I woke up and looked up off the floor to the outside; Cheryl was outside and smiling. She seemed quite chipper. She saw me awake and said “I don’t have a good mirror so how does my makeup look!?” I only stared at her and quietly said help me get off this floor and get to that hole that is the bathroom out back! I was not chipper!
Raleigh heard us chattering and came out from his tent. He fired up his propane stove and prepared us a pot of old fashioned percolated coffee. It smelled fabulous and it was. He also told us to prepare for visitors soon. Our plan was to tour his Master Farm and the Women’s Garden before the festivities began.
I was looking forward to Oatmeal cooked by him over his stove. This did not happen. Breakfast was delivered by different families; large bowls of Millet (pounded grain cooked with milk and sugar and then topped with homemade yogurt. Nope, I couldn’t even pretend to eat this but Raleigh devoured his and Cheryl dug right in as if she had been eating it her entire life!
We were told we should not go to the farm or garden; we should relax and rest. One of Raleigh’s friends from a near village bicycled over to assist him with us for the day. Paula was not only a joy, but truly a blessing. One of them was always with us throughout the day to translate for us and guide us.
Our party clothes were delivered. All (3) of us had matching outfits! Oh boy.
You could hear and feel the excitement in the Village. When the time came to get dressed Paula assisted us with our outfits and a Vilage lady came to tie our Tikis properly. Tikis are the headwear.
When it was time for the party we were taken outside the hut; we were greeted by the musicians and at least 1/2 the Village and all the children. We had to walk and wave the route to the party. We also had to take hundreds of photos as we go; they absolutely love having their photo taken. The parade began. The route was lined with the young and the old, and the goats and sheet. The musicians were a drummer, a whistle blower and (2) violinists (violins home made with carved wood and horse hair as strings). Amazing music.
We were taken to a shady area where chairs had been set up and the dancing began under the large tree. Many of the ladies from Raleigh’s village had to leave to start cooking about a 100 yards away. The ladies from the surrounding villages did not have to help with the cooking as they were guests.
We were expected to witness and enjoy the killing of the goat which was done in our honour. I am happy to report that we were to step aside and not see the actual act itself. Being the man Raleigh was expected up front and he was.
More music and more dancing by everyone including us. However the best part was when we had Raleigh and Housman start passing out candy and blowing up balloons! I have never seen children so patient waiting for (2) pieces of candy and yet so excited. The balloons not only put the children over the moon but the Village Elders as well.
Finally the time has come to eat. They instructed the (4) of us to return to Raleigh’s hut to await our dinner. It was delivered by Housman and his wife. We had goat, grilled fish, 2 different kinds of rice and carrots and cabbage. All of this was mostly in one big bowl.
When dinner was done Raleigh cooked us some coffee and then Housman and his wife left. I immediately went to the bathroom area, stripped down and enjoyed a lovely bucket bath. The water was not that warm and I knew these 10 gallons needed to be shared, but it was by far a very lovely Bucket Bath. I was aware of people on the other side of the fence but I just didn’t care. I was hot. I was dirty. I was tired. The dry air blows so much dirt and dust all day that your body and clothes are just embedded with dirt.
Seems as though I did use too much water so Raleigh had to return to the well so the others could bathe. Nothing is easy. Paula realised she would not be able to make the 1.5 hour trek back to her village on her bike. She had a flat tire. Nothing is easy. Raleigh made arrangements for a Moto (motorcycle) to take her home.
Day is done and party is over but we decide to walk down to the corner where the Tea Lady sets up every evening for travellers. There is also usually a card game going on that Raleigh plays in. The tea lady will cook you an egg sandwich or make you a bean sandwich for your trip or just a nice cup of tea. The tea is quite soothing and tasty. Travelllers pass through on busses, motos and charrots (wagons pulled by donkeys).
This was a fun and relaxing evening. We enjoyed listening to Raleigh joke and laugh with the locals in their language. They all laugh a lot, including him. This makes my heart happy. I’m sure this is his Xanax and his sanity.
We walked back to the Hut about 9:30. All we saw were small campfires outside the huts surrounded by families visiting, eating and laughing. It was Peace.
Our night out was over but the process of getting ready for bed had just began. We had one more day left in the Village and one more night after this one. I can do this. Raleigh does it everyday and every night.