My Hero's Journey

My fourth novel was complete! Satisfaction flowed through me like a teenager who had just finished his homework and was headed to the beach. Unfortunately, I hadn't paid attention to hydrating myself, in the last few hours, and the base of my head was throbbing. Moving my head even the slightest amount made me feel nauseous. I drank a couple of glasses of water before taking anything for it. After an hour, the water had made no difference and I decided to take something for it. When I went to the medicine cabinet, I realized I was out of everything, so I drove to the pharmacy and bought some Aleve. 

Little did I know, but Aleveman did not want to leave his cozy, cotton-filled container. He also was unsure he could do the job. He thought he might be like all the others. What was different about him that would insure he could allev-iate Joe's pain? Maybe he could move to the bottom of the bottle when Joe opened it so another Aleve would fall out. 

When the cap was pulled off and the cotton was removed, Aleveman decided to take the challenge and  wrestle the headache to its death. What Aleveman didn't know was how well equipped he was to take on the problem. The magic helpers that made Aleveman work were 200 mg. of Naproxen and 20 mg. of sodium. The combination of these ingredients could cure headaches, back aches, muscular aches, toothaches, pain from the common cold, menstrual cramps, and temporarily could reduce a fever. Aleveman worked in the body by blocking pain chemicals called prostaglandins. In order to protect Joe, Aleveman would have to dissolve and spread out, to conquer the proglandins. 

Joe held Aleveman up to his mouth, placed him at the back of his tongue, and swished Aleveman down  a giant water slide, with a few gulps of water.  Aleveman's adventure had began. He could feel himself dissolving. He was scared, but knew what his mission was. As he melted apart he remember how boring and tight fitting it was to be enclosed in the bottle, surrounded by a bunch of "pills." Aleveman was changing. Soon he would be fighting off the prostaglandins.

Floating through bloodstream Aleveman met the first three prostaglandins. He pulled out his sword and successfully killed the first one, but the other two got away, banging their pots and pans. Aleveman determined not to let any of the other painful chemical enemies away, signaled to Joe that he needed back up. Joe took another Aleve. This is the most Aleve a person can take safely at one time. The result was a total victory. 

The second Aleve dissolved just in time to help Aleveman. Together they used their swords and went into battle. It was two against two. The Alevemen won. They brought down another enemy and had one left. This last one was the most difficult to get because it hid behind Joe's eye, and they didn't know where to find him. The Alevemen search the forehead, temples and finally spotted the bad guy, behind the right eye. Aleveman shouted forcefully, "You killed my father prepare to die." Aleveman struck the germ-inator and he fell to his death. 

Aleveman mastered his quest to help Joe get rid of his headache and killed the prostaglandins that were causing it. Aleveman is no longer afraid of new adventures. Instead, he has developed a new way to look at life. He is curious and lives moment to moment, happy that he could help Joe.

DAY EIGHT WITH MARUGE

To day I leave around 7 I was really happy with my week here I learned a lot about Maruge and had a lot of fun. It was 5:30 and I needed to be at the airport at six, to check in and pad my baggage. He drove me to the airport and we said are good byes and I gave him my phone number in case he ever wanted to get in touch. We got to the air port and Maruge got out and gave me a big hug. I said thank you so much for every thing. I grabbed my suitcase and walked into the air port waving good bye to Maruge. I was very sad  to say good bye to Mauge but I stepped on the plane and flew away.

I had a great time in Uganda!

DAY SEVEN WITH MARUGE

This was my last day here, I leave tomorrow morning around 7. Maruge had planned to miss school today for me and his teacher approved of it, because he was so far ahead of his class. So the first thin we did to day was got some breakfast, I made him some pancakes he loved them. He said he never has had them, and wants to learn who to make them. With the pancakes I also made some fresh O.J.  He was very happy because of the great breakfast I made him. After that we went to a place called the Rock Water Park were there were a bunch of rocks that we like huge slides, and they were carved form one of the tribes but they don't know who made them. It was supper fun I think that was one of my favorite parts of the trip, because of how long and fun they were.

