tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82788029970540232532024-02-08T08:47:30.803+03:00Peace Corps and BeyondOur Peace Corps Adventure on the South Pacific island nation of Samoa from 2007-2009 is over.The impact on our life is great. Please join us as the "Adventure" continues. Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.comBlogger832125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-7371024265699804582013-08-19T06:12:00.003+03:002013-08-19T06:15:44.539+03:00Off to Liberia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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If you have interest in what it might be like to be a Professor of Biology at the University of Liberia, please follow me at my new blog as I try to put into action my years of academic life. My departure date is for later in August.<br />
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My new new blog is; <a href="http://www.nickinliberia.blogspot.com/">www.nickinliberia.blogspot.com </a></div>
Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-49278724563033155312012-11-21T18:00:00.002+03:002012-11-21T18:00:48.043+03:00Don't Ask, Don't Tell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
November15, 2012<br />
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Being in Burundi and Rwanda has an eeiry quality to it. On the surface everything seems normal, until you think of ethnic killing that went on here. People use the word "genocide" to describe a time, like before or after the genocide. But that's it.<br />
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While driving with some people in Burundi I asked about the ethnic make up of the country. The largest group is Hutu (85%), much smaller is Tutsi (14%), and about 1 % Pigmy. I then asked what group they were and was politely told you just don't ask that question.</div>
Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-68329449117476105682012-11-10T17:59:00.003+03:002012-11-10T18:00:10.127+03:00Man Carrying Rock<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
November 10, 2012<br />
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The town of Lainya, South Sudan is notable for not much except death and destruction during Sudan's 20 year civil war. Now there is something very notable in Lainya, a statue of a man with a rock above his head.<br />
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This statue first came to my attention by another volunteer with a press pass in the area when his car did not go properly around the town's roundabout which not only has the statue in it, and is off to the side of the main road, but also located in front of the police station. He was put in jail for a couple of hours for disobeying the roundabout and paying off the police. <br />
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When the same reporter passed Lainya again on his return, he stepped out of the car to take a picture of the statue, only to be jailed again at the nearby police station and pressured to pay a fine.<br />
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I knowing of this story and wanting to get a photo of the statue went to the police station and humbly asked permission, only to be taken to the mayor who wanted to know who I was, and where I came from. He also said "How much are you going to pay?". I said, "nothing" and that I wanted to make Lainya famous.<br />
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I must say I didn't stay long enough to read all the information on the plaque. During British Colonial times this man carried this exact stone several miles in defiance and is today remembered for his heroism and sheer ability to carry such a heavy rock so far. Please don't quote me on the statues history. There were a lot of police with automatic weapons, so I tought I should tarry.<br />
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-84523393471107678702012-11-10T16:34:00.001+03:002012-11-10T16:34:49.761+03:00Bumps Ahead<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
November 19, 2012<br />
South Sudan is a new country, formed after a bitter civil warAfter a bitter civil war, the country of South Sudan was established in July, 2011. As a result, numerous agencies have been pouring into the country to assist in its recovery, many times in uncoordianted efforts.<br />
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The sign below is typical of the ironies encountered. It is meant to warn people of newly created speed bumps to prevent speeding through a village or school area. <br />
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Speed bumps are probably the smoothest part of the road.</div>
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Don't worry about speeding because this is what the road is really like.</div>
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These are real speed bumps. </div>
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Gridlock</div>
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My 100 mile trip took six hours and I was lucky because we actually made it through. </div>
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Others were not so lucky.</div>
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Note truck propped up with poles. The other not so lucky.</div>
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Break time. </div>
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My savior and driver, Steven.</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-18126174570235042492012-11-10T15:29:00.000+03:002012-11-10T15:29:28.166+03:00Jiminy Crickets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
November 8, 2012<br />
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The Twin Hotel in Yei (pronounced Yea!), South Sudan</div>
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during cricket season.</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-63845013107529300542012-11-04T19:45:00.001+03:002012-11-04T19:51:16.816+03:00Two Wives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
November 4, 2012<br />
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A major article appeared in Sunday's Nairobi newspaper about a Kenyan model who is the second wife of an unnamed member of Parliament. The model said how happy she was to be a second wife. The man was to be revealed after the March Kenyan elections. Other women were also quoted in the article. The article went on to say one reason women become second wives, many secretly, is the lack of stable eligible men. About 10-15% of Kenyan women were at least a second wife, despite a law which forbids polygamy.<br />
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One of the drivers for the organization I am with openly had two wives who live together in the same home, dividing up raising his thirteen children. He was a member of the Luhya tribe.<br />
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I asked a married woman who works where I was staying whether she was married and what she thought of men having more than one wife. She vehemently said she was against multiple wives. She was a member of the Kukuyu tribe.<br />
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I was confused, so I asked my taxi driver this morning to explain. He was a Kukuyu, and said faithful to his wife despite advances from other women. <br />
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As best as I could understand, this was how he explained this to me:<br />
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A woman became a second wife when she had a man's child or children. If she was a member of the Luhya tribe, having multiple wives was open and well accepted. If she was a member of the Kukuyu tribe, men tended to keep the second wife secret, since Kukuyu first wives were a jealous lot and known to stab their sleeping husbands.<br />
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Now problems arise over property, divorces, and splits when women suddenly appear from nowhere claiming support usually with children in tow having the man's characteristics . The courts have some method of handling this if the man decides to fess up rather than pay the customary blackmail money. The taxi driver indicated the woman always wins.<br />
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I asked about women who have multiple husbands. We just then arrived at the airport and the question went unanswered.<br />
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-53013792239199421492012-11-03T17:04:00.000+03:002012-11-03T17:04:01.497+03:00Women of Shikokho<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 31, 2012<br />
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On big thing that is happening in rural subsistence living Africa is the need for money among people who never before needed to generate money. Although they have desire and skills to earn an income, they lack the vision as to how to market what they already have.<br />
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It is a heart warming thing to watch what happens when they are presented and given a boost on new ways to earn some money.<br />
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Women of Shikokho Village, Kenya</div>
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Women sing their song</div>
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With Women's Group Leader, Jennifer, at her Clinic</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Summary of My Visit:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In discussions with fifteen members of Women’s Finance Initiative
group in<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>the Shikokho, Kenya including
group leader, Jennifer, ideas were discussed to find if there were new ways to
generate income. Upon assessing their current program, it was determined the
women may be able to earn considerably more income by producing handmade
baskets in their homes, imprinted with pictures of two unique Kagamega
features, bull fighting and a rock formation, called “The Crying Stone”. These
products would be sold at local markets and at the bull fights. No such items
were currently available. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In addition to selling baskets with imprints of bull fights,
and Crying Stone, the local upscale resort of “Rondo Retreat” expressed great
interest in buying and selling local handmade items produced by the Women’s
Initiative group at their gift shop and as picnic baskets for their guests.
