Life has been busy since my last entry--I successfully defended my dissertation, moved to North Carolina, started my dream job, helped Ken and the cats move into our new apartment, and started planning for my next trip abroad--South Africa! My first trip outside of the U.S. was to South Africa back in 2001. I went back in 2005 for my master's thesis project, but now that I am directing a 5-year HIV prevention project in Cape Town with couples who hang out in bars, I will be there on a fairly regular basis. My first trip for the project is mid-January, [View Full Entry]

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So, in just eight days I leave for the land of milk and honey... and then promptly head south from France to Mali, the land of goat and millet (ooh... I do love goat). I've got my visa, I've got my shots, and I've got my Internet-generated nickname (Carravanquelo, which means god knows what)--what more do I need? (Well, I suppose a place to stay in Bamako would be nice, but that will sort itself out when the time is right.) Anyway, the plan is to leave Raleigh on September 16, arrive in Paris on the 17th, catch a ride from [View Full Entry]

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This is my first Blog ever. I have written a few short things on Myspace before, but nothing worthwhile. I also used to think Blogs were a silly concept. After all, who would really care to read MY ramblings? However, now that I am going on my first trip to Europe, a friend of mine suggested that I start a blog to chronicle my adventures there. I figure, even if no one reads them, at least it is a way to share my thoughts and pictures with people when I get back home, and even look back at old trips I [View Full Entry]

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Wednesday afternoon, after updating my blog at the library I head out to visit a couple of parks in and around Greensboro in my attempt to make sure my pups stay happy on this trip. Obviously, they're spoiled. We walked through the Bog Gardens, the Bicentennial Gardens and Barber Park; I think that'll do it for a while, at least until Lynchburg. While I was out I decided to call Duke (only an hour away) to let them know I was in town, to see if I could maybe stop by for a short visit before Sunday. Ms. Barber, the assistant [View Full Entry]

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So, I have left Burkina Faso and I'm now exploring North Carolina. I left due to a number of factors, but none of them are serious enough to affect my love for Burkina. I had it rough at times, but overall I like it a lot. Now I am living and volunteering in the Triangle area of North Carolina. I must say it is very beautiful and I am enjoying myself a lot. I am fostering the best dog ever and her 6 puppies which are super cute so if anyone in the area wants to get a great xmas gift, [View Full Entry]

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Almost two months has passed, where did the time goes? From an late summer, I entered an early Fall, and that means a change of colors in the NE: and have to miss:(? October 17-22, Smokey mountains, Blue-Ridge Parkway From Nashville, I drove in my car and my car in theirs to the border with North Carolina for a couple of days of a more nature experience. Before getting to that, you have all what makes the Smokies the best visited park in the USA with 2 millions visitors a year: an arcade, trill-full, bad-food tourist towns of Gatlinburg and Cherokee. [View Full Entry]

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a few pictures from an afternoon at the ballpark. [View Full Entry]

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My last days in North Carolina have been relaxing and also a bit emotional. I spent an excellent two days in Surf City, NC visiting a long time friend and having a last look at the Atlantic Ocean. Upon retruning to Durham, I had to turn over costody of Gus to his new family. I know they will take good care of him so I'm not worried. [View Full Entry]

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We graduated. We sold our house. We said goodbye to our friends. We felt a little sad, so... before we head back to California to work, we decided to go on a little trip through Eastern Europe on bikes. AND we're dragging you with us... from Turkey to Austria via this blog (your escape route is the unsubscribe link). For those who don't really want to work at work....keep posted for our adventures. Stay tuned for... -number of miles ridden in a day -number of times we're asked to buy a carpet, toga, Sound of Music memorabilia, etc -numb [View Full Entry]

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Leaving the city this past Tuesday, I felt the urge to stay in the bay. Staring at the UN plaque in the Civic Center bart station, I realized that immense history and richness have surrounded me during the past 8 years (richness I probably did not fully appreciate and enjoy). The feeling intensified as the plane took off. This departure marked the moment that I will no longer return as a traveler back to home base, but as a traveler from another place, at least in the immediate future. People ask why leave. Catch words that immediately come to mind: adventure, [View Full Entry]

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