Summit & result of donations!

Dear sponsors, followers, children and everybody involved with la Maison l'Arc en Ciel! A donation of €200 euros have today been transferred into their account , as a result of the total collection of donations from Brams and Tim's Tenebo climb in Uganda in February.
The total collection of sponsors, equaled into a total of €400, an amount that we have split between Maison l'Arc en Ciel and the Tibetan Refugee camp in Leh, India, destroyed by mudslide last autumn, after the heavy monsoon rains, killing more than 400 persons.After Bram, Tim and Arno's trek on the ice into the Zanskar valley in 2010, we've stayed in contact with some of the local people in Leh, and decided to send some money to them to buy supplies for these refugees. We had hoped to raise more money, but this time it resulted in less than expected... Many expected sponsors absent.. Next time we hope to do better! For information on our assocation Tenebo, our goals and donations... stay tuned. 
Thank you for your support! Stay in touch! 
Lot's of love... Jenny, Brigitte, Tim, Bram and Arno

Personal Greetings from Maison l'Arcs en Ciel!

Dear friends and family - want to share with you the following personal note that just arrived from Danille, who runs the orphange in Haiti:

Chère Jenny,
Nous sommes touchés par ce nouveau témoignage de solidarité envers les enfants et la MAEC.  Merci. 
On souhaite à Bram et Tim un bon séjour en terre ougandaise;  l'un des pays d'Afrique ou il y a de très bons programmes psychosociaux en faveur des enfants infectés\affectés par le VIH\SIDA.  Nous nous sommes d'ailleurs beaucoup inspirés de leur approche communautaire pour implanter notre propre programme. 

Merci encore de nous soutenir et nos chaleureuses salutations à Bram et Tim,
Danielle   

An update of the last two very very exciting days... will follow tomorrow morning!
Thank you Danielle, your children and staff, for paying attention to our best intentions...

Peace & Love
Jenny & Brigitte

Queen Elisabeth Nature Park

After two days and nights at the Simba Safari Camp, Bram and Tim have now arrived in Bwindi, at the foot of the mountains, where you can find the Ugandan gorillas. Their stay at the Simba Camp was awesome and so full of impressions. The boat safari upon arrival was fantastic - so many animals and such a breathtaking view, completely untouched... Uganda has not been open very long for tourism, so the land is really unspoiled and so rich of wildlife!! (Except for their fellow austrian climbers, they haven't seen a single white man.) Approaching the animals from the water was amazing, you can get really close since you're safe as long as you saty away from the sand banks. Hippos, crocodiles, birds, simply just beautiful and in enormous numbers. On their way back in the boat they were hit by a huge rain storm, pretty impressive to experience on an african lake. They watched the thunderstorm sweep over the savanne from their lodge, a very special moment.

After a very good night of sleep, they left early the next morning for a lion safari. Unfortunately not so lucky... no lions along the trail and too dangerous to go off the trail. They had to do with the spectacular scenery of thousands of antilopes and gazelles. Amazing. A little relaxing saladlunch and cold beer - off to next adventure. Chimpanzee tracking! A cool female park ranger picked them up with her automatic rifle  (I guess standard procedure in the parks..) and jeep. She kept on driving and Bram and Tim started to wonder if that was it? - No, no, she said.. -You have to be patient, it's not what you think!
Finally, the landscaped completely changed and they were standing right in front of a huge gorge, a crater created millions of years ago, probably due to an earthquake. Descending on foot into the gorge, you enter deep tropical forest, chimpanzee country! And mosquito country. No matter what you sprayed, they kept coming... so they got fairly eaten! I hope no malaria. On their way down the gorge, a first surprise right on their path... a green mamba!!! Jesus.. they are seriously dangerous, I mean deadly serious! Tim got a little shaky there... They made a big detour, and continued down to the bottom. Not a single chimpanzee in sight. The park ranger suggested they'd go to the river, where she says the chimpanzees come to drink. Tim's up front on the path, turns a corner and... oops! A big chimpanzee male is sitting right in front of him, on the path. Heartbeat.. bom - bom - bom .... - Just stand still, the ranger told them, he'll do nothing. The chimpanzee was holding an old leaf in his hand, and was on his way to the river for a drink, when he probably heard Bram and Tim approaching. As they were waiting, the chimpanzee finally stood up and passed them going towards the water. They decided to follow.

At the water the chimpanzee sat down for his little drink, and Bram and Tim were standing reasonable close watching. So cool. They're big those guys!!! Then the chimp was done drinking and turned around to go back, realizing that Bram and Tim were sort of blocking his passage. The chimpanzee slowly came up right in front of then, I mean 30 cm... and literally brushed pass Bram and continued into the jungle. Tim was all bubbly laughing inside, cause Bram was frozen scared by this VERY close encounter... Some chimpanzee tracking, huh! The chimp must have been laughing even harder ;)))
Coming back to the hotel, Bram needed a shower and an underwear change (might have something to do with the chimpanzee??) and started looking for a pair in his rugsack, when a huge toad jumped out on him!!! Scared the shit out of him. hahahahaha. Better than a green mamba, I suppose... One thing's for sure - that rugsack is not being unpacked inside coming home....

