Back to reality...sort of

All good holidays come to an end. I'm back in North Western Province in Zambia now and it's not quite the tropical paradise Zanzibar is.

We spent the last few days of the trip in Stonetown. None of us wanted to leave but as we were all out of money we had to. I'm sure I'll be back in Zanzibar some day though.

I am glad to get a start on 2008. This is another year of big change. I'll be done with the Peace Corps in four months and I am in the process of figuring out what is next. I've got a few ideas brewing but if you've got any ideas, shoot 'em my way. Especially of they involve more globe trotting.

New Years in Nungwi

So we decided to go up to the town of Nungwi to celebrate the New Year. We couldn't find accommodation up there so we decided to organize a bus from Stone Town up.

We ended up having a really good time at a place called Kendwa Rocks. There were a lot of people from all over the world, good music, lots of drinks and some fireworks after the stroke of mid-night.

We stayed in Nungwi until about 5 am and then boarded the bus to head back to Stone Town. I got to watch the sun rise as we drove down the coast. It was a lot of fun and a great way to ring in the New Year.

I have now spent my last 2 new years celebrations in wonderfully tropical paradises. I wonder where I'll be next year.

Bweju

I just got back to Stone Town after spending a few days over on the east coast of the island in a little village known as Bweju. The sand was as white as you can imagine. The water bluer than I have ever seen and the reefs we went snorkeling on were spectacular. We had some of the best food I have ever eaten in my life. It was hard to leave such a wonderful place but we are headed up to the Nungwi on the north coast for New Years. Should be fun.

Zimmie's First Christmas

Little Zimster had his first Christmas this year. Wish I had been there for it but I was stuck in a tropical paradise. I'm sure I'll have plenty of good ones with him soon enough.

Stonetown

So I arrived in Zanzibar a bit over a day ago and it's great. It's really tropical, has lots of white sand, teal water, friendly people and really good food. I just spent Christmas day siting on a beach enjoying a local beer and watching the tide come in.

Tonight we are headed to the fish market for what I can only describe as a veritable seafood buffet. There are tons of stands selling tuna, mackerel, lobster, prawns and tons of other fresh caught food. You pick what you want and they cook it right in front of you.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas.

The Train Ride

So we decided to take the Tazara train from Zambia to Tanzania. It starts in Kapiri Mposhi and ends in Dar es Salaam. It took about 48 hours to get there. We had a good time and did a pretty good job of keeping ourselves occupied. It's nothing like the comforts of the Eurail but it got us from point to point and we got to see a good bit of the Zambian and Tanzanian country side.

Brett Rhi Chavis

As most of you know now, my brother Brett passed away last June. I've been wanting to put something up here in remembrance of him but didn't quite know how to approach it.

Me and Brett were not the closest of brothers growing up, but as the years passed on and I became less and less of a twerp, we became best of friends. He took me in after I graduated from collage and had no idea what I wanted to do with myself. He was my biggest fan through my marathon running and exploits across the world starting my Peace Corps experience. It wasn't rare for me to be talking to some one and have them tell me that my brother had been going on about me just the other day. I'd like to think he's still telling people about me even though they have no clue who I am.

Brett will be greatly missed by many and it is definitely different with him gone.

...and 2007 is behind us.

Well folks, 2007 has passed us by and, at least for me, it has gone by in a whirlwind. It has been an exciting year of ups and downs, but I seem to have survived it. At times I never thought 2008 would get here and I have to admit that I'm glad it is.

I want to wish you all happy holidays and the best in the new year.

Going back to Zambia

Well it has been a crazy four weeks, but tomorrow I will be flying out of the states and heading back to Zambia. It was rather strange being back home but it was good to see so many people. Believe it or not but I think that I had more culture shock coming back here than when I arrived in Zambia some 14 months ago. Much is the same but a lot has changed at home in the time I've been gone.

This was my first time to meet my nephew Zimmie and he is a load of fun. I can't wait to get back next year and spend more time with him.
















I also got the chance to go to the wedding of one of my best friends, Mark. This was my first time meeting his wife Tara and I think Mark is a lucky guy.















I have past the half way mark on my Peace Corps journey. I know that this next year is going to go by really fast and I can't wait for all the adventures.