Meet the Bonobos!

This past weekend, Tyler and I and a few friends from the Embassy went to go see the Bonobo monkeys that are from Congo. There is a reserve for them about an hour away from where we live. So we packed lunches, water, and ourselves into two cars and were on our way. Getting to the Bonobos is quite a feat. We leave the area of Gombe and travel outside of the downtown area we live in. Where it breaks my heart to see the way people live out there, but that's where most people live. For about 30 minutes we are on a paved road going towards the monkeys and passing by things you can't even put into words, so I took pictures.

After the paved road you get on a paved road that is covered with dirt. Which is convienent since it was raining the day we went. Here we were able to see the countryside a bit and see the country folk of Kinshasa. :) The kids always wave to us here, which I love, they seem so happy even in such poor conditions. Which goes to show money isn't and won't bring happiness.

Then we get on just a dirt road, which by the time we got there was a muddy road for another 15 minutes. Tyler says we went mud-bogging, but I just put my head down and closed my eyes and prayed we'd make it through. We did.

We get to the reserve and some of the Bonobos won't come out because of the rain, so we have to walk to the end of a path and we see some. They are some crazy human like creatures! I swear it was very eerie. We had been warned before going that they were known to throw dirt, and well their poop at you. So I didn't get real close. Spencer and Tyler, of course, waltz right up to the fence and start handing out bananas. One of the monkeys didn't get one and so he then proceeded to throw dirt/mud onto Jose (a local who works at the Embassy who came with us). He yelled at him in French or Lingala, and the monkey backed down. You could really tell which ones were the moms, since they had the babies hugging their middles, and the young males (but some of them were probably older males too), mostly because they were the ones who would get aggressive and start picking up the mud.

The monkey that was throwing dirt/mud.

While walking back to take a look at a baby Bonobo, we saw one monkey right by the fence. Jose gave him a paper towel, and the monkey then went to the water, got it wet and started wiping his face! It was incredible to see how human-like these creatures are! Then he spread out the paper towel and laid it over his face like he was hiding from us. He sat there for a while and just stared and then we continued onward to the baby.

The baby at first was shy, but then we all squatted down to eye level. We don't think he liked Spencer much, because he probably looked like a threat to the monkey. Meaning, that it was another little one that could get the attention or food from the big people. He kept shrieking at Spencer, so Spencer put his hands over his ears and said he didn't like this monkey. Tyler on the other hand became great friends with this monkey and he gave him a banana, rubbed his belly, and almost got close to holding him. Another girl in the group was able to get the baby up on her lap. It was incredible to be so close to them. We then got back in our newly washed cars (some of the locals washed them while we were at the reserve, probably hoping to get some money, which we gave them some and some left over lunch), and headed back home. Before we left though we saw some ladies with some chickens on their heads (that's how they carry everything here). We thought it was just a bunch of chickens in the bucket that were dead and were about to get defeathered and cleaned, but no the chickens were still moving a little. We think they were just knocked out or dazed or something.

Which was another adventure. One driving adventure was that one of the roads was blocked, by water. It was about three and a half feet deep and so no one could go through it, so we all went around it through the gas station. But then you did have some drivers who thought they could cut a bit more off the corner than they should have. A couple of cars got stuck and had to be pushed out. All in all it was a fun adventure and not one I will likely forget. Crazy to think we only have a short time left here, but new adventures await.

To My Valentine(s)....

I love you with all my heart, and am so glad that we found each other. You are everything to me, and I love you for all that you put up with me. You make me laugh, and help me calm down when things get crazy. I know sometimes I give you a hard time about bringing me here to Congo, but I'm glad you did. It has brought us closer together and our family closer together. I love having these adventures with you and hope we can do more adventures in the future. You push me and encourage me to do things I never thought I would be able to do, and I'm grateful you do because I find out later you were right all along that usually I do love it. You know me better than I know myself, and I'm truely blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for all the love that you give me. I love you!!!!

TO MY OTHER VALENTINE:

I love you Spencer. You bring a smile to my face everyday, and we are so lucky to have you. I love how smart, sweet and charming you can be. Sometimes we spoil you rotten, but how can we not with a little boy that tells us he loves us everyday, and usually out of the blue. I love that you love to dance with me and be goofy. You can be crazy at times, but so loving at others. You always are there to help Mommy out when she is having a hard day. Thank you!!! I love you Spencer!!!

Week 2 and Disneyland

Okay so this last week I did not lose any weight. I lost 2 pounds, but over the weekend I did not eat as well as I should have and ended up gaining those two pounds back. I did exercise three times during the week and I have started taking my cholesterol medicine every day. I have been eating alot of peppers sauteed in olive oil. I think they add alot of flavor to rice, or spaghetti, or even a wheat pita.