Yesterday a long journey, actually only 140 kilometers, but going through the park off road - it took them 9 hrs. I bet their butts hurt... On the way, Bram asked the guys to stop, since he saw these huge red ants, that he wanted to take a closer look at. Tim and Bram left the jeep when next surprise turns up in front of them - an elephant! Wow.... they were so fast back in the jeep and off !! Crazy, but so exciting!!! They arrived last night at the lodge, which is nicely set in the rain forest, an amazing landscape surrounding them. Cold beer and dinner and an early night. This morning they left early for their first day of gorilla tracking. Can't wait to get more news! Hang in there. Stay tuned. Lot's of love from me and my very special reporter Brigitte...

Birthday Sunday - not!

5 am - rise and shine... Alex goes to work early on sundays. He volonteers for work practice at Boulangerie "Ferrigno" in Grillon. After one week of mandatory work practice before christmas (all last graders do this!), for which he had chosen our local bakery, he was hooked! He has now decided that it is within the restaurant business he wants to dedicate himself, maybe specializing in "pâtisserie" . So to learn, and help his new friend Rudy, he raises early sunday, to help him with the preparation of bread and cakes.

He also helps out in the shop, since Rudy's wife Christelle is often very busy with their two youngsters (i.e monsters) Timeo and Lea. They've built a great relationship, Rudy and Christelle are a very young couple, full of energy, and they given Alex a lot of responsability, and he has taken it on seriously. Great both ways. And great for us - Alex comes home every sunday with fresh bread and other goodies!
Go back to bed after bringing Alex to work - it is still pitch dark at that time, so going on his bike without headlamp (Bram has taken the good one with him to africa), doesn't feel really safe. Sound asleep, I'm awaken by an early phonecall. Bram calling home to wish me a happy birthday.... which it is not! I think he's forgotten my B-day is the 31st and not the 30th, but he came up with another excuse; he thought it was the 31st! Well... it was cute, but I can see through the excuse ;)

Anyhow, I got the full update! They arrived yesterday in Kasese, one of the bigger cities in Uganda, one day ahead of schedule. Big city? haha... a small dusty town, dirtroad and a 5min drive through. Not nice at all, actually. They arrived quite late, the hotel was terrible with shower that didn't work, humid with no airco and the food they were eventually served, was scary. They decided to stay only the night and find something else, because this place and town, just didn't feel right. So this morning they asked their travel guide to transfer them somewhere else, they still have two full days and nights to spend in this part of the world! 
So he drove them out of town, not very far, and voila.. the Simba Safari Camp. Wonderful place with lodges, restaurant and wild life surroundings, in the Queen Elisabeth Natural Park. Friendly, serviceminded, clean, scenic surroundings, good food and cold beer... Temperature just under 30°C and a breeze... I mean, life IS a bitch! Perfect place to wind down from last weeks climbing and simple living. This afternoon they're off for a boat safari on the Kazinga channel, in the dry season the animals go there to drink, and it's said to contain the world's largest concentration of hippos. Tomorrow they're off for another safari, this one in real Tarzan country, tracking chimpanzees! On Tuesday they leave Kasese and drive through the park of Queen Elisabeth to Bwindi, to track the gorillas...

The mountain trek and climb has been fantastic, with stunning views and great company. They, and 4 other companions (3 austrians and 1 ?), made a great group of 6, with one guide and two porters. The sleeping huts were well tended for and clean, the food was great and the weather exceptional! It was awesome. Not very difficult, of course you feel the altitude, but easy compared to Mont Blanc ! Bram said they're lucky with the weather - the same trek would not have been so great, should they have had rain... it is very muddy, and even now in the dry season, rubber boots are mandatory for a big part of the trek! And that's equal to stinky feet and sweating. With the heat and humidity around the equator - rubber boots is not exactly what you're longing for! Must have been smelly in those huts....
Me and Brigitte wish a great end of the weekend and why not Happy Birthday too - after all, every day is a party... stay tuned! Love Jenny

Connected !!

9:00 am Just in from the Rwenzoris: All well, coming down into reachable area, on the top thursday, will call as soon as connection gets better to catch up!

Then a 10 sec phone call from Bram, but the line was too bad, they'll try later as it improves.

Good to hear from them... it's been a while.

Radiosilence....

Unfortunately that is true. And it's not because they're saving $$$$$ on their phonecard... it's simpler than that. Just ,no coverage. Boys, you didn't do your homework and broke an important agreement.

