tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41907612308171579902024-02-18T18:25:46.988-08:00The Long White Line<i>The bicycle rider's constant companion, extending all the way from where you have been to where you are going.</i>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.comBlogger251125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-76790592734110693892020-11-15T14:51:00.003-08:002021-05-14T17:40:52.169-07:00Sticky Toffee Pudding<p><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">There is this picture that I float around from time to time. As you might imagine, there’s a story behind it – one I have not recorded. But that’s what blogs are for, right? So, here it is ...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKVh6xTkwhjSODOoAi93LJ0x3LsGU8oMf_ZRpN3Pz39ldOZ1NL97-CS6w4THuZvX0hyvGS8kX3ox-eWCUUp93w000TTc_Cdz6LpZ0j-kt-o9prWK_VRaKLj6KNu5hJufvZT0JAN5af1Q/s1261/Caricature.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="953" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKVh6xTkwhjSODOoAi93LJ0x3LsGU8oMf_ZRpN3Pz39ldOZ1NL97-CS6w4THuZvX0hyvGS8kX3ox-eWCUUp93w000TTc_Cdz6LpZ0j-kt-o9prWK_VRaKLj6KNu5hJufvZT0JAN5af1Q/s320/Caricature.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas><v:path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:path></v:stroke></v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_i1028" style="height: 198pt; visibility: visible; width: 149pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:////Users/iMac/Library/Group%20Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_image001.png"></v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">“If it weren’t for my career in compressor engineering,<br />I would never have discovered TREACLE SPONGE!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Engineering, compressors, the Lancashire District in northwest England, and treacle sponge all came together. Not suddenly, by any means. And by “not suddenly,” I mean it is a long story. So, how to start? “It was a dark and stormy night ...” doesn’t really set the stage upon which this story played out; “I was born on ...” probably offers up a little too much room to wander. What did I decide? Read on ...<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">This is a story first about Chris and Jack. And Jack. That’s Chris on the left, standing next to Jack Hughes. The other Jack, me, is taking the picture. I ended up in front of the offices and factory of <i>Holroyd Machine Tools and Rotors</i> in Milnrow, Rochdale, UK because of screw compressor rotors. And, in particular, the complicated issues of designing and making them. Holroyd was a world class operation in the latter, Trane was learning much about the former. Together, and along with other engineers in our companies, we made tremendous strides on the engineering side of things in both categories.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDNZT4RDBTsHrxfcvfeA7mweVv3GtXoi6SQT9YZf_t4VWMgqdEWia4U_Tijoxgq5Tuu8ksWI_tET9kysilszm0qziqJwakkZjcpIxlKq8O0-swBzSOxwUMSGI6lpI_XL9xQcMQ07NTlA/s1595/ChrisAndJackH.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1595" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDNZT4RDBTsHrxfcvfeA7mweVv3GtXoi6SQT9YZf_t4VWMgqdEWia4U_Tijoxgq5Tuu8ksWI_tET9kysilszm0qziqJwakkZjcpIxlKq8O0-swBzSOxwUMSGI6lpI_XL9xQcMQ07NTlA/s320/ChrisAndJackH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Chris Holmes and Jack Hughes at the Offices of</span><br style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" /><span face="Calibri, sans-serif">Holroyd Machine Tools and Rotors, Milnrow, Rochdale, UK</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Chris and Jack, with the exception of being very British, were quite different. Chris is brilliant in the theories of problems Holroyd faced when it came to manufacturing rotors and the machines that made the rotors. He invented a remarkable device that measures the clearance between a pair of rotors using light beams – the method in place at the time was for skilled technicians to use feeler gauges. That he could visualize the problem and turn that first into mathematical representations then an actual machine boggles the mind – my mind, at least.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SmZU3BmQhStrcE07Rs5cXm4tkVtMoYRJplF1fipnG_FZzViz3_szq0dAunX1EQQEEvA1slYR_p5vQxs2oQMpOt4PNa4f5fbFXAHZ_FNnuIq4gCjKx8-aVJ5TJnyoxzRPdBYO1r6h4mI/s1579/ChrisARAC.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1579" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SmZU3BmQhStrcE07Rs5cXm4tkVtMoYRJplF1fipnG_FZzViz3_szq0dAunX1EQQEEvA1slYR_p5vQxs2oQMpOt4PNa4f5fbFXAHZ_FNnuIq4gCjKx8-aVJ5TJnyoxzRPdBYO1r6h4mI/s320/ChrisARAC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 155pt; visibility: visible; width: 214pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><v:imagedata o:title="" src="file:////Users/iMac/Library/Group%20Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/TemporaryItems/msohtmlclip/clip_image003.jpg"></v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">Chris and his invention for measuring the tiny gaps<br />between two screw compressor rotors<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Jack was, as I knew him, brilliant in knowing what to do based on looking and feeling the parts – truly a ‘hands-on’ engineer. He certainly had a working knowledge of, and appreciation for, the theories, but what impressed me was that he could look at a pair of rotors, take a few readings, spin them around together, then tell the operator of the machine that made them what to do so that the next pair was made more closely to the targets. He couldn’t exactly explain how he did it in a way that I could incorporate what he knew in the models I was developing - because he was so practiced that he just KNEW – but his contribution to our work was invaluable.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr8uhAwD2UYIdITHdTAQnkH8ieOcyDvqwSiFqsa2ouyUQdKA7PfNwzUETaATjZpAjN6HB9Q3gE3UzA9kSoyp0mBLgMUBeqUZ-ixyTlIC4_bVrbR74KxAdcthz3jljpEPJLb3r8jNt_1M/s1287/FeelerGuage.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcr8uhAwD2UYIdITHdTAQnkH8ieOcyDvqwSiFqsa2ouyUQdKA7PfNwzUETaATjZpAjN6HB9Q3gE3UzA9kSoyp0mBLgMUBeqUZ-ixyTlIC4_bVrbR74KxAdcthz3jljpEPJLb3r8jNt_1M/s320/FeelerGuage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jack Hughes was a master of the hands-on approach. He could translate his feel into instructions for machine tool settings needed to rectify deviations<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">And Jack was not just hard to understand in this way. He had a deep Lancashire accent and, I believe, a speech issue. I was barely able to speak with him on the phone as I found that I had to be able to look at him when we talked. So, we wrote back and forth, and I was able to make countless trips to Holroyd and spend face-to-face time with him and Chris.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">It was on one of those trips ...<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">We went to lunch one day at the Black Ladd Free House on a windswept hilltop in the moors above Rochdale. It was a spectacularly beautiful / dreary landscape of rolling hills divided into sections by low stone walls, the fields being mostly grass or heather, peppered with stones. The pub itself was (and still is) a wonderful half-timbered structure with uneven floors and, well, everything else an American would expect in a British pub.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigz5HOeigw37jq_hehRSfacknYHeA_iUWxW_8s6P_pMxVEjJZJAhPLbD6_zABh5jYubZaxlF5YVQrXdO5A4m_NsldIUu_zm46PjI3GifTYm5vKyA0eqH_-6-z_w2XpQmOvtQWSPUQLtI/s1379/BlackLadd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjigz5HOeigw37jq_hehRSfacknYHeA_iUWxW_8s6P_pMxVEjJZJAhPLbD6_zABh5jYubZaxlF5YVQrXdO5A4m_NsldIUu_zm46PjI3GifTYm5vKyA0eqH_-6-z_w2XpQmOvtQWSPUQLtI/s320/BlackLadd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">The Black Ladd<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWT2cZgQRFcsUq1kf1ucuYmB0IiagDx9gsp40CJ9wxvk0UMLJwyVJWN0i4-MyjnTcHgJUn1NTdOCou7E710k5RXmkF75DQ4b_vmXaqVOOiFF5o8ajlaFyJZlrQFNN2s1qi4gehSdqaWo/s1379/BlackLaddView.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWT2cZgQRFcsUq1kf1ucuYmB0IiagDx9gsp40CJ9wxvk0UMLJwyVJWN0i4-MyjnTcHgJUn1NTdOCou7E710k5RXmkF75DQ4b_vmXaqVOOiFF5o8ajlaFyJZlrQFNN2s1qi4gehSdqaWo/s320/BlackLaddView.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">The view across from the Black Ladd<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">After we had finished our lunch, the waiter came over and asked if we’d like some sweets (dessert). It sounded like a properly good idea, so he brought us a menu. Jack (the other one) was looking it over when he spotted something that brought him up short. His eyes opened wide and he said, rather loudly and in his best Jack Hughes modified Lancashire accented voice, “Aye – ye gott tre’cle spounge! Ah ha’not ha tre’cle spounge since I’s a wee lad on the farm! I’ll ha the tre’cle spounge!”</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">When it came my turn to order, I had no choice but to order treacle sponge.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Treacle sponge pudding is a sponge cake cooked with and then smothered in treacle, “any uncrystallized syrup made during the refining of sugar.” The golden syrupy form of treacle is what we had on our puddings. The darker version is more familiarly known as molasses.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">So that takes care of the connection between engineering, compressor, and TREACLE SPONGE on the picture. But why did I get the picture?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Another connection my screw compressor focus had to Great Britain was the bi-annual “International Conference on Compressors and Their Systems,” held at City University in London. There was a good connection between City and Holroyd, the latter being a major sponsor of the event. In particular, Holroyd would host some of the social events. I attended and presented papers at every conference since 1999, skipping only 2017, something I missed enough to have returned to participate in the 2019 conference, mostly for the chance to meet with so many people that have become friends over the years.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Conferences were an important part of my work and I attended many. Notable are: farthest afield - St. Petersburg, Russia; the “big three” for me, with a total of 29 visits amongst them - Compressor conferences at Purdue University, City University London, and TU University Dortmund; least distant - the one at our offices in La Crosse.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">It is that last one that set things in motion. Our engineering group decided it would be a good idea to have a company-wide conference. We invited people from other sites to come; to present papers; to spend time to share best practices. By any measure, it was a small affair. But it was harder than we imagined, arranging the logistics. Meeting rooms, meals, AV equipment, printing, mailing, etc. All the things needing to be in the right place at the right time. We pulled it off. But it was a lesson.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The conferences in London ended with a very nice evening dinner and reception during which toasts were made to the Queen and recognition given to the organizing committee for doing a fine job, And, they had done so. But I now knew that the WORK was being done by the students “recruited” to help with the arrangements and by the professionals of the events and facilities staffs. The people who knew all of the ins and outs of really big gatherings so well that they were not noticed. So, at one of the early conferences, I asked if I could share a toast. After the organizers were recognized, I stood and offered thanks to the secretaires, the students, the event specialists, the chair and table movers, the wait staff - pretty much all of the those whose efforts I had learned about in preparation for this time.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">After that, I had time at the end of every conference dinner. Now this will be hard to accept, I know, but I expanded on what I had offered originally, mostly to recognize the value of the conference itself to the attendees, to encourage them to attend and participate, and to encourage their managers to let them come. One time, I recruited someone I had just met at the conference, Dimitri Zeitsev, by giving him an apple and asking him to just react at the right time, telling him he’d know. He accepted without pause. At the end of the meal, I stood up and held out an apple – Dimitri, as if we had rehearsed this a hundred times, stood up and held out his. I proceeded to have us exchange our apples then shared the quote, “If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” The purpose, in my view, and real benefit of participating in the conferences.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">And so it went over the years. I’d research ideas, usually with a nod towards something British, and offer some thoughts and thanks. One year, I thought I’d look into British inventions for ideas. I found a list with some intriguing entries: the “Puffing Billy,” and the “Grasshopper Escapement” got my attention. But then I spotted something that brought me up short. My eyes opened wide and I said, “Sticky Toffee Pudding” is an actually cited British invention. Treacle sponge is a sticky toffee pudding ...<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">So I planned a talk and wove in the story of Jack Hughes and his reuniting with treacle sponge at the Black Ladd.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">A few conferences later I was on the verge of becoming retired. The evening gathering was held in the magnificent library of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers at their offices on 1 Birdcage Walk - my absolute all-time favorite address, by the way. As I was about to sit down at the end of my short talk, Chris and a colleague from Holroyd stopped me then pulled out a wrapped package. No doubt, you know what it was.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0Ac8Q1VP_ShCMaj-7JRKxxBsUqBHPVNmq6_iktVXRe_xXIDlHTA1GA_9HcawCUw70s1EkyzlflF_n6hrtJ5iOjQxNkiFD5fXMeXCLkLnjiFMsy66uC9J7zNnpMD7vINpI2_APry7A0Q/s1520/ImMechE_Library.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0Ac8Q1VP_ShCMaj-7JRKxxBsUqBHPVNmq6_iktVXRe_xXIDlHTA1GA_9HcawCUw70s1EkyzlflF_n6hrtJ5iOjQxNkiFD5fXMeXCLkLnjiFMsy66uC9J7zNnpMD7vINpI2_APry7A0Q/s320/ImMechE_Library.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">The Library at the IMechE Offices in London<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I am, admittedly, a saver of things. Too many, no doubt, but I still do it. This one, this picture, is one of the most treasured of all. Because of its connection to many, many stories of a long and important time in my career during which I was privileged to have worked with such a great number of truly amazing people - many more than are mentioned in this ‘short’ version.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">And, regrettably, it’s not really a bad likeness.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">And, now you know.</p>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-66190366608713185702020-10-29T07:55:00.003-07:002020-10-30T08:20:58.437-07:00Control Theory<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is a chance I learned something about control theory aboard the <i>SS Bradford Island</i>, the WWII vintage T2 tanker on which I had a summer job while in college. And, there’s a chance I didn’t. But I’ll go with the former.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeFwmQbUwaK6FxeOqjR6HRubOLccfkx-GXw0AopVct_hvMfD7LSMBO0fe7J13rpPfINekU1vVk6_rVxxd5q3J-ZWTQpq5EjwSb6t6rgJT54PwNJ10fk6jP1Adm0l2LgtKTSraiZ9DBLM/s1594/ControlTheory_01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1267" data-original-width="1594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeFwmQbUwaK6FxeOqjR6HRubOLccfkx-GXw0AopVct_hvMfD7LSMBO0fe7J13rpPfINekU1vVk6_rVxxd5q3J-ZWTQpq5EjwSb6t6rgJT54PwNJ10fk6jP1Adm0l2LgtKTSraiZ9DBLM/s320/ControlTheory_01.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The <i>SS Bradford Island</i></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was an interesting summer, to say the least, and during my 3 month tour, I wore several uniforms. One was when I earned unheard of wages (for a college kid in the 1960’s) doing turns with the tank-cleaning squad; the other was for my primary role as waiter in the officers’ mess. You can sort out for yourselves how to match the photos with the jobs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVQpZMwxH_-jEliRYZ5ELZV7N0Ti6WcZGDRdLX9hRSusyW5R-uaAjqjWQhi5nz7jFlTnq0W8AtuCPVSs94XPpBsINmim5L_mPipTa4inzlb1Qj3WNSPgpgMLztEkWJeyoDsCoEScyPxU/s2048/ControlTheory_02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1673" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVQpZMwxH_-jEliRYZ5ELZV7N0Ti6WcZGDRdLX9hRSusyW5R-uaAjqjWQhi5nz7jFlTnq0W8AtuCPVSs94XPpBsINmim5L_mPipTa4inzlb1Qj3WNSPgpgMLztEkWJeyoDsCoEScyPxU/s320/ControlTheory_02.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FZ6-24VeZkdIAbtppwenFf7dDzc3zIS2Hnn_g9-6scVNJpvkVDvxKug1edeEbx7IquvwVkIjapJYw0S-wcgD5-fBo7UhURQ-hCswit1npeNOQQ3AkLe1zoq5kn-v6MCFSvuDpKPV4so/s2048/ControlTheory_03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1625" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FZ6-24VeZkdIAbtppwenFf7dDzc3zIS2Hnn_g9-6scVNJpvkVDvxKug1edeEbx7IquvwVkIjapJYw0S-wcgD5-fBo7UhURQ-hCswit1npeNOQQ3AkLe1zoq5kn-v6MCFSvuDpKPV4so/s320/ControlTheory_03.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Work Uniforms</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Gulf of Mexico was a quite a tranquil place in the summer of 1968 and that made for smooth sailing – not a bad thing for someone who had to carry trays full of food and drink from the galley to the officers' dining room three times a day. But there was this one day. When the swells rose to the level of the bridge and the ship actually bobbed and rolled. My first trip of the morning demonstrated I was neither in control of the tray nor the water in the glasses I was carrying. I was dreading the next trip when I’d have orange juice and coffee. But one of the veterans stepped in and gave me this advice: “Do not look at the tray as you are carrying it.” It worked!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being the curious sort, I wondered how that could be. Several years later, and with some more education and work experience under my belt, what came to me was that looking at the tray allowed me to see the water sloshing around, first to the left of the glass, then to the right. My mind would step in to give instructions: "Quick! Tilt the tray to the RIGHT! Now to the LEFT! STOP moving it!" But the control system was not good enough. It took too long to see the issue, process it, come up with a plan, and send the instructions. And the response system wasn’t so good either, tilting too far, or too fast, or not fast enough. All in all, trying to react to the sight of the impending disaster actually hastened it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of this leads to, as I am sure you have anticipated, two editorials in the October 27 edition of Wall Street Journal. Each with its own story of good intentions and unintended consequences. One about dishwashers [1] and the other about "protecting Congolese citizens from warlords ..." [2].<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the first case, the authors report, "Regulations on energy and water usage—tightened in 2013 ... mean that dishwashers now take at least two hours to complete a full wash cycle. Dishes may still emerge with pieces of last night’s lasagna baked on.” The regulation was intended to reduce water and energy consumption. But, "People responded to poor dishwasher performance by pre-rinsing each dish before putting it through their washers, wasting more water, or running their dishwashers twice, wasting water and energy."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the case of the Congolese miners, the issue started when, according to the editorial’s authors, a "last-minute provision (was) inserted into the Dodd-Frank financial overhaul in 2010. That law's Section 1502 forces manufacturers to disclose if any of their products contain 'conflict minerals' mined in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and nine adjoining countries in Africa." They go on to explain that "Under the law, companies listed on U.S. stock exchanges must audit their supply chains and disclose if their products contain even traces of the designated minerals—gold, tantalum, tin and tungsten—that might have been mined in areas controlled by warlords."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How did the citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo benefit? The authors explain, "... the effects of the conflict-minerals mandate proved to be devastating for those it aimed to help ... manufacturers spent about $709 million and more than six million man-hours attempting to trace their supply chains for conflict minerals in 2014. And 90% of those companies still couldn't confirm their products were conflict-free. Many decided to avoid the Congo region altogether and source materials from other countries and continents. When mining dropped off ... villages were hit by reductions in education, health care and food supply. In 2014, 70 activists, academics, and government officials signed a letter blasting initiatives like the Dodd-Frank provision for ‘contributing to, rather than alleviating, the very conflicts they set out to address.' Any lasting effects? The article points out that "... targeting 'conflict materials' has shrunk the medical supply chain for components of everything from ventilators to vaccine needles and syringes." Imagine why that's an issue now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Regulators are going to regulate. But once the important, high level issues are addressed, maybe it would be best if they stopped. A law, perhaps, like the First Law of Holes: When you are in in one, stop digging.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When the regulation becomes a mandated, step-by-step, process covering actions from the supplier, manufacturer, and end user with the implied assumption that each incremental action will seamlessly mesh with all of the others to produce the intended results, you might, instead, find yourself carrying a tray of empty glasses across a wet floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">[1] <i>A Rule for Cleaner Dishes</i>, The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board; WSJ Opinion Section, October 27, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">[2] <i>Dodd-Frank Undermines the </i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Fight Against Covid</i>, John Berlau and Seth Carter; WSJ Opinion Section, October 27, 2020.</span></p>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-71850160520820400692019-02-03T08:12:00.000-08:002019-02-03T08:38:27.968-08:00Perfectionists<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
“Lock, stock, and barrel.” You’ve probably heard this used many times. I know I have. But I never knew – actually I never even thought about – where it came from. That all changed when I read Simon Winchester’s book, “The Perfectionists – How Precision Engineers Changed the World.” This book, also published in the UK as “Exactly – How … ,“ is either history told against the backdrop of engineering progress or the story of the development of extreme precision and accuracy with historical anecdotes. Whatever...<o:p></o:p></div>
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The book highlights some watershed events in the development of effective and efficient manufacturing processes, the underpinning for virtually everything we use – and often take for granted. One example is the story of the flintlock rifle, the go-to weapon of its time. Perhaps its biggest weakness was revealed when one failed due to wear, manufacturing defects, or damage. The soldier with such a weapon had only one recourse – find a gunsmith to make new parts. There was such a lack of precision and accuracy in the manufacturing processes that each gun was made of tediously selected parts to fit with each other. There was almost no chance that a spare lock mechanism part or wooden gunstock would fit with parts in the damaged weapon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The solution involved war, a US President, French technology, and a competition with a bit of subterfuge – but, no spoilers here. In the end, a wide range of manufacturing disciplines and processes were developed such that whether the lock mechanism, the gun stock, or its barrel were damaged, a replacement part could be taken from an inventory of spare parts. Lock, stock, and barrel.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is an engaging book. Perhaps a bit more so if you are an engineer, but the writing and connection with the history of things with which we are all familiar make it, in my opinion, a good choice for anyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-42768139909041075082017-10-03T11:11:00.000-07:002018-07-25T09:42:15.602-07:00There is this Thing ...<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><i>Water is
life's . . . mother and medium. There is no life without water.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Albert Szent-Gyorgyi<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><i>Water is life, and clean water means health.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Audrey
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is this thing, the “rule of threes:” You can live for
3 minutes without oxygen, 3 days without water and <span style="font-family: inherit;">3 weeks without food. Look
into this and you’ll find that there are, of course, exceptions. But it does
put into per</span>spective the sense of urgency required when addressing insufficiencies
in these vital elements of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The purpose of Global Hope Network International’s (GHNI)
Transformational Community Development (TCD) program is to bring villages mired
in extreme poverty to a state of sustainable self-sufficiency. There is
structure to the approach. When a village is engaged, projects are planned in
the areas of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Water</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nutrition</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wellness</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Education</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Income Generation</i>. Project details are
based on the current state of the village. But the village is ALWAYS expected
to actively participate in planning and executing the projects, to engage in
the coaching that is central to TCD, and carry out their roles to the best of
their ability. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You might guess from the rule of threes that water is a big
deal. And it is. But it might be even more important than you imagine. This is
the first of <strike>three</strike> four (I had more to say than originally planned, I guess!) posts in which I share my experiences with TCD water
projects in two villages in central Kenya.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a water project that introduced me to TCD in action
during my first visit to central Kenya in 2011. Then, in 2014, I saw first-hand
the issue of water in a new light; it broke my heart and steeled my commitment
to provide whatever help I could to the TCD program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of the homes in
the village of Bulesa Dima (2011)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bulesa Dima was my introduction to the villages in the area
around Isiolo Town in central Kenya. It is at once beautiful and terrible.
Stunningly picturesque; hot and dry. OK to visit; hard to live in. I have had
five opportunities for the former, but never the struggle of the latter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After the stop there, we moved on to visit the four other TCD
villages. Of particular interest to me was the time we would spend at Ola
Nagele, then the newest village in the program and the one for which I had
become one of one-hundred sponsors in 2010.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Ola Nagele is conveniently located just over 3 miles north
of the center of Isiolo Town and just off the paved highway that runs to the
Ethiopian border, 257 miles away. Convenient, because the people have access to
the town with its markets and because there is a municipal water line running
alongside of the highway. But nearby and accessible are not the same thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">People in Ola Nagele, as did those in villages farther out
in the rough bush, had to go out and find, collect, and carry water every day.
