By A Simon Kivamwo
Would you like hiking or biking?—this was the first thing our host, Professor Jonathan Rubin wanted to hear from me and a colleague of mine, Deusi Ngowi, last Friday. Both of us are currently attending a month-long USAID Tanzania Journalism Exchange Project at the University of Maine in the USA.
“Well, sure!”-- I responded, but very suspicious of the extent of the undertakings the host wants to engage us in. “We will definitely take part,” I responded before Deusi, in his popular shy-face but with straight forward stance said…”for my self, I am unable to bike since it has been so long without it. Probably hiking. That one I can do”.
This was an early encounter with our host, Prof. Jonathan a father of two- David and Hann, resident of Bangor. As part of our programme, each of us—the nine Tanzanian journalists—is supposed to spend weekend with host individuals and families. The timetable for this arrangements was, therefore observed from Friday (10th July 2009) to Sunday (12th July 2009)
Back to my experience--Prof. Jonathan working hand in hand with his wife, Peggy, and sometimes consulting among each other were busy preparing us an evening meal. What a strange thing if one refers back home (Tanzania)?. Men are rarely seen in the kitchen at the presence of their wives.
Unbelievable, in between 15 to 25 minutes time, the menu was ready. Deusi and I, plus two neighbouring families led by one, Lee were all invited for the dinner. It then went on like that. Self-service style was the order of that evening. It went on and on until we were all satisfied. What a delicious food!.
The following day—Saturday morning—was the d-day. It was the day for hiking up to the top of Beehive-Acadia. “Here we go,” said the host as we boarded into his Maruti car—full equipped with everything needed for mountain hikers such as water, leather shoes, sticks, and of course, for Prof. Jonathan, could not feel happy doing it minus the company of princess—his pet.
Frankly, the hiking was not easy. In several ocassions along the rout, I had to seek for a support of grounded rocks that are scattered allover the way to the top.
There is time when I even contemplated about giving up and slow back down silently. But finally I felt not to give up—as it could become an embarrassment not only to me, but also to Deusi who, despite his silent fever that had attacked him for two days before, was still committed to see both of us making it to the summit.
“Come on guys, are you tired?,” Jonathan was repeatedly asking us as he majestically hiked up just as someone making it to the lecture room—unbelievable . “No sir, we are strong than ever” I replied.
Well, it went that way until we were at the top—520ft (158m) from the sea level. “We are done!,” said the energetic Professor. “Yes here we are,” echoed Mr Lee, the neighbour, who like the previous day, had joined Prof.Jonathan’s family to host us.
More interestingly, while our group took a long but fairly regarded as easy route, another group comprised of Mrs Jonathan and Mrs Lee plus their children, took another route, which is said to be more complicated and stiffer. To my surprise they were the first to reach to the peak.
Sunday was the day to say goodbye to the family. The professor and his wife took care of us in such a manner that both of Deusi and I left the family’s residence very satisfied and feeling that: “we were really at home”.
- Photos caption: Simon, Prof.Jonathan and Deusi before and after reaching at the peak
Professor Jonathan must be energetic, in all American and African standards, kudo Prof!
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