From Africa back to Europe

Amazing to be able to fly in 10 hours from Tanzania back to Holland. In our KLM plane every seat was taken and the passengers were mostly satisfied tourists returning. The KLM crew was serving us dinner and after a short night breakfast. We stumbled out of the plane early in the rainy morning to catch the Thalys train to Paris. All went well with just our carry on. We arrived early afternoon back to our home, unpacked and went through the mail ...... our bodies are here BUT our souls are still on their way back from Africa. It will them take a little longer then the flight and train ride!

We are tired and sleep a lot - returning in our dreams to Tarangire, Lake Manyare, Serengeti and Ngorongoro.  Meet the people we saw during our travels and hear them talking in Swahili:
Karibu - Habari - Kwaheri .......  Asante sana!

Back from Tanzania

Adventure trip

On Sunday we will fly 8 hours south to Tanzania - adventures and all the giraffes, lions, elephants, wildebeests and mosquitos, are waiting.

This trip is not a 'spur of the moment' decision but got planned several months ago. In September we started with the different vaccinations: Typhoid fever, Hepatitis A and B, Polio booster and other boosters. With the Malaria pills we started today and will continue to take them through the 10 days of traveling and then 7 days longer when we are back.

Following the list from the tour organization, we have now a wardrobe in light-weight textiles and in earth colors (although known as Safari colors). Sneakers, hats, sunblock, anti-bug spray, binoculars. When we tried our outfits the upcoming trip became very real!

What a great help to have the 28 different stores from 'Aux Vieux Campeur' where we could find everything necessary for adventure travelers like us. (Note for your next trip to Paris: In the 5th next to Musee Cluny you find all the different stores where you can buy whatever is needed for outdoor adventures - and more.)

Our bags are packed and I leave my 'Powerbook' at home but take two cameras and hope to be able to write many posts with photos of wild animals - when I am back.

READY - STEADY - GO!

Les fêtes sont fait - The Holidays are over

It does not look good, but the idea is good that the town is recycling the Christmas trees - without any decoration, please - and collects them in marked areas on street corners. This possibility is given until January 22, 2012!

The empty bottles do not look good either but under normal circumstances the containers for recycling glass, available all year long, are large enough.

But after these happy holidays? "Cheers" with mineral water out of a plastic bottle? Would not be the same even if it would be better for you the next morning.

Guess where we are now ?

Just for the end of the year, we made it back to get over our jet lag before we are ready for the next adventure. The last years we always had a very calm end and beginning in Maine at the sea to say good bye with the sunset and then good morning to the sunrise from Europe.

Seldom we were here in the days between Christmas and New Year. Now we realize that Paris is the preferred town to visit in these days and the citizens of all Europe seem to meet here to welcome the New Year 2012.

WE WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Lucia celebration in Sweden

To fully appreciate the celebration of the Saint Lucia day on December 13 one has to be in Sweden where the daylight is down to about 6 hours (if it is a clear day). Even if it is not the shortest day, it is a good date: still 11 days to Christmas and the First Advent was 12 days ago.

In the circle of the family, ideally one has a daughter who comes early in the morning, dressed in something long and white with one or more lit candles, serving hot coffee, saffron buns and ginger snaps...... For me it was such a good feeling to be back and live in this well known tradition and not having to explain what 'gloegg' is and how old/young this swedish custom is. I felt 'at home'.

If you have the time and inclination, then you can click on this post's title and watch the actual 7 AM TV Lucia celebration as it is seen by thousands of Swedes. A modern substitute for

those who have no "Lucia" in the house and have to make their own coffee and eat the store bought saffron bun - as I did quiet contently.

In the afternoon - 4.30 PM the Stockholm Stadsmuseum had their own Lucia with her singing group, all from a music school. Despite a cold wind, we all were warmed and moved by the beautiful children's voices and well known songs. In the darkness the music and the many light sources give strength and hope for the next dark and freezing months.

.....As the sun departs from earth, shadows are brooding, there in our dark house, walking with lit candles - Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!.......

Christmas tree?

Is it already the 6th of December? The large fir tree on Boston College reminds us that Christmas is soon despite the mild weather with green grass. Shall we buy a tree?

At Russo's the best is to walk through the rows of cut fir trees and inhale the smell of Christmas trees. One tree more beautiful then the other. Which one should we get?

But I am away for a week and when I come back it is only 6 days until Christmas Eve.

We have to find a different solution this year. ........

Wellesley College

We live in Newton which is the 'Garden city' but sometimes we like to drive west to come to more open space. Wellesley College has a beautiful museum with a collection including unexpected masterpieces. The special exhibitions give new insights and surprises and after the museum visit the large wooded campus invites to a stroll around the lake.

Do the students know what a privilege it is to study in this environment?