tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62754662011-08-01T21:36:48.674-04:00The life and times of a guy and his family who are setting out to travel the world in service to their country.Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.comBlogger5141100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-4575975173952279572010-10-28T01:47:00.000-04:002010-10-28T01:47:48.229-04:00

Maggie's in the school's sailing club. They have a whole fleet of boats down in Potsdam. On Monday they did their last sailing of the season and she had a great time. Now, in the cold weather season, the club will meet and study sailing theory and learn boat maintenance. She's loving it! She's the one in the purple hat in the big boat below. What a gorgeous day it was!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-44156883341807835052010-10-17T15:15:00.001-04:002010-10-17T15:18:26.767-04:00

Yeah, my wife made me half a really delicious chocolate cake for my half birthday! Spoiled, or just really worth celebrating? By the way, read my friend Shannon's blog. There are some unnatural goings-on with a mongoose.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-91067074634010153242010-10-17T15:07:00.000-04:002010-10-17T15:07:47.218-04:00

Last Monday, I took my folks for a drive in the countryside south of Berlin. The method was just to type into the GPS the name of a village on a small looking road, admire road, admire village, eat cake, repeat. We saw lots of great countryside, tree-lined lanes and fall color. The highlight of small towns was Luckenwalde, which sports a beautiful church and walking mall at its center.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-79092605984311124832010-10-10T06:18:00.000-04:002010-10-10T06:18:34.002-04:00

My mom and dad are officially our first visitors to Berlin. They got in on Thursday after some rerouting and delays and they're starting to adjust to the time zone.  So far, aside from a tourist cruise on the Spree, we've just been showing them what our lives look like on a regular day.   Maggie had soccer games yesterday.  She's new to playing with a team but she's picking it up fast.  Currently

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-64579856303289889322010-10-03T03:28:00.001-04:002010-10-10T05:30:43.904-04:00

We went to the Potsdam Apfelfest yesterday. (That's Apple Fest, if your German is even more rudimentary than mine.) Having missed the renowned Dahlem Kartoffelfest (Potato Fest) a couple of weekends ago, we were eager to see what was going on. They seem to celebrate every harvest here. I'm especially looking forward to Spargelfest (white asparagus fest) in the spring. Now I have to say that I

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-76381660458642417482010-10-03T02:47:00.000-04:002010-10-03T02:47:05.784-04:00

Finally a post about Germany! I've just about got you to the present date. Here are some pics of our new digs, mostly before we got the majority of our stuff. The place looks a lot more lived in now. Where our back yard ends, the Grunewald begins. Dining/Living room, before we got most of our stuff. Kitchen Aidan's room. We got the loft beds in a small shipment before we got most of

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-26631211497644878512010-10-03T02:30:00.000-04:002010-10-03T02:30:02.965-04:00

The summer of 2010 was all about getting fit. For me, it was cardiac rehab at Munson Medical Center three times a week, getting myself back after my surgery. Eventually, I was strong enough to ride a bike and I treated myself to a new cyclocross bike, which I put miles on just about every day I wasn't at the gym. I guess I scared Kate a little bit with my cardiac incident (understatement of the

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-70937407084873683972010-09-12T13:27:00.001-04:002010-09-12T13:27:23.053-04:00

We had a wonderful family Passover dinner on the 29th of March. We all planned to attend a community Seder at some friends' house but while Kate and the kids made it, I had to fly to South Africa that day for some tests.  This was the beginning of a medical saga that ended in a triple bypass for me and a slightly premature end to our tour in Lusaka. I returned to Lusaka in the middle of May

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-38929167817453107382010-09-12T05:46:00.000-04:002010-09-12T05:46:50.518-04:00

In mid-March I got to go to Frankfurt, Germany for Citrix training. I took advantage of the location to visit our buddies, the Mullins, and to bop up to Berlin for a weekend and check things out. Old Church at Kudamm, Berlin US Embassy, Berlin, Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag in the background. Housing in Frankfurt Dakota's drill team at Wiesbaden Dave, proud dad Mullins boys!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-85106518659178758412010-09-12T05:09:00.000-04:002010-09-12T05:09:15.577-04:00

She likes her new sparklies. Maggie got sparklies too! Happy birthday! (2/8/10)

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-70818087277997298402010-09-12T04:25:00.000-04:002010-09-12T04:25:24.920-04:00

The bounty of our garden in Zambia 1/25/10.  These naners are the most delicious ever!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-57852852065869723292010-09-05T08:35:00.009-04:002010-09-05T08:58:44.949-04:00

