I am so glad! Wow You put your trip into great words! I am an South African too~ Sometimes its so hard, coz the world knows nothing about South Africa! And the times they know something, Its something that happend a long time ago..
So thank you very much for telling your story!
Take care~
... Hi Kim,
You asked people to post a comment so you'd know how many people are reading. I stumbled over your blog when I was looking around on the travelblog website and your trip so far and what you've been experiencing is absolutely fascinating. It's sad to hear what these people are going through and it's amazing how different people's lives are there compared to first world countries.
Anyway, good luck and best wishes for the rest of your trip.
Katei (Australia).
the picture is dope. It shows an older brother looking out for his siblings, who may or not be frightened by the photography. i do not see any connotations of poverty in it. the imagery in it is not synonymous with poverty as far as i am concerned
What beauty! Wow, the pictures are awesome. What a great project. I knew I had heard of it before. I have a friend whose son was supposed to go to a country (can't remember which) for this project and HE TURNED IT DOWN!!!! Don't get that. Anyway, it sounds wonderful and what a contrast from your African trip. Take care and let us know how long you will be in Costa Rica and when you'll get back. And hey, share some ideas with us on what you learn about sustainable living.
Valarie in TX
From hope to sadness Feel disarmed. I'm a Mexican journalist and have just visited two terminal HIV + children's homes in Western Cape, South Africa. I expected to find deeply loving but sad caretakers there, depressed for receiving babies, look after them with love and then see them go. But I found happy people, wonderful people. In one of them I got stats of two years work: 112 children received, 12 dead, 76 saved and placed with families. Because they give them love, specialized attention and count with the great help of antirretroviral drugs (government-provided in South Africa only since march 2004): they are authentic life savers! I went there expecting a depressing experience, and went out happy and optimistic. But this story you tell... breakes up my heart. (In case you are interested, I wrote that story here: http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/South-Africa/Johannesburg/Melville/blog-12317.html -almost at the end. It's in Spanish, sorry, but there are a few photos)
Hi Kim Hi Kim. My name is John, I live in Johannesburg. I read your "story" with great interest because it seems that so many foreigners, and particularly American tourists seem to think that South Africa doesn't have great cities, and that we are all 3rd world.
I hope you enjoyed your stay here and that you have great memories and stories to tell your fellow Americans. As you saw for yourself and comment on in this article, South Africa is a story of contrasts, and the government has identified that one of the oportunities to raise the level of employment for all is in the tourism industry, so please tell all your friends to come over!
Not sure if you visited Cape Town or the Kruger National park? Cape Town is one of the most scenic and beautiful coastal towns in the world (also on of the 5 (I think its 5) botanical hot spots of the world), and Kruger Park is a national wild life park that is so big, Israel could easily fit into it!
From the other comments, I gather that it was your birthday and you celebrated in Africa. What an experience that must have been hey?
Thank you for coming to Africa, and South Africa (Johannesburg). I can't wait to go and see America soon!
Regards
John
softsmart@anazi.co.za
Greetings from Ohio! Hi Kim!
I just caught up on your blog and I'm amazed at all you've done. Here I am, caught up in the little dramas and traumas of my suburban life, and I'm reminded of the much bigger picture. You've done so much to make the lives of many better. You are an inspiration, Kim, and I wish you all the best. I'm anxious to talk with you when you're back in the states. For now, I'll keep up with you here!
Love,
Gretchen
AMAZING! AMAZING!!! That's all I can think to say.
But I will say this. Thursday I make a trip to Houston, TX to see family. I can't help but wonder if the humidity of Costa Rica is equal to/less than/more than the humidity of Houston! There is an old saying we used to tell people who would visit Houston. "You have to have gills to live here!" LOL!
Can't wait to hear more about your adventures!
Love,
Valarie
Off you go... Kim,
I pray that all goes well with your trip to Costa Rica. It seems like just yesterday you were in Africa. It's so hard to believe.
This morning I heard the most beautiful song and it totally reminded me of our talk we had the other day over the phone about changing peoples hearts through education to motivate them to participate in making a difference. I am going to try to get a recording of it and send it to you. It's like it should be your motto! The words are:
"Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom."
This is a quote from the Baha'i Writings about how education can lift us up to be of service to mankind. You have totally been a source of true education to so many through your blog and it gives hope to each person to do their part to make a difference.
I am so eager to see the fruits of your experience and the efforts that spring from it.
Much love and have a safe trip,
Valarie
You are Blessed to have had the experience, and you are blessed to have had the love and support of family and friends. All will be well with the health of Uncle Gene and your child, thanks for allowing me the opportunity to share on your very wonderful journey, I will be here for your next trip I can't wait for the experience, Love Ya
Lisa
Thankful and Blessed! Kim,
Your Dad and I are truly thankful and blessed that you had a safe journey. We asked for prayers from all and they were answered. Your trip will forever be printed in your mind and ours. Yes, we did not tell you about your Dad's illness because you didn't need the burden or distraction from your purpose. As you know now, things are going well.
