I was going to make a funny, witty last blog about my time here, the things I’ve done, and all the weird and unique things that I experienced that most people wouldn’t be able to in their lifetime. As I was thinking of my list, I realized that none of, absolutely none of the experiences I had would be anything without the people with me. So move over smart-assed and witty, here comes over sentimental and sappy.
To my Patos:
Bina- I am so glad that you and Sarah really didn’t hate me from the first night- I can’t imagine not being friends with you over the course of this semester. Without your social coordination and screaming about hormigas, I don’t know if this trip would have been the same. Seriously, even though you hated being here in the beginning, and knew the least amount of Spanish, I think you have grown the farthest as a person. And I’m pretty sure you’re the only girl I know that could rock being a ‘girly girl’ so well in the heart of Malabo and still be aggressive in a bread line. Looking back over the past 3 months you have been so awesome to hangout, dance with, and have the ‘occasional’ glass of white wine with. Thank you again… and see you in Elkins Park.
Cait- What can I possibly say that you don’t already even know since we share the same brain? Without you I wouldn’t be on this trip- you pushed pulled, knocked on doors, emailed the president- all so we could come here. Thank you, for getting me here, listening to me blab till 2am, for helping me get out of the forest alive (and not killing me for being so ridiculous). Your caring nature has been such an asset to this group, which was extremely helpful after many Marathon nights. And I’m sorry I broke your glasses, (you know where I live). Thanks again for making this trip a reality for me, I honestly didn’t have the drive to get here on my own, but I can’t tell you how this experience is probably the best of my life. You are one of the best friends I could have.
Julia- I am so happy that there was another crazy liberal political junkie in this group. Thank you for making coffee In the mornings and listening to my ramblings about everything that’s going on in my crazy head. Also, I still don’t know how you didn’t kill me on the way up or down from the beaches. I would have left myself there – so I don’t know where you found the patience. I will do my best to go to ‘scones’ on Saturdays and I’ll make sure to skype you when I eat my first ‘Ben & Jerry’s’ ice cream…which I almost did, but it was way to cold in Madrid for ice cream. Good luck with the new crew (even though we are going to be still cooler) and when you get back you owe me a drink and I’ll take you to Chickie & Pete’s.
Sarah- Since we get mistaken for the same person, does that mean I don’t have to write one of these? Your love of dancing and music has definitely made this trip so much more fun for me. Your passion for what is going on in Moka actually made me enjoy science. It was always fun to out with you; as a part of the JD crew… well, you are probably one of the coolest people I could walk back from Macumba with. Thanks for listening to my random and ridiculous ramblings (alliteration much?) about life. I am so glad that we were able to have a cross accent exchange, even though I am sad that I no longer say water like a true Philadelphian. Come to Philly as soon as possible- and we need to talk about Grey’s ASAP.
Tristan – I’m sure that you never would have thought that you would have known so much about Clay Aiken. And you really need to read Harry Potter, they will always better than the movies. Seriously though, thank you so much for being our surrogate ‘big brother’ of the trip. From getting us away from creepsters and Bahia and Macumba, to worrying about whether we’d make it to the beaches alive; words cannot express how grateful I am that you were able to put up with living with five girls. I’m pretty sure that I will never hear ‘No Scrubs’ or ‘Bailamos’ the same way again. Your random commentary and sense of humor added another level to this trip… and karaoke will never be the same.
Without you guys (my family) in Bioko, I would never had (in no order):
Met new people in a new house
Travelled to Moka
Seen endemic species
Made a song about Tuacos
Met more friends
Sat and socialized in a tent for 5 hours while in rained
Walked through the forest at night
Walked through clouds
Climbed trails that I had deemed impossible
Swam in a lake…ina crater… in the middle of a volcano
Spent a night looking at the constellations
Bonded while sitting in different tents
Walked to cascades, swam in them, but couldn’t see them
Hung out with Lebanese architects
Drank awesome tea and had shisha
Ridden on the back of a pickup truck down a mountain…standing up
Wrote a crappy science paper
Hung out with Scotsman
Played Quizo
Danced and partied more than I had
Was Sarah Palin
Struggled, but survived Spanish class
Shared pictures, music and gossip
Had girly sleepovers
Stood at the tallest point of the island
Stayed up to watche the Phillies and the election
Experienced the joy of teaching children and frustration of a broken system
Taught the hokey pokey in Spanish
Enjoyed Southern Hospitality and cooking – and love the people who provided it.
Created dozens of quotes and inside jokes
Ran around in a stadium
Touched the mainland
Loved without running water for 3 days
Got super tan
Laughed and cried
Ate rice and pasta for 2 weeks in Moka
Didn’t shower at Moka
Laid out on the beach and swam in pools… in November
Hung out at oil compounds and watched ‘Friends’ for hours at a time
Ate way too much Oreos and other snacks
Almost fell in a ditch
Incorporated ‘torpe’ at least 4 times a day
Talked to my housemates on Facebook while they were all in the same room
Watched a bunch of movies
Wandered throughout the city
Ate cheap food; ate overpriced food
Learned Spanish that is not useful in everyday conversation
Got punch drunk
Baby sat grown men
Been called Turaco, Jim Beam, Obama, Imelda, and probably at least 4 other names
Walked down highways
Went to church with the President
Learned to cover my shoulders in church
Went to a bush meat market
Shopped for dresses
Applied Harry Potter to many aspects of Malabo and life
Shared information about Clay Aiken that noone was interested in
Stayed up past exhaustion to talk
Walked an insane amount of kms to get to a turtle beach
Saw a sea turtle
Spent 3 hours getting my hair done
And so, so much more
Thank all you guys again for all of the crazy, random unforgettable experiences… it would have been impossible without each one of you :)
Peace and Love Always,
Amanda Ilmeda Sita Mue Mude Turacobeama Malamut
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