Lump's Guestbook
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Date: 30th April 2012
Yea. I think we should move there.
I miss the culture you write about Colin- and it's not even mine to miss. Maybe it's because Santa and the Easter Bunny don't provide the depth of culture that Spain provides to their people. Yea. So you saw a big home that we could all live in and turn into a a hipster Casa Rural? I could cook. Maybe you could provide a nice herb garden? xo Lisa
From Blog: Semana Santa Smackdown! How do you say Jesus in Spanish?
Yea. I think we should move there.
I miss the culture you write about Colin- and it's not even mine to miss. Maybe it's because Santa and the Easter Bunny don't provide the depth of culture that Spain provides to their people. Yea. So you saw a big home that we could all live in and turn into a a hipster Casa Rural? I could cook. Maybe you could provide a nice herb garden? xo Lisa
From Blog: Semana Santa Smackdown! How do you say Jesus in Spanish?
Date: 13th March 2012
See Nik, the cynic
That is so frustrating! I know international aid can seem like trying to throw sand back into the ocean, one grain at a time. In my experience, there is one good practice that helps make a dent: sustainability. You mentioned it a few times, but it is really the responsibility and Duty of these international developers (whether they are for food programs or for agricultural development) to ensure that their projects are going to be able to support themselves in the future. Similar things happened in Kenya when I was there; a chief would grab the grain sacks sent in for relief, and sell them to his village. Sometimes these aid agencies do more harm than good. I've seen a hundred missionaries who meant well, but just perpetuated a helpless and dependent culture, rather than empowering and teaching. There has to be a delicate balance of resources, guidance, and monitoring and evaluation. And I do have to say that although it may be hard to see, there are peace corps volunteers working with agricultural programs in Ethiopia, it just takes a long time to change behavior. Great blog though, hope you're having some fun! Drink some Tej for us!
From Blog: Food for Thought
See Nik, the cynic
That is so frustrating! I know international aid can seem like trying to throw sand back into the ocean, one grain at a time. In my experience, there is one good practice that helps make a dent: sustainability. You mentioned it a few times, but it is really the responsibility and Duty of these international developers (whether they are for food programs or for agricultural development) to ensure that their projects are going to be able to support themselves in the future. Similar things happened in Kenya when I was there; a chief would grab the grain sacks sent in for relief, and sell them to his village. Sometimes these aid agencies do more harm than good. I've seen a hundred missionaries who meant well, but just perpetuated a helpless and dependent culture, rather than empowering and teaching. There has to be a delicate balance of resources, guidance, and monitoring and evaluation. And I do have to say that although it may be hard to see, there are peace corps volunteers working with agricultural programs in Ethiopia, it just takes a long time to change behavior. Great blog though, hope you're having some fun! Drink some Tej for us!
From Blog: Food for Thought
Date: 8th March 2012
Silence is the cause
I just feel like Lisa, and I wish to see what else happens in other parts of Ethiopia, too. But I just don't know what to say or do. Because this abuse/manipulation has begun since the start of the birtth of this country, now I know. And I so much regret that people who abuse this land have got nothing of theirs. So why does Meles do this to us? or is it "I didn't do it for you" shit?
From Blog: Food for Thought
Silence is the cause
I just feel like Lisa, and I wish to see what else happens in other parts of Ethiopia, too. But I just don't know what to say or do. Because this abuse/manipulation has begun since the start of the birtth of this country, now I know. And I so much regret that people who abuse this land have got nothing of theirs. So why does Meles do this to us? or is it "I didn't do it for you" shit?
From Blog: Food for Thought
Date: 8th March 2012
seeds of revolution
when it comes... and it will come, when Meles dies, when something changes, when shit hits the fan, then the Indians, Saudis and all their sharecroppers might be well out of a job anyway. I mean, maybe buying 2 dollar hectares was the only way they'd buy into this disastrous country. Injera for though. Good piece Mullins.
From Blog: Food for Thought
seeds of revolution
when it comes... and it will come, when Meles dies, when something changes, when shit hits the fan, then the Indians, Saudis and all their sharecroppers might be well out of a job anyway. I mean, maybe buying 2 dollar hectares was the only way they'd buy into this disastrous country. Injera for though. Good piece Mullins.
From Blog: Food for Thought
Date: 8th March 2012
Really insightful
Can you see any possible positive outcomes of this purchase of cheap land? I mean, the country does need foreign exchange. The government Must be aware of not over-exploiting the land or people? In other words, it couldn't only be a heartless, cold-calculated economic decision. No? I ask because it's hard for me to absorb/believe that decisions could be so short-sighted. The country is need of some economic leverage. My eduction (in the U.S.), btw, is Sustainable Development for sub-Saharan Africa. Not economics.
