Other possible titles for this blog were:
A bridge over the composter pit, Tourista with turista, End of Cali-confinement, Wandering-around chicken eggs, or Look first then name your pet second.
Last night Cali’s tummy was hurting so much she was crying and wanted to go to the doctor. I was anticipating a sleepless night. But all was quiet last night including the wind, the dogs, the roosters, and most importantly the Cali. Either that or I was so tired from lack of sleep the night before, I slept through the choir. Conclusion: Even a light-sleeper will sleep when deprived of sleep long enough.
This morning Cali’s tummy hurt a little. Realistically, she could have gone to school. But she said the worst thing in the entire world is to throw-up at school in front of your friends. I was going to downplay her fear, when I remembered Patrick Mockel from First Grade. His rep was never the same after he threw up on his desk in Miss O’Connor’s class. There was the pre-barf Patrick, who was a super cool guy, and the post-barf Patrick, who had to run out of class in barf-covered clothes and for the rest of his life had barf-cooties. We all watched the janitor come into the class and sprinkle that magic absorbing sawdust on Patrick’s barf, but the damage was done and none of us could ever look at Patrick in the same way. So in light of the Patrick memories, I agreed with Cali that she should stay home one more day (to spare her the permanent humiliation of barf-cooties.) I told her the only condition was that she would have to come into town with me, to get groceries, which is code for “so I don’t go squirrely within these four walls.”
In Spanish class we learned that Cali has what is called, la turista. She has stomach troubles, the runs, vomitting–conditions tourists often get in the first few days or weeks of arriving here. Ergo, Cali is a tourista with turista.
The doggie visitor to Spansh class.
After Spanish class we got groceries, then went for breakfast. We didn’t go to cranky old men coffee joint, nor to the tree growing in restaurant, but to the red tablecloth restaurant next to the hanging plants place. She was in such good spirits, and back to her normal hungry self.
She asked me why I like it here so much. I had to think about that for a moment. I enjoy the mix of people in this particular town. There is a strong indigenous presence. People who have been living the way they live now, for many generations, proud, quiet, kind. There is a strong sense of family among them. The kids are happy even if some don’t have much. Then there is a constant stream of people passing through from all over the world. Many are young people on extended trips in search of adventure and themselves, others come in church groups, youth groups with a purpose. Then there is the eclectic expat community. They are like a diverse family, forming community while also fighting amongst themselves. Most of these people are highly opinionated (which I find refreshing), drawn to adventure, welcome a certain amount of unpredictability in their everyday lives. Some came here because they are drawn to live in a setting that has flavors of the wild wild west, or they were trying to escape something (an ex-spouse, the draft), some wanted to make a difference. The expat community seems predominantly anti-organized church, and each person will be happy to share their reasons why, if asked. There is, instead, a strong interest in The Arts, music and art. Many people come and go. It’s the furthest experience from static.
After thinking about all of those factors, I gave Cali a shorter 7-year old appropriate answer to her question. She seemed to be listening, and then responded, “I meant why do you like it at this restaurant.” Oh, in that case the mashed up green stuff if yummy here.
If you have problems saying, “no” come here and get trained. We are approached by so many determined street vendors constantly, you must learn how to say no as a part of your daily reality. At breakfast we probably said no to about 8-10 women and kids selling their wares. It’s not always easy because each pitch starts with selling you something and ends with, if you don’t want anything then just give me money for food because I’m hungry, or buy me just one coke, or give me money for my school books, or give me money for my grandma’s medicine.
We walked by the one older guy with a cup begging for money, and Cali said, “I don’t understand it. I keep putting money in his cup, but every time we walk by, there is nothing in there again. I think he spends it as fast as I put it in there.” If she would have understood the humor, I would have told her it’s a basic version of a checking account.
A number of us who are planning to work on costumes for the musical went to Jan’s house to watch the movie. Crazy dance scenes. The kids will have a lot of fun putting that on.
Madi has a bunch of homework tonight. Cali is excited that tomorrow is “sports day” at school, and we will remember to pack her shoes this time.
