Visitors for the weekend ; trip research ; medical appointments
(posted from home)
(This post covers 1 – 12 July, 2011)
------------------------------
Tuesday, 12 July -
Today we slept in a bit (just till 0800) but the kids slept in until 1000. We sat around drinking coffee and talking until the kids got up and then our guests packed up and left on their three-hour trip home.
Labashi went back to her parents' apartment to pick up Dad for a medical appointment and I chased down the oral-contrast drink I'll need to take before my CT scan Thursday.
That afternoon I caught up the blog and we watched a 'Shaka Zulu' episode.
------------------------------
Monday, 11 July -
Today we all got up early. Labashi had to take her dad to a medical appointment for most of the day so after I dropped off the fishermen I took sis to the beach area to relax. I then ran some errands for an hour or so, then rejoined the fishermen. I was surprised to learn that they were doing very, very well. They had already caught about 50 fish. The fish were all sunnies but that was perfect. The kids were amazed that they could catch fish even on an empty hook. All they had to do was dangle it on the surface and a sunny would jump on the hook!
We finally tore the kids away from fishing at 1330 and joined Sis for a swim. We spent the rest of the day hanging out there. Labashi joined us around 1500 and at least had a few hours of down-time.
Back home we ordered a pizza and spent the evening laughing and talking.
------------------------------
Sunday, 10 July -
Today our visitors arrived and settled in by mid-afternoon. I took the guys a tour of the local fishing spots while Labashi spent some quality time with her sister.
That evening we went out to dinner at Hillside. Afterwards I drove us to the local Gravity Hill. Our guests loved it and I was once again amazed at how strong the sensation is. As you pull up to the stop sign it's very clear to all that the car is headed downhill. But when I put the car in neutral and step off the brake pedal, we drift backwards... and we don't just drift backwards, the car accelerates. We tried it a few times and talked about what could be happening.
----------------------------
Saturday, 9 July -
I failed to get my blood test done by today's deadline for my yearly CT scan next week. I made a few calls this morning and found a lab open on Saturdays. I buzzed over to a lab in Emigsville shortly after they opened at 0800 and found about 25 people ahead of me! The wait turned out to be a little over an hour, though, and the process itself was quick and painless.
I then took a tour of local fishing spots in preparation for our visitors tomorrow to see what current conditions are. This weekend is a hot one so I don't expect much in the way of fishing success, though.
After checking out Pinchot Park, I walked for an hour and a half from the dam.
That evening we watched 'Milking the Rhino', a great documentary for our Africa trip. It describes the efforts of governments to encourage local communities to set up game reserves and safari lodges for tourists. But is this really best for local communities or just yet another Western belief imposed on them?
We also watched a 'Shaka Zulu' episode.
----------------------------
Friday 8 July -
Today I spent a few hours cleaning the house for our visitors coming this weekend. Labashi's sister's family's is coming for a mini-vacation. We're really looking forward to seeing them and taking the kids fishing and swimming and just hanging out at Pinchot Park.
That evening we watched the first two episodes of a new series for us-- 'Treme'. I think we're hooked already.
----------------------------
Thursday, 7 July -
This morning I buzzed into town running errands. I had a simple mission-- pick up some breakfast bars from our local Wal-mart. But I ended up having to run to two other Wal-marts. The bars we like have been discontinued and I had to round up what remaining stock I could find to cover us for our next Chambersburg work trip. Well, actually, I guess I didn't HAVE to do that but I do enjoy buzzing around on the motorcycle so any excuse will do.
I also took a walk at Rocky Ridge (1:50 today).
That evening we finished 'Breaking Bad' S3D2.
---------------------------
Wednesday, 6 July -
Today I researched tsetse flies, malaria, sulfa drugs and paracetamol in prep for the trip and looked into insurance coverage for the immunizations we'll need.
That evening we watched 'Breaking Bad' Season Three episodes (DVD2)
--------------------------
Tuesday, 5 July -
Today I researched maps for our trip and found there's a set of GPS maps which cover most of the area we'll be visiting. I'll have to check whether they're on our rental GPS.
I had an appointment in Chambersburg today with Maypo. I rode the motorcycle over for the 1300 appointment. Afterwards we installed an air conditioner in the living room window of House 2 and then I rode home.
Late in the day I looked around on Netflix for a motorcycle movie and ran onto an interesting one. I watched 'Cycles South', a 1971 home-made documentary about three guys riding from Denver to the Panama Canal. It was corny yet amazing.