1. A quick googling will tell you that european mobile phone coverage in Uganda is lousy, 
2. the promise to bring a satellite phone in case of emergencies (both ways!) and to be able to feed the travel blog for our readers

Well, nothing we can do about it, we'll have to wait until the 29th, then they're back in the hut where we had a message from them 2 1/2 day ago. Unless their batteries gone dead ;))) Maybe some chimpanzee STOLE Tim's phone, took it literally for a blackberry... haha, bad joke... 

Todays schedule should have included the ascent of Mount Alexander and Mount Speke, at 4850m (that is a little higher than Mt Blanc) with great views of the Savoia and Elena glaciers, going through the Scott Elliott pass and proceed through the snow to the Elena Hut at 4560m, where I assumee they're snoring away at the moment. Tomorrow is summit day of Mount Margarita at 5109m, then a 1000m descent before next reststop. We hope they're doing well and having a great time! Weather forecast is fantastic with clear skies, day and night! 

Be patient and stay tuned.... Goodnight Family & Friends,

Love Jen

3rd Day of Trek

Not much news today, I guess the guys are careful using their 25$ phone card... An SMS probably doesn't come cheap from Uganda? We got one message this morning though: "We're off for another day of trek, today tougher than yesterday, weather is fantastic and we had a good night of sleep". That was it... sounds like as good as it gets, n'est-ce pas?? Today they climbed approximately 915 altitude meter, starting after an early breakfast towards the John Matte Hut. 
The hike took them through the Kurt Sharfer Bridge, along the sparkling Mubuku river, view stunning views of Mount Stanley and Speke. Nature with open patches, Lobelia and heath moss forest! With that kind of weather, I bet they had a great day.


I found this great trip report from a bunch of norwegian guys, who climbed the peaks of the rwenzoris in january. Read and enjoy, it cannot get anymore detailed than this! http://www.ii.uib.no/~petter/mountains/5000mtn/Uganda/trip-report.html

Since there was not much news, I spent a part of my morning preparing an email to all our family, friends and contacts, including the information of the purpose of this trip and more information of the Haitian orphans, that we're trying to help. Diane, representing MAEC (Maison Arc en Ciel), has posted our blog on their facebook website, and sent out a separate message notifying their international followers of our action. She alse sent me a kind note... 
 "Thank you Jenny - I am copying Danielle, they need to know people are with them in this particular difficult period, believing and hoping for Haïti, and also she and Junior will be able to follow Bram's adventure, climbing slowly but surely, something they must do everyday with the personal and the kids, an everyday battle, but with '' plateaux '' for breathing and observing their accomplishments ! May Bram and his friend reach their goal safely ! Diane X0X"

We're doing a pretty good job raising awareness - please help us spreading the message even further! 

Tenebo - Together... Stay tuned, be safe, 

Love Jenny, with Brigitte as my guardian angel (read... guarding her mobile phone like a precious diamond!)

Arrival and first two days of trek...

An 8hr direct flight from Amsterdam to Kampala and 3 hrs of throw-up style turbulence.... Bram and Tim were met up at the airport with a "welcome to Africa sign Mr Mul & Mr Uuden" by two guys from the trek organisation. No luggage lost, on time and off to the Airport Guest house, where a homecooked meal and a cold beer waited, to cool off travel and temperature. Hot, hot and humid... The complete opposite to Zanskars -30°C  last year!

After a good night of sleep, departure next morning at 8am by Jeep, for a 5hr trip down to departure point of the trek, the Rwenzori basecamp. But roads were really bad, going through a typical african landscape with people hiking in both directions, a colourful sight on a long bumpy journey, ending up taking 8 hrs. As they got further and further into the bush, the phone signal got weaker and weaker... and with no more news from the boys, Brigitte and I feared we would probably not have any further contact. Until they come out of the bush again, in 14 DAYS !!! *%$#@!.... they should have brought that satellite telephone after all!! How fun is that... not having a sign of life for the newt two weeks :(

But, against all odds... the boys were smart enough to purchase a local phonecard for 25 dollars, and with the access to a local phoneprovider, we had our first SMS in this morning! They boys were on the foottrail, leaving base camp at 1646m, gaining altitude towards the first stop on the trek, the Nyabitaba Hut at 2650m, hiking along the thick equitorial vegetation along the Kubuku river. They've arrived and with them a new sms reading: Great to know that our SMS arrive. We're in the first altitude camp, a couple of steep parts, some good sweating. Unfortunately still have my cold (Tim) but it's OK. Great guide and porters (2). Big kiss Tim & Bram. Brigitte tried to return a SMS, but it doesn't work. So we'll hope the connection will last as they get further into the mountains. 

The rwenzori mountains sit on the border of Uganda and Congo, with the actual summit on the border! It's right on the equator and therefore hot and humid... Bram's not taking the malaria pills, they have so few days in the risk zone. He learned that lesson during the Kilimanjaro summit and trip a couple of years ago.

Time for homework and cooking now, busy life alone with the kids. Cold and awful mistral blowing, I can only dream of the tropical temperatures of Uganda. Be safe, stay tuned... xxx Jenny and her stand by reporter Brigitte

A new challenge for Bram, Tim and Tenebo!

