Joe has really been testing my bike skills. I feel like he is upping the difficulty level everytime I go out for a ride with him. I reluctantly deal with it, I don't have a choice, he "sabis" the road pass me and the road is rough......so ya, no choice.
We headed south this time, to another one of Lunsar's neighboring villages. During our rides out, Joe and I pretty much just chat about anything. As we rode through the African bush, he reminded me that the American holiday shopping has officially begun. Only mentioning it b/c he bought his son a machete from a local blacksmith on Black Friday, lol.
So easy to forget these things when you're halfway across the globe. Just shows how irrelevant those things are in your life. Who fucking cares about Black Friday and their lame door buster deals, I'm cycling through the African bush right now!!! I know I can be a priss about the biking, but I am trying, lol. It always pays off in the end and this time around I was treated to a gorgeous view of a huge flowing river. Of course, we can't have an African village scene without the posse of children instantly gravitating towards us. I found it hilarious that this one small boy just straight up hugged me and clung on for dear life, lol. Pretty ballsy since they usually stare from a close but safe distance. God knows what these crazy opotos might do, haha. We headed off and the children ran after us, as usual, but this time one kid had his hand on my fender.....time to put the peddle to the metal.....sorry buddy you're not hopping on, lol.
So on these bike outings children always say things like:
- give me your bike
- give me money
This is aside from the "opoto" calls. But it was great, on the ride back from the river, this one boy about 12yrs old; he didn't ask for my bike, he didn't ask for money, he didn't even call me opoto. As we rode through his village he said: "Good afternoon, you are a very beautiful lady." Aw, how sweet was that?!?! Thanking his mama! That really made my day. I'll take that over any door buster deal from Target.
I've quickly adapted to life here in Salone and it's really hard to remember the details of this supposed life I lived in America. The only thing that sticks out and is truly important are the relationships.......my family and friends. That's something to be thankful about......family and friends. OK, and fine, the food, the food is also hard to forget, lol.
I spent a shitload of time bitching and complaining about this "daily grind" and now I can barely remember it. Out of sight, out of mind. It kinda scares me that I wasted years on something eating me inside just because I was just trying to do what I thought I was supposed to do when I "grew up". The even more scary part is how quickly I forgot, that tells me, that it was never really relevant to begin with........sticking a square peg into a round hole.
Something to think about as you pull out of that crowded mall parking structure with your trunk loaded with literal "stuff". It's all about family and friends. Don't forget it.
Here I am, all the way in a small West African country and all I can remember about life in America is laughing and happiness with family and friends. (ok fine, and delicious food too)
It's all about family and friends. Thank you Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Furture, lol.
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