A little trip to the Mediterranean

For the first time in 5 months, we had 7 days to do a whole bunch of nothing. We didn't realize how needed it was until we were in the midst of thorough appreciation of our poolside days. Basically, we rotated through laying by the pool, catching the bus to the beach, and browsing the shops up and down the cobblestone streets. It sure was hot, but the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean were ever offering refreshment. Plus, we had a kick-start to fitness after months of far too much eating (as food was often offered as a gift) and far too little activity (aside from picking up kids and walking around cities). So thanks, Malta, for the health. We even spent a day at the Blue Lagoon--home of quite arguably the clearest water on earth. Google it if you don't believe us. We are currently boarding a plane to Switzerland, where we will spend 4 lovely days with the Bests, while also reuniting with our dear friends, Tiff and Diana. So perhaps you'll hear more from us there before we hop back over the pond to South America. Hope all is well wherever you may be reading!

the stunning BLUE Lagoon

The streets of historic Mdina

The harbor in the capital city of Valleta.

Turkish Delights

Turkey has been a very pleasant surprise. It's not that we were expecting anything bad--we just didn't know what to expect at all. But as it turns out, Turkey (Istanbul specifically) is incredible. Moral of the story: if you ever have the chance to frequent this country, do it. Plain and simple.

As has become the norm, our time in Turkey has flown by. It has been a whirlwind with people coming and going (so great having you, Tristan and Jessie), and our 3 weeks are down to days. It's unfair to clump a people group, but we're going to do it anyway :). The Turkish people are surely some of the most kind and generous out there (we are the grateful recipients of small gifts almost every day). The language barrier has put us in our fair share of uncertain situations, but it helps to know that our Turkish friends are laughing with us and not at us (or so we think...ha). With the aroma of fresh-baked bread around every corner and servers hired specifically to shout the specialties as people pass by, the food is dangerously delicious (and cheap, so it's not easy to turn down).

As you might know, the city is unique in that it spans 2 continents--we are staying on the Asian side, so a ferry ride to Europe is not uncommon in our daily commute. Our home is in the heart of a local area and we absolutely love walking to get our produce (or to run any errand, for that matter) in the nearby shops, where the lively and friendly atmosphere is thick in the air. Our weeks are varied and quite exciting. While some of our time is spent giving moms a break from their tots by doing crafts and teaching English, we have also inspected hundreds of beautifully handcrafted necklaces and bracelets. Other days, we practice English with some lovely adults--and make friends in the process--what a treat!

With weekends off to tromp around Turkey, we have been awed and amazed by the beauty and history with which this country is rich. Not only have we seen most of the major sites in Istanbul (mosques, bazaars,and palaces galore), but we have also bussed it to Ephesus and back (that's right, folks--home of the Ephesians)! And now, as we write this, we are sitting at a picnic table amidst the mind-blowing landscape of Cappadocia; it is truly a one-of-a-kind place full of cave dwellings and underground cities (seriously, if you don't believe us, google image that business). Plus, we were given the gift of Australian parents for a day. Debbie and Peter, if you ever read this, you are one FUN and all too generous couple.

Tristan and one of our many servers turned friends

Corie and Taylor dwarfed by the stadium in Ephesus. Capacity: 26,000.

A little sample of the heaps of fairy chimneys and other-worldly landscapes of Cappadocia.  These things used to  be the homes of people!!

The waterfront of Kadikoy, just a short jaunt from our apartment and where we catch our ferry to Europe .

As we head into our last week in Turkey, the whirlwind continues with nearly every hour mapped out. We will be sad to leave our newfound love of a country, but the beaches of Malta are calling us (pity, we know). So merhaba from Turkey and thanks for reading. Pictures may come at some point. Just wait for it.

Leaving the Pearl Behind...with a little piece of our hearts

Our month in Uganda has come and gone; it seems like we were just settling in here and now we are getting ready to leave.  In our first weeks here, we were learning to roll paper beads with some seriously talented and hard-working women in the I Choose You Microfinance Program next door. Otherwise, we were walking through the slums of Namatala with kids grasping every finger (actually, though), visiting Taylor’s friends from years passed, and cleaning/dressing wounds.  We also painted a church blue.  Really blue. 

