Dazed and Confused in Phnom Penh

Chom reap suor! After 26 hours of travel - but you know, door to door so maybe that's reasonable - I landed at my hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

I was so excited to shower and explore town, I left the door to my room unlocked. Luckily for me, no one is interested in walking up three flights of stairs in 92 degree heat, not even me, so everything was as I left it. Lesson learned!

I went to the National Museum and saw a lot of sandstone Buddhas and a lot of school children diligently writing in their notebooks as they listened to the museum staff. Having checked a cultural activity off my list, I went looking for a noodle spot that was recommended.

Along the way I opted not to get a snack at the bug cart. Didn't want to ruin my appetite. The noodles were good but I can get hand pulled noodles in Oakland so next time I'll have to try a Cambodian specialty.

One thing I was quickly reminded about as I walked from place to place is the perils of street crossing. Much like in Hanoi and Cairo, there are tons of cars, even more scooters and pedestrians have to find a way to enter the flow without stopping and let the drivers adjust. I tried to cross with other people when I could but had to do some solo scampering as well. Eek. And, when the sidewalk is blocked with cars, scooters, pop up meat grilling stations, tables with people eating said meat, you have to step into the street and walk bravely into the oncoming traffic. That was enough new city, new country adventure for me!

I have a few more days of sight seeing here before I head to Siem Reap to join the volunteer crew to build a house. Will do my best to post again in a few days, assuming I'm not stuck on a corner trying to cross the street.

Feel Good Friday - Ecology Project International

Since more people are getting their COVID-19 vaccinations and the potential for travel is in sight, we’re using today’s Feel Good Friday to highlight travel programs for youth with Ecology Project International.

Founded in 2000 by an educator and a scientist working in Costa Rica, the mission of Ecology Project International (EPI) is “to inspire and empower the world's youth through immersive experiences with nature and science.” They do this by engaging local communities in youth development, leadership and habitat conservation and running world-class, science focused travel programs for students and teachers. You can watch the founders explain in this short video.

 

With a focus on conservation for the next generation, EPI’s global initiatives educate youth in communities where they have research sites including: conservation efforts in the Galapagos, scientific research in Yellowstone and protecting habitat in Belize.

 

EPI’s travel programs are open to middle school, high school, and college-aged students and there are also professional development programs for all teachers and non-traditional educators. Examples of these student and teacher expeditions include studying whale ecology or marine science in Mexico, learning about rainforest species, primates or sea turtles in Costa Rica and studying the island ecology of Hawaii.

 

Since they began, over 40,000 students have joined EPI projects in the field. And what have they done? Released 36,000 sea turtle hatchlings in Costa Rica, counted 505 yellow-headed parrots in Belize and registered 84 benthic marine species in Baja (think anemones and sea stars). You can read more details about the students’ impact here.

 

Programs and procedures have been adjusted to minimize the risks associated with COVID-19 and enrollments are currently open. If you’re not looking to participate in a trip but still want to support the work of EPI you can do that by making a donation, shopping for clothing and gear and amplifying their message on social media. Like the EPI Facebook page and follow them on Twitter @ecologyproject. Happy trails.

Feel Good Friday - Student Diplomacy Corps

Every time September 11th rolls around, I think about how much nicer the world would be if people took the time to learn about and appreciate other cultures rather than assume different means bad. In today's Feel Good Friday, we visit an organization in New York City that offers a way for students to bridge the cultural divide.

I learned about the Student Diplomacy Corps (SDC) through this article on the Christian Science Monitor People Making a Difference page, a place I often go on a web surfing safari for a bit of inspiration.

Anthony Allen, Chris Frantz and John Meislin, used their 30 years of experience running cross-cultural education programs to conceive of and found SDC. According to the website, "The Student Diplomacy Corps (SDC) provides opportunities and scholarships for high school students from across the nation and around the world to access dynamic international education summer programs that build college readiness, deepen understanding of global issues and unleash the potential and creativity of youth."

These programs place groups of 10-12 students in Chile, China, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Turkey and Uruguay! Whether you're interested in The Importance of Being Basque or Sushi Dreams and Sustainability, there's something for everyone. You can get all details about their programs at this link but be warned, it will make you want to fill out application paperwork.

Of all the people that applied last year, 123 Student Diplomats were selected to participate in SDC and they received scholarships covering 85% of the tuition and travel costs. As the founders point out, insights and skills come not only from the program content but also from the application process.

Application Process:

• Prepares you for the rigors of the college application process.
• Develops writing and interview skills.
• Teaches you how to create a personal statement.
• Orients and prepares you for the program.

