Saturday, March 8, 2008
More rain
It rained again today. But it was warm and dry enough in the morning to wash our clothes and bathe in the creek. The rain started in the late morning, and we were totally disoriented about the time from that point forward--and we seem to have been way off, as it was already pitch black when we started cooking dinner. This afternoon, we made candles! That was a fun project; a good rainy day activity. We made a couple jar candles, and four dip candles. Those ones took forever! But I didn't mind--it was warm and cozy and peaceful in the kitchen. And dry. So we ate dinner in the kitchen, too--why not? It was rather enjoyable! But I'd be perfectly happy if the rain decides it's done now and doesn't come back tomorrow. One day of darkness and indoor confinement is enough for me...
Friday, March 7, 2008
Francisco's
Today we decided to visit Francisco's family. They live a two hours' walk up & down the road from us. You can see their property from the monastery--a high hill with a lone tree at the top. The walk there wasn't too bad, although we went the wrong direction at their turn off. Aparrently they could see us, so one of the boys came and found us and redirected us toward their house. When we first arrived, Santos Emilia served us some "leche con cornflakes"--hot fresh cow's milk, a bowl of cornflakes, and sugar of course. I was hungry, so I was thankful, even though it was hot! We spent a lot of time just watching her cook, as that's pretty much all she did while we were there (she does have at least 10 mouths to feed!). It was a little awkward to just be sitting around, not really knowing what to say or do--but there were children, chickens and pigs to be distracted by. By the late morning, we were feeling useless and perhaps in the way, so we asked if we should leave--but no! Santos had sent one of the boys to get some elote to send home with us, and didn't we want to wait for that? Well, of course! So we had a reason to stay. And she fed us lunch--what a lunch! Eggs, rice, beans with culantro, yame (which is kind of a mix between a potato and yucca), and fresh maseca tortillas. And to top it off, a cup of café con leche. It was all delicious. And besides the corn, she also gave us a couple pounds of beans and some cuajada (fresh cheese) to bring home! I am always amazed at how generous people, especially rural people, are.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Another Monday
Oh Mondays--you never know what to expect; they're always different. Last week was pretty straightforward, and we walked home again with Santos Emilia (Francisco's wife) and two of her sons, a 14-month old and a 13-year old. They even came in to the monastery for a bit and did afternoon prayers with us.
This morning, Orvín, the 13-year old showed up at our house as we were getting ready to leave in order to gift us with some tamalitos de elote (fresh corn) from his mom! Since we were about ready to go, he waited for us and then we all walked to Chito's together. Well, he rode his horse. Upon arriving, Chito informed us that we were tempranitas today--earlier than usual. Then we checked in at the neighbors' (who happen to be Chito's in-laws), and were gifted with a slice of watermelon! A delicious treat.
A few minutes after we started walking down the road to Limón, a nice young man who Prairie knew stopped to give us a lift in his pick-up. He and his wife have a new baby, and when Prairie asked him how he was, he just glowed with adoration and wonder and responded "es lindo, es muy lindo" (lindo=beautiful/sweet/precious). Obviously the first child of a proud daddy.
It was another slow day at the Centro, and there wasn't any mail (because of the rain?), and then we had lots of shopping to do. And it was HOT! We bought some frozen milk malt drinks for the walk home, one strawberry, one vanilla-flavored. They taste like of like milkshakes. Yummy! As we were preparing to leave town and find a place to eat our lunch, a man came up to us who knew Prairie and offered to give us a ride! So off we went in his rattly little car with its flat tire...He took us about a third of the way down (up) our desvío--yay! And we were glad he stopped, because we're not sure his car would have made it much farther down that road! We were home between 1 and 2 -- about the time we've been left Limón the other weeks! I definitely prefer getting back early and having a relaxed afternoon. It was a good day.
This morning, Orvín, the 13-year old showed up at our house as we were getting ready to leave in order to gift us with some tamalitos de elote (fresh corn) from his mom! Since we were about ready to go, he waited for us and then we all walked to Chito's together. Well, he rode his horse. Upon arriving, Chito informed us that we were tempranitas today--earlier than usual. Then we checked in at the neighbors' (who happen to be Chito's in-laws), and were gifted with a slice of watermelon! A delicious treat.
A few minutes after we started walking down the road to Limón, a nice young man who Prairie knew stopped to give us a lift in his pick-up. He and his wife have a new baby, and when Prairie asked him how he was, he just glowed with adoration and wonder and responded "es lindo, es muy lindo" (lindo=beautiful/sweet/precious). Obviously the first child of a proud daddy.
It was another slow day at the Centro, and there wasn't any mail (because of the rain?), and then we had lots of shopping to do. And it was HOT! We bought some frozen milk malt drinks for the walk home, one strawberry, one vanilla-flavored. They taste like of like milkshakes. Yummy! As we were preparing to leave town and find a place to eat our lunch, a man came up to us who knew Prairie and offered to give us a ride! So off we went in his rattly little car with its flat tire...He took us about a third of the way down (up) our desvío--yay! And we were glad he stopped, because we're not sure his car would have made it much farther down that road! We were home between 1 and 2 -- about the time we've been left Limón the other weeks! I definitely prefer getting back early and having a relaxed afternoon. It was a good day.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Rain: A metaphor
It rained and poured.
