OBX

it's not a new place to me, but a 7 hour roadtrip, 4 bedroom house, and 14 friends definitely deserves its own post.

we went to the Outer Banks this weekend for Memorial Day - took Friday off, and drove down in the morning. It's normally a 5 hour drive, but this time it took about 7 hours due to all the stops we made (how can you resist a sign that says 'fresh corn' and 'fresh peaches'??). we even stopped at Sonic on the way there - love those fried cheese balls and wait staff on rollerskates. Finally we made it to the beach - I put my foot down, and said we would not grocery stop first - first stop should always be the water. What can you even say about afternoons and evenings at the Outer Banks? Every day is hotter than the one before. Every sunset is more beautiful. We were staying in Corolla (pronounced ka rah la, not like the Toyota brand - if you say it that way, people will know you're a n00b).

The first night, our whole group arrived at various times - we were the first bunch, so we went to dinner at this place called Tomato Patch Pizza - it was delish! Then, as people arrived we hit the beach for some late night star gazing - and yes, I saw a shooting star. It was so beautiful. Next day involved a quick run, and then off to the beach. The water was like ice - but I swam anyway. Must have an extra layer of blubber that allows me to do that, because I love the cold water!

That night we went to dinner at this place called Duck Deli, which had the most amazing BBQ I've had in a really long time - it was finger lickin good, for sure! Then we rustled up some of our own fun, by telling the live band that it was somebody's birthday - and they got to perform a version of Joan Jett's I Love Rock n Roll, ha! Inspired, we headed over to the local karaoke bar and sang the night away. Most people were terrible, but my roomie Victoria can really belt it out. Girlfriend always found the right key, even when the crowd was crazy. Love singing duets with you, chica!
The next day we did a little home-church, which was nice - singing & praying & reading the Bible on the porch. Then afternoon was all beach time - never enough for me, but definitely enough to get some people sunburned! Then Sunday evening we watched an incredible sunset - the Outer Banks is a group of islands off the coast of North Carolina, so one side of the island is called 'sound side' and the other is 'surf side' - so you get to watch the sunrise on the surf side, and sunset on the sound side. Sunset was incredible - I can't say that I was ever awake in time for sunrise!

Monday was departure day - but we still got some wonderful beach time in the morning (and a delicious breakfast at Breakfast & Burgers, which I highly recommend if you are willing to wait about 40 minutes for food). Amazingly, we hit almost no traffic either direction - I would say overall, a highly successful beach weekend.

coming home

there's a song by Diddy called Coming Home, and it says "Tell the world that I'm coming home." This is often how I feel after a trip.

Sometimes, I have been in the position when I thought I would not be able or allowed to come home as soon as I thought (thank you very much Milan insane airports, Vienna snowstorm, and various other crazy people/airlines). This is maybe the only thing that truly upsets me overseas - traffic jams, belligerent grantees, supercilious hotel attendants, horrible food, riots - none of this upsets me like being told I can't go home.

I love walking through the customs line at Dulles, and being told 'Welcome Home' by the Customs & Border Patrol officials. They don't know how much it means to me - but it's wonderful. The land of basketball, burgers, and beer. The birthplace of reality t.v. and the iPhone.

It always makes me chuckle - the things that people miss from home. For me, I want chipotle and a pedicure. One friend wanted to get to a concert STAT, and another said she wanted an eyebrow wax. My boss used to say that she would get smothered in hugs from her kids when she got home - that was her end goal. My favorite (other than that burrito I mentioned) is taking a shower with all my own shampoos & conditioners. That probably sounds like a very small thing - but I bet you would be surprised at the things you miss most from home.

Chicago pics

here are a few fun shots from Chicago:
Jean & the red wall.

Wrigley Field

chillin at Navy Pier

Showing the world where I'm headed

beautiful Sears Tower

there's this wall with pieces from every great site around the world - I think I'm touching the Basilica and the pyramids :)

Favorite shot of the city architecture

being silly at the great Bean

Chicago.

unpredictability

So after all that, I didn't go to Gulu... Everything worked as smoothly as possible, until I got to Kampala and found out that there had been rioting and protests in the streets all day. The roads were closed and the party canceled. I guess it's time to learn about longterm perspective. I'm spending the weekend in Kampala - and will see my friends another time.

