Our Sense Of Place

Update on Explosion at Salvador's

2008-12-31T09:53:00.000-08:00

Just two weeks ago, we were in Kunming China with my brother Colin. We spent most of our free time hanging out at his cafe, Salvador's. On the morning of Christmas Eve, a Chinese terrorist planted a bomb with the apparent intention of exploding it remotely later that night when there would be a numerous ex-pats, tourists and students celebrating the holidays together. Luckily, the bomb detonated early, fatally injuring the bomber but nobody else. We are counting our blessings.

Click here to read the New York Times article about this event.

Click here to read our blog entry about our time at Salvador's.

The Temples of Angkor, Cambodia

2008-12-31T09:49:00.001-08:00

Bike and Boat Trip Through the Mekong Delta

2008-12-24T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hanoi and Halong Bay, Vietnam

2008-12-21T21:29:00.000-08:00

3-Day Trek in Laos, near Luang Prabang

2008-12-21T20:31:00.000-08:00

A Li's Wedding in Yunnan Mountains, Southwestern China

2008-12-14T18:50:00.001-08:00

A Li is one of Colin's employees at Salvadore's. We were invited to spend three days participating in her wedding celebration.
To get there, we had to take a 5 hour bus to a 4-wheel drive truck to motorcycles which took us to the beginning of our walk to her family's house.All of the Salvadore's owners were there: Josh, Kris, Nalco and Colin.

Here is the groom and the bride.

Here is some of the family.
We ate like kings. When it was all over, they had fed 560 people.

Veggie Dumpling Recipe

2008-12-14T18:43:00.001-08:00

The Veggie Dumplings at Hangzhou Pork Bun Shop were our favorite, so we got the recipe.
To make the dough for the skin, lay down 3 cups of flour in the center of your workspace. Create a crater in the middle, adding water and kneading for 15 minutes until the consistency is just right. Roll into small balls and flatten. Add filling, fold in half and pinch closed along the seam.

To make the filling, thinly slice carrots and zucchini. Cut small cubes of tofu and saute everything together, adding salt if necessary.

You can steam, boil, saute or deep fry the dumplings. So simple.

To make the dipping sauce, add black vinegar, soy sauce, sesame, chopped chili and green onions.

Back to Dali

2008-12-14T18:31:00.001-08:00

With our new visas freshly stamped, we made our way back to Dali.

We stayed with Rongjie (above) at the Bird Bar.

Hong Kong

2008-12-14T18:11:00.000-08:00

When we went to Tibet, all of our visas (including Colin's residency) were canceled. We were supposed to go to Thailand get new tourist visas. When protesters took over the airports in Bangkok we decided to go to Hong Kong instead.
We spent 3 nights in the city, but the highlight was staying at Sting's house in the mountains.

Dali, China

2008-11-24T20:09:00.001-08:00

Of all of the places that we've been in China so far, Dali - in Yunnan Province - is the #1 place that I would recommend to anybody planning a trip to East Asia.
Dali is my brother Colin's home-away-from-home. It was the first place in China where he put down roots as well as the location choosen for his first Salvador's restaurant.

It is a beautiful mountain city with a physical environment and architecture that reminds me of the mythical Shangri-La. It has a number of ancient Buddhist pagodas that date back to when it was an independent kingdom. It also has a vibrant local culture which presents a mix of the 22 ethnic groups that share it as a home.

Colin has recently rennovated a century-old home inside the walls of the old city.

For a good adventure in Dali, one only needs to put on their walking shoes.

Kunming, China

2008-11-24T19:57:00.000-08:00

Kunming is one of many cities in China with over 5 million people that most of us have never heard about.
Most important to us, it is where my brother Colin has lived for most of the past 7 years. It is also where his restaurant, Salvador's, is located.
Salvador's is famous for it's home-made organic ice cream and coffee as well as a well-stocked bar and lively late-night atmosphere.

The creative use of wood and glass create a relaxing and chilled-out environment, which is a treasure in this otherwise hectic and noisy part of the city.

The weather was perfect for sitting at the outside bar and enjoying a Brooklyn IPA (Seriously!! They have it!! The first non-lager beer that I'd had since leaving Europe!)

Colin's girlfriend, Aling, has a store in Kunming where she sells her handmade purses and bags. She is on the right in the picture below. Her sister is on the left.

Some of Colin's friends had us over for dinner at their incredible apartment in New Kunming. This dinner, which highlighted at least 5 varieties of wild mushrooms, will soon be added to our International Foodies Awards as the "#1 Homemade Meal".

Lhasa, Tibet

2008-11-24T19:53:00.000-08:00

Expedition to Everest Base Camp, Tibet

2008-11-24T19:41:00.000-08:00

Kathmandu, Nepal

2008-11-24T18:49:00.000-08:00

The Monkey Temple.

Candle vigil at the base of the Monkey Temple.
The maze that is downtown Kathmandu.

Trek Near Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

2008-11-24T18:19:00.001-08:00

After a long uphill stretch, we are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the Annapurna Himalaya.
Having already completed a number of treks, it is clear that Nepal is best-equipped for trekkers of every level and for treks of any length imaginable. You could literally walk into these mountains with a small backpack filled with just a toothbrush, a book, and a wad of Nepalese rupies, and expect to survive for months in the villages that dot the mountainous landscape.

View of the Fishtale - a mythical peak that is off-limits to climbers.

Lost?

A pretty decent breakfast spot.

Although the wilderness is the highlight, some of the most interesting moments come when walking through the mountain villages.

Motorcycle Trip to Lake Begnas

2008-11-24T18:13:00.000-08:00

It was supposed to be a really easy ride.

6 Flahives and 3 Bikes.
The paved road ended and the real adventure began.

As hard as it was on bikes, most people in the valley did not have motor power of any sort. Plus, their loads were considerably larger.

We survived slips and falls, but it took a flat to really slow us down.

We really should have paid a little more for the new bikes! Each of the three used bikes that we took turned out to be a lemon.

Pokara, Nepal

2008-11-24T18:04:00.000-08:00

In terms of food, lodging, shopping, access to the great outdoors, bars, coffee shops, steak-houses, pizza, cheap (but quality) pirated outdoor equipment, fresh air, and amazing views, Pokara may be the best place on Earth . . . if you are into those kinds of things.

Keep that Karma Wheel spinning, ladies.
Hackey sack?

Finishing touches.

Our hosts for tea and cookies at the Tibetan Refugee Camp.

Prayers and chanting in the monastery.

Schoolgirls at the refugee camp.

Rush hour.

Varanasi, India

2008-11-24T17:54:00.000-08:00

Chinese Fishing Nets in Kochi, India

2008-11-24T02:37:00.000-08:00

Houseboat in Backwaters of Alleppy, Kerala State, India

2008-11-24T02:32:00.001-08:00

Our chef made the best Indian food of the entire trip.

