Exciting! Kate -- I've finally read through all your journals. What an experience for you. One that I'm sure will be in your heart for the rest of your life. Remember to take lots of pictures, learn from the people about their lives and their culture. We all need to learn more about others as this worlds becomes smaller and smaller. Keep on writing so I can keep enjoying your experience and learn from it myself. Happy Belated Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving. Love you.
so amazing well kate, i've just caught myself up on the last couple entries, and must say they are wonderful. your reflections and descriptions help me closer understand you and your experience, and feel like i'm almost there too. these entries will sure be great for you to keep and read later on when you're back in the US too.
keep it up! hope we can chat soon. love you!
yes, you just keep plugging along! Dear Kate,
We think you must receive these comments through your email. You sound great, despite all the frustrations and unknowns. I know all about that. I feel like I can picture the rush hour mobs and tro tros (i think they have the same type of minibus in botswana and parts south america?) It sounds like great fun.
We're still so sad about Brendan... I tell all the people I know. What an amazing guy, so entirely full of life. My housemates remember him so fondly, with his blonde comb over and distinctive voice. He never held back, a lesson we'll all remember...
We're thinking of you as you transition in your small town stay, sweet. Enjoy that bicycle!
Love, Aunt Su and Lauren
Ghana Travels Kate, there have been few travelogues which have affected me as much as yours have. Two main raesons account for this. You are visiting places of my youth and writing about my old haunts. Secondly, you have a very accomodating yet demanding sensibility. All combine to give your account of Ghana a richness and complexity that few can equal. There is the sharp eye you have for the unusual and the incongrous and the sensitivity you display for cultural differences. Even the flasbacks to standards in America does not prevent you from learning something from your experiences. Everywhere your humanity peeps through. I hope you grow even larger through your experiences - spiritually and intellectually, of course.
As for the tro-tros, beware of them. Those drivers have more of the kamikazee spirit than life in them. Even I, born in Kumasi, have never entirely reconciled myself to their sanity. And about your latest experience, I too had my bag ripped open at a tro-tro station during one of those rushes. Fortunately all I had in the bag were smelly clothing I was taking to the laundry.
I have enjoyed your journals. Interesting fact for you: I live in Chicago and attend the University of Chicago.
We all love you I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you to be so far away when you hear the news of the death of a good friend. It is very sad here too. Brendan was one of those people who wormed his way into everyone's heart. Remembering the many amazing Brendan stories will make you laugh. How about the time he left 250 identicle Barbie Doll dresses on our door step? or the test tube clamps clipped to the bottom of your pants? Or comforting you with a visit and a 6ft get well card when you were diagnosed with Celiac disease? He'll always be a part of you.
Love, Mama, Papa, and Johnny G
Hey from Deutschland Sounds amazing!! Can't wait to hear more about the next dance lesson... you'll have to show us some new dance moves after you get back (steve's wedding for aunt su and N3 for betz!)
We're so proud of you!! We have to hunt for veggies here too... those Germans love their meat and potatoes!!
LOVE YOU!
Way to go, Kate!! Dear Kate, This is my second attempt to comment..hope it works! Greetings from Tubingen! It sounds like you are already on your way to an awesome experience!! You have the perfect attitude to make the most of your opportunities! I'm so proud of you! I'm in Betser's room waiting for her to get home from class. I really like this city..an old and beautiful university town. Many things are remnicent of my time in Germany as a kid...but many things are new, too. My Deutsch is horrendous, but the people are very patient and tolerant of my attempts! Betz and I are having a great time together. Keep up your blog...it's wonderful! Liebe, Tante Su xxxxxxxxxooooooooooooooooooooooo
Missing You Labor Day weekend has been absolutely the best weather of the summer. Saturday Papa and I went into NYC to baby John's Christening. He looked adorable in the family Christening gown. Sunday Papa and I took a 20 mile bike ride out to Sandy Hook. Today, Tique and I are hanging out in the garden the whole day. John has been working 9 hour days at the beach club where he parked Bruce's and BonJovi's cars yesterday! Let me know what to clear from your email collection. Love, J,K,L
In the midst of my world travels, my friends and family (mostly my family) have convinced me to start up a Travel Blog so they can follow my travels from home in the states. So here it is... I'm about to turn 21 in Africa on November 5th, born and raised in New York City and the Jersey Shore, now spending most of my time at my new home in Chicago at Northwestern University. I love Chicago and school, but I'm restless to see every corner of the globe. What better time to do it than now when I really have no responsibilities (thanks to Kath and Leo) and no other person to take care of oth... full info
Aunt Barbie
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Exciting!
Kate -- I've finally read through all your journals. What an experience for you. One that I'm sure will be in your heart for the rest of your life. Remember to take lots of pictures, learn from the people about their lives and their culture. We all need to learn more about others as this worlds becomes smaller and smaller. Keep on writing so I can keep enjoying your experience and learn from it myself. Happy Belated Birthday and Happy Thanksgiving. Love you.