--------------------------
Monday, 4 July -
I spent much of this morning researching Steri-pens and satellite phones. I think I've come to the conclusion that Steri-pens are cool but can't be trusted as the only water-treatment method for trips into remote areas. Also, Steri-pens are at a disadvantage compared to filters when it comes to debris in the water. I'm thinking high-flow gravity filter and chlorine dioxide tabs at this point.
I also spent quite a bit of time on Iridium satphones. Our rental comes with 20 free minutes but then it's $2.50 a minute after that. I see the latest model Iridium supports texting so that might be an answer on how to keep down on wasting satphone minutes.
Looking at satphones reminded me of using one while I was still working. During the Y2K fiasco we had a rental Iridium satphone to communicate with our headquarters and other field sites. The satphone wouldn't work from inside the building without an external antenna. I happened to know there was a bit of space around the air conditioner in my office so I ran the external cable there and mounted the antenna outside on the air conditioner case. The guys made a lot of jokes about my satphone-equipped air conditioner.
That afternoon I rode the motorcycle up to Mom and Dad's apartment to join Labashi for supper with them. I then came home and mowed the lawn until dark.
---------------------------
Sunday, 3 July-
This morning we learned that Labashi's dad had taken a fall on Friday. She spent the day over there and I ran some errands on the motorcycle, then took a walk at Rocky Ridge (1:50 today).
That evening we watched 'Cry the Beloved Country' on Netflix Instant.
----------------------------
Saturday, 2 July -
Today Labashi and I wanted some together-time so we drove down to the REI outfitters shop in Timonium. We only bought a few small items but I did pick up some hard-to-find add-ons for the first-aid kit and Labashi found a travel skirt she likes.
On the way home we drove across York to the Texas Roadhouse restaurant for their excellent baby-back ribs. We then did a bit more shopping, this time at Dick's Sporting Goods, still looking for a few small items for our trip but had no luck at all. We're very limited in what we can bring so we can take on the trip so we're very picky about what we want... at least for now!
--------------------------
Friday, 1 July-
Today I updated the online blog and then began reading a guidebook for our Africa trip. Finally, we seem to have found an authoritative source for detailed info. This one will certainly be a carry-along book when we go.
That afternoon I walked at Rocky Ridge for 1:43 on my five-mile end-to-end route.
Late in day I made the mistake of doing a search for airline tickets for our trip and found prices have dropped $30 a person since I bought ours. Rats!
************ END OF POST **********
(posted from home)
(This post covers 1 – 12 July, 2011)
------------------------------
Tuesday, 12 July -
Today we slept in a bit (just till 0800) but the kids slept in until 1000. We sat around drinking coffee and talking until the kids got up and then our guests packed up and left on their three-hour trip home.
Labashi went back to her parents' apartment to pick up Dad for a medical appointment and I chased down the oral-contrast drink I'll need to take before my CT scan Thursday.
That afternoon I caught up the blog and we watched a 'Shaka Zulu' episode.
------------------------------
Monday, 11 July -
Today we all got up early. Labashi had to take her dad to a medical appointment for most of the day so after I dropped off the fishermen I took sis to the beach area to relax. I then ran some errands for an hour or so, then rejoined the fishermen. I was surprised to learn that they were doing very, very well. They had already caught about 50 fish. The fish were all sunnies but that was perfect. The kids were amazed that they could catch fish even on an empty hook. All they had to do was dangle it on the surface and a sunny would jump on the hook!
We finally tore the kids away from fishing at 1330 and joined Sis for a swim. We spent the rest of the day hanging out there. Labashi joined us around 1500 and at least had a few hours of down-time.
Back home we ordered a pizza and spent the evening laughing and talking.
------------------------------
Sunday, 10 July -
Today our visitors arrived and settled in by mid-afternoon. I took the guys a tour of the local fishing spots while Labashi spent some quality time with her sister.
That evening we went out to dinner at Hillside. Afterwards I drove us to the local Gravity Hill. Our guests loved it and I was once again amazed at how strong the sensation is. As you pull up to the stop sign it's very clear to all that the car is headed downhill. But when I put the car in neutral and step off the brake pedal, we drift backwards... and we don't just drift backwards, the car accelerates. We tried it a few times and talked about what could be happening.
----------------------------
Saturday, 9 July -
I failed to get my blood test done by today's deadline for my yearly CT scan next week. I made a few calls this morning and found a lab open on Saturdays. I buzzed over to a lab in Emigsville shortly after they opened at 0800 and found about 25 people ahead of me! The wait turned out to be a little over an hour, though, and the process itself was quick and painless.
I then took a tour of local fishing spots in preparation for our visitors tomorrow to see what current conditions are. This weekend is a hot one so I don't expect much in the way of fishing success, though.
