Í´m a day late because I couldn´t figure out how to send e-mail! Lots of things to learn here that I never thought about including this different keyboard! Bear with me!
So Saturday we visited Pampojila for the first time. We rode in the back of a pickup truck the 4 km from San Lucas Toliman where we are staying. (yes, we stood, hanging onto a bar and zoomed down the highway in the open air with the wind in our faces. It was marvelous.)
We were led by Rosa, a community leader who had the idea to ask for stoves for the families of Pampjila to improve their health. We saw stoves in various stages of construction as well as the 3 rock method of cooking that we are replacing. We walked jungle paths, saw areas of mudlides and many homes in the village. My favorite part was meeting the people and especially the children who begged to have their pictures taken.
Later we went back to the school where lunch was brought to us- rice, beans, tortillas and tree ripened bananas, typical, local foods and very tasty. A lecture on the fuel effecient stoves followed. A tropical downpour pounded the metal roof and we got a taste of what the students must experience.
We got into rain gear for the trip back to the hotel only to find our open truck had been covered with green plastic and fitted with seats- not so exciting but much drier. (smile) Dinner at the hotel amid much merriment followed. (Yes we found where we could buy beer and wine!)
Sunday: I was asked to tell about the group that did the town trip since our other blogger did the hike. I went with Felipe, our host, to see the eco-tourism site reclaimed from swamp land that had been infested with disease and now is a botanical garden of sorts.A great example of community coming together. We also visited a weaver at her home. She weaves between cooking and caring for the home and children and it is her way to get some money of her own. We also a visited a 83 year old woman who has been supporting herself these past 20 years since her husband died. She makes 600 tortillas a day over an open flame and sells them to the local people.
Some of us went to Mass this morning where we enjoyed being in a faith community as well as the live local music. It was First Communion Day so we gota a bonus treat of seeing the little ones in their fanciest clothes.So that is all from Lisa.
Now this from Jan:
Tips for team 2,
Bring walking sticks if you usually use them.
There are no drawers, hooks or hangers in the rooms, you might want plastic bags or plan to live out of your suitcase one way or the other.
Hiking shoes recommended.+
Rain jackets have gotten daily use.
Diarhhea Report: none spotted so far
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