After that we were really hungry so we went to his friends restaurant were he got a huge discount, I got chicken strips, and he got some tomato soup. It was pretty good he told me it wasn't the best food but Maruge promised that we would come. After lunch I asked Maruge if we could go back to his house for a minute, he asked why, and I told him I wanted to get my camera. He said sure lets go! So we wet to get it. Next we went to the top of the country, we got to go to the tip of the mountain, it was an amazing sight I was really happy I got my camera because I got some really cool pics. 

Later that day we went back to Rock Water Park, I asked Maruge if we could go back there because I was having so much fun. So we went back to the Rock Water park and no one was there, it was interesting because when we left the first time it was really crowded. We went to the top of the slide and one at a time, went head first. It was a blast, we had a lot of fun even Maruge said he had fun to. We were there for a couple hours. After that we got some dinner, we ate at Maruges house. We had just some salad and some bread. It was good, I really liked the bread it had a lot of cheese and good taste on it. After dinner I was very tiered, but I told Maruge I would play a couple games of cards. We played slap jack, cagy eights, and war. It was really fun to play with Maruge. Next I was really tiered, so I brushed my teeth an went to bed.

DAY SIX WITH MARUGE

To day Maruge was not feeling to well so he stayed home. It was a really nice day to day so I told him you might feel better if you go out side rather than cramped in this hut, so we went out side and the sun was big and really hot. Maruge was still not feeling to good so we went back to his house and he took a nap, he was asleep for at least 2 hours, when he woke up he felt all better and had a lot of energy. I was out side when he woke up playing with some little boys, they asked me if I wanted to play with them and I did. We were playing a game of soccer and thats my favorite sport. They were really good at it, intact they were kicking my but. It was me agents to other little boys, and the score was 3 to 5 they were winning. It was a great game but when I heard Maruge I told them I had to go.

Later Maruge and I started to get hungry so he took me out to eat witch was a very rare thing were he lived because no one had any money. He took me to a place called Fishies, they had amazing fish and sea food. I got the salmon it was rich and had a lot of taste to it, I was really amazed with who great they made it taste, It was like eating a cloud with magical cream. After lunch I said than you and we went back to his place to chill for a bit. At his hut we talked about his childhood, he said it was really hard for him because he didn't have a lot of friends, his parents went very helpful, and he was lonely. I asked him why he didn't go to school back then and he said he couldn't afford the time. He had to much on his hands and he didn't have any money so he worked most of the days. Next we decided to go to the beach were we could hang out and lay in the sun. At the beach there great waves and there was a board rental to the left of me. So I asked Maruge if it was ok for me to go surf, he said sure I would love to watch you that would be great. So I ran over to the little renting shop and got a 5'4 surf board. Then I went in and bought a lot of waves it was supper fun, on the beach Maruge told me I was amazing and thought I should go pro. I told him I wasn't that good but thanks. 

I had two more days with Maruge and wanted to make the best of them so I told Maruge we should go to bed pretty early and have a lot of fun tomorrow. He thought the same, Later that night we ate dinner at Maruges house he told me he had a secret dish that I would love. He made me chicken with this rice stuffing, I thought it was thanksgiving for a second it was so delicious. He asked me if I liked it and I said "yes I love it." After dinner we settled down and had some funny but stupid jokes that were going around like why was the math book sad? because it had to many problems. After that we went to bed, but while I was laying in bed I couldn't get how much fun the surfing was out of my head. I think it was the best waves and rights I've ever surfed. To day I learned a lot about Maruge and his childhood, he is an a,a zing person.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

DAY FIVE WITH MARUGE

Today Maruge had school so I went with him and helped all the little kids with there english. It was great because I could see all the great work he and his class was doing. I helped a group of kids that wee behind on there letters so I showed them how to do it and answered any questions they had. All the kids were asking about america more than the letters so I told them were I lived and what I did, like surfing or biking. The children were so impressed that I could surf. They said I've always thought surfing was scary because of the big waves. I told them you can surf any size of wave and they were like ok. Later that day I got to be   in Maruges group, it was really nice to be with him. I thought school ended around 3 because it does in Santa Barbara. Here it ends at 5, I was kinda bummed because I wanted to be with Maruge. So I just went with it and it was fun because at the sad they play games.