Our pilot's baby daughter.

Varkala Beach, Kerala State, India

2008-11-24T02:28:00.000-08:00

Colin and Aling at the beach bungalow.

Women in beautiful sarees on the beach, getting them wet.

Tailor-made clothing using Indian silk.
View from the beach from the cliffs above.

Observations from Abroad

2008-11-01T00:28:00.000-07:00

Restoring America's Image

In the past 7 months, we have had the opportunity travel abroad to over 25 countries on 5 continents. During this time we have conversed with many people from various backgrounds and perspectives. Given our status as US citizens, we've found that regardless of where we are, the conversation often turns to politics. People around the world are genuinely interested in hearing more about the US election.

In our interactions, three themes have consistently presented themselves. First, with few exceptions, the people that we've met say they like the American people they meet but also greatly dislike the U.S. as represented by our current President. We both traveled overseas in the 1990's. Then, people from most of the world clearly respected the American government and the U.S. President. Sadly, this is not the case now, and it sometimes has an effect on how we are recieved. Second, despite their feelings about our current President and the policies of the past 8 years, America still represents something far greater to them, something that is still positive and provides hope and inspiration for the future. Finally, people from all over the world are electrified by the candidacy of Barack Obama.

Orphans in Africa view Barack as a hero who has proven that skin color need not stand in the way of anybody hoping to achieve their dreams. Cab drivers in Asia use broken English to tell us "Obama Good. McCain bad." Europeans (often the hardest and most vocal critics we have met), see an opportunity for America to again be a positive world leader, a development which they eagerly await.

We are proud of our country and take pride in representing it during our travels. America remains a true example of human progress and provides the best blueprint available to countries that want to develop. We have been to many places around the globe that claim to be "People's Democratic Republics" and have concluded that, sadly, those governments are the most corrupt and the least democratic. Our experiences overseas provide us with tangible comparisons, highlighting America's strengths every day. The election scandals and overly aggressive military expeditions of the past 8 years have had the opposite effect, highlighting a foreign policy that is selfish and dangerous. This is what people overseas expect from their own governments, not ours.

The views of non-Americans should not be the main reason for US citizens to support one candidate over another. That said, with America's image and international relations crippled by the decisions of the past 8 years, we have a unique opportunity to show the world that the United States is capable and willing to embrace the opportunities and the costs of being a true world leader, as we once were. We've seen the results of a self-interested go-at-it-alone approach to world leadership. Now is time to recognize that we will sink or swim together as a world community. Some sacrifices will be required from Americans, but the benefits of being respected and followed as a leader are worth those costs. Our country's success in the 20th century are proof of this.

As Americans, our experiences overseas during the past 7 months have confirmed for us that other world citizens will be happy and grateful to follow our lead if we make choices that will benefit the world as a whole. From our experiences on the road, we strongly believe that they will see electing Barack Obama as a first - and powerful - step in the right direction.

-Ryan Flahive & Denise Powell

The Temples of Angkor- Siem Riep, Cambodia

2008-10-25T23:29:00.000-07:00

The majestic Angkor Wat, the largest religious structure in the world.

Carvings inside the temple.
Angkor Wat.
The many faces of Angkor Thom.

Cycling through the temples in the ancient city of Angkor Thom.
A country proud of their beer.
A tree swallows the temple.

Cambodia's Killing Fields

2008-10-25T23:05:00.000-07:00

In a period of 3 years, 8 months and 20 days, The Khmer Rouge killed 2 million people. Officially, their offenses ranged from knowing a second language to wearing glasses. Many were women and children who were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. 17,000 of the executed passed through the S21 torture center (a renovated school) before being shipped to the Killing Fields 10 miles outside of Phnom Penh. Most of their photographs were taken as they arrived at S21 and those photograhs are on exhibit there today.

The official Khmer Rouge policy stated that, "it is better to arrest 10 people by mistake than to let one guilty person go free."
This stupa stands in center of the Killing Fields today. It houses many of the remains of people who were buried in the numerous mass graves that surround it. To save bullets, most were killed with blunt instruments or knives. As you walk the grounds, there are new bones and more clothing unearthed by weathering every day.
Inside the stupa, skulls and bones are arranged so that the deceased spirit can come and go as it pleases, an important symbol given that none of these people was given a proper Cambodian burial.

(Note: When I originally posted this blog entry, I had included a close-up photograph of some of the skulls that are housed in the stupa pictured above. When I saw the final posting, it was so dark and disturbing that Denise and I decided that keeping it on our site did not sufficiently honor the dignity of those who had died during the violent and brutal years that the Khmer Rouge dominated Cambodia. We even considered erasing the entire posting altogether but decided that this is still a story that needs to be shared with others. so we just erased that one photograph).

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

2008-10-25T22:39:00.000-07:00

Phnom Penh was a difficult city to navigate at first. There are a lot of shrewd business people who are tough negotiators, along with the slew of street beggars, most of them children, and some landmine victims. While it is difficult to witness, it is there and it is real. Once the "Pearl of Asia," PP has re-emerged from depths of war by the current influx of young people back to the city. Now, it is a up-and-coming place, full of fantastic restaurants, nightclubs, and beautiful temples. There is a lot of building happening and more and more tourism to support its growth.

The Vietnam War

2008-10-24T04:09:00.000-07:00

As an American, I carried a fair share of collective guilt with me into Vietnam. I was curious to see if and how we might be judged by the locals. When we met new people and were asked where we lived, I expected our answer to produce at least a glance of dissapproval or a glimmer of a grudge. It never came.

They call it the "American War". When you think about that for a moment, it makes sense. Otherwise, wouldn't all of their wars be called "Vietnam Wars"? Imagine if we called all of our wars the "American War"? Regardless of the logic, it still sounds strange when you hear it called by that name.

Throughout our travels, we were exposed to viewpoints and stories that challenged our prior understanding of American involvement in the Vietnam War. Through these interactions, two things immediately became apparent: first, people were unafraid to openly share their memories and thoughts about the war; second, there are no hard-feelings harbored against America or Americans. We never once felt that we were unwelcome in this beautiful country.

To supplement the viewpoints provided by local guides and museum exhibits, I decided to immerse myself in two other sources: Bob McNamara's book, In Restrospect, and Thich Nhat Hanh's book of stories titled The Stone Boy. McNamara was the Secretary of Defense from Jan. 1961 until 1968. In this role, he was responsible for many of the decisions that led to the US military build-up. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen master from Vietnam who is author of more than 20 books. He was the Chair of the Buddhist Peace Delegation to the Paris Peace Talks that brought an end to the Vietnam War. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr.

