Day 4 - Walking the Route of Muddy Waters

Woke up to baboons right outside my Hut. 2 males and 2 females with babies hanging from them. After breakfast we took some left over bananas and gave them to the baboons. They took them right out of our hands, it was crazy!

Today we again set off in the two trucks on a 2 hour expedition to a specific village Hope has been helping recently. They have capped multiple springs as well as set up water spots where people can come to get fresh clean drinking water. As we arrived at the village the word spread among the village people quickly and soon we were surrounded again. As tempting as it was to stop and take pictures with everyone we were told to keep going. We went to this one spring cap and water source and a very amazing moment happened. One man of the village wearing green rubber boots came up to the water source and drank from it. He said, "beautiful water, good water, thank you , thank you, good." This brought some to tears and made everyone realize how much these people need this and appreciate us for helping them. As we moved along to other water sources the people followed us. Crazy little kids screaming at us and laughing because they had never seen white people before. "Frenchie" is what they call white foreigners. The village outskirts reminded everyone of the shire from the Hobit. The landscape and village was truly quite amazing, and the view they have is breath taking.

As we returned to the village center everyone started to come. We took many photos and videos with the people and showing them their faces for the first time never gets old.

When we were told it was time to leave we created a moment that will be forever chariest in all of our hearts. We took out a soccer ball that we brought and all signed it. We gave it to the nurse and asked if it would be okay to play a game with the people. She threw the ball into the middle of the village and everyone went absolutely crazy! We took that as a yes. Everyone, young and old was kicking and throwing and spiking the ball whenever they had the chance. It was truly a sight to see. One person would pick it up, drop kick it and then run after it. People were running into each other and falling everywhere but all you could hear was the laughter and joy that this little ball was bringing and will continue to bring.

We left shortly after and on our way back we stopped at this side market and picked up a few baby bananas. They had citrus infused in them and tasted like orange/banana. Best fruit I've ever tasted in my life.

We went back to the resort and then shortly after left again to go to an alligator farm. We saw all types, big and small. After that we went to grab a quick bite to eat. Tomato soup in Africa is fantastic. If you ever come here and need to know what to eat, tomato soup is your new best friend.

After we finished eating we hopped back in the trucks and drove to a near by village just out of the city. We had no idea what was in store and how much all of our lives were about to be changed. I cannot write in enough detail to explain what we did and how much it changed our mind sets to get the message across but I'll try.

We got out of the trucks and Bareket and Mamush were arguing with the villagers about something. They were asking for some Jerry cans and the villagers were saying that we couldn't do it and we didn't have enough strength. What we came to do was carry empty Jerry cans to the place this village gets water, fill them up and then carry them back. The villagers doubt us tremendously, so much so that they were angry at our guides for even asking. We eventually got some Jerry Cans and set on our way. Walking 2km to the water source was quite easy and we all blindly thought it was gonna be easy both ways. When we were halfway to the water source a heard of 25-30 village kids ran towards us screaming and chanting. It was like it was out of a movie. They all surrounded us and pulled our hair, pinched us, pulled at our run for water bracelets and tried to steal from our back-packs. We continued on pushing our way through the kids. As we got to the watering hole everyone started to get a bit quieter. We really didn't know what to do or how to fill up the cans so we all awkwardly stood there in till the kids told us to go and fill up. We tried to fill up the cans from the shallow waters but soon figured out it wasn't going to work. The kids helped us out and took our cans, ran to the middle of the muddy river and filled up the can to the top. This was the most dirtiest, muddiest water I had ever seen. No human should ever touch their lips on this water. 44lbs was the weight of each Jerry Can. As we started on our way out the only way I can get the message across is that IT WAS HELL. Absolute pain. Switching from shoulder to shoulder to just straight holding it normal it was brutal. So heavy. We walked the route and we never looked back. All I could think about was getting to the end. I honestly can't even imagine how the women do this every day up mountains and way longer distances. It was a life changing experience because I gained so much respect for the people of Ethiopia and can fully see the change that NEEDS to happen here. Walking with a Jerry can 44lbs, to have the shittiest water brought back to make you and your family sick is the worst thing I've seen in a long time. When we got to the end it was the most relieving feeling ever. It also was a very emotional moment for everyone and the ride back was interesting. Everyone shared their experiences. I had a very symbolic experience:

As I was rounding the last corner and saw the Hope trucks I was thinking that those trucks and that Hope organization is the "Hope" Ethiopia has for clean water and I was walking towards the "Hope" with the dirty water they have now.