Later when we got home we were both hungry so we had chicken soup with beans and salsa in it. At first I was not going to eat it because it sounded horrible, but he made me try it and it wasn't that bad. It wasn't my favorite thing but not the worst. After dinner we went to a show that his tribe was doing, it was about the british taking over but the africans fighting back. It was a really interesting show. During the show Maruge started crying, I asked if he was ok he said "yes but its bringing me back in time when they killed my family, I asked if he wanted to leave he said no so I just hung with him and tried to make him feel better.

After that great show we went back to Maruges hut were we played some cards, he told me he never has played cards. So I told him about the games and he would catch on very quickly. He did I had them packed in my bag so we could play on a night like this. We firs played crazy eights I think that was his favorite one because he never wanted to stop. I think Maruge I a great person and not because he's been through all the bad stuff but because he's so in touch which himself and the earth. I was really tired so I told he I was going to go to bed soon, he was like what about the cards. I started laughing, so did he. Next I went to bed and told him we could play later he said ok.

It was a great day for me because I got to learn about his school, help little kids and get one of the greatest gifts I've ever got. Another reason would be because I got to go to a historical event and see the past. 

DAY FOUR WITH MARUGE

To day we were trying to get to the market so we could by some great snacks, there were all kinds of food, fruit, vegetables, and a lot more. When we were walking around Maruge ran into a long lost friend, his name was Akiki. Maruge told me he was in the camps with him and were really good friends back then.
We got all of are food and snacks and headed back to Maruges house, his friend tagged along so they could triad addresses or be in contact some way. When we got home I asked them what the camps were like and how did they effect you. Akiki told me the camps were un describable. So I asked Maruge he said "the camps were very bad they took my life away. By killing my wife and baby. They also beat me, thats why I need my stick. I was shocked, in my head and mind I was crying. Its so disgusting that the British could do this to other people.

Later that day we ate some of the delicious food we got at the market, we had bananas, mango, karats, and many other things as well. It was a very good lunch I told Maruge I haven't had this good of fruit for a long time. He was not understanding, he said "if you grow it who can it not be fresh. I told him about the big trucks that bring it from other places. He thought that was stupid, and I do to. After that went to his house and just hung around for a bit, it was nice to take a break. Later that day I told Maruge I wanted to get something to take back with me so he said "why buy when you can find or make." So were went for a walk through his village, trying to find something. We couldn't find anything so when we got done with are walk Maruge told me to keep his walking stick. I was shocked, he had been through so much with hat and uses it every day. I said thank you so much and he said "your welcome."

Next we went to a place called Sipi Falls it is a water fall that is amazing, and at the top of it you can see all of Uganda. So we went to the water fall and I couldn't believe my eyes it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life.

The water fall was great I never wanted to go. He said we could swim if we want, so I took off my shorts and went in, in my boxers. It was cold but supper refreshing and an amazing feeling when you were under it. There was also a little hut at the top that someone lived in, I was so jealous. If I had a hut there I would be the happiest kid alive. Later Maruge told me it was going to be dark in about 30 min and we had a hug hike ahead of us so we had to head back. It was pitch black and I was really scared but he told me that we would be fine and it was just around the corner, so I ran over there and he was right the end of the trail was right here so we hitch hiked back and fell asleep.  

