Hi i saw a program on tv last night about this place i wanted to know is it safe for women to go there and what is there to do to be honest i really wanna try something different this year
Nostalgia for 1966! I loved reading your report - I did the same journey in 1966, and had very similar boat experiences!
I am putting together some memoirs - would you like to add yours? Please email me
JOHN (York, England) qed@enterprise.net
Still following along! Hi guys....just wanted to let you both know that I am still following along, even though you are now back home.
It was wonderful to see each of you - Eric, I'd love to hear some of your stories sometime! I can only imagine how nice it must feel to be in comfortable surroundings again - nothing like a soft bed and a hot shower in your own place, right?
I am still checking in and glad I did....more photos and truly, all that I have been told is coming much clearer as a result of seeing the pictures.
Michael, thanks for sharing some of your trip stories with Gia and I.....as you said, it is hard to really imagine what it all was like there, unless one actually experiences it.....but nonetheless, your descriptive commentary did justice to it all quite nicely.
Gia and I are thrilled and touched with our gifts....it is as if we've been given a part of your trip in those new treasures and we will cherish them always. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, so very much.
Thank you both for allowing us to come along on your journey. We are the richer for having shared such an amazing experience with you and maybe, one day, one of us will be able to return that favor with our own grand adventure. love, Suzanne and Gia
Wow! Wow! I can't beleive it's over! You're leaving! It seems like just yesterday, we were walking out of the Brooks for the last time! I miss it so much! I'm sad, but excited at the same time! I'll stop before I've said 'I can't beleive it' in five hundred different ways.
Have a safe trip home, and I hope to see you both really soon! I miss you all!
-Kylie
Sweet farewell - sweeter welcom home Eric and Mike I am sure this trip has been quite an adventure - the people, culture, terrain, the sites, the animals and on and on and on and perhaps the personalities of two american teachers in Africa giving a bit of their intellect, humor and themselves to the people of West Africa. All good things come to an end but the memories of those experiences live of for ever. Your students this year will definitely have adventurous, humorous and touching stories told to them - probably on a daily basis. How lucky they are and how lucky we all were to travel this journey with you. Thank you for taking the time to share with us - looking forward to seeing you today and then your pictures and hearing more of your adventures. See you SOON. Love Mom
Bravo! You'll not read this until you arrive home, but our best wishes for a safe and easy travel for the return leg of this enlightening trip. Eric....you will surely see more of the world, in time.....you've had a taste and there will be no stopping you, we're sure! Michael....as always, adventure is in your blood, so you will continue far reaching journeys - more mountains to climb, as they say. Maybe one day for me too? At the least, I will hope that Gia finds your recollections inspiring enough to seek adventure in her own life. I will be the cheering section for as long as I'm around and will follow along with excitement and anticipation, just as I've done here. Looking forward to your return and to catching up on all that we've done this summer, respectively. Take good care, we will see you soon! love, Suze and Gia
Farewell Well you two have had a wonderful adventure and experience. Safe travels home. See you soon and will look forward to your latest photos once you get home.
love your friend,
Lucille
Hey! Hey Mike! Hey Eric! Yesterday was McGlynn student orientation! We got to meet our homeroom teachers. Ours is Mrs. Whenham, our science teacher! Isabelle, Julie, Halle and Katharine (I don't think you know her, but she's in girl scouts) are in the same homeroom as me! Yipee!
I'm practicing the 100 years song on the piano a lot! That's right, I'm learning the actual music! It's not exactly a beginner's peice, and the rythym is really tricky, but it sounds really nice. Whenever I walk by the keyboard, I can't help plugging it in, and playing the peice one more time!
Also, I'm kind of binded to my house, because my mom's car had to get towed. Good thing playstead park is withing walking distance!
See you later!
-Kylie
hey ya'll i can't wait to see u guys soon. me and gia have been practicing lately and it's getting there. i hope that u have a safe trip home. it has been really cold lately expect for today. glad to here from you! deveney
Relax Well glad to hear that you are now relaxing until it is time to return home. You know Mike you need these couple of days because once you get back its right on to business and another hard working year. I'm not surprised that you are bored and Eric is just enjoying it all doing nothing. It is called unwinding before the next journey(school year) begins. You have had a summer of wonderful, busy adventures and learning experiences to bring back to all of us here. Well after this Eric has probably walked more than he ever imagined he would and now it is his time to relax, long overdue as he may say. Either he will enjoy walking more now or we will never get him to walk again , even just down t he road to Starbucks. Enjoy the serenity. Safe travels home and see you both soon.
love yor friend, Lucille
Glad to see your blog Even though I wasn't full of exciting words it is nice to see a blog from you guys. I got teary eyed the other day reading your last one knowing that your trip is almost over. I really enjoyed looking for them everyday. I just imagined myself on the trip with you guys doing something I will never get to do. In some ways I can't wait to hear them in person but like I said I really am going to miss the updates. Also glad to hear you are getting some rest if you didn't it would probably hit you like a ton of bricks when you get back.Well try to enjoy it Mike I know my nephew is loving every bit of it.