DISNEYLAND
Okay so Becca and I have finally decided it is time we take Spencer to Disneyland. He is always hearing his cousins and aunt Ally talk about it, so we plan on taking him for his birthday in August. We plan on being back in the states in between our move from the DRC to Zimbabwe, and 5 days of that "vacation" (I say it in parentheses because alot of the time will be spent going to the dentist, doctor, buying new clothes, and buying a whole bunch of food, like 1000 pounds of food, to ship to Zimbabwe so we will have food when we get there.) will be spent at Disneyland. As I was talking with my mom about the trip I was reminding her of the one time we went to Disneyland when we were younger, I think we were around 8 years old, but I am not sure. I had alot of fun on the trip but this one story sticks out so I will tell it. Now some people will say I am exaggerating in parts, my mom and dad, but I don't think I exaggerate that much.

"It was the last day of our Disneyland vacation and I had been bugging my parents for money so I could buy a delicious, sugar coated churro. I have always loved churros and think they are one of the best foods you can buy at fairs and amusement parks. Well my parents continued to tell me "NO!" Well eventually my parents made a deal with me. On the last night they said if I was able to stay awake for the electrical light parade then they would give me money to go buy a churro. I thought this was a great deal and knew I would be able to stay awake. So during the whole parade I kept thinking of the warm churro that would soon be mine. Eventually the parade was over and my parents holding to their end of the bargain gave me the $1.50 for the churro, in pennies, nickles and dimes. Normally I would have been annoyed with carrying all that change around, but not tonight, because I knew a churro would soon be mine. So I began walking through the park in the dark, now remember I was only eight and have no idea why my parents allowed me to walk through the park all by myself. I searched all the churro stands I had memorized throughout the week, but because the park was closing all the churro stands were closed. As I headed back to my parents I remember that there was one stand I hadn't checked and as I ran to its location I could see the light was on and that there was one person standing in line. As my heart jumped with the anticipation that my blood would soon get a sugar kick, I ran toward the stand only to have my heart drop at the empty churro case. As I walked back to where my parents were, head hanging low, 10 pounds of change rattling in my pockets, I realized that Disneyland was NOT the happiest place on earth.

When I finally wondered back to my parents the only thing they asked me was if I they could have the extra change back (I think they could hear it in my pockets as I walked). They did not notice that my lips were not caked in sugar, or that my hands were not greasy, or that I was frowning. As we walked back to the hotel I couldn't help but think that my parents had planned this all along. They must have been aware that the electrical light parade would have lasted until closing, and that all the food vending places would have been closed. They must have known that in the end I would not have obtained my churro."

Now although I do make this story sound really bad, and yes I do exaggerate for dramatic effect, I actually had a great time and was happy my parents took me.

Spencerisms part 2

I was trying to get some videos of Spencer dancing on here, but our internet connection must be too slow, so I couldn't get them on. But I will continue trying. For now though I have a couple of funny stories to share with ya.

Sat. night we were having breakfast for dinner. So we had pancakes and bacon. Spencer was eating a piece of bacon and was just gnawing on it with the rest of it hanging out of his mouth, without holding onto it.

Mommy: Spencer take a bite, and put the bacon down. Nobody wants to see you gnawing on your food like that.

Without missing a beat Spencer says: Well then they don't have to look at me.

How he figured that out so quickly I'm not quite sure, but Tyler and I couldn't help but bust out laughing.

Today, Sunday, Tyler woke up sick, so we didn't go to church. While Spencer was eating lunch he was asking about things we were going to do today and tomorrow.

Spencer: So are we going to church tomorrow?

Mommy: No, we were suppose to go today, but Daddy isn't feeling good, so we aren't going.

Spencer: Oh, well, I don't think Heavenly Father is going to be happy with us.

Such a sweet boy! I reassured him after that that Heavenly Father would understand.

2008 in Review

For those of you who haven't had time to read all our blog entries, I provide you now with the clif notes of what has happened to our family over the last year. Overall 2008 was a great year for the Tyler and Becca Nicholes family. Despite the fact that we live in war-torn, poverty and disease ridden country, our family has been strengthened and we have grown in many areas.

Spencer is now 4, and is quickly leaving the toddler stage and becoming a little boy. He has exuberants amount of energy. Since there isn't alot to do here in Kinshasa, Spencer has really learned how to use his imagination. He is always finding out new ways to play with his toys. He enjoys being home with his mother and loves her very much. To my great enjoyment, in early 2008 Spencer told Becca, after asking if she wanted to play basketball, that he had to practice everyday if he wanted to be a basketball player when he grows up.

Becca has been on a real reading kick this last year. Read the Twilight series (probably 20 times or so), Pride and Predujice, and has even started writing her own novel. Becca was also able to spend the whole summer back in the states, partly to help her mother who was recovering from foot surgery and partly to stay away from the Congo longer. Becca's decision to stay the summer actually ended up as a blessing, as she was able to attend her Grandpa's funeral in August. Since another english speaking Mormon family moved to Kinshasa, Becca was called to co-teach the english speaking primary class.

I have been busy working. I missed Beca and Spencer while they were gone during the summer, but was happy that they were able to spend more time with the extended family. I was excited that my dad was able to come visit in February. We found out our next destination, Zimbabwe, and are looking forward to the adventures we will have there. I also recieved a calling as the Young Men's consultant. Basically I am there to help and translate when needed. I also gave a talk in Church in French, I was really nervous, but I think it turned out okay.

