One day at a time-catching up!

I’m just getting over some kind of illness, I don’t know what I had, nor does anyone else. The main thing was, I did know what I didn’t have; Malaria or Typhoid, or so the blood work I had done from a local lab said. I took the results to the doctor; he told me I probably had some kind of food poisoning. Good enough, now lets recoup and get on with things. This is me and Tsehai the main character of the Staurday morning children's educational program in Ethiopia. I know, I can hear it already, which one is me?? A monkey has a snack at the hot springs of Wondo Genet.

Being ill always slows me down, and takes the wind out of my sails in regards to staying up with my writing and other tasks. But, maybe it is good to slow down and create a little community where I live. I enjoy going to the same coffee shop where they recognize me and greet me when I return by name or the kind of smile that says they are happy to see you again. Maybe one day I will write a book, how to travel the world and loose weight! So, what have I been doing with my time? Answering emails. Creating new podcasts. They take much more time then I wished. But, once they are done they are a wonderful small documentary of a piece of the adventure. If you haven’t looked yet, do, because they are a great way to get a different sense of the trip. I have a couple of new ones coming. Feedback is always welcomed and very much appreciated. If you really like them, forward them on to the world...:) Also, my newspaper column that is being carried by four papers can be found on my web site under the newspaper tab. Here you will find some of my better writing. Well, I’ll leave that for you to decide.

I had a wonderful two day trip with the Adisu family to a city south of Addis called Awasa. We strolled along the the lake shore of Lake Awasa to watch the sun set over the water, as fishermen tried their luck in the reeds. We also took a day trip to the hot springs of Wondo Genet, a beautiful setting in the mountains of plush green vegetation, sugarcane and monkeys. I’ve also become friends with a family with Kansas connections, a brother and sister now living here have married Ethiopians. Shane and his wife Bruktawit create a childrens puppet program widely watched each Saturday morning across the country. His sister Gail and her husband Zelalem run a private school for young children. There’s no public education for preschool kids, so the TV program provides some support for the community as a whole. And the private school started by Gail and Zelalem offers children a solid education and the chance to start life on the right foot. Here's the web site for the Saturday morning program; www.whizkidsworkshop.com Take a look and send them a note of support! Here's Bruktawit and Shane at the studio. They also invited me to do a presentation at the Baha’i Center. I shared with the community my experiences of traveling the world and the various religions I encountered. They responded with excellent questions, and treated me with great kindness and dignity. A fisherman on Lake Awasa. I will continue to stay in Addis Ababa until I have completely caught up on all my tasks! Thank you to those who send emails and questions, I always enjoying hearing from you! Cheers, Dean

Comments

[Dean Jacobs]

Hi Cedar Bluffs!

Thank you for the post on my blog, I always enjoy reading what others want to share with me about the journey. All is good here in Uganda, and I am recovering from white water rafting the Nile river.....how cool does that sound??

I will be careful, so no need to worry~ :)

It's nice to be missed, thanks. One day I will return, I promise.

Cheers,

Dean

[Lynn McGrath]

I'm so glad you are feeling better. I love reading your journals and looking at the photos. What an amazing journey you are on now. Please keep up the great work and becareful. We miss you! Your friends in Cedar Bluffs!

[Dean Jacobs]

Hi Maria,
Thank you for the post on my blog, and your kind words. You are going to Europe! That's great news. Make sure you keep a journal so you can write about the things you see, and the experiences you have.

Yes, I have been to Europe, and I have many friends there. I am sure you will have a wonderful time, the food there is awesome, so try many new things and let me know how it goes, OK?

Yes, I know Mrs. Lumley, I am friends with her family.

I wish you and your brother a wonderful journey, and I look forward to hearing how it was for you.
cheers,

Dean

[Maria]

Hi Dean,
What do you think made you sick? Like, what type of food you ate?
well, A few weeks ago i said you were an inspiration to my brother
and i to travel and now we are going to europe! In probably a few months.
Have you been to europe, like frace, germany? Oh and one more thing,
do you know amy Tharp- Lumley, If you do She was my english teacher
in Highland elementary last year! Well, Got to go

Thanks
Maria

[Jackie Arnold]

We were happy to hear you are on the road to recovery. The work you are doing is very important. It is nice to know you are representing Americans to the rest of the world!

[Brad Clements]

Deano, glad to hear you are doing better - Take care of yourself and God Bless you...

Brad

[Lesa McDermott]

Hey Dean! Looking forward to keeping track of your adventure. Stay safe and healthy if you can.

[George Wesley]

With your permission I would like to excerpt from this post including 1 picture and link.

george wesley at http://bahaiviews.blogspot.com