Well that’s it. We did it!! 24 long hours, 48 posts, and countless cups of coffee later we have completed the 1st Annual Vancouver Blogathon for Charity. I am thrilled that we participated and that we were able to do so much for such a good cause in such a short period of time. It is definitely worth the lack of sleep that I’m feeling at the moment.

Well there is only 2 1/2 hours left till the end of the blogathon. I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The ride has been an interesting one with some definite ups and downs. The greatest peaks were when I received an email from Plan saying that someone had donated to our charity of choice for the blogathon. I would like to take a second to thank each and every donor who took the time and effort. The following is a list of people who helped us raise an amazing $1,481. This money will go along way in N’Gouruba and will make the lives of it’s residents brighter.

One thing that this blogathon has made very clear, the hardest part of writing is getting the initial inspiration to pick up your pen and put it to paper (or fingers to keyboards). I’ve always known that inspiration is very important in my writing - from University papers before through to blog posts today.

When we arrive in N’Gouraba they entire village is out to greet us. We are early even, but they are waiting diligently. The road is completely lined with people of all ages and the Hunters greet us with music and strange dancing. I say strange because it is totally random free-form movement and they’re snickering and joking around with one another.

My good friend kc and I went on a pretty nuts trip this past May. It was a whirlwind that started with Amanda and I spending a week on the beach in Mexico followed by London, Bamako, Casablanca, Paris, and Lyon with the main purpose of the trip to get our boots on the ground in Mali, make sure things were going well, and to see where we could further get things done.