They have given permission to use their logo to imprint on the baskets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stencils for bull fights, Crying Stone, and Rondo Retreat
are being designed and manufactured by a Kagamega design studio. Three women
from the Women’s Initiative will receive training, 6 November, 2012 on how to
imprint the designs on the baskets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conclusions:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rural women lack the experience and knowledge on how to market
their current talents and skills in unique ways to produce goods and services
with higher profit margins. By providing a new paradigm in ways they think
about their skills and resources, the women have the organization and desire to
elevate their efforts beyond what they thought possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-72780656519304081452012-11-02T13:26:00.002+03:002012-11-02T13:26:59.357+03:00Kenya Countryside<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 31, 2012<br />
<br />
In driving through Kenya, the variety of scenery amazes me. From tropical rain forest to dry savannas, from mountains to plains. Not only is the scenery varied but the tribes which inhabit them are as diverse and contentious as the topography.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFD_mIqhVrSzSLNuHQF27raE_xDOI0UmQOROWZoXuJUPj5YuObu6H0HWwr_R8BNQRFMfsSk7DbNzTs4ebZ4ZpefHyY0I-AVbmXre8aVaZc8S0ag1Iy70rRWbc3-g1hNK22MbF2GUa2fg/s1600/IMG_1093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFD_mIqhVrSzSLNuHQF27raE_xDOI0UmQOROWZoXuJUPj5YuObu6H0HWwr_R8BNQRFMfsSk7DbNzTs4ebZ4ZpefHyY0I-AVbmXre8aVaZc8S0ag1Iy70rRWbc3-g1hNK22MbF2GUa2fg/s320/IMG_1093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tropical rain forest</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtph5xvdKq_BCykhRyg3gwvwlZtn-ljwUrVrkD0eMwmksy2f2lWZmypT4osNePA8vfCbab3nbp8FMdhRpuQNWcDlMfvanoEytUjXHW_fuCQ3cyOhBhHeUVcxYJRlPlJQB2aa3Y0CfvF3I/s1600/IMG_1070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtph5xvdKq_BCykhRyg3gwvwlZtn-ljwUrVrkD0eMwmksy2f2lWZmypT4osNePA8vfCbab3nbp8FMdhRpuQNWcDlMfvanoEytUjXHW_fuCQ3cyOhBhHeUVcxYJRlPlJQB2aa3Y0CfvF3I/s320/IMG_1070.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Climbing the escarpment from Rift Valley</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekgsyoP1K3-JZmF02zcvby1PJf9WU8cs0E_9sTuv4rqUQVKoAD0nkFaW0S2u929zJNAYK2TzeE_K9M3u-NgvyKPt2lK5R6hJHt67EHc0qri17lu-cIvstcKDmS-ldV9kD6XEA9UD6aCw/s1600/IMG_1071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekgsyoP1K3-JZmF02zcvby1PJf9WU8cs0E_9sTuv4rqUQVKoAD0nkFaW0S2u929zJNAYK2TzeE_K9M3u-NgvyKPt2lK5R6hJHt67EHc0qri17lu-cIvstcKDmS-ldV9kD6XEA9UD6aCw/s320/IMG_1071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rift Valley view</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ODrRnADMYaGXGoTedcILt4xXVoYHgEWsgnwvbzZSyVDGPKAd0UnY47NoU_9Hj24kCdDwDCnItNBJdVy2g6xMQeWpqFNRJqsBPj-xedufbxFmFhHSt5vpmvXg4ViLc7Y-VdyBT1OVPoU/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ODrRnADMYaGXGoTedcILt4xXVoYHgEWsgnwvbzZSyVDGPKAd0UnY47NoU_9Hj24kCdDwDCnItNBJdVy2g6xMQeWpqFNRJqsBPj-xedufbxFmFhHSt5vpmvXg4ViLc7Y-VdyBT1OVPoU/s320/IMG_1068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rift Valley with volcanos</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtb6f4auAXf5-heK_NFr8IA7T8QKX10ydUIy5nBUuxlj0Ebq3kIwSeBB_MYd29rlOFfooOI0j1L3K-ZQrdyAPxue1d9x5YKaOAqQ0RQeGXZaC4Jw9Zil5J5puStBBGVQzAxbqJj6FRFLc/s1600/IMG_1079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtb6f4auAXf5-heK_NFr8IA7T8QKX10ydUIy5nBUuxlj0Ebq3kIwSeBB_MYd29rlOFfooOI0j1L3K-ZQrdyAPxue1d9x5YKaOAqQ0RQeGXZaC4Jw9Zil5J5puStBBGVQzAxbqJj6FRFLc/s320/IMG_1079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Maasi and their cattle, floor of Rift Valley</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hLiH8t2mQNP_hjmMu1wLlxLcHBM8pkln12evGroxdhDQQX9YXKHNLc5u8z0G29uTnLW5IrP0oobLQCRp9LDBunvCN5z4kAenmiqH6-shkWFNGup2_5AqDoLKjqXyRdjM_E_PhFxhuZM/s1600/IMG_1082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hLiH8t2mQNP_hjmMu1wLlxLcHBM8pkln12evGroxdhDQQX9YXKHNLc5u8z0G29uTnLW5IrP0oobLQCRp9LDBunvCN5z4kAenmiqH6-shkWFNGup2_5AqDoLKjqXyRdjM_E_PhFxhuZM/s320/IMG_1082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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World's largest caldera</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6Avjc18MYTu8ZtAU2BLybSN8D21w5lANxiWvtZV_3mJCrLKZ1r9Mye2k2MW0-JnLPaikExIpGmq1irJEzSZFx0mOv4-rkLUL0lrT5xJF07cEam1-KHab1Iwi2wCYd_w2mPZb5U9n7ok/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6Avjc18MYTu8ZtAU2BLybSN8D21w5lANxiWvtZV_3mJCrLKZ1r9Mye2k2MW0-JnLPaikExIpGmq1irJEzSZFx0mOv4-rkLUL0lrT5xJF07cEam1-KHab1Iwi2wCYd_w2mPZb5U9n7ok/s320/IMG_1113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Landscape like American West</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF8_duWYd70Q4DWonQEGn8ycbM_wC7m7W5KM0er_4GbMnF7u20TDQcwmYUTOdHR3o9OfHBuM_807kTIfF7FAjAfe6otMAWop-ySdKKF-73_OzQLkEtqA7Ykcbq8VJl3554FeKfZOCK8s/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixF8_duWYd70Q4DWonQEGn8ycbM_wC7m7W5KM0er_4GbMnF7u20TDQcwmYUTOdHR3o9OfHBuM_807kTIfF7FAjAfe6otMAWop-ySdKKF-73_OzQLkEtqA7Ykcbq8VJl3554FeKfZOCK8s/s320/IMG_1110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Buying chickens for dinner at roadside stop</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-5733127672959114712012-10-30T06:33:00.001+03:002012-10-30T06:33:30.642+03:00Ex-Patriots<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 29,2012<br />
<br />
Here in Kenya there is a huge ex-patriot population. Most are from England, Ireland, and the United States. The question of why people chose to leave their culture, country, and family to live in a foriegn land has always interested me. Most immigrants leave for economic reasons or for safety. They often have dreams of someday returning to the familiar<br />
<br />
Ex-patriots I find leave for different reasons, freedom being a main one. It is not a freedom to leave behind their previous comforts, lifestyle, or mores, for these seem to be little changed. It is not the desire to someday return to their native land, although they periodly return to visit left behind family. The freedom is of being released from the pressure of their native cultural norms. <br />
<br />
It is like being a bird, but without the pressures to fly. It is the challenge to live your life on the ground with the full knowledge you have the ability to be in the air, but never do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3Ubc3JnoxCfzN9I8yDfbsjZFivgO0EIoh5aUsQw7zm_AONiLKTrLRFJMbWAQOgoyJseNGAORNBxep4qzY1C2JPYuptAXJQXHYdJzq5cOFIId5qjRyQfEGSAj4xKiUP-_76FQzikIMyg/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3Ubc3JnoxCfzN9I8yDfbsjZFivgO0EIoh5aUsQw7zm_AONiLKTrLRFJMbWAQOgoyJseNGAORNBxep4qzY1C2JPYuptAXJQXHYdJzq5cOFIId5qjRyQfEGSAj4xKiUP-_76FQzikIMyg/s320/IMG_1061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ex-Patriots from South Africa, Edina, MN, and Ireland </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on a tea plantation walk</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-55211510590759771882012-10-26T11:42:00.000+03:002012-10-26T11:42:33.121+03:00Today is "Furahi Day"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 26, 2012<br />
<br />
<em>Furahi Day</em> in Swahili means "Happy Day".<br />
The day begins when you wake up and this state of mind continues throughout the workday.<br />
In my office, there are cakes, treats, and friendship to help you make it till quiting time.<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-43967332752065901582012-10-25T14:42:00.002+03:002012-10-25T14:42:55.441+03:00Working with Africans<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 25, 2012<br />
<br />
I am beginning to appreciate working with East Africans. The ones I have met are open in their discussions and feelings. There seems to be a mutual respect in the exchange of ideas. Most of the ones I meet daily are educated, but even the uneducated seem to have these qualities.<br />
<br />
If there is a mistrust, it is with their own government and politicians. If there is a trust, it is in their religion. If there is bigotry, it is with other ethnic African groups. There is a curiosity about the outside world, but I haven't detected an envy. They are generally quiet and reserved.<br />
<br />
My travels to other countries in the region haven't started yet and my opinions could change.<br />
So far, so good.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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</div>
Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-69151800067485146802012-10-23T10:58:00.001+03:002012-10-23T11:00:46.738+03:00Kenyan Grand Auto Theft<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 23, 2012<br />
<br />
A woman in our office has had four side view mirrors ripped off her Toyota Rav 4 in three incidents while driving on the streets of Nairobi. <br />
This is what she and others are doing to protect their property.<br />
Note: all glass and plastic rain guards are etched and coded.<br />
<br />
Photos listed of parts in order of marketabilty on street with prices (USD).<br />
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Toyota front grill emblem: $24</div>
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Note: screws</div>
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Model Hardware: $24</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7bupXmNyfYRoHW-47r_V6uoGqqOvh5qv8a20HgJh9qIC5ehDIT6KjeQyKCx2GOBexD2avZW2aaB0mYqh0xTmOXPVe8nuQbLr19m7tQZJd0TxGgT6QZAttlUvsDIGxJIo1_9FTLGwKlE/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7bupXmNyfYRoHW-47r_V6uoGqqOvh5qv8a20HgJh9qIC5ehDIT6KjeQyKCx2GOBexD2avZW2aaB0mYqh0xTmOXPVe8nuQbLr19m7tQZJd0TxGgT6QZAttlUvsDIGxJIo1_9FTLGwKlE/s320/IMG_1049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Side mirror complete: $80-$120</div>
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Note: chain between mirror and door frame</div>
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Mirror motor only: $32</div>
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Mirror glass (unetched):$16-$24</div>
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Note: guard to protect mirror glass</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd_iiJAlWirPCw-j4Sd9VXYuSsfrzSA0BZ0ltv3Fo3Lp7yVmPgFVjxlItfVoPGL1-uaR8KEvZb5A12BTNPxTj-FLaBY7eRq_GPMuS2fm-niS4ZY7ZCnoGA-eTQ3qBAwYl4I-CRAN86kw/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd_iiJAlWirPCw-j4Sd9VXYuSsfrzSA0BZ0ltv3Fo3Lp7yVmPgFVjxlItfVoPGL1-uaR8KEvZb5A12BTNPxTj-FLaBY7eRq_GPMuS2fm-niS4ZY7ZCnoGA-eTQ3qBAwYl4I-CRAN86kw/s320/IMG_1056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fender Blind Spot Mirror: $16</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzblOx348x-GDqiIuAPizQwSHLNUFrO-KZfi-HvcMhmnOzPryRgzECnPT2nELwOxPfgBQfXQok1azGVjqxR9SwmzK3fRBrJ71kEzdZTJ5-IhUaPkk1908_bDLyK1AoCcvKHJWfR98nPno/s1600/IMG_1052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzblOx348x-GDqiIuAPizQwSHLNUFrO-KZfi-HvcMhmnOzPryRgzECnPT2nELwOxPfgBQfXQok1azGVjqxR9SwmzK3fRBrJ71kEzdZTJ5-IhUaPkk1908_bDLyK1AoCcvKHJWfR98nPno/s320/IMG_1052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Antenna: $16</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUyfIU8YkIlwq_isRO3-Oq-c-bB3Yl7VBux4MpaJf5CmX24z8cMoJ8aqqiEKvlt7YkIcl1PMTUg3gDNcuV9XH7n8Bgdv88ekfbe_VSplDanuyRsUD61iZNtaSRVE7xaKVN4lwLwkHiYE/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUyfIU8YkIlwq_isRO3-Oq-c-bB3Yl7VBux4MpaJf5CmX24z8cMoJ8aqqiEKvlt7YkIcl1PMTUg3gDNcuV9XH7n8Bgdv88ekfbe_VSplDanuyRsUD61iZNtaSRVE7xaKVN4lwLwkHiYE/s320/IMG_1057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Side Running Light: $8</div>
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Rain Guards: $4 each</div>
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Mercedes Hood Emblem: $0</div>
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Toyota is the car here.</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-84950773260826156002012-10-20T15:04:00.000+03:002012-10-20T15:04:52.370+03:00The Jones House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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October 20, 2012</div>
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Since being here I have lived in at two different places and slept in five different beds, due to either volunteers before me claiming seniority when returning from trips or only three available beds for four people.</div>
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My latest house belongs to the supervisor of my program who is gone this next week with his wife on vacation to Cape Town, South Africa. He has kindly let me stay in his house.</div>
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This is where I now live on Thigiri Ridge Road, Nairobi.</div>
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Sure beats regular Peace Corps accommodations.</div>
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Entrance to house, complete with occupied guard house.</div>
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Driveway looking back to entrance gate.</div>
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Front</div>
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Front lawn</div>
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Front porch </div>
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Kitchen</div>
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Living room</div>
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Rear</div>
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Servant's quarter</div>
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"Rhodah"</div>
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Live-in housekeeper who cooks and does laundry</div>
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"Pela", the guard dog </div>
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"Cat", the cat</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-77297750938038742282012-10-20T11:29:00.003+03:002012-10-21T10:50:57.440+03:00Uganda<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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October 17-19, 2012</div>
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My firist trip outside of Nairobi is to the northeastern area of Uganda, a journey of about 320 miles. You have to imagine what the roads are like, that is if you want to call them roads. It takes 1 1/2 days to travel the distance. The roads we travelled are used by large trucks hauling goods and petroleum to landlocked Uganda and the new country of South Sudan. </div>
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<strong>Kenyan Sights</strong></div>
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Most people associate Kenya with big game and indeed they exist, but they are mostly confined to game reserves. The rest of Kenya is made up of small, poverty-ridden, subsistence farms, intensely cultivated, interspersed with larger commercial farms. If any game existed, it has long been eaten. Most of western Kenya is at a high elevation, so the climate is very mild, even cool.</div>
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Just outside of Nairobi is the 1,200 mile Rift Valley, truly spectacular with escarpments and volcanoes. For our trip we descend into and across the valley to the highlands of Western Kenya.The landscape continues to amaze me as we are on the equator.</div>
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Looking across a section of the Rift Valley with an extinct volcano to the left,</div>
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behind which is the famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve</div>
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Upland scene with a Flame Tree on right</div>
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Forested area</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TBjLXt3pQswRDpne-eA7eHXdVqoVANvxBKDGwnqxHWokzcDbt-uu0j_aFfYo7MLBbGqB4t5UJCee7pccG6r2PxE4y0UhtOHEGR4K3X_Aa1Lg4HHmbg1ssuN_grCg-QtGvjpPPVEM2IA/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TBjLXt3pQswRDpne-eA7eHXdVqoVANvxBKDGwnqxHWokzcDbt-uu0j_aFfYo7MLBbGqB4t5UJCee7pccG6r2PxE4y0UhtOHEGR4K3X_Aa1Lg4HHmbg1ssuN_grCg-QtGvjpPPVEM2IA/s320/IMG_1008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tea Plantation, a major Kenyan export</div>
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Police, police in-training, and future young police cadets parade.</div>
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Kagamega, Kenya</div>
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Street scene in Kagamega.</div>
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Bicycles are the main form of transportation, often carrying very heavy loads and pushed along the side of major highways.</div>
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Low powered motorbikes, called Boda Boda, are the main taxi's with some carrying two passengers. They are everywhere.</div>
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Convoy of United Nations trucks heading for South Sudan.</div>
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Sign at a restaurant.</div>
