WoZ

Wozinafrica

WoZ

Born in Zambia, formative years in Durban, South Africa, currently living in New Zealand. To say I was a confused individual would be an understatement.

Who am I? I obviously can't answer that. Well at least to the two out of three types of people interacting with this it would be obvious. Two of the three being a 'know me' or a 'know me enough' the one being some stranger reading this, why? Why on earth would some random, randomly read some crazy guys travel journal?

About all I can add is I am an old man, trapped in a middle aged mans body, taking on a younger mans experience. Oh and I am an engineer. An engineer that believes there is a God. Well at the start of my journey, ill just say I think there is a God, out there, somewhere, beneath the pale moonlight.

Canada, Vancouver

North America » Canada » British Columbia » Vancouver August 24th 2009

Pines, lots of pines

Wozinafrica

I didn't really plan on coming to Vancouver, it was actually a result of my ticket being changed from home via Hong Kong to home via the states. Basically due to the modern version of the Salem Witch trials going on in that country, with great fear and trembling, I refused to go there. Thus after much back and forth, mercy was bestowed upon me and I was permitted to return home via Canada a somewhat more civilised country. Without dwelling on a repetitive theme, may I simply say Canada was great primary as I was hanging out with my good friend from tech and his truly amazing home professional chef wife. Needless to say the food and company was a life worth living. Anyway, my friend and I paid a visit to Grouse Mountain to ... read more

Closing statements

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland » Albany August 18th 2009

Infinity

Wozinafrica

Everything needs a conclusion right? I mean how many politicians actually read the whole report? But the whole experience and my thoughts on it are difficult due to complexities to summarise succinctly. My conclusion one liners: African aid has been going on for over two decades. Africa is a dump (In my opinion). Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. - Albert Einstein Aid money from countries, is usually your tax dollars. Don't stick your nose, where it doesn't belong. You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. Let Africa fix Africa. We actually have problems of our own, and if we are not careful we could end up... like them. But aid ... read more

A quick wheres wozzi note

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Midlothian » Edinburgh August 7th 2009

Wozinafrica

Yes I have gotten a little lazy with these blogs since reaching 'civilized' lands. I have had a great time visiting London, and Scotland. Scotland being great as I was able to catch up and see my friend Natalie from Waaay back performing in a play. She is soooo good! The audience loved her. Now I am stuck once again in an airport, awaiting to be ferried off to Vancouver where i can spend a last bit of time out with my good friend Steve (from tech days) and his wif, before returning home. To responsibility and action.... read more

Scotland

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Midlothian » Edinburgh August 2nd 2009

Nats performance

Wozinafrica

Well I have finally made it to the ending stages of my trip, I say finally as although it has been enjoyable, I am really quite tired. Scotland, the main reason I was here was to catch up with a friend I had not seen for over 15 years. I visited both Glasgow (briefly) and Edinburgh, both of which had an air of being country bumpkin cities. By this I mean that coupled with the surrounding greenery and more a laid back attitude towards life, it didn't have the pressures of a succeed or die type city. So I have used poetic license with the word bumpkin. I had arrived just before the start of the Fringe Festival. Which was basically a massive street event and art feast. The number of plays going on around the ... read more

To London

Europe » United Kingdom » England » Greater London » London City July 28th 2009

London, destination...

Wozinafrica

Well as per the last few I am sticking these in postmortem as such. Anyway no detailed discussions or insights here as this is a quick main pointers of after Africa. I guess first things being said, I have moved on from Africa a lot sooner than expected. Some may see this as a failure, I see it as having my sub-conscious questions answered much faster than I expected. To London, and what an amazing city compared to the dump that is Africa. Now the African country is beautiful and the weather, wow if you love the sun, you can't beat nearly perfect day, after near perfect day, after near perfect day... But Africa... what a dump. Minimal infrastructure, open drains, unreliable electricity, dirt roads etc. Just a side note of humour, the funniest thing in ... read more

Joshua, the american

Africa » Kenya » Nairobi Province » Nairobi July 27th 2009

Wozinafrica

I just met some American called Joshua which was great as it helped pass the last hour and a half. With a name like Joshua I said to him (you could tell he was a bit Chrstian) something like are you a: "Hi my name is Joshua, brought up in a Christian home had a bit of a rebellious stage and came back to the Lord". Yip that's pretty close. Anyway teasing aside, we got to talking about politics, economics, spirituality, and aid work in Africa. Which was great as this guy actually lives here in Nairobi, works just across the road at some Christian Ministries NGO. He was saying that sometimes he just comes over to visit, so today he got to meet me. ... Is that bad? I took the opportunity to voice some ... read more

A view of Kenya

Africa » Kenya » Nairobi Province » Nairobi July 27th 2009

Kenya

Wozinafrica

Well I have found something in Kenya, so at least I can say I did some volunteer work. I think I am acquiring a slight taste for travel. Its like beer. I didn't like beer, but it grew on me now i like it. I am not sure I will ever truly love traveling but I like the people you tend to meet along the way. The place I am going to is Kenya Voluntary And Community Development Project, doing some environmental stuff. I wanted to do water and sanitation or sustainable farming, but apparently it is too dry at the moment so I stuck planting trees. I guess I am sticking with my philosophical thoughts that that positive contribution of aid is debatable. However really this trip seems to have been about me, so continuing ... read more

Back in communication range... Mostly

Africa » Kenya » Nairobi Province » Nairobi July 27th 2009

Wozinafrica

Firstly, I am back in internet range. Thanks Steve for the 'what's going ons', but I had no idea that when I was going to the volunteer thing that the centre I would be staying at would have literally nothing. Ill try start getting some posts up, about what has been going on, once I get some reliable internet time. This is just to let people know everything is OKiedOKie at the moment.... read more

Nice 'hotel' you got here...

Africa » Kenya » Nyanza Province » Kisumu July 25th 2009

The shower

Wozinafrica

Hotel..? No, hostel maybe. Hotel Natasha in Kisumu. The guy was showing me the showers and I was looking dubiously at them, hot water I asked? Yes yes hot water here... yeah right. Maybe when the place was new, but surely you must realise your hot water is broken? Then the toilets and shower were a bit weird as the bottom window pane was broken and there was some room on the other side where people lived or worked or something. Still, it was another experience had to be put in the books. I am still holding out for my beer it should be noted. Maybe when I am on the plane to civilisation ill sit back in my economy class recliner and enjoy my beer then. I tried buying a malty Guiness thinking it was ... read more

The students arrive

Africa » Kenya » Nyanza Province » Kisumu July 21st 2009

The start of a farm?

Wozinafrica

More people arriving, and some more last minute preparations going on to attempt to accommodate the increase in numbers. The Birmingham students were here for six weeks, but until the Family were due to leave in a couple days, they had to make do with using the floor of the small office and store floors over in the main building. One of the guys was grateful to have the loan of my sleeping mat till such time as that had occurred. There were two girls and three guys. From the sounds of it the girls had signed up early, and it was a drive over the next few months before they were due to leave to round up some guys. With the arrival of the students some of the other projects were able to be instigated. ... read more

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