Program Content:

• Helps develop critical thinking and independent living skills.
• Increases cross-cultural competencies.
• Deepens civic engagement.
• Raises confidence and personal expectations.

All this while meeting new friends, seeing new places and making memories that will last a lifetime? Yes!

I've been fortunate enough to travel the world as an adult but oh, how I wish SDC was around when I was in high school! To support their work, you can donate online. To get the latest and greatest info, like their Facebook page.

Happy Feel Good Friday and may all your sushi dreams come true!

Feel Good Friday - Go Erin Go!

I can hear your questions already. Who is Erin, where is she going and why feel good about it?


Erin Michelson is an Adventure Philanthropist who recently returned from two years of traveling around the world, volunteering with local organizations and blogging about them on her website Go Erin Go. Not only did she donate her time, skills and spread the word about the works these groups are doing but she also invited her blog followers to decide how to donate her money. It was voluntourism on steroids!

If you missed that boat (like I did) you'll be happy to know she just released a book that recounts many of these stories. You can read my review here. Even better, you can find photos and short videos of the people she writes about on her website if you want to take your armchair experience to the next level.

Reading her book or her blog, you may realize:

a) you are an Adventure Philanthropist
b) you'd like to become an Adventure Philanthropist
c) you are quite happy as an armchair Adventure Philanthropist

Between the volunteer trips with Habitat, the Inspiration Safari filming in Africa (because even though that wasn't the name at the time, that's totally what it was) and Erin calling me one, I've realized that I'm an Adventure Philanthropist! I'd definitely like to keep it that way. Habitat Mongolia in 2014 anyone?

What next? You can watch two video summaries of Erin's travels below. After that, stay in the loop with her adventures by buying the book, subscribing to her blog or liking her Facebook page. That's what I'm doing!

Dream, The Trailer

Hey All,

As most of you know, not only am I trying to make documentary films... I'm in one. In fact, many of you have been asking... "what's up with the documentary and when can I see it?" Well, scroll to the end of this message where I'm happy to share a short promotional trailer that's been put together!  It features everyone who is in the documentary and gives you an idea of all our stories.

I'm happy with the sections on me, though I'm begging the director to cut out the section where I say a dream looks like a cloud that you suddenly realize is a puppy. What?!? I must have been smoking rainbow flavored crack through a hollowed out unicorn horn when I said that. Honestly. When I think of what a dream looks like now, I see myself driving down a freeway... I know I'm going in the right direction but I'm not sure which lane will get me there the quickest or what exit I should take. Admittedly, not as cute to look at as puppies.

Seeing how the filmmakers have put together footage that I shot in South Africa gets me motivated to make more progress editing all the stories I have and finding a venue for them. Lately, though I've been a bit distracted from that task. Why, you ask?

Well, because I've been reading up on San Francisco history in preparation for my new part-time job as a tour guide!  And not just any tour guide, mind you, this tour will be conducted on Segway scooters!  People who live here are already suffering the consequences of my research and my need to pass on random tidbits - Lillie Coit dressed in men's clothes so she could play poker with the boys, Ghirardelli came to San Francisco in 1849 looking for gold but ended up getting back into the chocolate business when that didn't work out for him, Shanghai Kelly had 3 trapdoors in his bar to speed up the transfer of drunken sailors back to outbound ships. I love it!

So - if you're in town, or planning on coming to town, look me up and get ready for your riding tour of San Francisco.

Meanwhile, take a look at the trailer below and stay tuned for further information on when you can find this movie in a theater near you!

Thanks for sticking with me!

Miss K

DREAM - The Trailer

Que Sera, Sera

Hey All,

Well... the monkey man and I didn't win the film contest but by jove - we were in it!  

The film got a good reception and the entire event was a fun time.  There were some great films that made it into the finals and I am thrilled that I was among them.  One of my favorites was the winner in both the comedy category and the overall winner for the night and you can view it here:  The Job

What next for me?  Essentially to keep on truckin'.  

I've got much more footage from Africa to edit and get online (much more I tell you).  Two new videos on the Boomu Women's Group in Uganda and the flip flop recycling company in Kenya can be found here:  Miss K on YouTube

Meanwhile, I'm getting back in the swing of improv - and will let you know if I become part of a regular gig as that is the goal - AND I just took a job as a tour guide.  Not any tour guide, mind you.  I will be leading Segway tours in San Francisco!  No, I haven't ever ridden a Segway before and yes, they will give us some training.

The job should start around mid-May which gives me time to brush up on my history of all things San Francisco - but mostly things you can see from Fisherman's Wharf, Aquatic Park and Crissy Field.

