Travelling Cat Lady

Monday, 4 September 2017

AFRICA!!!!

People Part Three

David Sheldrick Wildlife Foundation, Kenya

A beekeeper in Gasura, Rwanda

The Beekeeper's wife, Rwanda

Gasura, Rwanda

Interior of a home, Gasura, Rwanda

I was wandering around Kabale, Uganda, and came upon the 'Real Artist Zone.' These young men are determined to make a living as graphic artists. They have set up shop in a tiny room in an alleyway. I have been sending them images of street Art in Turkey.

Ocean Sole is a company in Nairobi that turns discarded flip-flops into Art, and household objects. It was started by a woman who noticed children making toys from the flip-flops. Then gentleman in the back is Richard, who drove me around Nairobi for two days. We're still in contact.

After I bought some beautiful fabric from this woman, I timidly asked her if I could photograph her. She had no idea how beautiful she is.

Kazuri was opened in Nairobi decades ago. The idea was to give meaningful employment to single mothers. Kazuri beads are made by hand from locally-sourced clay, and sold internationally. The women are rotated regularly through every part of the production, from making, firing, and painting the beads, to creating the jewellery. There is a waiting list for positions at the firm.

Sunday, 3 September 2017

AFRICA!!!!

People Part Two

Prosper, the park warden who led us to meet the gorillas.

These are the trackers, who helped us to find the gorillas, and kept them calm with their vocalizations while we visited.

This lovely lady, whose name I have forgotten, designed and created a woven plate that I purchased and brought with me to Turkey. She belongs to a women's collective who produce such work.

The outside of a home in Gasura, Rwanda

This is what a building looks like before it is finished. Gasura, Rwanda

Kitchen, Gasura, Rwanda

Decoration

Inside a home, looking skyward, Gasura, Rwanda

Gasura, Rwanda

Two other people and I went on a 'village tour' in Rwanda. When we arrived, the children in a local dance troupe had a wonderful surprise for us.

When we arrived at the schoolyard where the dance performance was to take place, this young lady silently and solemnly took my hand, led me to a seat, and sat attached to me the entire time.

AFRICA!!!

People

Learning how to grind sorghum in Rwanda

I always feel so blessed to have the chance to meet people in different countries, and to learn about their lives. I have found in my travels that most people are eager to learn about my world, and so proud to show me theirs. It may sound trite, but people everywhere have similar goals, to do good things with their lives, and to look after their loved ones.

Mash, our fabulous cook, who works hard to make sure his little girls have a good education.

Dutchie, the driver of the truck. He handled the huge vehicle like a smart car.

fishermen on Lake Victoria.

Transportation across Lake Bunyoni

Tutu was our guide for our white-water experience. He taught us how to survive flipping the boat, getting in and out safely (here he is pulling me back in after a practice flip). He called out orders to us so that we safely navigated the rapids. He pretty much kept us alive.

A Ugandan cowboy.

While we waiting for our gorilla trek to begin in Rwanda, a local dance troupe and choir showed off their mad skills.

Thursday, 31 August 2017

AFRICA!!!!

Bird Watching in East Africa

Another family connection; my Uncle George spent his adult life travelling and painting birds. He mended his pots with metal buttons to save money for his passion. So when I travel now, I feel him with me, peering through my bird books and reveling in the incredible creatures I have the honour of seeing. Many of the photos to follow were taken from a moving boat, so please forgive a little softness in the focus.

Cormorant, Nile River, Uganda

Malachite Kingfisher, Nile River, Uganda

Night Heron, Nile River, Uganda

African Snake Bird (Darter), Nile River, Uganda

Open Billed Stork, Nile River, Uganda

Sacred Ibis, Nile River, Uganda

Shoebill, Ziwah, Uganda. This isn't a great picture, but it was taken at dawn from quite a distance. The Shoebills are extremely rare; they live only in very specific areas in Uganda.