Jul 14 2008
John
The other day when we were on a walk to Irente Viewpoint in the Usambara Mountains, and had just arrived, we met a boy named Raphael with a chameleon on his stick. He said the chameleon’s name was “John.” I think that is kind of a weird name for a chameleon but a name is a name no matter how strange. I thought that was awesome, being able to see John so close up, but then I got to hold him!! John slowly climbed onto me and clung to my fingers like a baby clings to your fingers. Boy were his feet weird! He had two green “toes” on each foot, which he held to you with, as if the world were about to end. Then John started to slowly climb up my arm. His mouth is pink like he has lipstick on, and his back is a mixture of white, green, and blue. When he had crawled up to my elbow he stopped. That’s when Raphael took John back on his stick. Chameleons rock!!!
(Tom:) Hi all, we have made it to Zanzibar, and are poking around Stone Town. It’s the week of the Zanzibar International Film Festival, and I have a film in the festival so I’m here for that and attending some of the festival while Lyanda and Claire explore and lounge. Of course the festival’s schedule web page had “schedule will be posted in May” until about a week ago, and e-mail notice that the film was accepted only came around July 1, so it was very hard to plan this part of the trip, but we’re here, the film is in (showing Thursday in a day of AIDS-oriented films), and meanwhile there are other good films to see in the festival, and some music and arts, and a bit of the island to explore.
John is beautiful. I had no idea chameleons could get to be so big. I have been reading the blog lately and am delighted at all the enchanting entries. I am glad, Claire, that you met a “giggle pot” Sister Maria. I look forward to hearing more about St. Eugene’s when you get back home and can visit the Priory. I hope you ALL have fun at the film festival - and I hope that Tom’s film is shown according to the schedule!!
Just a little note to say hello and that I ve been reading this on my Google Reader every day. Looks like you all are having a great time.
Chameleons do rock. Don’t they change color to match their surroundings? I would love to see John colored just like that cool yellow hat you’ve got, Claire.
And Tom, congratulations on your premier at the Zanzibar Film Festival, whenever they get around to showing it. You’re an internationally renowned filmmaker now! How does that feel? Goes well with your other titles of Dad extraordinaire and overall superhero. Thanks for the update, I knew nothing of Zanzibar prior to your posting, but now my interest in the Spice Islands has grown! The Flikr photos are GREAT!
Robert
Hi !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Helen
P.S. please write back