Coming Back to CANADA

Today is my last full day here in Fort Myers, Florida. I leave tomorrow just before lunch and should be back in Canada around supper time. It has been a very beneficial two weeks here. I have learned a lot about tropical agriculture as well as met some very interesting and friendly people.

As far as agriculture goes, hopefully I have learned enough to be of some use in Zambia. I learned about a tree that can be grown in Africa that is very nutritious and has many uses. It's called the Moringa tree and it is native to India and parts of Africa. It grows well in many different climatic and soil conditions and is very highly nutritious. It may be something that would be useful for Claudia (I told her all about it) and hopefully I can grow some in Zambia.

I met a couple here that are from Ontario. They used to have a farm near Ayr (close to Cambridge and Kitchener-Waterloo). They are retired now and live in Kincardine during the summer and in Florida during the winter. They work here at ECHO. I had the opportunity to have dinner at their house on Monday night with an intern from here (Holly). It was very nice to be able to talk to some people that know where I'm from and know the area. Of course, it is great talking to everyone here but there's something about home! They also sent me some pictures that someone had sent them from the big storm that went through Southern Ontario. There was a tornado that touched down near Fergus and Salem. I have yet to see the damade done by it but from the picturse I've seen it must be pretty bad. My mom has been saving pictures and articles from the local papers for me but if anyone else has anything about it I would love to see/read it.

Well, that's about it for today. It is sunny and warm here (and of course very humid). I am looking forward to coming home to some cooler temperatures! I guess it's good practice for Zambia though. I hope everyone is enjoying their last week before school starts. Good luck and Godspeed!