Monkey Brain Musings

Dear Friends and followers, It is with a heavy heart that I tell you I have had to postpone my trip to Africa, until further notice, due to a family emergency. Please keep my family in your thoughts, as well as the incredibly hard working and committed medical professionals in Malawi and Uganda. All of the financial support I have received for this trip will remain in a separate account, to be used when I am able to continue my work with Imaging the World. Thank you for your support and understanding. With Love, Jo (MB)

The ball is rolling! I have booked my flight, purchased travel insurance, and applied for my Uganda travel visa. I've also learned a few things along the way. For instance, did you know that in the state of Washington, you can only get travel insurance for 90 days of travel? Me neither! I happened to find this out at the same time I found out that I will be traveling for 94 days. Hmmm. So, I will be purchasing a second policy for the 4 days at the end of my trip, which will be in London. I suppose it's a good idea to have the insurance in London, considering the endless number of Pubs and cheese shops, paired with my lack of self control and tendency towards pancreatitis in countries known for delicious cheese. (Feel free to look back at the food photos from Honduras!) I also found out that the Malawi Travel Visa states it is good for 3 months, but it really means it is good for 1 month, within a 3 month period. I found this out AFTER my flight was booked, but luckily I am spe...

Hello, dear followers...It's time to shake the cobwebs out of the blog and get back at it! As usual, I have been busy since returning from my last trip. I returned home last December, worked locally through January, then took off for a travel contract. My timing was excellent and I returned to Whidbey Island, which was my very first contract as a Travel Sonographer. I took an extension on my contract, and will stay on the island until the first week of August. I have loved Whidbey from the moment I stepped onto the island 3 years ago, so it's wonderful to be back. I will return home in August and prepare for a return trip to Africa in September. ITW has received a generous donation to send someone to train in Malawi, so I will spend a couple weeks there, before my return to Uganda. There have been some dramatic set-backs for ITW and the Uganda Team, the biggest being that they did not receive the Grants that they were hoping for. These Grants not only help pay the salaries of ...

4:30pm Wednesday 12/12 I returned home Monday late afternoon and after 2 days, and a 12 hour time difference, the fog is finally starting to lift from my brain. I flew into Dubai last Friday evening, checking into my hotel a little after midnight, and spent the weekend exploring. Dubai is simply fascinating, with stunning architecture and a rich blend of cultures. I spent Saturday morning touring the Jumeirah Mosque followed by a discussion by the Sheikh Moh'd Center for Cultural Understanding, and spent the afternoon and evening with my new friend, Nada. If you are a frequent reader of my adventures, you may remember that I took a fantastic walking tour of Historic Dubai from Nada when I passed through Dubai on my way to Uganda, and I am happy to say that we stayed in touch while I was in Uganda. She is the owner of www.wanderwithnada.com and if you are considering traveling to Dubai, you MUST take a tour with her! We took a boat tour of the Jumeirah Palms area then had an incred...

8am Friday 12/7 My last morning in Uganda. We have been without water for 2 days now and as much as I will miss this crew, I can't help but think of how nice a shower will feel! :) I did not sleep well, woke early, finished packing, and now I am waiting for the team to arrive for my final meeting. Dr. Alphons arrived early, and he is working across from me, answering phone calls and emails. My office buddy, Rian, is watching cartoons and coloring. Rian, as I may have mentioned earlier, is the son of the office caretaker, Eddy. I have nicknamed him Squirrel and his 3 year old energy is both entertaining and exhausting. He is out of school for holiday and has been my near constant companion whenever I am in the office. He was quite helpful during my packing yesterday, asking "What's dis?" and pointing to everything. Everything. He also proceeded to search through my clothing and pick out a skirt to give to his mother! This kid is too much. :) Without his classmates, h...