Today I flew from Duk County, Sudan, to Eldoret, Kenya I made the trip in a little puddle-jumper plane. I got to sit in the co-pilot seat, since I was the only passenger. It was great seeing Africa from above. We passed over busy cities, tiny villages, lush rain forests, and dry savannas. When we landed in the Eldoret International Airport, I got out thanked the pilot, and stepped out to meet Maruge.
An old man stepped out of sputtering, rusty van. He was wearing a tattered school uniform and he had an old blanket draped around his shoulders.
I walked over to him and shook his hand. He was extremely strong for a 85-year old man. He welcomed me to Kenya.
We were driven back to his house in the old van. It was crowded with lots of people, chickens, and goats. Maruge showed me one of his goats, a brown one with black and white spots. He told me how important the goat is to him, because it provides him with milk.
When we got to Emmanuel's hut, it was already 8:30 at night, so we ate a dinner that Emmanuel made from vegetables in his garden. I was tired, so I got out my sleeping bag and spread it out on the floor, since there was only one bed. Maruge said "No, no" and he offered up his bed to me so that I could be more comfortable. I told him no but he insisted, so he slept on the floor while I slept in a bed. I felt really bad about this, but Maruge told me not to feel bad.
When we got to Emmanuel's hut, it was already 8:30 at night, so we ate a dinner that Emmanuel made from vegetables in his garden. I was tired, so I got out my sleeping bag and spread it out on the floor, since there was only one bed. Maruge said "No, no" and he offered up his bed to me so that I could be more comfortable. I told him no but he insisted, so he slept on the floor while I slept in a bed. I felt really bad about this, but Maruge told me not to feel bad.
1 comment:
1: puddle jumper-great overview...great description of Maruge...goat's milk...Maruge's bed
2: early wake up...village smells...kids rolling wood wheels...what a beautiful description of an African morning...wow, what a photo of the river...delicious end of the day
3:standing...goofy dancing...was school different because of Maruge?...a silent sunset
4:back at school...stories of "the ocean"...you are an incredible storyteller-I bet the kids were spellbound
5:imaginary surfing...cool music with the two guys-the one guy on the box!...awesome slide guitar-that woman's fingers and hands are amazing
6:Maruge setting the pace...nasty ants...hacking through the jungle to a flashback-whoa, incredible-powerful, powerful souvenir...I really enjoyed this part, your storytelling captivated me, made my coffee get cold as I ignored it
7:As your words echo in my mind from surfing with the kids...to sunsets with Maruge...to an overgrown mansion in the jungle, I see the pendant hanging from your neck. You are a most special observer of the world, liver of life and teller of stories, Zac. The world is lucky to have you. Thanks for taking the time to sit and share with me. I feel as lucky as Maruge's classmates.
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