Intermission
1 year ago this month I embarked on a trip of gradiose proportion across the U.S.A.
1 year ago this month my life was deeply touched by the sites, sounds, smells, events, and people that I traveled with.
1 year ago this month, I was inspired, impressed, and in awe of a young boy who, if only for an few hours, became a man...right before my very eyes.
....
There were many experiences that we shared, lots of laughs, and some that are funnier now that we're all home.
Yet, probably the most memorable was when we had a craving to "conquer" nature.
The task at hand...climb a huge...some even call it " GREAT ", sand dune.
These dunes were something out of wonder. Completely surrounded by mountains with a stream in front of it, and trees decorated the base....yet these dunes made their presence felt in a huge way.
The tallest dune stood 750 ft tall ( if memory serves me right ), after coming out of the trees, and crossing the stream, it was almost instinctual for us to "get to work" and start climbing. In fact, we were both so excited that we really didn't think to wait for anyone else...which was totally my bad.
Before we knew it, we were trucking along and all was great it was just like a walk on the beach, just steeper.
As soon as we began, we made a "fellowship," a promise to each other that we would make it to the top, and back...no matter what.
As is turns out, we also disregarded the fact that the sand would be hot....really hot! And in my haste I also forgot to inform the younglings to put shoes on....namely my partner in crime.
So to ease the tensions, and keep the group focused, I gave him my sandles...which were a bit large and comical at the time, but they worked. The smaller of the group, I would just through on my shoulders and carry on.
We chanted, sang, and joked as we kept moving along this mountainous mound of sand.
There were about 8 or us at one point, together....and slowly but surely, some people turned away or stayed in their tracks.
Masterfully, the youngest and smallest of the group pressed on. Despite the scroaching heat of the sand beneath our feet.
To be honest, there were a couple times when I really wanted to just turn around and go back myself, but we had made a pact, and it was not to be broken, not now...when we were so close.
Near the top, the same fear of not making it, changed and became our fuel to perserve and, soon we were running to the top.
Soon...we were there.
The highest point in the valley of the mountains.
The world was at our feet and words don't nearly come close to describing the beauty.
We stood silent for awhile, just in awe and respect for nature.
I soon found myself in a conversation, and very intellectual one, about life and doing things that let you know you are alive.
He said to me "Wow, how many people get to do this in their lives? This is amazing. This is what life is about. "
I looked down at this 13 yr old, as realized I was speaking to a man...in a childs body.
The depth and conviction in which he spoke were as true and pure as any words I had ever heard in my life.
And I simply responded..."Yea, it really puts man back in 'his' place, and sets the bar for 'true beauty.' "
We were stuck in this moment, and didn't want it to end...and at the same time we knew it had to.
So we decided to celebrate our accomplishments, in a unique, respectful, and very appropiate manner.
It could be said that our whole trip revolved on one saying / phrase / word.
So this was the word we used to celebrate our accomplishment.
"OHANA ! "
Loud and with conviction.
Nothing felt more right.
Shortly there after, we smiled at each other with the largest smiles we could, and INSTANTLY...we were both kids again.
And he said..."I'll race you back down." : )
The time was perfect, and it was ours.
.......
This past Sunday, May 8th 2005...a new adventure awaited me.
Upon my arrival in Tunis, I was instantly drawn to the highest point in the area, the Bourkornine Mountain ( Bourkornine, means twin peaks).
This mountain would be my mine for the conquering.
After weeks of anticipation, the moment had come, and I would have my day.
...
The day started off at 5:15 am.
I had the honor of seeing the sun rise from the darkness of night, bringing amazing colors of purple, blue, red, yellow, and orange with it.
Before I was completely lost in this reverie, I figured I'd check the clock...which told me that it was now 5:45 am.
Which would've been ok, except for the fact that we were supposed to meet Karim at the train station downtown at 5:45 am....in order to catch the train at 6 am.
After sprinting through streets and jumping in front of cabs, we finally found a taxi, and amazingly arrived at 6:05 am, just in time to learn that the train leaves at 6:25 am and not 6....so happiness was restored.
The rest of the day, went just this way....perfect.
The weather, the atmosphere, and the dealings with the townspeople.
The only concern was just to climb.
All that week, my thoughts had been with my "partner in crime," I felt his presence with me in every step, and I knew that this trip was as much for me as it was for him. This would be my way to pay tribute this young man that reached my heart, and touched my soul. There would be no stopping for me until I stood on the summitt.
The Bourkornine stands approximately 750 meters high, and has two twin peaks, one is taken up by a telecommunications tower for a local television network, the other...the taller one, is barren....and would be the focal point of our climb.
