Round We Go » Round We Go

Just the 14 of Us: Part II

Round We Go — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:37:46 +0000

Choir practice at the home with church members

The first day proved interesting. We were the first “volunteers” the home had ever had. In the conversations we had leading up to our volunteer experience, we were told we’d have our own room and bathroom. Very nice, we thought. 12 kids, eight under the age of 10 – chaos, we imagined! We could still have a sense of privacy. We arrived to find out that the “Aunties” (house Moms) and the children had switched around their sleeping arrangements to give Laura and me our own room. Only afterward did we understand how gracious a gesture this was. We would, however, be sharing the lone bath and bathroom with the rest of the house, an initial shock to us (especially to Laura), but something we’d come to laugh about and appreciate later.

One by one we were introduced to the children. The girls curtsied in the old English way and the boys politely took our bags. The aunties were visibly excited to have us and could not have been more welcoming. The Director of the orphanage was out of town so we looked to them for direction. And this is when we learned about the privileged status of the white man in Africa. They beamed at us and said, “We are so excited to learn from you!” What could we possibly have to teach them? We didn’t know how to approach the kids or what exactly our roles would be while there.

There was no set volunteer structure or defined goals. We knew the children needed help with reading, writing and speaking English. Zambia is made up of 72 different tribal groups, each with their own language. So, English is the uniting language, and more importantly, the language of business. If any of these kids is to get ahead in life, understanding the English language is important, if not necessary. But apart from this, we weren’t quite sure how to “educate” the children.

Partners in crime Mulenga and Chipego

Through direct conversations, intonations and the general way in which we were received, we soon gathered that to everyone around us (at least those with dark skin we were later told), we possessed a knowledge that they, frankly, did not. Simply by growing up and receiving an education in a developed world, the director of the home honestly told us, people expected that we could teach them things (and offer financial help, too, he joked). Obviously, this made us both feel a little uneasy. I wondered to Laura if they would view black Americans the same way or if it were really just our skin color that set us apart.

Favorite time of day in Mazabuka

To our amazement the kids opened up to us immediately. Initial conversations seemed forced – “What is your favorite Bible passage?” one asked me (the home is Christian-based), but I quickly learned that this was more a matter of finding common ground than anything. With the boys, we spoke of futbol, the World Cup and girls; with the girls, we talked about hair (emphasis black hair – something we both learned a lot about), baking cookies and, of course, boys. After the first few days, many offered to share their stories: of abandonment, of abuse, but most often, of death, “My mother died giving birth to me,” “My father died of AIDS when I was nine,” or “My mother died of AIDS and my father couldn’t take care of me.” This approbation of us was overwhelming. They wanted to share their stories and to confide in us. All our worries that they would never be able to trust us were gone and quickly replaced by a new fear; that we would become so close to them in such little time, only for them to feel abandoned once again when we left. In an effort to do something good and unselfish, I was feeling selfish yet again. I felt that everything I was doing was perhaps based on some crazy, subconscious desire to make myself feel better, only in the end to expedite these kids’ own mistrust in others. Would the time spent with them and relationships forged outweigh the sense of loss they might feel after we left? Could we, after leaving, continue to be an active part in their lives from thousands of miles away? Time will tell, but we decided we are going to try.

On October 9, we’re hitting the pavement, running 26.2 for these kids. Hope you’ll consider making a donation to make their world a little bit brighter.

For more details on our efforts, click here.

Photo Essay: Holi, The Festival of Colors

Round We Go — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:27:48 +0000

“Prepare yourself.”

These were the words we heard over and over again before touching down in Mumbai to begin our two-month journey through India. A brief pit stop in the airport loo introduced us to the infamous Asian squat toilets and the cantankerous ATM machine in Terminal 1 reminded us we weren’t in Kansas anymore. But it was the step outside, into the traffic-choked lanes of the sprawling metropolis where more than 20 million people call home, when we realized we could have never been fully prepared.

After all, we had arrived in India on the “holiest” of days, just in time for Holi Festival. Winding our way through the streets of Mumbai, India welcomed us in a riot of color as celebrants welcomed the arrival of spring. From the window of our yellow and black taxicab we clanked along the Indian roadways all the while enjoying a bouquet of dancing characters and colors. The smog-filled air was joined by clouds of pink, green and turquoise as pyramids of colorful powder was smeared on faces. Splashing, singing and dancing, these Mumbaikers shed all inhibition and differences, if only for one day, as we whizzed by in pure fascination.

Here are the faces of Holi.

