Made from mud

We are leaving the Bamu River and heading to the mouth of the Fly River for our last two days of outreach on September 5th and 6th.  I am sad to leave the Bamu (sounds like Ba -moo). The skipper and first mate have met new situations and challenges all along this unique river. The most exciting situation has been the tidal bore. This nautical experience happens when the outgoing current meets the incoming current and creates a large wave or multiple waves. This event causes much excitement amongst the sailors and did rock the boat a bit. Another fun fact about the Bamu River is that it is approximately 1 to 2 km wide but has no sea charts. Therefore, the captain has had to do Zodiac runs to scout the water and determine the depth of the water all along the river before the ship moves further down the river.  Another challenge is that the depth of the water changes with the tide.  In one village, we were able to walk half way back to the boat at the end of our clinic day as at low tide the river emptied out completely in front of the village. Also, a myriad of uncharted channels flow out, through and into this isolated river. 

The scenery all along the river is this amazingly wild tropical bush. Every now and then there is an area with multiple coconut trees that tower over the tropical bush and this typically indicates a village. These villages that are scattered  throughout the Lower Bamu region are muddy.  How have I not mentioned this yet?  The flooding that occurs regularly in the Lower Bamu prevents grass and gardening and creates a lot of mud. Ankle deep mud is normal and occasionally you get the chin deep or knee deep variety. No,  this dirt is way different from the hard red Georgia clay.  Going to the village for a clinic day involves (my favorite) a zodiac ride from the ship and then getting your feet in some mud or at least crossing over mud on a slippery log bridge. I have only had one flat out fall in the mud thus far, and I am learning the technique , some say art, of gripping the mud in my toes as I walk to prevent falling. I have come to love walking in the mud before I start a clinic day. It shouts to me the reality that we are all made from dust and mud.