At this very moment, 6 pm european time, Bram and Tim should be touching down at the Kampala airport in Uganda. A new adventure starts and hopefully we'll be able to follow them through the jungle through the Moon Mountain (Rwenzori Mountains) range and their summit of its highest peak Mt Marguerita, standing 5109 m tall. This is the 3rd highest mountain in Africa, after Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya, and has permanent snow capped tops (still...) 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rwenzori_Mountains 

Bram and Tim will be gone for a little more than two weeks, including an exciting trek into the jungle to look at the impressive gorillas. There are 3 gorilla families in Uganda that can be approached with a guide with very small groups and a permit is mandatory, which you'll have to require well in advance. I've included their itinerary below!


To raise awareness for those who really need it, we've decided to use our Tenebo association and try to collect some money for the same project as for the Zanskar trek - the Haitian orphanage Maison Arc en Ciel, for some very simple reasons:

• We have a direct link to this orphanage, knowing that every penny sent is being used for the children;
• It's been exactly one year since the earthquake hit Porto au Prince, which killed more than 280.000 people. Situation is slowly improving, but it is very very slow... only 5% of the actual rubble has been removed, and more than a million people are still living under very poor conditions in tent camps etc.. 
• With poor sanitary conditions and hygiene, Haiti has been badly hit by a big cholera outbreak, that has killed more than 2000 and is still being spread. 
• Arc en Ciel moved into their new building, even if it was not finished, to get out of Porto au Prince to avoid cholera contamination. The building still doesn't have the necessary facilities for sanitary and running water, but is safer for the children. Lack of funds have unfortunatley stalled the construction work of this building. 
• Porto au Prince is one of the poorest cities in the world. So many orphans suffering from AIDS from parents who've  died, at a constant risk of falling into the hands of child abuse. With the earthquake, there are many many more orphans, who need our help. 
• Arc en Ciel and their staff, have created a home for some of these children and through adoption the children will eventually have a new family. But they also have an extended exterior programme, delivering food, water and other help to those who are not as fortunate. 
• However small or big donation, I cannot think of a better place to give it to. Maison l'Arc en Ciel, we'll be there for you!

Here's the link to the orphanage, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=192677253183 please join them on Facebook. There are wonderful postings and photos from Diane Ferland, who is their "right hand" publishing their progress on the web... 

More details on how and when you can admit your donation, will follow in my next post, hopefully tomorrow! 

Here's the itinerary: 

UGANDA - The Rwenzori Mountain Trek and summit of Mt Marg10 Days Rwenzori Mountain Trek

21/01/2011

Day 1 Arrival -Pick you up from the air port to Air port Guest House where you will spend a night before and after.

22/01/2011

Day 2: After Breakfast Our Driver/Guide will meet up with you at your Accommodation in Entebbe to start on the Journey to Kasese. 

The Journey will take about 5 hours through Mubende District with a lunch stop in Fort Portal at the Gardens Resturant before Heading to Ibanda at the Foot of the Rwenzori for your Accommodation at RMS headquarters/Rwenzori Basecamp.

23/01/2011

DAY 3: START OF THE EQUATOR GLACIERS TOUR

Early in the morning transfer to Nyakalengija (1646 meters) where you will start your climb into the mountains. The hike takes you along the Mubuku River and through thick equatorial vegetation before arriving at the Nyabitaba hut (2650 meters). You might hear chimpanzees or see blue monkeys. Dinner and overnight in Nyabitaba hut. Total hiking time: 5-7 hours Ascent: 1200 meters

24^TH/01/2011

Day 4: JOHN MATTE HUT

After early breakfast you will start the hike through the Kurt Sharfer Bridge to marvel at the sparkling Mubuku river confluence. In the afternoon you will reach the Nyamuleju hut from where you might enjoy a nice view at Mount Stanley and Speke. Climb through the open patches, lobelia, and heath moss forest when proceeding up to the John Matte hut (3415 meters) for overnight. Total hiking time: 7 hours Ascent: 915 meters

25^TH/01/2011

Day 5: BUJUKU HUT

Depart early through the giant Lobelias and heath trees. You ascend to the Bigo Bog and scenic landscape of lobelias and giant groundsels. You will pass lake Bujuku, majestically settled between the famous mountains. Continue to a rock shelter called Cooking Pot and soon you will arrive at your final stop for today. Dinner and overnight at the Bujuku Hut (3960 meters). Total hiking time: 3-5 hours Ascent: 560 meters

26^TH/01/2011

Day 6 : ELENA HUT

Head off from the valley with scenic alpine vegetation consisting Giant Groundsels and Lobelia and continue to ascend Mount Victoria and Mount Speke at 4890 meters. Depart through the lovely views of the Savoia and Elena glaciers, scale further through to the Scott Elliott pass and proceed through the snow to the Elena Hut (4560 meters) for overnight rest. The Elena Hut will be your base for the final conquers of the Rwenzori Mountains. Total hiking time: 3-5 hours Ascent: 470 meters

