Running and Networking

So I wanted to get this posted yesterday, but as is life things come up and take your time away...  I made yesterday into 'networking' day.  I started sending some emails to several communities that support Sierra Leone - Friends of Sierra Leone, and the Sierra Leone Diaspora Network.  I wanted to introduce the project and see if I could start generating some feedback about it.  I also posted a forum inquiry at thebackpacker.com.

The initial feed back has been rather mixed.  There has been quite fruitful feedback from a very nice women with the Friends of Sierra Leone (FOSL) that was both very helpful and genuinely concerned over the trip, to another FOSL offering encouragement and links to the newest peace corps volunteers in country: "Forever a work in Progress", "Peace Out", "Bryan Meeker in Sierra Leone", "Infinite Possibility", "Dispatch Sierra Leone", "Adventures from Salone", "Sarah and Carlos in Sierra Leone".  It seems that the emails for the Sierra Leone Diaspora Network are not working - or have at least bounced back as temporarily not working.  So no luck there, back to that drawing board in a bit...

Packing light...

So despite the depressing time I just spent looking at the finances, I have ponied up and bought the Hammock and the Backpack.  I've gotta get out on the trail here and experiment.  I need to sort out the sleeping bag situation and the only way to know is to experiment.  If I can get into the woods and sleep in lighter clothes and/or a blanket then I don't need to spend the $280 on a bag.  Money I don't have.  I did save a total of $70 off my budget between the two things.  May not seem like much, but it really helps with things as they look right now...  One step at a time right??  ;)

Vibram says no...

So just as I was sitting here this morning struggling with budgets and whether I should really take a sleeping bag or not (given warm temperatures), Vibram comes back with a resounding no.  There was no reason given, but I would imagine my project may just be way to complicated for them or that there is perhaps not nearly enough guaranteed exposure.  Doesn't matter... sad day.  How do I get my hands on a couple of pairs of Vibrams without having to pay $200??  Maybe I can try to get them at cost from somewhere but I just simply can't afford any of this.  My budget has gone up and the expected funding has gone down.

Starting to seem like its kinda far away...

NYC and the Embassy

So amidst a hectic day in New York City yesterday I managed to squeeze in a quick visit to Sierra Leone's embassy to the United Nations (which also acts as a general consulate).  I didn't get much past the front door.  The receptionist was really it.  She was a very friendly and nice women, but a little shy perhaps, named "Mimi".  I don't think she really was used to a random white guy walking into the embassy and talking about going to the country to walk around the woods and villages for three months though.  I was trying to get her to tell me things about the country, to teach me sayings in Krio and to help me find local communities from the country.  I don't think she knew what to do with me!!  :)

The women that apparently was best for me to speak to regarding my project was not in that day and Mimi couldn't say exactly when was best to come back - only just to keep stopping in daily until she was in.   This of course isn't very helpful for me given that the city is a destination (and an expensive one), not an everyday occurrence.  It also tells a bit about how exact things there operate!!  lol.

As it was though, I gave her my contact information and website (really need some business cards).  If I was in the city regularly I would just wander by there all the time and say hi.  I figure if they get to know me they might be able to point me in certain directions or help in some way.  Over-friendliness can go a long way.  Puts people in positions where they just don't know what else to do by help you.  She did tell me to wait for the visa though, that I should come back in October for it.  Not sure I'll wait that long, but could let it get into September I suppose.  That's a pretty big thing not to have sorted out and left on your mind.

Working away...

So I was able to get out yesterday and do a little bit of hiking, nothing to strenuous, but I got a run in and then a bit of a hike, so keep on keeping on.  Today was a whole lot of moving things around - change of living situation - while trying to juggle writing up the Vibram proposal.  It's certainly not the best thing I've ever written!!  But I think it gets the message across and certainly points them to the website.

Otherwise, I will be in New York City tomorrow walking around looking at apartments for my soon to be returning from abroad travel advisor... my brother...  ;)  But more importantly, I am going to go by Sierra Leone's Embassy and see if they will have someone that can speak to me.  I can't apply for the visa yet because I can't get my Yellow Fever vaccine yet.  I will have this done on the 25th of August in exchange for my arm and my leg...  but hey!!  Even with only one arm and one leg, at least I won't get Yellow Fever!!  I'd love it if at the embassy I could get some leads for networking, with local communities, and/or language lessons.  I'm going to try to get into some outdoors stores and best buy to check on netbooks.  I've gotta get that computer situation sorted out.  Definitely effecting my productivity!!

Tomorrows landscape...

...October's landscape