From Marcus
ahhaha I just read your blurb about the old guy on the yellow scooter. Man - gooood times. Promise me one day Ann I will drive another motorcycle with you on the back of it.
Response: I promise Marcus. I promise. I miss our lime green kawasaki motor bike...and you too!
From Megan
Ann! The video was almost finished then it got accidently erased!!!!!!! It was a real test of 'letting go'. But the ideas are there, so re-creating it shouldn't take too long, then I'll send you a copy in Oz :)
megan misses you xoxo
Response: thanks meg. looking forward to it. hope all is well at home. miss you more than lots.
From
You know what Ann? I'm happy now - because you updated. Don't know if you noticed but your last entry pointed people to my blog so I could explain everything that was going on in the Ardeche - for you. That was like a friggin' year ago!
-Marcus
Response: I know. But I really don't like sitting in front of a computer screen and you are just so good at explaining my experiences for me. Saw a 70 year old dude on a yellow scooter today...made me think of times past and chuckle a little. I will do my best to be a better updater. Miss you Maracusa.
From Janelle
Hey Ann
Great pics....hope you are wonderful! Been trying to call ya however don't know if the ext. is right. Love you and miss ya. xoxo
Response: Hi Jnel!!! The ext. is 235 but if I'm not home there is no answering machine. I have a cell number now too. I will send that to you but I don't remember the number right now. I hope you are doing very well. I will be in touch soon. Miss you. Love you.
From Alex Sinclair
hiya gorgeous!!! just talked to your bro today and he mentioned that you had this email site setup after your trip to africa. those are some wicked phots - a friend of mine from lakehead and i went for a bit of a tour and taught in malawi for awhile. traveled thru the t-zone for only a few weeks - but absolutely loved. daar is an awesome place too. never had so much coconut juice in my life! anyway, whereabouts are you in france now? funny, we did our trip in reverse - jody and i were thumbing it thru france before we headed out. anyway, just thought i'd say a huge cndn hello - uhhh, here from australia...
but yeah, hope you're all fine and dandy and i've got news about jen marion too!!!
keep in touch babe - alex x
Response: Sa-weet! I really wanted to check out Malawi but time did not permit. Next time, which I hope will be sooner than later. I'm in the Ardeche region (southern-ish) - working for Village Camps like Bry did a few many years ago. Life is good. Trying to figure out the next move. Who knows really!?! Hope all is well in Oz - what are you doing there? Flying???
From Laurie
Hey Sister,
Hi girl.....sounds like you are on quite the world adventure!!! I am heading off to New Zealand for some skiing. Any chance you can mak eit that part of the world before oct?
miss ya and lok forward to the next entry!!!!
luv laurie
Response: Yo yo! Not sure yet. I have no plans...so I could very well be there. How long are you there for? You heading back to Fernie afterwards? Speaking of the Canadian west - I'm working with a fellow named Dave McCarthy (?)... I think you know him. Keep me posted with your happenings...maybe we can meet up for some long overdo travelling!
From Bryan
Who is responsible for this webpage? Who are you? And why are you pretending to be my sister?
Response: Who is responsible for this message? Who are you? And why are you pretending not to be my brother?
From Lauren Pessin
I am heading to Tanzania to volunteer in July, coudl I ask you some questions about your expierence. If you could email me back that would be great! Thanks
-Lauren-
Response: Hey Lauren - my email address is acgrimwood@hotmail.com. Feel free to email me any questions you have.
From Jack
Hi AC. I'm staying at your brother's place these days living in your old room. I'm glad to hear your safe and having a wicked time. Miss you. By the way, I accidently peed on your bedroom floor. Sorry.
Response: Thanks Jack. Glad you are enjoying the new space. Give my brother some lovin' and Kristen too when she gets back!
From Alli
Hi Ann,
Fantastic journal! I'm thinking of doing voluntary work in Sept through GVN. Would u recommend it? Have you heard of other volunteer agencies? I can't find your email address but would really like to contact you for some more information so if you could email me that'd be great. Thanks. Alli
Response: Hey Alli - feel free to email me any questions. I just sent a reply to Lauren with my email address.
From English Dave
Hey Ann,
Sounds like you are having an amazing time. Just wanted to leave a message and say Hi. Your travels make my school life feel even more boring. I wont be back to camp this summer but hopefully will be back for most of next year. Stay safe.
Response: Hey duder - neither will I; however, I will be in London from the 18th-27th of April....just to throw that out at ya...you can throw it right back if you like.
From Ta Mama
Hi Honey,
Thanks for the birthday greetings and the info on the Zeller"s points; but did you have to the world I'm sixty!! Just kidding ! The little grade sixers in Jamaica did not believe I was going to be 60, they thought 50. Oh well! It was a very good experience in Jamaica as I mentioned in my email. The messages that you are receiving are also very interesting reading and for any future volunteers and their parents, I have had many of your same feelings about Ann-Christine going to Africa, but I am also so very proud of her. I love you sweetie and miss you lots. Mom
Response: Thanks Mom - but did you have to be so gushy? Ha!
