One week in site... and counting

Photos:
Isaac and Chantz, championed the fire despite torrential downpour.


Last Diablo Rojo ¨red devil¨ bus ride...

Left: Swear-in ceremony Right: lightning storm at beach

I am so frustrated with the computer right now! It keeps wiping my entry clean! Oh well. So I´ve spent the last week in my site grappling with the real weight of staying here for 2 years. It´s hard to imagine when getting through everyday is such a challenge. It´s such a contrast to be so removed from all the people to whom I´ve grown so close and spent so much time with for the last 3 months and no to be so alone! I came down to town today because I stupidly forgot stuff at the office and they had to send it to me. Also, I am feeling a pretty violent need to be connected, so I decided to try and upload some photos.

Above: I´m afraid to unsheathe the camera so I take alot of photos of peoples backs. If they see it I foresee a lot of requests for photos.

All things considered, this week has gone very well. I arrived to my site late last Sunday, and it was exactly as I knew it would be... raining. I made the treacherous decline alone with all my bags (only 2 thank god). I slipped the entire way. My pants were falling down they were so heavy with rain water. Some little kids with an umbrella approached me, I thought maybe to help, but as it turned out the little boy just wanted to ask me ¿Cargas panties, verdad? You´re wearing panties, right? Well, obviously.

The week has been full of unexpected successes: Making compost with the 6th graders in the school, (live and dead barriers tomorrow). Planting tomatoes with my host dad Gilberto, making Chacras with my host mom, working on several farmers fincas...

I´ve been filling my free time by pasearing from house to house, trying in vain to remember peoples names. Most are difficult for me to even wrap my mouth around. Others surprise me like Wilma, Betsy. I walk up to the house, say hello Kubu kwin Deka, usually no one answers. I say it again, a shy woman might come out of the house. I give a little speech in Ngabere in which i introduce myself, say how glad I am to be living in the community, that I am here to work in agriculture and that I live just over that hill. Sometimes I get blank stares, others spit off rapid fire questions that I dont understand. Sometimes I get a glass of pulpy juice. But usually I just explain that I should keep going and as I turn to go I close-line a close-line or I fall on the slippery grown and get red clay all over myself. That usually breaks the ice.

I miss everyone at home immensely, and all of my PC buddies too. Hang in there guys. Sector conference will come before we know it!