Having Fun!

Five minutes is a long time!

Agua Viva,  our home away from home, is far outside of town.  They operate a solar system and a generator for power.  There is no power available to us until about 6:30 when it starts getting dark.  The power stays on then until 10:30 when they turn it off, turn it back on so you can get where you are going or reach for your flashlight, and then after "a count of 47" (they joke) it goes off completely until the next evening.  

It is not surprising that the kids all become accustomed to this schedule very easily and can plan things like showers, charging electronics, getting ready for bed, brushing teeth, and trips to the bathroom with almost no difficulty.  Everyone's internal clock counts down to 10:30 and people don't ask what time it is because they are tired, it's because they want to know how many more minutes of illumination there are.  

Last night they threw us for a curve.  We have learned to roll with the inconsistency of the 47 second warning flash.  Why just the other night I was only able to count to 33 seconds before lights out. I attribute the variation to the temperature.  I figure there is someone who needs to walk out to the generator building, turn it off then on, and then hop on alternating feet while breathing into cupped hands while counting to about thirty.  On a cool night I suspect the counting happens fairly quickly.  On our first night it was exceptionally chilly and there was no warning at all.  Last night, however, was relatively mild...and the lights went out for good at 10:25!  

I was armed with my flashlight since just before lights out, every night, I hike to the one semi-consistent spot for WiFi in camp to try to get a good night message to Sylvia. (it doesn't always happen and sometimes i'll get a message that says "you're going to bed now!?" when we drive up a hill and get cell service the next day.  Last night, because of the lost 5 minutes, I got to rescue a group of kids who were surprised by the missing time.  When we all got back to the cabins there was weeping and gnashing of teeth.  (ok, so it wasn't that bad...but everyone had something to say about being sent to bed early)

Other than this gross violation of guidelines set by the Geneva convention, we had a pretty spectacular day.  VBS went well and the kids are having a great time.  We got to make a stop at our first Mexican grocery store where some of the kids learned it was possible to have a spicy lollipop.  Our one traveler who was under the weather, Krisi, felt better. We finished a great deal of painting on the projects we've been working. Then, after cleanup, we drove to a little taco stand off the side of the road.  

If you are on my Facebook then you may have seen that I checked in at a Chinese restaurant.  We did not eat there.  This stand is much bigger than a hot dog cart in New York but not big enough to have a Facebook check in.  We ordered tacos and tortas like we were starving and drank sodas from bottles while eating these treats that are made right in front of us.  (I had coverage at this place and don't worry Mom, I hugged Dylan for you)  

I don't want to get your hopes up in case you ever come to this part of Mexico and decide to eat here, so I will downplay the food significantly.  IT IS THE MOST DELICIOUS FOOD ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH BAR NONE.  (so obviously that isn't completely true.  In fact Holly's order was so spicy that she wanted to buy a new mouth but everyone else thought it was yummy. Leaving there we went to a churro place downtown where you could order the long sugar-coated treats filled with things like cream, caramel, strawberry, and chocolate.  If you ever get the chance to eat a warm stuffed churro...do it.

We made the drive back to camp where I made use of my experience driving a truck in Oakland to assertively navigate the downtown traffic to get back here.  This day will be hard to top and, since Holly is leaving early for a obligation in the states, it just won't be the same.  But we have one more day of VBS, much more painting to do, more yummy food to eat, and we will cap it off with a church service at the church where we have been doing VBS. It is my turn to do the VBS lesson today.  Prayers gratefully accepted by all.