World Traveller at your service...

Funny thing is I really felt like one. I had the opportunity to spend a few hours in London before my next flight. After sobbing like a fool on the Metro North to NYC and then on the E-train to the Airtrain to JFK, I finally got to JFK in one piece with 1 giant piece of luggage, one carry-on, and a backpack. Unfortunately, my luggage was too heavy; fortunately, I have the smartest boyfriend in the world that suggested I take a fold-up duffle back in case my luggage is over weight so I can split it, because, little did I know, I was allowed to check in 2 pieces of luggage. I also didn't know that I could check myself in. I scanned my passport into some machine, punched in some numbers, and I was done! Technology kills me; actually it's taking peoples' jobs away therefore actually killing some, but I won't really go there.
So my first stop on my trip to Tanzania was London's Heathrow Int. Airport. After 7 hours, watching Horton Hears a Who (which I absolutely loved!) and trying to sleep in a seat that barely fits a tween, I arrived in London on Friday morning about 11:30am. I checked my bags into a business that holds bags for days at a time that you have to pay for. This was my first experience paying in pounds. It was so cool!
Although audacious and a bit aprehensive, I took the "Tube" or the "Underground" to Central London where all the "touristie" things are. The Tube was an experience. It reminded me a lot of the Long Island Railroad or the Metro North: cushioned seats, colorful decor, and clean. I had to take 2 trains to Westminster. I took the Pickadilly line (which btw, the last stop was Cockfosters! Imagine hearing that in an English accent!) and then the Jubilee line to the Westminster stop. I wanted to check out the Abbey and perhaps Big Ben. Little did I know that as soon as I got out of the station my friend Mr. Big Ben would be towering over me. I didn't know it was part of the Houses of Parliament. It was such a great site. After enough picture taking I walked across the street to Westminster Abbey. The architecture is beautiful, the detailed carving, AMAZING!!! I only got to see the cathedral from outside, but it was lovely! I had to pay a fee to go inside and see the cloisters. I was cool with not having to see it, plus I was on a time constraint.
Then I walked over to Buckingham Palace (again, just beautiful) and took some photos there. After BHP I jumped back on the Tube to the London Bridge. I had asked a citizen if the London Bridge was the same as the Tower Bridge. I've always wanted to see the Tower Bridge of London, but didn't have time. I learned that London Bridge and the Tower Bridge are not the same bridge and opted to visit the London Bridge because if was closer. I literally had to look at it and leave because I was due back at the airport for my flight. Well, fortunately, the Tower Bridge is visible from the London Bridge. I took some pictures and tried to jump right back on the train.
Here is where Cabbie starts to panic a bit. Supposedly, in the very large London Bridge train station, there was an incident happening. The exit from which I came out of was blocked off. I had to go all the way around to another entrance. Mind you, I was running a few minutes behind schedule already. After finally getting back on the Tube I made it to the Airport with more than enough time to spare to buy a munchie and coffee. I was off to gate 14 for my flight to Nairobi, Kenya.
I really enjoyed London. It was my first time in Europe. I had a great time!
You can check out my picture on my myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cabbiecabberson.

Going, Going, Gone...

So, the last huge step besides getting my visa and immunizations (it is mandatory to get a yellow fever vaccine in order to entire into Tanzania) was to purchase my airfare. Finally, 2 weeks ago I purchased it from vayama.com. I couldn't believe how much cheaper the airfares were on this website compared to some of the other sites Carlton and I were researching. I was thinking the flights would be booked or uber expensive, but I was pleasantly surprised, especially considering I had to wait 2 weeks before I was to leave to make the purchase.
I'm flying tonight, July 24th, 2008 at 11:35pm. I arrive in London at 11:25am on Friday (London time) and have an 8 hour layover. I'm hoping to escape the airport for a couple of hours to go checkout Westminster Abbey and maybe even Big Ben. (I know I'm a typical tourist. I can't help it; it'll be my first time in Europe!)
After, checking London out briefly, I'll be getting on another plane at 8pm and arriving in Nairobi, Kenya, the next morning (Saturday). Then I have to get on one more plane to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania where I will picked up with the rest of the volunteers arriving on Saturday. Yes, that's right, I'll be traveling for 2 days. I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
As many of you know, I'll be staying in Tanzania for 6 weeks working with local NGO's, particularly a CBO that works towards youth empowerment called the Chivane Cultural Group. Their mission is to perpetuate African traditional music, by dancing and composing. They address the issues currently relevant and sensitive to the community by using theater arts to educate and sensitize. By volunteering with this CBO I'll be immersed in the culture of Bagamoyo, Tanzania and learning and enjoying it as best I can.
I will have access to the internet at a local internet cafe. I will be checking my email as often as I can.
My contact information in-country is as follows.
Mailing address:
Attn: Michael "Cabbie" Caban
Cross-Cultural Solutions, Bagamoyo Office
c/o Zik Kundy
P.O. Box 312
Bagamoyo, Tanzania

