All Creatures Great and Small
August 9th, 2009 Posted in UncategorizedSo I’ve mentioned the miniature donkeys in one of my earlier posts. They still crack me up though. And when I tell people that we have them at home, they are just shocked that we don’t put them to work like carrying water. It just feels like home when I hear a donkey bre in the distance each morning.
I should have done more research before I came to west Africa. Like most people, I think of giraffes, elephants, and lions. Doctor Faile said the other day “East Africa may have the animals, but West Africa has the people”. I’m beginning to learn that is true. The people here are incredible and just treat you like their long lost friend everyday. For example, one of the nurses has a daughter named Jennifer. So everytime I see her, I not only get a good morning, but she raises her hands in the air and yells, “My daughter!!” and gives me a huge hug. She told me once that I should always remember that I have an African mother.
But anyways, back to the animals…I always watch my step around here. You just never know what you’re going to stumble on. I have seen several chameleons walking on the path. I have never seen one before, and to be honest they kind of creap me out. They walk in slow motion or just stop walking mid-step and their eyes kind of role in the back of their head still staring…very curious creatures.
The Failes have a pet monkey in their backyard. They act like it’s nothing special, but come on it’s a pet monkey!! or a Minkey for all the pink panther fans…
The night of course brings out all of the scariest animals. Snakes definitely scare me the most. After seeing so many snake bites in the hospital, I’m on my guard constantly. But, I almost stepped on one the other day walking back to the guesthouse. I’m sure the guard at the corner saw me freak out. As long as he got some entertainment for the day, I guess. There’s also a whistling noise that starts up outside around seven pm. It’s more like a screech or rusted wheel. Come to find out, they’re bats. And I’m not talking about one or two. It feels like hundreds. By now, I have gotten used to them though. One mystery animal is called a “bush baby”. I’m told they’re monkey-like and nocturnal. I’ve been shining my flashlight in all the trees as I walk home late, but still haven’t found them. I think it’s a volunteer trick, so all the locals can laugh at us standing outside at night getting eaten by mosquitos while we’re staring at the trees.
So I have a huge confession to make. I’m pretty ashamed of this story considering my father and brother are both veterinarians. The other night Yissah, John, Peter, Carolyn, Tiffany and I went out for some dog. That’s right, a big tub of cooked up dog meat with onions. Now I’m going to take a moment to say I’m sorry to my dear pets at home– Maggie, Snickers, Bailey, Daisy…I would never eat you, I promise. My reasoning was…well, I had no reasoning. I just wanted to know what it tasted like. Let’s just sy it’s not the most delicate of meats. It tastes like a tough roast beef. And it’s pretty disturbing how they leave the skin on– gross. But even worse, Yissah explained that the paws are the best part. Well, I found a paw and quickly passed it off. Towards the end of the bucket, John actually started feeding a stray dog some of the scraps…that was just a little over the top for me. Overall, it’s pretty disturbing when you really stop and think about it. Can’t say I’ll ever forget that experience.