I have arrived in Huadu, China, a small...ish suburb of Guangzhou in southern China, just two hours inland from Hong Kong. Trees and green hills abound and calmness reigns amongst the high-rises in my neighborhood. All of this is very surprising to me. Happy people meandering the streets and lush plant life are every where.… Continue reading A Chinese Village, 14.8 Million Strong
Category: Travel
From the backyard to across the globe seeking adventure, culture, and discovery.
Where In the World is Gretchen… Grad School!
I'm Alive - Really! One month ago to the day I left wonderful Nigeria. And two weeks ago it felt like I dove off the high dive and landed with a big, overwhelming splash into grad school at the University of Oregon. It is a crazy, intense program of 15 months with the bulk of the work… Continue reading Where In the World is Gretchen… Grad School!
Nigeria is Wonderful
One week left of my fun adventures in Nigeria. Since my last post, life has found a lovely rhythm. Working out, watching a friends choir perform, eating good food, HASHing etc...it has been nice. Work remains good, even though the kids are getting so excited for the last day of school it is hard to… Continue reading Nigeria is Wonderful
Usman Dam, Nigeria
Another fun outing with my fellow teachers here in Nigeria. This time we drove out to Usman Dam. Just outside of Abuja, but it felt like we were wonderfully removed from the craziness of the city. We hiked along the dam itself and then over the really unique rocky terrain. It was overcast, thank goodness… Continue reading Usman Dam, Nigeria
Zuma Rock and So Much More
Another great two weeks here in Abuja, Nigeria. I continue to be so happy here. The people, the students, my new colleagues... all just wonderful. Last weekend a few of us ventured out to the infamous Zuma Rock - a monolith protruding from the earth that is 2,400 feet high. Stunning in its awesomeness. From… Continue reading Zuma Rock and So Much More
Abuja Color
Another fun week in Abuja, Nigeria. My fourth graders are simply wonderful. They are so kind, polite, funny, talkative, inquisitive... I love them. The week just flew by with major wind and hurricane rains three of the evenings. One of which I went to a great Indian restaurant and sat up on the top floor… Continue reading Abuja Color