Peace Corps Volunteer - Guinea '06 - '07 (evacuated) There are times in life when opportunities arise that cause one to veer off of a certain path. This page is an attempt to capture the essence of my life in Guinea and the travels that have now entered my experience.
Always in the deep woods when you leave familiar ground and step off alone into a new place there will be, along with the feelings of curiosity and excitement, a little nagging of dread. It is an ancient fear of the unknown and is your first bond with the wilderness you are going into. What you are doing is exploring. -- Wendell Berry
The TRIP: GUINEA - wonkifong --> MALI - bamako, djenne, douentza, Dogon Country --> Burkina Faso - ouagadougou, bobo-dioulasso, bala, ouagadougou --> GHANA - tamale, mole national park, tamale, yeji, volta lake ferry, akosombo, accra, green turtle lodge, elmina, cape coast, accra, hohoe and wli falls --> TOGO - kpalime, atakpame, lome --> BENIN - cotonu (transport stop) --> NIGER - niamey, tahoua, agadez, camel trek in aiir mtns, niamey --> BENIN (abomey, grand popo, ouidah, ganvie, cotonou) --> CAMEROON (douala, buea, top of Mt Cameroon, limbe, sangelima, yaounde, kribi, douala) --> MAURITANIA (nouakchott, atar, chinguetti, camels into the sahara, terjit, choume, ride the coal train, nouadhibou) --> MOROCCO (western sahara, dakhla, agadir, essaouira, marrakesh, imlil, summit of jebel toubkal, fes, chefchaouen) --> cross the Strait of Gibraltar --> Malaga, Spain --> fly to Geneva, Switzerland --> Les Grangettes, France
Click for a map. Updated April 30, 2007
My apartment is becoming more and more of a transition zone. A year ago at this time, I was in the final stages of Ironman training and now I have sold the bike that I spent so much time on. Though liberating, the act of getting rid of all possessions is definitely rushing my path towards July.
posted by Frank @ 9:32 PM
Today was a completely fascinating day at my school. As we tend to do from time to time, the schedule was tossed out of the window to give the students an experience that they are unlikely to get elsewhere. Today the topic was the birthing of children. The full gamut was run. From the history of birthing to nursing to anatomy to actual birthing, the students were exposed to multiple facets related to the beginning of human life.
posted by Frank @ 9:22 PM
Yeah, I know what you are thinking. You think that someone has to be crazy to drive to the beach with loads of 7th graders. What if I sweeten the pot and tell you that this little adventure lasted three nights and four days. In the rain. You've probably got a decent image in your mind but I assure you that it is likely incorrect. One of the great things my school does it get outside with students in ways that will teach them about their local ecosystems and allow them to bond with each others, teachers and other adults. It was a fabulous trip!
posted by Frank @ 12:36 PM
I received an email late lat week indicating that my teaching role will now primarily consist of mathematics. In general, this seems to be less daunting than science since the equipment needs are less. Who knows, maybe I will teach both (or a bit of everything as I am doing now).
posted by Frank @ 6:00 AM
It is great how people always rally when down to the last minute. For me, this has recently been played out by having more visitors within the past five months than in the seven years I have lived in Oregon. The most recent visitor was Brooks, who managed to fly out from NYC for three days of adventure. The 3-day weekend included a day of hiking in the Columbia River Gorge, snowboarding on Mt. Hood, a jump in the Pacific Ocean at Short Sands, a Pier Park round of disc golf and of course several Portland microbrews. As I think forward a couple of months, I realize how important it is to appreciate the great friendships formed over the past years. It is those connections with people that make life's struggles and challenges worth it. Thanks Brooks!
posted by Frank @ 5:56 AM
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