Here we go again

I'm back in San Jose and leaving again for Progresso in the morning. For some reason I cannot get used to using the extremely slow internet connection that is available at the Ighani house... I guess I just don't have enough patience. So, I write when I'm here. It's not a good system because I haven't felt like posting all weekend - and to be honest, I'm still not sure I do. But this is me trying to keep in touch.

So, a (relatively) quick update on some of my activities, and then perhaps a nod to news from the US. In Progresso it's always an interesting mix of not much going on, nothing to do, and completely occupied. The year of service youth, along with the help of one special neighbor, has started a garden. We have planted seedlings of cucumber, tomato, okra, red pepper, and one or two other things in little containers we made out of paper which we will, once they have grown a little, plant into one of the two plots we've dug up. We are hoping to have a successful little vegtable garden - but it's a hope because it's in the middle of the rainy season and it may be a lot of work to keep all the plants and the soil from washing away. We've dug trenches around the plots in an effort to ward off erosion, but we'll see how it all works.

Also, last Wednesday we started teaching English classes at the local school. Laura and I are teaching the 5th grade class, Anne is teaching the 6th grade, and Komron and Linda will be teaching the 4th grade. I was a bit nervous going in because our spanish is not really all there yet and I'm not sure I've ever really taught a class in the same type of setting - proper chalkboard, students in desks... I mean, it's the whole nine yards. But I think the kids enjoyed it and I know I really did. I am looking forward to planning class and teaching it.

Another project we're hoping to get up and running soon is the, well, to be honest I just forgot the name. But basically it is going to be an enrichment center of sorts. A big part of the culture and of everyday life in Progresso is visiting. Lots of people stop by every day and rather than simply sitting and doing nothing we will be doing something while we visit. Also, it will be the base of operations (there is another building being built where we house supplies or simply be a station for this) for our tutoring. For instance, three of our top priorities at the moment is teaching one little girl to read and helping two boys with their math skills. But it's for everyone. At the moment it's still more of an idea than a plan - but that's one thing we will focus on when we get back.

Other things that take up my time: dishes - somehow there is a never ending stream (ok, I can tell you... we have to cook each meal - there is no refrigerator, so three meals a day; plus, we have visitors - and for each visitor, even the tiny little kids, we serve them either coffee or juice, depending on the time of day, and if they are there during lunch or dinner, or sometimes even breakfast time, we also serve them a meal, so dishes can be, and are done all day long); laundry has to be done at least every other day just in case we have a bad week of rain and clothes don't dry; Laura and I run quite regularly, almost every day; for my downtime I read - I have read Reading Lolita in Tehran, which is a great book about a woman who lived and taught in Iran before and after the revolution, The Alchemist, a great book about a boy finding his path in life, finding his purpose and joy, Anna Karennina, a classic Russian novel about a few aristocrats trying to find happiness, Angela's Ashes, a heartbreaking story of a boy's life growing up in Ireland in the mid-20th century. But perhaps the hardest read - It's the first one I started in July and I am still only halfway through - is the 3rd book of Harry Potter. I kid you not. Of course, it is in spanish. And, to clarify, my downtime is usually between 6 and 7 in the morning, after I wake up, but before it is time to go down to breakfast - and that's on the mornings that Laura and I don't run (sometimes we go in the afternoon). At night, after dinner, Anne and Parviz and us youth have a devotional. At the moment we are reading A Century of Light. So, there you have it.

Bonus: one morning, Laura and I gave poor Puppy a bath. She was filthy and tick and flea infested. I showered directly afterwards.

And I came here to San Jose and whenever I have the remote for the TV I turn on CNN. I saw the first Presidential Debate, and I wish I could be in a position to catch the rest. And I found out about the slight difficulties Wall Street is having - it's crazy how separated I am from that down here. I had no idea. It's funny, when I'm in Progresso I do not miss movies, TV, radio, or even the internet, except at times to be able to keep in touch a bit more. But I come here and it is overload on CNN and the internet.

Well, I need to pack for tomorrow... and think about calling a cab for 4:30, or 5? better make it 4:45 in the morning... hmm.. ok, hasta luego.