At the base Brian, Karim, and I reviewed the terrain...which consisted of solid towering rocks, covered with trees, bushes, and flowers. Most Tunisians will never actually go to the top of the mountain, and it is not a favorite tourist attraction, so there are no direct paths...except the one you make for yourself. Which is why most locals would seriously question "why would you climb there? " or just flat out warn us not to, due to wild animals, and fear of falling. Despite this, we chose our path along the power lines, leading to the towers, which were accented by 80 degree walls and cliffs, at each pole.
After a couple deep breaths, made a new "fellowship", and were off.
The first few poles were passed with minimal difficulty and effort, but were drastically rising in steepness. Between the 3rd and 4th poles we really hit difficult times. There was about 6 - 7 feet of space between ourselves, the side of the mountain, and a 100-200 foot deep ravine. Those 6-7 feet were also at about a 40 degree angle...so sliding off wasn't techinically impossible. To make matters worse we ran into a wall...literally, where the only the continue was to climb up via tree branches and grooves in the stone.
I would not stop, and could not. I refused to be halted in my mission.
Half way up the wall, Brian yells ahead, and tells me " I...think I'm going to go back now." In all seriousness.
There were only 3 of us, so despite not being able to share the experience, it was mildly dangerous to do the climb with only two people.
Brian, has an abundant fear of heights, and didn't quite realize what climbing the mountain would entail.
So I did my best to encourage him to come just a little bit further, where it was safer, so we could make a decision if we would split up or not.
Karim and I had found an access road after the 4th pole, and with Brian having bouts of dizziness and nausea, he chose to retreat from the mountain and meet us at the bottom.
Despite my attempts, Brian could not come any further...so I hoped he would be safe, and Karim gave him his cell phone, just in case ( as he'd forgotten his).
And like that...our fellowship was down to two and we had only been on the climb for a little more than hour and half, with an easy 2 hours ahead to go.
Alas, C'est la vie. I had to reach the top, out of respect and remembrance for a dear friend...so we picked up our bags and moved on...without looking back.
The next stage was were things got particulary interesting. The path we were following soon diminished to dirt, and we found ourselves, practically crawling in the dirt just to find an appropiate place to keep climbing. After digging, crawling, and climbing our way up the hill we finally made it the 5th pole position and....it was worth it.
At this point we could see absolutely everything. Everything near to Tunis was now visiable and the view was absolutely breathtaking. Since we had stopped for a rest, Karim and I decided to make a pit stop and have an orange or two.
While we had stopped we started talking about sports figures. And what started as a question about a soccer player, led to a comparison to Michael Jordan, which led to North Carolina, which in the end, led Karim to speak about his travels in the South and where North Carolina was. I was only a little bit ironic that Karim's most extensive visit and travels in the US have been in Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC ; with him spending the most time in ATL. For the next 30 minutes we discussed ATL, and all the places he'd forgotten the names to, and that I remembered but had never gone. It was a very random conversation, but nonetheless starting me thinking again about how much I had experienced and how "quirky" life truly is.
After our snack it was full steam ahead, which also meant that we had an easy hour and a half's worth of work ahead of us.
We came to a pivotal point in the road, just as I had on the dune, where we could have taken the access road that led to the telecomm towers or we could taken the "scenic" route. As in life, you always have choices, and there's always an "easy" way out...but at what price do you take it? Will the "easy way" be the most fulfilling way in the end ? Most of the time it isn't and this time was no different.
We stayed our course, and braved the unknown.
The rocks had now come to complete 90 degree angles at this point ( more or less ), and it really forced us to find innovative ways around the large boulders and impasses. Every now and then, we'd look back , only to notice that if we fell, it was a very very long way down. Needless to say, that was motivation to keep moving on.
We kept moving through endless bushes, trees, electrical wires, and animal dwellings. The brush was so thick that we really didn't know how close we were to the summit...until we were standing on it.
We did it.
3 hrs :41 mins :34 secs.
Much quicker than we'd expected, and completly fulfilled.
I struggle to find the words that come close to describing this feeling.
As I looked around at the world below, and seeing how far I'd come.
Tears began to swell in my eyes....and the only word I could muster was....
"OHANA !!!"
[ To my little brother, thank you for lessons. I will keep them, and you, in my heart forever. ]
1 year ago this month my life was deeply touched by the sites, sounds, smells, events, and people that I traveled with.
1 year ago this month, I was inspired, impressed, and in awe of a young boy who, if only for an few hours, became a man...right before my very eyes.
....
There were many experiences that we shared, lots of laughs, and some that are funnier now that we're all home.
Yet, probably the most memorable was when we had a craving to "conquer" nature.
The task at hand...climb a huge...some even call it " GREAT ", sand dune.
These dunes were something out of wonder. Completely surrounded by mountains with a stream in front of it, and trees decorated the base....yet these dunes made their presence felt in a huge way.
