It was a Thursday morning. I woke to the sound of my bunk mate getting ready for the day. As for myself, I wasn't particularly ready to get a start on the day. In my opinion it would have been nice to catch a couple more Z's. However, as it was every morning in Mexico, once your awake, you stay awake. Who could sleep with all those birds sounding off just outside the window anyway?
I had slept a little better than I did the night before. At least this time when I woke up I didn't start brushing my sheets to get rid of any imaginary bugs. I had woken up several times, however. Enough times to get a good look at the late night lightning show.
Eventually I decided it was time to get up.
Every morning was pretty much the same thing. So I'll try to keep from repeating it in such detail every day.
We had breakfast, and got going on our projects. Today we didn't work on any bicycles for very long. But during the brief time that Jimmy, Clayton and I were working on bikes Juan decided to come see what we were doing.
Juan is a 16 year old boy who looks like he is 9. He was so completely and utterly neglected by his parents when he was born that the only way he survived was from the generosity of a neighbor who would sneak food in to him. This nutritional deficiency is the reason his body wasn't able to develop normally. When he first came to the orphanage he wasn't even able to walk because no one had every taught him how.
You would think that such a history would make a person bitter, or angry, or upset with the world, but Juan is anything but. He is such a happy and joyful child, you wouldn't ever think that he had such a rough start. Juan is walking now. In fact, he's not only walking, he is jumping, running, climbing, and doing everything else that kids do, including causing just a little bit of trouble. And that's just what he did while we were working on the bikes.
We were trying to get the brakes to work on a particular bike when Juan came over. He sat down next to Jimmy and watched as we worked. Before long Juan reached down and took the cap off of the bike tire. He held it up and gave us a mischievous look so that we would know he was causing some trouble. Juan then proceeded to deflate the bicycle tire from which he had removed the cap. We all thought it was pretty funny, but just to toy with him I said "Juan es mal", which means "Juan is bad." To which he responded "No, bien", which means "No, good."
We went back and forth for a little while with "No, mal" and "No, bien" until Jimmy decided to join in the fun by deflating the tire. Juan got a kick out of this and pointed at Jimmy ever so emphatically with a look on his face that said "HE DID IT!"
By the end of the whole escapade there had been a few more mal's and bien's thrown around and everyone was having a laugh. This incident then set up a precedent for the rest of the week when Juan would keep calling me "Mallo" which means "bad guy."
When I wasn't working on bicycles I helped out with the other projects that were going on. As I recall, I spent most of the day mixing up concrete for the ramp. We made a lot of concrete over the week. In all, we must have gone through anywhere between 12 and 20 bags of cement mix (but if I am in error, then I am erring on the short side). Every bag of cement mix would make 4 to 5 wheelbarrow loads of concrete.
I forgot to mention that it was this day that several of the children left for a three day camping trip. This is why Caesar wasn't around while we were working on the bikes.
As the day had begun, so the day ended. That is to say, every night and every morning was pretty much the same as every other night and every other morning. Dinner, singing, and then sleep. Such was life in Mexico.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Mexico: Day 2
After a long night of sleep (that was frequently interrupted by my waking up and frantically brushing imaginary bugs off of my bed) I woke to sunlight shining though the window, and the sound of birds singing...really loud birds...a lot of them. There had been a great deal of lightning that night, though I couldn't hear the thunder--either because it was really far away, or because the crickets were really loud, I'm not sure which. It had also rained and thereby cooled off the area enough that I actually unfolded my "pillow" (my hoodie) and laid it over top of me.
I probably got up some time around 7 to 7:30--some time close to the crack of dawn anyway. The interesting thing that I noticed during my time in Mexico is that most of the time I had no idea what time it was, and it didn't really matter. The only times I would pay attention to the time were when I wanted to know how long it was till lunch or dinner. Other than that, who cares. I don't know when I went to sleep each night, and I have no idea when I got up in the mornings. However, I do know that in both cases--morning and night--sleeping and waking occurred very consistently around the same time every day.
