kathy’s daughter put a toy and the grandmother put a bag of potato puffs (the last food I saw Andrew eat. Then it was over and everyone returned to the life they are living. The photo is of the corn crib behind Haven 1.

Over supper, we learned of a potential crisis. Apparently, all of our transportation plans to get us all to Lusaka had fallen through and there was a rush to come up with alternatives. These included driving multiple trips to Lusaka or taking the local “blue busses”. Both options had problems. While Kel was talking to Martin (one of Ellie’s “sons” in Livingstone, Martin saw a bus that he thought might be from Lusaka. A few minutes later, a bus that had delivered passengers from Lusaka to Livingstone was acquired to take us on the return trip.

Last night was spent packing and last minute good-byes. We are all so tired but not ready to leave. This morning Ian took this photo of a Grey Lourie (also known as a "go-away bird"). It has a distinct call that warns other animals. Check out the link to hear and read about this African bird. It seems appropriate that it would visit us today.

Tonight we are at the Protea in Lusaka tonight and fly out tomorrow.

Highs and Lows

Today is the next-to-the-last day we will spend here in Namwianga. The highs included a chance to be with our kiddos after five days away. Little Kritz was imitating everything he could and was hugging and laughing with Tessa. It made my heart happy to see him today. Everyone reconnected with their children and a good day was had by all (children and clinicians). Ian also met with Mr. Phiri, the Superintendent of the Namwianga Mission to discuss his Eagle Project. He is planning to collect money to purchase materials and then to assemble clean delivery kits (CDKs). You will hear a lot more about this in the future. Tonight, the graduate assistants (GA) put on the Second Annual GA Olympics. Fun was had by all with events such as carrying a basket on the head, and modeling of Mrs. Moono items.

The lows were very, very emotional. Hamilton has developed rapid onset bilateral cataracts. We didn’t notice them when we left on Wednesday, but he is having trouble seeing and they are very visible in each eye. He must have surgery immediately and arrangements are currently being made. Unfortunately, we will be gone before this can be done so we will not be able to assist with the care and the recovery.

The biggest blow is the loss of Andrew. He died several hours ago of pcp pneumonia. He has had an upset stomach for several weeks and has been unable to hold any food. This is related to HIV/Aids. I’m not sure there is any family, but we will find out tomorrow. His life (and his suffering) here is over but he will be missed.

Ian doesn’t know yet because he has gone to spend the night with David. He will be very upset. All will be very subdued tomorrow at The Haven.

Rhinos

(Saturday) I have finally seen Rhinos in the wild. It has always been on my list and it has never worked out but finally success. Ian and I were picked up at 06:40 by a driver and a guide, given robes to keep us warm and we headed into the bush. We were required to stop by the rangers lodge to pick up a guard and then we were on our way. We walked for miles behind the guard and guide/tracker before we found them. They were truly magnificent! Of course we had tea before we headed out of the bush. A morning well spent!

We had to shuttle back to Namwianga yesterday afternoon. Beckie took this shift because I had driven everyone to Livingstone on Wednesday. It felt like we were back home.

Victoria Falls (from the air)

(Friday) I waited until we got back to Namwianga to post the blog because the connection was poor. Friday, we headed for the helicopter pad for the tour of Victoria Falls. It was truly magnificent. There were six passengers and the pilot. The pilot wanted Ian next to him so he saw it all from the front seat. It was very expensive, but well worth every penny. I really enjoyed seeing it and the surrounding area.

We headed back to Victoria Falls for the day visit. Always dramatic. Ian wanted to shop in the Victoria Falls Craft Market so I headed to The Zambezi Sun. The Kubu Crafts is still there as well as many additional upscale shops. The Zebras were roaming the grounds and one South African tourist forgot they were wild and tried to approach one. She barely avoided a kick. We had to shuttle the students again so Beckie spent much of her time driving back and forth.

Friday night we too the sunset cruise. This year we went on the Lady Livingstone and departed from the David Livingstone Lodge. It was a classier trip then either of the ones we had done before. Ian made a friend (Webster) with a fellow birder who worked as a waiter. We were all very tired when we got back to the Protea.

Chobe Safari

After a wonderful breakfast at the Protea-Livingstone, a coach picked us up for transport to Chobe National Park, Botswana for our safari. We breezed through Zambian Immigration exit and went smoothly into Botswana. Our safari company was the African Odyssey Safari Company at the Chobe Marina Lodge. It was different from the last several years. The process, however, was identical with delivery to the lodge to board a boat on the Chobe River. The river guide seemed to know a lot about animals and history and I enjoyed listening to him. Unfortunately, we did not see as many animals as we have in the past. No lions or leopards and only about 50-60 elephants, 10-15 giraffes, 40 or so hippos, and 4 small crocs. It was still a wonderful day. The lunch at the lodge was nice and the afternoon Land Rover excursion was about the same. We are all tired and decided to retire early.

High Tea, a Lunar Rainbow and a Lunar Eclipse

Today has been eventful. We began out tourist agenda today and will spend three days here in Livingstone, Zambia, with a side trip to Botswana. Several students and a supervisor went to the Haven this morning to make up some hours lost due to sickness. The remaining half headed for Livingstone. We had to make two trips because there wasn't enough transportation to get us all here. I rode down with Beckie (about 130 kilometers), dropped the group off and headed back to Namwianga for the second group. We made it to the Protea-Livingstone about 14:45 and had to start the shuttle to The Royal Livingstone for high-tea. Here is a photo of Beckie, Tammie and I after tea, with the Zambezi River behind us. The monkeys were in rare form and were trying to steal all the sugar packets so this employee is using a sling-shot to discourage them. We saw three giraffes on the way in. It really is very elegant. We sat on the deck until the sun set, and then began the shuttle to Victoria Falls.

Tonight was the lunar rainbow with an extra treat of a complete lunar eclipse. I could get no good photos of the moon-bow or the eclipse but I think some of the group captured it. Ellie also drove down hoping to capture it for a future postcard and photograph. I hope she was able to get a good one!