It takes about 40 minutes with Mbalia walking, though Nabih and I can make it home in 30 at a brisk pace. The first day or two was a little tough for Mbalia and we actually ended up carrying her a bit. But by the end of the week, she was running nearly the entire way and I thought we might need to carry Nabih.
Like any good journey, it is easily decomposed into sections. I took a bunch of photos on our last walk of the week, highlighting some of my favorite buildings and the major landmarks we pass. The neighborhoods that line the river are a typical collection of half finished houses and surprisingly ornate castles. It's a fascinating mix, nestled in among the lettuce fields.
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| It's still dark at 6:20 when we leave...and cold! |
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| A great collection of rocks for jumping
and balance walking as soon as we hit the main road |
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| The main road ends and we venture into the neighborhood |
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| It doesn't take long for the sun to come up |
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| The first of the built/not built combos |
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| One of my favorite half-builts. Beautiful form. There is a family that lives here. I imagine it is freezing at night. Difficult sleeping. |
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| View of the river across the road |
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| Next section: mini mango grove |
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| Mbalia always has to talk about the burnt tree stumps |
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| On the way home, kids are always in these
trees trying to knock down mangoes. There's usually an older woman sitting on her mat under there too. She's pretty friendly and often seems to be amused about something. |
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| Lettuce fields, always lettuce fields |
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| Half-built walls make great balance beams |
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| More unfinished houses. In the afternoon, this place
is teeming with children- all kinds of playing going on in the sand piles |
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| Roman ruin-esque....going up or coming down? There are frequently cows on this corner in the afternoon |
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| Another beautiful form. I love the roundness. A family lives here too. I imagine most of these half-builts are home to families, or 'guards.' |
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| In the middle of the unfinished...viola |
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| This mysterious collection of houses is always subject of discussion. The security walls take up a "city block" and there are four huge houses inside, along with a cozy looking paillotte at the junction of the buildings. What is it? Resort? Apartments? Some kind of cult meeting grounds? I've seen guards but never any other people or cars around. |
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| Across the road a half built wall opening up to....a lettuce field. |
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| This completed guard house along with security wall, mostly intact, always intrigues me |
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| This little bridge is a good sign! Almost there. |
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| The strange tall, dead tree trunk definitely a landmark |
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| The fisherman are usually already on the river by now |
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| A small path leads between the river and the farming |
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| Lettuce is a cheery green. There are also
carrots and other things growing here |
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| In the rainy season this will all be covered with river |
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| A turn to follow the last small path
along the wall of the school. There is a guard hut here- two soldiers with rifles sitting with a view of the river all day |
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| This day we saw a stray horse eating the lettuce. Pretty sure he's not supposed to be there. In fact, he gave us the eye and walked off, reluctantly, as we passed. |
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| These wells are usually found in the middle
of every field. There is also an intricate system of hosing that is used sometimes, though I haven't yet figured out what is used to provide the pressure to push the water through from the source |
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| So close now. We are along the front wall |
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| More soldiers with guns. Security. |
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| The front doors to school. We made it!! |
