Ron and Peggy Roloff

At 7:30 a.m. last Thursday Titus and Neewah picked us all up for a trip into the hills of the tropical jungle at the Burma border. What a ride! Almost 3 hours up winding roads through beautiful green and through villages on either side of the roads. They aren’t connected tribally and often don’t speak the same language.
We were invited to have breakfast with Titus’ sister and family. A lovely couple with an interesting kitchen in their house. A fire pit in the floor for their cooking with their work stations next to it. They squatted down to cut and chop. Without lights it was dark and reminded us of times in the far past.

Woman sellling her wares

The food was delicious and they took care to not season too spicily. We sat around a table on plastic picnic chairs which are reserved for guests. What a lovely meal time even though we didn’t understand the words spoken the love shared was palatable. Being out under a roof of dried grasses allowed for a soft breeze to stir the air.
There are groups of Christians throughout the mountain hill tribes as the news of Jesus Christ came to them over 100 years ago. Not being trapped in ‘spiritualism’ with evil spirits controlling their lives has given them peace and a joyous attitude. We are told of some strange practices by those still in the ancient belief of evil spirits.
After eating we strolled through the village stopping at Titus’ father’s home and other relations. A large sheet was in one yard with peanuts spread to dry. There was a sweet wonderfully kept church that was built years ago.

persistent saleswoman

We drove to where Titus used to live and work in the Queen’s vegetable gardens. His friend brought out a bounty of strawberries. It was beautiful to look out over the terraced plantings with blue sky and clouds in the background. Like a movie set. We couldn’t resist the hand-woven grass bracelets from a little, very old, very weathered woman without teeth. She was a pushy broad and Ron’s heart went out to her. The price was right so we bought our share.
When we got near the Burma border Ron and the other guys walked to check it out. We gals checked out the sales of hand woven scarves and other hand-made items. A little hibachi cooked sweet potatoes so we bought a few and ate them.
Wending our way down the mountain was an adventure as the roads are so very narrow, steep and winding with plenty of hair pin turns.
We made it home with happy memories… Love Peggy and Ron

Peg coconut milkAche climbed a coconut tree sending coconuts to the ground. Titus opened them up for our refreshment.Burma border LahuQueens gardensvillage along the roadvillage homesPiglets taking a walk

Filed under: Uncategorized on November 28th, 2009