It's always real awkward trying to start off one of these fancy blog things, I never really know how to do it. Do I need to start off with something really catching, funny, or inspiring? Like perhaps 'The 5 AM sunrise seemed to scream purples, pinks, and blues so brightly that you could taste each hue sweetening Nora's best effort at coffee making.'
Or maybe I should start out with a good old fashioned Thesis Statement that would make even Professor Indiana Jones proud? Maybe 'Although not entirely sure how great of a job they were doing, our aimless protaganist Greg and his dashing girlfriend used their youthful charm, a pinch of luck, and an incredible lack of shame to win over the hearts, minds, and confianza of a community looking to learn how many times a day they should wash their hands.'
Or maybe just start it off with something really senseless like 'Where did I leave my dust pan, Gerald?' would get you guys in the mood.
Well, now that the awkward 'starting the blog' part is over with, lets get down to business.
I felt like you readers needed to see the sunrise this morning. Its a sunrise just like any other morning, but I thought since I was coming into town, why not give you a taste, too? This is the view from my front door.
Nora has picked up the pace of our women's group and is now teaching yoga every Friday evening from 5 PM to about 630. We started a walking group, too, but unfortunately they chose days that I like to play soccer in the campo. They have decided that they don't need my supervision to put one foot in front of the other, nor need me to lead them in putting said feet in front of other said feet to make large circles, so I have been freed of those guidance responibilities. They walked once or twice, but the numbers fell very, very quickly. Maybe I need to attend in order to inspire animo. we'll see. I am trying my hardest to win the good fight over Vericose Veins.
I have got a garden and we just ate the first cucumber of the year. Here is proof that it exists.
I have got a tomato plant that is literally taller than Nora and has about 15 tomatoes growing on it now. With the amount of plants that we have, we are going to have a years worth of salsa and ketchup stores within weeks. You are jealous and you know it. I have watermelons on the up and up, too, but they seem to take a long time.
Side note: Nora and I get in weekly fights about the immense amounts of cow shit I throw all over the yard trying to help these things put some damn food on our plate. Its for the good of everyone that our house smells like this, Nora. Don't you get it? Free tomatoes!
This is my host sister, Jamileth, and the rest of our camión filled with the people of La Peña on our way into Metapàn last Friday morning.
This is my new bathroom that we just built. It is still without a door and will continue to stay that way because we have the beautiful view of the mountains while on the John. It's a gorgeous view; it really is.
This is a picture of my house, again. Most call it disgusting. I call it quaint.
Here are the ten new ladies in my life. Beautiful, beautiful bichas. I will have free eggs, and free vegetables sooner than you can say 'Toy boat, toy boat, toy boat' correctly.
This weekend we are throwing a Halloween bash in my community. Only the few men that have gone to the United States and come back have ever even heard of this fantasti-excuse-to-drink-an-unhealthy-amount-of-beer-day that we like to call a 'Holiday.'
No, but seriously, I have been loaned the projector from the Metapán mayor's office and will commence Halloween weekend with a showing of a very scary American movie in Spanish tonight for the entire town. We will have one scary movie each night for the whole weekend and celebrate Halloween in the best costumes we can muster at a party we are throwing for the children tomorrow afternoon. It should be a blast. Most people in town say that they have never seen a scary movie, so let's see how these 68 year old farmers react when oversized (from the projector) Chucky goes wild with a baby sized chainsaw. This could be the best Halloween ever considering how I spent last year's, right Wilcox?
Anyway, thats all I got for you today, a lot of photos, hardly any stories, and a really uncomfortable beginning to a blog. I hope you liked it.
Tune in next time for just as few (maybe less) significant stories. Happiest of Halloweens you goons.