This year brought a long, hard, cold winter in most of the north and I think I was particularly struck by the contrast of our existence on New Years Day.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-13791440462414547522010-09-05T08:25:00.003-04:002010-09-05T08:35:25.116-04:00

A definite highlight of Christmas Day was a visit from our housekeepers grandkids, Douglas and Katie.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-43123145429188917442010-09-05T08:04:00.006-04:002010-09-05T08:24:23.267-04:00

We contracted an artisan from one of the local markets to make us a big baobab sculpture that we could decorate and use as a Christmas Tree but he let us down and failed to come up with the tree by Christmas Eve. We agreed that we'd get our money back and went home wondering how we'd make Christmas Christmassy without a tree and what should be greeting us in our driveway but some sisal plants

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-80302946508271712782010-09-05T07:44:00.008-04:002010-09-05T08:03:22.143-04:00

Our time at Trotover was consistently special for Kate and Maggie. Here are some scenes from December 17, 2009.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-78201216801103656652010-09-05T07:40:00.002-04:002010-09-05T07:43:46.590-04:00

December 14, 2009Hanukkah was a very happy time this year. As usual, the kids got lots of books, games and toys.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-32535591011857635832010-09-05T07:29:00.002-04:002010-09-05T07:39:15.718-04:00

December 5, 2009

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-3885698175661343262010-09-05T07:21:00.003-04:002010-09-05T07:29:43.297-04:00

December 5, 2009. We hosted a most excellent game night! It turns out Lusaka has some pretty playful folks.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-52509174695700460132010-09-05T06:58:00.006-04:002010-09-05T07:15:15.925-04:00

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-90431309087823706562010-09-05T06:25:00.003-04:002010-09-05T06:57:29.904-04:00

November, 2009. Kate always wanted to have chickens for fresh eggs and fun and living in Lusaka gave us the chance to do it. I am reflexively reluctant to add pets to our menagerie and our gardener is really against chickens, but Kate wrote the hens into the homeschool curriculum, so it had to be. One day while I was at work, she went down the market in Mutendere with the kids and our friend/

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-13279446159694138162010-09-05T06:19:00.002-04:002010-09-05T06:24:51.910-04:00

For anyone that's asked me in the last 10 months, "What happened to your blog?" my answer has consistently been that I was fed up with my internet service and how long it took to do anything on my blog. Zambia literally, according to a recent survey, has the worst internet service on the planet. So now I'm in Germany and I just got my DSL hooked up, I'd better get back to it or the world will

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-65942270277983344892009-11-08T03:46:00.015-05:002009-11-08T05:23:47.803-05:00

A couple of weeks before we went to Breezers, we spent a weekend at Mayukuyuku, a beautiful spot on the Kafue River in Kafue National Park. It's a little freaky at night because the hippos walk through the campsite on the way to their nightly perambulations through the bush.We did three safaris while we were there, walking driving and boating. The walking was probably the most interesting.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-75490821086242567662009-11-01T15:05:00.002-05:002009-11-01T15:11:59.973-05:00

For those who haven't heard the word, we found out on Tuesday that, unless some State Department weirdness happens, my next assignment is to be Berlin! Yes, we are very excited. Since there is nothing really practical we have to figure out right away, we are madly researching the fun. What is the best bike route from where we'll likely live to the embassy? How much do equestrian activities

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-86898614862113220622009-10-25T12:59:00.000-04:002009-10-25T12:59:59.145-04:00

We went camping this weekend and stayed at Zambezi Breezers, a fishing camp just outside Lower Zambezi park. The camping was kind of run of the mill, but the river was amazing! They took us out once in the evening to view game and again in the morning to pursue the trophy of Zambian river trophies, the tiger fish!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-6688301225915503192009-10-25T12:52:00.000-04:002009-10-25T12:53:20.245-04:00

It looks like Zambia, but it's different!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-31317967437709015502009-10-25T12:49:00.000-04:002009-10-25T12:50:29.880-04:00

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-10296382931969745502009-10-25T12:46:00.000-04:002009-10-25T12:46:50.192-04:00

We saw a tremendous variety of birds again on an evening game viewing cruise on the Zambezi Saturday. These bee-eaters were part of a large cliff colony right above the river.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-58134852659707667572009-10-25T12:42:00.000-04:002009-10-25T12:43:22.791-04:00

