Catching up

Its been a busy few months (more like 5). We had our first visitors to Zambia -- Mom and Alex came out for an awesome trek through Tanzania and Kilimanjaro. For a great account of what hiking "Kili" is like check out....http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2007/10/26/magazine/20071028_KILIMANJARO_GRAPHIC.html#step1
We took a different lesser used route, the Rongai route, but the article sums up the experience pretty well. We had some great guides on the mountain and made a new friend. (See Remy, James, and Emma in the photos @ http://dave-n-kim.smugmug.com/)

Outside of Kilimanjaro, the most amazing site was Ngorongoro crater. Our pictures will do it more justice than words. Overall the trip was awesome, though I didn't have to brave Kenya days after the election mess that caused the recent violence, like Mom and Alex did.

First trip back to the States came and went all too quickly, and we didn't make it "home" to the west coast. We spent the Easter weekend in North Carolina with the Russell clan (and Sturgeons). Also luckily got to see most of my family during the short stay as they found flights out on short notice. It was great to see y'all.

Kim has been very busy with work, continuing her travels throughout Zambia (latest trip was to the 'Copperbelt', Mufalira up near Kitwe if Google Earth is handy).

I've given up on some of my ideas (i.e. pipedreams) for now and have started a real job at CRS, Catholic Relief Services, as a consultant. I'm to work with management on ad hoc projects, mainly compliance with federal grants and some finance. I've only been there two weeks but I'm pretty excited about it as its very different from anything else I've done.

One other bit of news is that we have a new cat, yes another one. This one was left on our door in a box. I had talked to a neighbor when we moved in about getting a cat. Well they remembered and now we have this little Tazmanian devil kitten; one floppy ear and she never stops eating.

We are planning to come back to visit in August. We'll plan on being there for at least two weeks probably based in San Diego.

Know that we have an open door and an extra bedroom for any visitors.

Tsalani Bwino. Stay well.