These two voices, combined with our conversations with locals, have led me to a much better understanding of how we got into the war as well as how our military involvement escalated. Moreover, they have given me a far greater sense of compassion for the patriotic Americans who deepened our involvement. I have no doubt that many of their most important decisions were wrong, but in most cases our leaders were truly trying to do the right thing for the security of our country. Bob MacNamara, in his memoir about the war, agrees that most of the decisions leading to the escalation were in fact mistakes. In writing about them, he hoped that his mistakes could become lessons that would keep future generations of Americans from becoming involved in non-American civil wars overseas.

In their zeal to end communist expansion in Asia (China, the Soviet Union, Laos, South Vietnam, North Korea and many others had already fallen - as had much of Europe) the policy makers in Washington DC:

never really took the time to understand the geography of S.E. Asia;
underestimated the power of nationalism (in the guise of Communism) to motivate a people to die for their beliefs and values; and,
failed to recognize the limitatons of modern, high-tech weaponry and doctrine when facing unconventional guerilla forces.

Moreover, when the executive branch asked for blanket authority to wage war (through the Tonkin Gulf Resolution), Congress did not ask enough questions before granting unlimited authority to the President. Finally, the Executive Branch was secretive and did everything to keep the American Public from truly understanding what they were getting into and what was really happening on the ground.

Sound Familiar?

Again, I do believe that good people made bad decisions. But as MacNamara points out, "wars generate their own momentum and follow the law of unanticipated consequences". In their efforts to protect our security and prevent the spread of totalitarian Communism, that generation of leaders failed to recognize that their strategy was losing and make the difficult decision to pull out American forces. Instead, they kept sending in more troops and dropped bigger and bigger bombs. They held on to a losing war because nobody wanted to admit that they had already lost. In doing so, they made losing far more costly than was necessary.

Wars do generate their own momentum. It would have saved an enormous number of lives - both American and Vietnamese - as well as substantial national wealth had one of those leaders made the decision to pull out earlier. Did we learn that lesson?

In the collected stories that Thich Nhat Hahn presents in the Stone Boy, he provides the reader with first-hand accounts of the pain and suffering that resulted from the war. He is careful not to place blame on any person, group, or state. Rather, he uses stories to present real-life experiences of children losing and searching for their parents, boat-people escaping persecution by heading into the sea on flimsey boats and hoping to survive pirates, storms and starvation. He introduces us to children who have been blinded by chemicals dropped from the skies to clear the underbrush and uncover Viet Cong. Through all of this, he shows us the true consequences of war on innocent people who just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time . . . victims of the momentum that war innevitably seems to create.

In his book, McNamara recollects one particular conversation that took place shortly after JFK won the presidential election. JFK and his transition team met with President Eisenhower (who, as Commander in Chief had managed US soldiers in Vietnam until that point). McNamara said that Eisenhower was clearly relieved to be able to pass responsibility for a losing quagmire to someone else, particularly a young and charismatic man from the other party. I can easily imagine a similar conversation taking place in the oval office in the next couple of months. Let's hope that our new President can learn from the lessons of Vietnam and get us out of our nation's current quagmire as early as is safely possible.

Exploring the Mekong Delta by Bicycle and Boat

2008-10-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

It definitely was not the cheapest option for a 3-day tour of the Mekong Delta, but we are so glad that we decided to fork out some extra money to see this distinctive piece of Vietnam the way that we did. Below is a photo of the crew of 8 we cycled with.
A villager makes real "snake wine" by capturing poisonous snakes, putting them in a jar with rice water and letting it ferment for 6 months buried underground. The taste was far from appetizing. Always a sucker for peer-pressure, Ryan drank 3 glasses.
"Floating market"

Children who reside in a village where they hand-make bricks.
Our guide, Juan Carlos.
School girls who joined our crew cycling one afternoon.
Fresh fruit at a local home. A nice break from the ride.
All fishing boats in the Mekong have eyes. The locals say they eyes protect them and also help lead them to fish.

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

2008-10-16T08:46:00.001-07:00

A quote from U.S. professors regarding the war in Vietnam. On the wall of the War Remnants Museum in Saigon.
The "Re-unification Palace," where the North Vietnamese rammed a tank into the front of the building to overtake South Vietnam on April 30th, 1975.
A statue of Ho Chi Minh inside the Re-unification Palace.
If you want to cross the street, good luck!
Q: Is it a playmate for the children or the main course for dinner?
A: Both!

Vietnamese Cooking Class

2008-10-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Hoi An Tailors

2008-10-16T04:18:00.000-07:00

Here is Bu putting the final touches on one of Denise's coats. Denise's Loot:

1 silk traditional outfit with hand-painted design
1 pair of leather boots, hand-made to spec
1 pair of jeans
1 winter coat
1 autumn coat
1 cocktail dress

Ryan's Loot:

1 wool suit
5 shirts
2 slacks

All custom made. Grand total = $390.00

Hoi An, Vietnam

2008-10-16T04:14:00.000-07:00

Hoi An is a colorful old French-colonial town with the most amazing food we have had yet. If you need a suit or dress tailored, this is the place to do it!

We've all been wondering where Nate has been lurking recently. Now we know.

International Foodies, Take #1

2008-10-15T07:22:00.000-07:00

With 42 Countries under my belt, I am prepared to make the following predictions regarding the culinary fitness of the countries that we have visited in the past 7 months.

#1 Culinary Country - VIETNAM
#1 Chef - Merrick, of course
#1 Meal - Mourne Seafood Bar, Belfast (Ryan's 35th B-day Dinner)
#1 City - Hoi An, Vietnam
#1 Dish - Eland Schnitzle, Namibia
#1 Beer - Draught Guinness, Sweeny's Pub, Ireland
#1 Wine - Namibia/South Africa, too many to count!

We still have 2 more months on the road, so the race is still on . . .

Hue, Vietnam

2008-10-11T23:44:00.000-07:00

Hue is a historical place, located about 90 kilometers from the Demilitarized Zone and full of points of interest for history buffs and those interested in the Vietnam War (or American War, as they call it in Vietnam). The former capital, it is also home to an old empire housing tombs of emperors, pagodas, artisan villages, and temples along the Perfume River.

An American bunker overlooking the Perfume River.
A woman making traditional hats in an artisan village.
A woman rolling incense sticks.
The Citadel.

