I'm back.

When blogs fall idle it means one of two things. One, the blogger's life is terribly boring and there is nothing to write about or two, there is so much going on that there is no time to write about it all. For me, it's the latter.

I went on my first R&R (rest and recuperation for you non-development folk) 2 weeks ago. It was amazing. I drove down to Kampala on a Friday, ate an awesome burger with some great people and got a few hours of sleep before I jumped on a turbo prop flight at 4am heading north to Addis (Ethiopia- for you non geographically inclined folk). Sat next to a Nigerian pastor who evangelized to me, but I was oddly distracted by his fierce body odor.

Got to Addis, then hopped down to Harare (Zimbabwe) which then connected to Lusaka (Zambia) my final destination. Met up with an old friend who drove me into town where I joined my hommie Greg and the gang from Trinity on their annual spring break missions trip (which I went on in 2006, which changed my life direction to africa and which I helped lead a few times in years past). The rest of the week was a blur of ice cream cones, pizzas, subway sandwiches, zamchick and hungry lion (fried chicken) and loud American 18 teen -20 somethings.

After a great Sunday at my old church, I got a bus to Livingstone and drove the 6 hours south entertained by an ipod and a special showing of ConAir, perhaps Nicholas Cage's best/worst showing. Not sure which but it somehow was mesmerizing, like a bad car crash or wound that you don't want to look at, but simply can turn your head away.

After settling in for a night at my favorite hostel, I went out on the town and chilaxed (that would be a combination of chilled and relaxed, for you non-street talking folk). The following morning I was out to Botswana for an awesome overnight safari. I spent 2 night surrounded by strange Europeans, elephants, giraffes and lions. We had a great guide who got us onto animals long before all the other rich people in their ridiculous safari costumes coming from their lodges with scenic views. We camped and ate dinner by campfire and headlamp light. Bliss. An elephant took a dump in the middle of our camp and hyenas tried to steal our ketchup. Needless to say, it was an amazing few days with great pictures.

Headed back to Livingstone where I finally bungee jumped. I waited six long years to do it. I wasn't allowed my first several times of visiting Livingstone, but this time I was free as a bird. No waivers or stupid insurance policies to keep me down. I am so glad I did it, though it was genuinely terrifying. I didn't scream like a little girl or soil my shorts, though I thought I might do both at the same time. Turns out I just jumped and said very calmly, "Oh my gosh" as I flailed my arms like a bird, thinking I could fly my way down from the 111m meter fall.

Then I did the gorge swing, which was stupid scary but equally awesome. They had an off-season special so it was irresistibly affordable. I have a whole lifetime to pay back student loans right?

After regaining my sanity and orientation I wrapped things up in Livingstone and headed back to Eureka, a great campers spot outside of town. No repeat showing of ConAir- shame. Eureka has zebras and giraffes and a swimming pool. I rejoined the Trinity team for their last night and last few activities, which included a great meal with their partner church's leadership. I feasted on all things delicious.

Another early morning seeing the team out at the airport, then a great lunch with a friend, then back to the airport to head to Addis/ Entebbe through Rwanda of course, meaning to get to one country on this trip, I went to 4.

So there you have it. R&R. So awesome. Next one in 7 weeks, maybe stay locally and camp in one of Uganda's national parks with some friend/ colleagues over Easter break.

Enjoy a few videos from my time hanging upside down or soaring through the air.





For pictures taken from the safari, click HERE.