So - keep checking in on the blog or on YouTube to see more videos from Africa and when you're ready to roll along the streets of San Francisco, give me a shout!

Miss K

Tonight's the Night We Make History!

(Styx flashback anyone?)

Hey All,

Tonight is the night of the Alice Film Festival where my film on The Mazingira Monkey Project is one of the 5 finalists in the drama/documentary category!

The event is sold out and on the verge of being a fire hazard because of the number of people attending.  The documentary film crew that will be there to film me (as the final bits of the Dream documentary) has to hang out in the lobby... it's that crowded.

I must say, today as I have been running errands, driving with the top down delivering film festival tickets and contemplating what to wear tonight I realized that, while this hasn't earned me any money yet, it sure beats workin' for "the man".

Regardless of the outcome tonight, this is a great opportunity for me to get more visibility for me, the monkey project and (hopefully through increased YouTube hits) for all the people I'm profiling.  I'm thrilled to be a part of it!  It very well may be "the best of times".

Please keep your fingers crossed and tune in soon for the results!

Miss K

PS - Because I know it's stuck in your head now and you want to hear it:

Styx "The Best of Times".

Mazingira Monkey Makes it to Film Festival!!

Hey All,

Exciting news!  The short documentary I did on the Mazingira Monkey Project has made the final cut for the Alice 3-minute Independent Film Festival!

The festival is next Friday, April 11th at Bimbo's 365 Club.  All the details can be found at the link above and tickets can be purchased at www.tickets.com.

Come cheer on the monkey man (and the filmmaker) as we make our debut on the big screen!

Miss K

P.S. Coming soon - the link to the Boomu Women's Group video, which I just posted today.

Mazingira Video!

Hi All,

I'm happy to report the first of the short videos from Africa is posted online and ready for viewing!  I'm a bit sad to say the file size is so big that I can't display it here, only provide you with a link.

Many of you will recall the man in Arusha, Tanzania who was cleaning the environment (and supporting his family) by collecting plastic bags from the trash and using them to stuff animals for children.  Well now, you can meet Ramadhani Juma and see just what it takes to make this happen.

I'm so excited about how this turned out and so eager to spread the word about this project, I've submitted this piece to a local radio station's film festival, in hopes that it will be shown! And now it's about time you get a chance to see it, wouldn't you say?

Hey Miss K Productions proudly presents:

The Mazingira Monkey Project

Comments are welcome and orders for toys are gladly accepted.

Enjoy!

Miss K

Climb Every Mountain - Raising Money for Nepalese Schoolgirls

Hi All,

Want to help educate two Nepalese schoolgirls without getting altitude sickness?  Then support the climb-a-thon my friend Kate (pictured here) is undertaking on Wednesday!

I've pasted her letter below (because yeah, I couldn't figure out how to attach it - but I can send it to you if you ask).  Plus, she describes why this particular family and how the climb-a-thon works.

A Swiss woman living in South Africa raising money for people Nepal and receiving support from people around the world.  Yes, we can be quite the global community if we put our minds to it!

So - I encourage you to support her if you can.  She's a fabulous person and I'd like to help her achieve her dream!

Thanks,

Miss K

PS - Please contact Kate (kathryn_crowther@hotmail.com) or me directly to get her banking details... didn't seem like that was something that I should put online for the world to see.  And now to her letter:

While I was in Nepal in 2005, I was deeply touched by the hospitality, friendship and kindness of the local people, even though they had, themselves, many hardships to bear. A porter, Dawa, who trekked with me and my friend for a few weeks, was badly affected by the political situation in his country and the resulting lack of tourists. Because of the shortage of work, Dawa could no longer afford to send his 2 daughters, Chotti and Tschering (then aged 7 and 9) to school. 

Many of you very kindly supported me in my fundraising activity in 2005, to raise money for Chotti and Tschering’s education. I successfully raised 4 years worth of schooling for each girl. Tragically, Dawa became another victim of the violence in Nepal; he was shot and killed just outside Katmandu in May 2006, just one day before he was supposed to go trekking. His children and his widow now rely completely on outside support. Because I knew Dawa personally, it is very important to me to ensure that his girls will be educated and looked after until they can support themselves (and their mother). 

