August 10, 2008
(Sunday) ........back from the edge
As I
mentioned yesterday, the highs don't last very long until more
challenges or blunders poke you in the nose. Got sick for the first
time, at least where I really felt sick.
Saturday A.M. I went for an easy run with Andrew Peterson
who lives and works here in Bujumbura. I had met Andrew in Kigali when
I first landed in Africa last month. It was only my second exercise
other than walking since I got here a month ago. In the afternoon I was
out on the streets in the heat quite a bit. I think I initially failed
to rehydrate properly, then continued to neglect the situation. At 5pm
, Andrew and I and a friend of his, Mike Bollings, on his way to the
Congo with Search for Common Ground
had some drinks and walked back to Andrew's to get some food for
supper. I began losing any interest in eating and decided to return to
my hotel about a half mile away. I barely made it and was achy and
feverish. Funny we had been talking about illness and evacuation home
if needed.
Mike had worked in the Sudan and mentioned one co-worker coming down
with cholera. Anyway I did have a fan in my room and tried to sleep
with it going full blast. This kept my temp down and I popped a Tylenol
for the joint pain. Of course my imagination was going wild most of the
time I was awake. I did get a little sleep but it took me quite awhile
to get organized. I wasn't sure whether I would come back to Andrew's
and sleep there tonight, without a fan and a lot of mosquitoes or stay
at the hotel. I decided I would stay the extra day at the hotel for
reasons of comfort. Anyway I walked down to Andrew's which is attached
to the Quaker church from where I'm sending this letter. I bought a
baguette on the way and ate a good portion of that and drank two cups
of coffee and feel almost human again.
I'm scheduled to go to visit Florence Ntakaturimana and her family this
afternoon which I now think will be possible. Tomorrow, there is a car
scheduled to drive several of us back up to Gitega for the regional
meeting and final event on my dance card.
Best to all,
George, a mediator in recovery.
.
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August
21, 2008
August 19, 2008
August 15, 2008
August 14, 2008
August 13, 2008
August 10, 2008
August 9, 2008
August 8, 2008
August 7, 2008
August 4, 2008
August 3, 2008
August 2, 2008
July 30, 2008
July 29, 2008
July 28, 2008
July
27, 2008
July
26, 2008
July
23, 2008
July
22, 2008
July
21, 2008
July
18, 2008
July
16, 2008
July
14, 2008
July
11, 2008
July 10, 2008
June 19, 2008



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