Halong Bay, Vietnam

2008-10-11T23:26:00.001-07:00

Halong Bay is a World Heritage Site for a good reason. The islands are magestic, their vertical faces plunging from turquois waters. Everywhere you turn, there are layers of islands with no opening to the sea in sight. We spent 2 days on an old Chinese junk boat (fishing boat) with people from all over the globe, kayaking, caving, and eating fresh seafood. When in a place like this, nothing else seems to exist.
Denise and Ryan on the junk.
A passing junk. 1,000 junks leave the port at Halong Bay City everyday.
Our room in the boat.
The top deck. At night we enjoyed the stars with the faint glimmer of the other boats around us.
View from "Surprise Cave"

The crew aboard the Hoi Au.

Hanoi, Vietnam

2008-10-11T23:17:00.000-07:00

Hanoi was a bustling city full of motorbikes. You really have to watch where you walk to ensure you do not get run over. The French-colonial architecture was lovely and the food in Vietman has proved to be some of the best we've had. Hanoi is filled with small sidewalk cafes that serve fresh local beer called Bia Hoi. You know where we were every afternoon!

Trekking Through Muong and Kummu Villages, Laos

2008-10-11T22:53:00.001-07:00

Trekking in the mountain villages north of Luang Probang was one of the most challenging and amazing experiences we have had. We trekked with our backpacks in the rain, through rivers, rice paddies, up hill (sliding down the hill). The scenery was picturesque and the familes we stayed with were incredibly warm toward us, even though we could not speak each other's languages. When Ryan and I broke out the local whisky (Whisky Lao), we were able to communicate just fine. After we threw the locals a party, they thew one right back by having us drink their homemade whisky from a jug with 3 bamboo straws. Our guide, Sitha, joined with us.
Drinking the local whisky.
The Shaman's wife.
Village kids.
Trekking through sticky rice paddies.
D and Ryan breaking a sweat.
The family we shared a home with.
Kayaking on the MeKong.

Luang Prabang, Laos

2008-10-10T23:10:00.000-07:00

Luang Prabang was one of our top spots we visited on our trip so far. It is a beautiful town perched between two rivers, one being the MeKong. The people are incrediby friendly, they actually have a decent wine bar (hard to find in SE Asia) , and the temples were stunning.

Making Books By Hand in Luang Prabang, Laos

2008-10-05T04:58:00.000-07:00

Bookmaking is a hobby that I hope to someday spin into a business, so it was rewarding to spend time with local bookmakers and learn more about the art behind their business.

Obama Get-Out-The-Vote Event in Thailand

2008-10-05T04:53:00.000-07:00

Chiang Mai, Thailand

2008-10-05T04:20:00.000-07:00

We spent over a month in Chiang Mai, the historic center of Thai culture. Nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains, it has ample access to beautiful natural recreational areas. Yet, it is a rather large city with more bars, cafes and restaurants than we could possibly visit in a month. Being a major tourist and ex-pat mecca, we were lucky to have found a hotel that was located in a bustling part of town with few tourists and lots of Thai people. We strongly recommend the Banilah Boutique Hotel (below) to anybody planning a visit to Chiang Mai. For less than $2 you can take a Tuk Tuk to the old city, yet your home away from home is a comfortable and very authentic Thai experience. Plus, the coffee shop downstairs makes a tasty cup of espresso for less than $1.
By far, the greatest discovery during our time in Chiang Mai was the Wild Rose Sauna. During the day, we took yoga classes and at night used the herbal sauna.
Here is Jo (my yoga instructor) and Rose (a.k.a. Wild Rose).

Thai Farm Cooking Class

2008-09-27T21:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we drove an hour out of Chiang Mai to an organic farm for an amazing cooking class.

Pai, Thailand

2008-09-25T02:20:00.001-07:00

View of the rice paddies in Pai, a small artsy town with hot springs, coffee shops, high mountain roads, caves...and only 4 hours from Chiang Mai. Well worth the visit.

Ryan and our friends Amanda and Felipe. They are thenearest non-Flahive neighbors to our Jungalow in Costa Rica. We randomly bumped into in Thailand and shared a number of adventures to waterfalls and hotsprings as well as sharing lots of wine and good food. Motorbikes were the best way to explore the area around Pai.Hiking the narrow trails on the top of Pai Canyon.

Inside of Lod Cave, 45 kilometers from Pai.

Colin enjoying the waters of Pembok Waterfall.

ITM Massage School

2008-09-25T02:09:00.000-07:00

Last day of class after two weeks of learning Thai massage at ITM Massage School. Now Denise is able to complete a 3- hour Thai Massage. Any takers?
Classmates for level one and two after Qi Gong in the park.
Friday Qi Gong in action.

Chuck Chuck

2008-09-25T02:05:00.000-07:00

Colin and Ryan with our personal Tuk Tuk driver - Chuck Chuck - in Chiang Mai. This is how we got around everyday.

Cooking Classes at Baan Thai- Chiang Mai

2008-09-25T01:52:00.000-07:00

We took an all day cooking class at Baan Thai in Chiang Mai after between Denise's first and second weeks of massage school. We went to the market to buy ingredients before the class began.
Denise cooking spring rolls for the group during a Thai cooking course at Baan Thai.

Different kinds of rice at the market.

More Pictures from Elephant Nature Park

2008-09-25T01:31:00.000-07:00

Baby elephant napping in the corn stalks while mom and auntie try to feed around him. After a while, they gently nudged him out of the way.
The slippery hike back down from Elephant Haven after the rains.

Pom- our leader at Elephant Haven. She walked up a fairly steep mountain trail with bare feet.

Denise tending to three tiny finches whose nest dropped from a tree at the sanctuary. They made it through the first night alive, which was a good sign, and were doing well by the time we left 3 days later. Mushed bananas and cat food did wonders!

Added Ireland and Middle East Videos

2008-09-11T00:24:00.000-07:00

They are not as entertaining as the elephant video below, but I wanted to get caught up with my editing and posting. You can either scroll down to those sections or click on the following to watch:

Definitely watch the Elephant Nature Park video FIRST, though!

Elephant Nature Park, the Movie

2008-09-09T22:33:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, Cousin Kelly, this time we kept all of the baby elephant footage.

Elephant Nature Park, Thailand

2008-09-08T20:16:00.000-07:00

Stopping for a quick butt scratch on the long hike to Elephant Heaven - a mountaintop forest sanctuary where the elephants can roam free and search for medicinal plants to supplement their generous diet. Each family group gets to make this trip once a week.
By tying these crimson strips of cloth to the larger trees, we alert the local villagers that they have been identified as sacred by Buddhist monks and therefore cannot be cut. Saving trees helps fight erosion and keep local water resources clean and sustainable, helping all local people and elephants. Hope is the only long-term resident of the Nature Park who has not had to go through the cruel 7-day torture session used to "break the will" of young elephants so that they can become working elephants. He was found as a young calf after his mother was killed and raised by the park's founder, Lec. With his "will" fully in tact, he can be quite a rascal. The mahouts call him a "cheeky bugger".

