It's go time again!
This is HOPEFULLY the last you'll hear from me for at least a month - maybe three! :)
Water is being filled into huge containers to head out to site with me.
There was massive amounts of yellow butterflies swarming around the last few days...this means apparently that it's going to be one hot and dry - dry season. Thank god for huge containers of water - and being close to the river!
I'm heading to the bathroom and to gear myself up for the ride!
Love ya like RedVines.
xoxox!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
'Sorry!' - For whaaa..Ouchhh! - 'For THAT'
My stomach is still trying to relocate itself back where it belongs after the ride back from site yesterday. Good news, Con's (the driver) beat his best time on the drive. So...that's super exciting ;) After a watch check - we high fived the accomplishment. Hand's down the bumpiest path EVER driven. I was like popcorn in that seat!
House Update:
132 bats, a dozen coackroachs, five more toads...and 2 seckas later. The house is finished!
Honestly I watched from the sidelines as 132 bats, flew single file out of just ONE side of the house yesterday. ( I didn't count the day before's amount.....that's probably a good things as I was told yesterday's was nothing compared to the day before)
Water Update:
Tomas the counterpart is on a task. I'm to call him tonite at 5. He should be somewhere with reception at that time. He is talking to someone from the Ministry about getting the Durotank filled, and will fill me in tonite. (fill used twice in one sentence...nice!)
Con's (or as I politely call him - Speed Racer) came up with a great solution. We were driving behind a Daf truck (for all of 2 second before passing them) and they had these HUGE plastic containers full of diesel fuel. Lightbulb - get some of those huge containers and fill them with water in the city.....transport out to WH and fill the Durotank. I looked at him with admiration and wondered why I didn't think of that....
Con's rocks. He even....after a full day of house teardown, and re-build... took my Durotank and cleaned it inside with bleach water...(I helped with this part...until I brought out a scrub brush, he laughed and smiled and instructed me to get a broom...'it'll be much quicker') Speed. That man doesn't mess around!
So I'm back til tomorrow or maybe Tuesday as I wait to know what Tomas will say about the pump issue.
At least one more nite of air conditioned sleep!
Ala Sani Bum.
House Update:
132 bats, a dozen coackroachs, five more toads...and 2 seckas later. The house is finished!
Honestly I watched from the sidelines as 132 bats, flew single file out of just ONE side of the house yesterday. ( I didn't count the day before's amount.....that's probably a good things as I was told yesterday's was nothing compared to the day before)
Water Update:
Tomas the counterpart is on a task. I'm to call him tonite at 5. He should be somewhere with reception at that time. He is talking to someone from the Ministry about getting the Durotank filled, and will fill me in tonite. (fill used twice in one sentence...nice!)
Con's (or as I politely call him - Speed Racer) came up with a great solution. We were driving behind a Daf truck (for all of 2 second before passing them) and they had these HUGE plastic containers full of diesel fuel. Lightbulb - get some of those huge containers and fill them with water in the city.....transport out to WH and fill the Durotank. I looked at him with admiration and wondered why I didn't think of that....
Con's rocks. He even....after a full day of house teardown, and re-build... took my Durotank and cleaned it inside with bleach water...(I helped with this part...until I brought out a scrub brush, he laughed and smiled and instructed me to get a broom...'it'll be much quicker') Speed. That man doesn't mess around!
So I'm back til tomorrow or maybe Tuesday as I wait to know what Tomas will say about the pump issue.
At least one more nite of air conditioned sleep!
Ala Sani Bum.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
The House
Someone send me booze, fast and lots of it.
I went out to site yesterday to help do some repairs (...who are we kidding...I stood there and chatted with the villagers while the guys worked) and that house is OHMYGOD.
My job of taking photos of the issues had me literally RUN out of the hut, with the workmen hot on my heels....bats FLYING at us, and cockroachs spilling from the inside of the walls they were tearing down. I just started laughing and was like -- seriously?! You're all kidding right?
As I was sweeping - I moved a piece of wood and three toads hopped out -- swept those guys right out the door.
So I will be commuting to work - if you will.....