Here is how Wubshet and Habiba Mengesha, GHNI’s National Leaders in Kenya,
described the early days as GHNI began to bring the village into the TCD
program:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“When GHNI started their program in
Ola Nagele, the main challenge which the community faced was water; no borehole
or water stream nearby, but rather the people walk over 5 to 10 km in search of
this precious commodity. The main Isiolo water pipe could not supply this
village simply because the communities are poor and they could not afford the
pipes to pull the water from the main pipe which passes by the main highway.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It might have been fairly easy for GHNI to arrange a
connection to the water line, but that is not the way the program works. Here
is more from Wubshet and Habiba on how things progressed:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“… we established the (village water) committee
and brainstorm on how to go about this problem in conjunction with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Isiolo Water and Sewerage Ministry</i> ...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is important information in this statement. All villages
engaging in the TCD program appoint leaders and form committees for TCD focus
areas. GHNI staff mentor the committees as they look for low cost, low tech,
locally appropriate solutions to the problems they are charged with solving. Some
of the most important contributions to the village occur in meetings with the
GHNI staff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wubshet meeting with
Ola Nagele leaders</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvePA31u8y7xEiA19I0md6z2zBd68_6okGPuWPW7OwlVn9_X5PnL4nWztscMQkAvrdGcMv0pek0ZgnOahyphenhyphenyFlnQPG6YtCl7pDUtZmQB6iqydR18IuWrM8uWYHqoEbWuPYpQoa7Q80ipI/s1600/HabibaAndElder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1187" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvePA31u8y7xEiA19I0md6z2zBd68_6okGPuWPW7OwlVn9_X5PnL4nWztscMQkAvrdGcMv0pek0ZgnOahyphenhyphenyFlnQPG6YtCl7pDUtZmQB6iqydR18IuWrM8uWYHqoEbWuPYpQoa7Q80ipI/s320/HabibaAndElder.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Habiba discusses
water project with the village elder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was probably obvious that connecting to the municipal
supply would be the easiest way to supply the village. So, discussions included
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Isiolo Water and Sewerage Ministry</i>.
Through their active participation in the meetings, village leaders learned
important skills in relating their situation to others who might be engaged in
a solution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What happened as a result of
the meetings? Again, we hear from Wubshet and Habiba:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">“...we bought pipes and community
digged the trench over 2 km and we also built a tower tank in a central
position where everybody could come and fetch the water at small fee for
maintenance ...”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Building the base for
the first water tank in Ola Nagele</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Raising the tank onto
the base<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The village welcomed the
flowing water as soon as it was let through the pipe from the municipal supply
and further celebrated when the large storage tank was mounted on its base and
connected to the piping ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Water is flowing into
Ola Nagele</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_FNtlWCbAavA6uVkEvIN5X5W1y3jzDomgIyLDcxlwGWMhu5ZayXhHGrukOxBesIle8BG84Lsyi09TwXsDFZpE2-BepMNwYj2EsBIcz7JvFYQU6QErMhu8dSXSa_p7q_ax2VjoZusHh4/s1600/OriginalTankGoingOnBase_SavedFromBlog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_FNtlWCbAavA6uVkEvIN5X5W1y3jzDomgIyLDcxlwGWMhu5ZayXhHGrukOxBesIle8BG84Lsyi09TwXsDFZpE2-BepMNwYj2EsBIcz7JvFYQU6QErMhu8dSXSa_p7q_ax2VjoZusHh4/s320/OriginalTankGoingOnBase_SavedFromBlog.png" width="320" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The tank is connected
and showering residents from its contents</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The village could, for the first time, look forward to a
nearby, ready supply of clean water. It was a good time for sure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Coming up next: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Life’s
not all Daisies and Hot Dogs</b></span></div>
<style></style><br />
<style></style>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-79293254694389538802017-10-02T15:43:00.000-07:002019-03-02T17:20:33.767-08:00Life’s not all Daisies and Hotdogs<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Every problem is an
opportunity in disguise.</i></div>
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John Adams<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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There was understandable excitement in the village of Ola
Nagele when water started flowing into the large, black tank sitting atop its
newly constructed wooden base. People had a nearby source of clean water; true,
they had to collect it in the ubiquitous 20-liter yellow jerry cans and haul it
back to their meager homes, but the trip was now one of meters, not kilometers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Connecting to the municipal water line with a large buffer
tank was a low cost, low tech, locally appropriate solution to the village’s
water problems. Much of the cost of the tank and piping was provided by village
sponsors and donors through Global Hope Network International. But, as the water
came from the municipal system in Isiolo Town, there was a charge and the bill
had to be paid monthly for this solution to be sustainable. The village water
committee’s decision was to have each person drawing water from the tank pay a
small fee, just a few Kenyan shillings, an amount of about 5 cents. The
committee would then arrange to pay the bill on behalf of the village each
month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And thus, it was settled. Or was it?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not long after everything was in place, the base collapsed.
The tank, which, if just half-full of water, would have weighed 5,500 pounds,
crashed to the ground, splitting asunder as it came to the dramatic and
disheartening end to its all-too-short useful life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQri-EdcQGIUrJ2V7SubKDOZE4R9Y28ITymVDVZRxce4Bx19ZZk2SdnpLWT8cF3OJhlP3Nk6YJe-tMhgu5cmJI_Nl_jj-WjNl0LrhK2EA8-3FYbM_yLkiKRKM36pjIqKjNw3VhBRnmiEM/s1600/DestroyedTank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQri-EdcQGIUrJ2V7SubKDOZE4R9Y28ITymVDVZRxce4Bx19ZZk2SdnpLWT8cF3OJhlP3Nk6YJe-tMhgu5cmJI_Nl_jj-WjNl0LrhK2EA8-3FYbM_yLkiKRKM36pjIqKjNw3VhBRnmiEM/s320/DestroyedTank.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A setback for the
village<o:p></o:p></div>
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The tank was, without doubt, destroyed. The villagers? Dismayed,
dispirited, despondent, distressed, disenchanted, disillusioned? How could
they not be? During my 2011 visit to the area, after this setback, I met
Priscila, an intern with GHNI and collecting data for her thesis work. She
summed up the difficult life people in the villages faced this way: “Life’s not
all daisies and hotdogs.” No ma’am, it certainly is not.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But there’s this thing:<br />
Visits to Africa have allowed me to experience a variety of mishaps, one of serious
significance, others not so much except for the magnifying effect of being in
Africa, where I am at home about as much as a tuxedo at a square dance. I try
achieving an appearance not reflecting internal turmoil. It is easier to pull
this off as my African companions invariably exude calm. About the only
evidence that something has happened is their smooth, easy shift from what was
engaging us before to attention to the calamity at hand. The calmness is only
surpassed by their problem-solving abilities; by themselves or with the help of
“bystanders,” people not connected with our mission but who gather to help to set things
straight. At times the “African Swiss army knife,” the ubiquitous mobile phone,
is used to call in reinforcements. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Not being there, I cannot say for sure how things evolved,
but the result tells me it was not much different for the calamity of the collapsing
tank than for the lesser inconveniences I had seen incurred, attacked, and
dealt with. First, GHNI and the water committee sought the cause of the
collapse; it seemed the rather small, round poles used to support the base upon
which the tank sat were too easily pushed into the soil; since not all the
poles sank at the same rate, the base tilted until the tank, leaning beyond
the point of no return, toppled to the ground.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s never good to have problems and for sure a big one in a
place where every day is full of them. But, once done, it is best to extract as
much benefit from them as you can. In this case, the village, GHNI, and local
experts in the town identified the problem, determined an appropriate solution
and executed the new, robust design in the dry soil of Ola Nagele.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdItGOXDxWtbawcrHAen-0HVVw9SM2JM9a_kjFxjwuL38NoV491XjaXFzm8FqxA7kYXF624Bk5ujytdYuwxJAOG1KY6uUj2K0qrSi7l2ouYRH0Z2Q_o38KKct8NOJi6JdofdPzrbbAhr4/s1600/NewBaseImprovedSupport.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdItGOXDxWtbawcrHAen-0HVVw9SM2JM9a_kjFxjwuL38NoV491XjaXFzm8FqxA7kYXF624Bk5ujytdYuwxJAOG1KY6uUj2K0qrSi7l2ouYRH0Z2Q_o38KKct8NOJi6JdofdPzrbbAhr4/s320/NewBaseImprovedSupport.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyYVQh0XwOgdsRlppiDJmDKDRBTo3aUz8KMAwIR94FpK1D_2iH5dWBDym5wflGBMC5Bchqr4fy5MerHUEc3rtURonMvqlxxIpIRznUK29UBRWekA9PuLWVQAznePqQsmbJH5Ln_ltD5w/s1600/HabibaLookingAtNewBase.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyYVQh0XwOgdsRlppiDJmDKDRBTo3aUz8KMAwIR94FpK1D_2iH5dWBDym5wflGBMC5Bchqr4fy5MerHUEc3rtURonMvqlxxIpIRznUK29UBRWekA9PuLWVQAznePqQsmbJH5Ln_ltD5w/s320/HabibaLookingAtNewBase.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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A strong concrete
platform atop rebar reinforced pillars sitting on deep, sturdy footings</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3nFJJh-GsH7AtCfYm_KHJUgdjh5zG28voJF88e-DhVTWh-KH-ELOU6COqoEJcJgnWedZ_xYwFirdZLpbEF5Xd3vZD5S3ZBak5ButRkski8u5tqoJQ86Dw2XNkOLwWkvEzb2QQpNZ3YM/s1600/MenPutNewTankOnNewBase.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit3nFJJh-GsH7AtCfYm_KHJUgdjh5zG28voJF88e-DhVTWh-KH-ELOU6COqoEJcJgnWedZ_xYwFirdZLpbEF5Xd3vZD5S3ZBak5ButRkski8u5tqoJQ86Dw2XNkOLwWkvEzb2QQpNZ3YM/s320/MenPutNewTankOnNewBase.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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New base, new
tank and a new day for Ola Nagele</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p>Once again, and this time for good, water flowed into the
village. Life’s not ALL daisies and hotdogs. But there are those special days …</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When I arrived in Ola Nagele in 2011, the new tank was
serving the village well; so well, in fact, that work had started on laying
pipe from it to the location of a second tank. Some had already been put down
with about 200 yards to go to bring it to the site identified for the new tank.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was sunny, hot, and dry in the village. We walked along
the road, wispy clouds of dust marking our footfalls. It seemed even the
parched soil could not muster the energy to rise much above our shoe tops. It
does rain in Ola Nagel. Not so often, though, and it is not unusual for what
rain that does fall to come in on a brief, intense storm. We experienced this
during our visit. The ground turns to mud - until the sun comes out and quickly
bakes it back into the more familiar hard, cracked surface.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
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Road in Ola Nagele</div>
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Occasionally muddy, it is most often this hard, dry, sun baked surface</div>
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<br /></div>
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We arrived to find the water engineer, retained by GHNI to
handle a few of the technical details, busily engaged in preparing piping in
anticipation of completion of the shallow trench. In
the pictures below he is making a joint by heating the end of a pipe section;
when it gets soft, he gently inserts a short section of pipe, prepared just for
this purpose, expanding the warmed plastic to just the right size for it to fit
over end of pipe already in the trench. Low cost, low tech, locally appropriate
…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Preparing pipes with
a small fire and homemade “joint sizer”</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were several people at the site when we arrived, but
only the water engineer was busy. After introductions, Wubshet provided us a
brief review of the project to date and expectations for the day. A group of
men were to be here to continue digging the trench though that had obviously
not happened yet. Wubshet and Habiba had conversations with a few of the women
from the village and we waited. Eventually, a group of eight to ten men
carrying rough made and well used digging implements arrived, but stopped short
of coming all the way to where Wubshet was waiting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, Wubshet walked across the short distance and engaged the
men in what would turn out to be about a 30-minute discussion. When he came
back to where we were waiting, he explained that the men had said they needed
to be paid for the work. They would normally go into town to get work, they
told him, and what they made in a day was what they would have for food for
their families the next. I cannot imagine this was news to Wubshet, but he
engaged them in a negotiation, starting off by reminding them that the
materials and the water engineer had been provided for water for THEIR village;
and, the village had an obligation to participate as they were able. The
question of how long the project would take them came up and, eventually, all
agreed it would be a two-day job.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With that settled, Wubshet offered to provide them with the
equivalent of one-day’s pay for the two days’ work. The men agreed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, as this was going on, one of the women from the village
picked up a shovel and started to dig. I cannot say for sure, of course, but I
do believe she was sending a message ...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Digging at the trench
... and sending a message?</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon the men were hard at it, making good progress towards
the target of a second tank making water more easily available to all parts of
the village.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQXFQNN490HR1Mjr0Alhdx5P8xb8lpw7e3ZIInatOvtZfhOIV6gSsvUKUH-WyGJd2XRHR5tluj8jov5r5YJvClnJb3Jf_3b0nIVUJpQc4BvTrRa82cikj8auOy5wF6Iq2EweByTR9G80/s1600/Kenya_2011_OlaNagele_Water-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQXFQNN490HR1Mjr0Alhdx5P8xb8lpw7e3ZIInatOvtZfhOIV6gSsvUKUH-WyGJd2XRHR5tluj8jov5r5YJvClnJb3Jf_3b0nIVUJpQc4BvTrRa82cikj8auOy5wF6Iq2EweByTR9G80/s320/Kenya_2011_OlaNagele_Water-15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hard work it is,
digging in the hard, dry soil under a cloudless sky</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>A good portion of the trench was dug before the end of my
visit and some of that saw the piping laid and backfilled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFxz1R79UYH7OqyVD2fTpEfsWk0lI2g3ExxbqXvmu6wnnXOTazNLubOP_fUsPQl-jbfpL1sJZ9QJ15XpupJEXx2YH18WsgA8r37ealiowsNwNi4wgRfY3C6V0z_jPyxBpEUCkZkDNEO4/s1600/Kenya_2011_OlaNagele_Water-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFxz1R79UYH7OqyVD2fTpEfsWk0lI2g3ExxbqXvmu6wnnXOTazNLubOP_fUsPQl-jbfpL1sJZ9QJ15XpupJEXx2YH18WsgA8r37ealiowsNwNi4wgRfY3C6V0z_jPyxBpEUCkZkDNEO4/s320/Kenya_2011_OlaNagele_Water-7.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikCtB92d0OegphbLWsVrzRrAKuPI5j35avdU_L5ikYpWq_Yi_D_nvB6V9VOcprXwym-o3nsVtXApV4g_YV0oyIz-tcb9IoF91MD9xTF_NOMa412lZBqZSmFb_SZbfVbzRoU6Jrfxw7m0/s1600/Kenya_2011_OlaNagele_Water-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikCtB92d0OegphbLWsVrzRrAKuPI5j35avdU_L5ikYpWq_Yi_D_nvB6V9VOcprXwym-o3nsVtXApV4g_YV0oyIz-tcb9IoF91MD9xTF_NOMa412lZBqZSmFb_SZbfVbzRoU6Jrfxw7m0/s320/Kenya_2011_OlaNagele_Water-10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The water engineer
laid in the pipe as the trench was dug.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Later, the men filled
the trench to finish up</div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<o:p> </o:p>During the months after I returned home, the project was
completed with celebration of a second tank in the northern part of the village
and a plan to keep the village in clean water. Ola Nagele had found the
opportunity in the problem, making a big step forward in their journey to a
sustainable, self-determined future.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coming up next: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It's Complicated</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<style></style>Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-68837979433431901482017-10-01T14:11:00.000-07:002017-10-03T14:12:34.692-07:00It’s Complicated<i>There's no limit to
how complicated things can get, on account of one thing always leading to
another. </i>E. B. White<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It was all so simple. Engage 100 sponsors, offer some
financial support, add a dose of coaching, encourage a few days of labor, ...;
just like that, Ola Nagele’s water problems were solved and with renewed
confidence, dignity and hope, they were on their way to a sustainable future,
the goal of GHNI’s TCD program.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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OK, so I didn’t REALLY think it was exactly like this. A lot
happened in the three years since I first visited the Isiolo cluster of
villages. Water, nutrition, wellness, education and income factors were
addressed, each with its own village committee. It seems so orderly, five
issues, five solutions. Then, in 2014, I went back. I would soon realize that
it was not simple at all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The big news at Ola Nagle wasn’t the water program, but the
successful beginnings of income projects. Women’s groups were formed and
members given small sums as a “micro-loan.” The businesses they started were
interesting and successful. Rope making, a fresh milk stand and a shop
providing camel intestine soup were changing the lives of the women who
conceived of and built these enterprises. Exciting developments, for sure ...</div>
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A Women's Income Group in a mentoring session</div>
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Micro loans are provided for business startups</div>
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Weaving rope for sale in the village</div>
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Fresh milk by the cup at her kiosk</div>
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Camel intestine soup from her small shop</div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Returning to the issue of water, let's look at the 2014
visit to the village of Attir and developments that followed. Wubshet and
Habiba had spent much time with Attir and they were considering engaging in the
TCD program. While they were interested, they were also skeptical as a result
of a less-than-effective engagement with another group in the form of an
impressive water tank on a tower ... with no provision whatsoever to actually
get water into it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM-SMsnLi-8Jpwxw3tO84-eDFWP7x_U77oEMTVN6SNC91EJBwjZV2dl1dF3L49CZYI4fA05zRbnXz5_n1Ux65CcF3PaMi2Kwd_RAb_5luYXq85c-VvACZEcrqKlPFjivIjgXMymhbI3A/s1600/Tank2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoM-SMsnLi-8Jpwxw3tO84-eDFWP7x_U77oEMTVN6SNC91EJBwjZV2dl1dF3L49CZYI4fA05zRbnXz5_n1Ux65CcF3PaMi2Kwd_RAb_5luYXq85c-VvACZEcrqKlPFjivIjgXMymhbI3A/s320/Tank2014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Attir's water tank</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The visit was the first for GHNI staff from the U.S. Jeff
Power was leading the trip and we all listened as the village explained their
needs and articulated their skepticism. One of the elders pointed to the tower
saying, “That is our statue.” They actually wanted to just tear it down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it came time for Jeff to speak, he reminded the village
of the things Wubshet and Habiba had already taught them about TCD ... the
approach, the benefits, the responsibilities. Then he emphasized that GHNI took
its role seriously and promised that they would stand with the village during
the course of the program. But he also challenged them. They would promise to carry
out their roles; those in planing and execution of, and contributions to the
efforts. It was a critical juncture. But all agreed that being a TCD village
would be good for Attir and so it was decided. Attir needed a helping hand up
in every area of the TCD program: water, nutrition, wellness, education, and
income. Water was the most pressing issue, but the village would, as was
required, form committees and engage with GHNI in mentoring.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHH3wIbXQ5M9HX5ZkV_WqNuHiLkIntGp3Lb_oGGx3S4iDIQHEcRbV6MxZtUlNx6oMUiGv4ttd7ICzff9OrXGJOSkS7JBZRGhFJH1LwLSH_xbCD0KwbsL9sKQXSqn1Jyx1xoHXhupcH6Vo/s1600/AttirElderSpeaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1224" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHH3wIbXQ5M9HX5ZkV_WqNuHiLkIntGp3Lb_oGGx3S4iDIQHEcRbV6MxZtUlNx6oMUiGv4ttd7ICzff9OrXGJOSkS7JBZRGhFJH1LwLSH_xbCD0KwbsL9sKQXSqn1Jyx1xoHXhupcH6Vo/s320/AttirElderSpeaks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An elder at Attir addresses the meeting between the village and GHNI</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll have to say it was pretty exciting to see what unfolded
that day under the shade of the elder tree in this village in the harsh bush of
central Kenya.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Much happened during the rest of the visit. But, there was
this thing ...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We learned that the women of Attir, as is their lot, rose early every
morning, took up their 20-liter yellow jerry-cans, and ventured out through the
bush on a mile-and-a-half trek to the “river” where they filled their
cans, then walking, now heavy-laden, back to their homes. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What I am about to relate is in no way a “walking in their shoes”
experience. I cannot imagine, even after we walked with a few men and women of
the village to the river, what it is like for that to be a daily chore that means
nothing less than survival. It is, truly, beyond what I can comprehend.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, we walked. A few of the women, one with a large yellow
container and a smaller one, cut to serve as a scoop, and some of the men set
out from the village with us in tow. It was hot. The ground was hard, dry and rocky; the plant
life, what there was, prickling with spikes and thorns and barbs and all other
manner of weaponry designed to keep us at a distance. We were told that
elephants, snakes, lions and hyenas might be encountered; their experience was a meetup with a hyena being more likely. They did this walk. Every. Day.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The walk to the river for water</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived to see that the river was really just a small,
muddy stream. I could easily step across it. While not in evidence when we were
there, it was a popular place for watering camels, cattle, and donkeys. The
stream was more than just muddy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lady with the large container was regally outfitted in a
colorful wrap over a torn, faded, yellow T-shirt. She had beaded bracelets on
both wrists. And she carried the most amazing collection of necklaces on her
shoulders, reaching up to under her chin and ears. Yellow, red, blue; all
arranged, I suspect, in an order that had meaning regarding her station in the
village. Perhaps one of the necklaces identified her as a water carrier.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQviu2fDc2nJRR3nmyjjqJI_dk_xGD8OhCrRHqWdTfowbuWfO6YPvL25XrKe1IwoGbXlhD3RJCh8Yfi_iUBNh4f42kRYIeHLQEqQMKphVsd1MVD8pLBCkJdT-cTrOiI3Hp2fHkBuAE6-U/s1600/ScoopingWater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="1240" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQviu2fDc2nJRR3nmyjjqJI_dk_xGD8OhCrRHqWdTfowbuWfO6YPvL25XrKe1IwoGbXlhD3RJCh8Yfi_iUBNh4f42kRYIeHLQEqQMKphVsd1MVD8pLBCkJdT-cTrOiI3Hp2fHkBuAE6-U/s320/ScoopingWater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Collecting the dirty water from the river</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She stooped down and began to transfer the foul water from
the stream to the large can. About halfway through the filing process, instead
of emptying the scoop where she had the others, she brought it to her lips and
drank ...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Bf3lSvbXjsUe2bXi-iTT5uO4x6NmcPM_wcEQWTG85KrzKrLFeqa2OKWzYC2Fpq9NyV308slohoIrFU7Vw9mPYhqeX_Wug1CfPFwn4PhM7zRAf27WQOuwkGf0wbo1Y2CYC-cz_QrXpwU/s1600/DrinkingFromTheStream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Bf3lSvbXjsUe2bXi-iTT5uO4x6NmcPM_wcEQWTG85KrzKrLFeqa2OKWzYC2Fpq9NyV308slohoIrFU7Vw9mPYhqeX_Wug1CfPFwn4PhM7zRAf27WQOuwkGf0wbo1Y2CYC-cz_QrXpwU/s320/DrinkingFromTheStream.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Drinking directly from the muddy waters ...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsvnksHpJRyLueBNO1ACDTXf8jw4Bg-mI4IArBTInVuPjYuEEXT736HftPDEM6mzkzZLI-61hmTs7fVPqC28PnGxxn3lXsLPgM_J6DHwT-CEv80NAhV91IUXglPTRD-YCykNnAgKU_wA/s1600/Camels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1271" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsvnksHpJRyLueBNO1ACDTXf8jw4Bg-mI4IArBTInVuPjYuEEXT736HftPDEM6mzkzZLI-61hmTs7fVPqC28PnGxxn3lXsLPgM_J6DHwT-CEv80NAhV91IUXglPTRD-YCykNnAgKU_wA/s320/Camels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
... that others partake of nearby</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was hard for me, watching this woman bear the burden of
her role, a burden decidedly weightier than the container of water she had just
filled. So, you might expect that we immediately engaged donors and rushed to
provide a well for the village. But it was complicated ...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A source of funds was available for a well, but a decision – a
hard decision – was made. The Attir water committee would assume responsibility
for finding a Kenyan organization to assist them. They were mentored in life
skills related to finding resources, presenting their story and making
decisions to ensure proposed solutions were low tech, low cost, and locally
available and appropriate. It took them some time. I have no idea how hard it
was, accepting this responsibility, finding and dealing with organizations,
many of which could not, or would not, engage with them. But in the end, they
succeeded.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
APHIAplus, a Kenya-led, USAID funded non-governmental organization
(NGO) agreed to partner with Attir. This success was followed by some
disappointments. Planned activities were delayed. The Attir water committee
kept up the dialog, but also worked on alternate solutions. It was hard to watch
this glacially-paced progress in the monthly Village Reports; imagine how difficult
it was to live it, to be SO CLOSE but with clean water still out of reach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went back in 2015. In the time since the previous visit, the
water committee worked out a plan to collect rainwater. It makes sense,
collecting and storing rainwater. But it doesn’t rain much in Isiolo and most
of what comes is in two short rainy periods, the rest of the year being dry ...