27^TH/012011

Day 7: FINAL ASCENT TO THE ALPS OF AFRICA

Early morning ascent to the snowy Alexander peak (5092 meters) and then onwards to the highest peak at 5109 meters, the famous Margherita! Thereafter we directly descend to the beautiful lake Kitandara for overnight stay at Kitandara hut (4020 meters).
Total hiking time: 3-5 hours Ascent: 670 meters - Descent: 1090 meters

28^TH/01/2011

Day 8: GUY YEOMAN HUT

After early breakfast a long descent begins. First we climb from Lake Kitandara to the Fresh field Pass from where you can look into the neighboring country Congo. We will have a picnic lunch on the way and continue our journey while descending to the Guy Yeoman hut (3260 meters) for dinner and overnight. Total hiking time: 5-7 hours Descent: 1000 meters

29^TH/01/2010

Day 9: NYABITABA HUT

The last part of the hike! Drop very steeply along the Mubuku River and join the original route near the Bujuku river. Dinner and overnight at Nyabitaba Hut (2650 meters).
Total hiking time: 5-7 hours Descent: 600 meters

30^TH/01/2011

Day 10: KASESE

Today we descend to Nyakalengija which will take approximately 2-3 hours. Then we proceed to Kasese to check in at Hotel Margherita/Rwenzori International Hotel/Mweya Safari Lodge for Relaxation. Today we descend to Nyakalengija which will take approximately 2-3 hours. Then we proceed to Kasese to check in at Hotel Margherita/Rwenzori International Hotel/Mweya Safari Lodge for Relaxation.

31^ST/01/2011

Day 11: KASESE

Today we take off a day to relax and ponder on the next move to Bwindi impenetrable forest for Gorilla tracking.  While in Kasese a bit of shopping is ideal and probably mixing with the community as part of the tour.  Over night Kasese town

1^ST/02/2011

Day 12: KASESE TO BWINDI

Travel to Bwindi national park through Queen Elizabeth national park where you will be able to view a few wild animals. Check into your accommodation depending on your gorilla group.

3^rd/02/2011

Day 13: BWINDI

Go gorillas tracking with other trackers. This tracking is exciting but also tedious

Therefore you should   be prepared to go through the track.

Returning from the forest can not be predicted because finding the gorillas depends on where they slept last night. Overnight to your previous accommodation,

4^th/02/2011

Day 14: RETURN TO KAMPALA

The drive back to Kampala will take either the Fort Portal or the Ishaka-Mbarara Route with a Lunch Stop at Agip Motel and proceed with another stop at the Equator after shopping and coffee break, you will be transferred to you Accommodation in Entebbe at Entebbe Airport Guest house/The Boma Guest house.  After returning you will relax for the remaining days.

Stay tuned... love you, 

Jenny

Welcome funds for Arc en Ciel!

I have received most of the donations for the Zanskar - Tenebo project and not wanting to hold up the donation anylonger, I have today wired a total amount of €2350 to the orphanage Arc en Ciel! It couldn't have arrived on at a better time! Here a message for all of you from Danielle, the director, that I received today:

Dear Jenny & Bram, 

Thank you so much for your support.  You can't imagine how important your donation is especially at this stage of the construction of the new facility.  We had to stoped last week for lack of funds. It seems like TENEBO and Rainbow are united in some way.  We have to keep in touch.  We wish you luck to both of you and your love ones. The informations concerning the transfer are correct. Many thanks again, Danielle Reid Pénette

 On the behalf of us and the children at Arc en Ciel, we say THANK YOU !!! Stay tuned for our next project... whatever that might be ;-)

Zanskar mission complete !

It's been almost 2 weeks already since Bram, Tim and Arno FINALLY returned home. 3 wild guys with beard, moustache and quite stinky, especially opening up the bag at home let loose some interesting smells, or should I rather say "odeurs" .. And a couple of kilos lighter! It was a long wait in Leh, 5 extra days, in cold and snowy conditions. But on wednesday Feb the 11th the sky cleared and news came they were on schedule for departure. But after an 8 hour loooong sit, things starting to look gloomy again. First flight got rerouted.. and still too much snow on the airstrip.. skies getting heavier... it started to look like their "Kingfisher Airline" would NOT send in another plane! Boys getting furious, together with the huge crowd of indians also waiting to go.. To be reassured of progress, Arno was personally escorted by the personnel out on the airstrip, and could with his own eyes verify that the clearing of the airstrip was on its way. By 300 persons each sweeping it with a broom !! LOL !!!! Well, they apparently did a good sweep job, because a flight got in and out, with the boys! Spending the afternoon in New Dehli with some decent food and cold beer, they finally boarded the last leg home with BA through London.