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-78041304550993034202009-10-25T12:37:00.000-04:002009-10-25T12:38:18.498-04:00

The Goliath Heron is as big as it sounds. The wingspan on this one reminded us of a condor!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-89673119083471733602009-10-25T12:29:00.000-04:002009-10-25T12:30:12.770-04:00

These two elephants were splashing in the tub, play fighting and rattling tusks as they wrapped up their bath and headed for shore as we approached.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-52823396267351039982009-10-25T12:25:00.000-04:002009-10-25T12:25:51.884-04:00

Went fishing on the Zambezi river today. The mighty tiger fish proved as elusive as it is reputed to be, although one did steal some of our bait. In fact, all of the fish of the Zambezi avoided our hooks, except for our poor little bait fish.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-10228102538304538462009-10-04T02:22:00.002-04:002009-10-04T02:28:14.110-04:00

Due to the extra long wait we had for the promotion list, they have pushed back the assignments schedule. So, I won't be hearing about offers for my next position until late October instead of mid-October. Just a couple of weeks in the grand scheme, but we're excited and anxious, so a couple of weeks is a long time right now. I'm going to use the extra time to lobby more of the posts I'm

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-22655018114003636582009-10-04T02:18:00.003-04:002009-10-04T02:29:22.787-04:00

October 3rd, yesterday, it was overcast most of the day and the sky looked ominous. We heard that a few drops actually fell in other parts of the city. Last year we got a thorough soaking on October 10th as our first rain. Rainy season doesn't start really until the end of November, but it's on its way.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-59671558939583149322009-10-04T01:48:00.004-04:002009-10-04T02:18:36.853-04:00

Wednesday morning there was a knock at the door at about 7am. Our housekeeper, Serafina, came to tell us that they had gotten word that our gardener, Abel, had been beat up in the street the night before and that he was in the hospital. However, he wouldn't be receiving treatment until we showed up to guarantee the bill would be paid (Any need for me to point out obvious parallels between the

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-14992815749620232322009-09-27T12:50:00.002-04:002009-09-27T13:13:20.331-04:00

Since getting back from the States, time has been getting short to turn in my bid list. For months now we've been pondering potential assignments and this week I finally turned in my bids. I bid on two spots in Warsaw, two spots in Prague, Berlin, Brussels, Belgrade, Budapest, Ottawa, Canberra, Buenos Aires and Ho Chi Minh City. The main criteria were: someplace in Europe, snow and good schools.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-61715252521281361312009-09-27T10:09:00.004-04:002009-09-27T13:10:10.042-04:00

Kate and the kids were in the USA for about 2 1/2 months this summer. I got 5 weeks stateside, including 3 weeks R&R and 2 weeks of training in DC. After the family left me alone in Zambia, I had several weeks of helping to run the embassy while about half the people were gone on vacation. Unless I'm deluding myself, blocking out the pain of that time, I think I actually enjoyed myself working a

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-13686642090270727162009-06-28T11:07:00.000-04:002009-06-28T11:07:13.309-04:00

On Tuesday Kate was up in Elk Rapids closing on our new house! We've been looking the last couple of summers to invest in a place in Elk Rapids. The kids have always been upset that we gave up 201 Brand Street when I joined the Service, but we really couldn't afford to keep it at the time. We find that we are reliably in Elk Rapids during the summers and renting anything nice (let alone

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-35184393340627588682009-06-28T10:47:00.000-04:002009-06-28T10:48:34.601-04:00

Here's Maggie having a riding lesson at Trotover with her coach, Patrick, and a spirited pony named Cinderella. Cinderella moves beautifully but is a very naughty pony. If a rider gives mixed messages then she will buck and even if the rider is doing everything right she will still turn around and bite any toes she sees sticking through a stirrup. Maggie sees all of this as a learning

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-22801110530263107882009-06-21T03:13:00.024-04:002009-06-21T08:38:04.363-04:00

Over the Memorial Day weekend we took a family trip up to Mutinondo Wilderness Area. This place was so beautiful, I'll let the pictures do most of the talking. Unlike most destinations in Zambia, this place isn't about spotting big game, it's about being in the wilderness. Miles and miles of hiking trails, giant granite "whale backs" popping up out of the landscape, waterfalls, canoeing,

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-29204105478220008422009-06-21T02:04:00.006-04:002009-06-21T02:54:38.898-04:00