the kind of dry you can feel; the kind with an aroma exactly opposite that of the fragrance after the rain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was also an agreement with the nearby village of Chuviyare
to connect their well and pump to Attir with a 3-mile pipeline. Water would be
pumped two or three days a week. The pipe failed under the pressure with high
temperatures weakening the PVC material suspected as a contributing factor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The women of Attir still walked through the bush.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
May of 2016; my fourth visit to the Isiolo cluster of
villages. The preschool in Attir had grown to two rooms. Several women in the
village were nearing the end of the intensive <i>Tailoring and Dressmaking</i> program
at the Empowerment Center in town.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But, the women of Attir still walked through the bush.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After this trip, the good news finally came ... the June
2016 Village Report announced that a borehole had been sunk in the village. APHIAplus
and the Attir water committee had worked out all of the details and the long
awaited nearby source of clean water had arrived. Or had it ...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPg3nevfWYfcsQHA-8va82r-zlBVVcbnAZ_2CP6rogd6HT95k9OATcKdHNVSQ6CW98_URcU-F1RHesRFi2X4lj1XHVSbmFhxQW7wwfOFIKK2geNdvgFcrilSvuU9dx1ZGEpM2vlnqebCg/s1600/AttirBorehole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="1162" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPg3nevfWYfcsQHA-8va82r-zlBVVcbnAZ_2CP6rogd6HT95k9OATcKdHNVSQ6CW98_URcU-F1RHesRFi2X4lj1XHVSbmFhxQW7wwfOFIKK2geNdvgFcrilSvuU9dx1ZGEpM2vlnqebCg/s400/AttirBorehole.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A borehole is drilled in the village of Attir!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just prior to going back to Isiolo in December of 2016, we
heard that the borehole was capped while the water committee worked on the
issue of a pump. The plan was to get a solar powered electric down-hole pump,
something that had worked well in Gambella, just a couple of miles from Attir and GHNI’s first TCD graduate village. We visited the site. It was wonderfully
sad ... a borehole right in the village; water just a few meters away; no way
to get it out.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9i2pLA_Bjap28duNmdVTL83fn7dTz6G4oBoRQc3bIMn8cJpmKo3AmzbuyE9b1p7LvRLmvbfEG8gmXrsqa5FE9bbmzqnrEOtKzZuVoxp5BQKF6J3hM-3QxvSYlq3P4nO2T1OWWIl0TRg/s1600/CappedBorehole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="482" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim9i2pLA_Bjap28duNmdVTL83fn7dTz6G4oBoRQc3bIMn8cJpmKo3AmzbuyE9b1p7LvRLmvbfEG8gmXrsqa5FE9bbmzqnrEOtKzZuVoxp5BQKF6J3hM-3QxvSYlq3P4nO2T1OWWIl0TRg/s320/CappedBorehole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
A big step for Attir, but the borehole casing is capped, waiting for a pump</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And the women of Attir still walked through the bush.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, the best of news appeared in the April 2017 Village Report, ... Clean water was flowing freely into the village of Attir!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyEIUf47QGKeH1Jtb5uz2g0z0QeM0_vBwTBciXtb6chW73k6s_SX8oIc1vdsF-HJnAplnWOjRDyDUwuDYkzffYUrQpaml1nW6cVQNDMrtKGZ7vEZQs8gSQhHI37VEfao_2sQ6MImcnUc/s1600/AprilReport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="603" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyEIUf47QGKeH1Jtb5uz2g0z0QeM0_vBwTBciXtb6chW73k6s_SX8oIc1vdsF-HJnAplnWOjRDyDUwuDYkzffYUrQpaml1nW6cVQNDMrtKGZ7vEZQs8gSQhHI37VEfao_2sQ6MImcnUc/s320/AprilReport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Success at last!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back at Ola Nagle, I finally got caught up on where the village
sat in terms of water. It was not at all what I expected. Many homes now had
water taps in the yard. The water came directly from the municipal service and homeowners
took care of their own bills. There were some bumps along the way; the water
committee had problems paying the city for water that flowed through the
original system with the two tanks. But with guidance, encouragement and
reminders that this was their problem to solve, they got it sorted out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuudWDfL-4JjBIPNeDSgspBmFnk94FhQlTNWcG1fDwr5EK5hQNVASzgm22zSH9Z3C5JfptwFAYOpjJH5MXLSxAVaq9oBR0ef-eoyD662Z1BBuYChHUDu7G7RDpGoFHGByAhML7s3xxy8/s1600/OlaNageleWaterTap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuudWDfL-4JjBIPNeDSgspBmFnk94FhQlTNWcG1fDwr5EK5hQNVASzgm22zSH9Z3C5JfptwFAYOpjJH5MXLSxAVaq9oBR0ef-eoyD662Z1BBuYChHUDu7G7RDpGoFHGByAhML7s3xxy8/s320/OlaNageleWaterTap.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
The simple joy of getting water from your tap</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ola Nagele’s success – after that represented by the supply
of the two large tanks – went unnoticed by me for years. The lesson: the village would continue to move forward after the almost insurmountable barrier had been
removed. The development was, of course, supported by GHNI in the form of
counsel, encouragement and further supported by progress in the other four TCD focus areas.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the most important factor in the ongoing progress is to
be found in this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Confidence, dignity and hope had returned to the villages
... <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Coming up next: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Confidence,
Dignity and Hope</b><o:p></o:p></div>
Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-52442094136438096692017-09-30T13:48:00.000-07:002017-10-03T13:51:17.259-07:00Confidence, Dignity, and Hope<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The path is made by
walking.</i> African Proverb</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walk through the villages in the central Kenyan bush country
today and you will see evidence of the GHNI Transformational Community
Development program - TCD. The new borehole in Attir, the wellness center in
Gambella, enterprising women in Ola Nagle dealing in goats and plastic chairs,
irrigated farming plots in Shambani, sturdy homes in Bulesa Dima, and dorms for
orphans in Gem. Then there are school buildings, a wind pump, the Empowerment
Center training facility, the water spigots in front of modest homes, ... signs
of the program in action.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here are some examples ...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud7Qc7bKWnozwlmYd3bUm31IaNKiYRhf-RZn2VsU6sjj7P8h07HF5vBZJFYIjJdI-OsPDRhj9AdCaWhC01nsUbq_QiJf6o_qgDE0aJrICiqnDH8b950oVRA4htikWrXMUomwM6LuZPFI/s1600/BulesaDima_BeforeAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud7Qc7bKWnozwlmYd3bUm31IaNKiYRhf-RZn2VsU6sjj7P8h07HF5vBZJFYIjJdI-OsPDRhj9AdCaWhC01nsUbq_QiJf6o_qgDE0aJrICiqnDH8b950oVRA4htikWrXMUomwM6LuZPFI/s320/BulesaDima_BeforeAfter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before After </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Homes
in Bulesa Dima</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZVh4Dt0gcR-KaHsxq5V7RJhLmUgi_Lk3hSAztfv3ZAwjmSbE7wEj2TZJsBxBjvQtfxpzdnwcr_e6UQjAmxJVLz96X_bG4MNJM5KC3sK7BB0qVJgujELGXNPrbQMw203DQnAATBMyerk/s1600/AttirWater_BeforeAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZVh4Dt0gcR-KaHsxq5V7RJhLmUgi_Lk3hSAztfv3ZAwjmSbE7wEj2TZJsBxBjvQtfxpzdnwcr_e6UQjAmxJVLz96X_bG4MNJM5KC3sK7BB0qVJgujELGXNPrbQMw203DQnAATBMyerk/s320/AttirWater_BeforeAfter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before After </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Water
supply in Attir</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYFQVweA9L0Jxu2oRAKOFcuR5SCFU2tRtHCrWh1JCXUR8NuKlqo0fnPPSVM3w8Q83KebS2tPdY3wy1oCDbgZUoc9TWwSfgvbHkQjzQ2jRNV-xfDramLBRyXhwwjE49z-X4g8sArvJ4cg/s1600/GambellaSchool_BeforeAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYFQVweA9L0Jxu2oRAKOFcuR5SCFU2tRtHCrWh1JCXUR8NuKlqo0fnPPSVM3w8Q83KebS2tPdY3wy1oCDbgZUoc9TWwSfgvbHkQjzQ2jRNV-xfDramLBRyXhwwjE49z-X4g8sArvJ4cg/s320/GambellaSchool_BeforeAfter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before After </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Primary
school in Gambella</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s tempting to measure progress with these visible signs
of change. They are important; it’s easy; we are familiar with this approach to
measuring success. But there is this thing ... the most common and meaningful
sign of TCD success:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTj5Sry_qpYV-lEgr-c3zw4JmypESI7SqCgpwK_mgFC6ps9-JUAfPN_PP1d7I88IQhmUW3KVKwU1wwKf3l1JGEX9n3NW1nBVsIcOGAppoletmGrie0SBxA4OQ1N_fFDkmlXMLucBIFUmw/s1600/GambellaHome_BeforeAfter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTj5Sry_qpYV-lEgr-c3zw4JmypESI7SqCgpwK_mgFC6ps9-JUAfPN_PP1d7I88IQhmUW3KVKwU1wwKf3l1JGEX9n3NW1nBVsIcOGAppoletmGrie0SBxA4OQ1N_fFDkmlXMLucBIFUmw/s320/GambellaHome_BeforeAfter.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Before After</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">People
in the villages in central Kenya</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look all you want; you’ll not find any difference in the two
images. And that is the true power and beauty of TCD.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the time when GHNI partners with a village, a helping
hand is given to overcome significant obstacles; together they travel a path
where villagers apply themselves to projects, which are designed to be low
cost, low tech and locally appropriate. They use their skills, and, with
coaching from local GHNI staff, learn new ones. Their involvement in the
projects, often requiring them to overcome setbacks, leads to restored
CONFIDENCE. There is also the satisfaction and DIGNITY of providing much needed
changes for their own village, their own families, and themselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The TCD partnership will end. It will not be easy for the
villages going forward. The Kenyan bush is harsh, aggressive, and unforgiving.
Walk through a TCD graduate village today, I suspect you’ll see “poverty.” The
material state of things gives that impression. In some cases, it may not have
changed much since the time the village entered the program.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, the promise of TCD is there. You can’t take a
picture of it, but you can sense it in the attitudes of the people around you.
There is excitement and pride in their voices when they talk about their new
business enterprise or how they are using the wellness training to improve
health in the village. Though the material side of their lives may not impress,
confidence and dignity have been restored in their lives, addressing what those
who live in poverty say are its harshest embodiments: “... shame, inferiority,
powerlessness, humiliation ... <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">hopelessness</b>,
...” (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When Helping Hurts</i>; S. Corbett
& Brian Fikkert; pg. 53).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Confidence and dignity are the foundations of success, fully
realized when HOPE is restored. Villages emerge from the suffocating grip of extreme
poverty; the pathway of a sustainable, self-determined future unfolds before
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Epilogue<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People don’t take
trips, trips take people.</i> John Steinbeck<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went to Kenya for the first time in 2011, a trip I took to
visit Ola Nagele, the village I had already connected with as a sponsor. That
trip took me to a place of new challenges. There was that of helping people who
obviously could use a handout to get by, one that was pretty easy to meet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the deeper challenge of providing a helping hand up is
another story. TCD has structure and purpose, plans and reports; there are
successes and there are setbacks. All of these things are its arms and legs. But
the intent to restore confidence, dignity, and hope is its heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I returned to Kenya because I believe it is important to experience
the changes in the people. I returned because I have confidence the program is changing
the people there in ways that will benefit them for years after the village
graduates. I returned to experience and share the dignity – the satisfaction -
that comes from being a part of something important. And I will return again, because
I have hope that the work will continue to make profound changes in the lives
of people who, once hurting and hopeless, can now look forward to a
sustainable, self-determined future.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-4915570876381279272015-12-22T10:01:00.002-08:002015-12-22T11:58:29.178-08:00The Soundtrack of My Life<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0_hyphenhyphenBAOg43xG_oTOxQ7_-HQueSCer5UbbGnWhZJtJFLK_HNs-sMmBrgdS8GC6Baagh2YgOfnLNbc4zLmBl6a7oHKeVKsi7LjGgwbFpdvIUcVSuKW3ic4dE-lUQoy0G-gwx1QgT7CYAI/s1600/Rodrigo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0_hyphenhyphenBAOg43xG_oTOxQ7_-HQueSCer5UbbGnWhZJtJFLK_HNs-sMmBrgdS8GC6Baagh2YgOfnLNbc4zLmBl6a7oHKeVKsi7LjGgwbFpdvIUcVSuKW3ic4dE-lUQoy0G-gwx1QgT7CYAI/s200/Rodrigo.jpg" width="195" /></a><span style="color: #0b5394;">I am working at my computer with this title playing from my iTunes collection:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre: II-Españoleta y fanfare de la caballería de napoles: Adagio; Allegretto, molto ritmico; Tempo de españoleta</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #0b5394;">It was listening to this in 1995 that prompted me to write what follows. Not much has changed, but at the end, I do have an update - another song that had an impact as I was just engaging in important things that now occupy much of my time...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Flight 84. Chicago to Frankfurt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Flying through the night.
Listening to music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Selected for my enjoyment by
American Airlines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Background for my reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Suddenly, I become keenly aware of
what is playing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">A haunting melody. Something I
have not heard before.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Guitar. Oboe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">I was captivated. Moved to tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Tears!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">What was THAT all about?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Music with no association to my
life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Yet it moved me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">And so it began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Realization.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">And the search for answers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Realizing my life had a soundtrack
- <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Songs, melodies, tunes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">I am moved by music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Literally and figuratively.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Energized. Calmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Moved to laughter. And tears.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">The questions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">How to describe the music that
affects me so?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Why do I like what I do?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Why does it do these things to me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">So I search for answers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">listen to the music.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">The soundtrack of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">How can I describe this music, "My"
music?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Complex. Rich. Deep.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Enveloping me in its grip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Strings. Percussion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Music with a beat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">The rhythm of my life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">I listen, walk, notice my pace
matches the music’s beat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">In tune, in step. The pace of my
heartbeat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">A physical connection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Haunting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another word to describe.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Minor chords. Even off-key.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Music that creates an out-of-focus
picture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ethereal. Not to be completely
captured.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mystery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tell me part of the story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Use words in a foreign language.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Make me think.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paint the background. Leave the
details to my imagination. Let <i>me</i>
finish the story.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Tusk</i> and <i>Coventry Carol</i> play on my iPod.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Tusk</i>, pounding percussion
- the USC marching band playing backup for Fleetwood Mac.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It lifts me off the ground!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Coventry Carol</i>. Soft
and mellow as you can get.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Why <i>Tusk</i> and <i>Coventry Carol</i>?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Favorites.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cannot tell you why.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Except that they are part of the
soundtrack of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The <i>Moldau</i> by Smetana.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A musical picture of a river
flowing through the Czech Republic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tumbling over rocks in the
mountains.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flowing past a wedding party in a
small village.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Passing majestically through
Prague.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I see it all as the music weaves
its magic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Alegria, Mummer's Dance</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Ghost Riders in the Sky. Atchafalaya Pipeline.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>The City of New Orleans. Orinoco Flow.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mystery. The romance of travel.
Hard times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Foot stomping rhythm. And the list
goes on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spiritual songs.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>How Great Thou Art - <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I know why I am moved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Standing on a mountaintop in North
Carolina.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Singing. <i>How Great Thou Art</i>. And He was. And is.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>En la Cruz. </i>A night
that changed my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Raquel's young face lifted up. A
smile. A song on her lips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her face shining in the light of a
citronella candle.<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I did not know then. I do now.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A most important part of my
soundtrack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Blessed Assurance. I'll Fly Away. Amazing Grace.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wonderful messages in song.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Revealing part of the answer...He
gave us music.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To use in His praise, to be sure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And to add to our enjoyment of the
life He gives us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So it is.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My life with its soundtrack.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Music, part of why I am and part
of how I show it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flight 84.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chicago to Frankfurt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The music?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Fantasia Para Un Gentilhombre</i> by Rodrigo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It plays even now as I write these
words,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still moving me to tears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even now I do not know why.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do I really want to know?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Or is this another mystery, part
of the soundtrack?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The soundtrack of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not really understand it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I know it is a gift.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the Source of all music.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">December, 2015 Update</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;"><i>Orange Blossom Special</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Flying W Wranglers with the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Maybe my most favorite favorite piece.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because it is lively and rich;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
because it carries me back to Africa...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 2006, just a few days before the first Uganda trip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No onboard entertainment this time;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
no Walkman with all of the mix tapes;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
no portable CD player.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a brand new iPod</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can listen to <i>Orange Blossom Special ...</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over and over again it plays;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flying over the Atlantic; then Europe,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the Mediterranean, the Sahara,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and finally into Entebbe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was immersed in anticipation, questions,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
pondering the unknown;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
doing a new "something for the first time."</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The anthem of that trip in particular</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
and Africa in general was, is and always will be</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Orange Blossom Special</i> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
by The Flying W Wranglers</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
with the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not really understand it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I know it is a gift.</div>
Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-8822528760842028612015-10-28T11:09:00.000-07:002015-10-28T21:17:28.313-07:00I Bear-ly Made It<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>"Close don't count in baseball. Close only counts in
horseshoes and hand grenades." </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Frank Robinson (Time magazine, July 31, 1973)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Close doesn't usually cut it in bicycle touring either. You
pretty much need to finish the route. That is, unless you stumble upon a place
in which you'd rather spend the rest of your life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The third day of each of the tours presented real challenges
in the form of weather and difficult climbs. In each case, I made it. And I
didn’t make it. Here are the accounts...<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Bear-ly Made It -
CGY<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I rode 31.4 miles from Red Lodge to the top of
Beartooth Pass, putting in 5,640 feet of climbing on a day when the average temperature
was 38 degrees F.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE-vUlhmpCso3mLcrVM76FLDDE7SXXwRiBZZv1G2eIjuND8RinoYxYg8ZV5QIs8_6U25k79G7POyWXKd-Jh9lqXR9BupgEknxZw2_V_9B60MPOx6eZqi-BKWUJua5jDnXfDgBflPoGYI/s1600/RedLodge_to_BeartoothSummit_Route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzE-vUlhmpCso3mLcrVM76FLDDE7SXXwRiBZZv1G2eIjuND8RinoYxYg8ZV5QIs8_6U25k79G7POyWXKd-Jh9lqXR9BupgEknxZw2_V_9B60MPOx6eZqi-BKWUJua5jDnXfDgBflPoGYI/s320/RedLodge_to_BeartoothSummit_Route.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route ended at Cooke City. My ride, just a little shy of that!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The <s>gorilla</s> bear in the room made its presence known
as this was the day to go up and over Beartooth Pass on our way to Cooke City,
Montana at the Silver Gate entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Remember the
weather at the end of the ride from Absarokee to Red Lodge? Rain, wind hail.
Well, for today the forecast on Beartooth pass was for cold and snow. SNOW. In
AUGUST!<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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The forecast was very precise - snow would start sometime
between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Well, at least it narrowed the possibilities a
little. CGY took the approach of hoping for the best, but preparing for the
worst. The first action in this vein was to announce that the morning
departure, normally between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. would this day be moved and
shrunk to 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. giving a better chance for more riders to get
over the summit before the weather. In addition to this, CGY called in more vehicles
to patrol the route and provide SAG services as needed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We departed in the dark and immediately began riding uphill
into a moderate chilly headwind. Grades slowly increased from 2% to 6% over the
first 10 miles as we rode through a spectacular landscape of steep
mountainsides on both sides of the road. Here we went from the 5,500 foot
elevation of Red Lodge to about 6,700 feet. The "acclimation" rides
of the first two days certainly helped, but altitude was also going to play a
role in today's ride.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
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At the 10 mile point, the road went left and we started the
more serious part of the climbing ...</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVstmdeLNq5Mjc8466YLJb9bpi-NGVCjPvkAv2FN1QectL_YNZ7WnCgCX4x-o_6di13cHBw1wT8yz0ffeQWyL8mhrL89XsRrUz2Zvx0aco7jGqZ_OlUoHRN9DxDJxVGoTrcsPAroeRB8/s1600/BeartoothClimbing_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVstmdeLNq5Mjc8466YLJb9bpi-NGVCjPvkAv2FN1QectL_YNZ7WnCgCX4x-o_6di13cHBw1wT8yz0ffeQWyL8mhrL89XsRrUz2Zvx0aco7jGqZ_OlUoHRN9DxDJxVGoTrcsPAroeRB8/s320/BeartoothClimbing_07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest stop was 22 miles into the climb and at an
elevation of 9,300 feet. It was not yet 11 and it was beginning to snow in fits
and starts. The skies were gray and low - well, lower than the surrounding
peaks anyway, which were enshrouded in the mist. The CGY staff was asking
everyone to get some food and hurry back onto the road. There were 10 miles and
1,600 feet of climbing to the summit and the weather would only get worse from
now on.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think the first picture below, the last I took this day, is
near the 25 mile point. The next picture is at the same location, taken by the
CGY photographer. Comparing this to the picture from earlier in the climb, you
can see that I have now put on my heavier jacket and gloves. The temperature
had been dropping as we climbed and here it was just at freezing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxYBMdeEO2HwLlktShUzanGWyzLYohJhzYNXmL21UeEz3h3SCullUJGrXidzsMDxlY6CEkceJvn8cPV2D_U1s-g57MyqOvsGBKBBHEERzJehcJRioVtSS2WZAxlzc8qGVctZyHuKsLV8/s1600/StopInSnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVxYBMdeEO2HwLlktShUzanGWyzLYohJhzYNXmL21UeEz3h3SCullUJGrXidzsMDxlY6CEkceJvn8cPV2D_U1s-g57MyqOvsGBKBBHEERzJehcJRioVtSS2WZAxlzc8qGVctZyHuKsLV8/s320/StopInSnow.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiling? Perhaps not ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was tired and when one of the SAG vans stopped to pick up
a few riders, I considered his offer of a ride up to the summit. But, I kept on.