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Owner says he goes through 12 rolls of toilet paper a day.</div>
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You really don't want to see the toilet.</div>
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<strong>Buyobo, Uganda</strong></div>
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Crossing into Uganda at Busia, Kenya is a wild and frightening experience. There is lots of red tape, idling trucks lined up, money changers, push carts, uniformed people with AK-47s, everything you expect at a frontier border. In a way it is like crossing from the U.S. into Tijuana, Mexico, going from a rich place to a poor one with people always on the hustle. The only difference is Kenya is poor and Uganda even more so. To add to the backdrop is the memory of Idi Amin. Our car has red license plates, indicating we are either U.N. or someone important which makes the crossing that much easier. Photographs are those who like their cameras confiscated.</div>
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Sometimes "Failures to Communicate" happen, directions are scant, and cell phone reception poor. Such is the case when we are in Nambale, Kenya calling a person who says she will meet us at the famous "Chat and Chino" restaurant. Two problems exist: one is no one has ever heard of this restaurant and second no one has ever heard of Buyobo, Uganda, including Google, our destination. I luckily guessed Buyobo is near a town called, Mbale, Uganda which is in the opposite direction of our travels and not in Kenya.</div>
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Eureka! Upon arriving in Mbale, Uganda we locate "Chat and Chino", only to see it is a coffee shop unknown to all residents of Mbale, except a few Westerners. There are American lady sits, patiently waiting our arrival who after living there for nine months is not exactly sure how to get from Mbale to where she lives in Buyobo. We are to learn about the nine year program conducted by the U.S. based Women Microfinace Organization.</div>
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The famous "Chit and Chino" Coffee Shop, shared with Gatsby Microfinace, Ltd. </div>
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Mbale, Uganda</div>
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<strong>Buyobo, Uganda Scenes</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu6yx3waND5FQlNThhNzqRA9x830egG1ahC8-Q41-xsP2IcAu9b1GFxR4pGLgEc9SzIuEyE5bRh0vc4MYb3QoPn1WzAldaI5WY60Nr1d8xEvO8oJH-zHvAjtXtsZ2S15Kb0TpBqG9kKc/s1600/Buyobo+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu6yx3waND5FQlNThhNzqRA9x830egG1ahC8-Q41-xsP2IcAu9b1GFxR4pGLgEc9SzIuEyE5bRh0vc4MYb3QoPn1WzAldaI5WY60Nr1d8xEvO8oJH-zHvAjtXtsZ2S15Kb0TpBqG9kKc/s320/Buyobo+%25284%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Main Street, Buyobo<br />
Toyota Land Cruiser is ours. Cattle theirs.</div>
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An upscale Buyobo house</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-RnQ1e7AIYqc4bzSqQk6La5yv6HWrRzGg1FhHPlmFf-RnMhG3unnIaUg7eGo32j-N-xnWAzdkkTfJ9Xl9cBCO1lxeWad7IxUtMz5THb2VdpwISIXHIr9BkpXbRV9r-qNvx_Lg83-N4k/s1600/Buyobo+Mt+Elgon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-RnQ1e7AIYqc4bzSqQk6La5yv6HWrRzGg1FhHPlmFf-RnMhG3unnIaUg7eGo32j-N-xnWAzdkkTfJ9Xl9cBCO1lxeWad7IxUtMz5THb2VdpwISIXHIr9BkpXbRV9r-qNvx_Lg83-N4k/s320/Buyobo+Mt+Elgon.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mt. Elgon</div>
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A 14,000 ft+ volcano which dominates the landscape between Kenya and Uganda.</div>
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Buyobo is along side it.</div>
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Cheki, our driver, with Buyobo children</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcHUAnkR9x9BBUcPe385BvqprIABu2dmhC-yzubECDWowT9348DOJTeQ8SrbhkrHLIFaCRo3eXyrDm-84OdxwVJABtQSUXO6Dc3-Z2RM_8q93cT6oHQg7ieLvY4TpXigeWc4MmxaLwrg/s1600/Buyobo+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcHUAnkR9x9BBUcPe385BvqprIABu2dmhC-yzubECDWowT9348DOJTeQ8SrbhkrHLIFaCRo3eXyrDm-84OdxwVJABtQSUXO6Dc3-Z2RM_8q93cT6oHQg7ieLvY4TpXigeWc4MmxaLwrg/s320/Buyobo+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Samoan thoughts.</div>
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In many ways Buyobo reminds me of some parts of Savaii, Samoa with the rain, humidity, and misted mountain back drop.</div>
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<strong>Business Opportunities</strong></div>
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One reason I am in East Africa is to identify business opportunities. So far, I have found three:</div>
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-Fried Banana Chips</div>
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The microfinance women in Buyobo, Uganda harvest and sell bananas to earn extra money, but they never heard of slicing the bananas, frying and bagging them as a snack food. Banana chips are their next enterprise.</div>
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-Unique Baskets</div>
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The microfinance women of Kagamega, Kenya basically sell the same food stuffs as hundreds of other people scraping a living. Upon a little thought, bull fighting (two bulls fight each other) and the crying rock are two very unique things about this area. Why not paint pictures of bulls fighting, the Crying Stone, and the name of Kagamega on baskets to sell?</div>
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<strong> </strong>Crying Stone</div>
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-Bicycle Paths</div>
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Why not rip up and sell the unused rails of Uganda for scrape and use the money to convert the roadbeds to bicycle paths? Why stop there when the bike trails can be dotted with coffee shops, boutique inns, and padded bike pant shops?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCn-3oTtIEGlpF7MAgL0vTnzDVwe0hOVlYxfyO9f-NkVs5jUXLqAfWai0TXB810PO-qna6RoBGcTO6TYwYPO80dQX2tHDwA0uPmqm3z50O5dOdsiqPmTS1aP9xfKa5lAut_A_UgTbX2c/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCn-3oTtIEGlpF7MAgL0vTnzDVwe0hOVlYxfyO9f-NkVs5jUXLqAfWai0TXB810PO-qna6RoBGcTO6TYwYPO80dQX2tHDwA0uPmqm3z50O5dOdsiqPmTS1aP9xfKa5lAut_A_UgTbX2c/s320/IMG_1003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Picture yourself biking across Uganda.</div>
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<strong>Goats R'Us</strong></div>
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I love goat meat and sometimes serve it at home to unsuspecting guests. Usually the goat I buy is chopped up into little bony pieces. When our driver learned about my love, and also his love for chomo (Swahili for goat), we just had to stop at a road "Chomo Eden".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsFOMtHwKZv1RdR2ksQxrSOlDrqSO1HHoiqqPod9e4Lnh5z4257j8cFU5l-m5jM6QP5SWB99WGPCZP3sSWKIukigtXoV72ibcPyLUbJkenAs9LJB9shxQ80i26kDwwYPNrpyPD3AH7fY/s1600/IMG_1012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsFOMtHwKZv1RdR2ksQxrSOlDrqSO1HHoiqqPod9e4Lnh5z4257j8cFU5l-m5jM6QP5SWB99WGPCZP3sSWKIukigtXoV72ibcPyLUbJkenAs9LJB9shxQ80i26kDwwYPNrpyPD3AH7fY/s320/IMG_1012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kind of like "Fuddruckers", only the meat is fresher,</div>
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being killed that day and unrefrigerated.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1sts4WSuDTmXqMBzdCpNdg4PQZ29JxdFFq03mrZ3jXVctcU3gneLI3FflvIf_NScH5Gy9rjuUzcoB3tQXk4jNN5QKCuUMHYUG0I1_D1ev1dhBjzzziw8N6gNh7QTnO8Fovuufoy1ZHs/s1600/IMG_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1sts4WSuDTmXqMBzdCpNdg4PQZ29JxdFFq03mrZ3jXVctcU3gneLI3FflvIf_NScH5Gy9rjuUzcoB3tQXk4jNN5QKCuUMHYUG0I1_D1ev1dhBjzzziw8N6gNh7QTnO8Fovuufoy1ZHs/s320/IMG_1013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Charcoal cooking, with fat dripping onto the coals. </div>
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Can't be beat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLXpFSoZPE5uv37d5Fh7IY_oKXbNhiV9ookclZfntSwv3hp6OhSUWyTNNlraczDrddZyHswtQvLWb5s8qs8DhPwmAXSPTKA9itdTUiBX8a4cY7AALgY4n4TIKVGPQh9kAx_awvGyT54o/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLXpFSoZPE5uv37d5Fh7IY_oKXbNhiV9ookclZfntSwv3hp6OhSUWyTNNlraczDrddZyHswtQvLWb5s8qs8DhPwmAXSPTKA9itdTUiBX8a4cY7AALgY4n4TIKVGPQh9kAx_awvGyT54o/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As any carnivore knows, the most nutritious part of any animal is not the meat, but the innards.</div>
