Pigeons and Pigs

My brother Steve was the first person to tell me about Garbage City. It was only a couple of months ago, and the thing that really fascinated me was the pigeons. He told me that most of the houses here have towers on them which are used for keeping and training pigeons. So the first free morning we had here Emily and I decided to see if we could go find some pigeons.

Obviously.

The two of us and our translator, Shareen, headed out to find some breakfast and some pigeons. As we were buying some bananas and pita bread an old man sitting nearby starting talking with us and we asked him if he knew anyone who had pigeons. Within moments he had made a phone call and ushered us into a waiting tuk-tuk. He pointed left and we waved goodbye and said "shokran," no idea where we were headed.

A few minutes later we came to a stop in a corner of the actual garbage dump area of the city and found a woman and her children and another man sorting through the trash. We greeted them and the man motioned for us to follow him. Since there were no pigeon towers in sight, I was having my doubts about our mission. Trying to keep an open mind, I made my best bird impression (flapping my arms like wings) as he gave me a confused looking nod, and opened the door.

To the pig pen.

Apparently pigeon got lost in translation. Next time I’ll just say birds.

Not skipping a beat, Emily and I entered and asked if they could show us their pigs. We ended up meeting some really nice people, who treated us to some sodas and told us a little about their lives. Irene, Ivette, Raul and Mohammed. Christians and Muslims living and working together in peace. Kind people. Good people.

We did end up getting to see some pigeons. Our tuk-tuk driver had a pigeon tower on his house, which was amazing, and we got to climb up into the pigeon tower with him and his kids. Seeing those birds fly over the city is an image I won’t soon forget.

We told Irene that it wasn’t an accident or mistake that we met her.

Irene told us about people coming with cameras telling them it’s for a good cause, and then humiliating them and shaming them. She was smart and proud and a hardworking mother. She inspired and challenged us, and also promised to teach us Arabic when we come back.

I’m thankful for getting lost in translation and meeting Irene and her family, and I hope we can take her up on her Arabic offer!