My 22nd Birthday

A couple of weeks ago I turned twenty-two. I love swimming, and it has been so warm here we decided, hey, let's head to the lake! We talked to a few friends who had been previously, and after hearing it only took about an hour and a half by bus we thought, "Sounds like a great adventure. Let's do this!"

So we woke up bright and early on May 11th, and after riding a bus to the terminal, waited patiently for the free bus to downtown to show up (which comes every hour, on the HALF hour.). We weren't exactly sure what we were looking for, but right about the time 8:30 hit, we noticed a bit of a ruckus happening on the other side of the road... HUNDREDS of people appearing out of thin air running full speed for an unmarked bus that was in the midst of pulling up. I couldn't help but to burst out laughing, and then quickly realized, this was probably our bus! With that, Drew and I were off on a mad dash across the street,weaving in and out of cars, bushes, and other scramblers to the unmarked bus we were assuming was ours! We asked someone on the way into the bus if it was the right one, and she of course laughed and told us yes.

After an hour to the other side of town, we were at the long distance bus station. We soon realized that the picture of the bus our friends had given us was the picture for the SECOND long distance bus we needed to take, which led to an hour and a half long adventure trying to figure out which bus was the bus we were supposed to take! Eventually we found it and took it, hopped on the next bus, which promptly drove one stop, and let everyone off. By this point, what had originally supposed to have been an hour and a half journey, was nearing four and a half hours. We asked the driver, "Are you going to the beach?" "Yeah, of course!" So we waited... finally I said, "WHEN are you going to the beach?" "Oh, in about half an hour." She responded. So, we got off that bus, and decided to try out a covered three-wheeler. We were now in a pretty remote village. Fifteen minutes later, we were pointed to a long path that headed toward the water.

We walked down the path and were surrounded by a myriad others headed toward the beach. To our left and right was kiosk after kiosk selling everything from clothing, to dried fish, to nail clippers, to sheets and curtains, to fruit, to turtles! It was awesome! Along the journey we noticed camels and peacocks hanging out at the different booths. When we got to the beach, it was covered all the way to the shore with dancers, artists, game booths, and more camels and peacocks! The water was full of long canoes, boats that looked like they were built on stilts, and other unique looking water vehicles you could pay to try out. We decided that place was as good as any to eat our picnic lunch. Between mounds of garbage, we laid down our towels and ate our tuna sandwiches as the villagers gaped and snapped pictures of the funny white foreigners, trying to get a tan. Why would we ruin our perfectly white skin?

We ended up leaving that place shortly after and finding a beautiful remote beach with next to nobody at it, surrounded by picturesque mountains and a clear sky.

After this was dinner time. We found what I think was the only restaurant in the village and took a seat. The waiters and waitresses nervously argued amongst themselves over who would have to talk to the foreigners and take our orders. Finally after realizing that none of them were going to come over, Drew walked over and asked if we could take a look in the kitchen at what they served. After pointed to a few items, we waited for our meal to be served. Next to us was a giant enclosed area filled with water and fish, and next to that was a few baskets piled on top of each-other with live chickens. A couple minutes later, we watched as the cook came out, caught a fish that had to be at least a foot and a half long, dropped it on the ground and proceeded to beat it with a stick! Next to him was a guy sitting on a rock plucking the chicken we'd ordered for dinner. I don't know that I've ever eaten such a fresh meal!

We headed for the bus home after that and arrived to our destination about two hours later. I had a feeling that this was gonna be one of those birthdays that just sticks out to me as a memorable one. As we traveled through the mountains and I watched the sun set in the valley, turning the events of the day over in my mind, I smiled. As completely foreign to me as everything that happened that day was, I knew it was exactly where I wanted to be. This strange, unfamiliar place, this is home... and I love it.