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!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Rickshaws and other crazy adventures!
Many times as we have been riding around in this city, the thought has crossed my mind that we will probably not make it to our destination, at least not in one piece. Yesterday, was a perfect example of why my little mind would think that!
We were riding in a rickshaw to go help a good friend of ours pack, as she was gettin ready to head back to the states. The rickshaws are only really big enough for three people, so when you add any bags, it gets a little crowded. We have gotten used to being squished, and try and take turns on who sits on the outside. Today M sat on the right, me in the middle, and sister Sue on the left. We were riding along, all fine, until we pull behind this one van. The van looked like something was really wrong..as it was kind of lopsided. Now this is not a great surprise, since there are huge pot holes on the particular rode we were on, and many people get stuck in them, but it is always kind of nerve racking...especially in bumper to bumper traffic...which is how it was at this specific moment. Being in a rickshaw...they always seem to own the rode, even though they are the smallest. They weave in and out...not really caring about other cars..or their scared white passengers in the back! So we start weaving and M starts to grab my arm. We end up being stuck between the lopsided van and another car at a red light. The van starts to rev it's engine, cause obviously now is the time to get out of the whole, and M is practically sitting in my lap! The van revs really hard, M has my arm as her seatbelt, and all I can think is that I'm either going to lose M or lose a limb! As the van starts to back up out of the whole, the light changes, and our little rickshaw driver weaves again, acting like that was an everyday occurance! M held onto my arm a bit longer, and than said that she gets the middle next time!!
Well you would think one exciting ride was enough for a day...but not in the sandbox! The story continues...
So that night we dropped S dawg off at our friends house and me and M start to head towards home. We got an amjad, and sputter down the road. This again, is not much of a surprise, as they tend to sputter, even on good days. This specific amjad was really having problems, and actually kept stalling. Next thing we know, our driver gets out and tells us in Arabic that he needs to go get gas, and that it will only take 30 minutes. Well the next step would just be to get a new amjad, except that we had the whole of the sandbox in this amjad, as our friend had provided us with new presents from her packing party. I looked at M and thought, I got time, so we told the guy we wouldn't leave and would watch his amjad! He started walking down the road, and we just sat there. It was fine at first, except the floor started getting really hot. I'm no car expert, but I don't think the floor is supposed to feel like it's on fire, so as M was talking I started trying to get the door open. I didn't want to freak her out, so I just acted like I was getting hot. Well of course, the door was stuck. I pulled, and pushed, and pulled some more...to no avail. Finally M asked if I was ok...and i told her the floor felt really hot and I think we need to try and get out..just in case! I keep trying, and then (semi culturally appropriately) climb into the front seat, out the front door, and stand outside trying. I don't have guns like M, so it was hard, but after a good 5 minutes I got the door open and all was well! We sat there, with the door open, talking about life, food, and our crazy adventures in the sandbox. After about 45 minutes, a few awkward stares, and much laughter, our driver came back and the ride home continured. We made it home...still in one piece, and with a new expertise in being good passengers!
We were riding in a rickshaw to go help a good friend of ours pack, as she was gettin ready to head back to the states. The rickshaws are only really big enough for three people, so when you add any bags, it gets a little crowded. We have gotten used to being squished, and try and take turns on who sits on the outside. Today M sat on the right, me in the middle, and sister Sue on the left. We were riding along, all fine, until we pull behind this one van. The van looked like something was really wrong..as it was kind of lopsided. Now this is not a great surprise, since there are huge pot holes on the particular rode we were on, and many people get stuck in them, but it is always kind of nerve racking...especially in bumper to bumper traffic...which is how it was at this specific moment. Being in a rickshaw...they always seem to own the rode, even though they are the smallest. They weave in and out...not really caring about other cars..or their scared white passengers in the back! So we start weaving and M starts to grab my arm. We end up being stuck between the lopsided van and another car at a red light. The van starts to rev it's engine, cause obviously now is the time to get out of the whole, and M is practically sitting in my lap! The van revs really hard, M has my arm as her seatbelt, and all I can think is that I'm either going to lose M or lose a limb! As the van starts to back up out of the whole, the light changes, and our little rickshaw driver weaves again, acting like that was an everyday occurance! M held onto my arm a bit longer, and than said that she gets the middle next time!!
Well you would think one exciting ride was enough for a day...but not in the sandbox! The story continues...
