Sorry for the lack of updates lately.  Europe, it seems, has less reliable internet connections (at least for a disoriented traveler on a budget) than Africa.  Where I've been ( Read more... )

Cool things in Madrid ( Read more... )

My study abroad is over.  I left EG last night and midnight, and am writing this from my hostel in Madrid.  I was sad to leave- can't believe I won't be back there in the forseeable future.  I had a good last day- mostly just packing and walking around town.  Sat on a balcony overlooking the ocean for a while and remembered how beautiful Malabo can ( Read more... )

Got mugged last night on the way home from our semi-annual pub-crawl (theme:  Gangsta) with Amy, Maureen, Megan, and Ted.

What a CRAPPY way to end my time here in EG.

Lasts:
>>A going-away party hosted by the Embassy and a LETTER OF COMMENDATION from Ambassador Johnson, telling me that if I wanted to pursue a career in the foreign service, Embassy Malabo thinks I would be good at it.  *UNEXPLAINABLE HAPPINESS*

>>Farming ourselves (all the students) out to every oil compound (with electricity and internet) ( Read more... )

Last night, I was planning on getting a TON of homework done (it's finals season around here) because all the other students were at class and Amy was gone so I had the house to myself.  :)  But then the power shut off , which meant no computer work, so I was lounging around the penthouse, bored, until our neighbor's house caught on fire ( Read more... )

So this morning I was woken up by the sounds of crows landing on our metal roof.  I couldn't get back to sleep so I got ready for work and then had a few extra minutes so I thought I'd lay on the couch downstaris and get back my lost sleep minutes.  Well, there were some wild pigs outside my window, snorting and grunting and oinking and just making ( Read more... )

So I thought I had finished my big NGO research paper for the embassy.  Had a meeting with my boss today to turn in my paper/ discuss my results.  Well, at the meeting, she says "Glad you've got the nut and bolts part finished, Leslie.  Now we can get you started on the theoretical side of civil society in a developing country!"

...which basically ( Read more... )

Wonderful things this week: 

• I got my writeup done on my EG history textbook for Spanish class! Check that off the list. 
• The Embassy PAID me.  (Don't let them know, but I'd work for free.)
• I saw two real, live chamelons on a night-hike in Moka. 
• Becca, my super-cool little sister, got accepted to Music School at the University of Minnesota. 
• Sue ( ( Read more... )

I'm back in Malabo after five days in the field, and despite the thuderstorm that flooded my tent and then collapsed it, soaking all my stuff (including textbooks and homework), it was a good time.  Beautiful weather, good company, tough hikes.  Lots of butterflies ( Read more... )