-and an equally captivating stranger
WHEN I WAS told I had the opportunity of visiting the remote hinterland community of Matthews Ridge, way up in Region One (Barima/Waini), I was elated, for I have heard so many childhood stories from my father, who worked there years ago. It was a humid day, and it was a last-moment decision to go on that overnight assignment to Matthews Ridge.
I had mixed emotions as I walked up to the plane at the Ogle Airport, for I had no other clothes with me, other than the ones I had on. Clutching my handbag tightly, I assured myself that I wanted to go… Come what may!
As the plane took off, I sat silently and looked down at the vast, lush, undisturbed rainforest below us, admiring the scenery and smiling to myself as the plane encountered another patch of turbulence.
It took 50 minutes to get to the Matthews Ridge Airstrip, and just before the plane landed, we asked the pilot for a flyover of the village.
Needless to say, I was mesmerized by the beauty of the place; it looked so picturesque! And, looking at the clothes I had on, I said: Yes! The trip was well worth it!
After my assignment in the blazing sunshine, and hopping in and out of pickup trucks, I was exhausted at the end of the day.
The little drive through the village was very pleasing to the eye, and I was enthralled by the beautiful hills and the greener trees that seem to be taller, notwithstanding the laterite roads and rough terrain.
After going to the hotel, which is perched proudly on Hell’s Hill, and catching a bit of rest, my colleagues and I were ready to hit the road and explore Matthews Ridge that evening.
Having encountered some friends, who used to live in the city, we accepted their offer to take us around the community in an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV). I was delighted at the prospect.
And so, holding on tightly to the ATV, we travelled through the village and even went by trail to the ‘backdam’, where both large and small-scale mining take place, and to Heaven’s Hill. But as we neared our destination, I somehow lost my grip of the ATV as we were negotiating a turn, and was flung headlong onto the road.
For several seconds, I could not scream, as I was overwhelmed by severe pain. I’d somehow manage to lose the top-skin of my knees, for I’d landed squarely on them; my head had a gash, and there were bruises and lacerations all over my body.
As I came to, I grabbed the two outstretched hands that came into my vision as darkness had already enveloped the place, and I was brought to my aching feet.
I remember people asking me if I was alright, and I managed to nod my head in assent, but I knew that that accident would not deter me from having fun that evening when I was told there was a pub nearby.
Besides being babied for the better part of the evening, there was a flurry of activity to make me feel better. And I did, knowing that I hadn’t been to a disco for a while. As we neared the place, I inwardly smiled, as the music was very much to my liking.
As we entered the nightclub, people there stared at me because I was barefooted and I guess my dirty clothes and disheveled appearance startled them. But after a few minutes, I blended right in, and suddenly I was escorted to the dance floor by a handsome devil with pair of strong hands, and equally strong build.
As I danced the night away in good company, and an intriguing stranger, I said to myself: “Matthews Ridge is indeed an enchanting place.”