OK it's been awhile, and I have to admit I'm finding that keeping a blog updated and even remotely interesting is hard work. That said, I'll try and bring things up to date just a tad. I've been on the farm at El Milagro for almost 3 weeks now. I am settling in, bought a mattress, some planks of wood to build some furniture, and some cooking supplies (tank of gas, frying pan, can of tuna, spices) The farm provides me with fresh veggies and hens eggs. I walk down to the tienda now and again for a cold beer, and I bought a $4.80 bottle of Old Times Whiskey to help make sleep come a little easier. It's actually not too bad. I have my own quarters, but I live within earshot of the family who works the farm. Gilberto, Sussana, Jessica (11), Jefferson(9), and Jonathon(8). Everyone helps me with my Spanish, and the kids are always trying to puzzle out English.
Last week a family walked onto the farm looking for the new gringo. They had an English language photocopy of "Candyman" the nasty, double entendre filled old blues tune by Mississippi John Hurt or some such person.. / The daughter's high school class was going to perform the song, in English, at an upcoming school fair, and they needed help with phonetic pronunciations of all the lyrics. So I walked up the road to their house, and spent the next 2 hours teaching pronunciation of phrases like "he gets me so hot, makes my panties drop" or " gets me so hot, makes my cherry pop" I did not have the will, or the language skills to make any mention of the horny lyrics; but I feel like I could go home today having accomplished in full the "cultural exchange" portion of Peace Corps mission here. Next week is the performance, I hope to go.
Yesterday, Sunday, I was out preparing the first of what I hope will be many raised beds for planting. Shirt off and shorts, trying to shed a little whiteness, I was working and sweating, listening to the amplified church service out of El Milagro. A fine womans voice and some acoustic guitar, singing praises, it was certainly mellow. The service wrapped up, and within moments the speakers were blaring out the "all cumbia, all the time" station. It nearly knocked my socks off when I heard the Cumbia version of "California Dreamin" by the Mamas and Papas. I am not kidding. One of the households up the hill then started blasting Bomba music from the opposite direction, man some of these folks have some pretty powerful stereo equipment. Between the barking dogs and the radios, Ecuador can sometimes be a hard place to find some peace and quiet.
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1 comment:
Roger...
Literally sounds just like Mex buddy! Everyone wanted to out do each other in the loud music dept.
Maybe I can send you a couple of pairs of earplugs? Say the word & I'll mail them out! :o) At least that way you can enjoy the beautiful scenery without the stereos blaring.
Our garden is now growing rhubarb, tomatoes, yellow squash, zuchini, red peppers, green pepeprs & strawberries...oh yeah, red potatoes too. Plus the acres of hay for our donkeys.
Glad you are settling in, was hoping for an update soon, at least that way we all know you are still ok.
Mex was fun, spoke spanish until my head almost exploded, but managed to not butcher up the language too bad. Larameu would have been proud...well not really, but the heck with him. :o)
Just been hanging out here at the farm doing some mushroom hunting...nada, and some birding, with better results.
The hummingbirds returned today, very good to have them back again!
Take care my friend, my next shot of tequila will be in your honor.
Colin
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