Most of the house stuff is repaired - they made quick work of tearing down, SPRAYING and then putting new walls up for me. The inside of the house is done (I even got a little new concrete on the floor, the laterine is build, the shed/wash house has new concrete) and one side of the outside is completed....I'd say it's 90% done. I would just stay in the city til Monday (due to all the spraying of insectide and the concrete...I can't be there with the fumes) BUT...
Enter the new issue - the Durotank (rain water collector) had dead bats and worms in it...so the village dumped it. That is AWESOME, expect we are in dry season and that leaves me with no way to get water. So today I go back to talk to my counterpart about what to do -- honestly, what do I do!? Anyone? Ideas? So far I've come up with lugging it bucket by bucket from the river -- I'll be one buff lady by the end of dry season that's for sure. But river water is really not good to be cooking or drinking - even after a really good filter.
Peace Corps the toughtest job you'll ever love.
I'll update tonite as I will be going to site and returning to the city again today.
Luckily the driver knows 'a faster way' (a back road - literally the width of a deer path....and the bumpiest ride yet - this is saying A LOT, roads here are pretty bumpy....he's also the fastest driver I have EVER driven with too....so send hair dye as I'm going gray!) to make it there within 4 hours driving. Thank god for Land Rovers, 4 wheel drive...and seat belts!
Love,
your jungle job commuter
I went out to site yesterday to help do some repairs (...who are we kidding...I stood there and chatted with the villagers while the guys worked) and that house is OHMYGOD.
My job of taking photos of the issues had me literally RUN out of the hut, with the workmen hot on my heels....bats FLYING at us, and cockroachs spilling from the inside of the walls they were tearing down. I just started laughing and was like -- seriously?! You're all kidding right?
As I was sweeping - I moved a piece of wood and three toads hopped out -- swept those guys right out the door.
So I will be commuting to work - if you will.....
Most of the house stuff is repaired - they made quick work of tearing down, SPRAYING and then putting new walls up for me. The inside of the house is done (I even got a little new concrete on the floor, the laterine is build, the shed/wash house has new concrete) and one side of the outside is completed....I'd say it's 90% done. I would just stay in the city til Monday (due to all the spraying of insectide and the concrete...I can't be there with the fumes) BUT...
Enter the new issue - the Durotank (rain water collector) had dead bats and worms in it...so the village dumped it. That is AWESOME, expect we are in dry season and that leaves me with no way to get water. So today I go back to talk to my counterpart about what to do -- honestly, what do I do!? Anyone? Ideas? So far I've come up with lugging it bucket by bucket from the river -- I'll be one buff lady by the end of dry season that's for sure. But river water is really not good to be cooking or drinking - even after a really good filter.
Peace Corps the toughtest job you'll ever love.
I'll update tonite as I will be going to site and returning to the city again today.
Luckily the driver knows 'a faster way' (a back road - literally the width of a deer path....and the bumpiest ride yet - this is saying A LOT, roads here are pretty bumpy....he's also the fastest driver I have EVER driven with too....so send hair dye as I'm going gray!) to make it there within 4 hours driving. Thank god for Land Rovers, 4 wheel drive...and seat belts!
Love,
your jungle job commuter
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Tama it really is...serious this time.
I had a surreal day today....I have become accustom to being in the city ;) it'll be slightly sad to go to site. But I have to say - I'm ready!! I found this in my binder and really it sums up pretty much all of my feelings as of late.
...................................................
Be greatful for the freedom
To see others dreams
Bless your loneliness as much as you drank
Of your former companisonships.
All that you are experiencing now
Will become moods of future joys
So bless it all
Do not think your way superior
To another's
Do not venture to judge
But see things with fresh and open eyes
Do not condemn
But praise when you can
And when you can't, be silent.
Time now is a gift for you
A gift of freedom
To think and remember and understand
The ever perlexing past
And to recreate yourself anew
In order to transform time.
Live while you are alive
Learn the ways of silence and wisdom
Learn to act, learn a new speech
Learn to be what you are in the seed of your spirit.
Learn to free yourself from all the things
That have moulded you
And which limit your secret and undiscovered road.
Remember that all things which happen
To you are raw materials
Endlessly yielding of thoughts that could change your life
And go on doing so forever.