Our glorious and couragous leader, Mammoth.

Bath time. The elephants at the park get 2 baths a day which include hand-scrubbing from the volunteers and day-visitors.
Our volunteer crew.
Overall, this was an amazing and memorable experience. We lived for a week on the grounds of the nature park. Every day we woke up for breakfast at 7:30 and reported by 8:00 for our first round of chores. These would include cleaning up elephant poo, cat poo, cow and/or buffalo poo. Who ever thought that cleaning up poo would be so rewarding?

After our first round of chores, came the morning project, which involved fence-mending, drainage digging and other physical work. Before lunch, we fed the elephants and after lunch bathed them. Then, we reported for the second round of chores/projects, which often meant shucking corn or chopping grass.

By far the hardest day of work was chopping 230 bundles of corn by machete and then carrying the bundles over muddy rice patties to the truck for delivery back to the park.

The food was great. Dinner was especially tasty and the many Chang beers that we enjoyed over conversations with fellow volunteers felt well-deserved. After dinner we had an hour Thai massage. The lodging . . . OK, but not so great.

The side-trip to Elephant Haven (at the top of the page) was definitely the highlight of our week. We hiked to an overnight camp where we stayed with the elephants in a wild setting. It was a long and muddy hike but the food and the view that we enjoyed from the sleeping platform made it worthwhile. Before bed, the mahouts sang us songs on improvised flutes made of PVC pipes and drums made of anything they could hit.

Pom, mother to all of the elephants. They listen closely to every word she says.
The elephants at Elephant Nature Park have been rescued from a number of terrible situations. One had his foot blown off by a landmine. Another was blinded with hooks when she refused to work because her baby had just died. The stories go on and on. You can meet the entire herd HERE.

Updated Pictures of the GeoDiscovery Lab

2008-09-07T19:20:00.000-07:00

I just recieved the following pictures of the GeoDiscovery Lab that we built for orphans in Ghana. They were sent by fellow volunteers who helped with the launch. Thanks again to those of you who helped fund this effort.

Istanbul and Dubai, The Movie

2008-09-01T00:17:00.000-07:00

Istanbul and Dubai

2008-08-31T03:53:00.000-07:00

View of the Blue Mosque from a rooftop in Istanbul.

View of the Black Sea on the Bosphorous Strait.

Whirling Dervish at the Dervish Cafe in Sultanhamet.

The Juice Bar Kebab Shop.

Alan, Dana, and Max at the Limetree Cafe in Dubai, UAE.

Ski Dubai in the Emirates Mall.

London

2008-08-31T03:35:00.000-07:00

New York crew back in affect. Karina, Shanna, Denise, and Sir Winston Noodle.

Alice's Antique Shop on Portabello Road, Notting Hill.

Old sign shop, Notting Hill.

Amsterdam

2008-08-31T01:21:00.000-07:00

Joellen, Ryan, Ryan N., and D in Amsterdam.

Canal at night.

Joellen and Denise on the "Canal Bikes."

Mmm. Beer.

Ireland, The Movie

2008-08-30T23:16:00.000-07:00

Belfast Political Murals: Republican and Loyalist

2008-08-30T01:34:00.000-07:00

Bobby Sands- Hunger Striker Mural on Falls Road, the Irish district of Belfast. Sands passed away in jail as a result of the hunger strike at age 27.

Mural over grave yard near Falls Road.

Mural of a faded British Flag near the loyalist district of Shankill.

Additional loyalist murals near Shankill.

Pascal, Omey Island Wizard, Ireland

2008-08-22T19:16:00.001-07:00

Some call him a wizard. Others just refer to his background as a stunt man (remember the TV show, "The Fall Guy"? He was the stunt man behind the stunt man . . . plus he backed up a couple of 007 agents on the big screen). Pascal is the only year-round resident of Omey Island. We would usually visit him in the trailer home that he has parked on the most beautiful seaside land on Omey. We had him over to the cottage for dinner and drinks (below). He left us with plenty of stories and songs about the island. He did not, however, leave behind a single drop of wine, beer or whisky.

Denise Spots one of the "Little People"

2008-08-22T19:14:00.001-07:00

"Surrender" to Omey Island

2008-08-22T04:04:00.000-07:00

For 2 wonderful weeks, we lived on a small island on the northwest coast of Ireland. A friend generously loaned us a beautiful but simple cottage on Omey Island, just across the "strand" (pictured below) from Claudaghduff in Connemarra. The strand is an elevated and relatively solid portion of a tidal estuary that is covered by water when the tide is high. We have to time our travels to and from the island at low tide, which comes twice a day. The first word of advice that our friend gave us about living on Omey, was to "surrender". In the case of the tide, this word of wisdom became particularly important.
When we got stuck on the mainland because of high tide, we were "forced" to drown a few Guiness at "Sweeney's Strand Bar", where many of the locals and all of the bartenders know us by name. The walk to Sweeney's from the cottage is about 45 minutes. When it was raining , the bartender would drive us home.While there, we participated in a number of community events, including the Omey Horse Races and a huge seafood buffet that was scheduled to raise money for the local cultural center.
Home sweet home. We both greatly miss this wonderful cottage.

Just a stone throw away, there is a 3000 year old holy well.
. . . and a buried church from the 8th century.
Plus, the dunes nearby are perfect for dune-jumping.
. . . and the graveyard is full of men and women who perished at sea, during the famine, and under brutal colonial rule.
Old Omey House - destroyed by a terrible storm long ago.
And the milkshake-maker - proof that the ocean is not always your friend.

Flahive Drinking Establishments

2008-08-22T04:02:00.000-07:00

Denise has often wondered - sometimes out loud - how those Flahive boys could be so darn "thirsty". Ireland answered her question. Here she is pouring a Guiness at Mary Flahive's Pub. When you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Leaving Ireland in Ruins

2008-08-22T03:47:00.000-07:00

O'Brien Castle, overlooking the Cliffs of MoherO'Flaherty Castle, home of long-lost Flahive decendents
Some castle (sorry, I forgot the name)
Celtic Fort in Ruins, Dingle Peninsula
More prehistoric ruins in Dingle, some chick in the photo
Cong Abbey
Beehive huts in Dingle

Zambia

2008-07-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

Check our the BIG CATs in the following movie:

South Luangwa Park: Chimilandu Camp
South Luangwa Park: Kuyenda Camp

Victoria Falls: Livingstone, Zambia
Watch Ryan Jump the Falls:

Himba Village and Skeleton Coast

2008-07-27T20:39:00.001-07:00

The Himba tribe is one of the oldest in Namibia. The women paint their bodies and hair with fresh butterfat everyday, which gives their skin a lovely red tint. They are great craftswomen, as they hand-make all their jewelry and clothing (usually with their babies on their laps) They were also very welcoming and warm.

