things i would post to lxy & jergins' board if i could

today we walked (trudged dispiritedly in the heat and humidity along a dusty road -- the long way because we were told there were packs of loose dogs on the short road) through town (a collection of falling-down shanties and huts with infants sitting in the dirt outside, and a bunch of shops called "shop" that had for sale fruit, potatoes, used clothing and shoes), to the tourist beach (a beautiful expanse of white sand fronting a turquoise sea, peopled with europeans in speedos and thong bikinis, zanzibari boys telling us how the beach is dangerous further down -- why? it's not clear -- and gangs of little girls in pretty dresses shouting JAMBO! and offering seashells for sale -- one of whom hit me with a piece of flotsam rope when i pleasantly declined. 

it's hard to be here. we're staying at a 5-star resort on the northern tip of unguja island, surrounded by barbed wire topped walls beyond which is squalor and poverty. so while we have all the comforts (along with the over-attentiveness that seems to imply comfort), it is difficult and unpleasant to leave, and stifling to stay. 

plus it's superfucking hot. and we just spent 7 days on safari, which was its own brand of difficulty and unpleasantness. 

we have seen a billion wild animals and some incredible scenery. tanzania is very beautiful and we've met some very nice people. but to be quite honest, i am ready to go home. but i'll be sure to send postcards before i do. 

Paris postcard arrived today <3<3<3

I miss you guys and will be very glad when you are back home.

that does not sound like the right climate or soil for you to flower in, miss lxy.

I love reading your accounts. They are so visual, i feel can see you there!

got my paris postcard today! <3

daerest lxy,
merci pour le cafe!
<3

<3, everyone, from schiphol. i did not get the tz cards mailed :(

i feel completely insane.

<3 godspeed home dear one, are you on your way? it's seems ike you've been gone for such a long time!

the only time i was in schipol my bag was pulled aside for a search. i was there with a friend who was returning to the states after several years in the peace corps in west africa, so i was carrying some of his excess stuff -- fortunately the long cylindrical item that caught security's eye was not a marital aid but a bike pump.

in the course of the search the woman noticed that i'd forgotten to mail my postcards and offered to do it for me. and she did! <3 the dutch

estela have you and f been to an abl game?

home. thank god. 30+ hours in transit is tooo long. we flew business class the last leg, which was a great surprise.

hakuna matata, everyone.

Welcome home! I hope you can just relax in your house with all your stuff, listening to quiet familiar sounds and just breathing in the air of home.

happy new year at home!

so welcome<3

mookie, we've never to an abl game but f. has very recently been reading up on it. also the dodgers/diamondbacks are supposedly going to play in sydney next year, he is more interested in that but it will no doubt be ludicrously expensive.

it's snowing!

no it isn't!

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/164666_10151361125872050_799266492_n.jpg

licorice bullets!
raspberry licorice bullets!
jaffas!
giant jaffas!

maggi onion soup but no reduced cream bc mum put it in her carry-on luggage ;_;

(this is the load of food mum and dad brought over last weekend for me)

mealmates. you lucky thing!

ty for the postcard!! <3

Iceland has really cool stamps!!

I am in an airport.

:-)

Mountains! And trees!! <3

weak beer tho

lol, seriously!

Apparently they can get kegs for this place that are better than what can be sold in bottles. Didn't matter cause i had wine!

I used my tiny bit of free time to go on a hike to a waterfall :)

i saw a license plate that said SANDBOX

xxxxooooxxxx

it's raining

hey also, i somehow accidentally added seattle to my favorite cities on weather.com when i visited the first time, and it's stuck there and keeps telling me about your wonderful, non-oppressive weather!

I am sunburnt and there is vegetation in my hair from being outside in our weather. Sunshine just makes me suspicious these days.

I was just tonight thinking about how much i wished i was in Seattle because every time i walk the dog the heat/humidity combo makes me feel like i need a shower/change of clothes. I don't want to live where you can't wear jeans!!!

Also i think the Seattle weather makes it easier to go jogging.

I am going to be an aunt today! :)))))))

ohohohohoh that's wonderful, friend! i think you will love it. <3

Lil sis and i are in the waiting room imagining sitcom labor scenarios...getting very ~auntsy~ so excited!

is it official by now??!

As of 9:31 pm! I have a niece!!!! She is sooo perfect <3

so wonderful. what a good auntie you will be!

aw thank you, dear lxy!

i liked that post, i was in the waiting room when our niece arrived and it was some ridiculous instant <3

it's not fair you have a perfect niece and a perfect dog!

So wonderful! Aunt Tza!

<3

Harbl, i don't have a house!!!!

nieces are the best kind of people

it's 67 degrees. it's wonderful!