tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78755065981360296832011-10-06T15:07:10.668-04:00Fulbright Photography Scholarship 2010Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-39186309871680343772010-11-30T16:42:00.001-05:002010-11-30T16:45:55.022-05:002010-11-30T16:45:55.022-05:00

Well, 10 months has flown by... I leave Tanzania the day after tomorrow!!  Of course I am very excited to see my family, friends & boyfriend, but I am very sad to be leaving such a beautiful place just after I have become used to calling it home! It's the first time I have lived abroad in my life. view from Haria Hotel rooftop, Moshi  Its very strange to relocate, adjust, make friends,

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-26783280949134707022010-11-08T09:08:00.012-05:002010-11-09T07:07:12.657-05:002010-11-09T07:07:12.657-05:00

4 weeks and counting until the end of my 10 month Fulbright grant. This year has flown by and I feel like I am just getting started! Last week, I sold my Escudo and my lovely research tent :( so I took it as an opportunity to spring for one last proper safari. I met some new friends through my neighbors who were all booked for a 5 day safari to Tarangire, Serengeti & Ngoronoro Crater and invited

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-38079321687493416172010-10-24T09:21:00.005-04:002010-10-24T09:47:46.241-04:002010-10-24T09:47:46.241-04:00

The rest of the weekend, we relaxed, swam and wandered along the beautiful Pangani beach. In my opinion, The "Swahili Coast" is home to some of the most gorgeous semi-remote beaches in the world. While property on the coast is going fast, tourist development is still relatively low and quiet, deserted beaches can still be found. At Peponi, simple cottages of humble resorts and a small fishing

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-64068103598727147562010-10-06T07:47:00.010-04:002010-10-11T04:31:48.425-04:002010-10-11T04:31:48.425-04:00

We woke up in the morning to heavy rain. We waited for it to ease up, slowly packed our soggy campsite into the Escudo and carefully made our way down the muddy roads to Muheza. We hung around Muheza for lunch and wandered around the market looking for fenesi; probably the strangest fruit I have ever seen in my life, but definitely the most delicious. Our friend, Eva, was on her way from Arusha

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-51847563954961696082010-09-27T07:11:00.005-04:002010-09-27T08:14:06.667-04:002010-09-27T08:14:06.667-04:00

The next day we got in the car and headed deeper into the mountains to hike the Kwamkoro forest, an untouched, first growth forest. During German colonialism in Tanzania, the East Usambaras forests were cleared for coffee, tobacco, sisal, rubber and quinine. Coffee plantations failed due to soil condition and commercial logging became the main industry. During this time, the Germans also

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-77068215629543088512010-09-22T14:25:00.012-04:002010-09-22T17:02:42.533-04:002010-09-22T17:02:42.533-04:00

We all woke up early the next morning, to the chatter of Mouse birds and Weavers. Its always funny to arrive at a place at night and discovering what it looks like in the daytime. The campsite we arrived at in the dark was situated in a small clearing on the very top of Emau Hill with amazing views into the canopies along both sides. Black and White Horned Bills flapped back and forth between the

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-36875592740343612102010-09-22T14:01:00.005-04:002010-09-22T17:09:02.639-04:002010-09-22T17:09:02.639-04:00

Early last Tuesday morning, Jacquelyn, Imraan & I packed up the Escudo for the 8 hour drive to Amani Forest Reserve in the East Usambara mountains. With my giant research tent, propane cooker, full kitchen setup and peanut butter for days, we were ready to set up camp in the jungle for at least a week.The drive out to Muheza is the best way to see the the North & South Pare mountains and the West

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-3590646635694544072010-09-07T04:57:00.007-04:002010-09-07T07:10:23.948-04:002010-09-07T07:10:23.948-04:00

Since I re-prioritized my last 3 months left here on my Fulbright, I have placed photographing reptiles & amphibians at the top of the list! The "big 5" wildlife conservation field is way over crowded and political for me to navigate alone, but no one cares about frogs or lizards! There is a long standing superstitious attitude towards reptiles & amphibians, like in many cultures, and they are

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-83681098237966228212010-08-24T11:57:00.002-04:002010-08-24T12:01:36.002-04:002010-08-24T12:01:36.002-04:00

Lots of new photos up on my flickr! From a roadtrip to Tanga and Pangani, day trip to Chemka Springs aka "maji moto" (hot water) Lots of lovely beaches, landscapes and drive-by village shots. Enjoy! :)http://www.flickr.com/photos/lianarasmussen/

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-6472865214307352352010-08-13T11:35:00.002-04:002010-08-13T11:41:18.961-04:002010-08-13T11:41:18.961-04:00

Here's a quick video I threw together of all the photos from a roadtrip to Pangani last weekend. It's a bit rough at first, but it smooths out after I started shooting with the video in mind. I will put up a flickr album of the best ones later, for now, here's all 2500 shots from the backseat!

