At about six in the morning, I heard a knock at the door. As I rolled over in bed, I was startled by Gustavo peeking in my window, whispering for my roomate, Jessi, to come and go for a walk. In about five minutes, most of the people in the room were awakened due to Gustavo's hearty and healthy laugh. Jhena, Becky, Maddy, Jessi, Chelsea, Gustavo, and myself hiked down the hill that resides at the back of the commune. At the bottom of the hill, we saw a couple of the children we had met the day before. Word must have spread about us, because in about 15 minutes there were almost 5 children. There is such a language barrier, but we still found great ways to interact with them. We taught them how to do handstands, play leapfrog, do cartwheels, play pattycake, and participated in foot races. We tried to learn more words from them, so I was drawing pictures with a stick in the dirt and immitating animals, which all of the kids thought was hillarious.
After we left and got breakfast, we headed to the worksite. My task, along with Chelsea's was to get water for the cement to be used at the habitat site. We drove down to the river, which resembled more of a large stream because of the drought, and filled buckets. One of the habitst workers named B was talling Chelsea and I all about the culture and native plants. Plants here have many different uses, from a detox tea to getting rid of a stuffy nose. B educated us about the many uses that the earth and its products has that is beneficial. In addition, she was educating us about the frogs that were hopping about our feet as we filled the buckets. Apparentally there is an old myth that if you got frogs to bite your tatas, they would grow to a more than sufficiant size. That was by far my favorite thing I learned for many reasons.
When we returned to the worksite, we mixed concrete and layed the brick. On breaks we played with the kids. They are so happy and such hams. They love to laugh and get their pictures taken. I think Becky will elaborate about this more, so I will summarize. The kids use us as jungle gyms. They climb all over your arms and legs, swinging from you and plopping in your lap. The girls were playing with my hair and detangling my wild, untamed mane. The kids are so cute, I really want to take one home in my suitcase. To my mother reading this, I hope you are ready to be a grandma, because there is definately enough room in my carry on to bring a small child home.
Overall, the work is extremely fufilling. I cannot believe it is already the 21st. Time is flying so quickly. Even though most of us are sore and sunburnt, we laugh so hard every day. Everyone is such a great addition. To all the parents reading this, great job. Your children are having such a great time and making important service work into a enjoyable, laughter filled time. Though I didn't know every one going in, we are so becoming so close so quickly. Thank you to everyone that helped us come here. I can't wait for you to see all of our pictures and what a difference this trip is making, to our own lives as well as the community.
-Kayla