I have chosen my next adventure to be a means of raising money to finance the following years of Chotti’s and Tschering’s schooling. Please, let me explain… 

In April/May 2008 I will attempt to climb Cho Oyu, 8’201m, the world’s 6th highest mountain. I am asking you to donate a chosen amount per 100m of altitude that I achieve, starting at 5’500m, ending at the highest point I reach (climbing up and down does not count double). Here are some examples: Jim would like to donate 5 Swiss Francs (CHF) per 100m of altitude that I achieve. If I reach 5’600m, he will donate CHF 5 (1 x CHF 5), if I reach 7’000m, he will donate CHF 75 (15 x CHF 5) and if I summit, he will donate CHF 135 (27 x CHF 5). All currencies and all amounts are welcome. 

Once I have completed my climb I will let you know just how high I reached (on tippy-toes, with stretched arms) and how much your donation works out to be. I would then ask you kindly to transfer the amount into my Nepal fundraising bank account in Switzerland. From there I transfer the school fees each year. 

I strongly believe that education is the key to a brighter future. “Give a man a fish and he is fed for a day. Teach him to catch fish and he can thereafter feed himself and his family”. This will be my, and I hope our, contribution to the futures of Chotti and Tschering. Every single cent donated will go directly to benefit Dawa’s family. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me, email would be the simplest (kathryn_crowther@hotmail.com). If you decide you would like to be part of my fundraising project, just let me know how much you would like to donate per 100m, the rest you can leave up to me. 

I will sign off with a big THANK YOU to all of you that decide to support me and go out for a run in preparation… 

A big hug to you all, 

Kate 

 

And the Beat Goes On

Hey All,

Being in San Diego earlier this month and meeting the other people who will be in the documentary film was a wonderful thing.

First off, I got to catch up with my old roommate, Ramon! Although he is quite happy living in San Diego... I'm still sad not to have him as a buddy to see bad performance art with. But in San Francisco, there is a never ending supply of bad performance art and friends you can convince to go with you (at least one time). But I digress.

Our first full day in San Diego was spent sailing around on a yacht and drinking champagne - while being filmed and trying to act casual. It was a beautiful, sunny day and a great way to get to know each other before the hard work of Friday. Seriously.

Friday was spent sitting at a round table (after a visit to the make up artist and the sound crew for our microphones) trying to ignore the four cameras that captured our every move while discussing questions like, "how do you recognize the dream that you're going to follow and what do you do if you don't get support"? Good lord. All this while trying to make sure that no one looked at the cameras - which were surrounding us, really - and that we gave each other a relatively equal amount of time to talk, though it shouldn't seem like we were going in any order. Do I hear the make up artist telling us to sit in her chair because we're getting shiny?

The other people involved in this project are an interesting lot: a guitar player who dreams of rock stardom, a dean who wrote a play for children about divided groups coming together, two women (with a website under construction) who are working to educate people on the importance of banking your infant's umbilical cord blood and finally the man (also under construction) who started it all - the soon to be finished documentary movie . If he has his way, we'll all be on Oprah talking about the film.

Hearing what everyone else had done made me feel a bit like a slacker and vow to get back on track when I got back up to San Francisco. Slowly I'm doing just that. I'm starting to edit the video again, I'm learning about how one improves a blog, I'm reaching out to the connections people are giving me and I'm trying to clarify what in the world it is I'm trying to do in the first place. All that and I've joined the Netflix revolution - so I can rent documentaries - for research. Come on.

The movie should be finished sometime in August and then will be premiered in all the cities where there are cast members. To save yourself a trip to Tucson, why don't you plan on seeing it in San Francisco. Either that or Tivo Oprah.

See you in the movies,
Miss K

San Diego or Bust!

Hey All,

The screening last month was a big success!  The room at the Bay Area Video Coalition was packed full of people who watched some of my early comedy and film projects before we got to the main event of the African stories.

Featured that evening were stories about the Mazingira Monkey Project, UniquEco Designs, the Boomu Women's Group and Habitat for Humanity.  People in the audience were a big help filling out a brief (I thought) survey to help me figure out how to make the stories better.  

On top of that, as a group, we ordered 30 toys from the Mazingira Monkey Project - which is somewhere between 3 and 6 months worth of work for Juma and his wife!

The next day was spent with the director of the documentary film "Dream" and yet another film crew running around San Francisco and answering questions .  I'm getting quite used to having microphones taped to my shirt, strapped to my leg or clipped to my pants.

All good to know, you think to yourselves, but what's this about San Diego?

Everyone from the cast of this documentary film is being flown to San Diego tomorrow as a combination "thank you for being in our film" and one last opportunity to film.  It will be the first time any of us have met each other and I'm looking forward to finding out who these other people are and what their dreams are all about.