The tallest dune stood 750 ft tall ( if memory serves me right ), after coming out of the trees, and crossing the stream, it was almost instinctual for us to "get to work" and start climbing. In fact, we were both so excited that we really didn't think to wait for anyone else...which was totally my bad.
Before we knew it, we were trucking along and all was great it was just like a walk on the beach, just steeper.
As soon as we began, we made a "fellowship," a promise to each other that we would make it to the top, and back...no matter what.
As is turns out, we also disregarded the fact that the sand would be hot....really hot! And in my haste I also forgot to inform the younglings to put shoes on....namely my partner in crime.
So to ease the tensions, and keep the group focused, I gave him my sandles...which were a bit large and comical at the time, but they worked. The smaller of the group, I would just through on my shoulders and carry on.
We chanted, sang, and joked as we kept moving along this mountainous mound of sand.
There were about 8 or us at one point, together....and slowly but surely, some people turned away or stayed in their tracks.
Masterfully, the youngest and smallest of the group pressed on. Despite the scroaching heat of the sand beneath our feet.
To be honest, there were a couple times when I really wanted to just turn around and go back myself, but we had made a pact, and it was not to be broken, not now...when we were so close.
Near the top, the same fear of not making it, changed and became our fuel to perserve and, soon we were running to the top.
Soon...we were there.
The highest point in the valley of the mountains.
The world was at our feet and words don't nearly come close to describing the beauty.
We stood silent for awhile, just in awe and respect for nature.
I soon found myself in a conversation, and very intellectual one, about life and doing things that let you know you are alive.
He said to me "Wow, how many people get to do this in their lives? This is amazing. This is what life is about. "
I looked down at this 13 yr old, as realized I was speaking to a man...in a childs body.
The depth and conviction in which he spoke were as true and pure as any words I had ever heard in my life.
And I simply responded..."Yea, it really puts man back in 'his' place, and sets the bar for 'true beauty.' "
We were stuck in this moment, and didn't want it to end...and at the same time we knew it had to.
So we decided to celebrate our accomplishments, in a unique, respectful, and very appropiate manner.
It could be said that our whole trip revolved on one saying / phrase / word.
So this was the word we used to celebrate our accomplishment.
"OHANA ! "
Loud and with conviction.
Nothing felt more right.
Shortly there after, we smiled at each other with the largest smiles we could, and INSTANTLY...we were both kids again.
And he said..."I'll race you back down." : )
The time was perfect, and it was ours.
.......
This past Sunday, May 8th 2005...a new adventure awaited me.
Upon my arrival in Tunis, I was instantly drawn to the highest point in the area, the Bourkornine Mountain ( Bourkornine, means twin peaks).
This mountain would be my mine for the conquering.
After weeks of anticipation, the moment had come, and I would have my day.
...
The day started off at 5:15 am.
I had the honor of seeing the sun rise from the darkness of night, bringing amazing colors of purple, blue, red, yellow, and orange with it.
Before I was completely lost in this reverie, I figured I'd check the clock...which told me that it was now 5:45 am.
Which would've been ok, except for the fact that we were supposed to meet Karim at the train station downtown at 5:45 am....in order to catch the train at 6 am.
After sprinting through streets and jumping in front of cabs, we finally found a taxi, and amazingly arrived at 6:05 am, just in time to learn that the train leaves at 6:25 am and not 6....so happiness was restored.
The rest of the day, went just this way....perfect.
The weather, the atmosphere, and the dealings with the townspeople.
The only concern was just to climb.
All that week, my thoughts had been with my "partner in crime," I felt his presence with me in every step, and I knew that this trip was as much for me as it was for him. This would be my way to pay tribute this young man that reached my heart, and touched my soul. There would be no stopping for me until I stood on the summitt.
The Bourkornine stands approximately 750 meters high, and has two twin peaks, one is taken up by a telecommunications tower for a local television network, the other...the taller one, is barren....and would be the focal point of our climb.
At the base Brian, Karim, and I reviewed the terrain...which consisted of solid towering rocks, covered with trees, bushes, and flowers. Most Tunisians will never actually go to the top of the mountain, and it is not a favorite tourist attraction, so there are no direct paths...except the one you make for yourself. Which is why most locals would seriously question "why would you climb there? " or just flat out warn us not to, due to wild animals, and fear of falling. Despite this, we chose our path along the power lines, leading to the towers, which were accented by 80 degree walls and cliffs, at each pole.
After a couple deep breaths, made a new "fellowship", and were off.