Annapurna Sanctuary Trail, Nepal | Photos

Round We Go — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:36:39 +0000

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Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

The Nepalis call the Annapurna Sanctuary trail the Heavenly Path. We set to find out for ourselves on a 10 day hike along the trail to the summit of Annapurna Base Camp.

Along the way we passed through quaint villages with stone walls, flower pots and children playing on the path asking for sweets, pens, and chocolates. We hiked through thick rhododendron forests, along mountain streams and through endless fields of rice terraces. After five days on the trails, we reached an elevation of nearly 15,000 feet at Annapurna Base Camp. Here we were rewarded with a panorama of soaring Himalayan peaks. Around us were colorful prayer flags flapping in the wind against the blue sky. While the majestic mountain scenery was breathtaking, a leopard jumping out on the path 20 feet in front of us will surely stand out as the highlight of the trek.

Check out photos above for scenes from our journey.

Best of China | Photos

Round We Go — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:40:48 +0000

Check out highlights of our photos from our three weeks in China. Photos include visits to Xi’an, Beijing and the Guangxi province in southwest China.

Click on the photo for more details on our around the world trip.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Scenes from Southern China | Video

Round We Go — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 05:48:21 +0000

In southern China, the towns of Guilin and Yangshuo are known for their beautiful karst topography. The karst peaks tower over the surrounding rice paddies and the Li River, creating one of the most majestic landscapes in all of Asia.

Many outdoor activities are offered including rock climbing pitches first ascended by the late American free climber Todd Skinner. We took advantage in every way: rock climbing, mountain biking and a more leisurely boat cruise down the Li River. We were glad to have our pals at FollowOurFootsteps along for the ride.

Music
Artist: Peter, Bjorn and John
Song: Young Folks

Faces of Tibet | Photos

Round We Go — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 11:00:58 +0000

What first struck us about the people of Tibet were their beautiful round faces and oustanding rosy cheeks from the high mountain air. They are colorful people, dressed in thick dresses that look like blankets and exotically-ornamented with jewelry and ornately-braided hair.

But what struck us most was their devotion. They don’t practice Buddhism, they live it. Many spend hours a day twirling prayer wheels and thumbing round, wooden prayer beads while circumventing a temple.

From monks to school children, from beggars to street vendors, these are the faces of Tibet.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Scenes from Tibet | Video

Round We Go — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 10:13:11 +0000

Few places on our around the world trip compare to the natural splendor of Tibet. Known as the “Roof of the world” and “The Third Pole” on earth, the average elevation in Tibet is more than 12,000 feet above sea level on a land mass four times the size of Texas.

The plateau is full of mountains, rivers and lakes which offer spectacular scenery. But that’s just half the draw. Because of the remoteness of the land, the people of Tibet have cultivated unique ethnic traditions, folklore and ways of life. Click below for a glimpse of of the dramatic Tibetan landscapes and one of Tibet’s most sacred traditions in action, Buddhists postrating in front of a temple.

Music
Song: Reckoner
Artist: Radiohead

Best of Tibet | Photos

Round We Go — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 06:47:02 +0000

Below is a collection of photos from our week in Tibet. The photos take you on our seven day journey down the Friendship Highway, stretching from the Nepal border to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Click on the photo for more details.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

India’s Got Talent | Video

Round We Go — Sun, 30 May 2010 11:17:00 +0000

Rajasthan, India is a land of music, color and dancing. On our visit here, we caught a glimpse of the spectacular dancing. The dances were performed by veiled dancers balancing fire on their heads and one dancer balancing nine heavy pots on her head while walking on glass.

Click on the video below to experience the hypnotizing beats and colors of Rajasthan.

Masala Chai | India

Round We Go — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:03:08 +0000

Street vendor straining a pot of Chai Masala

“Chai, Chai, Masala Chai!” If you’ve ever been to India, you’ve heard those famous words uttered a million times. And oh how we wish we could hear them a million more.

The single thing uniting all castes, ages and socio-economic classes is chai, India’s ubiquitous tea. Alsways fresh, chai is prepared by boiling milk and water with various spices. While the recipe may differ depending on where you are, you’re likely to find black tea mixed with a spicy blend of cardomom, ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and cloves.

The solid tea and spice residues are strained off from masala chai before serving. It should be a light brown color, almost beige, and is typically served in a small glass or paper cup.

Chai is served at any and all times of day. You’ll see street vendors walking around with tea kettles and plastic cups, making deliveries to shop clerks and patrons. You’ll see it on the trains and in every restaurant. It’s gourmet in a glass and you’ll never pay more than 20 cents. It’s the taste of India.