happy easter!

Its been a while since my last post, for which i apologize. Happy Easter to all! Lots of discussion here about what exactly easter is about..i guess a bunch of volunteers, kayakers and raftguides aren't the most literate on our religious history. Either way.. lots of rain here. Pouring today, the rainy season is definitley in full swing. Not too too much going on here of late. We have a massive influx of new volunteers, as i mentioned last time, who have definitely been spicing it up a bit here. Ive finished the malaria coloring book, and now that Jessie is back - with Stephanie, a reporter from NPR who is here to do a story on Jessie and SPH - so stay tuned. apparently every volunteer gets interviewed. hmmm...

Ive also picked up some work the past couple of days working for Kayak the Nile as a kayak instructor. Ironic.. i was so intimidated to come out here to this river that i almost didnt bring my kayak, and now im teaching people out here. funny the way things work out. or maybe its a sign that i've been here almost too long.

speaking of which... the rumors are true. i've extended my ticket yet again.. i will be here through the end of april.. my new flight leaves the 28th, and i swear i will be on it. i decided, better to stay here, make some money, pick up some work, then come home to the cold water. i'm a wimp. i admit it. I am looking forwards to certain things about coming home for sure.. and seeing everyone. looks like ill be doing some major road tripping up the east coast on my way to maine, stopping along the way to see everyone.

I got to meet up with andre guy, my program director from SIT in kampala last week, and we had a great time traveling around the city, going to a discothecque in the middle of the day to get some sweet east african club music, eating several delicious meals, and catching up. He is working for a US AID program in sudan, managing a development project right in the middle of some of the most war torn areas. It sounds like he is really enjoying himself, and that the project is really interesting. i have to say im jealous of his fast internet connection.. he can actually download!

driving around town with guy.. boda boda rides in kampala are scary!

next morning early am boda ride to make it home...

i keep trying to upload pictures, but with the rain the internet has gotten worse, or at least more unpredictable. ive also been trying to learn how to use final cut, a video editing program.. but slowly slowly....

The river has been super high the past week, though to everyones disapointment, it was low again this morning. The high flows mean that Malalu, a wave about 10 k downstream of the special comes in (a very rare occurance... its been too low the past year) which meant a lot of excitment on the part of boaters. annie morgan and i got to head down there for a session one afternoon.. lots of fun, friendly wave, big wide... greens out a bit in the middle. definatley a good session, only wish we could have spent longer... hopefully the water will come back up and we can go again. annie tearing it up

morgan blunting

The kayak club has been going really well. A bunch of the boys have started working for NRE and Adrift as safety boaters, a couple more are qued up to take a first aid course, and the progress they have all made is incredible. They are even taking other local kids and teaching them how to roll. They are in the eddy everyday, rain or shine, working on flatwater drills, cartwheels, loops, bowstalls, hands rolls... i wish i had both their ability, their determination and their motivation. super impressed by all of them for sure. As are other boaters who are coming through... we've even gotten a couple of new donations of gear for the club to help keep it going.. which is sweet. If you know any paddlers planning to head this way, definitely spread the word to bring some old or spare gear to donate.. warm weather gear is preferable.

apparently in scotland, they roll eggs down hills on easter.. so we will see if we cant make that happen later today.

happy easter... lots of love, see you all soonish..

quick addendum: didn't get to roll eggs down the hill, but no worries. rainy day, but all good. even taught a little half day intro kayak school in the freezing cold. i am most certainly not ready for the cold when i come home...