Back in late April, Kate and her class at Trotover had their first pseudo competition. They all learned a proper pattern, dressed the part and rode it for judges. Kate, obsessed over the pattern for days beforehand and in the end did a really great job. Here she is doing her thing for the judges.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-71610156459171761232009-06-21T01:53:00.002-04:002009-06-21T02:03:49.457-04:00

Kate and the kids are in Kalamazoo, having endured the incredibly long trip through five different airports to make it there. They tell me that the culture shock is something else. Kate had a real "SAY WHAT?!" moment when the Starbucks girl in Atlanta told her how much a latte and a scone costs. Starbucks girl said, "Welcome back to the States. I'm sorry." So, until I join them in late July

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-46353860226491822282009-04-12T07:19:00.004-04:002009-04-12T07:30:25.828-04:00

Aidan's homeschooling science action gets me involved every now and then. In mid-March he had to do a big project and he designed an electroplating demonstration to illustrate Faraday's Law. He moved a lot of copper ions around and we had a lot of fun. Got 100% too! Aidan worked really hard on the writing and re-writing. See how we copperplated that brass key!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-3457475737649768032009-04-12T07:06:00.005-04:002009-04-12T07:18:57.191-04:00

Kate and Maggie have continued their riding lessons at Trotover. It's a lovely place, especially this time of year when the rains green everything up. These photos were taken mid-February when I had a day off and Kate and Maggie had a special lesson with their talented teacher, Patrick. This week Maggie attended Pony Camp and had a blast camping out at the stables with a bunch of friends and

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-69956475529180152832009-04-12T06:45:00.004-04:002009-04-12T07:06:05.508-04:00

I got so frustrated with our slow internet connection (curse you, Zambian infrastructure!) that I haven't posted anything for 2 1/2 months. So, I've got the tail end of a holiday weekend to work with and I'm going to try to do some catching up.January 10th. My folks were still here and we took a nice day trip to catch a ride on the Kafue Queen. It was a relaxing 3-hour river boat tour on the

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-24695117948285894322009-02-01T02:25:00.008-05:002009-02-01T04:47:00.147-05:00

On New Year's Day we visited Kawaza Village. It's a regular rural Zambian village but they have set up a cultural tourism project. We pulled into the village at about noon. Being New Year's Day and the beginning of the rainy season, the village didn't expect visitors but they quickly scrambled a guide to show us the school, which is well set-up due to the funding of the tourism project. The

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-48517179489655457322009-02-01T01:46:00.008-05:002009-02-01T02:24:32.049-05:00

Still trying to get caught up with life here. We took a drive on the morning of New Year's Eve in South Luangwa. Here is some of what we saw.Red-billed Oxpecker on Thornicroft's giraffeBushbuckCape BuffaloKnob-billed DuckPied Kingfisher

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-24621847472685490572009-01-11T05:16:00.009-05:002009-02-01T01:48:13.795-05:00

Here's a sampling of the wildlife we saw on our safari drive in South Luangwa the evening of 12/30/08. We had a great guide/driver from Flat Dogs camp.African JacanaRed-billed HornbillCommon WarthogCrawshay's ZebraImpalaMaves's StarlingLilac-breasted Roller (or, as our guide pronounced it Lilac-blested Lola)

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-81603021685036860102009-01-04T09:49:00.003-05:002009-01-04T10:08:43.230-05:00

We just got back from a few days up at South Luangwa where we rented a big house (with staff) just outside the park that had a great view of a plain full of wildlife. We could sit on our back porch and watch baboons play, elephants stroll and puku and impala graze. Once in a while we heard the hippos but they like to stay in the water during the day.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-40873490989876552532009-01-04T09:35:00.005-05:002009-01-04T09:48:53.660-05:00

The highlight of the school holiday program, apart from our own kids' contributions, was probably the kindergarten's Diwali song. A wiggly butt dance by five year olds with paper lanterns--very cute. The show was the most international and multicultural I've ever seen. Maggie's class did a menorah song, danced the horah and sang "This Little Light of Mine." Aidan's class did "The Last Thing On My

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-62771743671903729672008-12-08T14:32:00.000-05:002008-12-08T14:33:35.890-05:00

This is a picture from a couple of months ago of Kate in her riding class. In her new career as a lady of leisure she is working very hard at this with lessons three times a week. Sometime soon we've been promised a judged show and hopefully I'll get some good shots for the "After" post.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-63700563332129223772008-11-25T22:49:00.002-05:002008-11-25T22:57:52.396-05:00

