thriving in Africa

There is at least one thing that seems to be thriving in Africa (rural Africa in particular). I've never seen so many in all my life!

What's that?

I don't know the local name for them, but in America we call them Dung Beetles.

You may not be able to tell from the photo, but this one is rolling a "treasure" back first to some secret lair.

Dear Google Translate

Dear Google Translate,

I have heard about you before. From time to time I would visit out of curiosity. I have come to a point where I must admit - I cannot live without you.

I rely on you to help me with daily tasks. When I am stuck, you are always there to help (unless internet access is unavailable, but that's not your fault). When I am confused, you provide clarity. Your abilities amaze me - technical health language, government documents, or directions given to me in Portuguese are translated in seconds in to English. It's like magic to my struggling mind!

Your inventor and administrators deserve a humanitarian award, as it has made working and living in a foreign land less stressful and has increased my ability to communicate and collaborate where my language skills are lacking.

Your language abilities are wonderful! I hope to rely on you less as my language abilities improve.

Sincerely,
An Expat in Mozambique

How can I train a dog to do this?

The purpose of my recent visit to Massinga district was to participate in an impact study with John's Hopkins for one of our projects. When we would enter a village our first stop was the village leaders home to ask permission to survey the residents. At this particular village the leader wasn't home when we arrived. The staff started calling out for him. Then his dog started doing this.

One of the staff explained to me he is a very intelligent dog as he is calling his master. That must have been what he was doing because once the master came. The dog stopped. Walked up to the man, tail wagging, and heeled. Impressive! The wild turkeys also decided to join in.

Just another day in Africa...

coconut water

Back in the day when I used to travel to India a few times a year I was given coconuts to drink. In fact, we were given many coconuts in a day. I wasn't a fan of this gift then. Out of courtesy for their hospitality I would take a sip (or pretend to drink it) and then on my way out of the village I would hand it off to a woman or child to bless them since I knew they would enjoy it more than I.

My attitude about coconut water has changed. I don't know how. I don't know when. But sometime during our months in Cambodia I started to really enjoy this. It became a treat. If I received a fresh coconut in a village. I drank it up. Sometimes I'd even finish off someone elses because they felt the way I used to about coconut water.

On a recent visit to Massinga district in Mozambique I was noticing all the coconuts in palm trees. I said outloud to one of the staff that I like watching the guys climb the trees for coconuts - it is amazing. This was not stated as a request, but it was taken as one. I must watch what I say outloud. It wasn't long before he asked someone to climb a tree and get a coconut for me.

Chivalry is not dead. This kind gentleman was more than happy to climb a tree for me...and obviously also liked posing for pictures too.

His brother also climbed a nearby tree to get more coconuts. Watch him go! It truly is an amazing site.

Then a third brother helped hack them up with machettes. Look at the goat watching in the background.

My wish was granted.

Mmmm...good!

My knight in barefeet even made a spoon out of coconut rind and scraped out the meat so I could eat it.

Maybe you are asking yourself how they get up those trees?

I noticed on this recent trip that at least part of the way they have carved in foot and hand holds. The rest is all skill.

Are you a fan of coconut water? I know my friend Teresa is and she has a very memorable experience from India as a result! Let me just say that too much coconut water can act as a diarrhetic. Enough said.

chicken pita

Recently, Kenyon and I went out to dinner with some new friends. We went to a restaurant called Pirata or Pirate in English. The only thing that was Pirate about this place is the sign. On the inside it was all bar and grill. I wasn't feeling very hungry so I was looking at the lighter side of the menu. In Africa, they label there menu like that. My favorite titles are small snacks (small meals) and large snacks (entrees). I saw a chicken pita and thought that sounded good. When it came I could not believe my eyes. It was HUGE! I had to take a photo. Look at how it is falling off the edge of the plate..

This pita also ended up being Kenyon's lunch the next day. It was good, but now I'll know what to order when I am hungry.