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These innards are dripping with fat and "Delicious!"</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-44037039802177992662012-10-14T17:24:00.000+03:002012-10-14T17:30:58.668+03:00Kissing a Giraffe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 14, 2012<br />
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Went to "Giraffe Manor" outside of Nairobi today. It is a private park established to protect and educate people about giraffes. <br />
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It also has a luxurious Manor House and Estate where giraffe lovers can stay for up to $1,000/night and where you can feed giraffes from you bedroom window (no discounts for multi-night stays).<br />
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A group of ex-Peace Corps Volunteers went to learn about and kiss giraffes, as well as, eating a sumptuous meal while relating the pros and con of our Peace Corps experiences.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjQ5eG20ZZnN1AFEDfCwwDaY3EIuvvUnnL1pD1LnJeoF60d5gybqCQy8CARf7akavAgNwt6sD8H7tqpPGoj7mvhVfoRzBjJAlc7Pj8CPLYa0sB2i0nbbjCZ_3BxRtY6_CRjzxF8326XI/s1600/IMG_0945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjQ5eG20ZZnN1AFEDfCwwDaY3EIuvvUnnL1pD1LnJeoF60d5gybqCQy8CARf7akavAgNwt6sD8H7tqpPGoj7mvhVfoRzBjJAlc7Pj8CPLYa0sB2i0nbbjCZ_3BxRtY6_CRjzxF8326XI/s320/IMG_0945.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The approach</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea209m0t-p6Wn4D7CqdptwC_YUuDpGQeZo2Vtqb0mBHnBP0UXpxbuZ2F2uBHde1uxd2_JgUQ9dVTmbjph8SZjZxVuG7Yi-H8ONKRA7PgfxG8PPgrR3ktltbTgZ0wrMD9AurBt5qHkQaA/s1600/IMG_0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiea209m0t-p6Wn4D7CqdptwC_YUuDpGQeZo2Vtqb0mBHnBP0UXpxbuZ2F2uBHde1uxd2_JgUQ9dVTmbjph8SZjZxVuG7Yi-H8ONKRA7PgfxG8PPgrR3ktltbTgZ0wrMD9AurBt5qHkQaA/s320/IMG_0944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The warm-up</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLp9193IBIzRu5xfP7TxT0H0efAsH9Z_yEJvHW4R4OUuq3N2c0dD1gQ0HUeN8uimPrMUqV4dBX-6ODW08KoCnhIC487aq_Ggk7ASmz1BMk6oltwb8tBuN2tou6x6q54iUwtefQhgjeeQ/s1600/IMG_0950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqLp9193IBIzRu5xfP7TxT0H0efAsH9Z_yEJvHW4R4OUuq3N2c0dD1gQ0HUeN8uimPrMUqV4dBX-6ODW08KoCnhIC487aq_Ggk7ASmz1BMk6oltwb8tBuN2tou6x6q54iUwtefQhgjeeQ/s320/IMG_0950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The kiss</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Saliva is anti-septic</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEOPM30O73nFhP4X4UOSId95HoE-DRukPeczryG-NITQ5M6_JjkhQSSzS5wIypZdIlLbUzRyQjDoZjYXARONgiCssRxhiwqCVAnbGz8R1mg75uaFfEdxIVwg79kaHGuPpbkt9nS7sgYU/s1600/IMG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEOPM30O73nFhP4X4UOSId95HoE-DRukPeczryG-NITQ5M6_JjkhQSSzS5wIypZdIlLbUzRyQjDoZjYXARONgiCssRxhiwqCVAnbGz8R1mg75uaFfEdxIVwg79kaHGuPpbkt9nS7sgYU/s320/IMG_0954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dining in the Manor House</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Julie (Swaziland), Steve (Swaziland) , Nick (Samoa), Dan (Kenya), Jim (Mongolia)</span></div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-29168989040173109812012-10-14T16:59:00.002+03:002012-10-14T17:00:06.074+03:00Property "Not For Sale"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 14, 2012<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdF93lWk6Kr2SEaTSFjb3WL2033fzgQQknVDAtRLaWqZkHLkN_gqGp9AITmEg3gzDiwQcYoQbdKlaONu4QWMIfLRQJ-QjsbW1YmLjhVQ0jUnKJr_bSLpEi6LVCk0Q2gtuk25NmtcAvYE/s1600/IMG_0956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdF93lWk6Kr2SEaTSFjb3WL2033fzgQQknVDAtRLaWqZkHLkN_gqGp9AITmEg3gzDiwQcYoQbdKlaONu4QWMIfLRQJ-QjsbW1YmLjhVQ0jUnKJr_bSLpEi6LVCk0Q2gtuk25NmtcAvYE/s320/IMG_0956.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To understand a little about Kenya, you have to understand this sign which states this property IS NOT FOR SALE.<br />
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It seems that a big problem is that people sell things which are not theirs. You make a down payment on a piece of property or a car only to find out much later that the property is not owned by the person selling it, but also it is not for sale at all.<br />
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The great thing about this sign is that it states "Beware of con men" amd a phone number to call to verify that this piece of land is not for sale.</div>
Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-17464741938062301002012-10-13T13:36:00.003+03:002012-10-13T13:38:14.161+03:00Nairobi Safari<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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October 13, 2012</div>
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Just a few miles from downtown Nairobi is the huge Nairobi National Park where in just a few hours you can see the same animals in their natural setting as you could see on a regular safari.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN8d60TPEcpOT_HI3QWYoNL2OWEnpVbiJJB6Dr4KvYPnXuiO-3sXTB7gSQSNBsNjikIe23bbpNplfJr5hDQ1YWmoW-D1ns5tfI7uOO0CiqSezN1dBrpgBHvBl0avU0_nhqE-nSblCs2k/s1600/Nairobi+View.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHN8d60TPEcpOT_HI3QWYoNL2OWEnpVbiJJB6Dr4KvYPnXuiO-3sXTB7gSQSNBsNjikIe23bbpNplfJr5hDQ1YWmoW-D1ns5tfI7uOO0CiqSezN1dBrpgBHvBl0avU0_nhqE-nSblCs2k/s320/Nairobi+View.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Downtown Nairobi in background</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Animals seen</span></strong></div>
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<strong></strong> </div>
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<strong>Baboon</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsTU5Zp3jmmb7zsgvgHrelBsQbE69SIl_xQNTp3T_7HN2wbHbT5k8FSSvTYzYGLNLboHiZyMN1pKak8KCdSRLfrdbpTO0Ktm9Yc9ZqzXAiUrxjWiyYimWNnJMZfMUymfr41Vm0O11JcI/s1600/Babboon+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBsTU5Zp3jmmb7zsgvgHrelBsQbE69SIl_xQNTp3T_7HN2wbHbT5k8FSSvTYzYGLNLboHiZyMN1pKak8KCdSRLfrdbpTO0Ktm9Yc9ZqzXAiUrxjWiyYimWNnJMZfMUymfr41Vm0O11JcI/s320/Babboon+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UcV6PJoV2qxTyBDvVfqVGD3JDhKiyT8fM9sg4fHcd1xQQurM1VE8GJ3SpuALu_FSuLub1Gz5q608FECCyLruuYi37KBKAw-tAIQnfdXGx5nlLdV40EhWu8SkS68BxNIJUPl_aXFPKX4/s1600/Babboon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UcV6PJoV2qxTyBDvVfqVGD3JDhKiyT8fM9sg4fHcd1xQQurM1VE8GJ3SpuALu_FSuLub1Gz5q608FECCyLruuYi37KBKAw-tAIQnfdXGx5nlLdV40EhWu8SkS68BxNIJUPl_aXFPKX4/s320/Babboon.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Cape Buffalo</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dT10GJdRJYR_16iZCFqovGYG73wpT4rwwQpG1_uUmc9WFv383vb1iVQIwsfTZKgCC18vMKeeeOArXA-FCd5MrvU5VFsv4iVRNWYlGkJGdQmlIZ8nt7hMNzn814hdTj9mRF4gQ-VnKrQ/s1600/Cape+Buffalo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dT10GJdRJYR_16iZCFqovGYG73wpT4rwwQpG1_uUmc9WFv383vb1iVQIwsfTZKgCC18vMKeeeOArXA-FCd5MrvU5VFsv4iVRNWYlGkJGdQmlIZ8nt7hMNzn814hdTj9mRF4gQ-VnKrQ/s320/Cape+Buffalo+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8OoFbB2rAK7Efo-k-35-4bwSYTlpsGBLg-pB4UkZJ3L3OozW6HIxbUBrmXkgSJ1ZW1hwNB2rx6fGJ4zLlevJiNkkbCkNMSQbAaGFHJKpjlptUZWPoyzcXXn-a9D7Phhyphenhyphen96ph_U3jI_A/s1600/Cape+Buffalo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8OoFbB2rAK7Efo-k-35-4bwSYTlpsGBLg-pB4UkZJ3L3OozW6HIxbUBrmXkgSJ1ZW1hwNB2rx6fGJ4zLlevJiNkkbCkNMSQbAaGFHJKpjlptUZWPoyzcXXn-a9D7Phhyphenhyphen96ph_U3jI_A/s320/Cape+Buffalo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Giraffe</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1IiviOGk2k-xB1mijBOlZvLNufATOQ53zWqlMcvVDEoVfx3BjLRHP5p6KNtAWd_OV2z916mz_3Bf7-fyR_j6msKKpjl1zQZ5bOJv0DZAs33tIj-6VTFMy3S1cVw2pVIZPRoj8HeJ72A/s1600/Giraffe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1IiviOGk2k-xB1mijBOlZvLNufATOQ53zWqlMcvVDEoVfx3BjLRHP5p6KNtAWd_OV2z916mz_3Bf7-fyR_j6msKKpjl1zQZ5bOJv0DZAs33tIj-6VTFMy3S1cVw2pVIZPRoj8HeJ72A/s320/Giraffe.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong></strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Hippo</strong><br />
Too boring to photgraph. Look like blobs in a pond<br />
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<strong> Impala</strong><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8syj7_GnFA0-62FVrJtJIpIokW0DZp2oC-LF9SrNqHp-kD11FaTG4GMr_TGGjTJUp9iplrjFhdQf0TjQc3BpfhKrR3TxGuoSpPRr53Wzv7S18AXZH1ydJjkR3eKh6Fv9K4uayg1A9H_Q/s1600/Impala+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8syj7_GnFA0-62FVrJtJIpIokW0DZp2oC-LF9SrNqHp-kD11FaTG4GMr_TGGjTJUp9iplrjFhdQf0TjQc3BpfhKrR3TxGuoSpPRr53Wzv7S18AXZH1ydJjkR3eKh6Fv9K4uayg1A9H_Q/s320/Impala+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Lion</strong></div>
