Technology is Amazing...

until it does not work and then I find myself wishing I was born in the Stone Age where I would never have to call Tech Support for my stone hammer. I don't want to bore you with my problems so I'll leave it at that and mention that the other day I felt like exerting substantial pent up anger at my laptop in an explosive manner such as hurling it against the wall.

As many of you know, president or ex-president (depending on who you talk to) Mel Zelaya is back in Honduras. I'm not sure whether things will continue in business as usual style, or if his return is the catalyst for events that will tip the scales. I must say that living under a coup government is starting to wear on me a bit.

The political situation might be exacerbated by the fact that second half of the rainy season hasn't been rainy at all. August was quite dry and we have only had about 3 good rains in September (one of which drenched me on the way home - never thought I would be happy to get caught in a rainstorm, well not quite happy - walking an hour in soaked jeans still sucks even when the rain is greatly appreciated) which has been just enough to keep the frijoles scraping by. Just about everyone in the community is really worried that the postrera (second half of the rainy season) will be a fracaso (failure). They tell me that the El Nino phenomenon is the cause of the rain shortage and are holding out with hopes that October (traditionally the wettest month) will bring the needed rain. I have seen several people in the community pour out water in the form of a cross on the parched ground whenever storm clouds approach, but I am not sure if this is superstition or if they are actually praying for rain.

Those of you who play sports will find this entertaining. For my first game back after 3 months on the IR, the tecnico (coach) decided to do me the honor of tossing me on the Primera (first team or A team). And I was honored, despite the fact that it resulted from a shortage of players, but I have to question the logic of that decision as I had only 2 days of practice after a 3 month rest. Needless to say, I was beyond fatigued by the end of the game. Between the lack of practice and the relentless sun, I was so weak that my legs no longer had the strength to plant my feet well and I was sliding all over the field (like I had never played before) to the jeers of the opposing crowd (they were worse than parents at a Little League game). I walked off the field feeling like I had been hit by a truck, and went to bed even earlier than usual.

On the bus the other day, after exchanging customary greetings and such, a sweet little old man asked me "A ustedes les gustan cosas de madera, va?" (You guys like things made of wood right?). I guessed that he was going to talk about artesanias (wood carvings) that he or a friend makes and that by saying "ustedes" he was refering to gringos, so being the only representative present, I assumed it was safe to answer "si". He then asked me if I was interested in buying an ox-cart and yoke. I politely declined, explaining that I did not have the money for such and investment. With only slight disappointment etched on his face he told me that he needs money to go to the hospital but that he does not like to ask for money. I was torn: happy to not be asked for money for once just because I am a gringo, but at the same time wishing I could help out.

Work Status:

Forcuencas basically rescinded the offer that there was a possibility of funding for the water project. I wasn't really suprised but I'm trying to keep my counterpart motivated to keep working on legalizing permissions and drafting a proposal in the downtime so we are not caught unprepared if an opportunity should arise.

We finally got the school garden planted, and hopefully it rains enough so that the plants grow. The teacher and I divided the students by grade; one grade per row, one siembra (crop) per row. It was definitely not the most professional job, but it will hopefully be a good learning experience for the kids. Some grades under-planted, some overzealous students threw down seeds by the handful (the radishes have already sprouted and are going to need substantial thinnning), but everyone seemed to have a good time, even despite having to haul buckets of water from the river to irrigate.