After checking out Pinchot Park, I walked for an hour and a half from the dam.
That evening we watched 'Milking the Rhino', a great documentary for our Africa trip. It describes the efforts of governments to encourage local communities to set up game reserves and safari lodges for tourists. But is this really best for local communities or just yet another Western belief imposed on them?
We also watched a 'Shaka Zulu' episode.
----------------------------
Friday 8 July -
Today I spent a few hours cleaning the house for our visitors coming this weekend. Labashi's sister's family's is coming for a mini-vacation. We're really looking forward to seeing them and taking the kids fishing and swimming and just hanging out at Pinchot Park.
That evening we watched the first two episodes of a new series for us-- 'Treme'. I think we're hooked already.
----------------------------
Thursday, 7 July -
This morning I buzzed into town running errands. I had a simple mission-- pick up some breakfast bars from our local Wal-mart. But I ended up having to run to two other Wal-marts. The bars we like have been discontinued and I had to round up what remaining stock I could find to cover us for our next Chambersburg work trip. Well, actually, I guess I didn't HAVE to do that but I do enjoy buzzing around on the motorcycle so any excuse will do.
I also took a walk at Rocky Ridge (1:50 today).
That evening we finished 'Breaking Bad' S3D2.
---------------------------
Wednesday, 6 July -
Today I researched tsetse flies, malaria, sulfa drugs and paracetamol in prep for the trip and looked into insurance coverage for the immunizations we'll need.
That evening we watched 'Breaking Bad' Season Three episodes (DVD2)
--------------------------
Tuesday, 5 July -
Today I researched maps for our trip and found there's a set of GPS maps which cover most of the area we'll be visiting. I'll have to check whether they're on our rental GPS.
I had an appointment in Chambersburg today with Maypo. I rode the motorcycle over for the 1300 appointment. Afterwards we installed an air conditioner in the living room window of House 2 and then I rode home.
Late in the day I looked around on Netflix for a motorcycle movie and ran onto an interesting one. I watched 'Cycles South', a 1971 home-made documentary about three guys riding from Denver to the Panama Canal. It was corny yet amazing.
--------------------------
Monday, 4 July -
I spent much of this morning researching Steri-pens and satellite phones. I think I've come to the conclusion that Steri-pens are cool but can't be trusted as the only water-treatment method for trips into remote areas. Also, Steri-pens are at a disadvantage compared to filters when it comes to debris in the water. I'm thinking high-flow gravity filter and chlorine dioxide tabs at this point.
I also spent quite a bit of time on Iridium satphones. Our rental comes with 20 free minutes but then it's $2.50 a minute after that. I see the latest model Iridium supports texting so that might be an answer on how to keep down on wasting satphone minutes.
Looking at satphones reminded me of using one while I was still working. During the Y2K fiasco we had a rental Iridium satphone to communicate with our headquarters and other field sites. The satphone wouldn't work from inside the building without an external antenna. I happened to know there was a bit of space around the air conditioner in my office so I ran the external cable there and mounted the antenna outside on the air conditioner case. The guys made a lot of jokes about my satphone-equipped air conditioner.
That afternoon I rode the motorcycle up to Mom and Dad's apartment to join Labashi for supper with them. I then came home and mowed the lawn until dark.
---------------------------
Sunday, 3 July-
This morning we learned that Labashi's dad had taken a fall on Friday. She spent the day over there and I ran some errands on the motorcycle, then took a walk at Rocky Ridge (1:50 today).
That evening we watched 'Cry the Beloved Country' on Netflix Instant.
----------------------------
Saturday, 2 July -
Today Labashi and I wanted some together-time so we drove down to the REI outfitters shop in Timonium. We only bought a few small items but I did pick up some hard-to-find add-ons for the first-aid kit and Labashi found a travel skirt she likes.
On the way home we drove across York to the Texas Roadhouse restaurant for their excellent baby-back ribs. We then did a bit more shopping, this time at Dick's Sporting Goods, still looking for a few small items for our trip but had no luck at all. We're very limited in what we can bring so we can take on the trip so we're very picky about what we want... at least for now!
--------------------------
Friday, 1 July-
Today I updated the online blog and then began reading a guidebook for our Africa trip. Finally, we seem to have found an authoritative source for detailed info. This one will certainly be a carry-along book when we go.
That afternoon I walked at Rocky Ridge for 1:43 on my five-mile end-to-end route.
Late in day I made the mistake of doing a search for airline tickets for our trip and found prices have dropped $30 a person since I bought ours. Rats!
************ END OF POST **********
posted by Bezabor&Labashi | 20:38
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