Hey Everyone!

Karen here, giving a quick update for Nick...

As I’m sure many of you have guessed, Nick has been without internet since he got back from Europe, and he doesn’t know when he’ll be able to make his next post... here’s hoping it’s sometime in the near future. *fingers crossed* And to make matters worse, a gang of angry dik-diks attacked Nick and his laptop upon his arrival back to Namibia. They came out of nowhere and cornered him. First he tried to fight them off with a stick, then he threw his shoe, then he sang a little Phil Collins hoping that deep down they were lovers and not fighters. Luckily Nick escaped unharmed, but his laptop didn’t fare so well. It is currently somewhere between Africa and the US on its way to be fixed at Best Buy. If only they had Best Buys in the African desert.

Thanks to everyone for sending letters and packages. They really make living so far away a lot easier. Special shout outs to Nancy and Kristen for sending super awesome packages. And Nancy, you sent him root beer? Seriously? You’re my hero, and I’m sure his too.

Let’s see, Europe = amazing. Compared to making sand castles in the desert and eating bugs, Nick absolutely loved having a two week respite in Greece and Italy. Hanging out with the jazz band, getting to see me and his parents, great food, amazing sights...really now, what more could a guy ask for? I promised to post a few of Nick’s pics from Italy, but I’ll leave it to him to write a more detailed post about the jazz tour and everything he's been up to since then when he gets the interwebs back.

A pretty shot of Venice and one of its many bridges.

Another shot of buildings along a canal in Venice.

St. Mark's Basilica in the Piazza San Marco.

Nick happy to be in Venice surrounded by pigeons.

Gburg College Jazz band performing in Santa Margarita Square, Venice.

Nick, Jimmy and I... too special for our own good.

Nick's awesome parents dressed up outside the Ca' Del Sol mask shop in Venice.

Gotta love laundry hanging to dry throughout the city.

Nick and I walking to the Duomo in Florence.

Nick, his dad and I outside part of the Duomo.

An overcast day, but still a nice view of Florence taken from the top of the Duomo.

Nick and I in Florence. Yay Italy!

Well, that's pretty much it for now. Nick just wanted to let everyone know that he's alive and not just ignoring his blog or email. Maybe the internet gods will smile on him again soon. Until then, if anyone would like to make a donation to the Keep Nick Sane in Africa Fund, letters, movies, books, phone calls and whatever else are always appreciated. :-) His contact info is still:

011-264-813-6435-42

Nick sends his love and misses you all!

Cheers,
Karen