Himba children playing at dusk, wearing the beads their aunts and mothers make.

Some of the oldest bushman engravings are still clear on the side of this sandstone rock. Bushmen were nomads and traveled all over the country from desert to sea.

Famous "desert elephants," pictured below, are rare in Namibia. They are slightly leaner than elephants you find in the parks and are built to last longer without water.

On the Skeleton Coast (i.e. named after bones from beached whales) you are likely not to see another vehicle for hours. It is not a good place to run out of gas or get a flat tire. This photo was taken just before our right back tire went flat. Luckily, there were two vehicles on the road at that time!
View of the Atlantic Ocean from our porch at Cape Cross Lodge.

The larges fur seal colony in the world, pictured below, lies near Cape Cross, Namibia. Noisy little guys.

Safari in Etosha National Park, Northern Namibia

2008-07-27T20:26:00.001-07:00

Neither of us knew that Namibia had a game park as beautiful and full of life as Etosha. Our sleeping hut was situated at the base of a popular watering hole, which was abundant with all kinds of visitors. Only a short stone wall stood between us and the animals. At night, the watering hole was softly lit up for great viewing... with a bottle of wine, of course.

Elephant and zebra taking a drink at sunset at the waterhole directly outside our sleeping hut.

This young black rhino came every night to the waterhole to nibble on the grass only about 20 feet from the stone wall that separated us from him. It was clear another animal attempted to attack him, which was evident from the scratches on his body. This could have been the same rhino that tried to attack our vehicle in the parking lot, as speculated in the video below.

Wild Cat Sanctuary

2008-07-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

Leopard at Dusternbrook Guest Farm near Windhoek, Namibia. The guest farm is also a game reserve and sanctuary for leopard and cheetah.

Cheetah family at Dusternbrook.

Namib Desert

2008-07-24T15:14:00.001-07:00

High dune in the Namib Desert. The landscapes of this beautiful and arid country are grounded in some of the oldest exposed land on Earth.

Surrounded by red sand dunes in the Namib Desert lies Dead Vlei, which consists of flat, cracked earth with only a few dead trees.

Swakopmund Namibia

2008-07-24T14:54:00.001-07:00

No description of our time in Namibia would be complete without mentioning the importance of Jorg and Ulla in this amazing African experience. Working with their friend FranzPeter they put together a complete five-star itinerary at a back-packer's price-point. As you will see in the posting below and those that will follow in the next couple of days, we had an exciting and authentic experience of this wonderful country.

On our first full day in Swakopmund, they had set up a boat trip that took us through the diverse ecosystem of Walvis Bay (Whale Bay).

On the last day of our trip, Ulla joined us on an interesting and creative desert safari.

Denise's Massage Work at OA

2008-07-22T07:32:00.001-07:00

Denise providing massage to special needs children in the infirmary at Orphan Aid Africa. The lucky recipient is Courage. During her stay, Denise provided massage for children with HIV and Cerebral Palsy, a new and rewarding experience for her.

Poems by Patience of Orphan Aid Africa

2008-07-22T07:18:00.001-07:00

Poem Africa by Patience E. Sabah
I am African
and I am proud of Africa.
Especially my country, Ghana.
O God please bless my mother land.
Ahh Ghana! You are so great.
No matter how poor or rich you are
I will still remain an African as well as a Ghanian.
Rich or poor, I will do anything
to make Africa as well as Ghana
great.
All the help I need is from God.
Ghana! Ghana! Ghana!

Poverty Poem by Patience E. Sabah

"Where is the man who brought poverty?"

We will always ask ourselves.

"Is he mad?" We ask our friends.

"Doesn't he know how tired we are?"

We will ask again to our friends.
Well my sisters and brothers

This is my advice.

No man brought poverty.

It is our doing. If we don't work hard,

then we will become poor.

I understand that when you are working hard

people become jealous

and let the manager throw you out. But you must

challenge it if you want to be successful.

But, if you get success do not abandon your friends.

Help them too and food shall bless you.

Interesting Store Names in Ghana

2008-07-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

In Ghana, store names are reflective of their mostly Christian tradition, as indicated in photos below. The following list of store names are real as well:

"God Will Provide Enterprises"
"Thank You Jesus Beauty Salon"
"Everything by God Snack Shop"
"Prosperity Haircut"
"By His Grace Tailoring"
"Don't Mind Your Wife Bar"
"There is No Problem Jesus Can't Solve Company"
"Rejoice in the Lord Design Center"
"Clap for Jesus Business Center"
"Holy Cross Fashion Home"
"In God We Trust Healthcare"

Updated Fufu Video

2008-07-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

Fufu and Banku are the 2 most ubiquitous foods in Ghana. You just cannot escape them. We've documented a detailed recipe for banku that was posted earlier. Fufu is made out of pounded cassava and plantains. It is a very physical - and somewhat dangerous - process, as you will see in the attached video where Joseph taught us how to make this traditional dish.

Togo and Benin

2008-07-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

With Ghana becoming comfortable as a home base, we decided to take a trip to neighboring Togo and Benin. Both countries have recently emerged from military dictatorships and difficult post-colonial histories, yet the people in both countries were sophisticated and worldly. We found ourselves challenged by the language barriers but Ryan's high school French classes unexpectedly did pay high dividends during this part of our trip.

While in Lome, Togo, Denise picked out fabric from a local vendor , designed a dress, and had it tailored. Below is the final product.

Togo and Benin are the birthplace of Fetishism, now known in the New World as Voodoo. In both countries, we went out of our way to hunt out the most authentic Voodoo markets.

While in French Africa, it quickly became clear that Moumar Kaddafi was on a power-grabbing tour. His picture was posted everywhere.
Then, we were stopped by a police barricade placed to protect Kadaffi as his entourage drove by us at over 100 MPH in Lome, Togo.
Benin, while being less developed than Togo is incredibly beautiful.
Denise found time to challenge Che Guevarra to a gave of foosball.

Here is a genuine Beninois petrol station . . . with gas sold by the liter.

Women's Group Graduation

2008-07-07T17:21:00.001-07:00

In a past entry, we described one of Mama Lisa's (pictured above) projects to get the women of Ayenyah Village involved in bead production. While half of the women in the village are embarking on this new project, the other half have already fully engaged themselves in the production of Batik cloth. This is an important development in a local economy where most families live off of under $100 a year. Empowering local women is proven as the most effective development strategy and it was exciting to participate in this celebration of the local women's accomplishments.

