AZ Hiking - Fossil Springs

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Last weekend a friend and I went hiking in Fossil Springs. We drove to Strawberry, AZ (past Payson and Pine).

Here is the info and pics we went from: http://www.hohokamhiking.com/hiking-arizona/fossil-springs.php.

Although these pics must have been taken in the spring or a long time ago bc the water was not rushing anything like this.

The hike down was absolutely lovely. It was down the canyon which would lead to a severe hike back up. Once down into the canyon we hit the river bottom. The first thing we came to was dry boulders - with not much to ooh and aah about.

Keep walking through some overgrown bushes, weeds and grass and you not only hear the creek but you feel the ground become moist under each step you take. When you reach the spring you know you have found paradise - right along with all the other hikers taking a break.

Take your shoes off - jump in. The spring is cold but inviting! This is a great summer getaway spot for us Phoenicians.

And yes, the hike up was grueling!!! Left me to believe that I am definately more out of shape than I thought I was.

Random Pics to share

African Skies

Today we will meet with the choir members, drive into Kampala (approximatey 200 miles away). Our goal is to get on the internet as we no longer have electricity here in the compound or in Balawoli. We do have generator access but the use of an internet café would be best. Sammy and I both want to get on the internet and do some intensive research that the signals here just can’t handle.

African time is African time. There is no punctuality….everything happens when it happens. So, Kay and I sit outside and discuss the culture here in Uganda. We discuss witchcraft, female roles, literacy problems and knowledge. There is an old saying, “that is you want to keep something from an African, put it in writing.”

We sit and wait for the choir members to show – so far they are about an hour and a half late for the start of the meeting. After the meeting, we will drive into Kampala and take care of the errands and internet needs.

The weather here is nice. In fact, it rained yesterday and is overcast today. My fair skin hasn’t had trouble with the sun other than the initial shock of the heat and UV rays on the first day. After that and after I got used to the dirt I seem to be dealing just fine with the environment that surrounds me.

The African skies are magnificent. Since there are limited to no lights out here you can see the luminous stars. To me, it amazes me that I’ve seen the big and little dipper in all places of the world – from my hometown of Chapin, South Carolina all the way around the sun in Balawoli-Nawantale, Uganda.

Gardening

This morning we woke up and visited the Balawoli Primary School for our Farmer’s Committee meeting. We are to meet with the committee’s representative and introduce gray water strategies, gasifiers and other environmental issues.

Tonight we had our second night of word processing classes. The students are picking up the computer rather well. It is very impressive that just the night before it was their first time being introduced to such technology.

After class we enjoyed tea and discussed the progress of the class. Afterwards, we sat outside our rooms in the courtyard and watched a local video that highlights HIV/AIDS and prostitution. We had about 7 people outside joining us to watch the film.
For dinner we had fish, rice, mangos and pineapple.

Martha, the UCSPI assistant sat next to me while I was doing some email tonight and asked, “Why don’t you stay?” My quick witted reply…”because I didn’t pack enough cothes. ” She laughed and responded that we could go to the market and get what I needed.

Kay and I discussed her bungalow and I admit that I could live here – at least 6 months out of the year. If I had a toilet, that is, that flushes and has a septic tank. Other than that, I’m just fine with life here in a very undeveloped community.

Word Processing Classes

I woke up to a rooster crowing right outside my window – but, I couldn’t be angry…today was my birthday! I sang happy birthday softly to myself before stepping foot on the ground. I un did my hair, as some had come out on its own during the night. After a nice conversation and breakfast with Kay, I showered and got dressed for the day. There are clouds above us that seem to be carrying water – or so we hope.

Sammy needed to take one of his mothers to the hospital today as she was having some discomfort. Evidentially, this pain has been with her for quite some time and areas of her body are extremely infected. This morning, Kay also shared with me some sad news from our Phoenix Garden Club. Our dear sister, Eileen passed during her sleep.

Kay and I are not sure how many more deaths there are to come – if we could stop them all, everywhere, we could. Instead, we will have a moment of silence for Eileen and mark a spot on the Nawantale campus in her memory. Eileen was a loving woman who cared deeply for everyone and never judged a sole. She always extended her arms for a loving embrace and adorned a large smile on her face that would tell you how loved you are to her.

Sammy returned and we sat outside under the passion fruit overhang that provided great shade and discussed our week. We are full with word processing classes and meetings to advance the project. I laid down for a nap and as I lay asleep I gently awoke to rainfall. The rain sounded wonderful atop the metal roof and it helped my sleep to go deeper. A knock woke me and it was time for lunch. We had matoke, dough-dough and potatoes. The matoke was mixed with a light peanut sauce and the doo-doo is similar to spinach – very delicious. Halfway through our lunch, Martha brought in a red solo plate that Sammy asked me to open. Mangos! They had prepared for me a mango for my birthday!

Kay and I sit outside in the courtyard now waiting for the members of tonight’s word processing class to show up. We will be instructing teachers of the community how to use a computer and how to basically navigate the program. There is also a chef hired to provide the attendees with dinner. They do not pay for these classes but they are required to register and the ones that do come will be served a meal.

