Back From Hello

Since arriving here in Suriname two months ago, I’ve taken an awful lot of pictures. I was trying to think of a way to share my favorites with you but there are often so many stories, and so many layers to those stories, that I’d have to do an entire post for almost every individual one. Instead, since it’s been so long since I’ve been able to post about much of anything, I decided to break my favorite images up into four groups. I’ll put each group of pictures in their own individual post with little or no comment just so you can get a good taste of what life has been like here. First, I’ll start with People, then move on to Places, Things, and finally Wildlife.

Here are some of the plants and animals that have caught my eye since I got here:

I’m happy to report that Lindsay and I (and our bags) made it safely to Suriname. The group arrived a little after midnight local time and we were greeted at the airport by some of the PC Suriname staff. Bouquets of flowers were passed out, greetings were exchanged, and we all loaded onto two small buses for the roughly 45 minute drive from the capitol, Paramaribo, to the NAKS training center in Lelydorp.

Upon arrival at NAKS, we piled off the bus and were greeted by a small army of current PCVs (Peace Corps Volunteers) who cheered our arrival, unloaded our luggage, and gave us each a pangi (that’s a thin cotton garment that is used for anything from a towel to a skirt). It was an awesome way to be welcomed into the country after a long few days of stressful travel.

Each day since we arrived has consisted of session after session on what’s expected of us, what to expect as trainees, safety, medical issues, cultural understanding, language, food, and tools to use as we work out in the field. Needless to say it’s been tough trying to digest all of the information that’s being thrown at us, but we’re doing our best to stay on top of it.

We’ve both also officially had our placement interviews with the staff and we will find out what our village assignment is on Monday. We’re anxious and nervous and excited but it’s all good. Whatever comes next comes next and we welcome the challenge. I can’t speak for Lindsay but I really want to know what language we’ll be learning so that we can get started on trying to communicate with everyone around us. I normally don’t do well with languages, but I’m not sure I’ve ever had a solid instructor or lesson plan, so I’m really looking forward to the immersion training that comes with being a Peace Corps Trainee.

I’ll try to keep you guys posted on how all that’s going, but we’re not sure how often we’ll be able to connect to the internet. So, if you don’t hear from me again for a while, don’t worry about it. As long as there’s nothing on the news about Peace Corps Trainees in Suriname, there’s nothing wrong with us.

Well, I’m off to play some volleyball with the rest of my cohorts. Take care of yourselves and we’ll do the same.

(Good luck getting that little ditty out of your head.)

Oh boy, do Lindsay and I have some big news to share (no, it doesn’t involve a baby). Chances are that if you’re reading this blog you already know about this but, since this is my blog and I do with it as I please, I’m using this space to formally announce that we applied for and were invited to serve in the Peace Corps.

Yeah, you read that right. No, it’s not hippies smoking pot on the savanna to avoid getting a real job. This isn’t your parents’ Peace Corps (and contrary to popular belief, that wasn’t your parents’ Peace Corps either). We’re going to do real work for real people with real needs. Frankly, we’re stoked.

The country in which we were invited to serve is called Suriname and no, it’s not in Africa. It’s a tiny, former Dutch colony along the Northern coast of South America, just north of Brazil. As a former Dutch colony, the official language is Dutch (fancy that), although it’s not necessarily the language spoken by the majority of the population — all 470,000 of them (give or take a few thousand). Given its history of European colonization, slavery, indentured servitude, and its prime location near Caribbean shipping routes, the population is staggeringly diverse, and the list of languages spoken by its people reflect that.

In the coming days and weeks, I’ll post more about what our jobs, living situation, and cultural experiences are like (at least that’s the plan anyway), but given the fact that we’ll be incredibly busy trying to sell everything we own and pack for the next two years, you should probably study up independently. So, here are your reading assignments:

First off, you’re probably wondering “What in the world is the Peace Corps?” and “What do they do?”

Interesting, right? Let me guess, now you want to know, “But what about this Suriname place? What would you guys be doing there?”

Hopefully those links will get you caught up a little bit and buy me some time to compose a better blog post for your next visit. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got way too much last minute packing, life organizing, paperwork filling out, and shopping to do to be hanging out here writing blog posts.

Ed. note: If you’re viewing this on Facebook, click here to visit my site and get the full experience.

Lindsay and I drove up to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving this year and spent some time with my family. My brother Todd and sister-in-law Moka live in Mountainview so my mom, brother Edgar, and other sister-in-law Anne all flew in to spend the holiday out West. The seven of us went hiking in Muir Woods, took a trolley tour of the city, and had ice cream at Ghirardelli Square all on top of getting to stay in Moka’s sister’s amazing house. We had a great time, and of course a great meal and I’m really glad we all got to be together.

Beyond all that, I don’t really have all that much to say and I really just want to share the pictures I took, so I’ll get on with the show. I picked out a bunch ones that I liked but if you want to wade through all of them (I know I would) you can find the gallery here. Anyway, on with the show. Enjoy! (Click the images to enlarge.)

On Friday, we all drove around the corner from where we stayed to St. Mary’s College and took some family photos. The colorful leaves provided us a great backdrop for some really pretty shots.

After the photoshoot, we returned home for some wonderful food at a beautiful table.

The next morning we cleaned the house and got ready for our trip out to Muir Woods. Given that it’s a redwood forest, I had to take the opportunity to catch a few more shots of the colorful leaves before we were surrounded by evergreens.

We made a stop at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge to take a couple of pictures, I mean, since it was on the way and all.

Upon arrival at Muir Woods, we were greeted by what appeared to be, at first glance, a California condor, so I quickly snapped a picture. A little googling later, I realized it was just a turkey vulture. I like the shot nonetheless.

Next, of course, came the trolley ride of the city, complete with complimentary Santa hats, a gingerbread house, and “caroling”.

To close out the night, we walked from Fisherman’s Wharf to Ghirardelli Square for some sundaes.

Well, that’s it. I hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I enjoyed taking them. Thanks for stopping by.

Ed. note: If you’re viewing this on Facebook, click here to visit my site and get the full experience.

First of all, I want to throw up a huge congratulations to Jason and Rose Martin. Their wedding was beautiful and Lindsay and I are so glad we could be a part of it. Second, I finally got to meet all of the Martins that I’ve heard so much about. Now I fully understand why they are so important to my wife. Just an awesome family.

This wedding was another in a series of firsts for me–not my first wedding, as I have a little experience with those already–but my first time shooting with my new SB-400 flash. This little flash is as awesome as I had read and I’d definitely recommend it for anyone wanting a little more flexibility in their shooting without having to spend much money. It allowed me to pull of some great shots in the low light of the reception hall.

Anyway, back to the most important thing–the wedding. It was at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in, well, Rancho Bernardo (natch), and everything looked great. The weather cooperated–which is always a nice thing when your wedding is outdoors–the food was great, everyone seemed to have a great time, and most importantly, the couple looked like they couldn’t wait to get started with the honeymoon. You could really tell that they make one another incredibly happy. I’m just glad I got to capture it and share it here with you. There are a lot, so I hope you enjoy!

Here are a few of my favorites, but for the full set, click here.

Click any of the images to enlarge.

Congrats again, you two!