Out of dad's stinky bag came wonderful gifts for everyone at home: wool blankets in lovely colours, an embroided vest coated with sheep wool for Gab, a beautiful handpainted wall cloth, a really nice necklace for me with turqoises... etc. We were completely spoiled! And by watching the photos we could all get a little feeling for the awesome adventure and extraordinary surroundings they just returned from!

Everything is now back to normal, Association Tenebo has been officially registered in France with its proper bank account. I am very proud to announce...

1. Tenebo's 20 wonderful individual donors, each donating the equivalent amount of -30°c = €30 (€600), and 
2. Tenebo's school donation from de Tweemaster, with the "children for children" action, creating a fantastic €1863,
3. Tenebo's TOTAL donation amount of €2463 to the Haiti Orphanage Maison l'Arc en Ciel !!!

I will send you all a personal email with the bank details, so that you can wire the money into the Tenebo account, for further processing to Maison l'Arc en Ciel!!! I know that this donation will be so appreciated and valuable for their staff and children. Their moral at the moment is very low... the reality slowly catching up after a some very traumatic weeks and hard hard work.

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYBODY FOR BELIEVING IN TENEBO, it means so much that you can actually make some kind of difference. Thank you Tim, for making it possible. We will pursue Tenebo, hopefully you will too.

Stay tuned.... lot's of love Jenny & Bram

Home sweet home

With Alexander,  Benjamin and Gabriella at the cinema, half through the new Disney movie (Alex watching 3D Avatar with a friend), Brigitte finally got the good news and sent me the SMS: the boys have arrived in Dehli! It was a close shot.. first flight coming into Leh, was redirected to another destination but after an 8hr long wait, there was another flight coming in and going out, and they were on it! After a tasty dinner in Dehli and plenty of coronas, they're now waiting for boarding the 6:55 am flight to London and with Bram's transfer, we'll pick him up in Lyon tomorrow ar 5:30 pm. Welcome home Dad !!

Hopeful!

No news is good news and something tells me they're on their way from Leh, weatherforecast says partly sunny through the day.. it just must happen. Fingers crossed.. Stay tuned. xx Jen

Still in Leh

Snowstorm today in Leh, as expected. No flights, as expected. Tomorrow morning there's a window for some short improvement, before next front of bad weather moves in, estimated to last through the weekend. So they keep their fingers crossed that they'll be able to fly out. They're on the priority list, and the local guys from the trek are really helpful, keeping them updated on the whole situation, making sure they get out when first opportunity present itself. Not much to do in Leh of course, since the weather is bad, you cannot go and climb a mountain either! Arno apparently spends most of the time sleeping... Tim and Bram have found their daily routines having a tea somewhere, then onto the internet café reading the blog (yeah!!), making the necessary phonecalls etc. It's freezing cold everywhere since there's no heating.. Food is apparently the same thing everyday, not very exciting I suppose. This morning Bram went out in the snowstorm for a 2hr walk up to a monestery to see a munk to say his prayers and lay down a prayer flag... maybe the weathergod (Buddha?) heard him. So stay tuned... xx Jen

Tenebo is official

I received today with the mail the official registration letter of Tenebo, under the association number W842001710 of Prefecture de Vaucluse. Cool. I'll have the bank account details in a few days. Finally registered!! I registered the following members: Bram as President, Tim as vice President, Arno as Secretaire and me as Tresorière, hopefully the boys will not disagree upon functions, had to take the necessary steps in their absence.

For updates on the progress at L'Arc en Ciel after the earth quake, please also look under http://www.wereldkinderen.nl/ , this big dutch organisation for adoptions processes, has this orphanage on their list of support. On their news feed you'll find regular postings.

Where's the good weather??

Bad weather persist in Leh, no flights can navigate in and out between the mountains under these conditions. And it is not improving.. There's a small window opening for wednesday, but real improvement is only expected for friday. So many people waiting now for a flight out, same as trekkers etc waiting in Dehli to go in. Not much to do in Leh to kill time... electricity is only on between 18-23 at night and the internet/phone shop they call from runs on a generator and line is constantly cut off. One mess trying to change the Dehli-Lon connection with British Airways with phones hardly working and BA only accepting the changes from the travelling passenger/credit card holder... If I could do it from here it would be a lot easier, but not a chance. I understand all the security reasons but this is unreasonable... having booking ref's, credit card numbers etc and looking at the circumstances you'd say there'd be some cooperation. But no. Bah. Stay tuned. xx Jen

Children for children

Trying to recover from the bad news that Bram will not be home tomorrow and that we will have to wait and find out when he'll be back... I do have something to share with you, something that made me very proud and so happy! Here's Hellas story of the official result from the "children for children" action at the school de Tweemaster in Naarden, Holland, incl photos of the reception of the cheque to the orphanage Maison l'Arc en Ciel:

A magic total of €1863,- has been collected by all the children!!!! This morning in the school yard, a super cermony and reception was organised for me by the director Chris Heersink and all the students and teachers of de Tweemaster. Chris thanked the children for their creative work and donations to this specific project and with a big and loud applaud, I was happy to receive the cheque, accompanied by my daughters Famke and Merel. (The local newspaper "de Naarder Koerier" had already placed an article in their paper earlier in the week and were therefore not present!)

