Lets Go Go in the Trotro!

Those poor trotro drivers didn't know what they were getting themselves into when they picked up the van of Obrunis.

Our morning started out bright and early when we walked to catch a cab at 6:00 am. First we got into a shared taxi that was going to take us to pick up a tro. Then all of a sudden we were pulled over to the side of the road and we were being told to take the trotro that was on the opposite side of the road. So, we paid the driver, and he totally ripped us off and said it was 1 cedi. So, I lost it and yelled at him and counted change in his hand and slammed the door of his car. Soooooo we were not off to a good start.

We piled into the trotro and we were on our way. The goal was to take the tro to a different stop, where we would catch another tro to our destination. On the way to the first stop we picked up and dropped off multiple people, and grabbed a few side of the road treats. When we got to the tro station we talked our driver and his mate into driving us all the way to the village. We had a general idea of where we were headed, but really we had no idea where we were going....and we found out that neither did the tro.
We just kept driving and driving and dodging huge bumps in the road and asking directions to which everyone replied "just keep going that way". Finally it got to the point that I had to pee, so we pulled over and I did my first ever squat in the trees and pee move! Let me tell you..it was interesting. So, 5 hours from our starting point we finally arrived in the small town of Nzulezo, or the village on stilts.

Nzulezo is on the fresh water lake of Amansuri. The entire village is above the water and there is one central walkway with about 24 houses. The people of this village are mostly farmers and have to take a boat when they go to work.

When we arrived, you have to first pay at the information building and then take a conoe out to the village. Our drivers had already agreed to take us back, but they were so mad that we thought maybe they would leave us behind. This was not even an option for us, because when we were driving into the village, there were NO cars for miles. So, I had a brilliant idea to basically kidnap our drivers. I asked them if we were to pay for them, would they like to join us in seeing the village. Somehow by the grace of God, the agreed to our plan, and we all got into our canoes and paddled off to the village.

I don't know if we were all slap happy, or if we were getting sun stroke, but we were feeling a little loopy by the time we were on the water, so when the main boat man started to hum, we decided to bust out in full Disney movie songs. You name it, we sang it. We were starting to wonder if we were somehow being a little disrespectful, but then all of the guys started naming song requests and said that in the 10 years they have been working there, we were the most happy and energetic group they have ever known. So, we kept the songs going until the village was in site, then we shut up.

We pull in, and walked the main road of the village and learned a little bit about he history. Then we had a little rest and before we knew it we were back in the boat paddling away. It is crazy to think that anytime the people in the village need something, that they have to take a boat one hour to dry land. And once they get there, it is still quite a walk to get to a store. Needless to say, the women of the village had the most toned arms you will ever see. At one point our canoe passed another canoe of Obrunis, so we all shouted OBRUNI OBRUNI WHAT IS YOUR NAME!!

When we made it back to dry land, we quickly got back into the car, so that we could make it back to the house at a reasonable time. The ride back was just as bumpy, and dirty, and sweaty as before. Lucky for the drivers we were able to pick up people along the way, so they made some more money. We were all exhausted, and hungry, and my water was becoming less and less as we went on. For a while we played our favorite game, "what do you wish you were eating right now" but that was not helping with the hunger pains. When we got back to the middle stopping point we had to pick up a lot of people, because we were now back on the tros regular route, so some people and a tv piled into the van, and then the vendors swarmed the tro. This was the most overwhelming part of the trip, because you are sitting in a hot van, feeling like a complete grease ball and tons of people are all around the windows trying to get you to buy everything from toilet paper, to spring rolls. It is actually a good system, because you can do all of your shopping without going to the store. Of course the only thing I wanted was not being offered to us. But as we passed through a smaller village, someone was selling plantain chips, so I grabbed a bag to hold me over until dinner. Mmmm they are so good! Mom, you need to figure out how to make them before I get home.

Finally, after another 5 hour drive we made it to the house. We thanked our driver and gave him a generous amount of money, and then he gave us his phone number for our next trip. So, by that action I am guessing that he didn't mind our kidnapping too much. :-)

This morning it was storming, so we have just been hanging around the house, and tonight we are going to have dinner with some people who are here from France.

Oh, and Michael I found those shakers you wanted, and I had the shop owner give me a lesson on proper technique.

Peace. Love. Trotro jacking.