Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Duck-Chicken and Lions!


Here's Monica in Mandera, waiting for our connecting bus to Saadani.

(I apologize that I was unsuccessful at posting more pictures. Our internet connection is not good at all)

Greetings Readers!

I’m going to break this up into three sections. If it works out, I might keep doing it!

1: Something Interesting from what I’m reading:


I’m currently reading Pathologies of Power by Dr. Paul Farmer, a role model of mine. In the book he quotes Chilean theologian Pablo Richard, noting the fall of the Berlin Wall:

“We are aware that another gigantic wall is being constructed in the Third World, to hide the reality of the poor majorities. A wall between the rich and poor is being built, so that poverty does not annoy the powerful and the poor are obliged to die in the silence of history.”


2: Project Progress

There wasn’t much for Monica and I to do today, as the first big meeting with the proper participants is scheduled for tomorrow. We had decided to have a beach day today, but unfortunately the weather didn’t allow it. I was even going to go around and take a bunch of pictures of the village to post on the blog. I didn’t want to get my camera wet, though. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll get that done for you all. Thanks for being patient!

3: Personal Experiences and Reflection: Lions?

Last night, Monica and I decided to head into the village to watch mpira (soccer) on one of two TVs running in town. Both TVs run on generators. At one, the service is provided for free by the Tourism Office. The other is somewhat of a local movie theatre, which charges a small admission fee to pay for operating costs. The game was Brazil vs. Chile. The vast majority of the people under the thatched hut were cheering for Brazil. Within the first half of the game Chile’s fate was practically sealed when Brazil made its second goal to Chile’s zero. Monica and I were getting tired so we decided to head back to our little cabana. Our ‘landlord’ insisted that he walk us back. He explained, “there are many good people, but there are also some bad people.” True enough, but that was only half the reason he wanted escort us. When we got to the edge of the village, at which point we still have about 300 meters to walk, he explained it’s better not to walk this stretch alone. “Thieves, out here?” I thought to myself. He then told us that on a couple occasions he has encountered lions walking between the bush and the beach! And I thought he was just being hospitable by escorting us home. That explains why the elderly guard that paces the area where we stay carries a bow and arrow. Exciting! (I think so, anyway…) I looked at Monica and joked, “Now I kinda want to see one!” She wasn’t half as amused as I was.

Oh! There’s a very very strange looking bird in this village. It looks as if it’s a hybrid of a chicken and a duck. I’ve added a picture of it above. Only recently did we find out it’s actually a type of goose! Odd.


That's all for today! Feel free to post comments, questions, or concerns! We like to hear them! Seriously!

3 comments:

  1. Please please please don't get eaten (or even maimed) by a lion. That would really ruin my plans for all four of us for the fall. Just an FYI.

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  2. Pathologies of Power is a great book, Logan... That's one of the couple of Farmer's books which I've read. PIH uses statisticians, you know!

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  3. Thanks for the comments, everyone! We'll try to avoid contact with lions. But if I see a cub, I might just bring it home to raise in Minneapolis :D. Kate and Chis can take turns babysitting it, if you like! I am immensely enjoying the book, Chris. Maybe we can have our own personal book club together this fall.

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