What relief it is going away for the weekend! The past weekend I have had a wonderful adventurous 'girly' time in two villages about 4 hours drive north from the coast.
Leaving early Saturday morning we drove in the back of a mini van, 8 of us squeezing in, Espedy being our driver, up on the very well tarmaced road through markets and villages and towns and plains. Arriving just before lunch at Auberge du Dassa and then picnicing in their garden - a haven of plants and birdsong as well as large ants and other biting insects!
in the afternoon we walked up a mountain/hill! yep i finally managed to put on my walking shoes and place one foot infront of the other through forests and walk on fallen leaves! the views from the top were amazing and we sat there for hours just chatting and sharing together. we stopped by a local cafe on our walk back to the hotel and as you can imagine drew lots of attention to ourselves - a group of white girls and the kids little song rang in our ears....'Yovo yovo, bon soir, ca va bien, merci', while they waved and became all excited at us waving and smiling back. the rest of the night was just relaxing, eating surrounded by mozzies and then sleeping like a princess under a large white net!
one thing i have realised is how a simple smile and a simple wave can just say so much and open the doorways of communication. you smile or extend your hand to shake and a closed and fearful face instantly changes to joy and white teeth shine forth through a wide smile.
on sunday we organised a boat trip with a local guide to maybe see hippos in a local lake. well we certainly did see hippopotamus's, four of them hanging out in the water, coming up to breathe and blow and say hello - what an experience!
all in all the weekend was a much needed time of greeness and hills, open spaces, birdsong, adventures and friends; time away from the city and smog, doing all the things that i love doing!
this week is more cleaning and tying down - we're getting there! only one more ward (out of 4) to go, then corridors and laundry etc. only another week until the voyage begins! I have moved cabins too - still in a six birth on the top bunk, but have a wee bit more personal space! what a blessing :)
Enjoy your new found space Mary!
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