Down Time

Monday, 9:30 AM. I got to sleep until I woke up, which is like a vacation day for me. I prepared fried potatoes/onions and scrambled some eggs. NO red pepper or chilli pepper!! This is an off day to catch up. I will be planning some lessons for the men who return to work tomorrow. Did someone say that the children are the same, no matter where they go?? They wear plastic shoes, no socks and can walk these steep hills like billie goats. English slip and slide and they giggle when they see this fat guy. Other than the rich Hindu's, I am the biggest thing in town(weight wise!). The bread that the little one on the right is eating is typical for tea when we are being invited into their home. Only after the guests are given Chi and fed do they take the left overs! This is a typical photo of a couple in the mountain families. The gentleman went with us the day we tried to go onto the 2nd highest highway in this part of the country. (We were trying to connect with part of his extended family.) The road was built by the army for strategic purposes (read about the Kargil war in 2002-2003), and passes across the mountain to a village where some of his cousins spend the summer. We didn't make it past 15,500' because of snow banks and avalanche. But we did see some of his people along the road, and dewormed a number of goats along the way. At one point during the day, when it was raining, he wanted to borrow my 'cap'. He immediately put it on backwards like any other redneck and took off over the hill. At the end of the day, I gave it to him, after much protesting that he should not take such a fine gift!

I am constantly struck by the smells. It is a privilege to be invited into the homes, but it is a very striking odor -- sort of a combination of a wet burlap sack, a burned out building, and rancid butter. The people seem to be clean, and their tents and mud homes are swept clean, with the most clever mud cooking stoves I have ever seen. The women are in charge of this, and they can make a new one (they know which clays to use) in 4 hours, when the kitchen is in service. They only eat meat for weddings and other really special occasions. I was asking about some of the animals and their breedings and their milking. One of the men gave me a curt answer that that was something for the women to discuss, and that was that. CVM needs to send a woman to these parts to talk about such things! Lee Lee????




Did I mention that I was collecting souvineers.?? Those wicked horse shoes were left on this dead mule. This is the only dead horse I have seen. I see bones, and have seen one dead cow/calf (bear kill), and one dead dog and one dead sheep in the road. The Muslims would NEVER go near this corpse, even to collect these valuable shoes. This one only had on 3 shoes, and both of Titus's boys wanted one, so I scored on only one. Everyone wanted me to tell them why this animal died. Holly, want to post this one?? (:

The final photo is especially for Dr Dan Woodworth. (Would someone make sure he sees this??). Dr. Dan has been going to Central America for years to make sure the prople there have clean water (sounds familiar!). He has a true missionary spirit and has been a close friend and advisor since I first came to Waynesboro, some 22 years ago. He is a mentor in the truest sense, and challenged me to do, teach, observe. He calls this the 'Budda' stance, when the teacher no longer needs to be involved, demonstrating that you have taught the locals the skills needed to carry on after you leave. This is a very powerful feeling. It is no different than teaching a farmer, a new intern, or brand spanking new veterinarian. When they finally 'get it', it's pretty sweet. Yes, much will be left undone, and there is already plans for the next CVM individual or team who arrives. Many thanks to all who have posted comments on this site. I am specifically encouraged to see them. The power just went off (again), but we have battery back up for the computers, but I don't want to chance it. More later today. Make mine a double, Mixon! BLN