Inspiration

You may be wondering, "What on earth compelled this crazy girl to go to Africa for three months??" To which I would reply, "Good question!"

It's an especially good question since the closest I've ever gotten to a safari is Disney's Animal Kingdom and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Animal Kingdom 2008

I have always loved animals and wildlife but my fascination with African ecosystems and culture comes from my dad. My grandfather was a professor at Union College and was able to take a year long sabbatical to Liberia. My dad was in 8th grade so he and my grandma went too. They have so many stories about the people they met and things that happened, they had to write a book!

Unfortunately, the year they went, 1979, was also the year of the coup and the beginning of a long bloody civil war but that's a story for another time. For now, let's focus on the adorable picture of my dad with a baby chimpanzee named Oo-oo! Talk about throw back Thursday!

Dad and Oo-oo

My grandma (Dad's mom) is also a huge inspiration. She passed away about 3 months ago and I hate to say I did not know her as well as I thought.  I've learned so much about her strength and spunk and spirit of adventure. Who else would pick up and leave to live in Africa for a year? She was clearly brave and loving and I was lucky to have known her. Whenever I am scared in the next 3 months, you can be sure I'll be praying for her strength and fearlessness.

Grandma in her natural habitat

One more thing if you are still reading; please continue to pray for all the people in Liberia and the rest of West Africa that are still fighting the Ebola virus. The situation is still fragile and will likely get worse before it gets better. 

Thanks for joining me on my journey!

Only 3 days left!

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Past Travels

Hello Blogland! I don't really know where to start. 

I'm preparing for my semester abroad in Tanzania so I set up this blog to share my pictures and experiences with everyone back home. 

Before I leave for Tanzania in 6 days, (AHHH! It's so close!!!) I thought I'd share some of my past trips around the world.  

My latest trip was a service immersion trip to Bethel Alaska through my school. My favorite part of the whole trip was when we visited a fish camp on the Kuskokwim River.  There was much bonding around the campfire and a beautiful sunset on the way back to town.  Keep in mind that this picture was taken at 9:30 at night!

The summer before my senior year of high school, my family took a trip to Venice, Florence, and Rome. My favorite out of the three was Venice but nothing can beat Saint Peter's in Vatican City!

In 2006, we went to Toronto to see the Red Sox play the Blue Jays. We stopped at Niagara Falls on the way home and stood in 2 countries at once!

And all the way back in 2005 our family visited Puerto Rico over February break.  I have to admit, I felt like a cool kid when I went back to school with a sunburn, but those pants are something else entirely! 

I have been and continue to be very blessed in my life.  I hope you all stick around for some awesome pictures of Tanzania and my amazing journey ahead!