Love Auntie Donna, Mich and Nick
Hey dude(s)! Wow, it must be relaxing to have a few days to just hang out. But I know what you mean, Mike. I go stir crazy if I stay inside the house all day, even if I'm having fun, I just picture all the other things I could be doing.
Sorry I haven't written. I was in Maine with my cousins.
I can't beleive that summer's wrapping itself up! But on the other hand, I couldn't be more excited for middle school to start! I don't think I've ever been this excited/nervous! (Okay except for maybe Xmas eve, where each year I wake up and hour earlier. This past year it was 3am.)
My Grandma is staying at my house until school starts.
I'm learning a little bit of piano, because my Grandma's giving me her used keyboard!
Everything sounds splendid where you guys are!
Oh, and a, wear sunscreen! Yeah!
-Kylie
P.S. COOKIE!!!! Chocolate chip!
Mom/Carol Don't know why I just got the pictue of you in a turban Eric. I always said blue was your best color!!! But of course I am speaking as your mother!!! Blue yes - turban is questionable! Anxiously await more tales from the crypt!!! etc etc etc. Love you Mom. Safe journey home.
Hello and updated results Hi Mike and Eric
If you get this message its just a quick one to tell you the scores on the doors. Liverpool 2 West Ham 1 and Brighton 1 Crewe (wait for it) 4 whats that... about time.. They are also on Sky at 12.15 this coming Saturday so maybe Fox are playing that game and you can wake up Saturday morning to Crewe v Huddersfield!!!
All is ok here but when when you get the chance please call or send a text.
I look foward speaking to you soon and relax and enjoy the rest of your trip. Torah from Ar Kid
Hey dude... Maybe I've caught you online? Well, I sure hope that the end of the week proves better weather than today...chilly and rainy at the moment. Not that I'm complaining.....July was one of the most brutal in terms of high heat and humidity, so I've been praying for a day like this for awhile!! Absolutely...so much to catch up on and I'm glad you're looking forward to all the new things we'll have going on! The girls have been practicing here lately and it all sounds quite good! They've got a handle on the new songs and can run almost all of them through - even without drums and keys! No definite word on the start of the Plough and Stars gig....I think the owner is getting the new program set up, so it may not begin at the very beginning of Sept - which is actually good - more time to rehearse! I've listened to the CD continuously this summer and it sounds better and better! Spoke to Antony who told me that Crewe won, as well as Liverpool :) Well, enjoy your rest and reading time......miss you much! love, Suze
Better hurry back... Hi Mike.
Better hurry back. Vacations are supposed to leave you wanting more, not leave you dying to go home.... time to come back for sure. Safe travels.
Wow! sounds like you guys are living the life by the beach. i can't believe all the stuff from the immigration boarder. sounds like mali wasn't as great as Ghana was. anyways , mike your book should be very intresting with all of your latest adventures. getting late. have a safe trip home!
love, deveney, richie, cheryl, Big richie
If the first one did'nt get to you don't bother to read this-- Julie (leonard) Hey Mr. Paci, remember burp boy, my brother? He's in your class this year!! Yay!
John promises not to burp at you and/or do anything disgusting!
Good luck-- Julie
Ahh, the homestretch.... Wonderful to hear that you are in a good place for some rest and relaxation, such a shame about your previous encounter. Then again, as you pointed out - an adventure may come with both bad and good...I'd say that you both have had an abundance of good on this journey, making it quite fulfilling and successful! Michael....I was at your house yesterday and brought in mail...a letter was there from the school. If you think that might contain your class assignment, let me know and I'll go get it and let you know what it says. On a side note....a (hopefully) pleasant surprise awaits your return :) As it's a surprise, I won't reveal much, other than to say I am spending today quite exhausted! I can't believe the time is getting so close and you both will be coming home soon! Much to catch up on - for us all - and we look forward to seeing you on Friday! Continue to be safe and well - much love, Suzie and Gia
your journey Hello boys,
Well, I have been following along your expedition for a few weeks now and it has been extremely interesting and inspiring. I have waited to comment because reading your stories have been so intriging that I have found the idea of my own words extremely boring.
Anyway, I am glad to hear that your journey is wrapping up in a safe and satisfying way it seems. When you get back I expect to see this entire journal translated into an oversized illustrated children's book.
Welcoming you home soon.
TM
Relaxation Well glad to hear that you are now able to relax and reflect about the whole trip before you leave Africa and head home. Enjoy all the amenities you have there these next few days that you have been without on your recent venture. You both sure have earned it and it is a great way to end your entire adventure. Keep safe and looking forward to seeing you both and another school year. I have your coffee for day 1 or so, but you must come with me to get it.
love your friend,
Lucille
See you both soon. Enjoy
HAH! Mike, at least you attempted the camel! Eric, I think you need some turban lessons...lots of material there, huh?
I think you guys need to compile all of this writing, add the multitude of pictures I am sure you have taken, as well as some of the personal journal entries I hope you have been keeping, and compile this into an actual book...I think it would be fabulous! I for one would purchase this book. Now, what for the title? "What I Did on My Summer Vacation?"
Thanks so much for sharing this blog with so many of us. I have enjoyed it tremendously!
LIPPY
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Hi i saw a program on tv last night about this place i wanted to know is it safe for women to go there and what is there to do to be honest i really wanna try something different this year