So the morning began. As I have already mentioned, Ed walked to the nearby store to get milk and fruit for breakfast, and this particular morning a few of us--including myself--joined him in this venture.
The shop was a small building about the size of two dorm rooms (in Warner Pacific measurements it would be 4 dorm rooms). There were a lot of familiar things there, though most of them had different names and packaging shapes. While I was standing around looking at various things I felt something touch the back of my heel. I'll admit it startled me because my first thought was 'large insect, or scorpion'. When I turned around, however, I discovered that it was only the cold, wet nose of a small dog.
Upon our return Ed began promptly to get things set out for breakfast. A lot of the cereal was very familiar--coco puffs, Cheerios, Cinnamon squares, and more--but again, they all had different names. We also had a can of peach halves every morning, as well as some pastry or bread, and juice. I guess it was the picturesque "part of this complete breakfast" you always see on cereal commercials.
After breakfast it was time to start working. Clayton and I went straight to work on the bicycles. There were several bikes that were in bad condition, as well as a storage room of bicycle parts to work with. We did what we could with what we had, but usually our efforts ended with the realization that there was some key element that we were not able to fix.
While we were working on our first bike the sky began to precipitate on us (it started to rain). At first it was just like an Oregon sprinkle, so we moved our operation into the tool shed. Before too long we were really glad we had moved, because suddenly it started coming down by the bucket-loads. It was ridiculous. The rain probably went on like that for about 30-45 minutes. Most of the rest of the crew had to stop working on their projects unless they were already working inside.
We worked on bicycles most of the day. The hardest part was probably when Caesar (Say-zar), one of the kids, would try to show us what to do and what was wrong with the bikes. There were times when he was right, but he was just getting in the way, or he would try to tell me something that I already knew. And then there were times when he would try to explain something to me when I had already figured out that the problem was really something else. All in all, though, I couldn't help but appreciate his enthusiasm, and what mechanical understanding he displayed. He kept telling me "un momento" so that I would step back for a moment and let him do his work. I quickly learned from this technique and was able to use it later to get him to step back for a moment so that I could do my work. It's all about communication.
Of course lunch and dinner were both amazing and delicious. Our dinner dessert was flan. I'm not sure what flan is, but I ate it. It wasn't too bad. It was very sweet, so I wasn't able to finish it, but that's okay.
After dinner we all sat around talking and hanging out. Eventually I went and got my guitar. We sang some songs until we couldn't stand the flies any more, then off to bed we went.
I probably got up some time around 7 to 7:30--some time close to the crack of dawn anyway. The interesting thing that I noticed during my time in Mexico is that most of the time I had no idea what time it was, and it didn't really matter. The only times I would pay attention to the time were when I wanted to know how long it was till lunch or dinner. Other than that, who cares. I don't know when I went to sleep each night, and I have no idea when I got up in the mornings. However, I do know that in both cases--morning and night--sleeping and waking occurred very consistently around the same time every day.
So the morning began. As I have already mentioned, Ed walked to the nearby store to get milk and fruit for breakfast, and this particular morning a few of us--including myself--joined him in this venture.
The shop was a small building about the size of two dorm rooms (in Warner Pacific measurements it would be 4 dorm rooms). There were a lot of familiar things there, though most of them had different names and packaging shapes. While I was standing around looking at various things I felt something touch the back of my heel. I'll admit it startled me because my first thought was 'large insect, or scorpion'. When I turned around, however, I discovered that it was only the cold, wet nose of a small dog.
Upon our return Ed began promptly to get things set out for breakfast. A lot of the cereal was very familiar--coco puffs, Cheerios, Cinnamon squares, and more--but again, they all had different names. We also had a can of peach halves every morning, as well as some pastry or bread, and juice. I guess it was the picturesque "part of this complete breakfast" you always see on cereal commercials.
After breakfast it was time to start working. Clayton and I went straight to work on the bicycles. There were several bikes that were in bad condition, as well as a storage room of bicycle parts to work with. We did what we could with what we had, but usually our efforts ended with the realization that there was some key element that we were not able to fix.
