There is a need to scratch that itch! I wanna travel but not just like road trip travel but like european hiking travel...
Go forth and fill your libraries with media.
Seriously, thanks to everyone for being so amazing and patient. You are the reason I love Vox.
I was just told that the Amazon Conduit will be fixed by tomorrow. I will post here as soon as I get word that it's back up and running.
I know this has been frustrating and I am sorry there wasn't more I could do to make it less so. I really appreciate your patience though.
Cheers,
Bad news. As many of you have probably noticed, the Amazon Conduit was not fixed in the last week's release. Unfortunately, there was an undetected bug that is preventing the conduit from working.
We are working on this bug fix and hope to have the Conduit back up and running this week.
I will keep you posted.
Thank you for being so patient.
Blog Action Day is every October 15th, when blogger are asked to post something about a single issue to show our strength and conviction as an online community. It's a great way to feel connected to the greater good, and the participation of so many bloggers to support the world's leading non-profit organizations is something you can do to help, right now. By blogging today, you're supporting some of the world's leading non-profits and sharing your voice for change.
This year's topic is climate change, and we'd love to read your thoughts on the topic. If you participate, leave us a link to your post in the comments, so we know to check out your post!
Go to www.blogactionday.org to learn more, get a badge for your blog showing your participation, and see some ideas for your post on climate change.
Can't wait to read your posts!
~ daisy
Do you know someone who’s struggled with addiction? How did it affect your relationship with them?
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Struggling still with addiction is my brother. I wish that there was a switch that could make him realize that he's loved and that he doesn't need drugs to make him feel fulfilled or satisfied.... I love him unconditionally though and I would still have his back no matter what... Did it change my relationship with him? Since I live a few states away I don't see him very often but when I do see him I feel like it might be the last time I see him alive. In that way, yes, the addiction has made me miss him even though he's still alive.
The Amazon Conduit will be working again on October 15, 2009. Thank you to everyone for your patience.
Have a great weekend,
daisy, Team Vox
In my last Team Vox post, I let you know that we're aware that the Amazon conduit is broken and that we're working to fix it. Many of you want to know when it's going to be fixed and I'm so sorry I haven't gotten back to you about that sooner.
Unfortunately, I don't have an exact date to give you, but rest assured, the Amazon conduit will be fixed in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, I'm about to finish my latest book and I could use a few suggestions as to what to read next, so... if you don't mind, let me know in the comments what's on your nightstand and/or what book you think I absolutely must read next.
Thanks! :)
Up at 6am this morning, travelled a short distance to the local town, where we bought supplies for the trip down the
T Siribihina River. After reporting to the local authorities, we were cleared to start the journey.
When we arrived at the river we were accosted by children, speaking their best french in an attempt to get a "stylo" or pen from the foreigners. As we fought our way through the swarm of children and cackle of women washing their clothes in the river, we got into our awaiting Pirogue (wooden canoe type boat, carved from the trunk of a tree).
We were put in a Pirogue with a French girl named Irena and two guys named Max and Paddy (couldn't remember the second guy's name) who were aged 18 and 15 respectively.
Max and Paddy's job was to slowly row us down the river and point out anything vaguely interesting, unfortunately when they did this, it was all in FRENCH!!! Luckily for us, Irena could speak perfect English, so she soon became our personal translator :-).
After a few hours in the Pirogue we stopped for lunch in a little village along the river where there were more awaiting children ready to ambush us asking for more pens. Irena sat down under a tree and lent a pen and paper to one of the younger boys (aged 5). To my amazement, he wrote his name on the piece of paper in exemplary joined up hand writing. The village was so tiny and consisted of just a couple of huts made from the surrounding habitat. These people are extremely poor. I was amazed that these children even attended school yet alone able to write joined up handwriting at such a young age!!! I must admit that the real tear jerker was the fact that they constantly asked for pens and paper so they could practice their skills. I would like to see a 5 year old in this country with so much enthusiasm to learn!!!
Meatballs for lunch!!! Mike's favourite meal of the entire holiday!! lol all this was fully prepared and cooked to a high standard by the guides from scratch, with the minimulist of equipment. Impressive!!!
Back on the boat in the afternoon, with the chickens accompanying us on one of the other boats. We travelled another 4 - 5 hours down the river on the Pirogue to a flat sandy beach, which was to be our hotel for the night, lol, we set up our tents and sorted ourselves out for the evening. We were all sorted ready to watch the gorgeous sunset over the distant mountains, and gorgeous it was!!! Whilst we were gawping the guides were busy preparing our evening meal, a surprise to us, we were served with a thick juicy slice of Zebu Steak, rice and fresh cooked vegetables, Gorgeous.
Unfortunately this meant that later that night a shovel recce was required ;-p..........
Well after giving a £100 deposit to some random guy for our trips, we waited nervously outside the Sakamanga Hotel (http://www.sakamanga.com/eng_index.html) which was a great place to stay by the way. Our "Travel Agent" Papoula (http://www.mada-tour.com/madatour.html), was supposed to meet us at 8.30 and by 8.40, there was still no sign...
Anyway, at 8.45, we met Papoula who kindly took us to the bank to pay the remainder of the money we owed him. We decided to pay in Ariary as it worked out cheaper for us than Euros. What we didn't realise is how many notes you get in Ariary and how little the actual currency is actually worth. We withdrew 1,620,000 Ar (600 Euros) in 10,000 Ar notes which made me wish I had brought my little tin lunch box with me to store it in!!!!
First stop in our little mini bus was at the market to buy some rope to tie the luggage to the roof. It was quite scary as this was are first real insite into the life people lead in Madagascar. As fruit sellers tried to sell us oranges and pineapples at the windows, random beggars also tapped on the window, wanting some of the western wealth. There was one guy in particular though who reminded me of a bad taste zombie!!!! Scary...
After the market, we started our 3.5 hour jouney to Antsirabe, where we had lunch and bought a painting. After lunch we left for Miandrivazo and slept in some lovely bungalows in La Pirogue hotel. It was nice but the whole town seemed to be powered by one generator which kept stopping and sending the whole town into darkness!!!
The scenery along the way was magnificent with wonderful rolling hills. It was definitely not what I had expected. I thought Madagascar was going to be arid and dry, but it was extremely colourful with the green trees reflecting in the green water against the vivid red soil. Beautiful!!!
