Sunday, November 29

David Sheldrick Organization- help our planet this holiday

For years now, I subscribed to this organization and give the gift of a foster baby elephant to family members for Xmas. Same elephant seen growing and thriving year after year is so amazing to see.
For only $50.00 annually, my family receive newsletters and photos as to how their foster elephant is doing and the knowledge that they are making a difference in the survival of this magical animal.

As we know, hard times have hit our world which has seen an increase in poaching as Ivory once more, becomes big money for many places.

Please consider finding an organization that you would like to support this holiday and is making a difference in the world. Now more than ever, they need our help financially.
Mine will continue to be this one...they do amazing work.

ANNUAL MESSAGE AND APPEAL FROM DAME DAPHNE SHELDRICK

DECEMBER 2009

Dear Friends,

With another year drawing to a close, we again must thank all the supporters in the U.S. and Canada for enabling us in Kenya to

continue to make a significant difference during 2009, which has been the most challenging year we have ever had to face. However,

before all else, importantly, we must first wish all our supporters in North America a Very Joyous Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful and

more prosperous 2010.

I remember saying that most would be happy to see the end of 2008, but 2008 pales in comparison to the challenges that have confronted us in 2009. Not only has the entire country been gripped by the most prolonged and severe drought in living memory, but there has also been a marked escalation in poaching, fuelled by the rising demand for ivory in the Far East, particularly in Thailand and China. China is the largest consumer of both legal and illegal ivory where the price now stands at over US $1,250 per kilo. Moreover, locally the price paid to a poacher for an illegal tusk has risen from K. Shs. 300/- to K. Shs. 5,000/- per kilo, encouraging poaching for profit, particularly incountries where there is corruption and mass unemployment. Chinese construction workers are now in Kenya in numbers, working on roads in the country and during the

year several Chinese nationals have been apprehended at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport trying to smuggle out illegal ivory. The population of China is becoming wealthier, and almost everyone aspires to an ivory hanko or name seal (name stamps carrying the personal seal of the owner are used in lieu of signatures for documents). The poaching of the rhino has also risen sharply in this country during 2009.

2010 will be a watershed year for elephants because parties to The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (“CITES”) meet again in March, faced with proposals from Tanzania to downgrade its elephant population from the fully protected “Endangered” category to merely “Threatened.” This initiative was undertaken despite a marked increase in poaching in Tanzania, particularly in the famous Selous Game Reserve where 50 elephants are reported to be dying each month, some at the hands of the

people who are paid to protect them. Large illegal ivory hauls, proved through DNA testing to have originated in Tanzania, have been regularly intercepted during 2009, so the decision taken by CITES next year will spell either life or death for Africa’s East African elephants. It is predicted that, should a full ivory ban not be reinstated, elephants throughout Central and East Africa could face extinction within the next 15 years.

Aside from poaching for ivory and rhino horn and bushmeat, all animals, both domestic and wild, have suffered terribly from the severe drought that gripped the country during 2009, exacerbated by hordes of starving domestic livestock being illegally driven into the National Parks. These herds have depleted the grass

reserves upon which wild ani

mals rely during the long dry seasons. As a result, drought has taken a heavier toll than ever on all wild species this year. During the 32 years that the Trust has been rescuing and saving orphaned infant elephants, 14 is the most we have ever had in our Nairobi Nursery at one time. We have had to accommodate as many as 30, the lucky few rescued. Many others, particularly those who are still milk dependent, (bearing in mind that elephants cannot survive without milk under three years of age), have been lost, their mothers lacking the lactating capacity to sustain them during the long distance trek in search of both water and fodder. Whilst 24 infant elephants are

still with us in the Nursery, this is after having hurriedly moved nine of the older Nursery elephants to the Voi Rehabilitation facility in

Southern Tsavo and after 28 others have died soon after rescue, having come in already too far gone to save.