After that, the idea is... finish the film by the end of the summer, have a premier in San Francisco (and other cities where they have cast members), then take it on the film festival circuit and ultimately get in on television!  I will certainly let everyone know when the movie will be showing in SF so that if you're local - or close enough - you can attend.

I'll check in again when I return from San Diego.  It's also my goal to get some of the videos posted on the internet before the month is over so, as always... stay tuned.

Miss K

Ready for My Closeup (Almost)

Hey All,

It's been awhile since you've heard from me. I've been adjusting to the swing of life back in San Francisco and getting through the holiday season. Now it's a fresh new year and the heat is on!

I've been editing the video footage of a few of the stories from my travels. In order to make sure I actually do more than sit in front of the computer reliving my trip and feeling sentimental - I've scheduled a screening for the 14th of January!!

I just sent out an invitation to 73 people. The only issues are that I'm not done editing and I don't have a place to have the screening. The footage at this point, while still a work-in-progress is pretty good and will be in even better shape by the 14th. The location... well that's a bigger problem but I'm casting the net of phone calls I'm making wider in faith that I will find something big enough in time.

This is especially important as the documentary film crew will be in town and is coming to the screening. Aaaah! The things I do to get myself motivated.

So - if you're reading this blog and you didn't get an invite. Well, let me know who you are and I can add you to the list so I can tell you where it is as soon as I know.

Will post the video clips here as they are finalized for the whole wide world to see.

I know... I can hardly wait either!
Miss K

Home Sweet Home

Hi All,

I'm writing this update from my couch in San Francisco. It's comfortable, but it's not as exotic as some internet cafe in Africa where the electricity can go out at any minute.

Being back has been great - I get to see my friends and family, eat good Mexican food and sleep in my own bed. I do miss Africa, though.

I miss the variety of people and food and landscape. I miss the sense of adventure and possibility that was a part of every day.

But fear not, there is still opportunity for adventure and possibility. Once some of the more mundane tasks are accomplished - laundry, new car battery, 5 day course of antibiotics - I have the rest of my life to figure out.

I've got hours and hours of video footage to look through and figure out how to edit so that I can tell the story I'm trying to tell. I'm hoping that while reviewing the footage I get some clarity on what that story is.

I've got to determine next steps. How do I make this travel show a reality? Who do I talk to? What do I do?

I've got to keep doing my video diaries for the documentary film. A crew will come out to San Francisco at least twice before the year is up. In February, the whole cast goes to San Diego to meet and talk about what we've all done. The adventure of the documentary film is alive and well.

So for now, I'm going to go to the grocery store and reactivate my gym membership and edit my photos to a viewable number. Soon I will start taking the next steps to see this dream become a reality.

Miss K By the Numbers

120 - days spent traveling

10 - countries visited (can you name them all?)

2 - countries visited for less than 24 hours (Zimbabwe and Lesotho, where these photos were taken)

2843 - photos taken (seriously)

300 (or less) - photos you will have to see

24 - hours of video shot

45 - different hotels/campsites/backpackers/houses/trains and busses I spent at least 1 night sleeping in over the course of my travels.


Overall, this trip has been a fantastic experience and I would encourage anyone who is thinking of traveling to Africa, traveling solo or following a dream to stop putting it off and start making it happen.

It's up to you to make you happy.

Thanks for following along on this adventure. Stay tuned for updates on the documentary and updates on the people we met along the way.

xoxo,
Miss K

California Here I Come...

right back where I started from! (those of you who know the song and any more of the words should feel free to sing amongst yourselves)

Hey All,

Though it's hard to believe it, I'm down to my last few days in Africa!

Spent the last 2 days in the North Drakensberg mountain range. Went on a day trip to Lesotho organized by the backpacker place I was staying (Amphitheater). What a beautiful country! High up in the mountains and a very rugged terrain, we visited a town in the northeast that doesn't get tourists except for those that come on this trip.

Took a hike, chatted with the locals, met a traditional healer and took lots of pictures of the kids - a most excellent way to spend one of my last days. Would upload photos but am at a place with no usb connection. (Sigh)

Am now waiting to meet Sr. Jean, the former high school teacher of my friend Una. I'll spend my last few days with her in Pretoria finding out all about the projects she is working on then Wednesday (Halloween) I'll get on a plane and head home.

For Halloween this year, I will be dressed as an airline passenger. I think it will be my most convincing costume yet.

Looking forward to seeing you all when I'm back in San Francisco. If you're reading this and you're local... call me, we should do lunch!

xoxo,
Miss K

Diggin' Durban

Molweni,

That's Xhosa for "hi y'all". (When you are pronouncing Xhosa, please to be clicking where you see an X.) Of course, I've learned some Xhosa just in time to head to Zulu country where it will no longer be that useful but I try.

