peregrine by nature

having a tendency to wander

Archive for September, 2008

Rainy season

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Dakar has a rainy season from July to September, with oppressive temperatures and high humidity.

While the rains in Senegal are necessary to bring life and growth to the villages the same rains can carry death and disease into Dakar. Due to mass rural exodus and poor city planning Dakar was built without taking into account the geographical horsts and grabens, therefore much of the city floods during the rainy season, bringing sewage into homes and schools and creating a breeding ground for malaria-borne mosquitoes and outbreaks of cholera.

The day these photos were taken the president appeared on the news falsely telling the rest of the world the floodwater had been pumped out of Dakar streets and the threats of disease eradicated. To those that live here the implication is that disaster aid funds given to Senegal had been used to line bureaucratic pockets instead of for their intended purpose. A very common practice in a corrupt government such as this one.

While Senegal remains one of the safest African countries to live, the people are afraid to speak out against the government for fear of the very real threat of retaliation.

Written by Kari

September 27th, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Posted in Life in Africa

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Ceebu Yapp

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Rice, lamb, manioc, carrots, cabbage, tomato, oil, mustard, onion, salt, bay leaves, garlic, pepper.

Written by Kari

September 26th, 2008 at 11:32 pm

This is the story of how we begin to remember

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This is the powerful pulsing of love in the vein
After the dream of falling and calling your name out
These are the roots of rhythm
And the roots of rhythm remain

-Paul Simon

Written by Kari

September 26th, 2008 at 7:39 am

Posted in Life in Africa

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More that pulses in the ocean than the tide

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the moon endlessly orbits the beach pulling sand out to sea until one morning you wake up and the Atlantic is at your doorstep, asking for a cup of sugar and to sit for a while, chat about the weather.

Written by Kari

September 20th, 2008 at 11:51 am

Aslan is on the move

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Southborough L’Abri is a study center in Massachusetts with an extensive library of books, materials, and mp3 lectures where students live together, eat together, work in the house or gardens and do individual study. You can go for any length of time and change your focus of study as necessary. I highly recommend a visit if you are between adventures.

Written by Kari

September 14th, 2008 at 8:57 pm

Posted in United States

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For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.

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Written by Kari

September 3rd, 2008 at 9:04 pm