Boti Falls

2008-07-07T17:13:00.000-07:00

Our fieldtrip to Boti Falls with the older kids of OrphanAid Africa is one of the most memorable experiences of our time in Ghana. Although there was an age limit set for the children who could join us, Seriatu was allowed to join us because of her recent good behavior at school and church. As you will see in the video below, she stole the show.

Volta River Weekend

2008-07-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

After three weeks at OrphanAid Africa, we decided to take our first vacation. We went two hours north to the Volta River and enjoyed some fine food and wine. The highlight was a canoe trip up the river.

GeoDiscovery Lab Video - Low Resolution

2008-06-20T07:09:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everybody who helped support the launch of the GeoDiscovery Center at OrphanAid Africa. As you will see from the following video, your donation went to a wonderful cause and is bringing a world-class learning resource to a small village in Ghana. Please excuse the low resolution video, but the bandwidth here is not strong enough to upload the high resolution version.

We are now raising money to purchase 10 computers for the children's home. In the next two months, we will be connected to Ghana's hydro-electric power grid and will be able to put the new high-speed satellite router that we recently installed to work. If you'd like to donate, please visit: http://thevoicesproject.org/geodiscoverylab.html

Barack Obama visits OrphanAid Africa for Rasta Endorsement

2008-06-20T06:52:00.001-07:00

Barack Obama is very popular with Ghanaians young and old. Our campaign pins and copy of Dreams of My Father were worth their weight in gold.

There is a very catchy new Obama song that is everywhere on the radio.

Click Here for Full Blakk Rasta Obama Song

Evelyn's Banku with Peppe

2008-06-20T06:32:00.000-07:00

Along with Fufu (which was documented in a prior posting), Banku is a staple food in Ghana. The best Banku - by far - that we've had is at the OA Guest House. It is the ultimate comfort food. We asked Evelyn to teach us how to make it. We didn't have power that night, so everything was made by candle-light.
Start with even portions of corn and cassava flour. Sift the flours and mix with water. Mix by hand and sieve soaked dough, removing clumps. Boil everything together and mix regularly until the mixture gets doughy. Add more water and pull the dough from the edges of the potm forming and reforming a ball. Steam the ball for 15-20 minutes.

For the Peppe sauce, add dry peppers to water and mix until the water is red. Add 1/2 onion and 4 tomatoes and mash together into a sauce while the banku boils.

Mold the banku into baseball-sized balls and serve with Peppe and fried chicken.

Termite Mound Pizza Oven

2008-06-10T04:02:00.000-07:00

First, you hollow out enough of a termite mound to create a pizza oven . . .

Then, you make the guacamole (using a recipe from the Essential Jungle-Fusion Cookbook) so that everybody has something to snack on while we prepare the pizza . . .
Then, you play music and dance to the local pizza deity . . .
Then, you collect herbs and spices from the organic garden . . .
Then, you call home to Denver to get a recipe for the dough.

2tsp yeast
1 2/3 cup warm water
4 cups flour
1/4 cup oil
tsp salt

dissolve yeast in water
mix flour and salt
create a well in the center and pour in yeast mixture
add oil
knead until elastic and cover
let rise for 1 hour
punch down, beat out air and let rise for 45 minutes
roll out into pizza crust

We used Merrick's recipe for the sauce . . .

Cook pies in the termite mound and enjoy with plenty of Star beer.

GeoDiscovery Center Opens Tomorrow!

2008-06-10T03:08:00.000-07:00

As you can see. The kids are already excited!

We've used local craftsmen and traditional building techniques for the entire project. The roof is made of thatch, the walls made of mud and the ceiling covered with local hand-woven mats. Even the electrician is from the local village.

The final layer of mud for the interior is built from termite-mound sand, giving it a bright red appearance. The outer walls are also made of mud, but are decorated by groups of female Ghanaian artisans. Every paintining and relief tells a story. The women like to drink (quite a bit) before getting to work. The older the artisan, the higher her rank and more detailed her images.

We've wired the entire lab so that when hydroelectricity reaches the village in the next couple of months, we will be able to add 10-20 computers to the resources that we offer. Please feel free to help support this effort at: www.RyanFlahive.com

2008-06-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

Fufu and Banku are the 2 most ubiquitous foods in Ghana. You just cannot escape them. We've documented a detailed recipe for banku that will be posted at a later date. Fufu is made out of pounded cassava and plantains. It is a very physical - and somewhat dangerous - process, as you will see in the attached video. Due to limited bandwidth, this low-res version will be replaced with a higher resolution compression at a later date.

Progress Report on the GeoDiscovery Lab

2008-06-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

THANK YOU, to everybody who donated money to help build the GeoDiscovery Center at OrphanAid Africa. We've completed the mud walls and thatch roofing. The final layer of mud (made of termite mounds, so they are a vibrant red) is drying as I write this. The furniture is under construction and our shipment of wall maps from the National Geographic Society is scheduled to arrive today. If all goes as planned, our opening ceremony will be next Monday.

With the rains, our solar panels have not been able to support computer use. Therefore, I am working from the nearest internet cafe, 45 minutes away by "tro-tro". I am kicking myself for forgetting the photographs that I have taken so far of the lab!! We have, however, installed a new router that is going to turn the entire orphanage, Ayenyah village and the surrounding 1 Kilometer into a wireless hotspot. Once we are hooked into the nearby hydroelectric system created by Lake Volta (the biggest man-made lake in the world) we are going to be able to create a new Computer Lab for area students. Please visit www.RyanFlahive.com in the next couple of weeks to find out how you can help make this happen.

Since I don't have photos of the lab with me, I will instead share these photographs of our first GeoDiscovery Field trip to Boti falls with the children. More on that later too!

Ayenyah Womens' Group Field Trip

2008-06-03T07:24:00.001-07:00

Ryan and Denise recently joined Ayenyah's womens group on a tour of the biggest bead market in West Africa and the local "factories" that produce beads. In a village where the average family has far less than $100/year, very little cash makes its way to women. By learning how to produce beads, we hope to provide women with income that they can use to pay school fees and purchase food.

Here is the group photo:
Molds are made out of Plaster:
Glass is ground into small pieces. As you probably expect, there will be plenty of wine and beer bottles left behind when Denise and Ryan leave the community:
Pieces of glass are placed in the molds:
And melted into beads in the fire. Once they cool, each bead is painted by hand.

Football - Orphanaid Africa (green) vs. Ayenyah Village (red)

2008-06-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

Football is a religion here and Ghanians play rough and fast. Ryan has been playing with the under 14 group and still has boys and girls running circles around him and taking the ball away just when he thinks he might be able to make a pass. The 18+ mens team has asked him to join, but we think they are just being polite. The final score of this game was OA 6, Villagers 3.