My time in Coffee Bay was filled with nature, culture and rugby. Last Saturday, I went on a 3.5 hour hike along the coast, up hills, over rivers, seeing dolphins, sheep and cows on the beach and eventually ending up at the Hole in the Wall - a rock formation where the sea comes crashing through, yes a hole in a big rock wall. The scenery was amazing, which made a good excuse to stop and rest.

Later that night I went with some people to a Xhosa village where we tried some home brewed beer. If you take any beer you may have and add milk and handful of grass from your lawn, that's about what it tasted like. Women in the neighborhood danced in one of the houses and we all joined in at the end - a very fun time. The next night, I spent the night in one of the people's houses. It was fabulous and boring all at once and I spent most of my time singing with the girls in the family.

The last two days in Durban have been divine, as people here are fond of saying. Monday I met up with the filmmaker who I met at a party in Cape Town. She and I met for lunch and were filmed by a local film crew that the Dream Team sent. The conversation was fabulous and I learned that she started doing the work she does with limited formal training... there's hope for me yet.

Next, the crew and I went to the Victoria Street Market to film an interview with me then ask random people to tell us about their dreams. People were very reluctant to talk on camera that day but when I went back today to do some souvenir shopping... people couldn't stop talking to me. It was actually wonderful to hear from locals about life in Durban and how they also want to see more positive portrayals of Africa.

All that and I met a woman who made wildlife documentaries who thinks that a travel show focused on community tourism and social responsibility type issues is a good idea. Catch the wave while you can.

I fly out a week from today and I can hardly believe it. I've been thinking a lot about recent conversations I've had with people about the impact you have on others when you're following your dreams and especially about an exchange I had with a woman in Cintsa.

On my last morning there, I went for a walk on the beach. In the distance I could see about 5 whales breaching, sticking their tails out of the water and generally having a good time. I saw a couple on the beach who was also watching them and we stopped to talk. I told the woman, I'm not sure what the whales are thinking but to me, they look very happy. She said, "Of course they are, they're doing what God made them to do." Her husband replied, "Shouldn't we all?" Well, yes.

So my message to me and to you is... figure out what you're meant to be doing and do it. It will make you happy and that will have a positive impact on the people around you. I've had a wonderful time chasing this dream of mine around Africa and I'm expecting wonderful things to happen as I start chasing it back to San Francisco.

Miss K

Two Weeks To Go!!!

Hi All,

I can't believe I'll be home two weeks from today!

I have been running around like crazy trying to fit 3 more months worth of activities and stories into these last two weeks.

Things I Did in Cape Town I Never Thought I Would:

1. Snorkel with seals - it was fabulous when I wasn't freaking out
2. Drive - on the left side and in a stick shift thank you very much
3. Watch rugby - Springboks are in the World Cup finals Sunday... country is going crazy

I'm now in Cintsa at a place called Buccaneers Backpackers, making my way rather quickly towards Pretoria. No photos on this blog as it's not possible from here. Will overwhelm you next time with a picture of me standing where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.

As I meet more people and talk more about what I'm trying to put together, I learn about more and more programs and projects that I just don't have time to visit. Two very worthy ones are listed in brief at the end of the blog. South Africa is full of people taking steps, both big and small, to make a positive impact on other people's lives. I'm doing what I can counteract all the negative information you hear about this country (and all the others I've visited) and spread around a little love.

Two projects I did get to visit in Cape Town were African Angels and Bulugha Farm School.

African Angels is a not-for-profit organization based on the East Coast of South Africa, in a small coastal hamlet called Chintsa. African Angels is dedicated to identifying and distributing sponsorship for the education of needy and disadvantaged African children - our African Angels - so their future, their family's future and their country's future is brighter.

Bulugha is a school (on a farm) that has 3 classrooms, 3 toilets and 193 kids. Every Thursday, the kids perform a concert where they sing their hearts out and the backpackers and travelers that attend leave a donation which is then used to buy food for the breakfast and lunch. It was a wonderful experience and as soon as I can get a short video put together to show you, I will.

I'm heading to Coffee Bay tomorrow (where I will stay through the rugby final although I've just heard there is no tv!) and then to Durban. In Durban, I'll be talking to a filmmaker I met in Cape Town to find out more about how she got started and how it all works.

Future Filming for DREAM

As you know, the Dream team filmed me in Cape Town as I followed up on a story. They will also be coming to Durban to film me as I follow up on this fabulous connection. And where are they after that? Filming my triumphant return to SFO!