Am posting a fun picture from the hotel bar in Nakuru - never in all my days have I seen a sign like this.

back to the beginning.

tomorrow I'm going back to Gulu for the NUTI goodbye party. It's hard to explain how excited I am about this. This is the first place I ever went in Africa, my first and dearest friends (so far) in Africa, and the party of the year. I would trade Christmas to go to this party. So, I'm traveling 9 hours by car and plane and will hopefully make it. I will battle both Nairobi traffic - on a Friday, no less - and Kampala traffic. I'm not sure if I'll sleep tonight!

... update from Nairobi airport - I made it this far! My driver this morning was HILARIOUS. His name is Jao, and he owns 4 businesses: a car hire company in Nairobi, a mobile phone company in Kampala, a hospital equipment supply company in Kenya, and another one which I forgot. He told me that tomorrow, he will be presented to his tribe (the Kikuyus), to become one of the respected men of the clan. To do this, the family gives a goat. Then he will also have to give a goat to the community. I wish I could attend, as it will be a great festival!

I asked Jao about other ceremonies of the Kikuyus, and he said that when the male child is born - you give a goat, also at circumcision - goat. Then also when the man becomes an elder of the clan - you guessed it, another goat. I asked if poor families are able to have their male children gain respect in the tribe, and he said no - there's not a way unless you can provide all these goats.

Anyway - all for now, I will send updates after the weekend. Hopefully someone there will take pictures of the festivities, as I have not brought a camera.

Dinner in Nakuru

The conference I'm attending is located in a town called Nakuru. In my mind, it's one step above Gulu in luxury - yet my colleagues tell me it's the 4th largest city in Kenya!

Tonight my colleagues Francis and Charles asked me, "So, Abigail, what do you know about Kenyans?" Their sly grins made me think I should answer with only good attributes... so I mentioned how well-educated many people are, as well as their diversity in tribes and ethnicities. They prompted me with athleticism, which we discussed for a while (the Kalengins are typically the most athletic tribe), and I told them of my experience with the Kenyan marathon runners growing up in Richmond. I also mentioned how most Kenyans are very well-traveled - which they loved.

They taught me about the diaspora, which apparently has huge roots in Minnesota, Iowa, and Arizona. Then they asked me, "And what else? Do you think we are patient and hard-working?" I was dying on the inside, but I had to say - you know what, I have not had that experience yet. They told me that Kenyans are truly an industrious people - mostly the Kikuyu tribe. Then we discussed unemployment, the US economic recession, and the poor quality of Chinese roads. Great dinner, and great colleagues.

suitcases

I think I've written a few times about packing, but possibly never on what makes a good suitcase. Unfortunately, the best way to learn this is by trial and error - but maybe my errors will help you. Last Wednesday, I was going to walk to work with my suitcases- but after all the mistakes which you will read about below - I was too ashamed, and had to hitch a ride. Don't let this happen to you!

I packed all my things into a small suitcase whose handle was too short - miskake #1, and the most egregious. With a short handle your balance will be off, and you will have difficulty not bumping your suitcase into your own feet. Also, if you're wheeling two suitcases- they will be at different distances away from your arms, which makes navigation difficult. On Wednesday, I tripped over my own feet about 7 times.

Mistake #2 a suitcase that does not stand on its own. This particular suitcase is top-heavy, meaning that it topples forward at every possible chance. I've mitigated this by packing heavy items at the back, but it's incredibly frustrating to set your suitcase down and have it fall at every street corner.

Mistake #3 bumbling wheels. Imagine my frustration when the suitcase in question tipped over at the first bump or sidewalk crack. Shameful.

Along with #2, mistake #4 is balance of the wheels. If you do go over a speedbump, the suitcase should not wobble from side to side like an awkward King Tut dance. I don't ever want to turn around and have to steady my own penguin-waddling suitcase.

So, moral of the story - do not be fooled by fancy gadgets like a compas in the handle- cool idea, right? wrong. Stick to the 4 principles of handle length, weight, wheels, and balance - and you should have a smooth ride.