Trip South - Memorable Encounters

In travels, the scenery and the sights are always amazing.  But, the people tend to have a much more profound effect on me.  As a former teacher in Africa, I am especially biased towards girls (despite having 2 boys myself).  The life of a girl-child in Africa resonates greatly in my heart.  Therefore, most of my memorable people are female. 

These two girls were selling roasted peas.  I tried to talk to them when we stopped to take a shintobait break, but the other driver thought they were harrassing us and shooed them away.  When our driver returned, he helped me talk to them.

       

I believe the strength of Africa is in its women.  (Well, that’s probably true of most areas of the world.) By looking at the grandmothers, I doubt anyone could disagree with me.

The children in Durame loved walking with us as the odd FERENGI took photos of all of the plants.  When the cameras were turned on them, they posed quicker than any highly-paid supermodel could.

The pack of kids above started to laugh because I wanted a photo of the girl with her donkey.  She was walking about town with such class that it was hard to resist her.  She did crack a hint of a smile when I showed her the digital image, though.

I love the students in their freshly washed clothes, proudly carrying schoolbooks (even if they were tardy because they were distracted by the FERENGI about town).

On the way back, I acquired my best souvenir.  Handmade pots.  The widermouth pots are for water; the narrow ones are for coffee.  After having my price negotiated (5 birr each), I insisted on a photo with the vendor.  I assumed either he or a family member was the artisan as well.