From Blog: Food for Thought
Really insightful
Can you see any possible positive outcomes of this purchase of cheap land? I mean, the country does need foreign exchange. The government Must be aware of not over-exploiting the land or people? In other words, it couldn't only be a heartless, cold-calculated economic decision. No? I ask because it's hard for me to absorb/believe that decisions could be so short-sighted. The country is need of some economic leverage. My eduction (in the U.S.), btw, is Sustainable Development for sub-Saharan Africa. Not economics.
From Blog: Food for Thought
Date: 7th March 2012
this feels too big to deal with
Hey. Just finished the whole blog. You're so smart Colin. I do believe that talking about the problem does help bring about awareness and therefore you are part of the solution. You are grassroots- I want your blog to inspire someone to action- not just greater awareness. And that person is not me- and so I feel guilt. Guilt being the awareness of what I do or don't do matters. Maybe I will ease the guilt with my new understanding and explain it all to Marco. There. Done. xo
From Blog: Food for Thought
this feels too big to deal with
Hey. Just finished the whole blog. You're so smart Colin. I do believe that talking about the problem does help bring about awareness and therefore you are part of the solution. You are grassroots- I want your blog to inspire someone to action- not just greater awareness. And that person is not me- and so I feel guilt. Guilt being the awareness of what I do or don't do matters. Maybe I will ease the guilt with my new understanding and explain it all to Marco. There. Done. xo
From Blog: Food for Thought
Date: 29th February 2012
Nice work
This was a great write up. I thought Rwanda and Burundi were the most beautiful African countries I've been to.
From Blog: Christmas in Hell? Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
Nice work
This was a great write up. I thought Rwanda and Burundi were the most beautiful African countries I've been to.
From Blog: Christmas in Hell? Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
Date: 11th February 2012
You have to make this blog into a book!
Hi Colin! Seriously, your writing is so captivating. Plus i'm learning more words than I thought I cared to know! Thanks for the pronuntiation lessons n sight seeing in Chile, we miss the good 'ol days of carelessly drinking a few bottles of wine. We hope to see you soon, send Carli a big fat kiss from me & the twins!
From Blog: dragging my ass up mount kenya
You have to make this blog into a book!
Hi Colin! Seriously, your writing is so captivating. Plus i'm learning more words than I thought I cared to know! Thanks for the pronuntiation lessons n sight seeing in Chile, we miss the good 'ol days of carelessly drinking a few bottles of wine. We hope to see you soon, send Carli a big fat kiss from me & the twins!
From Blog: dragging my ass up mount kenya
Date: 7th February 2012
Agreed
Agreed. Write a book and get it over with. The best part is when you cooked the goat. How was it?
From Blog: Go west tourists, go west
Agreed
Agreed. Write a book and get it over with. The best part is when you cooked the goat. How was it?
From Blog: Go west tourists, go west
Date: 7th February 2012
Well Done
Glad you're back at the writing. These last two posts are more well-written than the book I am reading... Did you get a new camera, too?
From Blog: Christmas in Hell? Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
Well Done
Glad you're back at the writing. These last two posts are more well-written than the book I am reading... Did you get a new camera, too?
From Blog: Christmas in Hell? Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
Date: 1st February 2012
ooh...
i, too, was wondering why xmas was spent in rwanda but figured you guys had good reason. this is a really good one, colin : )
From Blog: Christmas in Hell? Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
ooh...
i, too, was wondering why xmas was spent in rwanda but figured you guys had good reason. this is a really good one, colin : )
From Blog: Christmas in Hell? Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
Date: 31st January 2012
Gorillas At Last!
Colin- I've been waiting for this write-up. The history lesson is sobering. I am not the better person either. ugh. xo
From Blog: Christmas in Hell? Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
Gorillas At Last!