Know any good mango recipes? We have several trees on their way to a bumper crop!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-13384440987635429842008-11-24T13:29:00.008-05:002008-11-24T14:22:38.883-05:00

We're getting fairly frequent rains now, although it's still not as rainy as it's going to get in what the tourist business folks call "the green season." After every few rains we are having emergences. At first it was just flying ants. Now we're getting termites too. We're told that they are quite tasty, although none of us has tried them. The other night I walked into the kitchen and glanced

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-26299231870144146512008-11-18T12:57:00.002-05:002008-11-18T13:01:03.585-05:00

We don't get out much, but when we do we go in style. The embassy had its annual Marine Corps birthday ball last weekend. Here we are, all dolled up. But don't let that fool you. Late in the evening, after the ambassador went home, I showed the remaining guests how I can do the superworm. My wife is cute!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-68307980343898879272008-11-18T12:47:00.003-05:002008-11-18T12:57:22.171-05:00

So, we finally gave in to the fact that it's going to be outrageously expensive and complicated to get our sweet doggy, Sarah, here from Michigan. Couple that with the fact that she is so darn happy with Kate's folks and we were able to talk ourselves into letting her stay in Elk Rapids. Once we'd made that choice and Abby convinced us that she really, really was happy to adopt Sarah, we went

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-26654461329367363142008-11-17T12:32:00.006-05:002008-11-17T12:57:48.395-05:00

On Veterans Day the kids had school but I had the day off, so Kate and I took a short drive to Protea Lodge, where we had a fancy lunch and a game drive (saw some lunch on the hoof!) and basically got spoiled for several hours. The area around the lodge was actually stocked with many of the animals you see here, including the semi-tame elephant, which is kind of cheesy, but it was such a pleasant

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-52613116175239679842008-11-11T13:06:00.002-05:002008-11-11T13:15:18.650-05:00

You don't. You get down from a goose.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-85574591635221142902008-11-09T01:37:00.002-05:002008-11-09T01:44:24.136-05:00

Yesterday was Maggie's 10th birthday celebration. She had a small but excellent group of friends over for one of her beautifully planned events. The theme this year was Star Wars and in addition to decorations and party favors featuring Yoda, Darth Vader and the gang, there were activities such as the light saber vs. blaster battle and pin the arm on the Anikin. And of course good old

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-18121605976058953112008-11-03T11:50:00.003-05:002008-11-03T11:53:49.751-05:00

Maggie won "Most Original" for 5th grade for her Joan of Arc costume!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-10435530167568872612008-10-26T09:33:00.011-04:002008-10-26T10:34:27.596-04:00

Today we went to Kalimba Reptile Farm. It's just a short drive to the farm and we convoyed with three other vehicles full of Embassy folks. The Farm had lots of crocs of all kinds, as well as snakes and lizards. We had lunch there but passed on the croc burgers.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-52022178824909672152008-10-26T09:28:00.002-04:002008-10-26T09:32:28.940-04:00

The Embassy had a trick or treat event at one of our housing compounds. Lots of candy, bouncy castle, friends and costumes! Joan of Arc and, uh, Aidan of Elk Rapids, our knights!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-9541117416328419302008-10-26T09:04:00.003-04:002008-10-26T09:28:54.077-04:00

On October 10th we got our first rain of the season. It was very early in the season for rain and it has been raining every few days since then. It still isn't rainy season though. That first rain was really hard and lasted several hours. The kids went outside in rain gear and splashed around. Aidan and Adrian took advantage of freshly tilled soil in the garden to make some mud bricks. Abel, the

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-50441745306131407282008-10-26T08:56:00.004-04:002008-10-26T09:03:52.814-04:00

Here is a fine specimen of the variety of spider known as a "flattie." This one hung about our dining room for several weeks, long enough that we got used to his presence there. We named him Flapjack. Not sure where he's gotten to. Hmm...

