Jul 24 2011
Mid-Africa Break
So… I know we have been home for a couple of weeks… but I still feel bizarre. Like either Africa was a dream or life in America is. It’s taken me a long time to feel ready to look at the pictures again, but I think it is time. So the next couple of posts are in memory of our life changing summer.
In front of the Cascades
Halfway through our trip we took a 3-day break to another city. Wow. It was an amazing experience. We ended up accidentally experiencing political change first-hand. At one point I saw thousands of college students dancing in the street and waving their flag with joy at 1 AM over freedoms I have taken for granted. It was breath taking.
I also had a “National Geographic” experience.
Yes - the sun and the desert.
Some friends convinced me to take a 3-hour taxi ride to the cascades. Internally I went back and forth on if I should go. 140+ degree heat (yes, for real) with 6 people in a small taxi for 3 hours with no air conditioning and an upset stomach. Is anything really worth that?
We drove through small towns, passed nomadic women fully covered in black while herding sheep, ran over a small dog (and were chased by it’s owner with a scythe) and I discovered a whole new low in gas station toilets.
But all my internal grumbling vanished when suddenly the desert turned into mountains and met an emerald forest. The colors were so deep they seemed surreal. When we walked out, we were in front of the most beautiful natural waterfall. There were no signs or safety measures and there were wild monkeys in the trees. Untouched beauty.
After leaving our taxi driver at a cafe, we decided to figure out how to get down the mountain without a guide. So we forded across the river above the waterfall and then plunged straight down the mountain. The locals make money by being guides, so they purposefully obscure the way down. But the few people we met were so impressed a white person spoke Arabic (not me), they helped us anyway – much to the anger of a guide who followed us a short way waiting for us to give up.
These boys put holes in the bag and catch fish as they come down. Then they ran after me wanting money for taking their picture. Brilliant - catching fish and tourist at the same time.
This is where it gets amazing.
When we made it down the mountain we found pools created by the waterfall as it continued to cascade down the mountain. The men swam around and found a good place to swim, so we walked around and found a restaurant built over the side of the pool. This is where we met hippies. They were so hospitable and invited us to sit and relax.
Tea at the waterfall
Then, one of the men told us we could climb the waterfall by us, jump into the pool and then use rocks on the side to push/swim back under the fall.. to find a natural cave! With a spring inside!
So after jumping the waterfall (which was scarier than I expected because you can’t walk up to the edge, I had to jump past it) and swimming like mad, I found myself overlooking a mountain from behind a waterfall, surrounded by flowers growing on the walls of a natural cave next to a spring bubbling like a fountain out of the water!!
It is moments like that I remember thinking about everything Marc and I “give up.” And I am reminded that God is one amazing Dad! We certainly have an abundant life.
These monkeys look cute - but they are mean! One bit me.
While I was out in paradise, Marc, Meme and Annada were enjoying the city. They took a horse-drawn carriage ride, checked out monkeys and snakes and Meme bought Annada a belly dancing dress.
In the next picture Annada is clawing at Marc to get away. Smart girl.
Marc became a huge date fan.
Annada learned some belly dancing moves from Doaa.
Riding back to our apartment on the train.