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Monday, October 17, 2011

My Indian Friends....




Many of you probably already know that I have become goo friends with the neighbours who have introduced me to a lot of Indian culture & cuisine. I have a mission to get all of their recipes from them so I can become an expert Indian chef. I also had the opportunity to participate in a ceremonial celebration where I dressed up in a Sari and everything. I was so beautiful the dances and especially seeing all the vibrant colours that people were wearing...quite the difference to black, white and beige!! Throughout the evening people also come around to give offering which can include baked goods, fruit, snacks which you put into your little bag and take home with you...it kind of felt like an adult version of trick or treating.

We also headed out together to Botswana for a shopping trip. Me and the kids ended up around the pool of one of the lodges for about 2 hours...you can't keep me away from a good poolside. It was beautiful because we were on the river as well so you were able to see buffalo, elephants and warthogs all over the place. I almost bought a pair of shoes that day. I worked very hard at it but I didn't manage to find a good size for myself...it just wasn't meant to be.

You wil also see in the pics my friend Ioosh (pronounced eye oosh). He is an African Grey Parrot that has become a friend of mine when I visit their house. He has even sat on my shoulder one day. I play 'got your beak" with him which is hilarious and he loves it. He chases after me and then when I see him he turns and runs away hiding. I would actually consider a bird like that but they can live up to 70 years or something which is going to be longer than me :)

Well I only have about 12 days left before I head back to the wilds of Canada. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and plan the next step of my new life!!

Cheers..

Vick xoxo

Monday, October 3, 2011

Rain...scorpions & spiders




Well today we have the first rain fall since I arrived 5 months ago!! I actually have forgotten what rain feels like. I think my skin will be happy seeing that it's starting to resemble a leather bag from being so dry.

This week most of you will know was quite eventful seeing that I was stung by a scorpion. That hurt like hell. First I didn't know what hit me and I ran to the bathroom because I thought something had burned me. Once I realized I was stung then I went back to see what it was because I needed to know if I should go see a doctor. After seeing the scorpion I knew that it was ok....then I felt the pain just spread up my arm and my lower arm started to swell and turn red. Cara then fed my anti-histamines just in case of an allergic reaction. The next 12 hours consisted of icing the wound and just cringing at the shooting pains up my arm. The next 12 hours I just had to deal with numbness from the elbow to my finger tips...the skin was so sensitive to even touch. After that back to new and like nothing ever happened. See photo of the type of scorpion the stung me...yikes!!

Aside from these lovely events we now have the spiders, frogs, and snakes arriving again. Basically you watch your step wherever you go. My tactic is to try to give them a name that way I feel like they won't come and kill me in the night by jumping on my throat. As you can see creepy crawling scare the bejesus out of me!!

In one of the other photos you will see us creating some behavioural enrichment toys for the lions. We need to create some fun interactive toys for them with materials that are natural only. We have to be able to find the materials in the bush so no man made stuff!!

Well 10 volunteers will be arriving today which is going to make today and tomorrow a little crazy but everything as always will work out.

TTFN

Vick