La Raiz Y El Camino

Since I shared the special book I found for Danielle a few days ago, I thought I'd also show you my other find -- the one that stayed with me. On the same trip to the same used book store, I sat on the floor and poured over this quiet, captivating book of photography by Mariana Yamplosky, all taken in Mexico. I am mesmerized by the movement, the light and shadow...the deep spirit she captures in each of her photographs. I had never heard of her before finding this book but I find these photos so moving. Here is a small sample. I wish I read Spanish so I could understand the introduction!

Happy Trails

Found at Idletime Books, this treasure is going straight to my dear Danielle. D is a brilliant filmmaker/photographer who trailed her camera through a small part of Africa, too. Luckily, our paths crossed. The vintage design on the cover of this book (a 1924 1st edition!) captured my imagination. I think it is even more beautiful when you can hold it in your hands. A good chunk of today was spent immersed in the world of tangled jungles, open savannahs and many, many lions. I hope you like it, Danielle!

From Google Books: With illustrations from the author's photographs. Johnson, previously a photographer of wild men in the islands of the South Seas, takes his first African safari in the early 1920s. With his wife Osa he journeys through Eastern Africa, photographing and hunting wild animals. Filled with thrilling adventures, near-fatal mishaps, and moments of quiet beauty, this is the story of the beginning of the Johnson's love affair with Africa. In beautifully descriptive prose, Johnson describes the creatures of the Savannah. A wonderfully entertaining book.

Although some of Johnson's observances (including references to local people as "savages") are much less than politically correct today, this book gives a rare and intimate glimpse into an artist and adventurer's first encounter with Africa, from a time long-gone. Treasure.

PS You should watch Danielle's disarmingly charming short doc, "81 year-old Sweethearts," right here. You will smile the rest of the day. I promise.

Flooding in East Africa

Photo via BBC News.

Since returning, I have not said much about Uganda or told you much about the incredible organizations with whom I worked. Today, I have to share. Massive flooding in Uganda has left over 1/3 of the country depending on disaster relief. Many of those in the north who are displaced are now displaced again. There is a desperate need for medical supplies, in order to prevent further disease spread and death. ReNUH (Restoring Northern Uganda's Healthcare) is an amazing organization I saw on the ground and (after all the time I spent in the hospital with Joyce) believe in entirely. They are staging an emergency campaign to get medical supplies to those communities who need it most. They are gratefully accepting monetary donations as well as physical donations. And it's all tax deductible! There is a desperate need for:

• Blankets
• Clothing
• Tarps
• For malaria: Lumartem or other Artemesian-based combination therapies, insecticide treated mosquito nets
• For cholera: Oral rehydration salts, IV fluids, ringer lactate
• For respiratory infection: Ampicillin, penicillin, amoxicillin, choramphenicol, co-trimoxazole, (fever reducer) paracetamol
• Other items: ARV's, anti-venom, deworming pills, water purification tablets, latex gloves

The situation is dire. If you are connected to a health care facility, or are moved to help in any way, learn more here. Your pennies can move mountains. Pass it on.

Summer Berries in the Early Fall

A few weeks ago M and I went to Delaware to visit family. Cousins, cousins, and more cousins!! A grand time was had by all, especially during our afternoon berry-picking, which ended in berry-stained fingers, berry cobbler, berry preserves, and berry vinaigrette (with spinach and berry salad, of course!). I loved the late afternoon light on the berry patches.

Play

I LOVE this. Turn up the volume and check it out. Only 2 minutes long. Nature is amazing.

Anyone who has a pet can testify that play is not exclusive to humans. And, in the wild, different species often are at odds. But, Stuart Brown witnessed something different. Here, he describes Norbert Rosing's striking images of a wild polar bear playing with sled dogs in the wilds of Canada's Hudson Bay.

Overheard

Standing on the metro this weekend, headed to Eastern Market (which is the same direction as the stadium), I was beside two very, very enthusiastic sports fans. These two freckle-faced boys must have been about 10-11 years old, and just couldn't sit still, the excitement was too great! When one of their mothers insisted that they calm down (or there wouldn't be any game to attend), the boys slumped down in their metro chairs, temporarily defeated.

Looking around, the boys observed the train full of rush hour commuters. I held my book, and balanced beside the door. Several young women in suits chatted about a briefing on the Hill. Many city dwellers listened to their music, leaving the day's work behind them, including a very handsome, silver-haired, blue-suited gentleman sitting directly next to the boys.

"You know what I wonder?" one said to his friend. "You know what I REALLY wonder?"
"What?" replied his friend, with shrug.
"Well, I wonder what old people listen to on their ipods anyway. What do they listen to? I mean, it's weird. It's like.....they like music or something."

I almost laughed aloud. It was just too funny. Instead, I exited at Eastern Market with the handsome silver-haired gent and his leather cased ipod, and wondered: what was he listening to, anyway?

Probably a book on tape.

Goodbye, Summer. Hello, New Year.

Hello, Friends. Over the past many months I have left this space empty. I've needed the time and distance to think, to ground myself. This summer was, for me, a long meditation on a knot of big and small questions that has lead to now: the Jewish New Year. I always find the new year to be a centering time, and that has never been more true than this year. I am excited about re-inhabiting this space -- filling it with ideas, friends, creativity and life, and moving forward into the new year.

This past weekend the weather here in DC broke, and just that quickly, summer is officially over. I love the feeling of fall-on-its-way. Here, before the leaves turn color, a few pictures of the past few months, including a trip home to California and traipses through Rock Creek Park here in DC. Would you believe it if I told you that the two middle, very green photos were taken a 10 minute walk from our apartment, directly off of one of the busiest streets in the city? Magic.

Mostar

Little Feet

This morning was our presentation to UNICEF. This afternoon we submitted the report. Hooray! Many meetings, classroom observations, discussions with directors, 3rd grade dance performances and cups of coffee later we are ready to return home. We spoke with the EU and OSCE, parents and teachers, community members, little ones, and so many others. I have certainly gotten a good taste of lovely Sarajevo and leave with more questions, ideas and an a much deeper appreciation for post-conflict education reconstruction. There have been so many layers to my experience here and I would like to come back. But one last team meeting, one last dinner and I am home. Summer in DC awaits! See you soon...

Aimee

PS I just love all these little shoes. The children leave them by the door each day as they enter the classroom and then spend the day wearing slippers!

Dubrovnik