February 24 Blue Mango

Tuesday 2/24
Hello all! This is Amanda from Columbia City, Indiana. We woke up to a beautiful sunny morning with music coming from a village about a mile away. Next, we had a wonderful breakfast provided by Tamar and Bruce. We have been overwhelmed with their generosity and hospitality. They have not only opened up their home to us, they have shared freely and given up their valuable time.
After breakfast, Tamar shared with us her struggles in bringing Blue Mango to what it is today; a safe, fair, productive, and enjoyable place for the women to work. The brief orientation with was followed by a tour of Blue Mango (see for yourself at www.bluemangoindia.com). We were greeted with many smiles and warm welcomes from the women sewing, weaving, and beading. Bruce and Tamar’s dog, Sambo, followed us from room to room, building to building, finding something on which to chew or lay every step of the way.
We returned to Bruce and Tamar’s house for a fantastic and fulfilling lunch and then had our first of three meetings with the women of Blue Mango. We were made aware of many differences in our cultures, but through the laughs and smiles, I was reminded of a Maya Angelou saying that can be found on my fireplace mantel that says something like, “We are more alike, than different, my friend.”
Later that evening, after an amazing dinner with Tamar and Bruce, we were taken on a hike (walk or stroll according to Bruce) around the property. We started out around 5:30 ish, and we were able to visit many sacred trees and shrines.
Now I should make you aware that Bruce warned us about going out after dark and walking through weeded areas because of poisonous snakes.
So, back to the hike. We started to notice how beautiful it was to see the sun set behind the Western Gnats… WHAT?!?! THE SUN IS SETTING!?!? We started to head back to Bruce and Tamar’s house, but the sun set quickly. We found ourselves walking through millet fields (imagine walking through corn fields, shortly after harvest, in the dark) led by Bruce, our fearless leader, by the light of a flashlight, book light, and cell phone. What is that? Lions and Tigers and Bears, OH MY! No, no, no… just Cobras, Vipers, and Crait! OH MY!!!