And on the first day
we rejoiced!
for the water had been scarce
the tank almost empty.
We felt the Spirit
falling on us
like the rain
filling us
Our cup was filled to overflowing!
On the second day,
we appreciated the sunshine,
but our revelry was
interrupted
the rain was not finished with us yet.
But we bore with it,
glad that it was watering
the parched earth
and our new seeds.
On the third day
we woke to dark skies.
The sun was nowhere to be found.
We lost all sense of time
as the day stretched on.
The rain came back with a vengeance
pounding on the roof
lashing at the walls
begging for admission
Despair set in
(But our reservoir is full now
we can hold no more!
we have what we need,
you're job is done.)
Frustration
(Please, go away.
enough is enough!
I am tired of your endless
insistence.)
Resignation
(We'll go inside
and not come out
until you have gone.)
In the night,
we look up to the heavens
and they are filled with
stars!
The morning dawns bright,
peaceful, gentle
filled with birdsong.
The Spirit shines on us
like the sun.
It is the Sabbath.
And on the first day
we rejoiced!
for the water had been scarce
the tank almost empty.
We felt the Spirit
falling on us
like the rain
filling us
Our cup was filled to overflowing!
On the second day,
we appreciated the sunshine,
but our revelry was
interrupted
the rain was not finished with us yet.
But we bore with it,
glad that it was watering
the parched earth
and our new seeds.
On the third day
we woke to dark skies.
The sun was nowhere to be found.
We lost all sense of time
as the day stretched on.
The rain came back with a vengeance
pounding on the roof
lashing at the walls
begging for admission
Despair set in
(But our reservoir is full now
we can hold no more!
we have what we need,
you're job is done.)
Frustration
(Please, go away.
enough is enough!
I am tired of your endless
insistence.)
Resignation
(We'll go inside
and not come out
until you have gone.)
In the night,
we look up to the heavens
and they are filled with
stars!
The morning dawns bright,
peaceful, gentle
filled with birdsong.
The Spirit shines on us
like the sun.
It is the Sabbath.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Rain rain rain rain rain!
Thursday, 28 Feb.
After one of the hottest days ever, we are now plagued with the coldest day ever! Yesterday evening, Prairie noticed that the wind was blowing in from the north, which is usually an indication of a cold front that brings rain. And she was right! The wind and rain begain in the early morning and has only let up for a few brief moments all day. You can't even sit on the porch without getting wet, we we've mostly stayed inside. Even then, the wind blows the rain in through the gaps in the windows, walls, and roof. It's so chilly and damp that I've been wearing long pants all day and wrapped a big towel around my shoulders. Our water tank, which was almost empty, is now completely full and overflowing, and it keeps raining!
Friday, 29 Feb.
Sunshine is such a relief after a day of solid rain. Who would have guessed, after the heat we experienced on Wednesday! It was a very comfortable morning, with a mix of sun and clouds. But then it started raining again in the late afternoon...
Saturday, 1 March.
More rain?! Sigh. I actually like the cooler days when there is some rain, but I don't enjoy when all day or even half the day is just solid rain. We did laundry this morning, which was kind of a joke--had to hang the clothes inside; wonder how many days it will take them to dry? With the heavy clouds, we really had no idea what time it was, so dinner ended up being really late--we were cooking in the dark by the light of the lantern and a flashlight! I am ready for another hot sunshiney day!
After one of the hottest days ever, we are now plagued with the coldest day ever! Yesterday evening, Prairie noticed that the wind was blowing in from the north, which is usually an indication of a cold front that brings rain. And she was right! The wind and rain begain in the early morning and has only let up for a few brief moments all day. You can't even sit on the porch without getting wet, we we've mostly stayed inside. Even then, the wind blows the rain in through the gaps in the windows, walls, and roof. It's so chilly and damp that I've been wearing long pants all day and wrapped a big towel around my shoulders. Our water tank, which was almost empty, is now completely full and overflowing, and it keeps raining!
Friday, 29 Feb.
Sunshine is such a relief after a day of solid rain. Who would have guessed, after the heat we experienced on Wednesday! It was a very comfortable morning, with a mix of sun and clouds. But then it started raining again in the late afternoon...
Saturday, 1 March.
More rain?! Sigh. I actually like the cooler days when there is some rain, but I don't enjoy when all day or even half the day is just solid rain. We did laundry this morning, which was kind of a joke--had to hang the clothes inside; wonder how many days it will take them to dry? With the heavy clouds, we really had no idea what time it was, so dinner ended up being really late--we were cooking in the dark by the light of the lantern and a flashlight! I am ready for another hot sunshiney day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)