Since we didn’t have the world’s most interesting week (and we know that you all depend on us for your weekly dose of excitement), we’ve decided to spice this blog up with short bios of everyone on the trip, so you have an idea of who all these people are that we talk so much about.
In no particular order, here are the members of Carpe Diem Nkula, Greta and Dan included:
Greta
Hometown: Ely, MN
Age: 32
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Spirit Animal: Huskie
Favorite Swahili Word: mbwa (dog)
Favorite Quote: “Be tough yet gentle, humble yet bold, swayed always by beauty and truth.” – Bob Pieh, Founder of the Voyageur Outward Bound School
Favorite moment/story from the trip thus far: The moment I met everyone in the airport and realized we were going to get along so well, and the countless times everyone has made me laugh.
Something I’ve Learned About Myself in Africa: According to most East Africans, I’m really old.
Message to Home: Thanks for holding down the fort.
Duncan
Hometown: Stonington, CT
Age: 20
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Spirit Animal: Rhino
Favorite East African Food: Rolex
Least Favorite East African Food: Veggies
Favorite Quote: Findlay quote: “For family, for honor, and for an A+!”
Favorite Swahili Phrase: Ninataka kunya (I need to take a dump)
Favorite Place So far: Rhino Fund Uganda, but will change to Safari in Ruaha soon!
Message to Home: Miss you, Mom, Memaw, Aunt Amy, Uncle Dave, and the cousins! Thank you for making this trip possible, Mom. I’m having the time of my life! Tell Lucky I said hey and miss him, too. To all my Findlay family, I miss you guys to death. Tyler, hope you had an awesome 21st Vegas bash. I hope things are well with Bryce and Parker. Brian, I miss you, bro. Hope the house is awesome!
Becca
Age: 21
Hometown: Chicopee, MA
Sun sign: Aquarius
Spirit Animal: Leopard
Favorite Swahili Word: Lala (sleep)
What I Miss Most About Home: Mrs. Fisher
Gratitude: Thank you so much to everyone at home who helped me prepare for this trip, especially Lala and Dad.
Fred
Age: 19
Hometown: Durham, NH
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Spirit Animal: Flamingo
Favorite East African Food: Matoke
Favorite Quote: Life, what is it but a dream?
Favorite Swahilli Word: Cheza (to play)
Message for Home: I hope all is well in NH. Africa is the most amazing place I’ve ever been, and i can’t wait to return later in life!
Something I’ve Learned: I’m good at Ugandan Sign Language, and I love buying cheap shoes
Lilly
Hometown: Hampton, New Hampshire
Age: 18
Spirit Animal: Lion
Message for home: Mom, Dad, Jack, and Joshua: you 4 are my best friends in the whole world and I cannot express how much I miss you. Give the doggies kisses for me and let them sleep on my bed. Love and miss you all so much! xoxo
Favorite African food: Posho/ugali
Favorite Quote: “Contentment is not the fulfilment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have.”
Favorite Swahili Word: Chooni (on the toilet)
Zodiac sign: Leo
What I’ve learned about myself in Africa: I like to read…a lot
Natalie
Age: 18
Hometown: Rumson, NJ
Zodiac sign: Sagittarius
Favorite African Food: Ugali/Posho
Favorite Swahili Phrase: Lala fofofo (sleep like a log)
What I Miss Most About Home: Nachos
Mia
Age: 18
Hometown: Marshfield, MA
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Spirit Animal: Barn Owl
Favorite Quote: “I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve immortality through not dying.” – Woody Allen
Favorite Moment/Story Thus Far: Sitting by Lake Victoria with Fred, drinking Tangawezi, and watching a man casually beat a cobra to death
Becky
Age: 19
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Spirit Animal: Crested Crane
Favorite East African Food: Matoke
Least Favorite East African Food: Fish
Favorite Swahili Word: Chemsha (boil)
Something I learned about myself in Africa: I can hop really far on one foot
What I miss most about home: Pizza
Dan
Age: 33
Hometown: Ely, MN
Zodiac Sign: Virgo
Spirit Animal: Yeti
Favorite East African Food: Goat on a stick
Least Favorite East African Food: Cartilage on a stick
Favorite Quote: “The sun’s not yellow; it’s chicken.” – Bob Dylan
Favorite Swahili Word: Juzi juzi (the other day)
Favorite Moment / Story: Wandering through the market and around the village with Becca and Mia while carrying a 10kg sack of potatoes in search of a chicken to slaughter for our Sunday dinner.
Message to home: I heart Mom
-Mia