Cali’s frog blog: Today I had lots and lots of fun because I’m feeling better. I was feeling very very bad before I went to sleep and I was crying, it was that bad. But this morning my tummy wasn’t perfect and I’m scared about throwing up at school in front of everyone, so I’m making sure I’m ok and going to school tomorrow. Mom said that if I stayed home, I would have to go out with her to buy some groceries. I said that was ok. Today was my walking refresher day and make-up laughter day. Since I’ve been sitting on the couch for four days, I have to build up my walking muscles again so I can get around with my family. I’ll explain more about the make-up laughter later. First we went up to Madi’s school where mom and Madi take Spanish classes. I was surprised that they don’t meet in a classroom, just on some tiny porch with bars and a sheet hanging down. All during their class I petted the dog Cooper. He was wearing a collar that had his name on a big heart tag. He is a black dog that lives downstairs. But when he rolled on his back to have his tummy rubbed Madi said, “Cooper is a girl!!” Then I said, “Maybe the owner named it first and then looked second to see what kind it was.” That is a lesson to all of you that you should look to see first, then name second. I hope you will all understand that lesson. After Spanish class, mommy and I walked to the grocery store. We bought a lot of groceries, but mommy carried them. She says she is building her market muscles, to carry fruit from the market. Then we went to the breakfast place and she got the same breakfast she gets all the time, because she can’t get one just like that in Canada. I guess they don’t make that breakfast in Tim Hortons. I did my work there, and ate the scrambled eggs, yummy tortillas, and watermelon from her plate. After breakfast I started laughing and laughing for no good reason. I think it was because I had been sick for so long and hadn’t laughed in a long time, so it was make-up laughter. Mommy just let me laugh and laugh and laugh, and waited until I was finished. Then we went to PanaSuper and bought the “wandering around chicken eggs” not the caged chicken eggs. Then mom really got to build her market muscles even more. Then we came home and I relaxed and watched Zack and Cody speaking Spanish. Something else I wanted to tell you that I forgot to tell you on the actual day, was something my friend and I played when I was at her house. At her house she has a huge compost hole. We decided to make a bridge to go across the pit. Before we built the bridge we decided to make the pit smell better. This is how we did that. In her yard she has a mandarin orange tree. So we peeled an orange, ate the inside, then we dropped the nice smelling peels in the compost pit. Then we said, “That should be enough to make it smell better.” I thought we should put a bit more, she agreed and so we did one more. This is how we built the bridge, and then I’ll tell you what we did on the bridge. We got some bamboo that was in her yard, we placed it all across. Then we saw a stick of metal. We grabbed it and then we shoved it under the bamboo, so that it was a harder bamboo bridge. Then we walked across. My friend stepped one step, but then said no, I can’t do it. So I tried it. I did one, two, three steps and jump, because I was very scared. I was half way across and thought I should just jump to make it. My friend tried again. She made it. Then I said, “Good job.” She tried again. She stepped once, she stepped again and fell though the bridge, and fell into the hole. All the sticks broke in the middle, although some of them were just bent a bit. I tried to get her out, but she was stuck. I couldn’t get her out. She called her nanny and then her nanny pulled her out. Then I said, “Well, I could have done that.” After my Spanish shows on tv I had scrambled eggs and then I got my sister home from school. Then we went to someone’s house because mom has a meeting. At the meeting I played with Max the dog, it was fun! That’s how my day went today. P.S. I love you all, and I love scrambly eggs.
Madi’s blob blog: Today I had school. I have two essays I have to write tonight. The first is my final draft on the Haitian hurricane and how it affected the people getting fresh water. My second essay is a rough draft of the women of Cry the Beloved Country. Today in school we talked about the former president of Guatemala. He stole 22 million dollars and a thousand Euros, and a bunch of Quetzales. After he stole the Q’s, the Guatemalan military were trying to track him down. After he stole the Euros a country in Europe started to track him down. When he stole the dollars, the U.S. government was trying to track him. He is running out of options, but he has a lot of money to run out of options with. After school we went to Jan’s house to watch Moulin Rouge. Then we came home. I have to write my essays and it’s already 6:30. Gotta run.
Hasta manana.