I am sitting in an internet cafe waiting on a file to download. I left the case in Maroua to begin this task at 7 this morning; it is now 9:01 and there seems to be no end in sight. I have been quite neglectful of the blog lately and I apologize. I guess I just have a hard time finding new things to write about that will interest you guys. But I have given that excuse before, so I guess I will have to find others. Perhaps the flooded road, the fritzy internet/electricity, or the fact that it’s planting season and to ensure I do not reinforce any stereotypes that white people are unable to do manual labor, I accepted the challenge of having my own field this year. Now before all of you get all impressed, or perhaps justifiably panicked, let me define “my own field”.
Earlier in the year I was given a sac full of seeds. Most were trees, but it also included peanuts and corn. Now given that I am an agroforestry volunteer I knew the seeds were probably intended to be put in the ground and, I don’t know, maybe watered or something. That was a few months ago and now I am the proud owner of 40 luecaena trees, despite sabotage attempts by dogs, pigs, small children, and hungry goats. So I am going to find a field that is already so far depleted cotton and millet won’t grow without a bunch of expensive fertilizer (already, I didn’t do it, no where to go but up). I am going to try a field of peanuts, soy beans, and luecaena trees. This is in the hopes that it will give me some sort of proof of the animations (about all the things trees can do) which I will start during the next off season, which is not long enough to actually see results, but at least I can show the farmers what I am talking about instead of only mumbling in incoherent French. ( the file just said something in French that means I have to start over, magnifique!) This is going to be a very small field and my neighbour Esther told me that she would help me. Usually when Esther says she will help me, she ends up doing most of the work. She does however defend me when other people say I can’t work, and use my uncaloused hands as proof. Maybe the next post will have pictures of blisters. Or not.
I will try to post more coherently soon, but I only have 3 min left.
I can’t wait to tell my friends that my daughter has a farm in Africa. They will be so impressed.
Soybeans do best when planted close together like a seed every inch or so. They help support each other that way or something. Here, they are a very water thirsty crop. Hope you make a whole ton of soybeans!
ashley, go field go!!!
loved your esther comment:)
and rack your brain for updates, comon im in withdrawal, i need to hear stories!! the market, mariage proposals (speaking of which i do want to know what ever happened with the development just before i left…)there is so much to say!