One of our favorite places is the river behind our compound. It's a creek in the dry season (like now) and a raging river in the rainy season. It runs through a forested area and has much to explore and enjoy.
The boys' imaginations run wild whenever we're there. Many a dinosaur has tromped through the forest, and many a wild animal has camouflaged itself against the backdrop of bushes and rocks, and many a game of "Pooh Stick" has been played over the charmingly rustic handmade bridges. I've also been rescued many times from nefarious creatures who never stood a chance against the swords and daggers of my sons. If I ever thought a stick was a useless weapon, the imaginations of these boys have proved me wrong several times over!
The tall trees are calming and mesmerizing. I'm still not sure what kind of tree they are, but the bark slowly peels off as they grow taller, leaving a perfectly smooth surface on the upper half of the trunk. The wind often whispers through these trees, a perfect backdrop to the sound of flowing water in the river. It makes the entire scene one of the most peaceful places around.
Sometimes we venture across and further up the river in order to ride the seesaw tree - a tree that fell and got lodged at a perfect angle and bounces perfectly like a seesaw.
But mostly we just hang out near "Big Rock" which is - you guessed it - a big rock. It's a perfect place to rest, read a book, and eat a snack.
But mostly we just hang out near "Big Rock" which is - you guessed it - a big rock. It's a perfect place to rest, read a book, and eat a snack.
Our latest escapade culminated in a "wolf marathon" around a cleared-out shamba. The maize had been harvested and the area made for a perfect place to do laps. The boys slept quite well that night :)
I'm so grateful for this place. It's one of the few places outside our compound where we can be left alone (most of the time) without the prying eyes of everyone curious about wazungu. The river is a haven.
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