We finally arrived. WE ARE HERE! (It only took 6 days to get to our actual destination!) Life in Pema was looking good. We first arrived at the school (a 45 minute boat ride down the river from the village and our guest house). We were late (as was a theme on this trip it seems....however, most of us, including me, had no idea what time it was for 2 weeks).
We spent 4 nights in Pema. Here was our adventures:
DAY 1:We left Siagara late, but who knows what time it actually was. We took the banana boats up the river about 3 hours. We stopped along the river for lunch and swimming. These are the banana boats:
On the boat we were able to try beetle nut. (the drug of choice for the country). It was horrible. Totally bitter. I explained more about beetle nut in a past post so hopefully you remember. The right way to eat it is with lime and mustard root but we did not have all that. The nut alone is horrible.
First you have to bit off the top:
Then "peel" it using your teeth: (That part in the middle is what you eat.)
This is how I felt after chewing it... (and I couldn't stop making that face for almost an hour-the bitterness would not leave my mouth!)
We finally arrived at school and were given such a warm welcome. The area was all decorated!
We saw the building sight and introduced ourselves to the kids. (normally the school is almost built by the time we arrive but because this village is so far up the river it was hard and time consuming to get building supplies up there. They were a little behind schedule!)
We drank coconut milk right from the coconut (cut open with a machete right there for us!)
After being at school it was time to "settle in at home." 45 more minutes up the river in the boat and we arrived at the guest house. It was a beautiful guest house. We had a great view of the river!
We were given another warm welcome when we got to the guesthouse.
And then what better way to end the day than with a tour of the village? We were able to chat with some of the people and play with the kids. The houses were pretty simple but I noticed that there were many styles. All houses were set up with an open seating area down stairs and sleeping areas up stairs (or so we all guessed!).
and a view down the street...
DAY 2:To begin being a part of the tribe we had to become members of the tribe. All the new members of the group needed to be given their clan. People who had been before lined up with members of their respected clan and us newbies lined up in front of them.
We were then taken one by one to become members of a clan. I think it was pretty random overall. There were some special cases that had to be taken into consideration like some member's father had to be in a different clan then them (as clan relationship is passed down threw the mother) and the one married couple had to be up into different clans (because you cannot marry within your clan!). This is how I became a Bego.
Each clan has a special skill. My clan's special skill is hunting and specifically-pigs! When it is singsing time....a member of the Bego clan will be picking out the pig that will be eaten. If you have problems with your livestock-you visit a Bego and when it is hunting time-you should join a Bego!
Here I am being escorted into my clan...
After we were part of the clan the kids sang songs for us!
After we all had our clans it was time to get to work. We started the morning off with a hike up the mountain to the logging area. The tribe was given this awesome logging machine in order to support and boost the local economy. In normal logging situations, a tree is cut down and then moved to a mill. However, this mill can be taken apart and rebuilt quickly so instead of moving the whole tree to the mill...they bring the mill to the tree. After learning about it and watching them cut logs...we were told to grab a 2x4 and start walking down the mountain!
View from about half way down-it was so beautiful. You can see it all here...gardens, jungles, mountains and the river!
We did do a little work (digging) but after lunch it was time for some fun with the kids. I wasn't feeling well anyway so bracelet making was just my game. The kids were already pros at these types of crafts but were so excited when they had colorful yarn to use!
Troy (in the picture) brought the yarn and some books on bracelets and knot making...the kids LOVED them!
And we learned....who needs scissors when you have a machete lying around!
My bracelet buddy...
DAY 3:It was Sunday. We went to church in the morning. When we got back we had lunch at the guest house. At this time we were given the option to help lay foundation (aka-stand around) at the school or go on a hike to a waterfall where we could swim and play. You can guess what most of us choose. A few people went to school but most of us were ready for a jungle hike (and oh boy was it ever!)
The scene was beautiful!
And as Naomi is demonstrating...a little dangerous! We crossed this river about 6 times...back and forth to follow the path to the water fall.
Of course we weren't going to let this clean, fresh water go to waste! After playing (like little kids!) in the water fall...it was bath time.
We ended the day relaxing on the rocks and enjoying the company and scenery.
DAY 4:We were told it was time for us to teach. Naomi and I had prepared a lesson on telling time in English but when we arrived at school....we were not prepared to be the students, not the teachers. After introducing ourselves and talking a little bit about our homes, the students taught us traditional crafts including basket weaving, mat making and they also made fun things for us like arm bands, necklaces and crowns. They decorated our crowns with beautiful flowers (that also smelled great...and covered up the fact that none of us had bathed in a week!)
While introducing ourselves, we realized our group leader, Christian was gone. Later, we were told it was time to greet a special guest down at the river. Much to our surprise, down the river came Christian dressed in chief clothing. He had been made chief for a day. They came in singing and dancing....ready to start the party.
The group on the boat was also carrying the pig we were to eat as part of our singsing. (mind you, in this picture-the pig was alive! Later, Christian actually killed it and helped cut it. We actually divided up the meat...raw, bloody and still warm....between the clans and necessary groups).
After the pig was killed and the meat was given to the appropriate groups. There was a series of dances performed. This was a group of young girls. Everyone laughed at their song and we later learned it mean "little girl, little girl you are too young...you are too young to be getting married" or something along those lines.
We enjoyed the singsing and that night, enjoyed DELICIOUS pork for dinner. It was a sad departing the next day. The school wasn't actually finished (they promised to send a picture) and we never did teach any lessons but the 4 days there were amazing.
