Up around 7. Bfast/getting ready/ cleaning up last night's mess- puddles from rainstorm.
We drove about 25 minutes down the gravel hill to the main road, back north up the coast a short way to Parrita, to the construction work site for the Seeds/Roots of Hope ministry clubhouse site, 9:30-10am.
We visited the guys of our team, who had been there on site since 8. They were laying concrete bricks and building up the walls of the future clubhouse. (Right now the organization rents space on the second floor above a pulpería (a small convenience store.)
It was a lethargic morning, seeing the ministry at Seeds of Hope (and boys' Roots of Hope). Hot and sticky, walking around a lot, waiting for something to do. The local school schedule is wonky this week due to a national holiday (I'll explain later...) in the morning, the boys took English and Bible study classes. Girls were learning mixed martial arts from MMA interns from the States. And we didn't do much but check in with them and watch.
Reactions to pointe dancing: eyes were wide and you could see them grimace in reaction, apparently expressing thoughts of, "oh it must hurt so much." Girls came up to us, gaping... just wanting to watch us prepare our feet for our performance, putting on shoes.
I was sluggish and slow to get going in the morning. I slept poorly after a day of travel, full of lots of translating and high-energy being on top of answering many cultural questions (which was really my pleasure to be an informal guide). I kept trying to get into a happier mood, but I just stayed quiet, also trying to get rid of a flared up sinus infection. I took extra meds and rehydrated all morning. And also ate ice cream and tried to get some peanuts for protein. But between my physical lack of strength and the lack of direction as for something for us women of the team to do, I was pretty devoid of energy.
Throughout the day, we met other interns and staff members who are teachers of courses at Seeds/Roots of Hope: English, MMA, art, hair/jewelry, personal growth, healthy relationships, bible studies, music.
We brought lunch to the construction site. Fed doggies scraps. Kids were coming to and from the construction site in curiosity as well.
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| Construction site on the first morning of work, after a downpour the night before |
Things picked up when we were able to help out with ESL classes, working on conversational English as well as introducing specific new vocabulary words. We also did a painting-canvas art craft that one of our team members, Jacqui, had prepared. We had lots of fun with that. There are some very talented youth artists in that community.
Later in the afternoon, we took ice creams and gatorades to the guys at the construction site around the corner. A neighbor boy who had been helping all day and the local Tico contractor/foreman were also included. The men cleaned ups round 4 and showered. We had dinner from a local pizzeria.
Then we participated in a worship service/youth group. Bethany and I danced in a tiny little space in the clubhouse loft, between the musical instruments and the couches and plastic chairs and stools for the congregation. I like to note the reactions we receive when dancing en pointe; for instance, in the Philippines, the boys were so captivated and people were in awe, always videotaping us. Here, with this audience, I could see them grimace in reaction, apparently expressing their thoughts of, "oh it must hurt so much" (those thoughts were also uttered verbally, I overheard). Girls came up to us, gaping... just wanting to watch us prepare our feet for our performance, putting on shoes.
Testimonies were given by Alora and Justin (translated by me and Bill) and Debbie's as well. We all sang worship music.
Driving home from Parrita in the van, we picked up a neighbor on our way up. She filled me in on how hard it is to get rides up from the Quepos area to Naranjito at night, as the remote, dirt road can get dangerous, especially for a woman. Once home, we conversed and hung out with the team. Trying to get rice out of cell phone charger sockets... But that's another story. Asleep around 11.