Three miles later, I was at the summit. The east summit. The clouds parted,
possibly out of surprise that I had actually gotten this far, but this brief
glimpse of blue sky was soon a memory as the gray and light snow returned. What
was to come was a 1.5 mile descent followed by a 1.7 mile climb of 425 feet to
the slightly higher elevation of the west summit.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P7WN7DO5nU1PG79UchpruTABuNSL8W2xgXtj75iPxxxkHcf5hMU8yp-wKpiV71M8h8qS8GmSJKqTeJ566iFGFzpWHs_GJZh2_EV6WsthRGeRm5qbsnXmI2YbYBrqHVKoQtglcBicP_I/s1600/SummitCGYphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P7WN7DO5nU1PG79UchpruTABuNSL8W2xgXtj75iPxxxkHcf5hMU8yp-wKpiV71M8h8qS8GmSJKqTeJ566iFGFzpWHs_GJZh2_EV6WsthRGeRm5qbsnXmI2YbYBrqHVKoQtglcBicP_I/s320/SummitCGYphoto.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had made it. There was hot soup for lunch. I was fatigued
and cold. The short descent between summits had revealed a stark reality - the real descent ahead
was going to be cold, cutting-through-every-layer-I-had-on cold.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were on a barren mountaintop with no facilities. The only
shelter was a number of CGY cars, trucks and an RV, all already full of people
getting warm and waiting for a ride to Cooke City. It started snowing in
earnest and the CGY staff were saying the window for leaving was going to close
soon. If anyone thought they were up to going to the next rest stop, nine miles
down the slopes, then they could leave. That rest stop was at a store, out of
the snow, and more convenient for the ride vehicles picking up riders and
carrying then to Cooke City.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I heard this, I thought I can at least do this next 9 miles.
But after putting toe warmers in my shoes adding another layer over my hands
and feet the following happened: (a) It started snowing even harder, wind-driven
and limiting visibility. (b) I realized how fatigued I was. (c) I recalled what
I knew about the descent - it was going to be steep, fast, technical and very
cold. (d) I decided I would end my ride right here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not so many people made it all the way to Cooke City this
day. And, as almost all of them would say, they deserved some congratulations,
but also a reminder that it was maybe not worth it. Bill was one who made it.
He said the descend was bordering on terrifying. Cold robbed his fingers of
feeling and caused him to shiver enough to make controlling the bike difficult.
Others who I talked to or overheard had the same story.<br />
<br />
It was, as one rider put it, an epic day. He went on to
explain that in this case, epic wasn't necessarily great, but a day that would
provide stories for a long time to come...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I Bear-ly Made It - Piedmont<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I rode 29.2 miles from Acqui to Alba, putting in 2,080
feet of climbing on a day when the average temperature was 61 degrees F.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1yOFTR2Vtz9DEmAdGTQ8H-DSf6GyubVt6gkMZmaTphCs_yz6vkoUcoOgGfa2TnCfijxvngehdkOPaRJL7RgdZRM3zRXKH7Uzp5EeaSEJGQrlNM95D9eNZHF7I8irQPSkoV7FN8uUedM/s1600/AcquiToAlba_Route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1yOFTR2Vtz9DEmAdGTQ8H-DSf6GyubVt6gkMZmaTphCs_yz6vkoUcoOgGfa2TnCfijxvngehdkOPaRJL7RgdZRM3zRXKH7Uzp5EeaSEJGQrlNM95D9eNZHF7I8irQPSkoV7FN8uUedM/s320/AcquiToAlba_Route.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The route from Acqui Terme to Alba</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This ride was startlingly similar to the one over Beartooth
pass considering it was so different. Or, perhaps it was extremely different
for one that was so similar.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We started this ride in a dumping rain. After 2 miles on a
busy road, we turned off onto a short climb; the average gradient was 19% with
a section near the top registering 28%. This was thrown in just to get our
attention I guess. Two and a half moles later we started on a longer climb
averaging 8% again, with a good portion being in the 13 - 16% range. It had
stopped raining however and I could finally put my glasses back on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We eventually made a nice descent into the town of Canelli.
We stopped for coffee and a navigation update in a shop that Bill and Julio had
been at on a previous ride. The two pictures below are the only ones I took
until we rode in to the hotel in Alba. It was that kind of a day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYzd3CmhvdhIZlS0KdphfXpdGkaNmeh6Uuvn4-xt3W6DhxpRnwHwj1Zg0AQPKs2HCvKTFCfyOBQ6Pro-SsW0_5H5z1iIJhyphenhyphenli0LeK20-yWW2rOXWgHbjhkXAD3nFoLWC5MQYqb5gMi5o/s1600/PiedmontDay_03a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYzd3CmhvdhIZlS0KdphfXpdGkaNmeh6Uuvn4-xt3W6DhxpRnwHwj1Zg0AQPKs2HCvKTFCfyOBQ6Pro-SsW0_5H5z1iIJhyphenhyphenli0LeK20-yWW2rOXWgHbjhkXAD3nFoLWC5MQYqb5gMi5o/s320/PiedmontDay_03a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">On the descent into Canelli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7iOPoNoXBtQVqTcu0YcoHqYBUmskoQk5lfYAz-Oc0Z26X_h7fCu0fmAhTdrcdxIorwQTRFxC_AwQdk0GwxGHaOYR0ZNKmyGlqHfHJxpytI2QMOGHgx3HMT8j4ubH4KltXiuOoQV0lGg/s320/PiedmontDay_03b.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Coffee and navigation in Canelli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7iOPoNoXBtQVqTcu0YcoHqYBUmskoQk5lfYAz-Oc0Z26X_h7fCu0fmAhTdrcdxIorwQTRFxC_AwQdk0GwxGHaOYR0ZNKmyGlqHfHJxpytI2QMOGHgx3HMT8j4ubH4KltXiuOoQV0lGg/s1600/PiedmontDay_03b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
About 6 miles out of Canelli we started climbing again,
gaining 1350 feet in 3.7 miles, averaging 7% with the odd 15 - 19% thrown in
for good measure. The first town we went through offered no open restaurants -
Italy closes in the early afternoon - so we rode on, now heading downhill.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI7iOPoNoXBtQVqTcu0YcoHqYBUmskoQk5lfYAz-Oc0Z26X_h7fCu0fmAhTdrcdxIorwQTRFxC_AwQdk0GwxGHaOYR0ZNKmyGlqHfHJxpytI2QMOGHgx3HMT8j4ubH4KltXiuOoQV0lGg/s1600/PiedmontDay_03b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was good to get into descent mode, but alas, it was short
lived. We actually rolled across the top of a ridge, descending a little then
having to regain the elevation on a series of short, steep climbs. After 8
miles of this, we came to the town of Manera. We found a tavern with a small dining area. However, were told upon entering that the
kitchen had just shut down for the break. I think the proprietor saw
our desperate need though and offered to prepare us something. It turned out to be a
hearty pasta with tomato sauce. It did not do too much for us, only saved our
lives! We were very appreciative of this kindness.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While eating I realized that I was feeling not too different
from where I was at the top of Beartooth pass. Julio was actively looking for a
path to Alba as we walked out the door and saw a sign showing we were only 8
miles from town. The tavern owner said it was all downhill.<br />
<br />
After a brief consideration, I opted to ride
with Julio and we set off on a very nice descent - the road was not busy, the
surface was good and the curves and switchbacks were gently sweeping, allowing
for a brakes-free run into town.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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So it was that we pulled into the hotel, got settled and
enjoyed a post-ride beer before Bill and John came in. They reported that the
route they had finished was not nearly as challenging and father and son got to
enjoy that part of the ride at their pace. Win - win.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw the sign to the hotel as we rode into Alba - good thing as the GPS route had us going into the center of the city!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting at a small table relaxing after the ride, enjoying the nice lawn with its bowling surface </td></tr>
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-37977103115631288842015-10-13T13:07:00.000-07:002015-10-13T18:06:42.306-07:00Wandering Wonderer<i>"Not all those who wander are lost."</i><br />
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring<br />
<br />
And <i>Not all those who wonder are confused</i>. But occasionally there are some who are both - lost and confused that is. Take Bill for example ...<br />
<br />
You may have noticed that Bill has not been with us on the ride in Italy. And this was a tour he planned and had been looking forward to with much anticipation since the idea first sprouted earlier this year. I think it is about time to tell the story, inasmuch as I know it!<br />
<br />
Bill's wife sent me a text on Wednesday, the evening before our planned departure for Italy. She had taken him to the ER with "severe" abdominal pain. Based on his later accounting of that day, "severe" was a serious understatement. This set in motion a series of events, ending up with the decision that Julio, John and I would carry on with the tour, something strongly encouraged by Bill.<br />
<br />
Later that night, reports came in that the problem was likely ulcers, but the doctors wanted more tests the next morning. Bill considered trying to leave after the procedures, but by noon on our getaway day he contacted me as I was waiting in O'Hare, saying that he would not be able to make the trip.<br />
<br />
End of story, right? Well ...<br />
<br />
On Friday evening as I was settling in at the hotel in Alessandria waiting for John and Julio to arrive, I got an email from Bill saying:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;">"I have booked a flight tomorrow </span><span style="color: #999999;">(Saturday)*</span><span style="color: blue;"> to take me to Zurich on Sunday then travel to join in Acqui Terme </span><span style="color: #999999;">Sunday afternoon*</span><span style="color: blue;">."</span> <span style="color: #999999;">*my additions</span><br />
<br />
If only it were to be so easy.<br />
<br />
Bill showed up at the La Crosse airport for his Saturday flight to Chicago then on to Zurich (surprisingly, there are no non-stop flights to Europe from La Crosse), a destination dictated by seat availability and cost considerations. But, as it was for me, his first flight is delayed, but in his case by <span style="color: red;">SEVEN HOURS!</span> The result was him getting only as far as Chicago late Saturday night with the flight to Zurich now moved to Sunday. The only good news here was that he would arrive in Zurich earlier in the morning than with his first revised plan, giving him more time to work out the train travel to Acqui Terme.<br />
<br />
This, as we will see, was a very fortunate turn of events.<br />
<br />
So he did make it to Zurich and, encumbered with suitcase and bike (recall that my late arriving bags provided me the chance to navigate the rail system without having to deal with this issue), wandered around the airport train station, ticket to Acqui Terme in his hand, wondering about which train to take. There was one on the assigned track with the destination board showing Geneva. With near perfect logic, Bill thought, "Geneva is probably on the way to Milan and since this is a Swiss train, they just highlighted the Geneva stop."<br />
<br />
OK, so maybe it wasn't that near to being perfect. By the time the train reached Geneva, the conductor had provided him advice on getting back on track. With this and some help at the ticket office in Geneva, he was soon on his way to Milan. From there, he was only a couple of Regional train legs away from joining up with us.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, back in Acqui Terme: We were making plans for dinner and speculating on when Bill would arrive. Based on Julio's trip from Zurich to Alessandria, we figured he would arrive before we set out for the restaurant. Later, we waited in our hotel bar until time for us to set out - we had a reservation and did not want to be too late. We would be very close to the hotel though so I left a note at the front desk telling Bill how to find us during dinner.<br />
<br />
What was happening out on the railways of northwestern Italy during this time may never be fully known. Even Bill is a little fuzzy on the details. But after leaving Milan, he changed trains as planned, though there may have been a misstep which had him on the wrong train and needing to backtrack to get on course.<br />
<br />
Almost on course. Instead of heading to Acqui Terme, he ended up in Genoa. Now Genoa is on the Mediterranean coast and is not usually a stop on the way from Milan. Since he could go no farther south, he was assured of at least heading in the right general direction (that would be north). And that was, at least, successfully accomplished. But there was yet another wrong train choice where he would need to get off the one he boarded and go back to find the right train. However, a fellow passenger who knew something of the system told Bill he could just wait where he was and that the train he wanted would be stopping shortly.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Planned route in blue, actual route (as far as can be determined) in red</span></td></tr>
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And so Bill finally arrived in Acqui Terme. But don't relax - he was not at the hotel yet.<br />
<br />
Being as late as it was, there was only one cab at the station and it had been called by a couple of men who were heading in a different direction. But here is a nice part of the story - after a brief discussion, the men asked the driver to take Bill and his considerable baggage to the hotel, then come back to the station for them. During the trip, Bill got an estimate of the fare the men would run up and gave the driver that amount along with his own fare and generous tip.<br />
<br />
And so it was that when I walked down to the Lobby at about 11:15 p.m., I saw Bill's bike box near the desk with Bill and John sitting outside, wondering how Bill had managed to get so many miles out of his ticket from Zurich to Acqui.<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: This report is intended to serve as a warning, not a suggestion, for use in planing your next trip.<br />
<br />
<b>Lessons Learned</b><br />
Do you have to ask?<br />
<br />
<b>Epiloge</b><br />
It was, of course, a great relief to hear that Bill's health issues were no worse than they were and we all appreciated his presence during the remainder of the tour.Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-82144897991873459062015-10-11T18:02:00.000-07:002015-10-12T07:40:59.217-07:00Round and Round<b>Mzungu / Muzungu</b> <i>"Someone who roams around aimlessly" or "aimless wanderer." The term was first used in the African Great Lakes region to describe European explorers in the 18th century, apparently as a result of their propensity to get lost in their wanderings in Africa. The term is now used to refer to someone with white skin.</i><br />
<br />
I've been called Muzungu in Uganda many times in reference to my skin color. But I have been known to wander around some too. Just recall the accounting of our <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrfppgOtaIVUT0mLB4AEDB92m1Zuk-sgELiN9HiOOSGRw287v-Ifs-KJi3ihjZ3CilM6mLRDKtYgEALOPMIc013lKzCDBRxq6p-YnWPn08gICm89vfInZwyDg5KhAh9hl9iABEimDPqI/s1600/AlessandriaWanderings.jpg" target="_blank">attempts to get out of Alessandria</a> on the first ride of the Piedmont tour.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCftrP2t8L_WItrkbJoFtawrckNryD8qpWoS9wScf8XVZWEbXfJdvKAHxUrrd4spJcXwsjUCA2YkLPauxrL2zHXKKs37UmGpDh7EhyaOacpQ_6bYfYupP3E6lSPoLjJBf9N5XQ4qiiN9s/s1600/Muzungu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCftrP2t8L_WItrkbJoFtawrckNryD8qpWoS9wScf8XVZWEbXfJdvKAHxUrrd4spJcXwsjUCA2YkLPauxrL2zHXKKs37UmGpDh7EhyaOacpQ_6bYfYupP3E6lSPoLjJBf9N5XQ4qiiN9s/s400/Muzungu.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Click on the image and you can see my name: "Muzungu." The kids at the school got a real kick out of that!</td></tr>
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As it happens, the second day of each of our two tours had us wandering around a bit before returning to our starting points …<br />
<br />
<b>Round and Round – CGY</b><br />
Today we rode 71.2 miles from Red Lodge to Absarokee, putting in 4,846 feet of climbing.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The route from Absarokee to Red Lodge with the out-and-back loop to Nye</td></tr>
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On this day we completed the planned round trip to Red Lodge, the town we had departed from the day before. And, doubling down on the round and round theme, we were sent off the direct route to Red Lodge to ride through Fishtail to Nye, returning on the same route before joining up again with the road to Red Lodge.<br />
<br />
Today was longer with more climbing, apparently an attempt to get us even more acclimated. But it was another glorious day and the visit to Nye gave us a chance to ride a hilly route through beautiful open country.<br />
<br />
The route opened 30 minutes later than normal -- There is a large mine on the leg to Nye and the mining company asked CGY for the delayed start as they bus workers in to minimize the number of cars on the road. They felt it would be easier for the bus drivers and the cyclists to not have to worry about each other. A good plan, but it was the extra 30 minutes in the sleeping bag that sold me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Along the route to Nye</td></tr>
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The rest stop in Nye was at the community's one room school. It is a big land with big skies and big ranches, but not so many big towns. One young girl had set up a refreshment stand, raising money for her 4H Club. CGY had drinks and snacks, of course, but that did not slow down her business at all. When asked about her efforts, she told us she had made all of the cookies and brownies herself the day before and that she could offer two types of lemonade, "pink and yellow." She only asked for tips for whatever you took. But she could sell – I selected a couple of cookies and she said to me, "They are a lot better with lemonade. Would you like pink or yellow." I chose yellow; what else could I do?!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Providing us with refreshments and a lesson in hard work for something you believe in!</td></tr>
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As it was here in Nye, most of the people we met while riding all through this area were hard working, independent, tough, resourceful, helpful and friendly. It was refreshing.<br />
<br />
On the way in to Red Lodge, we got into the construction zone we were told about at the meeting the night before. The road was seriously torn up and there was a stop light where we had to wait for the guide car that led traffic through the zone, one direction at a time. I ended up in a group that had to wait about 10 minutes which was a problem. It was getting cold and rain was obviously on the way. Exacerbating the chill was the fact that the stop was at the top of the steepest climb of the ride so far, a climb that warmed you up. Once our group got through it started to rain and we worked hard to get back into the camp at Red Lodge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">This can't be good</td></tr>
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After getting in, I waited in a fairly long line for a spot in the showers then met Bill under the dining area tent. Our plan was to go into town for a beer and an afternoon snack. And now you know, we don’t eat to be able to ride, we ride to be able to eat! But before we had even turned to leave, the skies opened up and a wind-driven rain poured down into the camp. After a few minutes of this, we were resolved to just stay and wait for dinner which the catering team was unbelievably still working on at the unprotected grills next to the tent!<br />
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It would stop raining about ten minutes later, but not before a brutal three minute onslaught of BB sized hail. We looked at each other and agreed to make a dash for the pub where we decided to stay and have dinner. We did meet one other rider who had been on the road during the storm. As you might imagine, he described it as being an unpleasant experience. And, he had just come back from seeing to his sister who was warming up in a nearby hotel room after getting thoroughly chilled.<br />
<br />
I should point out that he ride was accompanied by an ambulance and a team of EMT's in a Jeep - they had gotten her warmed up and were involved in the decision to get her to the hotel room. We were being watched over during the ride and I give CGY good marks for their plans to deal with such situations.<br />
<br />
The evening turned pleasant and we headed back to camp for the evening meeting and discussion of tomorrow's ride. What we heard was - how shall I put this? - not comforting. The full story will be revealed in the next post, the account of the ride over Beartooth Pass ...<br />
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<b>Round and Round – Piedmont</b><br />
Today we rode 45.6 miles putting in 3,300 feet of climbing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlNwxpIFRcGq9w7VnuW_mBtOHm2SdOEAk__1xJrV1s28rK6ZwH_7-Ji9TgpCLn0eJF_iYOymMGnF6W3AUqcdUGEM1G6S9u3Tfpo4fcZUsr5O7v4G7ce-VWvV33RV1HA2gnwMEcdJsqUw/s1600/AcquiLoopsRoutes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlNwxpIFRcGq9w7VnuW_mBtOHm2SdOEAk__1xJrV1s28rK6ZwH_7-Ji9TgpCLn0eJF_iYOymMGnF6W3AUqcdUGEM1G6S9u3Tfpo4fcZUsr5O7v4G7ce-VWvV33RV1HA2gnwMEcdJsqUw/s320/AcquiLoopsRoutes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Routes for our two rides</td></tr>
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We rode two separate loops (green and red in the map) out and back from the hotel in Acqui. Bill had some ideas for a ride looping around to the south. But, he was not here, a story to be told in a special edition of this Tale of Two Rides series. It won’t be long now…<br />
<br />
Using our map to find a reasonable facsimile of a southern loop, we loaded a plan into the GPS units and set off. Or maybe I should say, we set UP. After leaving the hotel we quickly found ourselves on a very narrow rural road with a not-so-great surface and crazy-steep sections, probably the steepest I'd ever been on. John, an amazingly strong climber (he lives in Stockholm, not a great training ground for climbers, I think), had gone out ahead, I followed and Julio was behind. On one particularly steep section, I heard Julio call out, so I stopped and looked back. He had gotten off of his bike and said that he was just going to go back to the hotel.<br />
<br />
It took several tries to get started again due to the steepness of the hill. The cumulative effect of the climb so far and the extra effort of getting started set me up for ---<br />
<br />
If you have not read the post <a href="http://longwhiteline.blogspot.com/2009/06/hssssgrrrrhssss.html" target="_blank">Hssssgrrrrhssss</a> yet, you can do that now by clicking on the highlighted text. This 2009 post addresses what happens next.<br />
