Our travels to the bush!

Above: Pictures of the village, our taxi cab, and a rainbow on the way home.

The trip to Metoko Bakundu was a 4 hour journey in a `87 Toyota Corolla packed full with 8 people total. Yes you read that correctly, 8. Four in the back seat, one in passenger, one on the shifter area, one next to the driver in his seat and then the driver. The road was very very muddy and there were many traffic jams from people being stuck, including ourselves. In each village we passed through there were many young guys who would help push the cars through would then expect money from the taxi driver. The drive was very beautiful. Many scenic outlooks.

In the village, we met at the chief's house and met the elders of the village. We then hiked up the mountain/hill to find their water source and began surveying. As night fell we hiked back to the village for dinner at the chiefs place. There was much food, drinks, and talking. Shooting the poop with the elders of the village under lantern light over beers was an experience I cannot put into words. It was amazing. They asked many questions about the potential water project, ourselves, Americans, and life in America. They also brought out the whiskey that they brew in the village as a sign of respect to us. Every time they served something they had the oldest man in the village test it and then when he approved they would go to all of the guests and then in rank of seniority amongst themselves. It was very interesting to see how much respect there was in the village. After the evening with the elders we went back to our rooms to put our things down and then followed the sounds of a speaker system to go socialize. There was no electricity in the village but they had a generator to play music and some lights. We had a very good time and danced much.

The next morning we woke to the cries of a goat right outside our window and got up very early. We surveyed for about 5 more hours and then finished. During the surveying, we had a group of like 12 young village guys with us who were there to chop any of the forest we needed down. They were a lot of fun to be around and made the work very fun. They would also help carry things and began catching on to what we were doing and helped. We ate once more and then traveled back to Kumba. This journey was once more very crazy and exciting. Never a dull moment. We had a flat tire, saw 2 rainbows, and got stopped by the military guys asking for our papers. We arrived home at 6 and then went to eat some goat meat and pepper soup. So good! I was exhausted and was asleep by 9.

Saturday I woke at 7:00 AM and then spent the morning with Mark and Karine at the market getting our food for our big meal today and then eating roasted fish again. Very good. We worked on preparing food from 1-5 and then had a nice dinner with cocoa yams, dried fish, dried crawfish, beef, greens, grounded peanuts that make a sauce, onions, and of course lots of spices. It was very good! Preparing food here is a very long process as all things are made from scratch and there is very much care taken in each step.

Tomorrow I am trying the Presbyterian church by our house. Also, Mark and I are going to the barber. I have not shaved since I left the states. I look horrid. And we need to clean!!