Corie and Tristan stand in front of our masterpiece, 3 days in the making

The last two weeks were spent with 109 precious souls at Lulwanda Children’s Home, and with the wonderfully loving staff that cares for them.  Since the kids were on holiday from school, we got to partake in a plethora of fun activities and outings.

We went swimming with the 48 singers and dancers from the home, which basically meant that we served as lifeguards and flotation devices, but the kids had a blast—splashing and being shuttled around the pool for hours.  We baked cakes in preparation for the quarterly Birthday Bash, where we celebrated with songs, sodas, and goodie bags for the birthday kids.  Several field trips were taken to St. Kizito Baby Home, where we held, fed, and bathed babies alongside the Lulwanda children.  Afterward, we were rewarded with ice cream from the local supermarket (and for those of you who know Tay, you know how fitting such a reward is). 

Corie and little miss Bondina, one of many precious babes at the Baby Home

Elated Ugandan kiddos look skyward to the beach ball they have flung into the air

During the last 5 days, Lulwanda hosted a Christian conference for youth; our job was to

clearly enjoying the task of baking cakes for their birthday friends

organize and play games with the kids from surrounding villages and to be an audience for the singing and dancing (let me tell you—much easier here where musical talent and rhythm is far more abundant than at home).  And aside from all these things, we squeezed in soccer matches and learned (well, tried to learn) the countless rules of the kid-created card games.  So from baking cakes to swimming to visiting a baby home and playing every afternoon, our time at the home has been nothing but joy-filled—and full of hugs and smiles.  The sun setting over the lush African landscape was a lovely close to each of our days spent with the incredible children here—all before journeying home down the red dirt (or mud, given it’s rainy season), pothole-filled roads that our friend and host, Natalie, navigated like a champ. 

As usual, pictures will probably be able to show more than we can say, so from the cameras of all 3 of us,here are some snapshots from our time in Uganda, The Pearl of Africa.  Enjoy.

Taylor and Shadia clapping and laughing away the language barrier.

Namaste, Nepal!

No amount of words or collage of photos could do justice to the things Nepal has allowed us to experience over the last 2 weeks. As with our other destinations, we went in without expectations (or so we thought). Nonetheless, our (lack of) expectations were blasted to pieces.

It all started when we found out that the school in which we were going to teach had closed, and not yet reopened. Surprise #1. The new school will be opening in a district far from Kathmandu, but for now, no students. No teachers. Surprise #2.

A day after our arrival in Nepal, the 4 of us (we happily acquired Tristan on our way from India to Kathmandu) hopped into an expedition vehicle, completely oblivious to the adventure ahead. Our 6-hour journey turned into a 15-hour haul, after we spent 3 hours stuck in the mud, another 3 awaiting a vehicle fit for the treacherous roads ahead, and many more hours winding up said roads at less than 10 km/hr (a crawl, for those of you who aren't familiar with kilometers). When we finally arrived, the sun was long gone. We knew we had gained elevation and had left civilization far behind, but the rest would remain a mystery until the sun shed more light on our situation the next morning. We were warmly welcomed with flower necklaces to the bamboo structure we would call home for the next 2 weeks. We got ready for bed with headlamps on, since electricity was non-existent (Surprise #3).

As it turns out, we are in a village called Nalpang, which is tucked in the terraced mountainsides just in front of the snow-covered Annapurna range. Instead of serving as relief teachers, we are the school's first teachers with a class that has more than tripled in number since Day 1. The fact that our classroom is the great outdoors, and that we have students aged toddler to pre-teen, makes classroom management trying at times (to say the least). They are hungry to learn, though, and are more beautiful than words can describe, so that makes up for a lot.

When we're not teaching, we are tasting Nepali dishes made by our lovely hostess, the headmaster's wife; she has seemingly signed on to the mission to fatten the Americans. We have also explored some of the surrounding villages, which has allowed us to experience the incredibly generous and hospitable culture of Nepal. Since arriving, the house did get light, so we spend our evenings playing cards, reading, or listening to the drumming and singing of our jubilant housemates. We have learned the Nepali way of washing clothes, doing dishes, and scrubbing feet, thanks to our new, resourceful friends. And we have enjoyed the thunderstorms--more so when they're not leaking through our straw roof onto our beds, but that's another story.