<br />
--- getting off of my bike and, for the first time ever, walking on the climb. As I had said in 2009, I knew this would happen one day and today was the day. To my relief, I reacted as I had hoped, just recognizing that age and gradient had combined to bring me to that critical point where a short walk was just what needed to be done.<br />
<br />
I did not have to walk too far to find a more moderate section where I could get back on the bike and ride up to where John had stopped to wait. On the way, I went by a farmer backing his truck out of a driveway. As I went by, he looked at me and motioned with his hand a signal for "this is a really steep road" followed by the sign for "it gets flatter up the road a ways." That's what I got from his gestures, but remember, I was interpreting from the Italian!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPTWugJV9LoCvw6e_d0y9uW9TF41AD_QlzQhYFr5eyJPYpjfzTpl3giZw89ANpOzPHCqkRmb009Rb3xazkTkTzHKFKA9nwDuHHc1NtgjJpOYAevzb6EWhRMhCFtcGns_XWBWOidARqSw/s1600/SteeperThanItLooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPTWugJV9LoCvw6e_d0y9uW9TF41AD_QlzQhYFr5eyJPYpjfzTpl3giZw89ANpOzPHCqkRmb009Rb3xazkTkTzHKFKA9nwDuHHc1NtgjJpOYAevzb6EWhRMhCFtcGns_XWBWOidARqSw/s320/SteeperThanItLooks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">It was steeper than it looks. Really!</td></tr>
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John and I finished the climb at a wider, better paved road where we took out our maps and discovered that it was the road we had wanted to come up; taking the road that had just beaten us up (by "us" I mean "me") was a mistake. We also discussed what to do next and decided we really should go check on Julio so instead of making the larger southern loop as we had planned, we went down our intended "up road" – a wonderful descent, by the way – and back to the hotel. Not finding Julio, but seeing his bike, we decided on another loop and headed out. We had no sooner gotten underway when we saw Julio walking back from town. He agreed that getting back on the bike would be a good thing so after he changed, we set out together.<br />
<br />
We aimed for the town of Monastario where we planned to then plot a loop based on a route I seen on the web site MapMyRide. At Monastario, we left the main road, which had been relatively flat, and began climbing. Again, we encountered some significant steepness, though not quite up the standard set by our "mistake road."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjledjStYqSGtrODBOm7YPcKea1Zcv2Sgr7lne8jenc5UPyzWw936YK0yXEPAbNi3MuhjEKvv9BVBi-6c8Ppek6t6jS8Ac_vOximoiRG3o6KHAQD9_KNr-i9eb3bxe3kVpeUO7ycdkmcnE/s1600/EnteringMonastario.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjledjStYqSGtrODBOm7YPcKea1Zcv2Sgr7lne8jenc5UPyzWw936YK0yXEPAbNi3MuhjEKvv9BVBi-6c8Ppek6t6jS8Ac_vOximoiRG3o6KHAQD9_KNr-i9eb3bxe3kVpeUO7ycdkmcnE/s320/EnteringMonastario.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">John and Julio entering Monastario</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-wXtdxkrAbTLpZ2aHcimPkMwBvgi-o3y3VnEEIR0yYGbCXi4FNyRmuXqb93U9SZlR-eRbVnFiamodT0AO7KRQIOixI12T2E8ZhftDE-CrrCDjYFk16BUmKL1Pa-EpBPNdF0MvM0ZfLw/s1600/TheMonastary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-wXtdxkrAbTLpZ2aHcimPkMwBvgi-o3y3VnEEIR0yYGbCXi4FNyRmuXqb93U9SZlR-eRbVnFiamodT0AO7KRQIOixI12T2E8ZhftDE-CrrCDjYFk16BUmKL1Pa-EpBPNdF0MvM0ZfLw/s320/TheMonastary.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The monastery</td></tr>
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Still, it was a long, hard climb, but one made tolerable by the very pleasant scenery provided by the winding road carrying us up the wooded hills, with an occasional farm house thrown in for effect. We finally reached the summit just past the town of Roccaverano and started down what would be an exciting descent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3UbJJwgoDEJlF3zoIXOVJDGsh8Z1DNOs5Eh6qMU9hdJunR4010uCEuterhCG0st6REBhp_s-Eep5JODKE8wb3EcwKaELsfTmjWNPq8i1KcAo76e341X-dZQsOlsB5y0AZG7cF7Dv9DI/s1600/Roccaverano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3UbJJwgoDEJlF3zoIXOVJDGsh8Z1DNOs5Eh6qMU9hdJunR4010uCEuterhCG0st6REBhp_s-Eep5JODKE8wb3EcwKaELsfTmjWNPq8i1KcAo76e341X-dZQsOlsB5y0AZG7cF7Dv9DI/s320/Roccaverano.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Near, but not yet at, the summit in Roccaverano</td></tr>
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The road down to Mombaldone was steep and winding. Several sections would qualify as "technical" descents. With some encouragement from a broken collarbone in 2009, I've learned to do such descents confidently and safely. But … on this afternoon, we were buffeted by a very strong wind which came at us from every direction, not because it changed course, but because we were constantly going around switchbacks and executing longer, sweeping turns. It was, as I said, an exciting descent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcScrzX-pRIrQwSsRBwingU9wPLi85OPrDizouE6RtGMdP-3CgVI-6L2Mh7TZZQqQ03PN_oMRgYobA2hjDgY89JfvQK9nJ-gfdbOwd_CmGiyqK8aCPoCuFygQaDII9Eu2T0oT_kRvdzvg/s1600/AtMombaldone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcScrzX-pRIrQwSsRBwingU9wPLi85OPrDizouE6RtGMdP-3CgVI-6L2Mh7TZZQqQ03PN_oMRgYobA2hjDgY89JfvQK9nJ-gfdbOwd_CmGiyqK8aCPoCuFygQaDII9Eu2T0oT_kRvdzvg/s320/AtMombaldone.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Station in Mombaldone. You mean we could have taken a train?!</td></tr>
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I waited for the others at Mombaldone and once together, we rode that way back to the hotel. All that riding and all that climbing and here we were, right back where we started.<br />
<br />
Muzungus!<br />
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<b>Lessons learned</b><br />
You will find that hill that you cannot climb. But you can walk if you have to. Whatever it takes, don't give up, but keep going up...<br />
<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-49917929905099391142015-10-08T12:43:00.002-07:002015-10-11T18:38:20.661-07:00Enjoy the Ride<i>"I think the thing to do is enjoy the ride while you're on it."</i><br />
Johnny Depp<br />
<br />
Sound advice and in theory something that should come naturally. But it seems appropriate to consider the truth of this observation by Albert Einstein:<br />
<br />
<i> "In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice they are not."</i><br />
<br />
The first day rides in Montana and Italy would provide quite a contrast in what, in theory, were to be pleasant introductions to the tours ...<br />
<br />
<b>Enjoy the Ride - CGY</b><br />
Today we rode 59.5 miles from Red Lodge to Absarokee, putting in 1,529 feet of climbing.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Fda4LbS_YgI2GnR1Vf5_VtDLe8_BW7ZhLMoS0HlzFWK0fTDU85RsbFzDg8sqe1BioMqYArhN2r8YN385xFvfYWo8g2g3J_Y51MeRdZE7YfZtHuuoFHxMGlofNS8lLsoHwbCnY1V_LgM/s1600/RedLodge-Absarokee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Fda4LbS_YgI2GnR1Vf5_VtDLe8_BW7ZhLMoS0HlzFWK0fTDU85RsbFzDg8sqe1BioMqYArhN2r8YN385xFvfYWo8g2g3J_Y51MeRdZE7YfZtHuuoFHxMGlofNS8lLsoHwbCnY1V_LgM/s400/RedLodge-Absarokee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The route from Red Lodge to Absarokee</td></tr>
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Red Lodge is already at an elevation of 5,500 feet and in just a couple of days, we would ride up Beartooth pass, reaching an elevation of nearly 11,000 feet. My assumption was that this relatively easy leg was chosen to start the tour for altitude acclimation. It was not too long, there was little climbing to do and the first 26 miles were gently downhill. And on this day, we had cool, dry conditions and tailwinds - always welcome on any route.<br />
<br />
The ride to the first rest stop at Joliette was flat and fast. We were riding through ranch country and you might imagine cowboys out tending their herds or riding fence lines. In fact, I did see one of these hard working man-horse pairs early in the ride...<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldtKgaK7ghWbpi416YDtZ-Ofof5PIUYkzu4eR5dBEA-bb4OeKkQq8YgIfZQe5mTntGVFKWHs_-HTG83oSqAUiw-z8tGKiI2HOwdyrs-hq0otAxmqfuKHrCh0VoEMxc_7iLHEmtAxP3Ig/s1600/Cowboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldtKgaK7ghWbpi416YDtZ-Ofof5PIUYkzu4eR5dBEA-bb4OeKkQq8YgIfZQe5mTntGVFKWHs_-HTG83oSqAUiw-z8tGKiI2HOwdyrs-hq0otAxmqfuKHrCh0VoEMxc_7iLHEmtAxP3Ig/s320/Cowboy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I waved, but he seemed not to notice</td></tr>
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Heading northwest, we enjoyed some gently rolling hills, sloping up on our left and flowing into a rolling grassy plain on our right. Cattle and hay bales were scattered in the fields and the morning light warmed the landscape with a golden yellow glow.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSISuPEyrECjDdN9Cf7QMoP3hV_p1XI4QIwK7bldX2IBvpBFGLuaHzq23ksK0PQsRLTuNs8oIj8nBs-h_N5UyvyYS4PtQCbQ8hxngjJI-o-ulB6s9ivJsTKl18nlq3lZUStxRFO2avmp8/s1600/YellowGlow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSISuPEyrECjDdN9Cf7QMoP3hV_p1XI4QIwK7bldX2IBvpBFGLuaHzq23ksK0PQsRLTuNs8oIj8nBs-h_N5UyvyYS4PtQCbQ8hxngjJI-o-ulB6s9ivJsTKl18nlq3lZUStxRFO2avmp8/s320/YellowGlow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Fields glowing in the late morning light</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTk1apWjmsHCmf-wLL-bE766Hzw7ulzcT1IrGBhh_rtasmkq9hKGGY2hGeSF9VdCRNS8dpY66CnlNH_StHVLHEWKg1SfT1H4YR6bc4zDwaUsmVg0NMrtIjNBrNi3I3r6jqoK0lL2twVM/s1600/Rollers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidTk1apWjmsHCmf-wLL-bE766Hzw7ulzcT1IrGBhh_rtasmkq9hKGGY2hGeSF9VdCRNS8dpY66CnlNH_StHVLHEWKg1SfT1H4YR6bc4zDwaUsmVg0NMrtIjNBrNi3I3r6jqoK0lL2twVM/s320/Rollers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A nice series of rollers on the way to our lunch stop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stopping to take pictures is always a tug-of-war between the questions "Will I stop to capture the moment?" and "Do I want to take the time and interrupt the flow of a good ride?" Along this particular stretch of road, I was presented with another question: "Would my stopping be somehow provocative?"<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZhLcPf7bCK21ueITIu8fpJdRGLUaTJ05Q07eWMjskF8alNWh52U8IiAXtf5Z4K47Dtch1z6X6Nnzm1Wn_0pS4WkhZ86YCdt5aqPYLMeSCMR9lT3HsIYLxmFhZR4eWlmGTRIN-z0ImC4/s1600/Provoked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZhLcPf7bCK21ueITIu8fpJdRGLUaTJ05Q07eWMjskF8alNWh52U8IiAXtf5Z4K47Dtch1z6X6Nnzm1Wn_0pS4WkhZ86YCdt5aqPYLMeSCMR9lT3HsIYLxmFhZR4eWlmGTRIN-z0ImC4/s320/Provoked.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">I was really hoping taking a picture was not provocative</td></tr>
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After lunch in Columbus it was a short 13.5 mile ride into our overnight stop - Absarokee, pronounced Ab-sore-key by the locals. We executed the standard "first bar on the right" stop, ending up at a tavern called Chrome. A few other riders were already settled outside and we joined them, watching for about an hour as riders continued to roll in to town.<br />
<br />
We finished out the ride, going the last couple of miles to the camp at the local high school where the tents were set up on the athletic field. Even Bill could not find shade here.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp1N6jBk6V7v_Yr693HwWfXtGX_ygdIvi8EUIjkI_u65sKRpKYjFiMJw7mv8zR41OyeeFY7GlKzoIL9i6NglDJQLiTrIqra-o8pJW9UVuddcqX8MZXygP8CjXJaLztB2IFGsq1Xr-1Lg/s1600/AbsarokeeCamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp1N6jBk6V7v_Yr693HwWfXtGX_ygdIvi8EUIjkI_u65sKRpKYjFiMJw7mv8zR41OyeeFY7GlKzoIL9i6NglDJQLiTrIqra-o8pJW9UVuddcqX8MZXygP8CjXJaLztB2IFGsq1Xr-1Lg/s320/AbsarokeeCamp.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Camp in Absarokee</td></tr>
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At the evening meeting, one of the CGY staff asked, "Could any of you ever have imagined you would be camping on a high school athletic field in Absarokee, Montana?" My reply was, "Absolutely - it is number five on my bucket list!"<br />
<br />
A nice day and I did enjoy the ride.<br />
<br />
<b>Enjoy the Ride - Piedmont</b><br />
Today we rode 26.7 miles from Alessandria to Acqui Terme, putting in 2,598 feet of climbing.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyIE1y4VGIB-bAw_U-psRccxbuM2TIHvqfUc_ZX-hIi3mvgDYyt25M7khIDcfkRF-Djd_XiYajKCQYogV8-IvK3PuPH2y0wNWmlWqrYwvaRy6NmZ8pb4SeCNFK0Qprjb-yKAPEYBH69M/s1600/Alessandria-AcquiTerme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyIE1y4VGIB-bAw_U-psRccxbuM2TIHvqfUc_ZX-hIi3mvgDYyt25M7khIDcfkRF-Djd_XiYajKCQYogV8-IvK3PuPH2y0wNWmlWqrYwvaRy6NmZ8pb4SeCNFK0Qprjb-yKAPEYBH69M/s400/Alessandria-AcquiTerme.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The route from Alessandria to Acqui Terme</td></tr>
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It is pretty hard to ride without a bike but on this day I was beginning to think I would need to figure out how to do it. There was progress and more than a little frustration as I found out that my luggage was located at Heathrow and then had arrived in Linate at about 10:30 am on Saturday morning. However, the luggage forwarding desk had not thought it important to let me know until about 4:30 when they called the hotel and left a message with the front desk, adding they would call back at 7:00 pm to provide information about the courier delivery. I asked the desk clerk, somewhat rhetorically, "Why would they wait so long?" But it was crystal clear to him and he replied quickly, "This is Italy!"<br />
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Without keeping you in suspense any longer, my bags arrived at about 7:30 am on this Sunday morning, the day we would set out on our first ride, one that would bring us from Alessandria to Acqui Terme. I unpacked and assembled the bike on the sidewalk in front of the hotel and as I was finishing up, it started to rain. John and Julio received the bikes they had rented from <a href="http://www.girolibero.com/en/" target="_blank">Giro Libero</a>, the company providing us support in the form of hotel reservations and carrying our bags from town to town, and we waited for the meeting that was mentioned in our ride notes. The rain got progressively heavier as we waited and eventually we decided that "meeting" really meant "meet in the lobby to pick up the rented bikes then start riding." So, we set out.<br />
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This "setting out" was not what you are probably thinking. It was very late in the morning and, given the weather, we had some concerns about the suggested 80 mile route. But we thought we would give it a go and left the hotel in a now dumping rain making it difficult to see, among other things. There was considerable uncertainty as to how to actually get out of town so when we reached the train station, we huddled and decided to plot our own course, a shorter, more direct route. We went back by the hotel then finally out of town, John having done a remarkable job of navigating.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrfppgOtaIVUT0mLB4AEDB92m1Zuk-sgELiN9HiOOSGRw287v-Ifs-KJi3ihjZ3CilM6mLRDKtYgEALOPMIc013lKzCDBRxq6p-YnWPn08gICm89vfInZwyDg5KhAh9hl9iABEimDPqI/s1600/AlessandriaWanderings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrfppgOtaIVUT0mLB4AEDB92m1Zuk-sgELiN9HiOOSGRw287v-Ifs-KJi3ihjZ3CilM6mLRDKtYgEALOPMIc013lKzCDBRxq6p-YnWPn08gICm89vfInZwyDg5KhAh9hl9iABEimDPqI/s400/AlessandriaWanderings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Wandering around (black) and finally getting out of town (red)</td></tr>
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I know it is said that "Not all who wander are lost." But sometimes they are!<br />
<br />
Once we got going, things smoothed out. The rain stopped after about an hour and the rest of the morning was cloudy and cool but dry. We figured out our route by looking at towns between Alessandria and Acqui then loading a route into our GPS units connecting them.<br />
<br />
After 15 miles on gently rolling terrain, we turned off onto a narrow, winding rural road. And we went UP. The climb alternated between 8% and 14 % with only a few 5% respites. It was a foreshadowing of things to come. At the top of this first climb, we managed to find an open restaurant in the town of Mombaruzzo where we enjoyed the first of many marvelous on-the-road meals. It was a nice, white-table-cloth kind of place, so we offered to sit outside, being somewhat disheveled as we were. But the proprietor would not hear of it and personally ushered us in.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ven_5WKhXIZ5UBSLrIX3HjcBY3naE4QC1A9g5ij60-nclPqAhGwiSnqYP9kwO3LrSM5_kkW3NzZLJ0JN6j-r2sh3L1BKZno6BKYzexze033zq1pdHyg0Tmgeq1nwvmub6QomERWuGPE/s1600/Mombaruzzo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ven_5WKhXIZ5UBSLrIX3HjcBY3naE4QC1A9g5ij60-nclPqAhGwiSnqYP9kwO3LrSM5_kkW3NzZLJ0JN6j-r2sh3L1BKZno6BKYzexze033zq1pdHyg0Tmgeq1nwvmub6QomERWuGPE/s320/Mombaruzzo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Mombaruzzo - the first of many towns situated at the end of long climbs</td></tr>
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After a leisurely meal we set out for Acqui. This leg started with a really nice descent, but there would be another climb, this one starting right out with a stretch of 10% to 14%. It was, though, a beautiful road and the weather had continued to improve, now turning sunny and warmer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFnAHo1IWYTafFWZmL-1KGpMqhGI7eIA3qChKppcBVNxlPte978cV0lRAmyjcfJBX1GtlJU96-aRXnIllNey1DrPdG5RQzBsZ9DIkzjRjkXr8klI4llgcJjKNOxNMe3rTl_mFw38h-8s/s1600/ClimbTowardsAcqui.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFnAHo1IWYTafFWZmL-1KGpMqhGI7eIA3qChKppcBVNxlPte978cV0lRAmyjcfJBX1GtlJU96-aRXnIllNey1DrPdG5RQzBsZ9DIkzjRjkXr8klI4llgcJjKNOxNMe3rTl_mFw38h-8s/s320/ClimbTowardsAcqui.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Across the valley from the second climb of the day</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eNA8QBmThZKAgG3BS1qnK9K1QdgHaBGaTbt_Tt_8YCoBVzVNwQ1YyST0ui7oHANQniNKPmV6mMYGtq5r0Etx83sSQ3CZ-9Kv4mcMOuZD0Ju1-mXhbrBpFTUWZrbQ9Ft-yw0SljEa1fI/s1600/Vineyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eNA8QBmThZKAgG3BS1qnK9K1QdgHaBGaTbt_Tt_8YCoBVzVNwQ1YyST0ui7oHANQniNKPmV6mMYGtq5r0Etx83sSQ3CZ-9Kv4mcMOuZD0Ju1-mXhbrBpFTUWZrbQ9Ft-yw0SljEa1fI/s320/Vineyard.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Yes, we sampled a few ...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a bit over three miles of climbing, we dropped down into Acqui Terme, stopping to admire evidence of the early Roman infrastructure before making our way to the <a href="http://www.roma-imperiale.com/index.php/en/" target="_blank">Hotel Roma Imperiale</a>, situated across the Bormida River.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKChpmaZpaF6dPkVEJxLQ5XDuxfIw2l2lMa-M9iUsJk7zPw4ieG-QZGE8qqiu_tl04AlQ-lbhJk6jle6aPHqeG3YqGF5Yma9-eDnwag5UZN3waqGyszvJFzhyqylRhyphenhyphenldBNjsvny4UEQ/s1600/AcquiAcqueduct.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKChpmaZpaF6dPkVEJxLQ5XDuxfIw2l2lMa-M9iUsJk7zPw4ieG-QZGE8qqiu_tl04AlQ-lbhJk6jle6aPHqeG3YqGF5Yma9-eDnwag5UZN3waqGyszvJFzhyqylRhyphenhyphenldBNjsvny4UEQ/s320/AcquiAcqueduct.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Remnants of an aqueduct in Acqui Terme</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was not the easiest of days and there were things to not enjoy. But, in the spirit of cycling, it was challenging and we arrived at our destination not too much the worse for wear and with a few more stories to tell.<br />
<br />
<b>Lessons Learned</b><br />
The CGY ride got off to a great start. The Piedmont ride was a bit more of a challenge. Of course, as has been pointed often by a distinguished panel of British philosophers ...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">"You can't always get what you want. ..."</span></i></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oq8gBdNwohlUevPb15Dv3Hp1DrZMAqYtaAsCQ49EBjLd-fsRcB-3UNjQAgkhz_K8p1vvcWS0s92VBqRENEBglYW9dZHPUnzDdReqyUXlux-TRj14jIQnKjThI1N-A105WNOZKU2hQLI/s1600/Philosophers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oq8gBdNwohlUevPb15Dv3Hp1DrZMAqYtaAsCQ49EBjLd-fsRcB-3UNjQAgkhz_K8p1vvcWS0s92VBqRENEBglYW9dZHPUnzDdReqyUXlux-TRj14jIQnKjThI1N-A105WNOZKU2hQLI/s320/Philosophers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The panel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But there were some similarities. For example, both tours required us to get ourselves from one town to the next. In each case, this required some effort, a bit more in Italy to be sure. This, too, was addressed by our panel:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">"... But if you try sometimes you find you get what you need."</span></i></div>
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Sometimes, you need to try really hard!<br />
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-43645115295842951042015-10-05T11:18:00.000-07:002015-10-06T12:56:50.721-07:00Getting ThereGetting there is half the fun.<br />
<i>Cunard Line</i><br />
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Happy people, walking arm in arm, obviously having just enjoyed a rousing game of ring toss with equally happy fellow travelers, now on their way now to a comfy chair and a cool drink...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_OvwTWCOEkVoteqH7FJVH3YDm4iDdCw3FNOHRqI8O2wMzEiESf1acg8TLhO-mGSkPYUuwnVk8GVCbDdnFxL1F2XogoP4_8RLksdlJp3YDwzfgQp9TmKB1hy8a1nUT8LrK_hj-dz10XA/s1600/GettingThere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_OvwTWCOEkVoteqH7FJVH3YDm4iDdCw3FNOHRqI8O2wMzEiESf1acg8TLhO-mGSkPYUuwnVk8GVCbDdnFxL1F2XogoP4_8RLksdlJp3YDwzfgQp9TmKB1hy8a1nUT8LrK_hj-dz10XA/s320/GettingThere.jpg" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting there is half the fun!</td></tr>
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Yep, that was pretty much what it was like for the <a href="http://www.cyclegreateryellowstone.com/index.php" target="_blank">Cycle Greater Yellowstone</a> (CGY) and Piedmont tours. Well, for half of them anyway...<br />
<br />
<b>Getting There - CGY</b><br />
There should be a sunrise picture on getaway day, right? Of course, so here it is:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGe2mpjuc2rygoalZ4SEu9ibjVPlsCYLdCAnuH_ZEh333V_TOP9U7erVz3Xm494BBbquy1JcKweWcFcc_vhAnx9XpqUcIx_xPuJ2RGzETwUR4lVo4Zhu-B1kECcRKogjMp3j6zMIHi3xs/s1600/StreetlightSunrise_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGe2mpjuc2rygoalZ4SEu9ibjVPlsCYLdCAnuH_ZEh333V_TOP9U7erVz3Xm494BBbquy1JcKweWcFcc_vhAnx9XpqUcIx_xPuJ2RGzETwUR4lVo4Zhu-B1kECcRKogjMp3j6zMIHi3xs/s320/StreetlightSunrise_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sunrise" on getaway day</td></tr>
