Africa Panos

Elepant

Zebra

Lion

Wilde beast herd

As I look through my images for grad schools apps I came across these panos from my 2007 trip to Kenya. We had an AMAZING time!!!

We Sentence the First Four Defendants to Death by Hanging

Update on the murder and trial of John Granville's killer. Here.
See more about him, here.

OK...

This is the final post on John. You can read a release, recounting some speeches at his memorial, by USAID HERE. And you can get details on the Memorial Scholarship, here.

This is a USAID photo of John and a few recipients of the solar radios he was distributing in advance of Sudan's forthcoming elections.

Our hearts are breaking. Rest in Peace.

John Granville 1974-2008

Slain American diplomat.

Africa has lost a great and irreplaceable asset.

Going Away Party - Nairobi, Kenya

In my August trip to Kenya, with with my close friend Jessica, we had the joy of spending time with deceased American Diplomat John Granville. He was a dear friend and neighbor to our hosts in the country. Our last night in Nairobi John had a party at his home to celebrate his upcoming move to Sudan. He prepped and cooked and played bartender, and told us that the party was for us. A going away party for the American girls. His close friends in Kenya were all there and everyone had an awesome time.

John and Bhavna. Neighbors and close friends, they shared many meals together in the last few years.
Jess with John at "our" party.

John, Nicole, and Jess

Missing him on many continents

John had dear friends all over Africa as well as the United States and beyond. An article with a short bio is here.
This is an AP photo of his casket in Khartoum.

This is an undated AP photo of John.

Death of a Humanitarian

An American diplomat was gunned down in Sudan on New Year's Day, along with his driver.

John Granville was 33. He has been in Africa for 10 years and had recently received his diplomatic passport. The last time an American diplomat was killed in Sudan was the year before he was born, 1973. He was ambushed by gunmen around 4am, his driver, Abdel-Rahman Abbas, died at the scene and John died at the hospital after/during surgery. Jessica and I had the pleasure of meeting him in Nairobi this summer.

Best trip ever!! Kenya via Amsterdam 2007 (Jessica as co-pilot)

Me and Jess at 40Theives bar in Mombassa. Can't wait to get back there!
Kavita brings style (as well as metallic spandex) to all of East Africa!

We had so many great meals on the coast! This is a shot of Taco and Kavita, best buds.

Thank you to the wonderful new friends we met in Kenya. We laughed like old friends - can't wait to do it again with you, in Chicago, Nairobi, or anywhere else in the world!

A few parting shots

Indian Ocean - Diani Beach

Queen B (as in Bandit)

Bhavna, our gorgeous and generous host in East Africa. The Bandit Queen of Kenya.

Nothing but good times

We flew from Nairobi to Mombassa for a little vacation within a vacation. We had an amazing time! the group of us did a lot of eating, sleeping, goofing off, horse laughing and chilling in general.
p.s. don't I look tan!

Brothers from another mother

Diani Beach, Kenya, East Africa

Mombassa, Kenya

Jessica in the resort pool at Diani Beach.

Bandit Queen

Bhavna takes us to Mombassa, actually Diani Beach.

back to Nairobi

Douglas deposits us safely in Nairobi.

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL stickers are a big hit! Men start to repeat it to passing women right away and the women blush and smile and everyone is smiling.

Douglas gave his a great spot in his van, just left of where the rearview mirror should be.

Safari is over...

Ostrich, Wilderbeasts and Zebra

I had the most amazing Ostrich steak. Ahhhhhhh! So Good. Plus, you may be interested to know that they do not put their head in the ground! Only in cartoons...I know....SHOCKING!

Sopa Lodge, Masi Mara Kenya

Our accommodations were excellent! We slept in mosquito netting and drank by the pool. The lodge is located 206 km south of the Equator on the eastern boundary of the Masai Mara Game Reserve in southwestern Kenya. It is the best-known game area in East Africa, bordering the Serengeti National Park.

Then we pulled some Frenchies out of a hole.

Portraits and Guts

Masi Mara, Kenya

Giraffes in East Africa

The landscape in Kenya is filled with huge giraffes! My favorite!!