Present Day

Present Day

A very smart friend (Janeen) suggested that I leap forward in my blog to the present. It is her opinion that I am in danger of getting stuck trying to catch up. Considering that my last blog post was in September, she may be right.

At the present moment, I am sitting in the Turkish Airlines business class lounge at Ataturk airport in Istanbul. I am on my way back to Canada. Yes, business class, yes, Istanbul. I have not won the lottery, nor have my financial circumstances changed radically. Over the last few years, I have been seduced by business class, first by an upgrade, then by a promotion. This time I actually handed over the credit card and closed my eyes.

Besides flying business class (if I ever get on the plane, it has been delayed by 2/12 hours), I am doing something else different this time. I'm an official flight volunteer. For the next 15 or so hours, I am the owner of two beautiful golden retrievers. When I arrive in Canada, I will hand them over to the Canadian Golden Retriever Adoption Service. As I have already fallen in love with them, that is going to be tough.  It's a good thing I'm going to say with my sister and her (my) three cats, so I won't be tempted to abscond with them.

As always, the end of the school year, and the beginning of summer vacation is an emotional mash-up. There are so many different types of goodbyes - people I will probably never see again, people I will see in a few months. I am relieved not to be in the classroom for a few months, but sad about not seeing some very special children ever again. I am so sad and worried about leaving my cats for months, but excited to be spending an extended time with my sisters.

So - Istanbul! Those of you who have followed my blog in the past know that I visited Istanbul in 2014, and fell in love with it. I had the opportunity to come here to teach and jumped at it. I am happy to report that after 10 months, I am still madly in love with this city. Turkish people are kind and generous, and Istanbul is like an incredible, historic, gorgeous onion. Every layer you peel back, you are further astonished.

Okay, I'm supposed to go to my gate now. Yay! Next stop Toronto.

Ziwah White Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda

Rhinos!

During Idi Amin's reign of terror, and in the decades of bloody civil war afterwards, the wildlife of Uganda was decimated. In 1983 the last wild rhino in Uganda died. In 1997 the Rhino Fund Uganda was formed, and out of this was created Ziwah Rhino Sanctuary. 7,000 hectares of privately owned land was leased to the Rhino Fund for 30 years. In 2005/2006, 6 rhinos from zoos in different parts of the world were introduced. Since then, the number of white rhinos in the sanctuary has increased to 19. 

Apparently Donna the Rhino was a bit of a wild woman. The rangers didn't even she had conceived until well into her pregnancy, and they don't know which rhino was the father.

When we arrived at Ziwah Rhino Sanctuary, we set up camp within a fenced-off area. The fence was really to protect us from wandering rhinos. Then we set off on our trek. We were split into two groups, each led by an experienced ranger. 

We walked for quite a long time in the blazing sun (thank God I was wearing my Tilley hat!), until we spotted them - a mother and son grazing quietly. 

I was a little perturbed with the guide because I felt like he was rushing us along. Until  I realized he was rushing us towards an entire group of rhinos. 

But he still kept moving us along. I finally realized that he was trying to position us in FRONT of the enormous vegetarian eating machines. But we had to keep backing up, because they walking towards us. 

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.

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.