Cape Town Bound

A big hello to any and all followers that may be out there!  I put this blog together (credit to Paul Skoney for the name suggestion) so you statesiders can keep tabs on me across the pond as I volunteer in Cape Town and travel around South Africa.  Computer access and personal responsibility (I'm asked to spend my free time surfing on the beach, not sitting at a desk) may keep me from posting as regularly as some of you may like, but I will be doing my best to stay on top of things.  I will not have my phone abroad, but chances are good that I may be getting one there.  If you'd like to contact me, or vis versa, and don't think I have your number shoot me an email at jbeye@uwalumni.com.

Finally, it would be an incredible injustice to a great friendship if I were to head to Africa, or go on any trip for that matter, and not give a shout out to Lena Jenison.  In 2009, I saw the Disney/Pixar instant classic Up! with Lena in theatres - 3D, of course.  Being avid travelers the movie struck us both, and the following year we would find ourselves applying for the Peace Corps to pursue our own Spirit of Adventure.  After countless applications, essays, and interviews, we were successfully moved on to the medical clearance stage where I made the decision to no longer pursue this dream (at least for now).  Lena continued on and, not surprisingly, was officially selected to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa's north-westerly neighbor country of Mozambique.  After a fatal car crash, her service and young life came to a tragic end on December 20th.  Not only did the Peace Corps lose what I am 100% positive would have been one of their star volunteers, but the world lost one of its most energetic, uplifting, goofy, friendly, and caring personalities.  Although there is an emptiness in all of us that knew her, Lena's character and the "Spirit of Adventure" lives on through all of those she touched.  I am heading to Africa thinking of her and hoping to be as remarkable of a human being as Lena was - just don't expect this blog to come close to the humor or readability of Ms. Jenison's "The Mozamblog!"

With that, I'm off for the night and for a few days.  My flight leaves from Chicago O'Hare tomorrow at 7pm - putting me in Cape Town a measly 30 hours later at 8am on Tuesday.  Take care of winter for me, and I'll do my best to send some of that South African sun back your way. 

Cheers!

JB