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Seen but too far away to photograph</div>
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<strong>Ostrich</strong> </div>
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<strong>Rhino</strong></div>
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<strong>Wart Hog</strong></div>
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<strong>Wildebeest</strong></div>
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<strong>Zebra</strong> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
Sorry, no elephants in the park. Can't be contained</div>
Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-8132904808800080472012-10-11T10:21:00.001+03:002012-10-11T10:21:45.662+03:00Runda Walk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 10, 2012<br />
These are some of experiences as I walked the three miles from my house in the Runda Hills area of Nairobi to the nearest market.<br />
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<strong> Leaving the house</strong><br />
Getting out is not an easy task.<br />
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At the exit to the outside world is a steel gate topped with razor wire. </div>
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Hardened steel padlocks with bolt locks secure the main gate and pedestrian door.</div>
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There is no way to leave the house without having a key to unlock the gate. </div>
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Prisons seem less secure. </div>
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To relock the door from the outside, you need to feel the lock on the other side of the door</div>
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and insert the key. The process needs to be reversed upon entry. </div>
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This is what the gate looks like from the outside.</div>
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<strong>The neighborhood</strong></div>
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This is the street where I live. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjv1KLkjOK_jzC7-cq5EPpmBISErWVFZNvy0d33T4Xrs0Wr7HXnqj7ZWfmblVKJoYetmsHBuApQW7G_e7mkWUMi7JAKodLAFziy9XtW5XOViuHcLBpN-MWAY5UIDoLP6I5jabkrLX21s/s1600/IMG_0901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipjv1KLkjOK_jzC7-cq5EPpmBISErWVFZNvy0d33T4Xrs0Wr7HXnqj7ZWfmblVKJoYetmsHBuApQW7G_e7mkWUMi7JAKodLAFziy9XtW5XOViuHcLBpN-MWAY5UIDoLP6I5jabkrLX21s/s320/IMG_0901.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is one of the passersby.</div>
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The houses in the neighborhood are both private with a scattering of embassies. At a local realtor's office, none of the houses are under several million, the highest listing being $500 million USD.</div>
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Nairobi is not a cheap place to live.</div>
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The irony is that although the houses are expensive, they share the same unreliable and continually interrupted electric and water supply as the rest of Nairobi.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKDJTlIflTN1ePUQgUfm4InPkSgJ5jZmtYSaLmTenjYkMr6np0RDYSvOZP9HwndkDX38OnkrJ4TT_OTl2KixK1B3Zly7LcWiy8EN7S7SUggH7NrSft0GiAAomXuw5qA4SgCk8A8dwyNw/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKDJTlIflTN1ePUQgUfm4InPkSgJ5jZmtYSaLmTenjYkMr6np0RDYSvOZP9HwndkDX38OnkrJ4TT_OTl2KixK1B3Zly7LcWiy8EN7S7SUggH7NrSft0GiAAomXuw5qA4SgCk8A8dwyNw/s320/IMG_0891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the background is not a tree house for children to play, but an armored elevated bunker.</div>
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This the welcoming sign.</div>
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<em>Matatu</em> is a mini-van bus.</div>
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<em>Boda Boda</em> is a motorcyle for hire.</div>
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Near the shopping center is a water park with screaming children, </div>
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a real delight to my ears.</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-61755739849423667392012-10-11T10:21:00.000+03:002012-10-11T10:22:51.778+03:00Pizza night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
October 7, 2012<br />
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One of my volunteer roommates has a wonderful tradition of making pizza on Sunday night, no matter where he may be in the world. <br />
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Jim with his pizza.</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-46897750352549121962012-10-08T13:30:00.000+03:002012-10-08T13:30:03.156+03:00First Day on the Job<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">October<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>5, 2012</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IFDC (International Fertilizer Development Center) offices are located on a gated campus. The main tenants on the campus are from the Kenyan Department of Agriculture. There is a nice outdoor cafeteria with cheap and nice meals. I was given a desk of a person who is on a trip to another country, shown the toilets, break room, and introduced to the staff, mainly Kenyans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The main event of the day was an award given to the“Employee of the Year” by the Dutch director who heads up our regional office. It was very nicely done with a cake and champagne. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I met immediate supervisor for a brief chat about what I may possibly be doing. He is out of country for the next week, but given a stack of brochures and DVD’s, coupled with meeting with many of the office staff, I should be kept busy, if not be bothersome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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IFDC staff in Nairobi</div>
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Presentation of award by Regional Director</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Agribusiness Program Leader, my immediate supervisor</o:p></span></div>
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Entrance Drive to Offices<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>Offices on first two floors of this building</o:p></span></div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-55716663453571054462012-10-08T12:52:00.000+03:002012-10-08T12:52:14.914+03:00Day at the Mall<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">October<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> New Market Shopping Center</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To get a feel of the area I live, I decided to take the
three mile walk to the shopping center. The streets are somewhat confusing due
to the hills, high walls, and all the street names starting with “Runda”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">You would think walking at mid-day would be tortuous, but
being at about 6,000 ft. elevation with low humidity and a nice breeze, the
walk was very pleasant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Asking
directions is always a challenge and walking an extra mile because of either
not understanding or not knowing, just makes getting to your destination that
much more enjoyable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The “New Village” shopping center could be found in any
upper-income American town, complete with a maze of passageways which could
compete with our experiences in the medina of Fez, Morocco. The food court
offered meals from about 15 different countries. I was even to buy a battery
charger for my camera which I was unable to buy in the U.S.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I tried to take pictures in the shopping center, but was
quickly facing a security person who said it was against the law to take
pictures of the buildings or passageways. He did let me keep the one picture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kenya is way ahead of the U.S. when it comes to cell phone
service. You put money into a cell phone account which is very easily
transferred to any other account or cell phone. It is fast, easy, and very
cheap. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Converting money has its own problems. No one takes $100
bills unless they have been printed after 1999, for some places after 2006.
