Monkey Brain Musings

 Monday 2/26/24 Hello from Uganda! Forgive any upcoming errors, I am posting from my phone because I cannot get Wi-Fi or hotspot to work on my computer. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ My flight left Istanbul Sunday evening at 7:05 p.m., stopping in Kigali to drop off a few people and pick up a few more, then arriving at the Entebbe airport at 4:50 a.m. I have never been able to sleep on planes, at least not without the help of a large horse tranquilizer, and this flight was no different. The airport was not It's usual chaotic self because of the early hour, but that also gave baggage security a little more time to focus on the excessive number of bags and supplies that I was carrying. So picture if you will, an exhausted sweaty traveler (It is the hot and rainy season here, like being hit with a wet wool blanket as soon as you step off the plane!), who is now being questioned about the large number of bags that she is bringing into the country. The mini printers came up looking very suspicious, th

 Sunday, 2/25/2024 Good morning from Istanbul! My last day in Istanbul, before flying to Uganda tonight. I have spent every waking moment exploring this beautiful city, but I thought the least I could do is check in and share some photos. :) Where do I begin?? How about breakfast... Turkish Breakfast is a glorious thing to behold with something for everyone! As someone who leans towards savory, the olives, cheeses, fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, along with a variety of breads, is a dream come true for me. There is plenty to satisfy the sweeter palate, beautiful jams and pastries, and especially  bal-kaymak; honey with Turkish clotted cream...so divine! My hotel, DeCamondo Galata, is a lovely 5-star boutique hotel owned by Marriott, recommended by my tour guide friend in Dubai. I am sure that there are cheaper options to be found, although the cost is comparable to many mid-level hotels that I have stayed at in the states, but the accommodations, staff and location really elevate this ho

 Friday, 2/22/2024 Good morning from beautiful Istanbul! I arrived Wednesday evening, after a 12-hour sleepless flight, and checked into my hotel in the Galata/Beyoglu neighborhood. I am staying at a lovely boutique hotel, close to the Galata bridge, with a balcony and a wine bar within walking distance. 😉 Yesterday, I went on a walking food tour, spending 7 hours eating the most delicious food while getting to know the lay of the land.    After just one day, I am already in love with Istanbul! Today I will venture out on my own to explore the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia and surrounding historical sites. Although my head is still foggy with the time change, I am anxious to get back out into this lovely city!    Wishing you all a wonderful day! Much love, Jo/MB

Saturday 2/17/2024 Hey friends! “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” – Michael Altshule I have lost count of how many times I have sat down in an attempt to write...and here we are. Only 3 days away from my departure! The past week has been a flurry of emails and phone calls between the ITW team in Uganda and the ITW director (KKD) in Vermont, along with an everchanging itinerary.  The current itinerary looks something like this: week 1 - (1 day to unpack/repack) Assisting a surgical camp in Bulamu week 2 - back to Kampala (HQ) for IT training, create a manual, etc... week 3-5 - Training at 3 clinics in Gulu District week 6 - back to HQ, work on training materials, admin projects, etc... week 7-9 - Training in Atiak week 10 - debriefing, training materials, etc... Head home. The biggest complication with this latest itinerary is that the ITWA team has made these plans for me without the mandatory signed MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) along with the poten