First it was the malaria medication. We'd heard that mefloquine can have some nasty side effects, but because I think I'm tough, I wasn't worried. But, a week before we left for our trip--and when I began the malaria medication--I wasn't feeling very well. Bernie and I both chalked it up to lack of sleep and nerves about preparing for the trip. But by the time we arrived in Ethiopia, I was feeling worse. During our trip to Aksum, I was so nauseous that I had to lay down in the van we were using to get around during one of our farm trips. On our plane ride back to Addis, it finally happened. I vomited (in one of those handy air flight sickness bags) on the plane. All of the Ethiopians on our trip were sympathetic, thankfully, but mostly because they thought I was pregnant (I'm not, just so you know Mom, Stuart, and Barbara!).

And that wasn't the last time in Ethiopia. I threw up in a cab (thankfully I'd saved a couple of those handy white bags) on the way to the airport to catch our flight to Nairobi and then again surrounded in the airport bathroom.

By then we'd figured out it was the malaria medication and when we arrived in Kenya we went to the chemist (pharmacy) and got a new prescription, which has (fingers crossed) not given me any side effects. Unfortunately, the side effects from the mefloquine lingered and I spent a few miserable nights in the hotel vomiting -- again.

And until yesterday, I thought I'd make it through our whole trip to Tanzania without throwing up at all. But then we got on the ferry from Zanzibar back to Dar es Salaam. Although the ocean looked pretty calm to me, our boat rocked violently for most of the two and a half hour trip. I was fine until the last twenty minutes when I watched several men walk to the bathroom we were sitting next to and heard them throw up. That did it! Yet again I was saved by the air flight sickness bags I had stolen on that first flight in Ethiopia.

So, I'm rooting for you, Uganda! Please be the first country in Africa where I don't vomit!

Follow Danielle and Bernard as they travel through Africa at www.BorderJumpers.org.

There's more...

As reported on blogs today, an Obama field coordinator sent out an e-mail memo yesterday that urges supporters to call in sick in order to GOTV.

The memo doesn't need an introduction but I want to offer a few thoughts anyway.

As a volunteer for the Hillary Clinton campaign I receive e-mails on a regular basis, and have never seen anything from that campaign that did not have a professional and factual tone and presentation.

When I saw this memo from the Obama campaign today, it just struck me as inappropriate and..well...creepy in places, such as... the forces against which we are waging do not go quickly or quietly into the night.

What?

The Obama memo reinforces my impression that his campaign may encourage supporters in a way which may be counter-productive.  On that note and off-topic, I came across an on-line comment from a North Carolina military voter today relaying his/her conversation with peers:

 "....But what suprised me the most is that one of the biggest things that turned alot of people off other than wright and the fact that they felt he was always on the defensive against Hillary, and not saying much...was his supporters. Yes, you are reading correctly. You have to understand about the surrounding areas of Fort Bragg. Alot of ex military and vets who when they deploy the internet is there best friend. So of course they are going to go online. Alot of people did not like the tone of his campaign site..." (all sic)

And now here's the memo, in part.  Although it's been published in full today on several sites, I have deleted the name of the field coordinator as well as detailed logistical information in the interest of privacy:

From: Obama Voice [mailto:obamavoice@...]
Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 10:37 PM
To: obamavoice@...
Subject: Time for Change. Time for Action

When I arrived in Charlotte I was immediately impressed by the grassroots organization that had already been established here.  Then, I could not have imagined the blood, sweat and tears that would be shed in the name of hope, to produce change. In just a few short minutes, your incredible field organizers and I will gather to review our game plan one final time.  In so doing, we will undoubtedly marvel in the growth and remarkable journey of this campaign here in North Carolina.  It is upon your shoulders that we have arrived at this critical point, and it is - once again - upon your shoulders that we will bring it home.

But please remember that the forces against which we are waging do not go quickly or quietly into the night. We cannot wait passively and idly hope for change to come. Heed the words of Senator Obama, recognize the fierce urgency of now, and be the change you hope to see. We are in a unique position to actually influence the outcome of this presidential primary, and in so doing, have an incredible influence on the future trajectory of this country.

And to do that we need your help. We need more of your blood, your sweat, and your tears. This weekend our Charlotte organization knocked on an incredible number of doors - but there are still many doors to knock, more stories to hear, more voters to inspire. So please join us as we knock on your neighbors doors and bring Senator Obama's message of hope, unity and change. There is nothing more effective than connecting with another voter and expressing your story. Only you can do that. You know how important this is! I know I don't have to ask, but I will one last time - please join us tomorrow. Call in sick if you have to and help us all day by canvassing or offering rides to the polls.

[logistical info. removed]

Between now and 8pm tomorrow evening, when polls close, we each have to do all in our power to ensure that Barack Obama is victorious. Now is our opportunity to not only change politics, but how Americans view and respect one another. The responsibility is ours.

[signature removed]

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My girlfriend  just sent me this email about Blackwater. This makes me SICK!!!! Who really run's the USA when corporations can put their workers in danger, deny EVERTYTHING and then sue the very families that actually lost their loved ones for 10 MILLION?!  We need to help stop corporations from pushing around the little guy.  I donated to support the victim's families @ www.blackwatervictims.com .  Still in shock that Blackwater can get away with this!

There's more...