This is quite different from the black market traders of Uzbekistan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I decided to walk back a different way and the road I was
supposed to take. I ended up in some other town exhausted. The cab ride back
was not bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-71004828187593379502012-10-08T12:06:00.002+03:002012-10-08T12:52:14.918+03:00First Impressions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">October<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>4, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Africa… just the name sounds exotic, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, the Dark Continent. Africa a place filled with wild beasts, strange tribes, unusual customs, and danger. Let me tell you about my first gew days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I arrived on packed KLM 747 from Amsterdam, filled with anxious safari goers, hard to find an African aboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the airport, I zip through immigration, my luggage is there, and a young lady holding a sign with my name shows me to a car whose driver cuts across sold lines of cars where I enter a world of high<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>walls, covered with thorny vegetation and topped with electrified wires or razor wire. This is the Runda Hills district of Nairobi where the diplomatic embassies and their employees live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The house where I as well as two other volunteers live belongs to a Canadian diplomat and his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are four bedrooms, five baths, beautifully appointed foyer. living room. dining room, and foyer. The kitchen has got every appliance a home could have except a dishwasher which is somewhat superfluous, seeing there is a full-time housekeeper who does our dishes and washes our clothes to fill time while the homeowners are away. Then there are the gardens filled with flowers, compost bin, diesel generator, vegetable garden and a fulltime gardener. We are three miles from the nearest grocery store and ten miles from the office, but then again there is a driver for that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The house has twelve pages of instruction from the homeowners about the staff, fixtures, security system with the most pages about the care, feeding, and temperament of the two household “guard” dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although the grounds and house are lovely, there is a sense of isolation and remoteness about the place. The high walls, dogs, security patrols, alarm systems, and warning signs creates a sense of which doesn’t quite mess with the friendliness of the African I have met so for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Driveway leading to front gate. Gate is locked from inside with a little slot to reach the lock behind. Razor wire graces the top.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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One of house's two "Guard" dogs coming to greet and lick you.</div>
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Front Door</div>
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Rear wrap-around porch</div>
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Rear yard and some gardens</div>
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Kitchen</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn051SMTTQUm170O2pDQPoU-QrzbnHOz63L03bUbwDdSS1oNaekhN9ib9kpwkmm6zJVLoFQeUZbjt1lrX0lF5syx_a_sp4DO93VtUYt8i-tMASjXMfs_W-UqZq1JXzA8h5BX1VmxexJo/s1600/IMG_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn051SMTTQUm170O2pDQPoU-QrzbnHOz63L03bUbwDdSS1oNaekhN9ib9kpwkmm6zJVLoFQeUZbjt1lrX0lF5syx_a_sp4DO93VtUYt8i-tMASjXMfs_W-UqZq1JXzA8h5BX1VmxexJo/s320/IMG_0884.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Upper level bedroom hall</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-72179588019473880262012-10-03T16:54:00.001+03:002012-10-03T16:57:31.535+03:00Smallest Family adds One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
September 30, 2012<br />
<br />
Gregory Shuraleff, II today, of a family with maybe the fewest members with the same surname added another member, Jesse Shuraleff, nee Olson, at Cape Cod. <br />
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Mary Shuraleff, nee Landy; Nicholas Shuraleff, II; Gregory Shuraleff, II;</div>
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Jesse Shuraleff, nee Olson; Gregory Shuraleff; Nicholas Shuraleff, III;</div>
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Christine Shuraleff</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-30785171969935460132012-09-22T20:20:00.000+03:002012-09-22T20:20:11.611+03:00Next Stop.. Kenya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span>·<span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> On October 3rd it is off to Nairobi, Kenya to do a 6-7 week stint as a "Marketing Expect" through the National Peace Corps Association.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">For those interested, here is some info about the house where I am staying when in Nairobi. </span></span></span></span></div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8278802997054023253.post-31778278085344906942012-09-08T02:38:00.001+03:002012-09-08T02:40:34.036+03:00An Uzbek Wedding<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong>Why Uzbekistan?</strong><br />
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Over the years since we hosted Dilmurod, a foreign exchange student from Uzbekistan, 2002-03, we talked about visiting him. Then in December, 2011 we were invited to his wedding. Since it was with only a 10 day notice and holiday time, we delcined. However, we were later informed that the family was holding off his brother's wedding until we came, hopefully before September 1st. Thus the genesis and timing of my trip to this far-off land. Due to the distance and conditions for such a trip, Mary thought it best not to accompany me.<br />
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<strong>Background of region and culture</strong><br />
The wedding was held in town of Asaka located in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan and home of the auto plant for GM Uzbekistan. This fertile valley is separated from the rest of the country by mountain ranges. It tends to be more ethnically homogeneous and traditional than other parts of Uzbekistan. Almost everyone is Muslim.<br />
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<strong>Courtship</strong><br />
Men and women of marriageable age have little interaction with each other and dating is seldom done. So courtship as we know it rarely occurs. What does happen is the aunts of the young man seem to on the constant outlook for possible marriage partners. When a candidate is found, the mother of the man goes to the prospective woman's house to meet her family and be introduced. If both families agree, a supervised meeting is then arranged between the young man and woman. <br />
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At this meeting the young man or woman decide whether they like each other. If not, the search continues. If they do, they usually meet again a couple of times to get to learn more about each other. The wedding is quickly arranged. Women tend to be in their early 20's while men are a few years older. <br />
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In speaking with an imam (Muslim cleric) who was to conduct the marriage, I asked him what he looked for in finding a partner for each of his 10 children. He stated the most important thing was the character of the other family and the compatibility of the couple, not only with each other, but of the woman with the man's family. Money was not important. He even frowned on marriages done for money. Instead was the ability of the couple to learn to live with each other and to anticipate future difficulties. The idea of couples meeting and wanting to get married on their own was something he recognized as a growing trend, but also thought the couples may be shortsighted in understanding the importance having the input of more experienced married people.<br />
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Conversing with imam </div>
<strong>Wedding Day 1</strong><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">August 25, 2012</span></strong></div>
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Welcoming of Honored Guest</div>
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What a surprise to step out of the car at Dil's and the groom's house (Dilmurod's brother) to find myself in front of a white runway with a veiled young woman (Dilmurod's wife) ceremoniously bowing three times to me.</div>
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Then band started playing</div>
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and the dancing began.</div>
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I was presented with a ceremonial robe (later removed due to 100 degree temp) and as the custom, money was inserted into various clothing parts by spectators who liked the way you danced. Everyone joined in, even grandmothers.</div>
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One reason I seemed to getting a lot of money was the fact, unknown to me, that I moved my hips as I gesticulated to the sounds of traditional Uzbek music. Uzbek's flail their arms and legs wildly while keeping hips straight. </div>
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As evening approached, the bride's family brought food for the groom's friends</div>
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who were to gather that evening.</div>
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Next the bride's female family members brought all the bride's belongings and what we may call trousseau which the bride's family had been preparing since childhood. The two small rooms which the bride and groom would later live in was completely furnished with the bride's possessions.</div>
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Inside bride's new room where her dresses were on display as well as this canopy</div>
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from which she was to emerge when she her husband visits her.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Pictured are Dilmurod and his wife)</span></div>
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Later that evening the groom and his friends arrive for a kind of alcohol-free bachelor party. The groom is a policeman as were most of his friends. I believe the bride has a similar gathering at her house with her friends.</div>
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Men gather at the house to discuss important issues and to meet a Westerner.</div>
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Since we arrived late from Tashkent, I did not do the "Spilling of Blood" ceremony where as "Honored Guest" I was to cut the throat of a sheep upon my arrival. The sheep had been killed a couple of hours before my arrival due to the time needed for food preparation.</div>
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<strong>Wedding Day 2</strong></div>
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A nervous groom and his accompanying friends prepare to go to the bride's house</div>
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where the Muslim part of the marriage is to occur.</div>
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While the mother's of the groom's friends gather at the groom's house.</div>
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Piluf is prepared at a neighbor's house for the reception.</div>
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The Muslim part of the wedding takes place at the bride's house in the neighboring city of Andijon about 7 miles away. Here the imam sits with the groom in one room while in another room with the door slightly ajar he lectures the couple on their duties, responsibilities, and roles. He then asks each separately whether they fully agree to be married. The groom leaves, the bride remains in her room.</div>