OrphanAid Africa

2008-05-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

We have been in Ayenyah Village, Ghana, for 2 weeks now and have many stories to share with you. Our power system and internet connection is illustrated below, so I hope you will bear with us as we take advantage of any days with strong wind or sun to get caught up on our blog entries.

Working with Mama Lisa (pictured below) has been incredible. She came to Ghana eight years ago, leaving a very successful career as a publisher to start OrphanAid Africa (formerly Orphanage Africa). She has taken both of us under her wing. Every day we wake up with a new challenge (fixing the solar panels, designing water systems, researching health insurance) and every night we celebrate our successes and lament the challenges over a beer or bottle of wine. This woman is absolutely amazing.
Why we are here. Little John Paul (2 years old) pictured with Denise.

The Guest House. Evelyn's food is the best we've had in Ghana.

The Door of no Return - Ghana's Slave Forts

2008-05-29T07:21:00.000-07:00

Most of the slaves that went to Europe and then to the New World came from Ghana. European powers fought over control of these forts for 400 years. Of course, we all learned about this in school. Being here in the flesh, however, is truly blood curdling.

The door of no return. The door is shut, the ladders are pulled, and there is no escape except for death.

Nzulezu Stilt Village

2008-05-28T03:03:00.003-07:00

Axim Beach

2008-05-28T02:50:00.000-07:00

To Walk with Ease- new poem

2008-05-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

To walk with ease
is not a simple task.
Although, some may perceive themselves
gliding freely
with immaculate synchronicity
their legs are heavy with convictions.
It pangs me sometimes
to watch young men
dragging themselves over wooden bar floors
night after night
forgetting where they have been.

To walk with ease is not a simple task.
Although, I have seen it before
in the hips of a mother in a village
rural and close to the ground.
Her knees were swaying apples on sturdy branches in autumn.
She waved at passers by with one swoope of her hand
as they admired the big-eyed child on her back.
The other tiny palm rested gently behind her
cupping the sak that held him.

-Dcp

New Orleans and Pensacola

2008-05-07T07:43:00.000-07:00

Our good friends from New York, Lane and Tsahai, got married in Pensacola, FL on May 3rd, 2008. We made the trip from Costa Rica to be there. They held a joint bachelor/bachelorette party in New Orleans at Jazz Fest the week before.

Josh, Ilana, Eugene, Roman, Sandy, Denise, Ryan, Juice at Lane and Tsahai's wedding.

Lane and Tsahai's bachelor/bachelorette party took place at Jazz Fest in New Orleans, LA April 25-27th, 2008

Noah Jarrett, another great friend and talented musician from NYC, playing with Mamadu in the Blues Tent at Jazz Fest. The tent flooded by heavy rains shortly after the performance started. Noah's website is: www.noahjarret.com

Marching band at Jazz Fest

Many of the homes in New Orleans outside of the French Quarter are still abandoned. We are not sure what the number spray painted on the sides of the houses mean.

Sandy, Roman, and Chappy dressed in garbage bags during a rainstorm at Jazz Fest, toughing out the storm to listen to Dr. John.

Calle Liberdad- new poem

2008-05-07T07:24:00.000-07:00

There is an exception to the rule
when you take the local route.
Ladies peer our their windows
all day sometimes.
I see them everytime I pass
lost in thought. Lost on a street that could be
anywhere. I don't ask them where I am
although we catch eyes many times. I admire
how they can be so still
just watching the street
as I pace wildly
in my internal rage
unaware of the taxi's and buses gone by
that could take me where
I need to go.

-Dcp

Building a Community Library

2008-05-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

Drennan is working with his neighbors, tico and gringo, to build a community library in La Florida. Just before we arrived, they had completed the foundation and the roof. Once completed, it will house books and a computer lab. For the first time, wireless internet will be available to locals in the valley.

Working with a Denver-based company called Walking Tree Travel, high school students from the United States are brought to Costa Rica for a language immersion and community service experience. These students have been and will continue to be crucial to the progress that has been made on the construction of the library.

In many ways, this project has been an extension of the community garden that Drennan and other neighbors built and have maintained behind the schoolhouse. To see more about this partnership, click here.

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The Waterfalls of La Florida Costa Rica

2008-05-04T20:00:00.001-07:00

San Luis is my favorite horseback destination

Here is a new one that we just discovered this year. It is only a 30 minute walk from our jungalow. We don't know its name, but it has some nice shallow wading pools.

Diamante is the second highest waterfall in Central America and the highest in Costa Rica.

The Grandaddy of them all is Niyaca. Incredibly beautiful and with a nice deep swimming hole beneath both levels of the cascades. There used to be a somewhat "safe" set of cliffs to jump off of but they were taken away by floodwaters during the rainy season 2 years ago. The river must have been running really hard because there is no sign that they were ever there.

Jungle-Fusion Pizza Recipe

2008-05-04T19:47:00.000-07:00

After a trip to the farmers' market in San Isidro, Merrick showed us how to make a quick and easy pizza from scratch. The recipe for his Jungle-Fusion pizza sauce is below and the recipe for the crust will be posted soon.

Pizza Sauce
8 lbs small ripe tomatoes (skin on and whole)
8 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1.5 cups chopped celery
4 whole bulbs of garlic, peeled and chopped fine
6 bay leaves
2 tablespoons fresh basil
1 cup of spinach (optional)
chili flakes
3 large onions, chopped

Heat a large sauce pan until hot on med-high (no oil).

Add the oil when the pan is hot and add the carrots, celery and onions. Add garlic and stir. Add the tomatoes and cook on med-high heat until the tomatoes are soft in the middle. Add herbs.

Blend all ingredients in a food processor and return to the pot. Boil.

Add salt to taste.

Nicaragua

2008-04-17T09:59:00.001-07:00

Colonial Granada, one of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere

Nicaragua's National Sport, Granada vs. Managua

Kayaking Lake Nicaragua

Sailing in the Crater Lake at Apoyo, an Extinct Volcano

Traffic Jam on the way to Playa Coco

Surfing at Playa Maderna, near San Juan del Sur

Ericcson's 5th Birthday Party

2008-04-10T15:02:00.001-07:00

Ericcson is Roy's son. Roy and his family have lived on the farm next to Drennan for a number of generations. The vaquero (cowboy) singing in the video below is Ericcson's grandfather. This was Ericcson's 5th birthday, which is a big milestone in Costa Rica.

Denise's 30th Birthday

2008-04-10T14:55:00.000-07:00

B/W Photo Gallery

2008-04-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

My Brother Drennan and His Novia Pamela

2008-04-04T11:41:00.002-07:00

Pamela says, "Drennan, we look the same in every photo. I am brown and you are red."

Toucans

2008-04-04T11:41:00.001-07:00