If you'd like to be there, let me know and I can get you details. For those of you with Monday-Friday 9-5 jobs... you may need to be sick. Did I just hear you cough?

See many of you very soon!

Miss K

More Projects in South Africa

Monkey Biz
Monkeybiz supplies richly coloured glass beads to women in the townships of Cape Town. The 450 women involved in the project are currently producing exquisite hand beaded artworks - each a unique one-off creation. The women are paid for each piece they produce; and since they work from home, can look after their families and avoid transport costs.

We run an HIV/AIDS Wellness Clinic located in the heart of Cape Town, which provides skills training and HIV/AIDS support for low-income HIV+ women. This thriving centre, started in 2003, caters for 60 women once a week, offering them beadwork training, HIV/AIDS counseling, yoga therapy, homeopathic HIV/AIDS treatment and basic nutrition.

Imbewu
Simply put, our biggest project has one objective: to guarantee the fundamental right of children to have access to education in an environment that is both pleasant and favourable to learning.

Leaving Cape Town - Or Else I'll Have to Live Here

Hi All,

After 2 weeks, I'm finally leaving Cape Town. I'd be quite happy to stay here for another month or another few year s, but I must make my way towards Johannesburg to, if nothing else, fly home. There is a gang of people at the backpackers who have all been here for about the same 2 week period as me and no one wants to leave as we have a fun time running around together. I think I'm being talked into getting a facebook account so that I will be able to keep up with them all. Aw.

Earlier in the week I had my 15 minutes of fame in Cape Town. The crew came to Longstreet Backpackers in the morning and they filmed me packing up my gear in the dorm room and then reenacting a phone call to a woman named Abigail at Heartworks, the store we were going to visit that morning.

Once at the store, they filmed me filming her while people walked around the shop and wondered what was going on. Afterwards, we went to lunch and then had the interview at the beach with Camps Bay and the 12 Apostles (some big mountains) in the background.

To the question of how my life philosophy has changed since I've been in Africa, I had to admit that I wasn't sure what my life philosophy was before I came since coming here I'm doing a better job of embracing the improv mantra of "being in the present". There is so much going on both in Cape Town specifically and Africa in general that I'm always missing out on some story and it's impossible for me to visit all the places that have been recommended. What I'm getting better at (though I still struggle) is staying focused on where I am and what I'm doing right now and letting go of the feeling that I need to do it all. Not sure if that counts as a life philosophy but that's what I'm trying to focus on now.

The Dream people are checking into the budget to see if they can film me again when I hit Durban. Reason being, I met a woman who is a filmmaker and I've got plans to meet her and find out more about what she does, how she got started, etc. and they're interested in seeing that.

The rest of my time here has really been about being a tourist. Went to see the Cape of Good Hope (the most southwesterly point

of Africa - how random). That is not where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, and yet it is still a scenic, lovely, windy time.

On the way, we stopped by the Boulders park to see penguins. They are lovely to look at, though right now, they don't do much besides molt. Tomorrow, I will rent a car with some Irish women from the gang and drive out to do some whale watching and find the point where the oceans meet - the southern most point in Africa. I'm going to have to give driving on the left side of the road a try... though I'm a bit nerviosa.

Have been on a wine tour, am going on a boat ride today and spent some time the other day wandering the Bo-Kaap neighborhood with incredibly bright houses and Cape Malay influences and food. Lovely, delicious, diverse.

Cape Town has been fabulous and though it's hard for me to leave, I can't wait to come back.

Catch up with you in a few more days!

Miss K

"Y'all come back now, ya hear?"

Cruising in Cape Town

Hey All, Howzit?

That's the South African equivalent of "how you doin?". While I don't use the local lingo yet, I am starting to understand it. "Lekker" means good and when you tell someone something they can't believe, they do not say "shut up!" or "really?", they say "is it?". The only thing I love more than that is that when you thank someone, instead of saying "you're welcome" people say "pleasure". I doubt that it always is a pleasure for them bringing you a coffee or selling you a postcard, but it sounds nice.

Cape Town reminds me a bit of San Francisco. There is a very touristy waterfront, there is an island off the coast that used to be a prison and there are a ton of funky boutique stores and restaurants for your eating and shopping pleasure. South Africa, of course has Nelson Mandela and the US has, well... enough of this comparison stuff.

In the last few days, now out of my funk and rockin' Cape Town like the Superstar I am, I decided to let events for the day with the film crew unfold and have been playing tourist instead of freaking out (at least not full time).