From Scooter Mama I
Hey Scooter Mama II:
I think we have a road trip in order on your return to Canada......along with some drumming!!!! I am sure I could sing like Cheryl Crow for you as well. LOL!
Enjoy your last couple of weeks. Love ya Mamma Cheza a.k.a Scooter Mama I
Response: thanks sm2, i will. hmm...sheryl crow and drumming has a nice ring to it...funny girl you. sm1
From Tracy
Hi Ann,
Really enjoyed your writing. I am planning to move permanently to Dar within the next 8 months. I used to live in Moshi - so am familiar with life in TZ. You mentioned issues with your NGO. Could you send info (and any advice) on direct contacts in Dar? I hope to volunteer initially to get an idea of how best to plan my long term assistance. Of course I'll have to arrange a work visa some way. I have music K-12 certification and a Masters in Reading and Literacy. So, teaching and orphan / AIDS awareness activities and support are my focus. Any thoughts on your part would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch!
Tracy
Response: Hi Tracy -
I will email you some contacts here. They are mainly NGO contacts in Bagamoyo but they might have some suggestions for Dar.
From NIcole Lucier
Hi Ann! You are still there...how long have you extended your visa for? I will be leaving in 10 days and arriving on the 31st so I hope that you are still there then??? Sounds like the school you are working at is where I'm being placed as well. I have alot of resources for the school and the teachers given to me by a great school here in Kelowna. Is there anything in particular that you can think of for me to bring as well, i.e. what's the one thing you wish you had for the kids and can't buy there? Can I bring you a treat??? Hope to see you soon. How's the rain? Best, Nicole
Response: Hi Nicole - Just had to extend my visa till my flight leaves on the 18th of April (or else I would have had to leave today) but I'm leaving Dar on the 31st to Mwanza. Chances are there will be lots of kids that you are working with at one time - it's nice to have sports equipment and the only thing I've been able to find here are soccer balls. I wish we had huge brown rolls of crate paper...but that's expensive to bring. We have run out of construction paper, need lots of scissors and glue, paints, paint brushes. Again, lost of kids using these supplies at once so I would suggest concentrating on one or two things and bringing lots. I'm ok as far as treats go but thanks for the offer. Hopefully I will see you.
From Jess
Hi Ann! Well I made it home and am back to 70 hour work weeks, but not before a wicked 5 days in London!:) What is going on in Bagamoya?? What happened to Kristin??!! I am dying to know whats happening. I am sure you heard that Kari announced March volunteer money coming in while I was there and then went out shopping and came home with a generator, big screen TV, and 4 computers(supposedly for an internet cafe in his house!) He must really think we are idiots! Hope all is well and would love to hear from you. Take care-Jess
Response: hey jess - so gooood to hear from you. we were actually wondering the other day how you were doing and everyone was asking each other if anyone has heard from you. how's the restaurant going? besides the 70 hour work week...ouch! kristin is no longer working for kari which is good. she is good though. i still see her lots. elias (teacher guy) has taken over but he's never around. liz, charlotte, and i have been running the house. and murat and melissa just got back from kili. three new volunteers arrived friday. charlotte and i gave them a tour. i spent the other night at the bahari house and saw all the new additions...plus two kittens and an african grey parrot. ha! i'll keep you posted with events and happenings. hope you are well.
From JD
I finally figured out that I can send you messages... Sorry to take so long in getting in touch. I miss our walks together. The house seems empty without you. I hope your happy and safe. Can't wait to see you and have you rub my belly and scratch my ears. Dad says hi.
Response: very funny. nerd. but still very funny. miss you too!
From Lucy
Hey Ann, really good to read ur entries. I'm hoping to go to Tanzania with GVN in June but I really wanna be able to chat to some volunteers that have already done it cause I'm only 18 and this will be my first time in Africa (so my parents are going crazy with worry!). Anyway... I'm from the UK, so if you've got any e-mails of people who have done the project and wouldn't mind having a little chat over email would be greatly appreciated! Hope you're well,
lucyx
Response: hi lucy - i will send you an email with some contacts in a few days.
From NIcole Lucier
Hi again Ann! I've been very interested in your responses to Mika and would love if if you would forward your email to her to me, mainly so I can grasp what I'll be dealing with in terms of Baal. I have made the commitment so I'm I am arriving in Dar on the Mar 31st and am really hoping to get to meet you before you heard to your other destinations (will you be coming back to Bagamoyo?). Hope this finds you well and not too soggy! Best, Nicole
Response: Hi Nicole - I will send you the email as well. I am still trying to locate what I am looking for, I will will send it. We have received word from GVN, specifically Colin, that they will be coming here at the beginning of April to deal with the issues that we are having. I am taking a train to Mwanza on the 31st so I am not sure if our paths will cross. I will hopefully be coming back to Bagamoyo for a few days; however, I am having troubles changing my flight so I will keep you posted.
