So many of you know that I got the wonderful privilege of celebrating my 24th birthday out in the bush. I didn't really know what to expect, but the sisters told me they had everything taken care of...so I went along for the ride! I woke up that morning to May singing happy birthday and telling me the plans of the day. We got to take some amazing hikes the last time we went out there, so they decided that today would be another one. Me, her and the new sister, set off for the day, water in hand and chaco's strapped to our feet. The day before we had gone down to this huge rock, but decided to head in the other direction this day. With much laughter and our feet semi hurting, we hike up to this big tree. I, of course the crazy one, decide to climb the tree...it seemed like the perfect pic. As I got closer to the tree, I noticed that it hung over a ledge...and when you look straight down, there is nothing but sharp rocks...doesn't stop me though...I'm a Herzog...so I climb up and May gets a few shots. The last time she had sent a sister up a tree, we had some problems getting her back down...so we joked about that as i clamored back down...her promising to never tell my mother I did that ; ) We sat for awhile admiring the view, and then decided it was time to trek on. We headed up this ridge and over...and just seemed to walk forever. It felt great to be out there and get to see some amazing views..who knew they had those out in DF! As we were coming down the last ridge, we were met by some women who had gone down to the Wadi to get some water. We greeted them and then kept on going. As a group, at least one of as at any given time tends to wipe out...usually for now apparent reason...we will be walking along and then down on the ground! So as I'm moving down the hill...trying to catch up with my sisters after greeting the last woman, the next thing I know, I'm flying thru the air. I had tripped on a rock and thought I would be able to catch my balance...but the next thing I know I'm laying flat on my butt, laughing hysterically. The sisters run over to make sure I haven't hurt anything, realize that I can't stop laughing and join in. As I stand up, I notice up the hill, the women we greeted laughing and pointing...I guess I became the entertainment for the day! We head on laughing all the way and happy that nothing too bad happened.
That night my wonderful roommate gave me a pedicure..in the middle of the bush...and made some amazing pasta. We laughed and joked about birthdays of past and then went to sleep. A few days later when the last sister joined us, I got some special cookies and a fun 50 cent hat...don't ask! All and all it was a pretty sweet day!!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Random Adventures In Dark Earth!!
So these last couple of weeks have been super exciting...thus filled with many random stories! Here are a few of the most random taken from our time out in the bush...hope you enjoy!
About every morning, me and the sisters would hike up to this really pretty overlook and spend time with Dad. There are huge volcanic rock up there, so we would sit for hours and just meditate on whatever Dad wanted to say to us that day. Well without fail, everyday, 3-4 little boys would show up and sit, staring at us until we either 1)stopped talking to them, or 2) didn't bring enough candy to share! I would look over at the other sisters, one singing at the top of her lungs and giving a concert and the other trying desperately to practice her new arabic, waiting for my turn with the audience.
From the first day we arrived at our compound, we had little friends who would come over everyday. One of my special little friends was his little boy Habeebi. Everyday I would stand in the compound and yell out, "Habeebi" and everyday he would come rushing over from wherever he was and sit and eat with me. He didn't speak much, but we would eat and then we would see who could make each other laugh the most by making silly faces! One day he brought his sweet little friend, Jamela, over. She didn't look happy at all. Me and May tried and tried to make her laugh, but we got nothin. We sat with her and Habeebi for a few hours just eating and doing all we could to get a smile...but no avail! While Habeebi was eating his peanuts, me and him started speaking some new language, that sounded much like a horrible version of Chinese. I would say something and then he would respond...this went on and on. The next thing I know I look over and little Jamela is laughing..and trying to speak along with us! We keep speaking this "fake language", eat our lollipops, and I sit amazed that my silliness finally worked to make her smile!
One night the entire team ventures up to the tea house at the top of the hill. We wanted some tea and also to see what kind of opportunities we could run into. We all crowded in this little hut and started drinking tea and jebina (really strong coffee). As we are sitting, more and more people start cramming into the hut..mainly cause there are a bunch of khawajas laughing it up and trying their best to keep the coffee down! Me and May are pressed into one corner, trying desperately to see what's going on around us, and also staying keenling aware of the rats and such running behind our backs. At one point I look at May, who has this face of disgust and horror. I look in the direction she is staring, and realize that our other poor sister has practically been sat on by this bigger woman and is now getting a very awkward head/back massage. I look to May and we immediately break out in laughter, trying desperately to contain it, but failing miserable. I look up again to see this woman has not only forced her love on our sister, but has now decided to rest her head on our brothers leg. Me and May continue the snickering, trying to find something else to focus on, but thankful that even though there were rats, we were positioned in a safe corner away from the excitement!
About every morning, me and the sisters would hike up to this really pretty overlook and spend time with Dad. There are huge volcanic rock up there, so we would sit for hours and just meditate on whatever Dad wanted to say to us that day. Well without fail, everyday, 3-4 little boys would show up and sit, staring at us until we either 1)stopped talking to them, or 2) didn't bring enough candy to share! I would look over at the other sisters, one singing at the top of her lungs and giving a concert and the other trying desperately to practice her new arabic, waiting for my turn with the audience.
From the first day we arrived at our compound, we had little friends who would come over everyday. One of my special little friends was his little boy Habeebi. Everyday I would stand in the compound and yell out, "Habeebi" and everyday he would come rushing over from wherever he was and sit and eat with me. He didn't speak much, but we would eat and then we would see who could make each other laugh the most by making silly faces! One day he brought his sweet little friend, Jamela, over. She didn't look happy at all. Me and May tried and tried to make her laugh, but we got nothin. We sat with her and Habeebi for a few hours just eating and doing all we could to get a smile...but no avail! While Habeebi was eating his peanuts, me and him started speaking some new language, that sounded much like a horrible version of Chinese. I would say something and then he would respond...this went on and on. The next thing I know I look over and little Jamela is laughing..and trying to speak along with us! We keep speaking this "fake language", eat our lollipops, and I sit amazed that my silliness finally worked to make her smile!
One night the entire team ventures up to the tea house at the top of the hill. We wanted some tea and also to see what kind of opportunities we could run into. We all crowded in this little hut and started drinking tea and jebina (really strong coffee). As we are sitting, more and more people start cramming into the hut..mainly cause there are a bunch of khawajas laughing it up and trying their best to keep the coffee down! Me and May are pressed into one corner, trying desperately to see what's going on around us, and also staying keenling aware of the rats and such running behind our backs. At one point I look at May, who has this face of disgust and horror. I look in the direction she is staring, and realize that our other poor sister has practically been sat on by this bigger woman and is now getting a very awkward head/back massage. I look to May and we immediately break out in laughter, trying desperately to contain it, but failing miserable. I look up again to see this woman has not only forced her love on our sister, but has now decided to rest her head on our brothers leg. Me and May continue the snickering, trying to find something else to focus on, but thankful that even though there were rats, we were positioned in a safe corner away from the excitement!
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