While we were working on our first bike the sky began to precipitate on us (it started to rain). At first it was just like an Oregon sprinkle, so we moved our operation into the tool shed. Before too long we were really glad we had moved, because suddenly it started coming down by the bucket-loads. It was ridiculous. The rain probably went on like that for about 30-45 minutes. Most of the rest of the crew had to stop working on their projects unless they were already working inside.
We worked on bicycles most of the day. The hardest part was probably when Caesar (Say-zar), one of the kids, would try to show us what to do and what was wrong with the bikes. There were times when he was right, but he was just getting in the way, or he would try to tell me something that I already knew. And then there were times when he would try to explain something to me when I had already figured out that the problem was really something else. All in all, though, I couldn't help but appreciate his enthusiasm, and what mechanical understanding he displayed. He kept telling me "un momento" so that I would step back for a moment and let him do his work. I quickly learned from this technique and was able to use it later to get him to step back for a moment so that I could do my work. It's all about communication.
Of course lunch and dinner were both amazing and delicious. Our dinner dessert was flan. I'm not sure what flan is, but I ate it. It wasn't too bad. It was very sweet, so I wasn't able to finish it, but that's okay.
After dinner we all sat around talking and hanging out. Eventually I went and got my guitar. We sang some songs until we couldn't stand the flies any more, then off to bed we went.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Mexico Trip: Day 1
3:15 AM
Wake up to get ready for departure to Mexico.
4:15 AM
My ride arrives and I wish my parents farewell.
4:30 AM
The majority of the team going to Mexico gathers are Estacada Christian Church.
4:45 AM
Head out to PDX.
Long story short, the first day was an early morning with a flight from Portland to LA (2 hours), and then from LA to Mazatlan Mexico (3 hours, with a 1 hour time zone change). We arrive in Mexico at around 4:30ish PM
But let's back up a bit.
We spent a lot of time in LAX because our flights were so spaced out. During this time we experienced an earth quake, met up with the last member of our team (he came from Texas), stood around, sat around and lazed around for several hours. Can you say team bonding time?
We were a fairly interesting group: two and a half families with three extra stragglers.
Randy and Carrie were the ones who spear headed the whole trip. They had been down to El Castillo before with their two children, Jimmy (14) and Jessica (12ish?). Now the whole family was making the trip again.
Next we had Jay and Debbie. Jay is a full blooded Mexican, and did what he could as our interpreter. They also brought their two children along, Clayton (12) and Audry (10ish?).
Debbie's dad was the one who met us in LA. Danny Danger is what we called him, but "Dan Leffingwell" was the name that came over the PA system while we were standing around in the LA airport. We hadn't even been together as a whole group for a day and Jay had already pulled his first prank on Danny. He got the gate attendants to tell Danny that he had checked in too late and was going to be bumped from the flight. Danny handled it pretty well, and we all thought it was funny.
Then you have Kelly and her son Jared (14?).
And, finally, Roger and myself.
13 Characters in all, and what characters we were.
So we land in Mazatlan and step out on to the tarmac on our way to customs. A quick flash of the passport and visa paperwork, a short trip to pick up our luggage and we are then put through the brief rigmarole of scanning the luggage and presenting more paperwork. It's at this point that you push a button that is supposed to randomly select people to have their luggage searched. You push the button and it turns on either a green light, or a red light. I was glad to get a green. Kelly and Jared were not so lucky. It didn't take very long for there suitcases to be searched, and in the mean time most everyone else was just around the corner exchanging some currency for Mexican pesos.
It was at this point that we met up with our "guide" of sorts. Ed (or "Edwardo" as we called him) is a guy who works for the organization that runs the orphanage and he helps direct the work that the groups like ours do when they come down. With him was Eric. Eric and his wife completely ran the orphanage by themselves for two years before they were able to get more help. Since then his wife has moved back to the states indefinitely due to the overload of stress, and Eric has been working toward being around the orphanage less and less.
Once Kelly and Jared had caught up and had a chance to exchange some of their own money we all made our way out to a big 15 passenger van with a luggage rack on top. We loaded up and away we went.
