Remember how I said I was “floored by how many people are walking the streets…” Well yesterday we caught a taxi to Karen to interview George Forbes, and the trip there was an adventure in itself.

Firstly, there are no real road rules in Nairobi (and if there are, people don’t follow them). I seriously thought we were going to be in an accident – Michelle told me just not to look :-/ Tons of people selling anything and everything on the side of the road – fruit, newspapers, bubble blowers, phone chargers… I was pretty excited to see a Maasai Warrior just strolling along the side of the road. We also saw about 20 baboons (they’re kind of scary) run out from the bushes and straight across the traffic.

Don’t believe me when I say there’s hundreds of people walking along the side of the road?  Exhibit A – Warning found on a cask of wine:

The taxi driver ended up staying out the front of George and Emma’s house so he could get our fare back to the city – he waited 5-hours in his car (because if he would’ve gone back to the city, likelihood of him getting another job that day/night was very small) – you just can’t comprehend life here until you’ve seen and experienced it for yourself.

We fly to Juba early tomorrow morning. While Bryan and Michelle have been trying to ‘acclimatise’ me culturally, they’ve compared Nairobi vs. Juba, to Vegas vs. Yeppoon :-S Not sure one can really prepare themselves for what’s ahead but I’m just going to keep an open mind and ♥.

See you in Sudan…

Let’s start from the very beginning…

After a v.sooky goodbye with my boys on Tuesday afternoon, I flew to Melbourne for the night and chewed the domainer fat with ‘my people’, Catherine and Dave Harry. H.O.T.

FFWD>> 3AM (eek!) and Bryan, Michelle, Wang and I headed to the airport for our flight to Hong Kong… We only stopped over in HK for 24-hrs (∞), but that’s all it took for me to fall in ♥ – ultra mod, über clean, beautiful landscapes, amazing architecture, food glorious food, and if I’d had more time (and $), I would’ve turned that shopping centre upside down Gorgeous city, get amongst it!

Hong Kong

Where is Bubba Gumps?

I’m on a boat!

Skin Whitening Cream

Highlights: Catching the tram up to Victoria Peak and having dinner at Bubba Gump’s… The taxi driver that tried to charge us a fee for our hand luggage – “Luggage charge! Next time Sir!!!” Ya, okay… And get this: skin whitening cream is all the rage in HK… Funny how we always want what we don’t have – the reverse being a tan in Oz :-/

Right now we’re in Nairobi (Hong Kong>Bangkok>Kenya), arrived a few hours ago… Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore… I had no expectations for this trip, thankfully. Floored by how many people are walking the streets. People are very nice, and the hotel we’re staying in isn’t too shabby at all (apparently NOT what I can expect in Sudan ).

We’ll be in Kenya for a few days – interviews/filming “Southern Sudan: The Forgotten War” begin tomorrow Hopefully the Interwebs improves and I can upload some video footage…

Before I sign off, I want to thank Adam Strong (DomainNameNews.com ∞) and Ron Jackson (DNJournal.com ∞) for mentioning the organization, trip and documentary on their websites – I’m very grateful. THANK-YOU

Stay tuned…

Disclaimer: Philosophical post ahead. If you’re not in the mood, I’d suggest reading it at another time.

I believe in destiny and that we all have a path. Sometimes choices temporarily take you off that path, but I do think there’s certain things that will happen no matter what, which will impact greatly on your life. That’s just what I believe…

September 2008, T.R.A.F.F.I.C. New York – Like all domain conferences, there was plenty of “networking” (that’s what we like to call it ). We were ‘networking’ at the hotel bar on the first night, when my friend, Dave Harry, introduced me to Bryan Grasby. We only spoke briefly but I thought Bryan was a nice man.

Fast-forward a few days, and the show was a wrap. Mike Fabulous (my brother from another Mother) and I were headed back to Oz – we arrived at JFK airport, two trade show booths in tow, and our flight was canceled :-S While waiting to be assigned rooms at a 70s-inspired Holiday Inn, I saw Bryan standing at the back of the line. We got to chatting and it turned out it was Bryan’s birthday the next day! AND his family was having a dinner for him which he’d miss!!! Not so boogie So I offered to take Bryan out for dinner with Mike and I.

We found an Italian restaurant – food was nice – wine was nicer. Bryan told us about Door Of Hope Australia and some of his experiences while traveling. I was honestly in awe. I even cried at one stage :-S, and later called my husband and told him about Bryan and the organization, and that we had to help them…

12-months later and I’m packing my bags for Sudan (I even used the Qantas ‘we’re sorry you had to stay in a ‘Debbie Does Dallas’ hotel’ voucher for the first leg of the trip), we’ve produced over 100 t-shirts in two (1, 2) designs for DOHA, and I hope to launch a new website for the organization when the documentary we’re filming is released.

I believe I was meant to meet Bryan and help DOHA. I’m surrounded by truly amazing people and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Happy Birthday Bryan!!!

© Kevin Carter

Kevin Carter took a picture that made the world weep. A starving Sudanese toddler collapses on her way to a feeding center while a vulture waits nearby. Carter was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography in 1994. Three months later he sadly committed suicide due to depression.
(Source: Wikipedia.org)

They say a picture can paint a thousand words. I struggle to find the words. I feel extreme sadness and physically ill when I look at this photo. I honestly have to catch my breath and keep it together.

Comments welcome – your voice will create awareness that I hope leads to action and change.

© Door Of Hope Australia

Firstly, I want to thank-you all for your support. I’m very lucky to have such amazing family and friends I mean it.

Secondly, DOHA passes on their heartfelt thanks for your support and donations. With your help they can make a real difference.

How to make an online donation to Door Of Hope Australia:

Go to http://bit.ly/dTTOI
Click ‘Add to Cart’.
Enter the Qty you’d like to donate (1 = $1).
Click ‘Checkout’.
Follow the payment steps.

Direct Deposit details can be found here: http://bit.ly/VdkDv

If you have any questions or issues, please don’t hesitate to email the lovely Michelle Harry at mharry@doorofhope.com.au