From Mika
Hi Ann,
Thank you very much for your response. Your input really helps. If you have more things to say about Baal Foundation, I would like to know. That would be great if I can get in touch with previous volunteers. My friend and I feel like we should also look for another African country for volunteer work. Why did you choose Tanzania? I have worked in the Dept. of Afircan and African American Studies at Harvard University and met so many wonderful Africans. They were from Tanzania, Nigeria, Mali, Kenya, etc. I want to see their cultures and lifestyle through volunteering. Of course, Africa is huge so I only can see a small part of it.
I appreciate your time to respond my message.
Take care.
Mika Okada
Response: Hi Mika - I didn't know too much about Africa before I came here but I knew that Tanzania was a safe country based on what I have heard from friends and from what I have read. I would really like to go to Malawi, Uganda, and Rwanda at some point as well. At the beginning of April, I am heading to northern Tanzania and Mobassa, Kenya for a little bit so I will definitely keep the website updated. I would suggest that if you are travelling here you stay for a while to immerse yourself in the culture and get to know where you are living/working. There are many people here that are operating small NGO's and definitely need help - I will get their contact information for you and email it to you. They are looking for teachers and caregivers mainly (no professional certification required but definitely an asset) and would like a longer term committment...that is, greater than 1-2 months. I would suggest talking to them before signing on with Baal as all of your money goes to Baal and none to any of the smaller NGO's that you would actually be working with. The Baal Foundation is sort of like the middle, middle man. Check your email though...I'll send you a 'part two' to my previous response.
From AUNT CHARLENE
HI SWEETIE, just a note to let you know that we're reading your journal with great interest.I call it armchair travel.We are praying for your safety and that of your friends.May our Lord be with you and keep you in His loving care.
Response: Hi Aunt Charlene & Uncle Bob - Good to hear you are finding the entries interesting...I hav fun writing them. Say hello to all the Windsor folks for me. Take care and enjoy the rest of the winter. I miss cold weather.
From Kim
Hi Ann, You have done a great job with the journal-very entertaining. I was hoping you could instill some comfort and confidence with me. My daughter is planning to Tanzania and work with the Baal Found in May. She will be arriving with 2 other female classmates. They were originally planning this trip with their coll. prof. who has recently flaked out on them. She was a sense of comfort for me because of her 20+ yrs of experience traveling to Africa. How dangerous do you feel the climate is there? How worried should I be? You mentioned difficulties with the NGO/Baal? I'll continue following you in your travels. Best of luck.
Response: Hi Kim - No worries about the climate. The sun is definitely hot but nothing a little sunscreen won't cure. The locusts are more annoying then the mosquitoes as they flutter around in your face quite often during the rainy season, which is just starting. As for illnesses of any sort...between our house and our friends, we have experienced everything you can imagine from head colds to diarrhea to rashes to malaria. The only thing you can really do is take precautions...i.e., malaria medication (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, larium), be hygienic (wash your hands...bring hand sanitizer!), wear long light weight clothing at night to avoid mosquito bites and wear bug spray. Tanzania is a very peaceful country; however, some do like to make fun and take advantage of the tourists...you just need to be watchful and stay together in groups when walking around certain parts. I can understand that you are worried for your daughter's safety...that's what good moms' do...but I have yet to have a 'real' problem that I couldn't handle myself. I think she will have a great time in Tanzania. Hope I have been helpful.
From ¿Quién es?
Hola Señorita!!
Lo siento que estoy tan tarde para escribirte ... pero he olvidado todo mi inglés! Es muy tarde esta noche, casi medianoche, y estoy trabajando en la escuela NCIVS cuatro días esta semana. Entonces, voy a acostarme pronto! Vamos a visitar a tu hermano Jonathan y su perro JD este fin de semana. Hay una historia muy, muy interesante de este perro inteligente lo que quiero decirte la proxima vez! Voy a escribirte otra vez muy pronto. Te amo mucho!!¡Cuidatate! (¿Anyone there speak Spanish?) Buenas noches Muff!
Su numero uno admirador!!
Response: I think I got most of that...thanks my number one admirer...
From Carolyn
Hey you! Your journals are great and I try to keep 'in-the-know' as much as possible. Thanks for such wonderful descriptions of your experience! I will send you an email but am wondering what you're up to for September??? Drop me a line when you have a chance and a reliable connection.
Cheers, Carolyn
Response: Hey duder - Good question...I have many thoughts circulating through my head but they are between travelling and moving back to Calgary. What are you thinking?
From Nathan
Hi, my name is Nathan and I'm sure it's here somewhere, but I can't find your email address and I wanted to contact you directly, to rap with you about the experience in Bagamoyo. Hopefully we'll corespond soon.
peace & balance
Nathan
Response: I'll send you an email...