I can speak about my companions though. Everyday I meet such amazing people, who have such interesting stories. It is so fun how our paths cross on the other side of the world. I am intrigued by what drives individuals, how each of us choose to live our lives, some with more choices than others, some with more determination, some with sheer courage and hope for a better life, a better world.
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Here's the best picture of all of us. We are situated behind the waterfalls, which is another story.
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| Top row, L to R: Hans and Martha Aas, Justin, Jackie Bottom: Me, Mackenzie You know Hans and Martha and Jacqueline from previous postings. Justin is a friend of Jacqueline's who is in school and is picking up extra jobs around the compound to make some extra money. He loves to rock climb and was always on the look-out for a good wall to free climb. Mackenzie is from St. Paul (small world) recently graduated from University of Chicago and is a Fulbright scholar here to work on her project that looks at a new government sponsored attempt to do large scale corn crops. She has been in Cameroon since October learning the Fulani (?) language, and will be heading to the village in a week to focus on her research project. Her mom worries about her too (a nod to Dar here). (Hey Mom--I shared the story of your giving me the magazine with the blown-up picture of flat worms on it, warning me that this would be just one of the many dangers I would encounter.) More pictures from the day:   The waterfalls from the front. We hiked up to the top of the falls and found a bridge to get to the other side of the river, then hiked down the other side to the bottom of the falls and then, the most treacherous part, we hiked behind the falls. ( I would always yell at my kids to not climb behind the falls at Gooseberry--and now I was doing it!) It was really slick, with these moss covered rocks and I kept praying that when I put my hand down on a rock to steady myself, that there wouldn't be some inconspicuous and venomous snake coiled up there. Snakes really do freak me out here. Behind the wide expanse of the falls, there was a powerful backdraft, with the water coming at us horizontally--we got kind of drenched but it felt really refreshing because it was about 77 degrees behind the falls and 100 degrees above them. (Jackie had her handy dandy compass and altitude and temperature doohicky with her.)  Cows we met along the way. Aren't they pretty? They never moo though. A huge herd, and quiet as mice.  Justin and Jackie finding the bridge to get over the river to get to the other side of the falls--yeah! I'm am really glad we found it, otherwise it would not have been beyond Jacqueline to insist that we wade across. I am figuring out that I am an adventurous FOLLOWER, not such an adventurous leader, and I probably would have done it at her suggestion.  On the top at the other side, you can see the falls in the background.  The drive back home. Isn't it spectacular? So tomorrow, I am going to the shop that sells beautiful dresses and tunics. I met one of the men who designs and does the embroidery and his work was gorgeous. Jackie, Mackenzie, and I are going together. If they don't have something "ready made", you go to one of many fabric shops, buy the material and they sew it up for you in a few days. I also need to get a floor mat to do yoga on. I'm kind of in yoga withdrawal, but it is so dusty from the red dirt, that laying on the concrete floor here in the house is kind of gross. Oh yeah, lizard update: Thanks for all your suggestions for names. I'm reserving judgement until I hear from my nephew, Ben. However, I have not seen hide nor hair (or scales) from him today. I'm actually getting a bit concerned about him.... Can't believe I am half way through my time here. It is flying by, which I guess is a good sign! |
What a great day you had! I imagine that seeing all that beauty somewhat allays the what I suspect must be rather sad feelings about the poverty and all the horrible things you see there. Now, just so you know, I am an adventure leader-so anytime you feel like it here, we can adventure together! And, I laughed when I read about your growing concern for the lizard-friends do come to us in interesting ways! Be safe and have fun
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Dear Kerstin,
ReplyDeleteFor the second week in a row I shared some of your powerful stories with the hospice staff. They were profoundly moved -- in fact speechless. They agree that these are some of the most amazing stories they have ever heard, and no matter what we find ourselves facing here in Michigan, it is nothing compared with what you have seen in your two weeks in Cameroon. The other non-clinical stories are so delightful and take me back to similar encounters and adventures in the third world many years ago. Your new friends sound so nice, so genuine, and so enjoyable. It is great that you are all together there so far away. The photographs are captivating. I met a couple from Brussels in Rangoon, Burma in 1976, and despite the fact that we have met only once in all the years that have followed, we correspond faithfully. Somehow that shared experience bonded us for life, as I am quite sure yours will with your new unforgettable friends. Do enjoy yourself too, and buy that tunic. I still regret not buying a vest from someone in the White Karen tribe in Northern Thailand 35 years ago. It wasn't the vest or the value that was important. It was the maker and her fantastic culture and how much me buying that vest would have done to help. I still feel guilty. So enjoy, and keep doing that beautiful work with Remi and William. I admire you, dear friend.
Happy Valentine's Day (25 minutes late)!
Lars
PS As for the lizard,, I can only recommend Sali (for salamander and in honor of my college friend, Abdullah "Sali" Salah, a lovely fellow from Somaliland by the Gulf of Aden). I took him once to a New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox baseball game (in the days of Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, et al.), and he told me it was one of the greatest experiences of his life.
Lars, I still want you to send me a list of the places you HAVEN'T been in the world. I'm sure it's shorter than the one of places you have been! I like Sali, but I'll have to wait for a replacement lizard to show up. This one met his untimely demise at the hands of my housemate. : (
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