Never forget to pray and be thankful
For all things good or bad on the rich road
For everything is changeable
So long as you live while you are alive.
Fear not, but be full of light and love
Fear not, but be alert and receptive
Fear not, but act decisively when you should
Fear not, but know when to stop
Fear not, for you are loved by me
Fear not, for death is not the real terror,
But life-magically-is.
Be joyful in your silence
Be strong in your patience
Do not try to wrestle with the universe
But be sometimes like water or air
Sometimes like fire
And constant like earth.
Live slowly, think slowly, for time is a mystery.
Never forget that love
Requires always that you be
The greatest person you are capable of being
Self-regenerating and strong and gentle
Your own hero and star.
Love demands the best in us
To always and in time overcome the worst
And lowest in our souls
Love the world wisely.
It is love alone that is the greatest weapon
And the deepest and hardest secret.
So fear not
The darkest is gentler than you think
Be grateful for the manifold
Dreams of creation
And the many ways of the unnumbered peoples.
Be grateful for life as you live it
And may a wonderful light
Always guide you on the unfolding road.
.....................................................................
xoxoxoxo always.
mk
...................................................
Be greatful for the freedom
To see others dreams
Bless your loneliness as much as you drank
Of your former companisonships.
All that you are experiencing now
Will become moods of future joys
So bless it all
Do not think your way superior
To another's
Do not venture to judge
But see things with fresh and open eyes
Do not condemn
But praise when you can
And when you can't, be silent.
Time now is a gift for you
A gift of freedom
To think and remember and understand
The ever perlexing past
And to recreate yourself anew
In order to transform time.
Live while you are alive
Learn the ways of silence and wisdom
Learn to act, learn a new speech
Learn to be what you are in the seed of your spirit.
Learn to free yourself from all the things
That have moulded you
And which limit your secret and undiscovered road.
Remember that all things which happen
To you are raw materials
Endlessly yielding of thoughts that could change your life
And go on doing so forever.
Never forget to pray and be thankful
For all things good or bad on the rich road
For everything is changeable
So long as you live while you are alive.
Fear not, but be full of light and love
Fear not, but be alert and receptive
Fear not, but act decisively when you should
Fear not, but know when to stop
Fear not, for you are loved by me
Fear not, for death is not the real terror,
But life-magically-is.
Be joyful in your silence
Be strong in your patience
Do not try to wrestle with the universe
But be sometimes like water or air
Sometimes like fire
And constant like earth.
Live slowly, think slowly, for time is a mystery.
Never forget that love
Requires always that you be
The greatest person you are capable of being
Self-regenerating and strong and gentle
Your own hero and star.
Love demands the best in us
To always and in time overcome the worst
And lowest in our souls
Love the world wisely.
It is love alone that is the greatest weapon
And the deepest and hardest secret.
So fear not
The darkest is gentler than you think
Be grateful for the manifold
Dreams of creation
And the many ways of the unnumbered peoples.
Be grateful for life as you live it
And may a wonderful light
Always guide you on the unfolding road.
.....................................................................
xoxoxoxo always.
mk
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Gone Batty
Well as most of you have figured out via Facebook....I'm not at site! :)
Bats have chosen to nest (do bats nest?) inside the walls of my hut - for this reason, I'm on-hold in the city for awhile! I guess it's like a serious bat cave -- and the village people have tried to get rid of them....in the process of de-battin' -- the house walls are in shambles. (?!) I don't really understand either.
I don't mind hanging out for awhile in AC and munchin on ice in my drinks...
It's quiet with everyone gone and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I ran around like and got all my shopping done earlier, so I've just been kinda chilling out here.
Drama did unfold this morning though...as the last 5 set off this morning for site. Helping load up and getting all their gear go-to-go.....
I realize that my bedframe was missing!! Mattress is there - with my name on it, but the rest has vanished!
Seriously. I dropped like all my spending allowance (well almost all of it) on a bed. I don't think I could do a hammock for two years. Some people can - and I envy then...but I need a bed.