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-1708879926756203812010-08-13T10:14:00.003-04:002010-08-13T10:41:27.640-04:002010-08-13T10:41:27.640-04:00

So I am now in the middle of my 7th month on my Fulbright…and I have to say, I am not happy with my progress so far. Last month I finally received the filming permit I that is required for me to make a documentary. The last few weeks I have been fixing my car up for the bush, trying to collect all of the camping gear for 2 or more people and come up with contacts for areas surrounding the parks

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-4351905884817018952010-08-13T10:06:00.005-04:002010-08-13T10:14:34.176-04:002010-08-13T10:14:34.176-04:00

Mr. Richard Richardson, from my home state of Massachusetts is a regular reader of my blog and a travel photography enthusiast himself. When ever I put up a new post, shortly after I receive an email from Mr. Richardson with comments about my stories, and the similar journeys him and his wife, Nancy have experienced on their trips to Tanzania. Often Mr. Richardson sends photos from his past

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-16797481671354413212010-07-26T13:38:00.010-04:002010-07-26T15:48:53.083-04:002010-07-26T15:48:53.083-04:00

One thing that is really amazing about northern Tanzanian ecology, is the plant diversity. In one garden you could find giant cactus and succulents, birds of paradise, banana trees, thorny acacias and over sized, climbing philodendrons. In my garden alone, I have starch bananas, lemongrass, cassava, pomegranate, elephant ear and flowering succulents! I picked up a great field guide to East

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-60713142018565764392010-07-12T16:20:00.009-04:002010-07-18T15:27:45.978-04:002010-07-18T15:27:45.978-04:00

Last week I spent many hours reading and waiting in various offices for both the Photo & Filming permit, and the general research permit for Tanzania. Spending a fortune on taxis, darting around between the U.S. Embassy, Ministry of Information, the Commission for Science & Technology, the printers and the atms weren’t the only frustrations I experienced last week, but all that matters is now I

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-51911408657500559562010-06-21T05:54:00.007-04:002010-06-21T06:56:11.012-04:002010-06-21T06:56:11.012-04:00

Here's some pictures from the Mbewni Ruins and our trip to Changu Island. I took my old 35mm Rebel out for the day, and I forgot how much I love that little camera! I got it for my High School graduation and it still takes great pictures. I had the film developed in Arusha, and they are definitely not the best quality. I haven't printed 4x6's in a longgg time, and even though they are crappy

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-84738538617001203322010-06-16T14:19:00.013-04:002010-06-19T16:35:51.690-04:002010-06-19T16:35:51.690-04:00

This past month has been a fantastic change of pace from the frustrations and challenges of my Fulbright project so far. The end of June marks the halfway point of my grant and unfortunately I do not have much to show for it. I thought that by the time Benjamin came to visit me, I'd be well into my work and a vacation would be a nice break. Instead, Benjamin came just as I was at my wit's end and

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-32708531485269534512010-05-18T15:37:00.004-04:002010-05-18T16:28:31.434-04:002010-05-18T16:28:31.434-04:00

Well, Benjamin is coming in 1 week.. (he booked his flight the day I left! aw.)..and we are going on a (well-deserved) 3 week holiday!! These past for months on my Fulbright scholarship have not exactly gone according to whatever plan I had.. But I bounced back, spoke with some fantastic people and heard some very useful advice, I've changed my research proposal from human/elephant to human/

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-19118246271743094072010-05-05T06:22:00.018-04:002010-05-05T10:51:55.719-04:002010-05-05T10:51:55.719-04:00

On Saturday, I went on the most interesting safari I have ever been on! My friend, Eli, is going to Safari Guide school, where's he's learning to identify and describe every feature of African ecology, from mammals, birds, plants, trees, etc. (I think identifying all the birds is by far the most difficult!) His class planned a trip to Tarangire National Park and invited us to come along! AWESOME!

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-78405778632715452462010-04-29T06:18:00.009-04:002010-04-29T08:31:50.164-04:002010-04-29T08:31:50.164-04:00

So, since i'm not exactly doing the work I thought I'd be doing right now, I don't really have much to post!! Here's some random pages from my sketchbook so far, fortunately I've had plenty of time to doodle!Inside cover of my sketchbook...too bad I'm not working with the KERCP anymore...Doodle for my first chameleon experience..Coffee+sketchbook outside at Naaz Cafemy giraffe vertebrae, Jaala's

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-27541981654294980712010-04-17T12:25:00.008-04:002010-04-19T15:17:46.165-04:002010-04-19T15:17:46.165-04:00

Just outside Arusha, surrounded by coffee fields and Tanapa conservation land, there is an amazing project called Shanga. Driving into Shanga, you pass vast coffee fields on your left and a mountain of recycled bottles on your right. Past the gate, strands of green, blue and brown beads hang from the trees, mixed with oversized Philodendrons and bright patched of moss. Enormous Yellow Acacia and

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-57061497130947042442010-04-10T15:34:00.000-04:002010-04-11T11:12:45.988-04:002010-04-11T11:12:45.988-04:00

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-73379688694908689672010-04-10T04:20:00.003-04:002010-04-10T11:36:10.237-04:002010-04-10T11:36:10.237-04:00

So, since I've decided to change my Fulbright focus a little, I have a few awesome project/documentary ideas in mind.... Since I am already affiliated with the AWF, I would like to try and work with some of their on going research projects. The AWF conducts research in certain areas that they call the 'African Heartlands'. There are 9 different Heartland regions bordering 16 different

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-26293563557732974492010-04-06T05:24:00.002-04:002010-04-06T05:45:41.155-04:002010-04-06T05:45:41.155-04:00

Just when I thought I was at my wit's end and pondering my whole life/project/mission/goals here in Tanzania, wondering what am I really doing here? What am I really going to be able to do with my Fulbright and a (really nice) camera?? What can a Photographer do to help or change anything??!? I find this little article in an old issue of Africa Geographic, the AWF magazine."Wildlife conservation

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875506598136029683.post-77127113322766404882010-03-30T04:38:00.007-04:002010-04-01T07:16:33.949-04:002010-04-01T07:16:33.949-04:00

Well, it’s been awhile!…This month has truly been an interesting learning experience. Just as I thought things were starting to move along, road blocks popped up everywhere and I am suddenly back to square one…In the beginning, I felt pretty cool cruising around Arusha in my little Suzuki Escudo… I have the freedom, control over my pace of the day (somewhat) and security of having my own car.

Lianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04841220468095998546noreply@blogger.com3