Our "Walka" Adventure

    
This past Saturday, Zach Adams, Martin Koroma, Marvelous Sudu, and the Ringmas went on a hike over the hills and through the bush (yes, the "going on a lion hunt" song went through my mind:).  The day began with delicious pancakes, jam and tea at our house, then a short drive to the Sudu/Phiri compound, our starting point.  Our plan was to just follow the trails and see where they led.  We started out along the same trail we hike a couple weeks ago, but soon headed off in a different direction.  We met several people along the way who were collecting firewood and working their farms.  After some time, we had to grin when, feeling like we were deep in the bush, we heard, "Naomi! Jacob! Maria!"

     After walking over a few hills we saw a bouldered mountain top "calling out" to us.  So, Martin, our fearless machete-weilding leader hacked our way to the top.  The vista was beautiful, and so was the breeze.  But I couldn't help but wonder how much more beautiful it would be if the forests were not all burnt down. The boulders were fun to play on, and provided entertainment Colorado style.

     From the top we saw a road that led back into town, so we decided, that after a little snack break we would bush-whack our way down to it to make it even more of an adventure.  The going was good and we were feeling like safari exlorers when all of a sudden Maria and Marvelous burst out crying and scratching their bodies.  The rest of us quickly followed suit (with the scratching at least).  Our bush whacking had released the spores or pollen of a dried up plants here that causes painful stinging and severe itching.  The more you contact, the worse it is.  Maria and Marvelous got it bad.  It is called Qurenn (coon-YEN-yah).  Unfortunately there is nothing you can do, you just have to wait it out.  Rubbing dirt on it will help a little though, which we did.  So on we went, the sooner out of the bush the better, with crying kids and grabbing handfuls of dirt along the way.  We made it to the road and after about 15 min the stinging subsided to just itchiness, and a while later that was gone too...but not the memory. 

     What a sight we were, ash and dirt covered whitemen and peekins.  We provided much entertainment on our return trip through the town.  When we finally made it home, and downed a couple water bags, one of us commented, "Well, you never know what an adventure is going to bring, and that was one we won't forget."  To which Jacob replied, "Was?  We're still on the adventure!"  Amen, I tell God tank ee.

-Ella