After picking up a couple bags of ice at the El Castillo "super market" we pulled up to the orphanage. Our living quarters and dining area were just across the dirt road from the orphanage, so as we were unloading our things we were able to get a great look at the arch of the gateway to the orphanage that read "Rancho De Los Niños", which means Ranch of the children. Sounds like a reasonable description.
We took a little bit of time to get settled in before dinner. I don't know much about the girls quarters, but the guys had four bunks (which was the exact number we needed), a sink with running water and two mirrors hanging over it, two toilets, and two showers. The only way to get a warm showers would be to hang a solar bag outside, but had been busted some time before we got there. Most of us didn't mind taking cold showers though, what with the heat and all.
Oh, didn't I mention the heat? I guess not. You might find this hard to believe, but it is HOT in Mexico. We didn't even sleep with blankets on our beds. Some people didn't even want to sleep with a mattress underneath them.
And of course you have to also consider the humidity. I always used to think that Oregon was a humid place. I had been to California before, so I had an idea of what a dry heat was. But I had no idea that it could get so humid as it was in El Castillo. Even if a guy stands absolutely still for a while he would end up with a moist t-shirt.
Our eating/gathering area was basically a large concrete patio with a roof over top. It was swarming with flies the entire eight days we were there. In one corner we had the water (bottled of course. We can't drink the tap water without ill effect). In the opposite corner we had the coffee maker. In a third corner we kept all the eating supplies (cups, bowls, plates, plastic ware). Every morning before breakfast Ed would walk to a nearby store to get milk for the cereal and some fruit. We had cereal for breakfast every morning which was okay for most people, though Jay didn't ever have any because he is lactose intolerant. Our lunch and dinner would always be made by a lady who lives just down the street from the orphanage. I thought for sure that there would come a meal that I wouldn't have an appreciation for, but it never happened. Monica made meal after meal of some of the best food I have ever had. It was absolutely amazing.
I can't remember what each individual meal was, but I know that the first night we had as dessert a kind of pancake with apples. I would have had seconds of every meal if it weren't for the fact that the food was so filling.
After our first dinner we took a quick tour of the orphanage and looked at the various projects we were going to be working on throughout the week. The place looks nothing like what you would think an orphanage would look like. It was more of a foster home appearance. Because that's what it was. It was a home. It was a home with a lot of rooms, but it was a home.
Out back they have a ginormous playground made out of concrete. There are basically 3 towers, each with two levels and an area underneath. There is a ramp going from the back door straight up to the first tower. From the first tower there is a concrete platform going to the next tower, and then a wood and rope bridge traversing the gap between the second and third towers.
Once the tour was over we returned to our gathering area and talked and sang some songs before heading off to bed. Day one was complete, and we were ready for things to really begin.
Wake up to get ready for departure to Mexico.
4:15 AM
My ride arrives and I wish my parents farewell.
4:30 AM
The majority of the team going to Mexico gathers are Estacada Christian Church.
4:45 AM
Head out to PDX.
Long story short, the first day was an early morning with a flight from Portland to LA (2 hours), and then from LA to Mazatlan Mexico (3 hours, with a 1 hour time zone change). We arrive in Mexico at around 4:30ish PM
But let's back up a bit.
We spent a lot of time in LAX because our flights were so spaced out. During this time we experienced an earth quake, met up with the last member of our team (he came from Texas), stood around, sat around and lazed around for several hours. Can you say team bonding time?
We were a fairly interesting group: two and a half families with three extra stragglers.
Randy and Carrie were the ones who spear headed the whole trip. They had been down to El Castillo before with their two children, Jimmy (14) and Jessica (12ish?). Now the whole family was making the trip again.
Next we had Jay and Debbie. Jay is a full blooded Mexican, and did what he could as our interpreter. They also brought their two children along, Clayton (12) and Audry (10ish?).
Debbie's dad was the one who met us in LA. Danny Danger is what we called him, but "Dan Leffingwell" was the name that came over the PA system while we were standing around in the LA airport. We hadn't even been together as a whole group for a day and Jay had already pulled his first prank on Danny. He got the gate attendants to tell Danny that he had checked in too late and was going to be bumped from the flight. Danny handled it pretty well, and we all thought it was funny.
