After eating a lovely breakfast of granola cereal and sourdough bread with butter, we set off for a nice hike up the hills of Morija to find the elusive dinosaur tracks that have been planted within the rocks of the area. It's funny because in the US, we'd be signing release waiver after release waiver taking a hike like this because these were some CRAZY hills. Felt like the walk up the hill was a good 90 degrees straight up and the unsteady rocks were so questionable that the hike became a game of foothold instead of scenic viewing. I will say that every time we stopped for a breath of air, the view was incredible.
Huffing and puffing, the hike took us a good 2 hours and we ended up seeing the footprints on the side of this vertical rock wall that stood somewhere around 25-30ft tall. It was really kind of fun to see. Not to mention, the pictures along the way really made me happy. These ones are just at the beginning and not even close to what we saw. The views were excellent.
While I am on this trip I have been trying so hard to pay attention to details which I think will help me realize what I need to be addressing in my work. I have found such huge success already taking the time to create artistic work instead of documenting everything and it has been so rewarding. I attribute a good part of this concept to my pal Doug who has really made me sit back and appreciate the finer aspects of being a good photographer. Thanks man :)
Second part of the day began with me dropping some huge prayers for my safety because we were going on a horse ride through the hills on the sides of some rather steep drops. Don't get me wrong because it was incredible, but it was just a bit unnerving. The scenery was awesome and the horse I had the opportunity to ride was so calm and smart. Her name was Autumn Wind and she was definitely a seasoned horse which I liked. That meant slow, and patient. Good combo.
It felt good having experience riding because since no one told any of our other group how to get on a horse, ride on one, steer one, stop one .... you know, the essentials ... everyone kept on saying that I was the pro and that I was the only one who knew how to ride well. In fact, it's been cool because I am taking photos with my new camera (which is a beast by the way) and they keep asking me for my pictures which makes me feel really good. I have on idea what they're talking about, but i am gracefully accepting the comments. It's like what I am doing with my camera is the standard for the group. Hahahha, it's cool :)
We also got to visit the city (and I hesitate saying city because it is sooooooo tiny) and visit a local beer brewing woman who took us inside her home to show us some of the process of beer brewing. The smells of the house were really neat because not only did it smell of the fire that the prepare inside the home to keep it heated, but the rich smell of hops was kind of nice and interesting which got me curious. I explored this dimly lit room with such detail and noticed all the little treasures that describe the home. I found it very pleasing to see that even though these people all live in what we would consider poverty, they are happy. The sense of community was powerful and it made me think that the personals things that everyone in the US possess mean nothing here because they aren't important. Kind of cool when you think about what things in life really bring happiness ... and believe me, there aren't things that bring happiness.
To finish the day we got to watch a group of kids/teens perform special ceremonial dances that they do during initiation rights for our group. It was neat seeing some of them dressed in their costumes and so gracefully thinking every move ahead of the next so that their performance could be the best it could be. It was so funny because I met this little boy who I took a few pictures of who ended up becoming my little buddy before the dance. I waived him over before the performance and played a high five game with him which he loved and then took a few pictures to recap the evening. I turned the camera around and showed him his picture and he lit up with a gigantic smile and laugh showing his approval for the work. I literally fell in love with that feeling. The kids are obviously a special part of this experience and I am excited about learning a little more about them when we teach/play with them in Roma.
This trip has been incredible so far. It for sure makes me want to come back again, but with Don :)
- With all my thanks :)
Location:Morija, Lesotho
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