Some other highlights:

Visited Deric and Stephanie in Germany

Week with the Prices at the Outer Banks

Going to the Reptile Farm

Swimming in the Congo River

Making it a year in the Congo!!!!! (less then 8 months to go)

Courtside seats to the Jazz-76ers game (probably the number one highlight)

Trip to Hawaii

Spending alot of time with extended family during the summer and for Christmas.

2008 was definetly an adventure for us and we look forward to the adventures that 2009 holds.

Update and Hawaii

Okay so I have a lot of blogging to catch up on. We have been back in the Congo for 4 days now, and we are really fighting the jet lag this time. It definitely seems worse this time than it has in the past, it might be because normally we are leaving from Virginia only has a 6 hour difference, but this time we left from Utah which is 8 hours, and if if you count our time in Hawaii it would be 11 hours. So this blog is mainly going to be about our trip to Hawaii, and I need to thank my parents, Becca's parents, Seth and Jess, and Dannon and Jenelle for watching Spencer, so Becca and I could enjoy Hawaii by ourselves. But just as a little teaser for what is to come in some future blogs there well be 2008 in Review for the Nicholes family. 2008 was a great year for us and I will share some of the highlights and then another post will be Goals 2009. Seth usually posts his goals, and I always thing the more people that know about your goals, the more motivated you are to accomplish them, so like last year I will post my goals for the coming year, I will also update you on what successes and failures I had with last years goals. But enough on what I will be writ ting about in the future and on to our Hawaii trip.

We spent six wonderful days in Maui at the Royal Lahaina Resort in West Maui. This was the longest Becca has been away from Spencer, and although we missed him, we were happy we decided to do this trip with just the two of us. Our Hotel was great, we were on the 11th floor and had great views of the ocean. Our room had three balconies, so we also had a view of the mountain and overlooked a golf course. If you want to see what the inside of our room looked like, and what the rest of the hotel looked like you can click on the link above. Otherwise here are some views from our balcony. Becca was able to take some really great photos, we plan on making a Nicholes Vacations Coffee Book and several of her pictures from this trip will definitely be included.


The sunset from our bedroom the first night.






Being in Maui and seeing all the beautiful golf course made me want to take up golf.



This was taken the last day we were there. The water was very blue and clear that day.



One of my most favorite pictures from the trip. This is also taken from the balcony of our hotel room.



ACTIVITIES
We didn't want to be too busy while in Maui, since we wanted to make sure we actually rested while on vacation, but we did get to do some very fun activities. Whale watching, snorkeling at Black Rock (only a 5 minute walk from our hotel), snorkeling in Honalua bay, sailing, the drive almost to Hana (it was taking to long to actually make it to Hana so we turned around), the Old Lahaina Luau, and eating out at alot of restaurants. My favorite thing we did was the snorkeling to Hanalua bay. While out there we saw several sea turtles, I actually had to swim out of the way as one came up for air and had I not moved, the turtle would have ran into me. Another reason I liked this activity was on the way back we saw a mother whale and her calf acting like Free Willy and completely jumping out of the water. We were unable to get pictures of that, but here are some pictures from the day we went whale watching.

This picture was taken just before the whale dived under our boat.

The rest of the pictures are from our trip down the road to Hana. Hana is one of the main attractions on the island, although it is more the journey that is the attraction than the actual city itself. The road is less than 40 miles long, but it takes more than 3 hours just to get to Hana, and then you have to turn around and drive back. The reason for the length in time is the roads are very, very, windy, plus you get out often to look at waterfalls, jungle, and the beaches. In Hana itself is the grave of Charles Lindbergh. We started early, but it was getting late so we turned around at the Black sand beaches.

Another one of my favorite pictures, taken at the black sand beach.

I wanted to go play in the water, but Becca said no since there were jelly fish, man-of-wars, strong currents, and riptides.

We loved it there and have already said we plan on going back, probably not for awhile since it is a very long trip from Africa, but maybe when Spencer is older. Since we enjoyed the whale watching so much, the next time we go we plan on going in February when whale watching is at its peak.

Becca and I have decided we love traveling to different places and going on vacation, so if anyone has a good idea of where we should vacation next just let us know. Also while on vacation we thought it would have been fun to have another couple with us, so when we are planning a vacation and any of our friends and family would like to go to the same place let us know, and we can plan a vacation together.

Jazz Game

Okay, so since we live in Africa, Becca and I decided to splurge a little when we visited.  We love basketball and we don't have very many opportunities to go to an NBA game.  So we asked around and we were able to find some court side tickets!!!!!! The game was Jazz vs. 76ers. It was awesome.  Included in the ticket was parking right across from the Energy Solutions Arena, a buffet dinner overlooking the court with shrimp, prime rib, and some really good desserts.

Now to the actual game.  We sat court side, across from visitors bench.  During the warm-up were able to do some trash talking with the 76ers. The game was awesome with the Jazz winning. There was even a play where AK 47 was diving for a ball right in front of us.  Becca said she was wanted to reach out and help AK get the ball.  Kyle Korver looked over at us and smile and nodded as we were yelling to Williams that Korver was open.  Although the tickets were expensive, we plan on doing this again, not every year, because we won't be in Utah every winter. 

Tyler