Then you have Kelly and her son Jared (14?).
And, finally, Roger and myself.
13 Characters in all, and what characters we were.
So we land in Mazatlan and step out on to the tarmac on our way to customs. A quick flash of the passport and visa paperwork, a short trip to pick up our luggage and we are then put through the brief rigmarole of scanning the luggage and presenting more paperwork. It's at this point that you push a button that is supposed to randomly select people to have their luggage searched. You push the button and it turns on either a green light, or a red light. I was glad to get a green. Kelly and Jared were not so lucky. It didn't take very long for there suitcases to be searched, and in the mean time most everyone else was just around the corner exchanging some currency for Mexican pesos.
It was at this point that we met up with our "guide" of sorts. Ed (or "Edwardo" as we called him) is a guy who works for the organization that runs the orphanage and he helps direct the work that the groups like ours do when they come down. With him was Eric. Eric and his wife completely ran the orphanage by themselves for two years before they were able to get more help. Since then his wife has moved back to the states indefinitely due to the overload of stress, and Eric has been working toward being around the orphanage less and less.
Once Kelly and Jared had caught up and had a chance to exchange some of their own money we all made our way out to a big 15 passenger van with a luggage rack on top. We loaded up and away we went.
After picking up a couple bags of ice at the El Castillo "super market" we pulled up to the orphanage. Our living quarters and dining area were just across the dirt road from the orphanage, so as we were unloading our things we were able to get a great look at the arch of the gateway to the orphanage that read "Rancho De Los Niños", which means Ranch of the children. Sounds like a reasonable description.
We took a little bit of time to get settled in before dinner. I don't know much about the girls quarters, but the guys had four bunks (which was the exact number we needed), a sink with running water and two mirrors hanging over it, two toilets, and two showers. The only way to get a warm showers would be to hang a solar bag outside, but had been busted some time before we got there. Most of us didn't mind taking cold showers though, what with the heat and all.
Oh, didn't I mention the heat? I guess not. You might find this hard to believe, but it is HOT in Mexico. We didn't even sleep with blankets on our beds. Some people didn't even want to sleep with a mattress underneath them.
And of course you have to also consider the humidity. I always used to think that Oregon was a humid place. I had been to California before, so I had an idea of what a dry heat was. But I had no idea that it could get so humid as it was in El Castillo. Even if a guy stands absolutely still for a while he would end up with a moist t-shirt.
Our eating/gathering area was basically a large concrete patio with a roof over top. It was swarming with flies the entire eight days we were there. In one corner we had the water (bottled of course. We can't drink the tap water without ill effect). In the opposite corner we had the coffee maker. In a third corner we kept all the eating supplies (cups, bowls, plates, plastic ware). Every morning before breakfast Ed would walk to a nearby store to get milk for the cereal and some fruit. We had cereal for breakfast every morning which was okay for most people, though Jay didn't ever have any because he is lactose intolerant. Our lunch and dinner would always be made by a lady who lives just down the street from the orphanage. I thought for sure that there would come a meal that I wouldn't have an appreciation for, but it never happened. Monica made meal after meal of some of the best food I have ever had. It was absolutely amazing.
I can't remember what each individual meal was, but I know that the first night we had as dessert a kind of pancake with apples. I would have had seconds of every meal if it weren't for the fact that the food was so filling.
After our first dinner we took a quick tour of the orphanage and looked at the various projects we were going to be working on throughout the week. The place looks nothing like what you would think an orphanage would look like. It was more of a foster home appearance. Because that's what it was. It was a home. It was a home with a lot of rooms, but it was a home.
Out back they have a ginormous playground made out of concrete. There are basically 3 towers, each with two levels and an area underneath. There is a ramp going from the back door straight up to the first tower. From the first tower there is a concrete platform going to the next tower, and then a wood and rope bridge traversing the gap between the second and third towers.
Once the tour was over we returned to our gathering area and talked and sang some songs before heading off to bed. Day one was complete, and we were ready for things to really begin.
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