So that night we dropped S dawg off at our friends house and me and M start to head towards home. We got an amjad, and sputter down the road. This again, is not much of a surprise, as they tend to sputter, even on good days. This specific amjad was really having problems, and actually kept stalling. Next thing we know, our driver gets out and tells us in Arabic that he needs to go get gas, and that it will only take 30 minutes. Well the next step would just be to get a new amjad, except that we had the whole of the sandbox in this amjad, as our friend had provided us with new presents from her packing party. I looked at M and thought, I got time, so we told the guy we wouldn't leave and would watch his amjad! He started walking down the road, and we just sat there. It was fine at first, except the floor started getting really hot. I'm no car expert, but I don't think the floor is supposed to feel like it's on fire, so as M was talking I started trying to get the door open. I didn't want to freak her out, so I just acted like I was getting hot. Well of course, the door was stuck. I pulled, and pushed, and pulled some more...to no avail. Finally M asked if I was ok...and i told her the floor felt really hot and I think we need to try and get out..just in case! I keep trying, and then (semi culturally appropriately) climb into the front seat, out the front door, and stand outside trying. I don't have guns like M, so it was hard, but after a good 5 minutes I got the door open and all was well! We sat there, with the door open, talking about life, food, and our crazy adventures in the sandbox. After about 45 minutes, a few awkward stares, and much laughter, our driver came back and the ride home continured. We made it home...still in one piece, and with a new expertise in being good passengers!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Dogs and Roommate Shields!
Dogs...I like dogs...they are cute and sometimes cuddly and can protect...they are good to have around. Good...unless you live here. We constantly have packs of dogs all up our street and many a day I think we will soon be in war..us against them! Today, unfortunately was a good example of that....
It all started when me and my brown haired sister were leaving the other side of town tonight. We had just spent the day taking care of another friends crazy dog, and were ready to get out of there. We left there house, talking wildly about the events of the night and making plans for the next day. As we were walking down the street, with not much light, we spot a soft yellow looking creature coming towards us. Usually this does not bring too much alarm, as it was only one and they usually don't come up to us. This one, however had a different agenda. It started coming at a faster pace and looking at my bag. I grab my sister and proceed to dance around her, semi laughing and yelling, both at the same time. She is laughing and trying not to get attatcked, as I basically use her as a human shield! A man comes out from his gate and gets the dogs attention and we walk hurriedy down the road...laughing all the way. I profusley apoligize to my sister...promising never to use her as a shield again. I told her that I would next time use M, as she is the one with the big guns!
So what can be learned..dogs are good, except here....sisters don't us sisters as shields, especially when the one with the guns is not around...and lastly, when all us fails, run...and run like crazy!
It all started when me and my brown haired sister were leaving the other side of town tonight. We had just spent the day taking care of another friends crazy dog, and were ready to get out of there. We left there house, talking wildly about the events of the night and making plans for the next day. As we were walking down the street, with not much light, we spot a soft yellow looking creature coming towards us. Usually this does not bring too much alarm, as it was only one and they usually don't come up to us. This one, however had a different agenda. It started coming at a faster pace and looking at my bag. I grab my sister and proceed to dance around her, semi laughing and yelling, both at the same time. She is laughing and trying not to get attatcked, as I basically use her as a human shield! A man comes out from his gate and gets the dogs attention and we walk hurriedy down the road...laughing all the way. I profusley apoligize to my sister...promising never to use her as a shield again. I told her that I would next time use M, as she is the one with the big guns!
So what can be learned..dogs are good, except here....sisters don't us sisters as shields, especially when the one with the guns is not around...and lastly, when all us fails, run...and run like crazy!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
I hate it when I step in crap...
....I never really thought I would here myself uttering those words, but as of Friday, those words have become part of my vocabulary. How you may ask, well listen to my story....
It all started when I once again headed out to the brown town with Mr. Chard (hopefully you remember my love for the brown town and it's donkey carts!). We go out on Friday's to work at a English center. We try our best to teach about english and the way's of our people. The last couple of weeks i have not been able to go due to excessive amounts of rain and illness, so on this particular day I was excited and ready for the adventure. I met up with Mr. Chard and we flag down an Amjad (think ghetto version of a VW van!). As we head out I am just talking to the Father about the day and thinking a bit about my anxiety. I always get a little anxious before I teach...not fearful that I can't do it, but just ready to get going. I notice the brown coming into view, so I tie my head scarf a bit tighter and finish my conversation with Dad by asking that nothing too embarrassing would happen...man am I glad I have a sense of humor!
