Dear Dorothy
Saturday March 12 2011 - 4 p.m.
Well I guess I'll start with the sour and with luck end on the sweet. One of those do you want the good news or the bad news first ?
The local guide.here in Turmi. Yesterday for an hour's time walking me
through a Hamer village he charged 150 Bir. His guidemanship left a lot
to be desired. He told me the absolute minimum that he was required to tell and maybe not that much. He was forever wandering off to talk to the people. Today we went to Omorate a village at the literal end of the
road. The entire hour of the trip he didn't say a thing, unless I asked him a specific question. I would get the correct but most minimal answer possible.It was like I was paying him by the word
This village was the same as the previous one. "There is a house", "Those are ladies" well
you get the idea.By the time we got back to the 4X4 I was steaming, but
not terminally -- yet. Then off to the Saturday market. Repeat of the
past, except this time he wandered off to find some water. I strolled
around, pestering the people with questions I should have directed at
him and then went back to the Landcruiser. We (the driver and I) waited
and waited. We waited so long that a salesman finally accepted my
low ball bid on a trinket. Then we drove around a little looking for him.
It must have been half an hour before he strolled up and got in the SUV.
When we got back to the town another outing was planned and when he got
out I had him come to my window and told him we were done. In my best
Donald Trump, I told him hes was fired. What do I owe you. 350 Bir ($20
bucks). I handed him 300 and told him the ride back cost 50. I be very
happy he no carry spear, because the daggers from his eyes were menacing
enough. He took the 300 and threw it back at me. He has a good arm on
him too. Fine ! So now three hours later he comes walking up to me here
at the hotel. "You owe me (unintelligible) and 20 for the 2 pictures at
Omorade. That is right he did front me 20 Bir, because all I had were
100's. I got change and handed him 30, just to show --I don't know --- no hard feelings --- maybe it was a ""see I'm a bigger
person than you". Truth be told that was probably a closer description
of my intent. He looked at it and said you owe me another 40. WTF, Over
?!?!? I told him call the police. I'll be happy to explain to them my
side. Finally after a few moments of ping pong bickering I took the rest
of the Bir and threw it at him. Neener, neener !! I can be as childish
as you. He threw a few choice words back at me but were lost in
translation. I waved and with the most sarcastic smile and voice said
"Have a nice day" Am I proud of myself? In retrospect, No. But it sure
felt good at the time.