Anyhow, there I was standing, very proud but also very emotional by all this enthusiasm from these children. A small gesture turns into a big gesture... The donation will be transferred into my account and as soon as I have the amount I will wire it into the Tenebo Association account. It would be wonderful if la Maison l'Arc en Ciel could send a small note to our school, addressed to the children, so that they can see where their ideas and creative donations went! Understanding that communication is still difficult, hopefully this is not asking too much? Love, Hella

Oh Hella... this is so great!! With the rest of the donations from family and friends, I'm so proud to announce that we will be able to send at least a total amount of €2200 to Haiti's rainbowhouse and their children... Who could ever had imagined this!! Not me at least. I'm putting the last puzzlepieces together, awaiting the official paperwork and registration number of our association Tenebo. With that piece of paper I can open its bank account and wire the money to Maison l'Arc en Ciel. Hopefully the paperwork is done by the end of this coming week (I hold my breath cause we all know how french burocracy works, or if you don't I can tell you AAAALLL about it!!!)

Enjoy the photos, they speak their own language. When Bram is back, I'll be pleased to announce the coldest temperature measured and reveal the EXACT amount of our donation. So stay tuned... lot's of love from Jenny

Murphy

Well here comes the bad news, after all the good ones it was bound to happen: They should have flewn out of Leh yesterday, but because of few passengers they cancelled the flight (the only one). Ok.. not too bad (you'd think!), they have a margin, they fly out of Dehli tomorrow morning. But then the weather changed for the worse, so the only flight today was cancelled too. So they'll not make the 6:55 am flight to London tomorrow. And weather forecast not looking great, question is when they will fly... Leh is a military airport and if they give a no fly, then no flights come in and out. That is S-T. Tricky flight route in the mountains, so I understand of course.. but the cancellation yesterday causes a whole chain reaction now. I cannot help the guys either with contacting British Airways for their London flight, only the credit card holder for the reservations (ie Tim) can make any changes to their reservations. So I've just passed on all the phone numbes and reservation references to Bram, after finally finding a valid phone number to BA on a sunday. Tim has to take it from here. They've changed hotels in Leh, for something more comfortable, so they'll hold out. Hopefully BA will make the necessary changes without extra charges.... there's at least plenty of room on the tuesday and wednesday flight. What a mess... Stay tuned.

Long time no see !!

It's been a couple of busy days, but it's also been a couple of days with no much news from the Zanskar front. Best news were Bram's phone call last sunday on my birthday - yeeeahhh... we got 2 whole minutes, the only minutes I've spoken to him in the last 14 days. Time really flies !!! He was really happy and reconfirmed what Tim already has told us: It's just so amazingly beautiful and fantastic, the people soooo friendly, but Oh so poor, so poor... the guys accompanying them are just great fun, they enjoy every minute. On sunday when he called, they had started their journey back to Leh and when I asked if the trek was very physically demaning, Bram answered no, he didn't think so, but that today (Sunday) was a little rough, but the reason for that was drinking something saturday night celebrating their arrival in Zanskar. Wonder what they brew alcohol from there???? hahaha...

On monday Brigitte had some quick (what's new..) news from Tim, that they were actually making good progress on their return trip due to new snow, which give them good grip on the ice and that they probably would arrive a day early, ie is today, in Leh. And since they gained an extra day, they were organising a trip with a jeep up on the highest mountain pass in the world, reachable by 4 wheel drive - on 5400m. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khardung_La Wow !!! So that's scheduled for tomorrow then. But since then I haven't had news since then... hopefully everything is still on schedule.

My birthday bash was one great party - we were 20p having a typical big french late sunday lunch, with aperitif and 4 course dinner with wines and coffee and cake! One of the guests is actually sommelier for work (you know the guy/girl responsable for the wines in the restaurant..), so the cheaper wine we initially had bought for the dinner, was put back into storage and instead out came a couple of good bottles from our wine cave ;-) A real dinner with a professional "dégustation du vin". We had good laughs, as we were trying to smell and taste, licorice, cherries, horse sweat and mushrooms.... Not sure I agree all the time, but it was fun!!! I was spoiled with flowers and gifts, I don't think I've had such a wonderful birhday in many years, so we'll do it again next year (me and my riding instructor celebrating our common birthdays on the 31st jan!).