We get dropped off at the corner and head out in search of the center. The main street is covered with street venders and people, and the center is deep inside the brown walls. We find a small, semi-stable bridge to cross, and I do my best to not step in anything...unfortunately that doesn't last long! We start heading in the direction...the only thing Mr. Chard remembers is that it's by a soccer field and water tower...which pretty much means it could be anywhere! We start heading in a direction though, in hopes of stumbling upon it. The town has been overrun with water, so everwhere you look there are big, deep GREEN puddles...I will let you figure out why they are green! We move quickly, yet carefully around the puddles and finally find the road we are looking for. I was proud at the fact that nothing too bad had happened yet, but as we all know pride quickly goes before destruction. I step firmly down into what I thought was a dry spot and my little chaco sinks into the ground. I lift my once white foot up to find that it is now somewhat of a gray green color. I try to laugh it off, knowing that I have only brought so many tissues with me. We head on, me with unmatching feet, and Mr. Chard with a smirk!
Getting closer to the center, we come upon some men talking. As they see me and then look down at my feet, a smile comes to their faces. They quickly stop whatever conversation they were in and invite us in. I am handed a blue pitcher full of water and a bar of soap. Not wanting to really touch my foot with my hands and trying to act like a lady, I kinda wet my foot and get it semi-clean. We head off, shukraning and knowing that the baait khawaja (white girl) brought entertainment for the day.
Finally we arrive at the center. I go and sit down and quickly notice all of the men looking at my feet! They are laughing and I am told to go sit at a bench, while one of them brings over a hose. He takes my shoe off and proceeds to clean it and then comes and washes my foot the rest of the way clean. I stand, with two white feet, a humbled heart, and the knowledge that Dad definately does have a sense of humor!
It all started when I once again headed out to the brown town with Mr. Chard (hopefully you remember my love for the brown town and it's donkey carts!). We go out on Friday's to work at a English center. We try our best to teach about english and the way's of our people. The last couple of weeks i have not been able to go due to excessive amounts of rain and illness, so on this particular day I was excited and ready for the adventure. I met up with Mr. Chard and we flag down an Amjad (think ghetto version of a VW van!). As we head out I am just talking to the Father about the day and thinking a bit about my anxiety. I always get a little anxious before I teach...not fearful that I can't do it, but just ready to get going. I notice the brown coming into view, so I tie my head scarf a bit tighter and finish my conversation with Dad by asking that nothing too embarrassing would happen...man am I glad I have a sense of humor!
We get dropped off at the corner and head out in search of the center. The main street is covered with street venders and people, and the center is deep inside the brown walls. We find a small, semi-stable bridge to cross, and I do my best to not step in anything...unfortunately that doesn't last long! We start heading in the direction...the only thing Mr. Chard remembers is that it's by a soccer field and water tower...which pretty much means it could be anywhere! We start heading in a direction though, in hopes of stumbling upon it. The town has been overrun with water, so everwhere you look there are big, deep GREEN puddles...I will let you figure out why they are green! We move quickly, yet carefully around the puddles and finally find the road we are looking for. I was proud at the fact that nothing too bad had happened yet, but as we all know pride quickly goes before destruction. I step firmly down into what I thought was a dry spot and my little chaco sinks into the ground. I lift my once white foot up to find that it is now somewhat of a gray green color. I try to laugh it off, knowing that I have only brought so many tissues with me. We head on, me with unmatching feet, and Mr. Chard with a smirk!
Getting closer to the center, we come upon some men talking. As they see me and then look down at my feet, a smile comes to their faces. They quickly stop whatever conversation they were in and invite us in. I am handed a blue pitcher full of water and a bar of soap. Not wanting to really touch my foot with my hands and trying to act like a lady, I kinda wet my foot and get it semi-clean. We head off, shukraning and knowing that the baait khawaja (white girl) brought entertainment for the day.
Finally we arrive at the center. I go and sit down and quickly notice all of the men looking at my feet! They are laughing and I am told to go sit at a bench, while one of them brings over a hose. He takes my shoe off and proceeds to clean it and then comes and washes my foot the rest of the way clean. I stand, with two white feet, a humbled heart, and the knowledge that Dad definately does have a sense of humor!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
