I had to laugh as I surveyed the scene yesterday afternoon- my husband in his starched shirt and Cole Haan's, picking out paint at a roadside "hardware store."
The last time we picked out paint together we were recently engaged and running giddy errands all over D.C. We picked out several beautiful wall colors with the help of an eager sales person at the posh Georgetown Restoration Hardware. We bought mini cans and tested them out at our leisure, to make sure they fit with our decorating "vision" (my word, not Steve's) before investing in the big cans.
Today, we stood puzzling over an ancient looking color card as the well-intentioned proprietor told us he only had three of the 47 colors in stock. It was a much more interesting experience than Restoration Hardware, if a bit more frustrating. Below, a short video of the scene.
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Climbing Mount Longonot
Last weekend, Steve, Ian, and I climbed Mt. Longonaut. The small mountain was created by volcanic explosions and when you get to the top, you're looking down into a crater that used to be the mouth of the volcano. It's a really pretty climb and the weather was gorgeous. At the top, it's really quiet and all you hear is the wind blowing. 
Karen Comes for a Visit
By Leah
A couple of weeks ago, we had our first visitor from the States- my good friend Karen Juckett. On a trip for her job at USAID, Karen was just in town for a few days. Unfortunately, I was out of town for most of that time, but we did manage to get together twice. It was great to have a friend in town, and I hope she's not the last.
A couple of weeks ago, we had our first visitor from the States- my good friend Karen Juckett. On a trip for her job at USAID, Karen was just in town for a few days. Unfortunately, I was out of town for most of that time, but we did manage to get together twice. It was great to have a friend in town, and I hope she's not the last.
Friday, 14 October 2011
Work Blog
I just had a blog post published in the Center for Financial Inclusion blog. It's about an event that both Steve and I attended. Check it out if you're interested!
Thursday, 29 September 2011
A Use-and-Throw Cup
By Leah
Even in countries where English is spoken, I find it really helpful to learn the local form.
In Ethiopia recently, I needed a disposable cup from an English-speaking hotel maid. First, I asked for a plastic cup. I got a quizzical look, so I asked for a paper cup. She still didn't know what to do with my request so I asked for a disposable cup and a few unsuccessful minutes later found myself pantomiming using the cup then throwing it away. Me: "You know, you drink the liquid and then you throw it in the trash..." (insert wild gesticulations involving fictional water and a wastebasket).
Finally she says, "Madame, do you need a use-and-throw cup?" Me: Ah, yes! That's exactly what I need." She didn't have one, but when I asked later in the hotel restaurant "Do you have a use-and-throw cup?" they immediately knew what I needed and handed it over.
I've learned to use "taxi" exclusively, and not "cab."I think cab means something else, but I've yet to find out what- I just gather as much from the wary glances that result from asking "can I get a cab?"
In Kenya, they say "the way forward" for "next steps" which sounds dramatic to my ear, but is useful terminology in business meetings.
It's also useful to know the term for "crosswalk" as you strain to hear where your driver wants to meet you at the chaotic airport. We are in Africa, so naturally the term for white stripes on pavement is "zebra crossing."
Yesterday, when asked "How are you?" I tried out the local English and said "I am very OK!"
I haven't taken the time to learn Swahili yet, but I'm having fun learning the English.
Even in countries where English is spoken, I find it really helpful to learn the local form.
In Ethiopia recently, I needed a disposable cup from an English-speaking hotel maid. First, I asked for a plastic cup. I got a quizzical look, so I asked for a paper cup. She still didn't know what to do with my request so I asked for a disposable cup and a few unsuccessful minutes later found myself pantomiming using the cup then throwing it away. Me: "You know, you drink the liquid and then you throw it in the trash..." (insert wild gesticulations involving fictional water and a wastebasket).
Finally she says, "Madame, do you need a use-and-throw cup?" Me: Ah, yes! That's exactly what I need." She didn't have one, but when I asked later in the hotel restaurant "Do you have a use-and-throw cup?" they immediately knew what I needed and handed it over.
I've learned to use "taxi" exclusively, and not "cab."I think cab means something else, but I've yet to find out what- I just gather as much from the wary glances that result from asking "can I get a cab?"
In Kenya, they say "the way forward" for "next steps" which sounds dramatic to my ear, but is useful terminology in business meetings.
It's also useful to know the term for "crosswalk" as you strain to hear where your driver wants to meet you at the chaotic airport. We are in Africa, so naturally the term for white stripes on pavement is "zebra crossing."
Yesterday, when asked "How are you?" I tried out the local English and said "I am very OK!"
I haven't taken the time to learn Swahili yet, but I'm having fun learning the English.
Monday, 26 September 2011
The back of my shirt
By Leah
I'm at an outdoor cafe in Kampala, Uganda. I'm working on my laptop and eating Indian food. And a monkey just pooped all over the back of my shirt.
I'm at an outdoor cafe in Kampala, Uganda. I'm working on my laptop and eating Indian food. And a monkey just pooped all over the back of my shirt.
Sunday, 25 September 2011
A Nature Hike in the City
Nairobi, often disparaged for being noisy and polluted, actually has a lot of green space for a big city. We are determined to go on a couple of safaris while we're here, but we were also really happy to find several cheaper options available within 30 minutes of our neighborhood.
Last weekend, we explored the Karura Forest, a small urban forest that's been the subject of several confrontations between conservationists and developers in the past two decades. For now, the conservations have won.
For about $2.50 each, we got into the park and spent a few hours walking through the trees, down to a waterfall, and past some small caves. We noticed a lot of foreign families with small children, and decided it must be a very safe place to hang out.
Here are a few photos of our day, plus one video of a little festival that was happening in the park.
Last weekend, we explored the Karura Forest, a small urban forest that's been the subject of several confrontations between conservationists and developers in the past two decades. For now, the conservations have won.
For about $2.50 each, we got into the park and spent a few hours walking through the trees, down to a waterfall, and past some small caves. We noticed a lot of foreign families with small children, and decided it must be a very safe place to hang out.
Here are a few photos of our day, plus one video of a little festival that was happening in the park.
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