Today Show video on what life is like in camp:
Kili Camp
HOWEVER, don't get the wrong impression. NBC spent a lot of money on their team because a precious few camps have private bathrooms with seats and dining tents with tables. See my Kilimanjaro post to understand what it's really like in a Kili Camp.
Also, it appears that Ann will not make it to the top. I don't blame her - this hike is not a cake walk: Turning Back at 16,000 Feet
They missed a pretty spectacular glacier at the top, but I think their mission to bring footage of the melting Equatorial Glaciers was accomplished. Congratulations!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
More on Kili
I just watched another clip of Ann Curry climbing Kilimanjaro. This is a fun clip for Nathan and I since the first part of her route - The Western Breach - is exactly the same as the Machame Route, which we took. Watch this clip to see the first three camps we were at - Machame, Shira, and Barranco Camps:
Reliving our hike with Ann Curry
Reliving our hike with Ann Curry
Sunday, November 16, 2008
North Dakota & Jambo Bwana
I'm back in North Dakota and am looking forward to seeing the new Cohan Brothers movie at the retro Bijou Showhouse in Beach, ND tonight. It's good to be back. We're in the same apartment as last year, but some things around town have changed. Most notably the white and pink houses that used to be next to the Cowboy Cafe and across the street from it are gone. The Rough Rider hotel is starting to build its addition and needed more space for that and a new parking lot across the street. I wish it were open right now so I could have an exquisite steak and some delicious lava cake. For that, I'll have to wait until late April.
Today Nathan's Grandpa told us that Ann Curry from the Today show is climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. From the website, it looks like she's at Machame Camp right now - the first camp we stayed at, which means she may be climbing the same route we did. I heard it would take eight days - much longer than the normal 6 days. The great thing is that they'll be reporting on the majestic Kilimanjaro Glaciers, which may disappear by the year 2020. I hope they're not planning to spend an extra day at the top because I don't think a crew used to the nice conditions of Studio 1A will be able to make it through a night of far below freezing temps. Anyway, good luck to them!
Today Show Kili Hike
In the background, you can just faintly hear the porters singing the Jambo song - a hilarious song they sing to tourists all over Tanzania & Kenya. Here's what it is - just replace "Kenya" with "Tanzania" or "Kilimanjaro" and you'll be hearing the same thing we did all over the place. Click on "Jambo" to hear the song:
Jambo Song
Today Nathan's Grandpa told us that Ann Curry from the Today show is climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. From the website, it looks like she's at Machame Camp right now - the first camp we stayed at, which means she may be climbing the same route we did. I heard it would take eight days - much longer than the normal 6 days. The great thing is that they'll be reporting on the majestic Kilimanjaro Glaciers, which may disappear by the year 2020. I hope they're not planning to spend an extra day at the top because I don't think a crew used to the nice conditions of Studio 1A will be able to make it through a night of far below freezing temps. Anyway, good luck to them!
Today Show Kili Hike
In the background, you can just faintly hear the porters singing the Jambo song - a hilarious song they sing to tourists all over Tanzania & Kenya. Here's what it is - just replace "Kenya" with "Tanzania" or "Kilimanjaro" and you'll be hearing the same thing we did all over the place. Click on "Jambo" to hear the song:
Jambo Song
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
It's a beautiful day
All I have to say is that I'm so proud of our country right now and that "hope is a good thing, maybe the best thing"...and my hope has been renewed.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Campaign Reform
After just seeing three ads in a row of spatting between Norm Coleman, the current MN Senator, and Al Frankin, his Democratic opponent, I couldn't help but think about all the money they're wasting on proving that both of them act like they're still in middle school.
It's not only these two, but take a look at how much money all of our candidates waste - travel, flyers (most of which probably aren't recycled), ads, meetings, etc. Now, I love democracy, but I think there's a much better way we could do this.
Here's a really wild idea - instead of spending your campaign contributions on attack ads, why don't you donate your money to charities that mirror your beliefs. For example, if one of your campaign focal points is conservation, why not contribute to the World Wildlife Foundation. If you're for lower housing cost for low-income families, donate to Habitat for Humanity. Then, go brag about where you're donating on YouTube - FOR FREE!!
How much better would the world be if candidates could agree to do this? Not only would we be given a reprise from childish attack ads, but charities that actually need the money would be funded.
You're probably saying - no - this would never work, people need to feel like they're getting to know their candidate and that's only done through personal contact. Well, I'm not saying all their money needs to go to charity, just a percentage of it. The rest could be used for anything else EXCEPT advertisements. They'll get enough free media attention and chances to explain themselves online - we don't need them interrupting us during commercial breaks and in our mailboxes too.