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-26577548397895799302008-10-13T13:20:00.003-04:002008-10-13T14:47:31.002-04:00

Buseko Timber and Grass Co-Operative Society. It sounds so genteel.We commissioned a nice metal artist fellow named Benson to make some shelf brackets for us. We decided we would go with brackets and boards to take care of our excess of books. He delivered the brackets late last week and they look quite nice. It's just a L-shaped deal with a curlicue connecting the sides of the L. So now all

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-34924391991811142822008-09-28T03:33:00.004-04:002008-09-28T06:46:07.401-04:00

I see fascinating stuff every day, but I'm so busy just going about my life that I haven't been taking pictures, except of birds. Also, I haven't gotten used to the idea of waving around my flashy camera gear in public, where most of the interesting stuff is going on. Hence pictures of things in our yard and of our house.There is one thing I have to get a picture of because I just can't figure it

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-21067996771729690152008-09-22T01:55:00.003-04:002008-09-22T02:01:33.349-04:00

We keep hearing that a lot of folks here struggle with boredom. True enough, there don’t seem to be a lot of happening night clubs, museums, symphonies, etc., but we seem to keep entertaining ourselves. In fact, our past weekend felt pretty jam-packed to us. We got up relatively early on Saturday to make it to a friend’s house for a tennis lesson by 9:30 am. After huffing and puffing and even

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-54643365647205395402008-09-16T08:17:00.001-04:002008-09-16T08:19:23.732-04:00

Since I am having almost all the opportunities to get out and about, I decided that I might tell a story today on Doug’s blog. Today I had a very eventful morning. First, I dropped by the embassy to return books and get more from the CLO office. While I was there, I got blank employee contracts so that we can “officially” hire our new housekeeper and gardener. I am a little afraid that someone is

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-8922950895921676372008-09-03T10:18:00.003-04:002008-09-03T10:25:35.585-04:00

One of the things about our house that made it hard to appreciate at first was the dreadful assortment of tile everywhere. Here's a sampler. From left to right, top to bottom: 1. Most of the house is done in this pattern, living rooms & dining room. 2. Bedroom floors are done in this false parquet (photo features a chipped tile, which detracts from the charm somewhat).3. Bathroom floors. 4.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-21242734289891399822008-08-30T14:34:00.004-04:002008-08-30T14:49:21.164-04:00

We tried out our pool for the first time as a family today. It's lovely and large with a nice changing house, bathroom & sauna. Kate noted that her toenails are the same pretty blue as the pool.Earlier in the day we went out to Game, a sort of Home Depot type place, with the goal of buying a hot plate for our guards to cook their nshima on. We got them a nice two burner stove and found a bunch of

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-19094493685208933392008-08-29T15:07:00.002-04:002008-08-29T15:20:18.966-04:00

Kate stopped by the side of the road to talk to some weaver guys who were selling their wares and she asked them if they could make a swing for us. After doing some charades I wish I'd seen Kate and the guys figured out what "swing" meant in Nyanja. The weavers put their heads together and come up with a design. A couple days later we picked up a lovely seat made with a welded steel frame and a

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-67930056028912518642008-08-29T11:40:00.005-04:002008-08-29T15:24:09.808-04:00

Well, we got some internet service hooked up at the house finally. It's about $100/month and is supposed to have speeds "up to 512k". As we expected, it's molassas slow. What I hear is that there is only one commercial internet link into Zambia, controlled by the government, and that all the ISPs have to share it. There is no fiber connection to any major trunk. Anyway, we have to have internet

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-86219173902088479522008-07-11T13:11:00.007-04:002008-12-12T19:12:11.323-05:00

S'mores feature heavily in summer life.We took a walk at Kalamazoo Nature Center with my mom, buddy Dan and kids. This pic is at a spot called "Connie's Overlook," named in honor of my mama on her retirement from KNC.Maggie & Aidan love playing in the fountain at the festival park in Kalamazoo, a short walk from my folks' apartment.Kate & I went to the YMCA camp near Estes Park, Colorado for a

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-27920590782770087802008-06-17T06:13:00.006-04:002008-12-12T19:12:12.123-05:00

Last week my section had a goodbye lunch for me. They took me out to eat and then speachfied me in the rose garden and gave me a certificate signed by a good portion of the embassy folks.Last night we had our housecooling party. We invited some friends over on the condition that they loot the place on their way out. Much as it pained me to part with my remaining half bottle of A1 sauce, we

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-83972263230248669402008-06-12T19:49:00.003-04:002008-12-12T19:12:12.743-05:00

Maggie won the President's Award for "Outstanding Academic Excellence". Nice ceremony, nice certificate and a letter from W. Most of Maggie's best friends also won the award, so it was great for us because we got to see them and their parents one more time. Maggie has worked so hard this year and really turned into a responsible, self-motivated learner. We are proud as could be.Aidan gave

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-50107432959782636712008-06-09T20:16:00.007-04:002008-12-12T19:12:13.695-05:00