Every rescue entails the cost of an aircraft to collect an orphan from distant corners of the country, more often than not already in a

state of collapse, which entails the insertion of life supporting intravenous drips during the flight to keep them alive until arrival. There-

after, extensive care is vital to try and save emaciated, grief-stricken and psychologically devastated infants who are, by nature, fragile at

the best of times but who must adjust to artificial formula milk and the loss of their natural family. Milk and drugs have to be purchased

and additional sleeping space made available to accommodate the influx of newcomers. Existing stables and stockades have had to be partitioned, the orphans doubled up, and new stables hurriedly constructed. More Keepers have had to be recruited and trained, all of

which entails a considerable expense that we did not anticipate. Many people question the logic of saving the orphans in the face of so much bad news surrounding elephants, but every elephant is precious. It has now been scientifically proven through a study of the

elephant brain that elephants are indeed “human” in terms of emotion, sophisticated intelligence, a superior memory to that of humankind, and many other attributes we lack.They are an integral part of the wild ecosystem, upon whom almost all other species rely for survival; simply put, a world without them doesn’t bear contemplating. The orphaned elephants have helped promote understanding of these magnificent animals which includes educating the local people to their value in terms of tourism.

Throughout 2009, urgent water issues have confronted us. As rivers ran dry, water levels fell in existing boreholes and windmills struggled to bring up the ground water upon which all life, both human and wildlife, rely. It is the Trust that has had to meet this emergency in Tsavo. The one existing borehole at Ithumba (which serves 30 orphans in the process of rehabilitation and all their wild friends) faltered. Steps have been taken to drill another and we had to purchase two water tanker trucks to haul water in from afar to avert a crisis both at Ithumba and on Trust land abutting the river Athi. There we have fed and watered the resident pod of hippos to keep them alive until the river flows again and rain regenerates the land. Each and every day this year brought a new set of challenges and it is with deep pride that I can report positive results.

Hundreds of wild lives have been saved and this has surely been worth both the effort and expense.

In these difficult times, each of us can only do what one can. The good news is that thanks to the help of caring people, the Trust has now been able to save a sizeable herd of elephants – a herd that now numbers over 120 with ex Nursery elephants beginning to produce their first wild-born young, and sharing their joy with the Keepers who steered them into adulthood, and returned them back to nature when grown.

Now that 2009 is about to end, we are left wondering what will be in store forus in 2010. On the one hand, heavy El Nino rains are predicted and we pray that they actually materialize to heal the land. On the other hand, Global Warming predicts a hotter, drier African continent. Good news is that our new Top Cub aircraft is now operational, empowering us to be more vigilant of poachers from the skies above Tsavo. The Trust has been given a mandate to protect a very important area of forest abutting the Chyulu Hills National Park, which is home to many indigenous species, and within which is a crucial and very important spring – the only source of ground water for all wildlife within the Chyulu National Park. The construction of another Ithumba style Self Help camp is under way, thanks to a generous legacy left by a kind deceased donor. This will generate proceeds that will help protect the forest. Hence, apart from the difficulties of 2009, there is good news as well.

We end this letter with an appeal that all our Friends will not lose heart, but will consider providing their generous support, focusing

this year on the Orphans’ Project. Due to the dramatic and continual influx of infant elephants in our care (currently 30 in the

nursery), and not forgetting that they will be our responsibility until at least the age of l0, U.S. Friends’ goal is to raise $150,000.00 to

help us on the Orphans’ Project. Contingency assistance to wild animals in need will also have to continue, for they will become the

innocent victims of global warming who will need help until nature can adjust to a changing climate. We pray that the generosity of all

our donors will not wane and that we will be able to count upon it during the coming year. And we also pray that CITES will, on this

occasion, consider the elephants rather than just trade, and make the right decision to protect them, irrespective of the greed of those

who selfishly regard them as a mere commodity.

We are deeply grateful for your support and we hope you will consider us in your year-end giving.

Gratefully,The David Sheldrick Foundation

Adopt an Orphaned Elephant





Monday, November 9

Cueing up, or...will this line ever end?


Getting there and lining up to do so, is a big part of traveling and it doesn't have to suck.

For most it is an inconvenience, a bother.
This doesn't have to hold true for you.
The one thing that you have going for you is that EVERYONE around you has to line up as well.

It is a global phenonmenon..the line...the cue, the hurry up and wait.

Sigh...it can be the most frustrating experience..or...it can be fun...really.

I think about it as guilt free time. You can't possibly be doing anything else but being in the moment, for as long as that moment takes.
When waiting around, feeling like an idiot in your socks, holding your shoes in your hand, belt in the other and waiting for security..lol..try and strike up a conversation with people close to you.

Start up questions could be " is this the line to ....(fill in your location)?"
"Where are you headed?"
"What has been your favourite place so far" ..... and see where they recommend.

You can find out about cool places to visit and great stops not in those guide books.
People really like to share what they have discovered. You will be amazed.
It helps to pass the time and can even include meal companions when you find a kindred spirit.


