| BENJAMIN'S ADVENTURE DISPATCH |
Searching for the Witch Doctor
With our laminated map and canadian accents, we've been running around looking for mountains none has ever heard of, winding up on roads which haven't been used since the British occupation. We got lost in the Rhumpi district of Northern Malawi. Though people were kind, they were still speaking a dialect different than the one we'd learnt in the south.
As we drove towards an exciting ridge on our map, the rough road became turned into a corn field so we grabbed our packs and trekked onward by foot. Nearing the base of the ridge, the villagers became sparse to the point where not even the cries of an overly excited child could be heard.
The Fisherman saw a Flying Banana
At about 5 km/h, I drifted patiently along the long, low ridge, relishing in the joy of the shouting villagers below. Smelling the sweet lake breeze, I imagined the experience of having spent an entire life in such a remote place only to, one day, look up from my fishing boat to find a giant banana swinging a foreigner to and fro. Just when I thought I knew a thing or two about this tiny country, it surprised me with a curveball I could have never expected--the north. [right:image:21385]A we unfolded the map of new places to explore, I looked out the window and noticed less people, more forests, new types of food and a heavy accent -- something I later learnt was an entirely new language! [left:image:21373]The north is largely occupied by the majestic lake Malawi. With a greater diversity of freshwater species than any other lake on earth, it's not a surprise to see how it supports all of the life in this region. And, although the majority of people here fish, their traditional moods ensure that this great source of life will continue to provide for millennia to come. [right:image:21376]A northeasterly, having set in overnight, directed our team to a sexy, 250 meter, cliff about ten minutes down the road. From the farming community atop, we took in picturesque views of the lake below and, with the help of the locals, cleared a launch from a dried up Kasava patch. Though they had no idea as to why, all the pieces came togh as we strapped in, buckled our helmets and stepped out into the beautiful scenery before them. B :)
After 'cheese' the first word I learn in any new country is 'yes.' It's a survival thing. You see, despite my red hair and funny looking face, it is not uncommon for someone to begin speaking to me, in their native tounge, as if I were their neighbour. And though I could find polite ways to stop them, I have found that it requires less effort if I just say 'yes' after each statement, occasionally throwing in a 'No!' for texture. In the Salima area of central Malawi, a group of eager children followed me up a ridge. The scorching heat turning their excited screams into an inaudible haze, I can vaguely recall a young boy staring at me, exclaiming 'Elephant!' Feeling mildly insulted, but too tired to care, I gave him the thumbs up with my usual 'yes.' This continued until I launched 30 minutes later; 'Elephant!' 'Yes.' 'Elephant!' 'Yes.' [right:image:21442]The flying was intense, soaring low over the 100 metre high ridge with a personal goal of making to the other end and back; a daring out and return along this interesting geographical feature. Over tall trees and no landing opportunities I flew cautiously, until a feeling in my stomach told me to turn back. I tried, but the lift had gone and now my feet were dangling but 20 metres over the tall trees below. Pointing down-wind to make distance, but without a clearing in sight, I was mentally preparing for a tree landing. Then, by some great fortune, I spotted three mud huts and a small garden close by. I had just enough height to make it! Upon landing the small remote community, the 15 villagers and children kept back and went about their business. It was as if I didn't exist. Strange. I waved and said hi, but to no response whatsoever. While packing up a young boy found reason to approach me. 'Elephant,' he said. As interesting as this was, I had 8 km of bush to whack by GPS before dark and chose not to care; not until after covering my first few hundred metres. There before me stood a pile of poo that could have filled a Mini. Then, a tree fell 'Krrrrrr-pommmbb' right next to me. I froze and looked around. Another rustling came from behind. I turned slowly as not to startle what turned out to be a handsome old lumberjack wearing an antique 'Via Rail' conductor's coat. In perfect English he said 'What are you doing here? The elephants can kill you!' A tsunami of emotion overtook me. So sure of myself, missing all the warning signs, I had ultimately been chewed up by my own reality and crapped out into the obtuse ball of humiliation that I was. 'Yes' was no longer the answer. The hours which followed offered much time for self-examination. How could I have been so arrogant? Who am I serving in behaving this way? Having reached camp just before dark, I had escaped the hoofs of the hungry mammoths behind me. But that night, nothing could have felt more crushing than the realization that, having become so absorbed in what I had to offer these communities, I had ripened into a self-important cow pie, neglectful of the gifts they offered me in return.
Adventuring into the heart of Africa, a paraglider instigates a young man's potentially deadly quest to release the weight of poverty, social taboos and self doubt, and take to the skies. In doing so, the traveler is confronted with unsettling truths about his own racial and cultural identity.
In a country where no one flies, two friends can inspire a nation by putting everything on the line.
Fly along as Benjamin Jordan sets a new World Distance Record (10,000 km) as he crosses Canada by Powered Paraglider. Along the way, you will land at summer camps and inspire thousands of children, while raising funds to send less fortunate ones to summer camp next year! The 71 minute, Documentary Feature contains 15 chapters chronicling the epic successes and failures of this unprecedented journey. Each chapter focuses on a unique aspect of Canadian geography, culture and the exact mix of team-work and blind optimism required to pull off such a daring stunt. Since it's release in 2010, A Canadian Dream (formerly "DREAM") has screened in theatres world-wide and, through it's proceeds, has allowed almost 100 children, from low-income homes, the opportunity to attend summer camp.
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