"You are on the Right Path"

This blog post is just a little shout out to my stone travel buddy Isaac the Inukshuk! A symbol from the Canadian Inuit culture of  “you are on the right path”. Very fitting for this nomadic nurse!

If you have seen any of my past travel photos or blogs, you will recognize Isaac the Inukshuk! He has traveled the world with me, being my main subject in many photos. He has seen the peak of Kilimanjaro, sat in the hands of children in a tiny Tanzanian village, gotten sandy on the beach’s of Australia, enjoyed the food markets in Singapore, done the typical sightseeing circuit of London, and driven down the west coast. He may way 2 pounds, (thank you Sam for choosing a heavy but rugged traveling buddy), but a trip is not complete without Isaac getting his turn in the spot light. For many more years of traveling together….

 Cheers to Isaac!

Isaac and Harvey meet up again when Kaylin came to visit!
At the airport once again... 

We came to Lalibella for the 800 Year old Stone church's
But fell in love with the  rolling green hills!

Two Canadian Inukshuks at the Addis Ababa "Oh Canada" bar!

Canada Day, turned New Years in Hawassa

Giant Storks!

Weekends stollen away for a quick visit to the country sided give us a chance to see a different culture here in Ethiopia. Canada Day was a perfect excuse to cash in on a day off and Fly south to Hawassa. A region rich in culture, hippos, monkeys and a famous fish market! The town sits on the side of a Lake (not one you should swim in but filled with fish and Hippos to see!). Take a look through a few photos to see a glimpse of our Canada day Weekend away!

Landed on the Tarmac of the newly opened Hawassa regional airport! 

Isaac the Inukshuk made the trip to the Halli Resort
Our room had a lake view! 

A moment captured during the Celebrations! Something that was so much fun

and not planned. Being caught up in the moment and seeing what the country has

to offer is important when traveling. Having a strict intinary can

lead to missing out on authentic moments and memories that you share

with only a few people! 

Coming into the town of Hawassa, we found the region was celebrating New Years!
Welcome to the year 2009! Men with giant sticks and spears, children and adults
sporting traditional clothing, celebrating their heritage and a new year!
In general Ethiopia celebrates New Years in September, however the southern region
celebrates in July! 

A birds eye view from the forth floor of a business building allowed us to take in the
celebration and see the square from above! 

All the beautiful green spaces in Ethiopia seem to be behind gates and walls!
Only to be enjoyed by a select few. Better to keep them hidden then share
and have them spoiled?!?!
I am not a fan of this!

Mel snapped this photo. A boy was tossing chunks of Fish to the Storks. It looked fun
I didn't want to be left out! So i grabbed a few chunks and gave it a try! 

Men fishing in the background, Storks searching for left over fish.
Clear mornings are a gift in the middle of Rainy Season. 

Exploring the local Park, amongst the trees and like views were families of Monkeys
and of course more Storks! 

Our local driver, turned tour guide for the morning, feeding the monkeys. 

Our "Captain" for the boat ride to see the Hippos!

At home walks on the Dykes would rarely include a motorcycle
driving past. TIA!

Roommate, co-worker, travel buddy, and blessing to have one another on this
adventure in Ethiopia. Sunday Morning walks are better together. 

A tiny fish marked on the edge of the lake, people bathing to the left, a Stork
stocking the nets for left over fish, and a couple of hippos in the lake grass.
Most days sitting and watching life go by can be more enjoyable then
 jumping into a white land cruiser for a "cultural tour".

Weekend trips always need to come to an end. 

Sad to say goodbye to our long weekend away.
Hand written boarding passes add a true
african feel to our weekend away

Being my sisters shadow.....

Mid June meant a short visit to see Kaylin and her world in Masaka was due! In only 5 short days I got a glimpse into her part of Africa that she has come to love. Meeting the people who have inspired her, and the girls she is living and experiencing African Firsts together with, and a chance to go to her practicum sit and play with the kids. I was her shadow for 5 days. As an older sister I am much more use to Kaylin being my shadow, but these 5 short days were a chance to see her as a young woman on an adventure, learning and living in Africa.

Enjoy the photos that follow, I will let them tell our story this time.

View from the Car window driving from Entebbe Airport
to Masaka. First thing i noticed was the Red Dirt

Thursday afternoon we rode around on Boda's (motorcycles)
and visited Boys who the girls had sponsored through a
local Orphanage to attend school. 

Our Boda Drivers

At each school we visited, the boys were so happy to see the girls
and show them there school work. The boys call all the girl
Aunty, out of respect and love for the opportunity to be supported.

Our last stop was at the Boys Orphanage to meet the Boy Kaylin has
sponsored to go to school to become a Mechanic. 

Meet Uganda (that is his nickname). One day he is going to open
up his own car garage! 

The baby home is where Kaylin has been spending her last five weeks
of her practicum. Caring for the babies and playing with the older kids. 

Isaac and Harvey met for the first time, our travel buddies!

Isaac remembers the red dust from Tanzania, A lot of Uganda reminds us of
our time in Tanzania. Funny that only now am I releasing that
Ethiopia is more Northern African then Eastern. 

Easy to find ones way around Masaka, it does help that
its in a circle! 

The Juices in Uganda were worth another visit for. Fresh fruit
and beautiful scenery made for easy meals. 

Enjoyed the time at the Banda's Where Kaylin
and her classmates have called home for their 10 weeks.

African Rain, Flip Flops and matching pants
Sad good byes at the Airport. 

If you look at half of one photo, and the other half of the other photo it equals a good Full photo!

Happy Canada Day From Africa!

Missing our True North Strong and Free home today! 

But wherever in the world we find ourselves on Canada Day, we will always celebrate our home and native land from far and wide. 

"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt" ~ John Muir

For now my paths will be muddy roads and dusty village roads.