Burial Day in Nawantale

Today is the burial day of the deceased villager. Malaria is how this 57 year old, strong man died. Hence, the reason in three years why the government has challenged the villagers to all have a mosquito net over where they sleep. Right now, even at the compound, Kay and I are the only ones with a mosquito net. We arrived with a very large bag of rice and water for the family. We were greeted by the deceased older brother, Sanon Ludigo. Sanon serves as an elder in the project. He didn’t waste any time finding us and thanking us for our presence. In fact, once we showed up the pastor began speaking in English and another gentleman translated for all the residents.

Once the ceremony was over, anyone who wanted to attend the actual burial was welcome to. It was further back on the property and I’d estimate approximately half of the attendees also went to the burial. The ones that didn’t found their way to Kay, Sammy and my feet. They were showing their respect and greeting us. Sammy took us to his mothers’ home – his father had three wives however Sammy’s birth mother died about a month ago. All the women and their friends/relatives sat side by side on the ground under what shade they could find by their house. We pulled up chairs and joined them for a brief conversation. The women talked to us (and about us J) and Sammy and Paul translated for us what they could (or felt was necessary J).We had medicine for a lady whose daughter had been very sick. We carried immodium to her house and were invited into their thatched hut for conversation. We obliged and joined them for a brief minute and then headed on our way to the compound to began garden club.

Assembly Day - Saturday

Saturday was our big assembly day. We anticipated started at 9 am but with a death in the Village it was delayed until noon. The culture of Uganda is when a villager passes away, each family is required to provide the family with a dish of food, money and in times of a drought, the families are then required to provide the deceased family with water. The burial of the deceased will happen tomorrow and the entire village, including us two Muzungu's will attend and pay our respects.

The opening ceremony of the assembly was incredible. Complete with their authentic dancing, music, singing and greetings. Kay and I were surrounded by about 100 Nawantale residents and we must have shaken everyone’s hand at least once. Kay and I were treated with utmost respect and as celebrities – which, in their eyes we were. There were prime seats available for us under the shaded tarp area and a desk (coffee table) placed in front of us. We sat for nearly two hours as the presenters spoke, greeted us and welcomed us. Each person who spoke was very appreciative of us being there and shared that with us and all the individuals who attended the assembly.

One man went so far to say – how and why do you white women care and carry concern with us black people? – To Kay and I, that was a foreign concept. He added, “we are from different animals.” Which at that time, Kay and I looked at each other and said, No…no, we’re not.
Kay had an opportunity to speak and at some point I caught the eye of a little girl adorned in a very bright canary yellow dress with a white collar. She was sitting with her friends and trying not to be caught making eye contact. At some point during Kay’s speech I waved to her and she jumped at the chance to greet me. Slowly walking up to me and kneeling before me with her right hand out to shake mine, she stayed there to pay her respects. She was bright eyed, a bit shy and unsure of what to do next. She joined her friends after greeting me and sported a very large smile that showed off her dimples. Her and her friends laughed and giggled at her opportunity.

The Nawantale choir was adorned with new school uniforms and looked snazzy. They were colorful and consistent in their garb. Drums, xylophones and a shaker of sort was heard for many songs. There was a neighboring village who attended for the soccer match and their choir attended with them. The choir asked to do an impromptu welcoming song for Kay and I. It was beautiful. The first song was in their native language and the second song stole my heart! Approximately an 8 year old, very tiny framed girl started the song and in her clear English, started singing these lyrics:

We are happy to receive you. We shall laugh and we shall smile and we shall never, never forget you.

The assembly continued and after the speakers each had their turn it was time to eat. Four Nawantale villagers have formed a catering company, God is Good, is the name of it. They provided everyone with a large helping of rice, chicken and beef. The portions were huge and there was no way for me to finish the plate that sat before me.

There had been one little boy who caught my eye and stayed nearby me the entire day. In fact, when I finished my bottled water he quickly scurried to the table where I sat it down in front of me and he picked it up. He looked at me as if asking, “is it ok that I take this?” Of course, I didn’t mind – to me, it was merely trash. To him, it was a toy that was once used by the Muzungu who visited him and his village. This same boy sat near me while I was eating and when I was done I graciously handed him a piece of chicken from my plate. Without any words spoken, he cautiously took the piece of chicken from my hand and welcoming it into his. Without any delay he began eating the chicken until all you saw were the bones remaining. This same boy had become my shadow this day – everywhere I turned he was in my presence. There were many other kids that did the same but this little boy in a green tattered shirt and another hue of green shorts remained close by my side.

The guest villages played one another in men’s soccer – the winner of that match would play our Nawantale men’s team who is undefeated. Immediately after this match the Nawantale/Balawoli girls team played one another. This was no simple match. This was a match that the winner would take home a travelling trophy and defend for years to come. The Nawantale girls battled the opponent and won 3-0. I was asked to present the team with their trophy and immediately the villagers cheered. The girls took off with their trophy and did a victory lap around the pitch. This celebration did not stop for approximately 30 minutes.

We started the next men’s match and immediately after Kay awarded the men’s teams with their soccer balls. Each team went home with a new soccer ball and each member of the team received the ball from Kay and shook her hand.

Films have been a great way to introduce issues to the villagers. Sammy took the opportunity to show his digital video from the assembly to the villagers. They were amazed. How could they see something that just happened in the same day?!