Colin- I've been waiting for this write-up. The history lesson is sobering. I am not the better person either. ugh. xo
From Blog: Christmas in Hell? Gorillas and Genocide in Rwanda
Date: 24th January 2012
yay, colin!!!
colin, yet another awesome adventure and post. my only question is... what are the chances of you domesticating a rock hyrax and bringing it home for bobo? also, in case you are looking for input, my vote is you keep climbing those mountains and telling us about it. hugs, e
From Blog: dragging my ass up mount kenya
yay, colin!!!
colin, yet another awesome adventure and post. my only question is... what are the chances of you domesticating a rock hyrax and bringing it home for bobo? also, in case you are looking for input, my vote is you keep climbing those mountains and telling us about it. hugs, e
From Blog: dragging my ass up mount kenya
Date: 22nd January 2012
Fantastic again, Colin. What a life, what a talent. All my best to you and C. Michael
From Blog: dragging my ass up mount kenya
Fantastic again, Colin. What a life, what a talent. All my best to you and C. Michael
From Blog: dragging my ass up mount kenya
Date: 20th January 2012
One of my favs.
I love you in your writing. Won't you please write a book, earn thousands in royalties so we can all rest and stop looking for a new job, the next adventure. xo
From Blog: Go west tourists, go west
One of my favs.
I love you in your writing. Won't you please write a book, earn thousands in royalties so we can all rest and stop looking for a new job, the next adventure. xo
From Blog: Go west tourists, go west
Date: 13th January 2012
I squirrel away your blogs for later so I can actually read them through without interuption, weird but necessary. I love the way you write. Thanks for this.
From Blog: No ferenji magic on Abuna Yosef
I squirrel away your blogs for later so I can actually read them through without interuption, weird but necessary. I love the way you write. Thanks for this.
From Blog: No ferenji magic on Abuna Yosef
Date: 19th December 2011
You are a 2011 TravelBlog favourite blogger!
Check this out, and feel free to add some 2011 TravelBlog favourite anythings of your own. :) http://www.travelblog.org/Topics/30521-1.html
You are a 2011 TravelBlog favourite blogger!
Check this out, and feel free to add some 2011 TravelBlog favourite anythings of your own. :) http://www.travelblog.org/Topics/30521-1.html
Date: 17th October 2011
a lovely ending
I always knew you saw the core loveliness in people. Clearly you see the depths in your soul mate. What a good-feel read. Thanks Colin. You are such an awesome writer.
From Blog: No ferenji magic on Abuna Yosef
a lovely ending
I always knew you saw the core loveliness in people. Clearly you see the depths in your soul mate. What a good-feel read. Thanks Colin. You are such an awesome writer.
From Blog: No ferenji magic on Abuna Yosef
Date: 16th October 2011
ABUNA JOSEF
As I am blogging Ethiopia at the moment I enjoy your blogs...I also relate to the limitations of our medical kits. Whenever we are moved to try some treatment of infected limbs etc, we wonder if we have provided more than encouragement...I hope so.
From Blog: No ferenji magic on Abuna Yosef
ABUNA JOSEF
As I am blogging Ethiopia at the moment I enjoy your blogs...I also relate to the limitations of our medical kits. Whenever we are moved to try some treatment of infected limbs etc, we wonder if we have provided more than encouragement...I hope so.
From Blog: No ferenji magic on Abuna Yosef
Date: 1st October 2011
its too early to sound so old.
From Blog: the perils of taking the baby snatcher back to the future
its too early to sound so old.
From Blog: the perils of taking the baby snatcher back to the future
Date: 28th September 2011
Great retrospective on home leave
Loved reading your thoughts about home leave. Sorry there weren\'t more gin & tonics around the kitchen table. :)
From Blog: the perils of taking the baby snatcher back to the future
Great retrospective on home leave
Loved reading your thoughts about home leave. Sorry there weren\'t more gin & tonics around the kitchen table. :)
From Blog: the perils of taking the baby snatcher back to the future
Date: 24th September 2011
ETHIOPIA 1976-78
Hello I read your page attentively and found it interesting. Perhaps you'll like my bilingual illustrated book MY GREAT TRIP, ETHIOPIA 1976-78: 20 months across 10 countries. You can read it free here: http://huberttabutiaux.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/introduction/ Please share the link if you like it and give me some feedback. Huberaime
From Blog: Blue Donkeys and Red Terror
ETHIOPIA 1976-78
Hello I read your page attentively and found it interesting. Perhaps you'll like my bilingual illustrated book MY GREAT TRIP, ETHIOPIA 1976-78: 20 months across 10 countries. You can read it free here: http://huberttabutiaux.wordpress.com/2011/04/16/introduction/ Please share the link if you like it and give me some feedback. Huberaime
From Blog: Blue Donkeys and Red Terror
Maroon 
Jason Swearingen
non-member comment
You changed your title. I liked the former but I'm a pervaour of bad taste.
From Blog: Semana Santa Smackdown! How do you say Jesus in Spanish?