I was at a train station in Cologne enroute to Prague, cued up on an outdoor platform.
All night trains delayed by hours.
Cold, hungry and not even sure I was on the correct platform I asked a young man if this was the platform to Prague.
We started chatting, He confirmed I was in the right place. Whew!
He spoke many languages, was heading home from a job interview and interested in Canada.

A couple listening to us, started to chat and became very animated waving at us.
I did not have a clue what they were saying but they were so warm and lovely we moved closer.
They were an older couple from Kosovo and this young man spoke both our languages a little and translated.
They insisted we join them in their evening meal (it was 10:00pm and nothing was open, we all were hungry).
We sat on a bench eating delicious homemade soup/stew and bread with cheese.
I offered up some bottled water and some chocolate wafers ( mmm Europeans make the best wafer cookies) and Jan had some coffee in his thermos. It was a grand picnic.
I passed on the coffee but the stew was unbelievable.
When our trains came, we said goodbye as friends.
They gave me their address in Kosovo in the hopes I could visit them in the future.

That was one of the best meals I had in my entire two months abroad, on a slate grey landing, on a cold October night wet with the fog, with people I will probably never see again.

Those moments of "cueing up" can be really special moments that make your journey so much more colourful than ever imagined.

*I have also learned, and this is important, keep reading....there is a time for talking and a time when shutting up and looking otherwise occupied is a good plan.

When you sit down on that long haul flight/bus/train however..might I suggest those earphones?
If it is a short trip...no worries, chat away and if you are not kindred spirits, enjoy the moment and say goodbye.



If you strike up a conversation with the person next to you on that 9 hour plane ride however, and they end up drinking so much that they:

A-piss off the airline staff
B- get cut off and become beligerant and loud
C- climb noisilly across your lap every 5 minutes to pee cause you are on the aisle...( I speak from personal experience)

then feigning sleep and wearing earphones can really be your only peace.
This lesson I learned the hard way, sigh..they seemed so calm at the beginning of the plane ride. Heading to a month in Ibiza should have been my first clue.
Lesson learned-pick your chat times and your escape plan ..lol. Mine is my Ipod.

Meeting people really is the easy part-how much you want to talk is up to you.

So you see....readjust your thoughts about the great line up.
Cues can be a good thing..they are a "life-line" to the rest of the world!

Thursday, November 5

new travel blog by Moi!

Hello everyone.. I have a dedicated space now for all things travel only.
Check out " Travelin' Shoes" here...( click on underlined title)
This blog will remain a place for my thoughts, big and small and I hope " Travelin Shoes " opens a dialogue for stories and tips for other solo journey seekers.

Comments very welcome.

Tuesday, November 3

Winter.....it comes


As winter hits, my writing muse seems to have reclaimed me and I will be back, working on my blog a day notes.

November, gah, I can't believe it.
It is November. Crazy how the time flies.
Winter is truly upon us.
Fires are burning in the hearth, furries curl their tails around their noses and I am excited once more, at the prospect of the first snowfall.


Meanwhile...it is exactly a year since I made my way home from my two months abroad.
I find little details I had forgotten brimming to the surface often, sweet little visceral experiences that take me to another time and place and are so welcome as the time rolls on.

One recent memory was been a day where not a lot happened outwardly.
I was living in Limpenhoe, in Reading Room Cottage and spent the day making curry pumpkin soup for guests who were coming over. Really, how cool is that and how many of us get to travel and settle into a home where you can cook for your friend and guests?

It was such a lovely thing, that, just living in a different time and place and sharing that with Stephy.
She was working like a maniac so I took a little time out of the trains, planes and donkeys and settled in, looking after her dog, catching up on my laundry, and creating meals as a thank you for all her hospitality.

What I hadn't realized at the time however, was how warm and lovely it would be to simply keep house and hearth in a 17th century cottage and look forward to Stephy coming home to warmth and yummy smells and satiated furries.

New and dear friends shared this particular evening with us- big chunky bread, a cold October day, fire in hearth, ( well let's face it, the fire was for me, I was just back from a month in Greece and Spain..bbrrrrr) , and warm thick fragrant soup. Oh and wine..mustn't forget the wine :)



it was a perfect day...a walk with Angus through the farmer fields, an oven cooking all day shooting out steamed yumminess, and company that felt like old friends.