Continue with your plans to garner support for your vision for Ethopia and know that we are here to do our part. There are many that have shared this experience with you. Your journals and pictures have touched their lives also. There will be some of these persons that feel the spark to make a difference in the world in which we live. This is awesome! Thanks to your efforts!
Much Love,
Mom and Dad
Conti
Glad you're home safely Kim,
I'm so glad you are home and safe and back with your family. I suggest you keep this blog going and keep us posted on what your efforts are. The time after your trip is just as important as the trip itself.
Much love and give my love to your family,
Valarie in TX
Great work Hi Kim, this is Neal, I'm a friend of Kelly Jo Arendts (through her husband my good friend John).
I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your log and thought you did a great job both actively and reporting. I hope you enjoyed yourself, it really looked exciting, I followed nearly the whole thing.
I'm also glad to know there are (other) people who care about the world and it's inhabitants, all of them.
Also, I took a fair amount of African History in college, and I found 20th century to be esp interesting. I havent kept up on it as much since graduation, so this was kind of a really great update for me as well as a bit of a memory trip.
Well, I'm not quite sure if you are from Colorado like KJ, but perhaps I'll see you there when I am visiting later this summer.
Thank you and have a safe trip home Kim,
Thank you for sharing your experience and giving us an opportunity to be even more aware of our responsibilities as global citizens. Have a safe trip home and enjoy your time with your family. I know you must miss them terribly.
Much love,
Valarie
Brava Kim! Dear Kim: I am sure your poignant description of the people and causes you have visited in Africa will bring you much support and aid in whatever efforts you plan to pursue in behalf of
those you will want to help. Your journal is absolutely wonderfu
General Comment Kim: Belated birthday wishes.I have enjoyed following your journey and realize that it is coming to an end. If time and energies permit, you not only have to write that book, but develop a travelogue speech to share that we might jointly be persuaded to help make a difference. The Crifters, Inc. is meeting in St. Louis in August 2006. I will assume that it is okay to mention your journey with th hope that you will have time to share with the National Drifters your journey and also the need. YOu are not only a good photographer; your commentary has been so well written and interesting. If you can meet the challenge of publishing your book or journal by next summer, you may be able to sell some at the convention.
Eyes wide open Thanks for taking us along your journey. Your vivid discriptions and stories made me feel like I was there with you. The detail and passion used in your entires showed that this ment alot to you and in turn ment alot to myself and the rest of us following you.
P.S Happy b-day Thanks again
TREMENDOUS BLOG THIS WAS A GREAT WAY TO CELEBRATE AN IMPORTANT
BIRTHDAY. I'M SO GLAD TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY
TO GO ALONG.YOU ARE A PHENOMENAL PHOTOGRAPHER.I'M
VERY PROUD OF YOU. YOUR COUSIN JOYCE
hello again from arlene Hi Kim - if you get a blank comment it's from me -I pressed enter before I typed the message. Your entries are so thought provoking and your pictures are spectacular!! WOW! I can't express all the emotions I go through as I read - I can't imagine how your emotions must go through the whole spectrum of awesome wonder to sheer disbelief and sadness. My heart goes out to all those people, especially the kids. Keeping you in my prayers and Happy (belated) Birthday! your pal, arlene
Your blogs just continue to amaze me Kim
I tried to send you b-day blessings yesterday, but somehow my computer was acting up - and it was mine - but you share a birthday with my closest friend on earth - my college roommate from the early 50's - and she turned 72 yesterday which I did remind her of when we talked last night. I was telling her about your travels and she too will be praying and thinking of you. I'm so glad you've had this opportunity. You may recallthat I was supposed to have made a trip to South Africa several years ago for the Quilt and then got sick and now the doctor says I'm never to leave the US because of the intestinal problems I have. I've often regretted not being able to make the trip, but your blogs have surely made me understand what other friends have told me.
I would hope that after you are home and back into the swing of things that we can get together and possibly I can arrange to have you come to our church and share some of your experiences. I know our folk would be responsive. We have a former pastor who was a missionary in Tanzania for several years, prior HIV and then he's been back in the US and pastored our church, worked for another mission organization up in North St. Louis and more recently completed his doctorate in Public Policy at ST. Louis U - and now he and his family are back over there. I have his e-mail address but can't remember which country he's in. This time he's there working for a for profit company where they are working with the folks to teach them how to make a living, etc. He's extremely happy with this return.
So....belated Happy Birthday....and best wishes for a continued good trip. Look forward to your blogs an also to seeing you at a later time. Ruth Ellsworth
I haven't blog in years, but I have not stopped traveling! Along with Africa, I have been to South America, Central America and Europe, since I have last blogged. But I am really going to try to blog this next trip because it is special. Heading back to Ethiopia to work on my hospital project with my little non-profit, Medical Facility Aid. www.medicalfacilityaid.org I started this non-profit to provide infrastructure support for little poor rural hospitals in the developing world. This trip is to document my project and to help provide good basic care to some of the poorest people in t... full info
Marike
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I am so glad!
Wow You put your trip into great words! I am an South African too~ Sometimes its so hard, coz the world knows nothing about South Africa! And the times they know something, Its something that happend a long time ago.. So thank you very much for telling your story! Take care~