Getting ready for World Cup 2010

On picture you can see me somewhere between Robben Island and Green Point Stadium in the picture taken from Signal Hill. On top you find the new stadium in Durban and again Green Point stadium from a different angle. At bottom of picture you find our World Cup tickets but only four of them are however dedicated to my use. Can't wait for World Cup to start, only too bad Sweden did not make it but will cheer for the African teams especially those coached by Svennis and Lagerbäck together with Bafana Bafana.

Nice day in Cape Town

On Saturday me and Heidi went in to Cape Town where we had a lovely day enjoying the nice weather. Otherwise it is getting a bit cold as it is now winter here but when sun is shining and it is not too much wind it is really lovely.

Durban

In Durban for IST Africa conference and this is the view from my hotel room. Met up with a colleague from Meraka on plane who took me for a small city tour before checking in at hotel. Durban seem to have a nice city pulse with a nice beach front. At arrival my bag did not arrive with same plane but hope to get it soon.

Albino day

Prime minister was in town for a big albino event. After all the albino killings in the country where body parts been used for medicin there is a need for people to integrate the albino community into the society and take a strong stand against these horrifying actions. Was nice to see all the Albinos performing in the eyes of thousands of people. Joensuu student Jussi was on podium with minister showing the limited difference in appearance between a Finnish person and an albino :-)

Bachelor party

Walid who recently got married in India did not get a bachelor party, so prior to his reception in Iringa I got involved to make sure it happened. One of the new things that was invented to spice up the occasion was shooting eggs at him with sling shots. Most of the eggs broke before reaching the target and only few hit the target but everyone had fun in the process :-)

Mikumi

On my way to iringa and stopped for some lunch in Mikumi national park. Sitting watching loads of animals grassing on the plains. (zebra, impala, buffalo and elephants)

Lusaka, April 12-16

Went to Lusaka for a few days to teach the group of students taking the online VISCOS studies at University of Eastern Finland. Was a couple of intensive day filled with teaching and preparations for teaching. Last afternoon I was taken to a game farm/lodge outside of Lusaka. It was a very nice place and had a relaxing afternoon watching wild animals and having a swim in the pool. I went there with Ulla the Finnish project manager for the project I visited and Nicolas the son of the local coordinator. We traveled by taxi driven by Mr Mizek who has always been the one taking me around while in Lusaka. On the way back from the farm it was already dark and we were traveling on the good road back to Lusaka. I started to feel uncomfortable as driver seemed to have problems positioning the car properly on the road and asked him if he was tired or why he kept crossing the center line. He claimed to be ok and no reason for worries. Few minutes later as a car was approaching in high speed from opposite direction he once again crossed the line and we had an accident. Luckily it was not a head on collision and only the sides collided and we lost one tire. Now car was placed in middle of the road as a lorry was approaching in high speed I got out of a car and expected the worst, did not know which direction to run as did not know how lorry would act. Luckily it managed to stop before hitting the car. People showed up and helped to lift the car out of the road to avoid new accidents taking place. We had to call in for a new transport from Lusaka and in that car was also little Nicolas father. On the way they had to stop for a police check point and as they were talking to the police officers their car was hit by a lorry. We received the news and managed to get a lift to the point of their accident. It was a terrible scene a lorry was laying across the road and couple of cars were totally smashed. Luckily at least the persons in the car that came for us had survived with only minor injuries. It was a scary evening and after coming back to lodge I felt grateful still being alive. I have been given some more time on this earth and happy for that :-)

After rain comes sun

finally yesterday car was somehow sorted out after changing cylinder head and sorting out some heating problems. Yesterday me, Heidi and Ebenezer visited lake Manyara national park and managed to see tree climbing lions. Today we visited one of the seven wonders of the world the famous Ngorongoro crater. We were amazed of the beautiful sceneries and the quantity of wild life. Once again we were lucky to see lions that had climbed a tree. The roads were at points deep mud river but we were lucky enough not to get stuck. Now heading to see some of Ebens relatives who are living a traditional Masai life.

Take a look in the tree behind Ebenezer and me!
Pay special attention to the pale Masai on the right side :)

small world

By surprise I met my cousin Daniella's husbands family in Same. Cheered up the day while waiting for reports on how car is doing. Have some hope of being able to continue journey today.

Problemen fortsätter

100 km innan Moshi var det dags igen. Denna gång ett allvarligare problem och motorn är nu isärplockad och reservdelsjakten har startat. Fördelen är dock att motorn havererade precis vid en 'verkstad' och några hundra meter från ett hyffsat hotell. Påsken kunde varit gladare...