Carolina just called me from her site - she's rockin' the hammock, and does a-okay with it. Ms. Carolina is doing fine, washing in the river, getting to know her village and people. She was calling to wish me happy travels, but alas - I'm still in the city! ;) She did not appricate hearing that I'm eating someone elses cooking and drink cold drinks. Big love to her today!! (I got sssh'd by a lady to not talk on the phone and then she mutter something in Dutch to me....yipes!)
Hopefully the bed thing get's straightened out - not to overly worried at this point.
Swear-in was amazing. They televised it here - and my counterpart Thomas came to see me get my pin. We had a really nice group dinner after and a late nite out ;) Bamie is my favorite dish here, it's pasta-ish....spicy, and yum in the tum. I think it's actually Indonesian...but whatevas it's my favorite here.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080105044203AAUKKPr
The recipe has meat in it - I don't usually see it with meat here (sometimes chicken...but never pork)
Wow - this lady is getting mad, another phone call! :) I'm gonna get out of here now...
Later taters!
Bats have chosen to nest (do bats nest?) inside the walls of my hut - for this reason, I'm on-hold in the city for awhile! I guess it's like a serious bat cave -- and the village people have tried to get rid of them....in the process of de-battin' -- the house walls are in shambles. (?!) I don't really understand either.
I don't mind hanging out for awhile in AC and munchin on ice in my drinks...
It's quiet with everyone gone and I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I ran around like and got all my shopping done earlier, so I've just been kinda chilling out here.
Drama did unfold this morning though...as the last 5 set off this morning for site. Helping load up and getting all their gear go-to-go.....
I realize that my bedframe was missing!! Mattress is there - with my name on it, but the rest has vanished!
Seriously. I dropped like all my spending allowance (well almost all of it) on a bed. I don't think I could do a hammock for two years. Some people can - and I envy then...but I need a bed.
Carolina just called me from her site - she's rockin' the hammock, and does a-okay with it. Ms. Carolina is doing fine, washing in the river, getting to know her village and people. She was calling to wish me happy travels, but alas - I'm still in the city! ;) She did not appricate hearing that I'm eating someone elses cooking and drink cold drinks. Big love to her today!! (I got sssh'd by a lady to not talk on the phone and then she mutter something in Dutch to me....yipes!)
Hopefully the bed thing get's straightened out - not to overly worried at this point.
Swear-in was amazing. They televised it here - and my counterpart Thomas came to see me get my pin. We had a really nice group dinner after and a late nite out ;) Bamie is my favorite dish here, it's pasta-ish....spicy, and yum in the tum. I think it's actually Indonesian...but whatevas it's my favorite here.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080105044203AAUKKPr
The recipe has meat in it - I don't usually see it with meat here (sometimes chicken...but never pork)
Wow - this lady is getting mad, another phone call! :) I'm gonna get out of here now...
Later taters!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Peacing out...
Hey guys!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEVO!!! YEAHH!! I wish I was there to celebrate with you - I'm totally thinking of you today ;)
Chris - when I say city for the next two years...I mean the capital of Suriname NOT Chicago. Way to funny ;)
We swear-in this evening and head out before it's light out tomorrow. This is it for the next three months guys!
I wish I had more to report, but it's been lots of shopping, and running around still.
Í find it odd here - there is no place to buy posters, or things to hang on the walls.....I guess I'll have to get creative ;)
I bought a LOT of purple buckets and tubs. Tupperware is another things in high demand here. I will be writing my name on all of mine...hot commodity in the interior villages!
Short and sweet and jetting out now....will have some good stories for you in the coming months!
xoxoxox
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEVO!!! YEAHH!! I wish I was there to celebrate with you - I'm totally thinking of you today ;)
Chris - when I say city for the next two years...I mean the capital of Suriname NOT Chicago. Way to funny ;)
We swear-in this evening and head out before it's light out tomorrow. This is it for the next three months guys!
I wish I had more to report, but it's been lots of shopping, and running around still.
Í find it odd here - there is no place to buy posters, or things to hang on the walls.....I guess I'll have to get creative ;)
I bought a LOT of purple buckets and tubs. Tupperware is another things in high demand here. I will be writing my name on all of mine...hot commodity in the interior villages!
Short and sweet and jetting out now....will have some good stories for you in the coming months!
xoxoxox
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