I've also spoken to Hella, who's initiated the "children for children" donor project at her kids school in Holland. It's apparently been very succesful as parents and children joined efforts. I haven't got all the details yet, but the children have been so creative. One girl played her flute in front of the local supermarket, raising a lot of money. Isn't that just wonderful. You kind of get very depressed reading the news in the world, but when I hear about all these small "miracles", then I'm reassured that 99,99999% procent of all the people in the world are really good. Tenebo.... together we're strong, right!! Anyhow, the official figure from the school donation will be announced this week on friday, with an official cermony where Hella is invited... together with the press!!!! Wow !! That is awesome, Maison l'Arc en Ciel will be covered in the Naarden media. That's the way to go... Good luck Hella, you'll be just fine, make them take a great pic of you and the kiddos !!

Besides this I had a smaller heart attack opening the mail today. The electricity bill. They check your meter in January every year adjusting your monthly instalment up or down, depending on your last 12 months of consumption. Guess what.... besides having already paid our yearly bill of approx 1750 euros, our consumption had increased so much in 2009, that we should pay another 6700 euros to cover for it !!!!!!!! WHAT THE HECK!!!!!!!!!! Something's VERY wrong here... it is impossible. They claim we used  our almost yearly consumption of 12000 KwH, in only 22 days. And those particular days occurred on the 22 days/year we're charged 10*normal fee. On those days we switch OFF as much electricity we can, run NO machines etc. We normally only consume 600 KwH during those days. So I got on the phone and got one really cocky guy first, telling me that this could be a delicate problem to solve, how would I prove that I didn't use that much electricity. Great mentality - assume the client is wrong. Wonderful problemsolving set of mind. So I hung up. And got a nice lady on the phone, understanding that there must be some kind of mistake and that I should have a really good night of sleep, not worry and send an engineer over to look into the matter. So I'm going to do just that, sleep and not worry. Cause I don't have 6700 euros!!! Thats SOOO much money, they'll have to drag me into court, over my dead body, or over my dead france, cause it'll be bye bye, if this takes an ugly turn. French burocracy is absoluty horrifying, so stay tuned... Me against one of the richest enterprises in France - the EDF...

Nighty night dear friends and family, lot's of love,
Jenny

The boys in Zanskar!

Busy, busy day... Gab riding in the afternoon and Alex and Benjamin had a judo tournament. Those tournaments are always dragging on, so it was 4pm instead of scheduled 2:30pm before Ben was called to join his pool. Fun afternoon though, the boys won both their pools and were so proud of their gold medals. Alex did really well with fancy technic and won all three of his rounds. I'm proud too... But before heading out for the judo, I quickly checked my emails and Brigitte had just posted great news from our guys in Zanskar:

5 minutes ago, after losing the connection 3 times, I finally had Tim on the phone!!!! They've reached the end destination of the Zanskar valley !!! It was a rough last two days, it snowed last night and the snow was so heavy that the ice broke on the river... they almost didn't make it to the village, but after 4 hours of hard rock climbing going around the broken ice, they just managed. They're now sitting in a very small house, with a sand floor where a fire is burning. The sun just slowly set and it is getting colder. They are very spoiled by the cook, he's a great chef!! Spicy food, but so yummie. During the day, he's making tea all the time in all kinds of flavours: sweet, salt, spicy... you name it!
It is very cold, during the day when the sun is out, approx around -12C° but at night the temperature drops below -30°C (a minimum of €30 / sponsor coming up!! ;-), even the drops on their noses freeze up, hahahaha!
Tim and Bram have already concluded that this is, beyond doubt, the most beautiful trip they've ever done together. I think it is just awesome, that they are blessed sharing this adventure together. Memories for life.

The guys (porters, cook) accompanying them are just great, SO friendly and "buddhism is beautiful" Tim said (and that coming out of Tim's mouth, is really something). They're having so much fun together and enjoy every minute. The porters speak english, so no problems communicating!
Tim actually called from a rooftop (you need to get as high as possible to reach the satellites) and he said there are about 20 houses in this village, a monestery of course, there are yaks, sheep and goats walking around and the surroundings look like a fairytale with heaps of snow everywhere. There is also a small shop that they visited, not bigger than 2*3m (hahaha..), and when I asked what you could buy in there (maybe some nice souvenirs, yak milk??) Tim answered: nothing! Well... I guess that's the way it is.

Tomorrow, they'll start their way back towards Leh and they have 3 more nights sleeping in caves, brrrrrrrr. They estimate to be back in Leh by Thursday. Bram sent me a big kisses (moooaahhh) and Brigitte passed on our big kisses and hugs as well!

We'll miss him a little bit "extra" tomorrow... it's my b-day! But we're having a party without him, I have all my friends from the stable over for a big lunch. We'll be 20p all in all. I've just finished cooking and laid the table, so that I can take it easy tomorrow morning. Only need to prepare the aperitief... and voila, the party can begin!!! Cheers to Bram, Tim and Arno, have a safe return to Leh, we miss you!!!

Good night dear friends and family, stay tuned.... love from Jenny
PS Can't wait to hear back from Hella to see how her school collection is going. It's kind of double to sit here and talk about food and parties... but that's the way it is, and that is also the reason why it is so important we try to help the best we can.