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Imam and groom</div>
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Woman sewing thread into groom's coat, the meaning of which I never found out.</div>
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With much fanfare, loud horns, and dancing the bride emerges from her house in her rented wedding dress.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyegvVItT6fpfVoMwUEJifcendwghIbfhvygKkOQLJo0POplQsE2sYJ6ODDGyq-Al5wGhA9TfzKy8X2Qk0F8g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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The couple leaves for the civil wedding ceremony while inside and outside guests party.</div>
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It is then off to the groom's Asaka City Hall for the civil and legally binding wedding ceremony.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqt-GGa1QMJIZwqDV-vpeucahnk06ih0yZmoa6pIkXwmcrfkw9yJzu6zjiCC3_EITU6OQaKqdC9mi7qBt_LPZwO5Keqk3xyiT8JRETVF_7NUJHBfJ7h_GA6zCQKghO0jdiS0BrP7I9ZQ/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqt-GGa1QMJIZwqDV-vpeucahnk06ih0yZmoa6pIkXwmcrfkw9yJzu6zjiCC3_EITU6OQaKqdC9mi7qBt_LPZwO5Keqk3xyiT8JRETVF_7NUJHBfJ7h_GA6zCQKghO0jdiS0BrP7I9ZQ/s320/IMG_0501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Entering city hall wedding room</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMxbI6psTkqzFKPjMZfN8FGVbtPr9awP-y0ffYvlskYfuDqUvaPOka9pkHAd8nKSYMH3EbM7ZemHieQfNtGxyJruAEGACFd-0umouwNaiyiHohlmuANB0iUajFxp3ZV-vTPP-Rm5xyqw/s1600/IMG_0502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMxbI6psTkqzFKPjMZfN8FGVbtPr9awP-y0ffYvlskYfuDqUvaPOka9pkHAd8nKSYMH3EbM7ZemHieQfNtGxyJruAEGACFd-0umouwNaiyiHohlmuANB0iUajFxp3ZV-vTPP-Rm5xyqw/s320/IMG_0502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Civil ceremony and signing of marriage documents. Exchange of rings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEeIryWpZuf__pNx6Qp6bIUacHvI7Mwbe-GyCHxEqYI8eeH0ZSINo9vmtGonU2Y6jB1-J25c24a8jA4nWKXlY2it_ELY_2_SfPs2RMY4l845Rl4sdhb-PKfM0wNGxyOrzGFAGQNufKC4/s1600/IMG_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeEeIryWpZuf__pNx6Qp6bIUacHvI7Mwbe-GyCHxEqYI8eeH0ZSINo9vmtGonU2Y6jB1-J25c24a8jA4nWKXlY2it_ELY_2_SfPs2RMY4l845Rl4sdhb-PKfM0wNGxyOrzGFAGQNufKC4/s320/IMG_0505.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wedding party</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuALtXEx826btSqIubMqiwgGVXoY6oNQvIqJpEfiX7g0af_0he21YTwmifULumU4x_QEKXSyfOYNTFsLVPD4WdkTXjNocGkhQZ5Zs3W-qcf2VGMNuwla04744q9NsyBakvERGzR5njVuU/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuALtXEx826btSqIubMqiwgGVXoY6oNQvIqJpEfiX7g0af_0he21YTwmifULumU4x_QEKXSyfOYNTFsLVPD4WdkTXjNocGkhQZ5Zs3W-qcf2VGMNuwla04744q9NsyBakvERGzR5njVuU/s320/IMG_0509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Officially married. No kissing, hugging, or screaming.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZjoZ9edNwtjCAh165XIUJvlDIWp51-fkyb7vx5emPV7NSEidPj6arhNS616YyaI5a8tLRPCAnF3ZACCzv9f4UubomPWF4SKXNrpyRRzkui06GI5-4clVQthNd9cw1_Ymo5FNVwYA-zo/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZjoZ9edNwtjCAh165XIUJvlDIWp51-fkyb7vx5emPV7NSEidPj6arhNS616YyaI5a8tLRPCAnF3ZACCzv9f4UubomPWF4SKXNrpyRRzkui06GI5-4clVQthNd9cw1_Ymo5FNVwYA-zo/s320/IMG_0513.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leaving city hall.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Note bride's veil is down</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OVSxiBNfhEga5jJWxL3CCVT-RhOTo92a7_JCg8E2HIQJ-YGqQi8koR-OTH-wCAExz0RWUIjQXihIzDBoCr50aDXAIE4-M8HmVUH687C3lKIZKSbOTRuDngTj4nc6F4jWgUcTBwH9wXc/s1600/2012+Aug+27+Couple+returning+to+Groom%2527s+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OVSxiBNfhEga5jJWxL3CCVT-RhOTo92a7_JCg8E2HIQJ-YGqQi8koR-OTH-wCAExz0RWUIjQXihIzDBoCr50aDXAIE4-M8HmVUH687C3lKIZKSbOTRuDngTj4nc6F4jWgUcTBwH9wXc/s320/2012+Aug+27+Couple+returning+to+Groom%2527s+House.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Bride goes to groom's house for the very first time where she is greeted by the women of her new family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgo7vK4KMNmNoucvVy6f8LgG1qLRSgaWjkYF1RnbVVa8sQkYonEOXEViHB5ssz33dYR-uaH2c-nGW-ld9qRTtuPSI0oYHQn8Y0_DkRP38nZo2xIlXEGw_cI0jGJYMUsJe13Znhlt0i9M/s1600/2012+Aug+27+At+Groom%2527s+house+celebration.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgo7vK4KMNmNoucvVy6f8LgG1qLRSgaWjkYF1RnbVVa8sQkYonEOXEViHB5ssz33dYR-uaH2c-nGW-ld9qRTtuPSI0oYHQn8Y0_DkRP38nZo2xIlXEGw_cI0jGJYMUsJe13Znhlt0i9M/s320/2012+Aug+27+At+Groom%2527s+house+celebration.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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More dancing. More money.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span> </div>
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Dressed to kill.</div>
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Dilmurod's pregnant sister and wife.</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: Please excuse the lack of photos with the following descriptions. My camera was not working and the wedding photographer never got his promised CD of photos to me before I left.</span></div>
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</div>
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The bride then returns to her house. The groom leaves with friends.</div>
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</div>
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Guests return to the bride's house where she comes out completely covered by a special robe and wearing boots. She no longer is wearing her wedding dress. She has to be guided by her "bride's maids" since she can see very little. It is very emotional as her family bids her farewell.</div>
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</div>
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With horns blaring, drums beating, people dancing, the bride is then lead to the "Wedding Bus" where her brothers try to steal her back in an effort to prevent her leaving. Women hover around her to keep her covered and to protect her. The bus is packed like sardines as riders sing and just enjoy the moment. The bride hidden under her robe is silent. As the bus reaches the house, bundles of cotton branches are burned to welcome her. While still covered, she is lead to her room.</div>
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</div>
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Later she emerges in her wedding dress, groom at her door, and under a ceremonial fabric go to the wedding reception tent on the street in front of the house. There they sit at a table greeted and are congratulated by relatives and friends. Wedding cake is cut. More dancing. Different band and music. Women sitting on one side of the aisle, men on the other.</div>
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</div>
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During the reception, the bride is taken to her room where she is sequestered for the next few days. Food is brought to her. Only coming out while accompanied and covered to use the toilet. Groom stays at head table joined by friends, most guests having left.</div>
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</div>
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During that entire night the bride and groom talk as each sits on a pile of pads in their room at the groom's house. Groom leaves before dawn to stay with friends. Bride remains unseen by others.</div>
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</div>
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<strong>Wedding Day 3</strong></div>
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</div>
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Bride comes out again fully covered in robe and boots where she she ceremoniously bows three times to her father-in-law (and me) amongst women of her new family. She then kneels before father-in-law and rubs her hands symbolically three times each with flour, the piluf (local rice dish), and candies. This ceremony is the father-in-laws welcome into the family and the only time a man takes part in the wedding ceremony. Weddings are definitely a female run affair. The bride returns covered to her room.</div>
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</div>
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The bride's family brings food for her and members of he groom's family for her meals.</div>
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</div>
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That night, a woman who specializes in the conjugal affairs comes to check the bride to see if she is menstruating. If not, to instruct the bride as to what she might expect from the groom. The groom returns after being with his friends and likewise talks to his father who instructs him to be gentle.</div>
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</div>
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The marriage is consummated on a white cloth to collect the bride's blood and to confirm the couple's union. Aunts are always nearby. The groom stays the entire night, leaving before dawn. The cloth is checked and kept as a memento of the event, much like keeping the statue of bride and groom on a wedding cake.</div>
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</div>
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The wedding is over.</div>
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</div>
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<strong>W Day 4</strong></div>
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</div>
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The groom (Dilmurod's brother) returns to the house. Visits with his wife. A sheet is put up in the court yard to give the couple additional privacy.</div>
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</div>
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<strong>W Day 5</strong></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Bride finally comes out of her room and publicly is seen for the first time. </div>
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Bride is 23 years old, groom 27.</div>
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</div>
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<strong>W Day 6</strong></div>
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</div>
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Wedding is over. Bride begins to help with household duties. She may seldom visit her own family in the months ahead as she experiences home sickness and her integration with her new family.</div>
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</div>
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<strong>Thoughts</strong></div>
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At first glance this wedding and the role of women may seem barbaric to some. But living in a house without running water, little money, the amount of work required just to maintain the house, and cooking the meals leaves little free time. Just how different the role of today's working woman is debatable, for being obligated to earning a salary to pay for life's essentials seems little removed from the obligations faced by this bride.</div>
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</div>
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The women I met seem like a happy lot and truly enjoyed being with other women. Yet as money becomes more important in their lives and as education leads them into new careers, maybe away from home, I sense they may one day look back on the "good old days" where roles were defined and stability prevailed.</div>
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Nicholas "Nick" Shuraleff IIhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09744599571164680727noreply@blogger.com3