The Big Picture

Beyond any trips itinerary is what the traveler gets out of his journey. If I went everywhere in the world but learned nothing I know I wouldn't be satisfied and don't think many travelers would be. So, you may be wondering what I got out of my trip. How it changed my life.
Well if you've read previous posts here you know that I worked with people and helped them to the best of my abilities every day in Africa. That in itself changed my life. When you get to know people who are as differant from you as my Ivorian friends, it moves you. Seeing the triumphs in technology and medicine that these people had while I was here was amazing, and seeing theirs struggles, defeats, loss was just as moving and sad. Some of the stories I heard and hopefully translated into this book were simple astonishing. For instance in the very beginning of the book when Mariam had her child was beyond words. I was called upon as midwife in one of my first nights in the village and had never done anything like that before. And then to have the baby come out feet first was a twist that I wasn't sure I could handle. The tension in that room with all the vielles mopping up pools of blood, and Mariams screams resounding through the village were crazy. And then the relief and near euphoria when the baby just popped out crying, red and wet all over, but healthy. The whole experience was almost out of body.
Another amazing oppurtunity to learn abroad is the traditions and holidays celebrated by the people. It was almost a year into my stay, and for you readers halfway through the book that I attende my first funeral in Nambonkaha and boy what a funeral it was. I had never seen anything like it, even with all of my previous travelling. I would never have imagined that a funeral could be so festive, what with all of the lights and music and dancing and laughter and feasting. But again, afterward when I sat down and reflected on it, it makes perfect since that we celebrate a persons life whether than mourn their death. You could say it was just an excuse to party, and don't get me wrong, Ivorians love to party, but when I really thought about it, a funeral party was a beautiful idea. So those are a couple of examples and reactions from specific reactions from the book, but understand how much these experiences change you as a person and allow you to become much more open, and less judgemental about other cultures traditions and ways of life.