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A street light stood in for the sun on this morning as we pulled out of La Crosse, the GPS set for Gillette, Wyoming. Once out of town, we started getting directions from our electronic guide: "In 750 miles, turn right." A retired engineer and a retired surgeon can certainly handle that degree of complexity.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDUcB45lixXOEy9hR6yyPwTN1SelenC5Nyf3txqWDqAEpVzy5KL2EvgwaeU9x-A2lHJfoa565xOOE-FZ6sDgvZU6mS2cmTiN8SMQydwv0JzWGI6DyiRZwN8YXxdxnzBTYJO1TRUCJRWg/s1600/DriveToGillette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDUcB45lixXOEy9hR6yyPwTN1SelenC5Nyf3txqWDqAEpVzy5KL2EvgwaeU9x-A2lHJfoa565xOOE-FZ6sDgvZU6mS2cmTiN8SMQydwv0JzWGI6DyiRZwN8YXxdxnzBTYJO1TRUCJRWg/s320/DriveToGillette.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A route even we could figure out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So it was. In spite of occasional bad press, we found the drive across Minnesota and South Dakota to be quite enjoyable. The scenery, if not of the spectacular nature, is varied and interesting and it helped that we had a good audio book to listen to. We made Gillette in good time, helped a bit by the one hour time difference, and celebrated this trouble free day with a good steak dinner - we were in Wyoming, after all!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA6_hyy9UwD27yCxljUjeuUCoXkZy63W10nDk4m2N4DFAoZvLG8VVKgT22tj-zoKn0-BPZv4Kar7v4NoAH01F1-_27NIq5xuK6nbSNCHr4mTU46bFxBYlXKAfy-SvxSMC0gkswfEPXyM/s1600/OnRoadGillette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHA6_hyy9UwD27yCxljUjeuUCoXkZy63W10nDk4m2N4DFAoZvLG8VVKgT22tj-zoKn0-BPZv4Kar7v4NoAH01F1-_27NIq5xuK6nbSNCHr4mTU46bFxBYlXKAfy-SvxSMC0gkswfEPXyM/s320/OnRoadGillette.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aoq67aGQ4Yvua9bhyhCB-b1Yvt5uxFa3ZOtaWrZCFOHxqJJnMjmWxPoD-esmINSlz0x4dWgGsYz0Mri87kws3q6jKiIH0xeka_5kzprw6l3sMqwydTMHlBnM5bDA398DgozjO9ALe-8/s1600/GilletteHotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9aoq67aGQ4Yvua9bhyhCB-b1Yvt5uxFa3ZOtaWrZCFOHxqJJnMjmWxPoD-esmINSlz0x4dWgGsYz0Mri87kws3q6jKiIH0xeka_5kzprw6l3sMqwydTMHlBnM5bDA398DgozjO9ALe-8/s320/GilletteHotel.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To Gillette...</td></tr>
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The next day was devoted to the much shorter leg to the start point of the tour, Red Lodge, Montana. This was going to require going over a mountain pass and we had two from which to choose. We opted for the longer, somewhat more scenic route and were rewarded with the really spectacular landscape that we didn't get in the first day's drive.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvsAduQFWElrFJQv-vFy1CfO46SaKyq0KEd_j2sywcyxAwmUFFazzs6Vd0yvXVdUu3Y5R3sv5uOND78Kaw001Vs5yJfDUfFfykiAX0TqQsRDfWvGQrWzUP8xd2twpev8XfT-F1P2EM-M/s1600/DriveDay2CGY_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvsAduQFWElrFJQv-vFy1CfO46SaKyq0KEd_j2sywcyxAwmUFFazzs6Vd0yvXVdUu3Y5R3sv5uOND78Kaw001Vs5yJfDUfFfykiAX0TqQsRDfWvGQrWzUP8xd2twpev8XfT-F1P2EM-M/s320/DriveDay2CGY_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXbE8KgCtfJcDcJgVXB7k0e5t4P5HM9culQU9QjmzL7ZE6esGhDsYZ_w1BCEYyDsVSjCIptSNN9-qCqS_MQOTlK2jIKjHdsltO1FeCim9T9KlO5ENvfxkvm3gpi8foSeUWis5aQzOT9w/s1600/DriveDay2CGY_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXbE8KgCtfJcDcJgVXB7k0e5t4P5HM9culQU9QjmzL7ZE6esGhDsYZ_w1BCEYyDsVSjCIptSNN9-qCqS_MQOTlK2jIKjHdsltO1FeCim9T9KlO5ENvfxkvm3gpi8foSeUWis5aQzOT9w/s320/DriveDay2CGY_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and then to Red Lodge</td></tr>
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Pulling in to Red Lodge, we took care of our first priority, finding a good place to eat. This could, after all, be our "last meal" as our expectations for the food in camp were not, I admit, all that lofty.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPRoFWOyUTGdMgoTgvb2SW5MmE1E3J18YFu1iwyagJb56Lna3f-7kaNs5iKJLMGz4oY7KLf14itDwzuNRpz3cNdVPGrM7TrdPEzpeoLbAVjHqgt2pv62akoT5KmZ5Uc2SDAlBlyF8-UI/s1600/RedLodgeMeal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPRoFWOyUTGdMgoTgvb2SW5MmE1E3J18YFu1iwyagJb56Lna3f-7kaNs5iKJLMGz4oY7KLf14itDwzuNRpz3cNdVPGrM7TrdPEzpeoLbAVjHqgt2pv62akoT5KmZ5Uc2SDAlBlyF8-UI/s320/RedLodgeMeal.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bison burger in Red Lodge</td></tr>
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At last it was time to join the tour and we checked in at the park, set up our tents and settled in. For me, preparing my tent required me to open up the one that had been set up for me as part of the CGY tent porter service. Bill chose to set up his own tent and easily found a suitably shady spot - an advantage as the tent porter "village" was generally in the most open space available.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-9EE1CH0pqE_EiVMHOtWgHwj1rggVbZ-beLponaIoK2-Jb-30WGfqp15ALjOSnJ2wLFCvKgSRZASqpwuLFqP8hCA9V3TCBQ9vJYgDdNIuG_9VC7QmpgCDUGacZc2LWdji2nr4n92Ccc/s1600/DriveDay2CGY_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-9EE1CH0pqE_EiVMHOtWgHwj1rggVbZ-beLponaIoK2-Jb-30WGfqp15ALjOSnJ2wLFCvKgSRZASqpwuLFqP8hCA9V3TCBQ9vJYgDdNIuG_9VC7QmpgCDUGacZc2LWdji2nr4n92Ccc/s320/DriveDay2CGY_03.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CGY registration</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgNUaRz8g1REwu5pUmCi8UAx_aIC2bvep8OCa1Ujk2Frq0yz-SlKLcXAsL6D7GCvciYpkg1a9W6RGhGHdBwox0XZ7M7UBGxI3_oYRaZv7dKvnNuoMgIssk3vVn4gxCMVC5lLGoDRkcA8/s1600/MyTentCGY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgNUaRz8g1REwu5pUmCi8UAx_aIC2bvep8OCa1Ujk2Frq0yz-SlKLcXAsL6D7GCvciYpkg1a9W6RGhGHdBwox0XZ7M7UBGxI3_oYRaZv7dKvnNuoMgIssk3vVn4gxCMVC5lLGoDRkcA8/s320/MyTentCGY.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My tent porter service home for the week</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IXSeQ1jfgY9qfKf6AqTYUwx1OjM_1H3MskCcdJTV-7QuOTdsv6NcjwqRKbae7xm37JF5l30eERoVXuV-Yxxzv5eeYbFarBVHYfj6K_4RCvsFw1q8oX_lV26pkInk_rQRFR1i7LP13yo/s1600/CampCGY_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IXSeQ1jfgY9qfKf6AqTYUwx1OjM_1H3MskCcdJTV-7QuOTdsv6NcjwqRKbae7xm37JF5l30eERoVXuV-Yxxzv5eeYbFarBVHYfj6K_4RCvsFw1q8oX_lV26pkInk_rQRFR1i7LP13yo/s320/CampCGY_02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill is an expert at finding afternoon shade</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1oMFO-hHy6gnFQ2tUmhpGuJK2e2d0GaRj6avrARZEH1ao6jQ-C3MRWcTuqRf08OymYGAP2uT8Ydn4k6zJ-R9FPPITo2HazpnlfrBUQ2nMvXK3moOuOxE4aULbOYPewVRebCzUcNx2Vw/s1600/CampCGY_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1oMFO-hHy6gnFQ2tUmhpGuJK2e2d0GaRj6avrARZEH1ao6jQ-C3MRWcTuqRf08OymYGAP2uT8Ydn4k6zJ-R9FPPITo2HazpnlfrBUQ2nMvXK3moOuOxE4aULbOYPewVRebCzUcNx2Vw/s320/CampCGY_01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The CGY camp in Red Lodge</td></tr>
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And that was it. A nice drive, much of it through places I had never seen and an easy transition to CGY camp life. Half the fun? Probably not, but it was a most enjoyable start for the tour.<br />
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<b>Getting There - Piedmont</b><br />
Then there was the trip to Italy. This should be easy: hop on a plane in La Crosse, change in Chicago and New York on day one then get through the airport in Milan and onto a train to Alessandria. It would be just like the trip to Red Lodge, except for the fact that the airlines would be involved. Still, I could see no way that this could go badly ...<br />
<br />
Well, there was terrible weather at JFK on getaway day. And a mechanical problem that would delay the flight from La Crosse long enough to guarantee a missed connection in Chicago. OK, so yes, there were a few ways for the trip to go badly and I had already run into two of them.<br />
<br />
But it turns out that everything worked out well, something I really could not see coming. First let me offer up kudos for the American Airlines staff at the La Crosse airport. They handled the delay well and before getting on the plane I was rebooked to go through Chicago and London, connecting to Milan, now through Linate airport, not Malpensa. The fact that I was indifferent to the airport gave me more options and that helped. And it turned out that Linate provided an easier connection to the central train station in Milan.<br />
<br />
Also, while waiting in Chicago, I saw that my original flight to JFK had been delayed - "I could have made it," I thought; but I didn't try (recall the observation about the weather at JFK). A bit later the flight was cancelled. So once in a blue moon, a mechanical problem on your first flight of the day can be the best thing that happens on the trip.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2QGViG0spu-oPj1gDc2SaCIOqBumfF4EYGbIL4S1DOCL2IbCYl1JZpdZj2SUdDTFmy3dR-wYr1-VAd2nO1dXAgRpcs5H29-K9OmJ9Ec0-1VNGlLJXr6w1xsyjH7wA8c3ozmRUlOvwhE/s1600/OHare_Piedmont.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2QGViG0spu-oPj1gDc2SaCIOqBumfF4EYGbIL4S1DOCL2IbCYl1JZpdZj2SUdDTFmy3dR-wYr1-VAd2nO1dXAgRpcs5H29-K9OmJ9Ec0-1VNGlLJXr6w1xsyjH7wA8c3ozmRUlOvwhE/s320/OHare_Piedmont.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainy day at O'Hare but it was worse at JFK</td></tr>
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The connection in London went smoothly save for a delay of about 40 minutes for the flight to Milan.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXHXWBgnw-jOHv2IX6fheklSvcGjnFvBlBO_Z3fYYRgL3CL514hz88hhu-K87S5krkgOSD1tGqYtWaCu68hRkEaTOk1wJlE5o78DWO2I_hUPPUWdgYKza1ts6z4UCQM6Pe5Uhoic5YYA/s1600/LHR_Piedmont.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXHXWBgnw-jOHv2IX6fheklSvcGjnFvBlBO_Z3fYYRgL3CL514hz88hhu-K87S5krkgOSD1tGqYtWaCu68hRkEaTOk1wJlE5o78DWO2I_hUPPUWdgYKza1ts6z4UCQM6Pe5Uhoic5YYA/s320/LHR_Piedmont.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terminal 5 at Heathrow<br />
An upscale shopping center with a few planes in the parking lot</td></tr>
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Now in the second day of travel and a bit tired from the long trip so far, I watched for my bags at Linate. Hmmm... perhaps I dozed off or was standing at the wrong belt. But no, it seems my bags - a large red rolling duffle and a bike shipping box - had apparently sneaked off unnoticed and gone on a side trip; they left no word as to where they were headed nor when or if they would join me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VK9UK7Kb7jeugS3jloRH_Q83btGlNyIgjR21qONGaxXe0RWXnXYhzcf4ndX7fHHNa8PhtKBhIkFeBOFp-E0iY3cYXwXVwvwjpWhogk_tQK_cQHbGfJsTMjnjPhYoR1KzLoSW_pEl75o/s1600/BagsCollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VK9UK7Kb7jeugS3jloRH_Q83btGlNyIgjR21qONGaxXe0RWXnXYhzcf4ndX7fHHNa8PhtKBhIkFeBOFp-E0iY3cYXwXVwvwjpWhogk_tQK_cQHbGfJsTMjnjPhYoR1KzLoSW_pEl75o/s320/BagsCollage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easy to see how these two could get lost in the shuffle!<br />
(The staff at LSE did change the tags to ORD-LHR-LIN)</td></tr>
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This was not good, but there was a sliver of silver lining. I was assured by the British Airways baggage service that my bags would be forwarded to the hotel in Alessandria. This would take care of an issue I had been a bit concerned with, that being the need to deal with these cumbersome items on the remaining legs of the trip – making my way to Milan's Central Station then taking two trains to get to Alessandria and further on to the hotel there. Luggage-less as I was, the trip was easy and I checked-in at the Hotel <a href="http://www.hotelalliduebuoirossi.com/wordpress/en/" target="_blank">Alli Due Buoi Rossi</a> in the late afternoon with John and Julio showing up late that evening.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEuOGm_6Jh9Vx7VJQaH2RjulqnJrWW0pYNDQCPrp7Mi_4cCQmSYH6GDGkiG3gSrLT4h2sT-BXcgRPXaoTvsXz-SXKAoejhBIEi99oaxjbJz_FC0A_QBed5mgagkmJCNNkgUsItf4E2uY/s1600/MilanCentrale_Piedmont.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEuOGm_6Jh9Vx7VJQaH2RjulqnJrWW0pYNDQCPrp7Mi_4cCQmSYH6GDGkiG3gSrLT4h2sT-BXcgRPXaoTvsXz-SXKAoejhBIEi99oaxjbJz_FC0A_QBed5mgagkmJCNNkgUsItf4E2uY/s320/MilanCentrale_Piedmont.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milan Central Station<br />
Another upscale shopping center, this one with trains in the parking lot</td></tr>
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And that was it. Half the fun? No way. But, successful with, in the end, a net delay of only about five hours. It was a difficult trip, but one that could have been worse.<br />
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<b>Lessons Learned</b><br />
In spite of the issues, I was again reminded that it is a great privilege to be able to travel and see the wonders of this place in which we live. And as always, the pain of problems fades while memories of the journeys will always bring a smile to my face.<br />
<br />
I pause here to consider the question I know is on your lips, "Where was Bill through all of this?" Well, he decided to personally and rather dramatically illustrate the point that this trip could have been worse. More about this later. For now, let's just leave it at "The Piedmont tour was underway ..."Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-33587964448938501562015-10-02T14:13:00.002-07:002015-10-02T14:51:57.588-07:00A Tale of Two RidesIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times...<br />
<i>A Tale of Two Cities</i>, Charles Dickens<br />
<br />
Two 14 day trips for bicycling tours. Thirteen days at home between them. It sounded like a great idea in March. And, it sure seems like a good idea now. But in the middle of it all, well, it was a bit of a thrash.<br /><br />
Prepare. Travel. Ride. Travel. Recover. Repeat.<br /><br />
Tours in the Greater Yellowstone area of SW Montana and NW Wyoming then in the Piedmont area of NW Italy. Distinctly different, except for the NW aspect, I guess. And, they were the same: each was the best of times, each was the worst of times...<br /><br />
The next eight posts (in the cycling category, anyway) will focus on these two tours. Compared side by side, as much as that is possible. Highlights. Lowlights. And an accounting of the lessons learned.<br /><br />
To get started, let me say that the overarching lesson was this: I am getting older!!<br /><br />
Thanks to Google Earth and my Garmin, I have accurate recordings and presentations of the routes. Here are the overviews, each in a "130 mile view." Click on the images for a more detailed look.<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPRR_5nGcg4u-cHbmDaJM7B8h09hsBuNvYOw20QbWhNAc_Jrk1TiO3utQADblh-m4PWEHyxDJIq3hmbpi_fe3NrVz484MLAnM97vSMn1g270Lt5Z8ueD26C0_maZo0cSEF32cxmO2mys/s1600/CGYOverviewMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPRR_5nGcg4u-cHbmDaJM7B8h09hsBuNvYOw20QbWhNAc_Jrk1TiO3utQADblh-m4PWEHyxDJIq3hmbpi_fe3NrVz484MLAnM97vSMn1g270Lt5Z8ueD26C0_maZo0cSEF32cxmO2mys/s400/CGYOverviewMap.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Cycle Greater Yellowstone Overview</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">309 Miles -- 19,157 Feet of Elevation Gain</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusGbKz3-_Z5_MYJtRl8gIs6ysNHhBAw0cIEAOIYpDm8gMrPaNIulFgmVMFS8NjO5nAHVUT80DJxC1vgPXf99Exyi1IV09MYuX70vcmKYSoZA2FB8IZTI5uSf3ZPMVueJFqwBTkK55D8E/s1600/PiedmontOverviewMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusGbKz3-_Z5_MYJtRl8gIs6ysNHhBAw0cIEAOIYpDm8gMrPaNIulFgmVMFS8NjO5nAHVUT80DJxC1vgPXf99Exyi1IV09MYuX70vcmKYSoZA2FB8IZTI5uSf3ZPMVueJFqwBTkK55D8E/s400/PiedmontOverviewMap.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Piedmont, Italy Tour Overview</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">254 Miles -- 17,304 Feet of Elevation Gain</span></td></tr>
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Next - Traveling to the starting cities of the tours. Truly worthy of a <i>best of times, worst of times</i> comparison!Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-56150728612484624682015-06-15T10:02:00.000-07:002015-06-15T10:02:50.002-07:00Water for Attir - ConnectionsGHNI has <a href="http://www.globalhopenetwork.org/us/village-transformation" target="_blank">Transformational Community Development programs</a> in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Five of the seventeen TCD villages in Africa are in Kenya and all are are in the area around Isiolo town in the central part of the country. They make up the "Isiolo Cluster" and Attir is the newest TCD participate.<br />
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The village of Gambella has graduated, but due to special circumstances related to nearby Attir, is part of Attir's TCD experience. Read about this unique and exciting program <a href="http://www.globalhopenetwork.org/us/village-transformation/kenya/attir" target="_blank">here</a>. Much attention is being devoted to this important farming partnership, using the results of Gambella's TCD program and their willingness to share with Attir.</div>
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Water for Attir is a special element of the project and is aimed at quickly getting a well into the village to provide a source of clean water within the boundaries of the village itself. Benefits are a supply of clean water and not having to invest time and energy into a six mile round trip. Furthermore, a village well provides the women and older children more security as the trip exposes them to dangerous elements of the central Kenyan bush.</div>
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You can help us realize these benefits. Simply click the DONATE NOW link below and complete the form provided. You can make a one time donation or opt to become a regular sponsor. Please note "Water for Attir" in the space provided for comments or questions. Thank You!</div>
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<a href="https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/ghni-ke-attir?code=KE%20005%20Attir" target="_blank">DONATE TO <i>WATER FOR ATTIR</i> NOW</a></div>
<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-91589945529705685252015-06-07T17:05:00.001-07:002015-06-07T17:06:57.336-07:00Water for Attir- The ChallengeJust as it is for Attir's story, the challenge is simply stated:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMpcXnH4LtAoWJmPNl90rV2TpKH0QIu4NsB8PF9Vy3QM0k0ps4h71_4MlcpTBZWGANyyBGaE1J6s0JWWG65YL-1qA6KImA3JwQ7UWNK6lPRLY3o0WLiWbN-ZgvxE4Z0P-I2Dr7SIzWEA/s1600/TheChallenge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMpcXnH4LtAoWJmPNl90rV2TpKH0QIu4NsB8PF9Vy3QM0k0ps4h71_4MlcpTBZWGANyyBGaE1J6s0JWWG65YL-1qA6KImA3JwQ7UWNK6lPRLY3o0WLiWbN-ZgvxE4Z0P-I2Dr7SIzWEA/s400/TheChallenge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Funds are needed for site selection, drilling, including casings, and a pump. Some effort will be required to determine the diameter of the borehole and the depth needed to get sufficient water. These efforts can begin as soon as we can get sufficient funds.</div>
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It will be a challenge, but nothing like the one that the people of the village face now as they rely on a distant source of dirty water for their needs.</div>
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You can help by making a donation through GHNI. Click <a href="https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/ghni-ke-attir?code=KE%20005%20Attir" target="_blank">here</a> to access their Partner with Attir page. When you do, please enter "Water for Attir" in the space provided for comments or questions.</div>
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Thank you!</div>
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Up Next: Attir and Transformational Community Development</div>
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Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-32888052236493129022015-06-02T16:04:00.001-07:002015-06-07T16:15:25.693-07:00Water for Attir - The Short StoryThe situation at Attir is easy to describe. It goes like this...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrzWJaBxJ_ybQ0VMgSsECQUNP2wcotDkZ4xl0UCBe_cSzBoOV-EUGYI6Pb9DUCnkOWM67Ezew86K1QUKWo-7rY9-S8Zk7hxUPKy75ZWcqCztwbD7nCUkRWslRVKBq4-E31dg4PR8nJgA/s1600/TheShortStory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrzWJaBxJ_ybQ0VMgSsECQUNP2wcotDkZ4xl0UCBe_cSzBoOV-EUGYI6Pb9DUCnkOWM67Ezew86K1QUKWo-7rY9-S8Zk7hxUPKy75ZWcqCztwbD7nCUkRWslRVKBq4-E31dg4PR8nJgA/s400/TheShortStory.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">During a visit to Attir with GHNI, we had the opportunity to walk with some of the women. Accounts of our visit are in the following blog posts:</span></div>
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<a href="http://longwhiteline.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-road-to-attir.html">Getting there</a></div>
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<a href="http://longwhiteline.blogspot.com/2014/04/pausing-in-attir.html">Meeting in the village</a></div>
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<a href="http://longwhiteline.blogspot.com/2014/05/walking-attir.html">Walking through the village and to the water source</a></div>
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A well within the general confines of the village would eliminate the need for the dangerous and energy-consuming walk while providing clean water for everyone.</div>
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Next up: The Challenge</div>
Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-52654499437548463742015-05-28T16:53:00.001-07:002015-06-07T16:15:46.375-07:00Water for Attir - Introduction<div class="MsoNormal">
The village of Attir
bakes in the dry heat of central Kenya. There is little vegetation and what is
there protects itself with an impressive variety of thorns and needles. Houses
are scattered in the bush. There is a school building and a community meeting
place – the shade of two trees – but there is no water.</div>
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This is a challenge for the people and an opportunity to provide a helping hand up.</div>
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I will post more information every few days, going through a
presentation describing the situation and providing information on how you can
help.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Global Hope Network International (GHNI) has engaged the
village in Transformational Community Development (TCD) with a special
connection to a neighboring village which recently graduated from their own TCD
program.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To get started, check out the Attir page on GHNI’s web site
here: <a href="http://bit.ly/1IYU8Q1">http://bit.ly/1IYU8Q1</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Posts will be collected under the label "Attir." This link will
pull up available posts: <a href="http://bit.ly/1Q8StpJ">http://bit.ly/1Q8StpJ</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Next
up: Short Story</span><!--EndFragment-->Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-52334069760008810622015-05-26T13:36:00.000-07:002015-05-26T13:36:03.529-07:00Water for AttirA new series of posts with the label "Attir" is coming soon. These will introduce this parched village in central Kenya and reveal how you can help bring it water ...Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-16619954161241280042014-10-24T08:25:00.000-07:002014-10-24T11:10:52.312-07:00That’s Insane!<b><span style="color:#ff6333;">Four</span></b> The number of people who rode every day and every mile of the 2012 tour in Puglia, Italy. Pretty much like being alone most of the time.<br><br>
<b><span style="color:#ff6333;">Thirty six</span></b> The largest number of people on a supported bicycling tour in which I have participated. An OK number as <a href="http://www.cycleamerica.com">Cycle America</a> did a nice job on this supported ride.<br><br>
