John arrived home from the US at around 3:00 am. He was in absolutely misery. The plane had sprung a gas leak, and all passengers were evacuated emergently from the plane. Everyone was calm he said, but exhausted. They had to wait in the airport lounge and John said that everyone was trying to stay awake, but...not easy.
For better or worse, our Monday was highlighted with a big barbecue in our yard, in honor of our laboratory leader Michael, who is leaving Moshi at the end of the month. Michael has led the KCMC/Duke lab at a time of some stress, and kept the team going. A big thank you was awarded Michael from all the staff.
There is a tremendous amount of "prep" goes into a big cookout like this. Here are Boni and Lucy, prepping immense amounts of veggies. Behind Boni you can see a fire going with two big pots (of oil) for the bananas and potatoes. The salad was fantastic with only a topping of salt and vinegar--tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic and onions. Behind the fire, little Jonathon watches. He wanted to help. So....
Jonathon was given the important job of pouring water back and forth from one cup to the other. He took his job very seriously.
Despite his advanced age, Charlie brought his girls by to see if they could help out with the food part. They did not seem to get the full import of the chicken barbecue aspect.
A number of folks arrived in early, so we chatted as we waited for the beer (a crucial element of every barbecue)
The guest of honor Michael. I think his send off was a huge success.
Our goat gave up his life for a good cause
Kate has her first goat nyama choma. So delicious and what a great shot of Kate.
Three Franks, and three accountants. This was a celebration of a new financial account set up to avoid some of the confusion of lots of different grant monies going into one code. We say "thanks" to the Franks!
My friend Alex took me to the TPC mosquito vivarium. This fun topiary was a welcome to Bill Gates. The Gates foundation funds much of the Malaria research going on in the world. I learned one heck of a lot about mosquitoes and malaria while out at the Vivarium with Alex. And, she is the perfect host (ess).
New resistant mosquitoes are being bred outside in the perfect environment
Here they are in their special mosquito nets. The question is which nets will kill these highly resistant mosquitoes, most of which come from Northern Uganda.
Now, these little guinea pigs help to test for malaria. (Don't worry, they don't die) Their little tummies get shaved and they sleep on top of the mosquito boxes (they are slightly drugged so they sleep (lala) well. Then their bites are counted in the am. Imagine, guinea pigs contributing to the battle against malaria. What is just horrifying is that the mosquitoes have figured out how to squiggle through the tiny holes in the nets, and these resistant mosquitoes are not killed by the treated nets.
This cow is going to sleep in the mosquito house. Some cows don't mind it at all, but this one (a one year old, as most are) was very unhappy about the situation. He wanted to have nothing to do with the houses and bucked and kicked even before he was brought to the house.
Now he is near the house and furious. He kicked and mooed, and actually contributed to science because no one had really planned for these rambunctious cows. Since they come from the market and they are to be trained for the houses, the angry ones are a problem.
Now exhausted the cow lies on the ground for a bit of a rest. Don't be fooled, it did not last!
Then, finally, his "nappy" went on. Apparently, since cows are not really house trainable, they have to wear a "nappy" in order that the mosquitoes who bite the cows and die, have to be distinguished from the mosquitoes who die because they get the cow manure on them (the manure is deadly). It is necessary to see what kills the mosquitoes, the nets or the manure or something else. This cow did not want to wear the nappy. I think the nappy should have had some nice fancy suspenders to make the cow a bit prouder to be part of science. For sure the plastic pants were not fashionable.
The day before we left, I dashed down to the TAWREF meeting, and watched Dafrosa give a five year overview of the activities of TAWREF. I am proud to have been a part of this organization for such a long period of time.
Here, one of the Vine Trust recipients gives a testimonial about receiving a home from Vine Trust, and being the recipient of the entrepreneur trainings offered by TAWREF.
Now, without adieu, we are here in Amsterdam after a sleepless night on the plane. The room is so small, that the toilet and shower are all in the same room as the bed. Barely enough room for the suitcases, only one chair, no closet, and of course the faithful dark lighting. If only Amsterdam was clear as it sometimes is at this time of year you could walk around outside, but no, it is the true Amsterdam weather. Windy, rainy, and cold. Sigh.
At least, I have my Lonely Planet to keep me warm and I will read about Morocco and warmer weather!
