This week at HAU

Hi to each of you. Hope it has been a good week.

We didn't work today because it is a holiday. something about an appearance of the Virign Mary in the 1950's. I remember the holiday from 2005, but don't understand it any better this time!

Am having a bit harder time adjusting to time difference, but it usually takes a day per time zone! So, you can pray that my body will soon figure out that it is supposed to go to sleep before 4 a.m. (that is 9 pm Michigan time)

Wednesday Wayne and Barb and I went to a restaurant at the north end of Lake Tanganyika! I had been missing water so very very much- so it was delightful . Pretty white beach. We sat under a canopy at the edge of the beach. They had signs saying that they are not responsible for people who go swimmming.... alligators have been know to have lunch at or near the beach. So, I thought it wise to pass up the opportunity to put my toes in the lake. I do recall that Bishop Elie said he used to swim in the lake as a boy.

Also saw some chimps there peeling and eating tangerines. Interesting. Also, saw two of the national bird of Burundi. Neat.

Have seem some olympics. They only broadcast what has already happened, and for the most part, only events in which France participates. Saw some of team handballl yesterday. I played that in gym class in high school.

Hasn't been too dreadfully hot - did get up to 90 yesterday, but it cools down in the evening.

The cats don't remember me, so I am trying to win them over -- slowly.

More people from the U.S. are arriving next week in intervals... so things will start to happen.
There is no work being done on the building because they are out of funds..

I actualy haven't done too much in the library yet but hopefully next week. The time zone adjustment and a bit of a cold are causing me to take it easier these last couple of days. However, I have helped with a couple cataloging questions, and Linnet ( my colleague here) and I have had a strategy meeting for what we hope to accomplish this tgime while I'l here.

Also, a student came asking for the husband of the couple I'm staying with about some research for a topic. I suggested that perhaps I could help him... being a librarian.... we sort of do that kind of thing. So, in just a couple minutes, I'll see what I can find for him from the SAU Library

Ok, all for now.

Back in Burundi,

Karen

Safe Arrival

Hello to each of you, 

 

I arrived here in Bujumbura right on schedule, even a few minutes early.  So, am fine, except for needing more sleep.  Had a cat nap on flight from Addis Ababa this morning, and one this afternoon after arriving.  I am staying with Bob and Laurie on campus, as I had assumed I would.   Wayne and Bar are fine too.  The four of them, plus 2 HAU students picked me up from the airport. 

 

When I was sitting in the airport at Addis Ababa this morning, I was knitting on my sock.  A guy came over and sat next to me, and showed me that some of his friends wanted to take a picture of the two of us, with me working on the socks.  They were all quite friendly, and it was rather funny. 

 

The new administrative building is coming along well.  The main part is being finished up and very nice looking.  The other part is there as part as the cement structure up to the 2nd floor.

 

So, another good sleep tonight, and I should be on my way to getting over jet lag.

Thank you for your prayers!  

 Back in Burundi.