(5:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 25th)
Remember those precious moments when you would wake up on Sunday mornings and Mom would be in the kitchen frying you an egg nestled in a pre-cut hole that resided inside of a thick piece of freshly cut bread? Butter seeping into every pore of the golden brown toast; your senses coming alive with the country fresh aroma permeating the air?
Yah, me either. Maybe I witnessed that event on a “Leave it to Beaver” episode but I would like to keep the memory just the same.
I can tell you with absolute certainty that there is no “Toad in the Hole here”.
But I did manage to take a pic of a little critter at the site that sparked the memory.
For some reason there was an unusual amount of Toads around the site. Big suckers with all knowing eyes.
Stubborn too.
They seemed to be oblivious to our movements and had to be encouraged out of their resting places. Nothing worse than half a toad in the hole I always say. Well, maybe not always but I just said it so it counts.
The build is progressing nicely with only a half day remaining on the site. We managed to pour the posts and foundation for the exterior bathroom and the bricks are nearly to roof level.
Tomorrow we will only have a half-day and then there will be an appreciation ceremony to complete the build.
I came to the realization this morning on the way to the site that at this time next week I will be back in the cold at my desk with my good friends. Time doesn’t seem to move too quickly here perhaps because every moment seems to be a luxury.
Big treat at the site today was when our hosts had arranged to have the “Ice-cream Scooter Man” pull up with a pontoon full of sweet cold confection. I didn’t feel like having a cone but really enjoyed watching the team member squeal with glee just as we had done when we were kids.
The second big highlight was when I gave one of my luscious 3-ply toilet paper rolls to one of the locals. Most toilet paper rolls here are 1-ply and large portion of toilet paper rolls are used as serviettes in the restaurants (seriously).
The consideration is that by supplying her with 3-ply I may be upsetting the eco-system here as most plumbing is on septic systems.
On the plus side: when the locals hear that the restaurant has the softest “mouth towels” in town; business may sky-rocket.
Mosquito Update: I have still yet to receive a single bite. However, as evidence by the photo above they are watching me closely. I know that they are waiting for the most opportune time, which convinces me that I should keep up with my swatting techniques.
Perhaps they have decided to opt out of sucking my blood and have paid off the Spiders.
Bastards!
The big new tonight is that we are going for Hamburgers “American Style”. It was specified that we would not be going to McDonald’s so this could be interesting. I hope not as interesting as the Pizza we had the other night.
If the Hamburgers are a good interpretation I am considering buying one for take out so that I can leave it by my bed sided and stare at it when I am missing home.
Who am I kidding…it will never make it back to the hotel.
Thanks very much for reading.
Hope everyone is well.
