If Australia is truly a paradise on Earth - as it has been described to me on numerous occasions - I can only assume that this is a seasonal assessment of the place. I arrived in what is nearly the dead of winter, and I can say without exaggeration that the place is almost bleak. The sky is gray everyday with only occasional bursts of sunshine and frequent showers. It’s cold (about 13 degrees) which is only exacerbated by the grayness of the sky. Some tropical paradise. I apologize now to my readership for my lukewarm take on Melbourne so far. I’m sure you were looking for something much more exuberant. Honestly, so was I. I’m a little disappointed in myself for not taking to this city immediately, but the longest lasting love affairs are usually ... read more

Hi everyone My imminent departure has given me new cause to reflect on things here in West Africa, and I find myself making lists in my mind of things to remember. I have decided to post this list on my blog, even though I do not have pictures of everything and you may not appreciate it as fully as someone who has been here. But you've all been along for the ride so, what the hell? -kids (I am talking about small goats) look a lot like puppies in the way they prance and play and are just as cute -the sheep arent fluffy, just sort of furry and are sometimes hard to differentiate from the goats if you don't know what to look for. And they all look like they're wearing little bolero jackets. -drivers ... read more

Hey everybody Sorry about that last post. It's pretty old (Jan 29) but I was trying to load some pics that weren't working, then I forgot about it. Technical difficulties! So what's happened since then, you ask? Lots! Continued sucking the old marrow, of course. Things here are going great and I am so THANKFUL to be happy and productive. The health issues of tiredness have continued, which is annoying, but I have finally taken matters into my own hands. Gotta love a control freak, right? :) I went to see a traditional Chinese doctor here in Ouaga today, since she's got a good rep for helping out people with their various ailments. It was pretty funny hearing French spoken with a really deep Chinese accent, but we understood each other more or less. Basically, she ... read more

Hi everybody Sorry I've been out of touch for awhile. Things were pretty crazy getting out of Burkina before Christmas. The biggest reason was a second -and much more severe- bout of malaria. Thanks to my good buddy Guy I got to the doctor and got treatment, but it was a very VERY unpleasant plane ride home as my liver swelled and almost caused me to stay over in Niger... Which would have been bad... So I didn't... Anyway, I won't bore you with the story since most of you heard it while I was home anyway. But the bottom line is that some doctor decided I was going to be held against my will in the lowest country on the UN development index to receive medical attention. I basically told him to get stuffed! Good ... read more

Hey everybody No, your eyes have not deceived you: I got pulled over by the cops again!!!! I honestly wish I were kidding, but sadly I am not. I won't go into the details of it because it will just get me blinded by rage yet again, but suffice it to say this time was even more interesting than the first. I remembered to pack my driver's lisence at least, but the cop decided he was going to take it which resulted in me getting out of my car and chasing him down the street. I decided I definitely wasn't going to be a victim a second time, and made it my business to make the cop's life has hard as he'd made mine. He didn't seem to appreciate it, but it was funny because I ... read more