The volunteer phone line is (011) 255-753-429-068. Just remember that Bagamoyo is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. The best time to call the home-base is between 6:30am and 1:30pm E.S.T. In case of an emergency, you can call Cross-Cultural Solutions NY office at 800-380-4777; or 24-hour CCS Emergency Hotline: 888-772-9336; or the Home-Base Office: (011)255-232-440-185.

I'm excited and nervous to go to Tanzania. I will miss you all dearly.
I'll be leaving Tanzania on Saturday, September 6th and will be back in NYC/JFK on Sunday, September 7th. I can't wait to come back and share my experiences with you over coffee or wine!
Nakupenda Sana!!!

Sherehe Wakaa - Party Time

On June 22nd, 2008 starting at 6pm and ending at 9:30pm I had a little fundraiser at the LGBT Center in the West Village, NYC. The evening was filled with music by DJ One Mic and DJ Hectah. I also had a silent auctions with Jewelry, bath set, and artwork donated by Sandra Alley (my mother-in-law); snow globes and cookbooks donated by my friend Jennifer Medina; Starbucks Gift Baskets donated by my friend Shannon Fleishman; dinner dates from Michael Darnel and Quinn Sidon; and theater tickets donated by my 'manito Mario Robles for Latin American Theater Ensemble.

Throughout the evening there were theater performances by Improv Theater Troupe Bad Luck Rising and an excerpt from my friend Piper's one woman show In Her Memory; stand up comedy by Fish; and singing by the piano with pianist Franca Vercelloni. As the party unraveled, my friend and co-worker Crystal Clarity composed a live painting to be auctioned off at the end of the evening.

Many of my friends and family attended the event. Everyone had a great time and I raised a good amount of money from the door and the auctions. It was a wonderful evening! The support both emotionally and financially was more than I could ask for.

The following is a special thanks for those who have supported me through this journey:

Robert & Sandra Alley
Piper Anderson
Brooks Ashmanskas
Bad Luck Rising
Brooke Barnum
Alex Brandt
Drew Burke
Angelo & Claribel Caban
Jahaira Caban
Joshua Caban
Cable Positive
Brandon Caplan
Elizabeth Caplan
Crystal Clarity
Alika Crew
Michael Darnell
Alison Dembe
Sasha Dobos-Czarnocha
Kathryn Dunn
Jocelyn K. Ellams
Heleen Ellmore-Walzer
Fish
Shannon Fleishman
Michael J. Foster
Jessica Fraser
Amanda Gurung
Tante Anna Hacker
DJ Hectah
Miranda Kaplan
Roberta & Lilly Kyle
David Labahn
The LGBT Center
Katie Lindebeck
Lottie & Mary
Katherine Mask
Jennifer Medina
Elizabeth Moore
Marco & Crystal
Natalie Novak
Mike Pace
Elaine Rodriquez
DJ One Mic Rivera
Mario-Francisco Robles for Latin American Theater Ensemble
Steve Rosenthal
Alison Schwab
Quinn Sidon
Ian C. Signer
Peter Simba
Libby Stanton
Orie Urami
Franca Vercelloni
Kara Walsh
Beth Wehner
Barbara Zahorodny
Kristin Zahorodny

To anyone else I might have forgotten. Thank you for your support!!!

And last, but certainly not least, my partner Carlton L. Rounds. Thanks you baby for helping me, pushing and encouraging me, and dealing with me when times got stressful and I didn't think this was going to happen. Thank you Papi; I love you!!!