I’m sure many people think of Africa and envision National Geographic-style wildlife. And that part of Africa does exist here in Cameroon—the Cross River Gorilla is on the other side of the valley (they are the most endangered ape in the world, with less than 300 left in the wild), but we have no time to track them.
The wildlife we’ve encountered is a little less exotic, but much more abundant.
Rats are everywhere. I’ve seen women walking down the road swinging rats like they’re Safeway bags. The villagers’ diet consists mainly of rice, beans and potatoes, so rats are a quick and easy source of protein.
There is also a proliferation of mosquitoes. We’re all covered in bites and trying to evade them has proved futile—our nets are useless at night because we have nowhere to hang them, so we’re loading up on our Malaria medication and hoping for the best.
When we sleep, I always make sure there is someone to my left and someone to my right, reasoning that any creatures that come across us will investigate my neighbours first. This morning my theory was confirmed—Ryan woke up with a live chicken perched in on his stomach and our friend Ed had three goats curled up at his feet. There were no pythons, but I’m not taking any chances.
Well, at least the goats weren’t standing on Ed’s stomach. ;o) I’m still giggling at the image of the chicken, and am extremely grateful it and the goats weren’t a python (or anything else dangerous).
Your blog is amazing! I have never read one that kept my interest, but you are accomplishing just that! Stay safe, and know that if one small act of kindness can touch a hundred souls, then what you are doing will touch millions! The World would be a better place if there were more of YOU in it!
So far away. It is so surreal that you have gone from living one life to seeing such a different one. I am addicted to checking in and wondering what you are doing. Wondering about the baby – hope she is OK. See you soon.
Too funny about the chicken. Would have loved to seen the look on Ryan’s face when he woke up. Wondering about the womans foot and the baby how they are doing. Again it is such a wonderful thing that all of you are doing. Keep up the good work and oh continue not taking chances with the pythons. Stay safe. Love ya
I love reading these posts and envisioning your journey. Now to imagine Ryan with a chicken on his stomach and the look on his face is priceless. He’s one heck of a husband, and a man for that matter, to go through this with his wife to visit these remote places to try and better these people’s lives and health. I commend you and your fellow journeymen and women on you efforts. I have always wanted to do things like this to help people and especially the children, but have never had the means or the opportunity to do so. I do what I can where I live, but it doesn’t seem like quite enough. I wish you all the best for a safe journey and a safe one home to your own children. Thank you for being the woman that you are and for doing what you can to make a difference.
You are showing such courage on this trip, and it sounds like you are overcoming a great many hardships to do what you went to do. Your worth is far beyond rubies (Prov 31).
Oh my god, you’re really brave!!!
I’m afraid even of tiny spiders….I would not be able to sleep!!!
But it’s worth to do what you’re doing!!!
LOL the chicken paints a hilarious picture in my head. for the mosquitoes–apparently dryer sheets (those anti-static detergent-smelling ones) work very well! i doubt you would have any right now but if by some miracle you stumble across some, it’s supposed to work wonders when you rub it all over yourself or tie it somewhere.