Home Sweet Home

The journey home was long but does it ever feel SOOOOOOO.....good to be back home. The trip began at 7am when I left my sister's house. We were lucky to have acquired a ride with her pottery instructor, who happens to love Ali as her own daughter. Afterwards we headed straight down the AutoBaun at a speed of approximately 140km/hr. At such a speed we cruised into Frankfurt in great time, arriving shortly after 9am. Then went to the highly organized German Subway/Train system to retrieve a lost file folder that was found there the day I had arrived in Germany. Then off to the airport- to retrieve another lost bag that didnt make it to Africa, and then we went to check-in and I was off in the air.

Only 8 hours later did I arrive into Toronto, luckily for me the plane was late as it lessened my layover there from 5 to 3.5 hours. It took me awhile to get oriented to the new renovated Toronto airport; but I managed and found good ol' West Jet in due time. Then finally I was actually flying home to Edmonton! It felt so nice, but was I ever tired. I got into the Edmonton Airport at 10pm, which was 5am German time.

The next day I got a few phone calls and emails from friends to welcome me back home. I visited my old work at the Change for Children office, I went for coffee with my good friend Fiona and later for dinner with another good friend Janina. Later wouldnt you know it I left my lights on and the battery died. Luckily AMA came quick to the rescure and recoverd the car in no time at all. That was nice as I am super jetlegged and am having a hard time staying awake after 3pm, as that is when its time for bed in Europe/Africa.

This weekend one friend is hosting a welcome back party for me and another friend wrote a suggestion to make it a theme party: "ANTARTICA — the only continent Laura has never visited!" And of course the weather coincides — we'll all come wearing winter stuff, and it kind of looks like melting polar ice caps in Edmonton anyway... "
I thought that was too funny! It is cold here and there is still a lot of snow all over the place. The idea of being home is so great, home sweet home really nothing else compares...

2 Weeks in Europe

Since I left Mozambique I have been getting to know my sister’s humble home in Gottingen. It has been really nice; we have done all sorts of things.

For instance, we have made the most amazing vegetarian dishes: feijoada (a delicious Brazilian black bean dish), homemade sushi, different curries, pastas,pizza, and of course a daily dose of German cheese and chocolate! Honestly, I only helped cook a couple dishes, as Ali is the master chef around here and is awesome in the kitchen.

We have been biking everywhere. At first it was a little crazy and I was a bit culture shocked coming straight from Africa to biking through slush, mud and snow, but lately since spring arrived its been beautiful plus 18 degrees outside and its been really nice to bike around to see the city.

We have been going to the market to buy veggies and my favorite cheese in the world: fresh goat cheese with curry & onions!

We have been going to Ali’s pottery class- where I have learned how to make things out of clay and use my artistic talents. I even made a beautiful bowl and a ceramic fish.

For my b-day (the big 27!) we even went to Gottingen’s famous Sauna- which was absolutely divine. It has all sorts of mineral baths, hot tubs, foot baths, and salt baths along with 10 different saunas -all ranging between 75 degrees and 110 degrees, some with dry air such as in the Finish Sauna or some just like our steamrooms at the pool in Canada, or some just like Mozambican weather really hot and humid! On the hour they had special sauna therapies, with lavender oil, honey, salt, birch wood, etc… it was such a treat. You feel so good after the sauna, especially when you stay there, like me and Ali did, for 8hrs (incl. a great 40 min massage!)

Last week Vadim was here for a couple days. We had a lot to talk about and in the end we both realized how our paths at this time do not seem to match and we decided it would be best to dissolve our relationship. It was a tough decision for the two of us, but in the end we both think its best this way.

Due to this new situation, I have been eager to go home, and now(only a few short hours ago) I have been able to change my ticket, and am no longer- stuck in Europe- so I am going home! When I tried to change my ticket on the weekend I was told I couldn’t and so me and Ali were doing all sorts of internet searches looking for some cheap European holiday to Spain, Turkey or Portugal!

Really I have been living out of a suitcase for the past 4 months now and I haven’t been in Edmonton for longer than 3 weeks since November 2004, so I am really eager, now more than ever, to go home, relax and unpack in the comfort of home sweet home with my family and friends in Edmonton.

leaving Africa...

Hard to believe I am preparing to leave Africa one more time. I am now writing from the J'berg airport, where I will have my last delicious meal of calamari and catch my flight in a couple hours time.

After close to 4 months I have really developed a deep appreciation for the people, the history, the climate, and spirit of this magical place called Africa. My time in Mozambique was refreshing and really I had such a great time. My last day in Mozambique was spent with two of my Mozambican participants, who took me all around Maputo, so I could buy my last few African souvenirs and see a little more of their city. We had a lot of fun, having lunch at a Brazilian restaurant, eating delicious cakes at a five star hotel, walking through the central market and city botanical gardens... Muita Obrigada Celeste & Sansao- Foi muito bom!

At times I have been thinking that I might end up back here sometime soon. But really for the time being I am only thinking about arriving at Ali's place in Germany where I can finally put my bags down, and give my back a rest. For my birthday Ali has suggested we do a day at the Sauna, and really I couldnt think of anything else I would rather do than relax and unpack this an amazing experience in the heat of the sauna.

Mozambique is Great!

So I have made it to Mozambique and am loving every single minute of it! The food is great, full of rice, vegtables, and lots of fish and seafood. The weather is warm, humid and sunny all day long. The people are outgoing, friendly and helpful! The souvenirs are awesome and inexpensive. The beach is incredible.... I went swimming with whale sharks yesterday and have bathed every day in the warm indian ocean since I arrived last Wednesday! We are currently staying a beautiful simple resort on the Tofu Beach and its so beautiful! The bar, located on a cliff over looking the toquoise waters, is playing reggae music non-stop and is always serving up delicious local dishes...

Unfortunately I have to leave this place, that which I call paradise, tomorrow morning at 4:30am, so I can make my connecting bus to Maputo at 5:30am. The bus ride is a bit of a challenge, its an 8hr bumpy journey along the coast of Mozambique, along a road which at times doesnt even resemble a road, more like a path through the mud.

After Maputo its off to J'berg where I fly to Europe on Tuesday! I will go to see Ali and after Vadim will join me there for my 27th's bday!

Mission Accomplished!

Yesterday was an end and a new beginning, as it was the last day of the program. We took at 12hr train ride from Swakopmund to Windhoek, barely got into Windhoek on time for our flight ( as the train was 2 hr behind schedule) Then from there we flied to South Africa. At 6pm the participants went through customs and checked in, as they were to take the plane on their own and at that very same moment I become a new free woman! Yippee! Suddently relieved of all my responsibilities as the dedicated, over-worked project supervisor I am!

Now I am enjoying myself at a nice hostel in Jo'berg. Today we(Michelle and I) tried to get Mozambican visas, however, by the time we managed to locate the consulate( after getting a full city tour of the place) it was too late! So we decided to buy our bus tickets anyways and we are now destined to arrive in Mozambique tomorrow afternoon. From that point we will meet up with another fellow project supervisor- ALison- and head to Praia do Tofu(Beach Tofu) for some fun, relaxation and sad to say, a little work- as we all have some final report writing to get done...

Looking forward to the great beaches, fresh seafood and +40 degrees weather! Mozambique here I come>>>>>