<b><span style="color:#ff6333;">Two thousand, two hundred</span></b> The limit to the number of registrations that <a href="http://www.cycleoregon.com/about/">Cycle Oregon</a> would accept for the 2014 Week Ride. Now that is just insane.<br><br>So of course I sat at my computer, fingers hovering over the keyboard, as the clocked ticked down to the opening of the ride's registration site.<br><br>
That was on February 14. A mere 204 days later, after 55 hours on the trainer and 2,610 miles on the road with 140,535 feet of climbing, we rolled out of The Dalles, Oregon to start one fine week-long ride called <i>The Magnificent Seven.</i><br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEHncd7tGLxcDfXHFy_Lrvj_BdbVfeMvBemmWB2fbTKZYEvq5kzDPs_GqnDwnGPB_Ki1gdpDFlt7XlexwqMbOpBBitRBBTxtAMF0zgnZepx55CGsCiC0Xweg3S8JOZJH4i3WnqbHPQjc/s1600/MagnificentSeven.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEHncd7tGLxcDfXHFy_Lrvj_BdbVfeMvBemmWB2fbTKZYEvq5kzDPs_GqnDwnGPB_Ki1gdpDFlt7XlexwqMbOpBBitRBBTxtAMF0zgnZepx55CGsCiC0Xweg3S8JOZJH4i3WnqbHPQjc/s320/MagnificentSeven.jpg" /></a></div><br>
Was it really insane? Yes, but in an “I cannot believe how insanely well it went” sense. I’ll explain in upcoming posts about the ride. But here - one of the things I learned about Cycle Oregon (CO from now on) aside from its ability to plan and execute a ride with over 1,800 people to perfection: they provide a real service to the small communities that are visited during the tour. This includes financial support from a fund that you can read about here: <a href="http://www.cycleoregon.com/cycle-oregon-fund/">Cycle Oregon Fund</a><br><br>
This year's ride visited The Dalles, Dufur, Tygh Valley and Madras. We also visited the small town of Glenwood, Washington. One of the great things about the visits was the welcome we got. Cheerleaders, cheering crowds, decorated bikes, chocolate milk, ice cream sandwiches greeted us at various stops. Volunteers from the towns staffed the food service lines and provided other services that made each visit a real pleasure.<br><br>
There were 8 days in the trip which CO designated as Day 0, Day 1, Day 2, ... , Day 7. Day 0 was when riders made their way to The Dalles to check in, set up bikes and generally get oriented. My Day 0 started in Portland as I had flown in the day before. I guess that would be Day -1 for me...<br><br>
<b>Saturday, September 6: Day -1</b><br>
I had already bid adieu to my Domane as Bill had loaded it into the back of his car - he and Eileen were heading out to vacation and visit friends and relatives before and after the ride. I got the benefit of free bicycle transport. Not a bad start. I flew out of La Crosse, through Chicago and on to Portland.<br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_iVH0X7Swt59DInv_FdCDrOTBvZmSjJA1jRABIHezu9mdOsjUrnOcI17S6KlBmL_9kyJU10bU0Cdi-Z8rSVXZk3o84idKX4scQL4paMAFsJrmP9SdGoxagRqZMNdbDdezCpOFQhbuc0/s1600/Day+-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_iVH0X7Swt59DInv_FdCDrOTBvZmSjJA1jRABIHezu9mdOsjUrnOcI17S6KlBmL_9kyJU10bU0Cdi-Z8rSVXZk3o84idKX4scQL4paMAFsJrmP9SdGoxagRqZMNdbDdezCpOFQhbuc0/s320/Day+-01.jpg" /></a></div><br>
Coming in to Portland, we had great views of Mt. Adams in Washington and Mt. Hood in Oregon, two of the <i>Magnificent Seven</i> mountains, at least one of which would be in view each day during the ride. I checked in to the Sheraton Portland Airport hotel and kicked back for the rest of the day.<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxUvTacDmJ6YAHVi7luHF9SZISCw4CCxqj1sAifviYcED-tUVIGt7R947ss4YP7SyKePuRvBxfxXwxSPqxtDaMQnmf48Uh8fidz9MKeg0pfERiy-BMc13zLrMMfLlk6AJMqP1QNn6Ngk/s1600/MtHood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxUvTacDmJ6YAHVi7luHF9SZISCw4CCxqj1sAifviYcED-tUVIGt7R947ss4YP7SyKePuRvBxfxXwxSPqxtDaMQnmf48Uh8fidz9MKeg0pfERiy-BMc13zLrMMfLlk6AJMqP1QNn6Ngk/s320/MtHood.jpg" /></a></div>
<b>Mt. Hood from my room at the Sheraton</b><br><br>
Up next, Day 0: We arrive in The Dalles and get engaged in the CO experience.Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-10562496505571161552014-05-15T11:26:00.000-07:002015-06-02T06:52:32.581-07:00You Can HelpIt is a big world. There is a countable infinity of activities we can pursue. Many of those bring us joy, satisfaction, growth and happiness. And many allow us to give those things in some measure to others. You will no doubt encounter many of these... it is almost inevitable.<br />
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I have a friend who said to me once, "If you throw a rock, you will hit a need." That is pretty much true, no matter where you are. So, when we are moved to do so, it comes down to grasping only a very few to actually do something about. These are those things that touch us in some special way. The villages in the GHNI Transformational Community Development program in central Kenya are that for me. And Attir in particular. It may be this way for you. If so, you can help. And not just help, but make a real difference, one that will last.<br />
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Click <a href="https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/ghni-ke-attir?code=KE%20005%20Attir">here</a> to check it out. You can make a one time contribution of any amount you wish or become a sponsor for the period of the TCD project at Attir for just $15/month.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPknpg2S5RApxCS7euDs0xluaqdKm8dcwVQjBMom7QuAFXWm_yRbPylAgskAn-NKdEnJB5PBn20eVzhyphenhyphenmPwGa7qhNgBpUK2791fyTgXOqy9XTmiJrP3UOAScysSZy04HhE74lmQksORY/s1600/Attir_UltimateTransformation.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPknpg2S5RApxCS7euDs0xluaqdKm8dcwVQjBMom7QuAFXWm_yRbPylAgskAn-NKdEnJB5PBn20eVzhyphenhyphenmPwGa7qhNgBpUK2791fyTgXOqy9XTmiJrP3UOAScysSZy04HhE74lmQksORY/s320/Attir_UltimateTransformation.jpg" /></a>
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Thank You!Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-36539652867323650132014-05-01T10:19:00.000-07:002015-06-30T20:15:33.384-07:00Walking Attir<b>Gents, take a walk!</b><br />
Hector Barbossa
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No pirates here, but we would eventually encounter a fleet of ships of the desert. The meeting under the trees broke up and we left the relative comfort of the shade to walk through the village then to follow a few of the women on the trek to the stream where they gather water every day.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG03pNbILCAgyYa5cSqSUef9Q7PXgBKpq_xe-VlnREhJUqQumcVx84px9B41rK9L0V-MuuD9lyxjtPv8q5Gk8sgMQJk5XNPwHwygW2r3vQGRiSfatAbVa7CWzdagJiKYaTw0s7hGjpo2I/s1600/InAttir.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG03pNbILCAgyYa5cSqSUef9Q7PXgBKpq_xe-VlnREhJUqQumcVx84px9B41rK9L0V-MuuD9lyxjtPv8q5Gk8sgMQJk5XNPwHwygW2r3vQGRiSfatAbVa7CWzdagJiKYaTw0s7hGjpo2I/s320/InAttir.jpeg" /></a>
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<i>We take a walk</i>
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The first stop was a small, dark school – just one room lit only by sunlight from the open gable at one end, supplemented by rays that struggled through cracks in the mud walls. I had spent a few minutes chatting with one of the village leaders on the walk and when I got to the school, it took me a few minutes to make my way in; seems the entire group from the meeting had managed to enter and now pretty much occupied all of the very limited open space behind the area where the children were sitting. Kieran was already at the front of the class, helping the teacher show off her students. There were a few teaching posters on the wall and the teacher would ask the children a question. They would respond with answers, then Kieran would point to the relevant item on one of the posters. This building was built quickly during more difficult times so that the small children did not have to make the walk to the "permanent" structure a few kilometers away – not safe for them. Now the plan is to move that building to this site.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDimLHeSNwoUBnlJwTkVHSpQjjHAyVc8X0bcipuZgFLJlzN5zIZcPFBYMiyGZaLjNi7J4XQzelKlK5ZwJXg3nlHikHeFacEobkNlDROg-CzhOy7F727T1xZqnFm3irqCorpkKD6mKkB0/s1600/AttirSchool.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDimLHeSNwoUBnlJwTkVHSpQjjHAyVc8X0bcipuZgFLJlzN5zIZcPFBYMiyGZaLjNi7J4XQzelKlK5ZwJXg3nlHikHeFacEobkNlDROg-CzhOy7F727T1xZqnFm3irqCorpkKD6mKkB0/s320/AttirSchool.jpeg" /></a>
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<i>Temporary small schoolroom</i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDI4CR2zXP9vqLunCHbhrAIKJGnI_3FVttfijgILoAv5ySw_FM0fp_ALXrRccLxhMRU3ygFMms2cc2d-2ABadwF_vfRsElzgmdqqmXsTj_fQqbjAcja8yLeDBt5hYamwQbgVxFX65c1Lo/s1600/KieranAtSchool.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDI4CR2zXP9vqLunCHbhrAIKJGnI_3FVttfijgILoAv5ySw_FM0fp_ALXrRccLxhMRU3ygFMms2cc2d-2ABadwF_vfRsElzgmdqqmXsTj_fQqbjAcja8yLeDBt5hYamwQbgVxFX65c1Lo/s320/KieranAtSchool.jpg" /></a>
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<i>Introducing himself...</i>
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We went on through the brush to that other building. Along the way, we passed another sign of what are the unusual, to us, activities that are part of everyday life here - burning down wood to charcoal sticks to use for cooking.
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<i>Smoldering pile of sticks, soon to be charcoal</i>
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The building we visit is now a cement floor with a tin roof atop poles rising from a short foundation wall. Talk was about how to dismantle the building and move the materials back into the village proper.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAWeWomBuxuHh9_BS0jD-bOTLfwDNRQIXDY7BYIiawf0Cfbt_twbSjZsU9Vcm_iA0o9aePzINi7ZYbb4vDWUYp2UsarYT71ZZhN5IZDMvx2eZoTYUwfaaDokckACOFd3qKVEv-aXOMGE/s1600/Building_01.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAWeWomBuxuHh9_BS0jD-bOTLfwDNRQIXDY7BYIiawf0Cfbt_twbSjZsU9Vcm_iA0o9aePzINi7ZYbb4vDWUYp2UsarYT71ZZhN5IZDMvx2eZoTYUwfaaDokckACOFd3qKVEv-aXOMGE/s320/Building_01.jpeg" /></a>
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<i>Building to be moved</i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oaPZUO4oOFQzsaZrbSOSjSeLHK3sy8HtXReeyqHX_3OWtoropvbYhwPZGgWZyn7ww4c9jhWcZPag-5mlREIugmAm37CYdSokU8F3ZAsxh9GCX6K07c6ptz0N7er0_oLy48cYU9nMx7c/s1600/Building_02.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oaPZUO4oOFQzsaZrbSOSjSeLHK3sy8HtXReeyqHX_3OWtoropvbYhwPZGgWZyn7ww4c9jhWcZPag-5mlREIugmAm37CYdSokU8F3ZAsxh9GCX6K07c6ptz0N7er0_oLy48cYU9nMx7c/s320/Building_02.jpeg" /></a>
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<i>A short discussion of the logistics</i>
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I am happy to report that the move has been completed and the building is now up, sided and, I imagine, ready for use...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge80J3T2K_bWGWQk7h70R7eiN2WIiTUoplGTameC8L1Dl-t7MwgNKly14mft3APxy4Wlh58yDi3W5XHGThwfvYpMTeUtZYAM6WvWg5qHNvSRYypG87tFmVOS5CPiepfPZ_B21cTi8GVTc/s1600/Walking_Attir-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge80J3T2K_bWGWQk7h70R7eiN2WIiTUoplGTameC8L1Dl-t7MwgNKly14mft3APxy4Wlh58yDi3W5XHGThwfvYpMTeUtZYAM6WvWg5qHNvSRYypG87tFmVOS5CPiepfPZ_B21cTi8GVTc/s320/Walking_Attir-1.jpg" /></a>
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<i>New building - with siding - is now in place. Great work!</i>
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Next, a few of us set off to see Attir's water source. It is hardscrabble surface of dry, red soil and rocks through scattered rough, aggressive vegetation. At points it is a bit of a challenge as you need to look down to make sure you do not stumble over the rocks, but also need to keep your eyes up to avoid being impaled on all manner of thorny branches.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8Fi3eDNM3gvtnZuIl9JTNjDo5fntQg0TrplPPl6piqNP7Vy_zGQqWM6STEjctWnao4_PDed6iQv5qCzc7K5ptqrZ28uyZj_fL6bj_O3LxbFc2D51Xo2JtlQP03xTWKiprlW8r5h8gxo/s1600/WalkingInBush.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8Fi3eDNM3gvtnZuIl9JTNjDo5fntQg0TrplPPl6piqNP7Vy_zGQqWM6STEjctWnao4_PDed6iQv5qCzc7K5ptqrZ28uyZj_fL6bj_O3LxbFc2D51Xo2JtlQP03xTWKiprlW8r5h8gxo/s320/WalkingInBush.jpeg" /></a>
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<i>On the way to the water source...</i>
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<br />
Somewhere along the way, I thought to ask about wildlife in the area. Thinking, you know, about rabbits, ground squirrels, spiders and the like. The answer we got was something like this, "Only lions, snakes, hyenas and a few elephants." WHAT?! That put a new twist on things. Now, you had to look down, up, AND keep your head on a swivel. In response to questions about how often the villagers actually encounter any of these denizens of the bush, we are told that "we see the hyenas more than the others." Well, that was reassuring. Being well on our way to the stream, it really did not make much difference now, although we did work a little harder at not being the stragglers in the group!
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There had been some talk about getting water from the river, I think. But when we arrived, we found something that would be a push to call a stream. More of a ditch, really; it was quite easy to step across it.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pLNMDNRysyOLzn3aIBhmAkZBusFh7QzzLS47iOsx_8pwE3ILnWqJk2Agzulh9Qhp2Dr2kuaIZoubPC2ZkgDx5ibQqOuTLxMowQwjIFxZNe6JMa8HnQO6Yj8fh3IDERptK6TsFJnXubI/s1600/WaterSource.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pLNMDNRysyOLzn3aIBhmAkZBusFh7QzzLS47iOsx_8pwE3ILnWqJk2Agzulh9Qhp2Dr2kuaIZoubPC2ZkgDx5ibQqOuTLxMowQwjIFxZNe6JMa8HnQO6Yj8fh3IDERptK6TsFJnXubI/s320/WaterSource.jpeg" /></a>
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<i>Attir's water source</i>
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The water was a murky brown color. While it was not unlike coffee with cream, it was not in the least inviting. There were clearly issues, not the least of which was the fact that cattle and camel herds frequented the area. One of the women had carried a 20 liter container and a smaller one, cut out to serve as a dipper. I am guessing she had already made this trip once today, along with many others from the village as they did the real work of getting water. This was a demonstration for us. She stooped down and began to scoop out water and pour it into the larger container.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u87InGGuJHhXMc8epxfEW3ws-AP0sWKgrNSekx7YrFoeJj8TizyADufAHzHnRh1pohChBwKU5LaGX9CkcpQ2SGt7Z5DzP-ZBscVRhUnA57BAz0xsBcdDP5cgDYoS8Mwvrs_9JIlcClA/s1600/CollectingWater.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1u87InGGuJHhXMc8epxfEW3ws-AP0sWKgrNSekx7YrFoeJj8TizyADufAHzHnRh1pohChBwKU5LaGX9CkcpQ2SGt7Z5DzP-ZBscVRhUnA57BAz0xsBcdDP5cgDYoS8Mwvrs_9JIlcClA/s320/CollectingWater.jpeg" /></a>
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<i>Collecting water from the murky stream</i>
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Then...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPSgGBpeHNe1lWKUZ31FKnBoF23J0N4F0iuEEitBeB0g83wpW1C5uk7i7Nkjqv5HvZpNbHTGNZq94PFBaccKxIbEwLYH749dRjvwxQUjDHwuOOut5PvC-Wz8lD8YVGVC0yidbklinBNs/s1600/P1020004.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHPSgGBpeHNe1lWKUZ31FKnBoF23J0N4F0iuEEitBeB0g83wpW1C5uk7i7Nkjqv5HvZpNbHTGNZq94PFBaccKxIbEwLYH749dRjvwxQUjDHwuOOut5PvC-Wz8lD8YVGVC0yidbklinBNs/s320/P1020004.jpeg" /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLKSGJfJ3tHTTaPe2tkrkQl1UVUkrcPJqVmzsV4Jxv0PobOg2914lG4OIN281zS9HFS7AjUeOUnoQheSQSmhF9hu0y7iEcq9-Hy1Z7daWq4xY1Fhu3dIS4SlSZR8EL3wjMm8YKQRrPNw/s1600/P1020008.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLKSGJfJ3tHTTaPe2tkrkQl1UVUkrcPJqVmzsV4Jxv0PobOg2914lG4OIN281zS9HFS7AjUeOUnoQheSQSmhF9hu0y7iEcq9-Hy1Z7daWq4xY1Fhu3dIS4SlSZR8EL3wjMm8YKQRrPNw/s320/P1020008.jpeg" /></a>
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<i>I found this hard to take</i>
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<br />
The people here have developed a certain tolerance to the water. Of course, I would be incapacitated by issues from this water had I taken any and the people we were with were not. We were told that some of the villagers would boil the water, but all in all, it was taken just as this woman did, straight up. Seeing it happen, however, was so impacting that it felt like a blow to the midsection.
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We continued on the main road where we would meet Martin who drove the Land Cruiser around from Attir. Here, the stream pooled up, maybe with the road acting as a dam. There was a visible green belt of tall, green grass. And, there was a herd of camels filling their tanks. During my previous visit, Wubshet told me that the camel herders would get upset over having pictures taken of their herds. Here, we asked the herders and found that these men did not mind.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0_AyxgLCuBql25cAr2Z36gVUQTOWBzrMWFaXcf_6aoeZvlpmX4mubhuoypnsAnN9ktZ333j3dA3rZOzgInXc2oLyq2hEnVAucI90eShiI6xY2gQqa57CO7-fWAYr1BXNIBYdddCd5Jc/s1600/P1020028.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0_AyxgLCuBql25cAr2Z36gVUQTOWBzrMWFaXcf_6aoeZvlpmX4mubhuoypnsAnN9ktZ333j3dA3rZOzgInXc2oLyq2hEnVAucI90eShiI6xY2gQqa57CO7-fWAYr1BXNIBYdddCd5Jc/s320/P1020028.jpeg" /></a>
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<i>Ships of the desert pausing for a drink</i>
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There will be more – quite a bit more, actually – to report about this day, but that I'll save for the next posting.
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Clean water is something we generally take for granted. But we know that there are so many people all over the world who have to deal with water from sources not unlike the one in Attir. Perhaps that thought is overwhelming, so many places, so many people needing a hand up. But I do know one thing for sure, we can offer this hand up to the people we have met, in this case, the village of Attir in central Kenya.
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So, before I continue on with the accounts of our visit, I will put up a special posting here, this to connect you with GHNI and provide you with a chance to participate in the TCD project with Attir. When you consider this, recall Margaret Mead's observation:
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"Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have."Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-26587927914817542692014-04-14T10:14:00.000-07:002015-08-31T10:38:29.400-07:00Pausing in Attir<b>Sometimes you need to press pause<br />
to let everything sink in.</b><br />
Sebastian Vettel
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<br />
It has been pretty much go, go, go for five days. And now, having arrived at Attir, we stop. After leaving the Land Cruiser, we greet a good number of the men and women of the village under some trees providing welcome shade. In this place we will discuss issues of a level of importance that is hard for us, who have so much, to fathom.
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As we drive up, we see two women coming into the village, each carrying one of the ubiquitous 20 liter yellow containers they have filled with water at a stream about 3 miles away.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6_As4KOAuC1GfLlTZeCatr_TOLhhAfMQu_hlr98j0A0q2yPDY5EMLfmc669oXXVgL43xpR4Ul33obcE160_Ci8r5-zwmy2NM_8K5cAQtts35fsq6dNz6nbKbEqtryXSoa3AeY55blyk/s1600/Pause_in_Attir-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI6_As4KOAuC1GfLlTZeCatr_TOLhhAfMQu_hlr98j0A0q2yPDY5EMLfmc669oXXVgL43xpR4Ul33obcE160_Ci8r5-zwmy2NM_8K5cAQtts35fsq6dNz6nbKbEqtryXSoa3AeY55blyk/s320/Pause_in_Attir-1.jpg" /></a>
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And we see a water tank sitting on a tower about 10 feet above ground. This must be a good thing.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUyXNV-wRxfegVx-VtpOYWqHVTh3c6JV9rGzVG378bI79kZMxKnmsREdcfzA9ssakJcNW_vksCYVv3eOdwvi4FkyQspI-Csf3g266clqnlrRqVASaG02KmjZBtQbOjjOG4yQPijpklhI/s1600/Pause_in_Attir-3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyUyXNV-wRxfegVx-VtpOYWqHVTh3c6JV9rGzVG378bI79kZMxKnmsREdcfzA9ssakJcNW_vksCYVv3eOdwvi4FkyQspI-Csf3g266clqnlrRqVASaG02KmjZBtQbOjjOG4yQPijpklhI/s320/Pause_in_Attir-3.jpg" /></a>
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<i>Everyone seeks shade, whether it be under a tree or the water tank</i>
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Habiba addresses the good sized group from the village assembled under two trees whose branches intertwine, providing shade for the meeting. Speaking in Turkana, she is, I think, more or less introducing us and explaining why we are here. As I have said, this is the first visit by GHNI with people from outside of Africa. But Habiba, Wubshet, Martin and Dire, all representing GHNI in Isiolo, have been involved in the preparations for initiating the TCD program for some time now.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK7YLDfLrrsXwayvzvuyUNvvUPFha_xG7Sg_8fjXJzmob4pGBkjl29UZX60D3OXTzLgsBHw09kFTZKppNSM1T8QHGINxh4-Bv19Unachn2IG62lwV7S-PGe-WnPy58fwciyFUB6dQHAM/s1600/Attir_mtg_01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK7YLDfLrrsXwayvzvuyUNvvUPFha_xG7Sg_8fjXJzmob4pGBkjl29UZX60D3OXTzLgsBHw09kFTZKppNSM1T8QHGINxh4-Bv19Unachn2IG62lwV7S-PGe-WnPy58fwciyFUB6dQHAM/s320/Attir_mtg_01.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Habiba addresses the villagers in their tribal language – Turkana; she translates for us. This picture came from later in the meeting, after we had asked permission to take photos.</i>
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As is usual, the men and women congregate in separate groups, the women at or beyond the fringes of the shaded area. Habiba later tells us that the two groups are closer than normal, this in some way influenced by our presence.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEQgSM6xOyThxh9F9j-8eks6bqreaC4GGP7IU8NSolhbyRX1Yy4DdEcTQI1D-SDRCvrjuk5h_CsNk1syU7u4i8v41esmFiK0FoKLc-t3XFXII8IfdBggN3ZTI4_4Qpc8SQH81gm9mjTI/s1600/Pause_in_Attir-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEQgSM6xOyThxh9F9j-8eks6bqreaC4GGP7IU8NSolhbyRX1Yy4DdEcTQI1D-SDRCvrjuk5h_CsNk1syU7u4i8v41esmFiK0FoKLc-t3XFXII8IfdBggN3ZTI4_4Qpc8SQH81gm9mjTI/s320/Pause_in_Attir-2.jpg" /></a>
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Remember that quote I had stumbled upon on the long flight to Nairobi - "It's not about what is best. It's about who gets to decide what is best." Well, it starts here. One of the village leaders is going to tell us about the issues facing the village. Access to sufficient clean water is at the top of the list. No surprise here.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2QzFG2m1cUS3qJ3lZ16NMoz4HlgdMGshooML9ABtGDghnYGjT5Wad9rD_-e7NYrrEpuMufU6F-Z1zELPKxDPO3x1mtkVvULGZpGyhkcwRrqIPMWVigk2o-1wFG9APyKvO6znfCsW-vU/s1600/Pause_in_Attir-5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2QzFG2m1cUS3qJ3lZ16NMoz4HlgdMGshooML9ABtGDghnYGjT5Wad9rD_-e7NYrrEpuMufU6F-Z1zELPKxDPO3x1mtkVvULGZpGyhkcwRrqIPMWVigk2o-1wFG9APyKvO6znfCsW-vU/s320/Pause_in_Attir-5.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>He is speaking for the village, we listen</i>
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Then, we hear about the tower...
