Meeting the Chief

So, it was very important to David and Elijah that I meet the Chief of the village, so on Saturday, we also set out to meet the Chief. David told me to follow his lead as we didn't want to do something to offend him...okay, so now I'm nervous! When it was time, David, Elijah and I went to his "palace" which is what they call his house. There were a bunch of guys gathered around him, eating peanuts...I'm down with that...

So, no one's head is supposed to be higher than the Chief, so we bowed down and clapped lightly for a few seconds...then they gave David and I plastic patio chairs, because we were white, so it was okay for us to have our heads higher...interesting...so we were there for a while and I asked if I could take his picture (which they all love, but it's always good to ask!) The chief didn't like his outfit so he went in and change into what you see in the picture...very nice! So I take his picture...and then I put my thumb up, which is part of our culture as you know which means very good...

Not in this culture, a thumb up is similar to what we do with our middle finger, if you catch my drift...I realized that I had done that (David warned me before hand, but I'm so used to doing that I forgot...) and I quickly tried to make it look like I was doing something else...but David saw it and gave me a bad time about it...I don't think the chief thought about it at all, but we told Elijah that if he was offended to let him know that I meant it in a good way...I don't know, can you flick someone off in a good way??? Culture differences are difficult...Probably good that I am only staying a short while, get out before I get beat up for sticking my thumb up!!!

We'll see what kind of trouble I can get into the next place I go...pray for me!!!