It's crazy that we will soon be on to Country #5. We think it's safe to say our experiences here will be unmatched in the next 4 months of our adventure. And so we say farewell to Kit (and Nepal) and hello to Africa! "Boom," says Tristan.

Once upon a time we saw a beautiful Nepali boy with a basket on his back, carried by a strap on his forehead. A moment later he was kneeling before us revealing its contents: this little guy. Can you believe that?!

Our dear students, sitting in their half constructed bamboo classroom, singing about the joy in their hearts.

The incredible view we had the pleasure of waking up to for two weeks.

Three of the cutest and coolest siblings we got to spend our time with.

Bonus!



The view of Burari neighborhood from our roof at dusk.

 Thanks to our tech-saavy compadre, Kit, here are a few snapshots of our weeks in Delhi :)

Tea time with our 12 favorite kiddos.



Enjoying a relaxing afternoon at a local man's vacation property with the beauties that reside at the girls home.




A friendly match of cricket at the boys home.



The kids armed and ready for Holi, a spring festival celebrated with paint and water.



Behold, one of the seven wonders of the world: Taj Mahal, Agra.



Delhi Ho!

Turns out, time continues to fly. It seems like we were just blogging from Mumbai, but our 3 weeks and Delhi are nearing their end. Next stop: Nepal. Our days here have been filled with adorable children, especially the 12 we are staying with. We pass our time by teaching English, singing songs, drawing and coloring and helping our new friend Rupali with her kitchen duties. We have become a part of the family, and it will be strange to not be woken by little voices whispering "sister, brother" through the crack in the door each day. We have been guests at different homes for different occasions, and let me tell you, the hospitality of the Indian people is second to none--we have enjoyed more than our fair share of chai, roti and other cuisines native to this place.

In addition, we have been shown some of the iconic landmarks of India, including the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Rajghat (Gandhi's burial place), and India Gate (google at will for a virtual tour :)). We also shopped among the masses in the sprawling markets that Central Delhi is comprised of. We have donned the cultural dress and jewelry of Indian women with the help of 15 young girls and sweet Rupali (Kit has pictures if you would like to see when he gets back), and we have played match after never-ending match of cricket with 15 young boys. The last few days have been stiflingly hot, but we enjoy spending the mornings and evenings reading, playing games, skipping rope and people-watching from the rooftop terraces that are common to each building in this neighborhood of Delhi. We plan to cherish our last 48 hours here before saying goodbye to the dear friends and playmates we have made.

As we speak, Corie's brother is heading our way from California. We will meet at the airport in Delhi and fly to Nepal together for a few weeks of teaching  English at a primary school in Gorkha.

But wait! Before we sign out from Delhi, here are some morsels about our time here from the third muskateer, Kit: once upon a time there was a small man in a large country, but it was ok, because all of the people were small, too. My time here in Delhi has been great! It has been amazing spending time with the kids and seeing the joy in their lives.  The New Life Mercy home is doing great things with these kids and it has been a blessing to serve and get to know all of the people that we have met.  Due to the aformentioned exceedingly great hospitatlity our stomachs have been seemingly growing larger by the day. They just shovel food down and steal your plate to pile it up with more. I think that it's a game to see how much they can make us eat.  Taylor thinks they took a before picture of us and are now going to take an after picture to see if they succeeded. I hope not, although the food has been delicious and sometimes it burns my mouth off when I eat it. Well, that's about all for me from this leg. As they don't say here in India, "G'day mate!"

A Glimpse of Mumbai...



One of the places the bus stopped to teach and feed kidlets.



Some little cuties we found as we rounded up kids from the village for lunch.

The lovely people that comprise the Vision Rescue team. visionrescue.org.in

Despite my best efforts, these are the only pictures I could get to load presently.

Perhaps more will cooperate at a later time :)