Coming back from South Sudan I was invited to stop and visit the village of Eldoret, Kenya. I had helped out with Maruge's class but I hadn't really seen or felt much of the culture aside from the school. So when class let out Maruge and I set out into the village.
We strolled around the houses as Maruge pointed out things that you could only see or know if you lived there. All about who lived where and what they did. I stayed at his house for the night. It was small and cramped but oddly comforting.
I woke suddenly and saw it was still dark but had a morning feel to he air. For a moment I thought an animal was outside but then common sense kicked in and I saw through a crack in the wall that Maruge was standing ten feet away from the house with his hands behind his back looking into the distance. He just stood there taking deep breaths for I don't know how long. I watched until a shaft of light swept over the hill. I think I heard Maruge sigh. You could just see the top of a blazing orange sun. I had to get better view that the small crack in the wall.
I got up trying to be quiet but tripped over something a fell with a loud crash. I heard Maruge just chuckle softly from outside. I then (quietly) moved outside and stood next to Maruge. It was even more grand than from inside. The sun was almost half way visible now, it burned with such intensity that it seemed to shimmer and ripple with heat.The sky was quickly coming awake. I looked at Maruge his eyes turned to meet mine. His eyes were like the sky when the sun first rose. Dark but with some light coming from the edges. They where speckled with stars and seemed to be endlessly deep. He smiled and said,"Good morning."
"Good morning." I replied. He walked back inside and I followed. He laid down in his bed and almost instantly fell asleep. I quickly followed suit.
The next morning after getting ready I went outside (quietly this time because Maruge was still sleeping). I jogged up to the hill that we watched just a few hours ago (even though it seemed like a year. Weird.)and looked at the sun now. It was almost at the top of its circle and was now much more like our sun at home. More yellow, more bright, less fiery, and harder to look at directly. The difference between looking at a fireplace and a search light. Maruge appeared behind me and yelled,"BOO!" I practically fell over. Maruge cackled and I tried to keep some dignity.
I realized it was my last day. We walked into the village and got a ride to the city. I got out and surveyed the scene. It reminded me of what La would be if nothing had an maintenance for five years. Still a city, just with a kind of scruffy look. We went to the airport and got ready to leave. I said goodbye to Maruge. It was kind of an awkward moment because we said goodbye but I didn't actually have to go yet. But we were saved by the intercom. It told my flight to board. I say be one last time. "See ya." He says, and then gives me knuckles. Maybe he learned something too. I sure did.
That sunrise reflected Maruge a lot. Unnoticed by many but when you take the time to look it is a truly amazing sight.
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