I took a tram (which they call a cable car and technically, it is a car of sorts traveling on an overhead cable but I can't think of it as a cable car so call it a tram), yes a tram to the top of Table Mountain and took in the stunning views of Cape Town, Camps Bay and the surrounding mountains. Some people abseil down the mountain (basically repel down it on ropes), some people hike down, I took the tram. Did I mention it spins 360 degrees while moving along the cable?

Yesterday I went to Robben Island, a former prison and now a World Heritage site. Full of political prisoners, the most famous being Nelson Mandela, it was opened as a prison in 1963 - the same year Alcatraz closed. The tours are led by former inmates, which is very interesting as they speak from experience. Our guy talked about training in Angola to fight the apartheid system and being caught and arrested. He said he's not bitter about being in prison as all the former inmates realize that reconciliation is the only way to move the country forward. All that and a penguin colony too!

What else, what else... a township tour, a visit to the local aquarium to see the South African marine life and some giant spider crabs from Japan, which were very scary/impressive looking, and divers feeding the sharks.

In Cape Town, I feel more like a tourist, seeing sights in an environment that is not that different from the environment I live in. It's less like the rest of Africa where I felt like I was on a giant adventure and everything was so new/different/fabulous/frustrating.

But I did jump off the beaten path. Went to a place called "The Farm" which is associated with Longstreet Backpackers where I'm staying. Here, a man named Andre raises farm animals and takes in orphaned children. I spent a full day there talking with Andre and the kids while a pig sniffed my ankle and a goose bit my leg (revenge for killing his cousin in Madagascar? perhaps). I gave one of the girls, Asavella, my camera and she ran around taking photos... including this self portrait. I then stayed for dinner and met and interesting group of South Africans who had come over, including a filmmaker from Durban I will try to meet up with as I make my way to Jo'burg. You can read more about what Andre is doing at Hope for the Children.

The film crew is coming tomorrow - I've made arrangements to visit a store that sells crafts made by local artists, much of it from recycled materials. I also have a list of 12 introspective essay questions to consider tonight. "12. From a strictly "life philosophy" perspective please tell us how the time you have spent in Africa has changed you as a person". Oh dear.

Will definitely check in after the shoot tomorrow to let you all know how it goes. I'm thrilled that there will be an interview in a location in Africa and that there will be someone else to worry about the lighting and sound besides me.

All that and there plans among the backpackers for karaoke on Thursday night and I already have a guy who wants to sing "I Got You Babe" with me. Cape Town won't know what hit them.

Until the next installment,
Miss K

The evil crab says "keep reading".

Play That Funky Music White Girl

Hey All,

The last few days in Namibia I have been in a bit of a funk about this trip.

I can tell I'm getting more homesick because almost everything now reminds me of people back home and of home itself. The foggy west coast of Swakopmund, Namibia? Just like San Francisco. The outdoor plaza of a shopping mall in Windhoek, Namibia? Just like Oakland City Center (if Oakland had no Asian people). But then, as I was people watching from a restaurant in the mall called "In's Wiener" (what?), a woman walked by in a dress with poofy shoulders and a matching head wrap that came to two points on each side of her head reminding me both of the Flying Nun and a cape buffalo. I suppose I'm not at home after all.

Homesickness and fashion aside, I feel like I'm losing focus on the dream. I haven't filmed anything since the Habitat team in Malawi in early September. I have nothing scheduled to film in Cape Town when a film crew will spend 2 days following me around. I have no idea what I'm going to do with all the footage when I get back. I don't know how in the world I think I can have a show when I don't have the foggiest idea of what you need to do create one. How long will my money last, how will I eat, what will I do? On and on my tale of self pity goes. Are you crying yet?

But then this morning at 3:30am, as I was sitting on another bus filling out the departure card for Namibian immigration, I decided to list something new for my occupation. On the last half dozen cards, I have been putting "filmmaker". This morning in the box marked occupation, I wrote - "superstar". Knowing that I have officially entered South Africa as a superstar has done wonders for my self esteem and motivation. It makes me smile when I think of it.


Favorite Namibian City Names

• Otjiwarongo - where we stayed for 5 hours waiting for our bus to be fixed
• Okahandja - where the wind goes sweeping down the plain
• Gross Barmen - where, what, they spit in your beer?

Am now in Cape Town and, although all I've done so far is have a shower and eat some lunch at a restaurant called Lola's that's like a Haight Street/Castro/East Village/London big, gay disco, I LOVE IT!!

I trust I will come up with something to do with the film crew. I am, after all, a superstar.

Miss K