I certainly didn't see that one coming. One of Aidan's good friends had a birthday party last weekend at the country club paintball field and our little Aidan kicked butt!This is actually a very nice group of boys. But put 'em in camo and put guns in their hands......and watch out! That's Aidan on the far right. Keep your head down--he's gonna splat ya!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-56930922500256672162008-06-08T22:31:00.000-04:002008-12-12T19:12:13.921-05:00

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-2071140624292041172008-06-06T20:09:00.009-04:002008-12-12T19:12:15.750-05:00

From a house full of stuff to six tidy lift vans in just three days. This week marked the return of the inevitable ritual of Foreign Service life, the Packout! We were pretty freaked out Wednesday morning as the movers showed up four hours late. The explanation? "Internal problems." We are thinking that's a euphamism for "the sales lady who arranged our move is an idiot and didn't put it on the

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-27553410345286364662008-06-06T20:00:00.004-04:002008-12-12T19:12:16.294-05:00

We went to the Canadian Association fund raiser, Noche de Arte, again this year. Maggie began her own art collection this year with a seaside painting by a guy who specializes in Valparaiso scenes. Kate & I bought an autumn scene by the sister of Maggie's artist.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-36557173883478036902008-06-01T08:01:00.005-04:002008-12-12T19:12:16.611-05:00

We decided to let Aidan celebrate his birthday a month early, since on his real birthday we'll be back in Michigan with family and he didn't want to miss out on celebrating with his friends. He's developed a great group of buddies here and they had a blast. It was a slumber party and in the morning we had french toast. One of his favorite gifts was this air powered automatic fire nerf dart gun.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-83773091018509285772008-06-01T07:57:00.002-04:002008-12-12T19:12:16.886-05:00

The weather has official turned winterish. It's still not what a self-respecting Michigander could call cold but we've had several days of rain, which left the air crisp and clear and the mountains decked in white. Santiago is truly beautiful when the mountains get dressed up.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-53354366383740944942008-05-19T20:12:00.002-04:002008-12-12T19:12:17.285-05:00

Dear friends of ours went and had a baby today! Yay!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-79978153715214149652008-05-18T19:47:00.000-04:002008-12-12T19:12:17.458-05:00

Maggie & I had a second Daddy Daughter Night on Friday and it was so fun! This time there were five dads and six girls. The party also sort of served as a last big get together for this loyal group of friends, most of whom will be scattering to the four winds at the end of this school year. Maggie's friends are American, British, German and Brazilian and their dads represent the Mormon church,

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-3602437914232947932008-05-18T19:44:00.000-04:002008-12-12T19:12:17.693-05:00

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-76948787207138558012008-05-18T19:35:00.001-04:002008-12-12T19:12:17.893-05:00

We're getting ready for our packout in a few weeks. The lady from the shipping company came and looked at our stuff and declared it to be over 9,000 lbs. I can't really see how that could be true but in any case we need to get rid of some weight. Maggie's closet fell victim to the clean-out today and she jettisoned 40 lbs of stuff, including, sadly, this lovely but outgrown dress. Grandparents

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-39457368600495145612008-05-14T20:07:00.002-04:002008-12-12T19:12:18.115-05:00

Kate made the kids new jammies with material they picked out themselves.Yesterday was, of course, Maggie's half birthday. Today is Maudie's birthday! Happy birthday Maudelette!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-70491122121694992202008-04-27T17:14:00.005-04:002008-12-12T19:12:18.892-05:00

Kate and Aidan went to Elk Rapids for a short visit and got to meet the newest addition to the Husband clan, little Rowan. Since Rowan is the daughter of Kate's niece, Kate & I are now great aunt and uncle (never mind what her arrival did to Kate's mom's & sister's list of titles!). According to Kate she is sweet, smart, alert and funny and loves singing "Old MacDonald" with her Nana!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-62379443167067258222008-04-27T16:37:00.000-04:002008-12-12T19:12:19.082-05:00

I got some new panorama stitching software :)

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-55150161138446989142008-04-26T16:03:00.003-04:002008-12-12T19:12:19.261-05:00

On the 17th I had a splendid birthday. Maggie made me a "Birthday Boy" pin to wear to work so people would know to wish me a happy birthday. Some coworkers invited me out to lunch along with another fellow who shares the day with me. When I got home my kids had me put on a comfy shirt to relax in and I got the meal I'd asked for, sloppy joes, french fries and cookie monsters (chocolate chip

