As work continues on the water line projects in Santos and
Junquito, we are slowed by the continuing rains. The rainy season normally ends
in early February and “summer”, as the dry season is called here begins. This is
true on the dryer Pacific side of the isthmus, but the Caribbean side is still
wrapped in fog and rain. Fortunately, the rain comes mostly at night, allowing
work during the day, albeit humid and muddy. There are times I yearn for my
service site in San Luis de Canete, Peru – where EVERY day was clear and dry.
But, the rich, lush, green beauty of the jungle is rewarding compensation.
Sometimes, the mud gets so deep that my boot gets suctioned
in and my foot starts to come out. I’ve developed a twisting motion that let’s
me slowly extract it. The slimy trails also make downhill travel a bit
hazardous for me. I’ve done the “back-side slide” more times than I’d like to
admit. After witnessing some of my better slides, the folks in Nudobidi decided
to give me a Ngobe (indigenous) name. It translates as “butt bone towards
ground”. Glad we all have a good sense of humor.
The communities have made some progress moving materials to
the construction sites and I’ve been supervising and assisting with replacement
of damaged pipes, fittings and valves. The folks are really happy to be working
on a project they know will bring better water to their villages. I’m
particularly excited to see the children so eager to help. They work hard,
often lifting materials much
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| Before (above) and after |
The lot next door to the apartments where I stay used to be
a gorgeous tree-covered plant nursery. Lamentably, it’s been sold and the new
owner has CLEAR CUT every single tree. Does devastation always need to be the
price of progress? Very sad that the hundreds of parakeets that used to sit in
those fallen trees and squawk all afternoon have fled, leaving the neighborhood
oddly silent.
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