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"It's our statue," he tells us. No water in it. No way provided to get water in it. There are many sides to the story, I suppose, but here is the story from the viewpoint of the village: A group came in to offer aid. Arriving in newer, four-wheeled drive vehicles, they took pictures, made some assessments and apparently decided on providing the tank without a lot of emphasis on partnering with the village. Once it was erected, there was (little or) no additional contact. "We would like to tear it down," we are told.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDQUMshuFclZj1ufcqo1hDAlK6dcKfgc_efh-9koARPp0NlcQUHhim6YDoSLhM4AvuH6ZEA3pAp3EkzqkSrugQ273tnMmVvA3ZyYQsYUPefCyrilOQmN8XjjQs6bcEJSuTZwtZQgennU/s1600/Attir_tank.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDQUMshuFclZj1ufcqo1hDAlK6dcKfgc_efh-9koARPp0NlcQUHhim6YDoSLhM4AvuH6ZEA3pAp3EkzqkSrugQ273tnMmVvA3ZyYQsYUPefCyrilOQmN8XjjQs6bcEJSuTZwtZQgennU/s320/Attir_tank.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Water tank in Attir. But, no water.</i>
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The challenge is to create a partnership to pursue development that results in measureable improvements in the quality of life that can be sustained without additional outside investment.
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In addition to the obvious issue with water, we hear of the need for school facilities. Primary school children must make a dangerous walk to one of two schools in adjacent villages; we are talking about 2 to 3 miles each way. There is an abandoned church building a kilometer or so outside of the village. During the last period of fighting in the area, it was too far away to be used on a regular basis. Now, the village suggests dismantling it and rebuilding the structure nearer the village center. There, it would serve as a school facility. Seems as if this would be a good idea.
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<br />
Jeff speaks for GHNI, validating the input from the village and addressing concerns that stem from the water tower, not by mentioning that issue at all, but by simply providing simple, direct communication of GHNI's intent and expectations.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWPjDNmYSmLGaY-7J0DX8Csu907qy4YqhCz5ItXJuLKRLOMr6pBaw_fcIJX34y5B7wyqRc8SMjIKz-aKU1UjkV_7o_ZEEztxa7I418nRS_Fwnw-0aHo1M9DTW6iWanrJBZK3EIq7by9A/s1600/Pause_in_Attir-4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWPjDNmYSmLGaY-7J0DX8Csu907qy4YqhCz5ItXJuLKRLOMr6pBaw_fcIJX34y5B7wyqRc8SMjIKz-aKU1UjkV_7o_ZEEztxa7I418nRS_Fwnw-0aHo1M9DTW6iWanrJBZK3EIq7by9A/s320/Pause_in_Attir-4.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Jeff waits to speak to the village, providing a promise and outlining expectations</i>
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I do not have a recording and there are only a few lines in my journal about the talk. So, this is the way I heard it:
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Jeff explained that GHNI was ready to partner with Attir in a meaningful way. They were ready to provide "small support" to go along with the large amount of hard work that the villagers would put in to the projects. He talked about the plan to provide teaching, mentoring and encouragement, this to help achieve development that would make a long term difference; it would be aimed directly at the important issues we were told about; it would provide the village a chance to plan and carry out meaningful work that was to their long term benefit; it would be sustainable. He also reminded the villagers of the success that other villages in the area had already experienced as a result of to their participation in this same sort of cooperation.
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Thanks to the wonderful work by Habiba and the Isiolo team, the village already has working teams assigned to each of the five areas of focus in the TCD program: water, wellness, education, nutrition and income production. Leaders in each area introduced themselves. Each team has 5 members: 2 or 3 men and, correspondingly, 3 or 2 women. So much of the success that will be achieved will come from the talents and commitment of these groups.
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In my work with a number of missions and development projects, I have heard that one of the most important things to keep in mind is to not promise something you cannot – or will not – deliver. Jeff stood before the village and promised that GHNI would stand with them for five years. And reminded them that this was a promise with a condition, that they must do their parts. This was a big moment.
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It is hard for me to gauge the villagers' feelings. They have said that the trees are tired of hearing a lot of stories. But, there is excitement at the promise. Before we break up, we are each given a Turkana name. Mine is <i>Lokure</i>. I am told it means "thirsty." However, some discussion later leads to an explanation that it is a bit more complex than that – it is meant to convey an ability to go a long way without water. As we are each endowed with our names, there is applause and laughter. There may be a joke or two in all of this, but it is all in the spirit of being accepted and honored.
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Our pause in the literal travelling was coming to an end. We would let all of this set in in due time. Now, we set out to explore the village, visit the remote church building and walk to the water source.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRstrHvzUyrdU0MMT_RsYrVFyzcyZfg1jsTUHf_GUZnzkgkOQUej7_R1vEGCaUbON0M1DMML_2YpN8vQ91k1WsBPVk8L-ohVm2uHFnplY2YEKbboBJW67kMDTk5gHVuOcwsq81hPkcOmU/s1600/Pause_in_Attir-6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRstrHvzUyrdU0MMT_RsYrVFyzcyZfg1jsTUHf_GUZnzkgkOQUej7_R1vEGCaUbON0M1DMML_2YpN8vQ91k1WsBPVk8L-ohVm2uHFnplY2YEKbboBJW67kMDTk5gHVuOcwsq81hPkcOmU/s320/Pause_in_Attir-6.jpg" /></a>
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Next: Walking AttirJackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-60916011901554180782014-04-07T16:01:00.003-07:002015-08-31T10:44:22.868-07:00The Road to Attir<b>Most roads lead men homewards,<br />
My road leads me forth.</b><br />
John Edward Masefield <i>Roadways</i><br />
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We are far from home,
having covered miles and miles in cars, planes, trains and busses;
and one matatu.
Today, we travel the last short distance to Attir, and end up farther from home than ever imagined.
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On the way to Attir, we shared paved roads with motorbikes...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCHU9UgjvF_0-d_T09LllNJOzL6jQiqCIv1d-__6WBlzVOgXm_Kr5mOq7E0Uy8sG7P8CQUrO2x3BGlxm54A_7TJjYO2DIFRRHEIGzOclF4t-MnUKMb3GY36cD92U0kJpDyw8h3ROJaJk/s1600/Attir_01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCHU9UgjvF_0-d_T09LllNJOzL6jQiqCIv1d-__6WBlzVOgXm_Kr5mOq7E0Uy8sG7P8CQUrO2x3BGlxm54A_7TJjYO2DIFRRHEIGzOclF4t-MnUKMb3GY36cD92U0kJpDyw8h3ROJaJk/s320/Attir_01.jpg" /></a>
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and cattle;<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3DnPB_0oGg8EipZ1fk-LUCWtDVeWRfxXa6KLBjMJFyL5L2VUyU2HP3gNeKPAk8xEA9OLjAQwLAgkYkTNzWSKoaVjgNwBWtzDjrV75PYVS4IdCbSaLx6XbJt8M2q07_Ll2XJcrL4qf2Q/s1600/Attir_02.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3DnPB_0oGg8EipZ1fk-LUCWtDVeWRfxXa6KLBjMJFyL5L2VUyU2HP3gNeKPAk8xEA9OLjAQwLAgkYkTNzWSKoaVjgNwBWtzDjrV75PYVS4IdCbSaLx6XbJt8M2q07_Ll2XJcrL4qf2Q/s320/Attir_02.jpg" /></a>
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There were dark dirt roads with tuk-tuks...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqyNEGkL3zVvmQjaHMtrzDUxsbN2GCb30zER09jcjNk6XxBD63piO6Sg0co1PJCQ90IhUJnwXgqzI05WFv3_qc02GvyZgHtjkH6D4tBguymXH_9XPAL1x8Vo4xwP5yWvsx0PDO3FsWOs/s1600/Attir_03.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRqyNEGkL3zVvmQjaHMtrzDUxsbN2GCb30zER09jcjNk6XxBD63piO6Sg0co1PJCQ90IhUJnwXgqzI05WFv3_qc02GvyZgHtjkH6D4tBguymXH_9XPAL1x8Vo4xwP5yWvsx0PDO3FsWOs/s320/Attir_03.jpg" /></a>
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that narrowed and changed to red...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y9UOupd5aSh1Ko0eAQq4zKO7KIq-VLMQO-j6zXWcHGFKk-2fYJAKo17oi8q5y0MDIAesCU0AxIVGUDNM3V2LLhED7pXcZVEb4OkJCE-CHqzGBparG0hUex762M8vH75735SQRNkEnc8/s1600/Attir_04.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Y9UOupd5aSh1Ko0eAQq4zKO7KIq-VLMQO-j6zXWcHGFKk-2fYJAKo17oi8q5y0MDIAesCU0AxIVGUDNM3V2LLhED7pXcZVEb4OkJCE-CHqzGBparG0hUex762M8vH75735SQRNkEnc8/s320/Attir_04.jpg" /></a>
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then rough and rocky.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUx9jN7uhnumLOiKrhB-rISb4k9uis3F8NfdctoIQRMUZSAHpM4xERYurkoxWQxvDwsX5X_ugqvh0mg4sBbHpURFFjHZqa2IcQqNWTwoLC_BYyIH5rDXfovw3ar9HvzvjcNQSBLJPPlo/s1600/Attir_05.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUx9jN7uhnumLOiKrhB-rISb4k9uis3F8NfdctoIQRMUZSAHpM4xERYurkoxWQxvDwsX5X_ugqvh0mg4sBbHpURFFjHZqa2IcQqNWTwoLC_BYyIH5rDXfovw3ar9HvzvjcNQSBLJPPlo/s320/Attir_05.jpg" /></a>
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We went down, we went up...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfNnvkaMN5_nTt57WSVNTCQCF3z_pHVePqWarRk__WdYwgkL9-8LRFV59a1pumZMcCqUguECECiC7IDmG7Sakc7sN7aKeh4TTLJoMcBdGeFW9szNlU8OszU457umfotjRWqYXvhL0qyU/s1600/Attir_06.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfNnvkaMN5_nTt57WSVNTCQCF3z_pHVePqWarRk__WdYwgkL9-8LRFV59a1pumZMcCqUguECECiC7IDmG7Sakc7sN7aKeh4TTLJoMcBdGeFW9szNlU8OszU457umfotjRWqYXvhL0qyU/s320/Attir_06.jpg" /></a>
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until we reached the end of the road...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFxjYYH5O-wFjYvEEJwt4eM_nP_Ey1ZYZINbZEP9GVuGSH8Y_z7Vekj6VoQEVBFa8Y5rBaOpfk2-KNanQP6MzlDY9Fo7WbQl3mwDeS8acLWlAd8vDvrTMgRyKla5FbbUaeoD23d6PIHI/s1600/Attir_07.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirFxjYYH5O-wFjYvEEJwt4eM_nP_Ey1ZYZINbZEP9GVuGSH8Y_z7Vekj6VoQEVBFa8Y5rBaOpfk2-KNanQP6MzlDY9Fo7WbQl3mwDeS8acLWlAd8vDvrTMgRyKla5FbbUaeoD23d6PIHI/s320/Attir_07.jpg" /></a>
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and the beginning of a new part of the journey.
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To be continued...Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4190761230817157990.post-5563147138532759832014-04-03T15:57:00.000-07:002015-06-30T20:17:30.128-07:00The Road to Isiolo<b>“Roads are long; make them short<br />with good company!”</b><br />
Mehmet Murat ildan
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Jennifer and Kieran join Jeff, Martin, Tony, Chris and me; Martin, with GHNI in Isiolo, has come to accompany us. He arranges for a matatu and we head out for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isiolo">Isiolo</a>, the capital of Isiolo county in what was Kenya's eastern province (divisions in Kenya changed with the adoption of a new constitution in 2013). Big changes around Isiolo are anticipated as part of the development plans outlined in <a href="http://www.vision2030.go.ke/">Kenya Vision 2030</a>. We have our sights set on changes, too. Not as sweeping, of course, but certainly important to the villages participating in the <a href="http://globalhopenetwork.org/about/our-method-tcd">GHNI <i>Transformational Community Development</i></a> program.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjR40W1Xu2gXFVv7YX_3CCxhWuybFKkfPsxjuByhyphenhyphenRmH2TDjoV_WUIztg5DWID09wdnq5jVD2-940KzatxIlMh1_0mryEpea-e2qvIQUi4Co6rWOSCd6llUg6lv0sciHfv_S43uVRJho/s1600/Road_to_Isiolo-3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjR40W1Xu2gXFVv7YX_3CCxhWuybFKkfPsxjuByhyphenhyphenRmH2TDjoV_WUIztg5DWID09wdnq5jVD2-940KzatxIlMh1_0mryEpea-e2qvIQUi4Co6rWOSCd6llUg6lv0sciHfv_S43uVRJho/s320/Road_to_Isiolo-3.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>We have our own matatu for the drive to Isiolo</i>
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On the way to downtown Nairobi where we met Jennifer, we went by a bus. The bus was identified by these words, painted on the side under the windows: <i>Kenya Prison System</i>. Inside the bus, about 100 primary school students. You need a bus, you use the one they send you. Maybe they should consider driving prisoners around town in a bus proclaiming <i>Nairobi Kindergartens</i>.
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Once again we travel the new, four lane, divided highway north out of Nairobi. It just like the interstates in the U.S. Except maybe for the towering speed bumps at the crosswalks. I am not making this up – there are crosswalks all along the way. And, pull off areas for the matatus where the drivers can drop off and pick up passengers. These areas also attract vendors who offer their wares by pushing hands full of fruit, meat on a stick or cell phone accessories through open windows. This all adds a bit of sporting challenge to drivers who need to maneuver around, through or over these obstacles.
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There are other reminders along the way that we are not in Kansas anymore. Names of businesses and organizations have a special charm. A few of my favorites are:
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<i>Spring of Living Word Church<br />
Seldom Nursery<br />
Highway of Holiness Center<br />
Hot Pot Hotel<br />
God is Able and Boutique</i><br />
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I am still trying to sort out that last one. We also stop at an <i>OiLibya</i> service station (pretty sure we do not have any of those here) and see a Starbucks. Sort of.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rIhg0042uFiz6CQ6t5RcxssHs4ZmoTnt9H0WOL1ga6_9FsSw7YM4MJmu7FdGkgt6tvFQr4PEmkUlexB2nIjtEWwOOQDnZbgorutFWa9pncHi-_z5AKXtTdwGZf7mcTC31uK54BxtrPU/s1600/OilLbyaKisumu.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rIhg0042uFiz6CQ6t5RcxssHs4ZmoTnt9H0WOL1ga6_9FsSw7YM4MJmu7FdGkgt6tvFQr4PEmkUlexB2nIjtEWwOOQDnZbgorutFWa9pncHi-_z5AKXtTdwGZf7mcTC31uK54BxtrPU/s320/OilLbyaKisumu.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>OiLibya station in Kisumu; restrooms, snacks. And ---- Coffee!</i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBcPfGD481FT3CLB-W-Rqw7wkRqq1GZ5Xlgkk8M93X8I4SdAEJgklvqWwA51MDg1BrHiIPkedo4jFvughBO4bqDtv9KZuR3DiRpQzCj92-clwf3xA_jM7ltXSxUkQdJ1Xb0ZQpaRtxrA/s1600/Road_to_Isiolo-6.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEBcPfGD481FT3CLB-W-Rqw7wkRqq1GZ5Xlgkk8M93X8I4SdAEJgklvqWwA51MDg1BrHiIPkedo4jFvughBO4bqDtv9KZuR3DiRpQzCj92-clwf3xA_jM7ltXSxUkQdJ1Xb0ZQpaRtxrA/s320/Road_to_Isiolo-6.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Starbucks right next to the Chicken Inn; too bad, but we<br />did not have time to check them out.</i>
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Farther along, Jeff points to a cloud covered area in a range of mountains to the east. He says that the peak of Mount Kenya is in the clouds. This is typical he says; you almost NEVER actually see the peak. Sure, Jeff…
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCFXgWagQY4kUdEspDKJaXGCKaMPJC4GoiTfQU9Y_qIIpOvsmw1VMm79aGwgl05_-ZytUXXVmr-T68QMXfv5Z9qgoxSZEVf2aatxbow_-AkwLBm7TGcDix0luBlYhiVung-Zgvs8tZX8/s1600/Road_to_Isiolo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCFXgWagQY4kUdEspDKJaXGCKaMPJC4GoiTfQU9Y_qIIpOvsmw1VMm79aGwgl05_-ZytUXXVmr-T68QMXfv5Z9qgoxSZEVf2aatxbow_-AkwLBm7TGcDix0luBlYhiVung-Zgvs8tZX8/s320/Road_to_Isiolo-1.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Jeff: "The Mount Kenya summit is almost ALWAYS cloud covered."<br />Right...</i>
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Once again, we stay at the comfortable Bishop Mensa Pastoral Centre. We go in to town and get oriented. Jeff points out the new construction recently completed or still underway. As noted earlier, the Kenya Vision 2030 program promises to bring some big changes around here. There is already an airport capable of serving international destinations – nothing yet, but it is there and ready. One of the newer buildings is a more contemporary hotel.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbhu_Fdvg5ICrPtpEkepd6XBDiYBqFwPJJ45F_Mpf2xp6USevalYGeRbpnFoC6dQAGccTlAsiRAJCWphw3PvAYMdFXMRuoFhNEq9BEb4dCMtqMDTBFQaAlOKvBW01vmGabdgZFG5oUMc/s1600/Road_to_Isiolo-4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbhu_Fdvg5ICrPtpEkepd6XBDiYBqFwPJJ45F_Mpf2xp6USevalYGeRbpnFoC6dQAGccTlAsiRAJCWphw3PvAYMdFXMRuoFhNEq9BEb4dCMtqMDTBFQaAlOKvBW01vmGabdgZFG5oUMc/s320/Road_to_Isiolo-4.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>New construction in Isiolo. Scaffolding and supports are typical.</i>
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However, Isiolo, to me, still has the frontier town look. The paved, two-lane highway goes through it, but the brightly colored stores and shops are set very far back and fronted by dusty streets used in a rather free form way by vehicles, pedestrians and the occasional cow and goat. There are a couple of small grocery stores where we can buy bottled water, supplies for lunches in the field and even ice cream treats and cold coke!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Wl12TBMKRpJG6-adGJR_07N_XjVN7r8gUoBgBODgvzzn8xEiFLdcCM06DlHSSK6RBo24QIdq89EKaTn4e8PR0xNwzkiYPT46VkjmRwxVZ3mTSGSdHqi9EIlB0qJCFdPmCbBW8AtMVBA/s1600/Road_to_Isiolo-5.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Wl12TBMKRpJG6-adGJR_07N_XjVN7r8gUoBgBODgvzzn8xEiFLdcCM06DlHSSK6RBo24QIdq89EKaTn4e8PR0xNwzkiYPT46VkjmRwxVZ3mTSGSdHqi9EIlB0qJCFdPmCbBW8AtMVBA/s320/Road_to_Isiolo-5.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Shops in Isiolo town</i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXfumfFbOwIZZi2DXzzYA7wVucCt8LzIU-Z59yxs95mbSQbPmYW1BThEklpjbq0uoFDpOF39L07VTwBn7FWgddkdZNM6mqBTd1WL6ngTZ9b5UxL_SHgdMGFffNUxYfLlJBNxHQpCn8O0/s1600/SDJ_Supermarket_Isiolo.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXfumfFbOwIZZi2DXzzYA7wVucCt8LzIU-Z59yxs95mbSQbPmYW1BThEklpjbq0uoFDpOF39L07VTwBn7FWgddkdZNM6mqBTd1WL6ngTZ9b5UxL_SHgdMGFffNUxYfLlJBNxHQpCn8O0/s320/SDJ_Supermarket_Isiolo.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Jennifer and Kieran at SDJ Supermarket</i>
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Back at the center, we meet in the cool garden and talk about what to expect tomorrow – for those of us who do not live in Kenya, the day when we visit Attir for the first time. Habiba and Martin from GHNI in Isiolo are with us; they have worked hard to connect with Attir and set up the TCD program with them. Jeff goes over the elements of the program, which are: Water, Wellness, Nutrition, Education and Income Production. We learn there are about 180 families in Attir, living in homes that are scattered around in a fairly large area.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqtdj3AETGWDyNoBv93XaDjor2EQKlBH-nN_3uwxCLAorbebCQ13LJX82QINT-V_1oPMCgnQW2osLFqR50ELFNqCG4zzj27tJuD39cHTgnbdud-skj7M3mmgBiPm6FWcyShxdRKyny9w/s1600/PastoralCenter_01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqtdj3AETGWDyNoBv93XaDjor2EQKlBH-nN_3uwxCLAorbebCQ13LJX82QINT-V_1oPMCgnQW2osLFqR50ELFNqCG4zzj27tJuD39cHTgnbdud-skj7M3mmgBiPm6FWcyShxdRKyny9w/s320/PastoralCenter_01.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>Meeting area at the Pastoral Center</i>
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Water, Education and Wellness are the high priority issues for Attir. Women in the village must walk 5 km (about 3 miles) to get 20 liter containers of water filled in a stream of dirty water, then carry the load back, most on their heads or on their backs, supported by a cloth sling wrapped around their foreheads. Primary school students must walk to one of two “nearby” villages – again, walks of about 5 – 7 km. There is a church building that was damaged in fighting during the Isiolo wars; the people in Attir would like to dismantle the building and move it closer to the heart of the village to use as a nursery school. Martin, a trained clinical officer, is teaching various wellness classes. He told us a few of the challenges he sees, which include a reluctance to use latrines.
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The approach is to help the village with development in these areas, not by bringing in and executing big projects, but to offer small levels of resources, but a big dose of teaching and mentoring. For me, I know this means a lot of learning.
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Thus armed with this introduction, we share dinner at the center before retiring to prepare for the first real day in the villages – the reason we are here.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg-e5Q8smge-2X9r3G_yWOl65ZPpa2ev4koQHp2pKfodJa7IDSU3QNand2r1k_wtg_tblQ8r76YnxCCdh-k_S7pPG0-XCtV-sPIyA26ghhrqXDC-axcUs4qA0B8GxoQ2C-Zusq2yY_NY/s1600/Room_01.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg-e5Q8smge-2X9r3G_yWOl65ZPpa2ev4koQHp2pKfodJa7IDSU3QNand2r1k_wtg_tblQ8r76YnxCCdh-k_S7pPG0-XCtV-sPIyA26ghhrqXDC-axcUs4qA0B8GxoQ2C-Zusq2yY_NY/s320/Room_01.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>My room at the center. The mosquito net is the best I've seen<br />
I got it at <a href="http://www.longroad.com/products/The-Travel-Tent.html">Long Road Travel Supplies</a></i>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9R5XFGUHCnWwqWPQQNIHwYd_GOTuF1rqXpOuT5xSyQMYRzzw41q10yyT06ThztjgocwYuZxdUeoN9UwL_aOjIngFVgsyYCyuCW5H90P33-VqSrqtbLq3vppyF4IPz1P7EFfCWOXlOOw/s1600/Room_02.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9R5XFGUHCnWwqWPQQNIHwYd_GOTuF1rqXpOuT5xSyQMYRzzw41q10yyT06ThztjgocwYuZxdUeoN9UwL_aOjIngFVgsyYCyuCW5H90P33-VqSrqtbLq3vppyF4IPz1P7EFfCWOXlOOw/s320/Room_02.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>En suite! Toilet and shower to the left</i>
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<br />Jackhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13166335575827845932noreply@blogger.com1