This campaign has been ridiculous and I'm ashamed by the way our Senator and his opponent have been acting. I wish I could make them both go to their rooms without dinner to think about what they've done.
It's not only these two, but take a look at how much money all of our candidates waste - travel, flyers (most of which probably aren't recycled), ads, meetings, etc. Now, I love democracy, but I think there's a much better way we could do this.
Here's a really wild idea - instead of spending your campaign contributions on attack ads, why don't you donate your money to charities that mirror your beliefs. For example, if one of your campaign focal points is conservation, why not contribute to the World Wildlife Foundation. If you're for lower housing cost for low-income families, donate to Habitat for Humanity. Then, go brag about where you're donating on YouTube - FOR FREE!!
How much better would the world be if candidates could agree to do this? Not only would we be given a reprise from childish attack ads, but charities that actually need the money would be funded.
You're probably saying - no - this would never work, people need to feel like they're getting to know their candidate and that's only done through personal contact. Well, I'm not saying all their money needs to go to charity, just a percentage of it. The rest could be used for anything else EXCEPT advertisements. They'll get enough free media attention and chances to explain themselves online - we don't need them interrupting us during commercial breaks and in our mailboxes too.
This campaign has been ridiculous and I'm ashamed by the way our Senator and his opponent have been acting. I wish I could make them both go to their rooms without dinner to think about what they've done.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Bag Lady
If anyone has been thinking about switching to canvas bags from plastic, but hasn't run across any bags yet, check out this site:Green Bag Lady
There's even a pattern for you to make your own!
Another plus to switching to canvas is that they fit more items and are easier to carry inside since you can carry them on your shoulder - fewer trips back and forth to the car.
Happy Bagging!
There's even a pattern for you to make your own!
Another plus to switching to canvas is that they fit more items and are easier to carry inside since you can carry them on your shoulder - fewer trips back and forth to the car.
Happy Bagging!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Life After Africa
I haven't been writing lately because after seven weeks of living it up, it just didn't feel like anything I did after Africa was all that interesting. However true that may be, I feel the need to write again after decompressing a bit and gaining a little bit of perspective.
Last weekend we drove back home to the Milwaukee area to visit our parents. That was fun and it's really nice to drive on nice, paved roads and stop at delicious fast-food restaurants that are horrible for you. Ahh, convenience.
But, I miss Africa. Maybe it's the fact that it's snowing in Minnesota today or that there's a really annoying two-year-old election taking place. Or maybe it's the fact that things are more expensive and it's hard to find anything at the grocery store that doesn't have too much packaging. In the US, most people are far more worried about their 401k's than their national parks.
In Africa, if you tried to explain that 35% of your entire life savings just disappeared you'd be met with a friendly "Hakuna Matata" and a reminder that you can live off of a lot less than you're used to and be twice as happy. People would also wonder why we're strip mining our beautiful mountains when even the poorest African knows that you can make more money off of tourism and conservation than destroying your land.
The high in Arusha for Monday is a perfect 85 degrees and although it's 11:30pm right now it's still 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Maybe instead of being spoiled with material possessions, they're spoiled with great weather all the time. While faced with another winter in ND, I'm really torn on which I would pick if I had the choice!
Yes, I miss Africa and after just two weeks home both Nathan and I agree that we wouldn't mind going back for a couple of years if the opportunity arose. At least there, we wouldn't be faced with the prospect of having to campaign in the blowing sleet.
Last weekend we drove back home to the Milwaukee area to visit our parents. That was fun and it's really nice to drive on nice, paved roads and stop at delicious fast-food restaurants that are horrible for you. Ahh, convenience.
But, I miss Africa. Maybe it's the fact that it's snowing in Minnesota today or that there's a really annoying two-year-old election taking place. Or maybe it's the fact that things are more expensive and it's hard to find anything at the grocery store that doesn't have too much packaging. In the US, most people are far more worried about their 401k's than their national parks.
In Africa, if you tried to explain that 35% of your entire life savings just disappeared you'd be met with a friendly "Hakuna Matata" and a reminder that you can live off of a lot less than you're used to and be twice as happy. People would also wonder why we're strip mining our beautiful mountains when even the poorest African knows that you can make more money off of tourism and conservation than destroying your land.
The high in Arusha for Monday is a perfect 85 degrees and although it's 11:30pm right now it's still 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Maybe instead of being spoiled with material possessions, they're spoiled with great weather all the time. While faced with another winter in ND, I'm really torn on which I would pick if I had the choice!
Yes, I miss Africa and after just two weeks home both Nathan and I agree that we wouldn't mind going back for a couple of years if the opportunity arose. At least there, we wouldn't be faced with the prospect of having to campaign in the blowing sleet.
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