DAY THREE WITH MARUGE

To day we had a lot of plans because Maruge didn't have school. He wanted to spend a lot of time with me, so we decided to go to a lake that he likes to swim and relax at. It was a long journey to get to it, we went through the jungle over a mountain and through lots of trees. It was a really fun journey. We finally got to the lake it was amazing there was no one there and some of the most colorful birds I've ever scene. When I'm with Maruge I feel so connected to the earth and not all the stupid stuff that go's around. At the lake Maruge told me he was going for a swim across the lake because there was a well on the other side that he liked to drink out of. So I went with him. After a cold but refreshing swim we were there.

When we got to the well he said that the old villagers made it by hand and it was really important to him. I was really surprised that he new all this stuff about the well and his ancestors. He got a hand full of water and drank it very quietly, for respect of his ancestors. He then told me we had to swim back I was freezing so I swam as fast as I could. Later that day we went back to his hut and took a long nap. We woke up around 4 and were ready to do another thing. We went to his friends house and he introduced me to all his friends and said I was a very special person, that made me feel really good. I said thank you and then they gave us each a beer and said lets have some fun. I told them I wasn't aloud to drink it so, I gave it back and they gave me some water. Were we were there I let Maruge just hang out with his buddies and I went for a walk. We met back up within 45 minutes and went back to his house. 

When we woke up it was around dinner time so we had some soup that Maruge made us it was very good. There was chicken, great bread, and many other little things in it to. It was a long day so after dinner we talked for a bit, but were really tiered so went to bed. It was a really good day. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

DAY TWO WITH MARUGE

Today was Friday we woke up and Maruge was stressed because yesterday when we fell asleep he for got to do his home work, so I helped him with it really quick because school started in 15 minutes. He needed to practice his reading on his little flash cards so I told him to give them to me and I would test him on the way. He was so happy. At the end of all the cards he got them all right so I gave him a high five and he walked through the gates.

While he was at school I wanted to learn a little more about his culture so I went on a tour of there city, every thing was very little the were no ski scrappers or huge houses it was all tight and small. I really liked that, even though my own space is great it was really nice being apart of a community that depended of each other. My favorite part of the tour was when we stopped to help the children with there chores. We were driving bye and all the little girls were raying really heavy water jugs to the driver pulled over and asked them if they needed help the said "yes" so we all grabbed one and took it to there huts. We got back in the car and drove away. Later that day I picked up Maruge and we went out to the jungle and he showed me the monkeys, he said they were his favorite animal and he loved to watch them. It was amazing to see them jump from tree to tree like that.

It was time for dinner and we were both really hungry so we stopped at a market and got some grub. I got a salad and some ripe fruit. It was great! Maruge got just fruit and ate very little so I asked him why don't you want to eat he said "I don't have a lot of money and I need to save some for another time." That made me realize how much of a pig I was but I thought it was just a little bit. Here in africa people starve and in the U.S. we eat as much as we want.  

                

It was a great day I learned a lot about the culture here and how people are so kind and helpful they are. I wish are country could be this kind to each other.              

                                            

DAY ONE WITH MARUGE

The First Grader

Today I landed in Maruge's village he was very nice. He was so happy I was there because he couldn't wait for all the fun stuff he had planned for us. But it was minimized because of his school. It was about one in the afternoon there so he had to get back to school so he didn't miss it. When I arrived he told me he had school from ten to four so he was gone most of the day.

It was about 3:30 I was super excited for Maruge to get out of school, I was supposed to pick him up so I went really early like 20 minutes early. The bell rung and he walked out I was watching him walk and thinking about his story and what the british did to him and it made me appreciate how positive and giving he is. It also makes me feel so spoiled, he got whipped and other terrible things and I get to go to a private school with computers, phones, and other amazing qualities. He final got to the car and the first thing he said was "Lets eat I'm starving" I started laughing so I started the car and we drove away. That day we had dinner really early, I was tiered from flying and he was tiered from school. So we ate and then fell asleep in his warm and little hut.

MY STOP IN ELDORET, KENYA

On my way home from South Sudan, I stopped in Kenya. I was invited to the village of Eldroet.


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