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-26383823008443156072008-04-26T15:58:00.002-04:002008-12-12T19:12:19.448-05:00

When we stopped at the market in La Serena I happened to reach up and touch this Alpaca rug. It was the softest thing I'd ever touched. Maggie got her paws on it too and there was no way we were leaving without one. Even Sarah loves to curl up on it. We all go out of our way to walk across it in bare feet.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-86239444253162924812008-04-26T12:22:00.009-04:002008-12-12T19:12:21.482-05:00

Beloved mom and beloved wife enjoying some shopping together.This area at the foot of the virgen at the top of Cerro San Cristobal is typical of the many places where chileans will leave offerings and prayers for help of one sort or another. Often you will see little shrines by the side of the road and the pleas for help usually promise water to the sainted denizen of the shrine. The more

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-74650777280739131262008-04-13T20:30:00.017-04:002008-12-12T19:12:24.482-05:00

These windmills were enormous. They are part of a power generating station on the way to La Serena.Bruce the beach cabin chef.Bought some fish at this here fish shop. Kate walking on the beach at sunset.Monument to Gabriela Mistral in Elqui Valley.Catching some desert shade by the pool at Elqui Domos. On the road up to the cloud forest park, Fray Jorge, there are lots of examples of fairly dry

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-79656837200715305592008-04-12T13:06:00.007-04:002008-12-12T19:12:27.105-05:00

Solar ovens--pretty smart in a desert.Towards the end of March we had a great visit from my brother and family and my folks. We saw petroglyphs at Valle Del Encanto, enjoyed the thermal baths at Termas de Socos, walked through a cloud forest in the desert at Fray Jorge Park, slept in domos, rode horses, drank wine and ate good food in Elqui valley and then chilled out on the beach at Guanaqueros.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-32049888847418882712008-04-12T12:47:00.007-04:002008-12-12T19:12:27.745-05:00

In early March we had nearlysimulta- neous Spring Break visits from dear friends Ellen, Ajayi and Mary (Ellen's mom) and Dan & Lorelei. We didn't have time to travel with them but we sent them on fun adventures. Ellen et al. went to the south to check out Frutillar and the views around there of Mt. Osorno and the lake and to do the lake crossing that we did to Peulla. We sent Dan & Lorelei on a

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-81097843360543050762008-04-11T20:37:00.001-04:002008-12-12T19:12:28.192-05:00

Oddly, we wrapped her presents like cat mummies.Odder still, she made them talk to each other.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-41912789491477527902008-04-11T07:11:00.006-04:002008-12-12T19:12:29.095-05:00

We stayed at a charming little hotel in Zapallar called Isla Seca. Great restaurant. Amazing views.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-20352503746160557112008-04-11T06:54:00.004-04:002008-12-12T19:12:29.691-05:00

We went to Zapallar for the weekend. On the road we saw a copper pot stand. Abby bought a beautiful one!

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-67528916296760930022008-04-11T06:44:00.002-04:002008-12-12T19:12:30.230-05:00

We took a day trip with Kate's folks to visit Valparaiso and see the Sires, the family of an exchange student who is living in Elk Rapids with Kate's sister's family. They took us to a wonderful restaurant with typical Chilean cuisine. A highlight of the visit was a ride up one of Valpo's many funiculars. Though the ride up is a little harrowing the view is great.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-33854412389332908312008-04-10T20:15:00.002-04:002008-12-12T19:12:30.522-05:00

It was a clearish day, so we took the cable car up to the top of Cerro San Cristobal for a view of Santiago.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-57694916959404687282008-04-10T20:08:00.003-04:002008-12-12T19:12:31.431-05:00

One of the funky coolest restuarants in Santiago is the French Barbershop. These four dudes are real barbers with the oldest barbershop in Santiago and attached is a restaurant full of antiques and such, all for sale. Mike loved seeing the vintage barbershop stuff and visiting with the barbers.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-47608918872457605732008-04-10T19:59:00.003-04:002008-12-12T19:12:31.977-05:00

After Siete Tazas we took Mike and Abby to Lago Vichuquen and spent a relaxing couple of days enjoying the lake and the nearby ocean.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6275466.post-59156513144249291032008-04-10T19:56:00.001-04:002008-12-12T19:12:32.492-05:00

We figured afterwards the guy was just trying to be funny when he said:"Yeah, the road says it's closed, but it's fine!" Pepe le Peugeot on the way to Lago Vichuquen.

Doug Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03700399768060693711noreply@blogger.com0