The first few poles were passed with minimal difficulty and effort, but were drastically rising in steepness. Between the 3rd and 4th poles we really hit difficult times. There was about 6 - 7 feet of space between ourselves, the side of the mountain, and a 100-200 foot deep ravine. Those 6-7 feet were also at about a 40 degree angle...so sliding off wasn't techinically impossible. To make matters worse we ran into a wall...literally, where the only the continue was to climb up via tree branches and grooves in the stone.
I would not stop, and could not. I refused to be halted in my mission.
Half way up the wall, Brian yells ahead, and tells me " I...think I'm going to go back now." In all seriousness.
There were only 3 of us, so despite not being able to share the experience, it was mildly dangerous to do the climb with only two people.
Brian, has an abundant fear of heights, and didn't quite realize what climbing the mountain would entail.
So I did my best to encourage him to come just a little bit further, where it was safer, so we could make a decision if we would split up or not.
Karim and I had found an access road after the 4th pole, and with Brian having bouts of dizziness and nausea, he chose to retreat from the mountain and meet us at the bottom.
Despite my attempts, Brian could not come any further...so I hoped he would be safe, and Karim gave him his cell phone, just in case ( as he'd forgotten his).
And like that...our fellowship was down to two and we had only been on the climb for a little more than hour and half, with an easy 2 hours ahead to go.
Alas, C'est la vie. I had to reach the top, out of respect and remembrance for a dear friend...so we picked up our bags and moved on...without looking back.
The next stage was were things got particulary interesting. The path we were following soon diminished to dirt, and we found ourselves, practically crawling in the dirt just to find an appropiate place to keep climbing. After digging, crawling, and climbing our way up the hill we finally made it the 5th pole position and....it was worth it.
At this point we could see absolutely everything. Everything near to Tunis was now visiable and the view was absolutely breathtaking. Since we had stopped for a rest, Karim and I decided to make a pit stop and have an orange or two.
While we had stopped we started talking about sports figures. And what started as a question about a soccer player, led to a comparison to Michael Jordan, which led to North Carolina, which in the end, led Karim to speak about his travels in the South and where North Carolina was. I was only a little bit ironic that Karim's most extensive visit and travels in the US have been in Atlanta, GA and Charleston, SC ; with him spending the most time in ATL. For the next 30 minutes we discussed ATL, and all the places he'd forgotten the names to, and that I remembered but had never gone. It was a very random conversation, but nonetheless starting me thinking again about how much I had experienced and how "quirky" life truly is.
After our snack it was full steam ahead, which also meant that we had an easy hour and a half's worth of work ahead of us.
We came to a pivotal point in the road, just as I had on the dune, where we could have taken the access road that led to the telecomm towers or we could taken the "scenic" route. As in life, you always have choices, and there's always an "easy" way out...but at what price do you take it? Will the "easy way" be the most fulfilling way in the end ? Most of the time it isn't and this time was no different.
We stayed our course, and braved the unknown.
The rocks had now come to complete 90 degree angles at this point ( more or less ), and it really forced us to find innovative ways around the large boulders and impasses. Every now and then, we'd look back , only to notice that if we fell, it was a very very long way down. Needless to say, that was motivation to keep moving on.
We kept moving through endless bushes, trees, electrical wires, and animal dwellings. The brush was so thick that we really didn't know how close we were to the summit...until we were standing on it.
We did it.
3 hrs :41 mins :34 secs.
Much quicker than we'd expected, and completly fulfilled.
I struggle to find the words that come close to describing this feeling.
As I looked around at the world below, and seeing how far I'd come.
Tears began to swell in my eyes....and the only word I could muster was....
"OHANA !!!"
[ To my little brother, thank you for lessons. I will keep them, and you, in my heart forever. ]
8 Comments:
At 1:54 PM, Hoodie2He said…
This post has been removed by the author.
At 2:01 PM, Hoodie2He said…
OHANA!!! Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind!
Amazing.
At 2:33 AM, Jeff Davis Jr. said…
No one gets left behind...or FORGOTTEN.
At 3:14 AM, Anonymous said…
loved your story
BE A WRITER!!!
At 5:49 PM, jillo said…
You made me cry.
At 8:55 PM, moun@nino said…
Hi jeff
Happy you are living fully your experience in Tunisia? Hope we can meet some day! By the way, say hi to Adel and Bassem plz...
what is your email?
At 9:40 PM, Cat said…
I don't have your e-mail, but I wanted to know if you were planning on coming to Milwaukee this weekend for the Rowdy Reunion? I haven't seen you in ages...and I want to hear all of the first hand accounts from Tunisia! e-mail me: cat gilchrist @ hotmail
At 2:13 AM, AsmaOverseas said…
It is nice to read you, I was born in Hammam-Lif which is the village between Boukornine and the beach...I had a wiered-good feeling reading you, I am a sophomore in DC, I am enjoying my stay here, but I miss that spot a lot!
Post a Comment
<< Home