June 25, 2006
Yesterday, Friday, the Hygiene Team continued their training, making fly traps and water conserving handwaswhing stations. Both made from old soda bottles. The English Team went to a local village for some P.R. The Survey Team visited the "lake" village. That is the one that we saw after P. Don and Walter's trip last year.
Shane and I went with the Survey Team to take GPS and altitude readings of the village so that an adequate map of the area can be created to determine the best solutions to the water problem (where to locate a well, pump, water tank, supply lines, etc.). We arrived around noon. It is about an hour out of Wenshan. Off the main highway.
We used Steven's car for as far as we could. Then we met up with our village hosts at another village. We left Steven's car there and rode the famous Pop Pop Car (named because of the sound the two stroke engine makes) to the 'lake' village. It was pouring rain for most of the journey, making the adventure even more exciting. Disneyland's Indiana Jones ride has nothing on this!! Many times we jumped out of the cart to push through mud and water. But, we made it.
At the village we had lunch with the local leader and three other men in the leader's home. A fancy, expensive Hmong meal...rice, chicken, pork with bokchoi, mushrooms, and roasted local peanuts.
After lunch we began the survey. Scott, Ray, Fred, Steven, Shane and I. Scott taught me how to use the GPS, so we took and recorded the readings. We went all around the perimeter of the village and then out to the lake. Well...it's not a lake anymore, but a field of corn. The water is gone. We took readings around there to determine possible water levels, etc. We went to several high points in the village to take recordings too.
The whole process took about six hours. At one point, Shane took over the 'stick' of the Pop Pop Car. Strange, the four locals got off and we stayed on as Shane drove. I'm not sure who are the smarter ones!!!
The four men who took us around were so great. They seemed genuinely happy for us to be there. They were most impressed that we rich Americans would jump in the mud with our expensive shoes (Costco $15.99!). They seemed to appreciate the help and potential solution to what they said was a 100 year old problem for them.
We rode the Pop Pop back to Steven's car and said our goodbyes. Steven was able to do some P.R. with them before we left. Yahoo!
Lots of P.R. around the men and the village. Lots!
We drove back to Wenshan and stopped to get Steven's car washed. It cost 10 quai (about 80 cents) for a full hand wash inside and out. Do you think Fox Farm Car Wash would drop their prices to that? Dunno...
At the car wash we asked if we could scrub off our shoes. They were caked with the thick red mud from the village.
We then went back to town and ate at Dico's. Dico's is an American style fast food place with chicken sandwiches and soft serve ice cream and sodas with ICE!!! While there three students from the school came by. We had met them when the English team taught them on the last two days. It was so fun to talk with them again. One boy (English name Bruce) was there celebrating his sister's birthday. I got to meet his mother, aunt, and uncle. The mother was so proud that her son was speaking English with an American. I asked Bruce to help me order another iced tea. He was great. The two girls, (English names Fiona and Shelby) were so cute. But they were all so eager to practice their English. And they did very well.
Back to the hotel for a much needed shower! Lots of red dirt everywhere.
This morning I took a picture of my clothes with all the red dirt on them before sending them out with the hotel laundry. Then the whole team met for more P.R. time with 'fresh bread' from the word. We had to say good bye to John, one of our translators. Steven instructed us on some upcoming plans. We will fill you in when we return.
We met for lunch then a walk through the Sunday afternoon Hmong market. Lots of food and wares. And now I'm here at an Internet Cafe checking mail and posting this blog. More later.
To my friends at CATS: I hope Carousel is spinning around well. Miss you all. I'll be back for a few performances at the end of the run. Love you all!
Can hardly wait to bring this experience back home. See you after the 5th. Happy Fireworks Day in advance.
Brian
Shane and I went with the Survey Team to take GPS and altitude readings of the village so that an adequate map of the area can be created to determine the best solutions to the water problem (where to locate a well, pump, water tank, supply lines, etc.). We arrived around noon. It is about an hour out of Wenshan. Off the main highway.
We used Steven's car for as far as we could. Then we met up with our village hosts at another village. We left Steven's car there and rode the famous Pop Pop Car (named because of the sound the two stroke engine makes) to the 'lake' village. It was pouring rain for most of the journey, making the adventure even more exciting. Disneyland's Indiana Jones ride has nothing on this!! Many times we jumped out of the cart to push through mud and water. But, we made it.
At the village we had lunch with the local leader and three other men in the leader's home. A fancy, expensive Hmong meal...rice, chicken, pork with bokchoi, mushrooms, and roasted local peanuts.
After lunch we began the survey. Scott, Ray, Fred, Steven, Shane and I. Scott taught me how to use the GPS, so we took and recorded the readings. We went all around the perimeter of the village and then out to the lake. Well...it's not a lake anymore, but a field of corn. The water is gone. We took readings around there to determine possible water levels, etc. We went to several high points in the village to take recordings too.
The whole process took about six hours. At one point, Shane took over the 'stick' of the Pop Pop Car. Strange, the four locals got off and we stayed on as Shane drove. I'm not sure who are the smarter ones!!!
The four men who took us around were so great. They seemed genuinely happy for us to be there. They were most impressed that we rich Americans would jump in the mud with our expensive shoes (Costco $15.99!). They seemed to appreciate the help and potential solution to what they said was a 100 year old problem for them.
We rode the Pop Pop back to Steven's car and said our goodbyes. Steven was able to do some P.R. with them before we left. Yahoo!
Lots of P.R. around the men and the village. Lots!
We drove back to Wenshan and stopped to get Steven's car washed. It cost 10 quai (about 80 cents) for a full hand wash inside and out. Do you think Fox Farm Car Wash would drop their prices to that? Dunno...
At the car wash we asked if we could scrub off our shoes. They were caked with the thick red mud from the village.
We then went back to town and ate at Dico's. Dico's is an American style fast food place with chicken sandwiches and soft serve ice cream and sodas with ICE!!! While there three students from the school came by. We had met them when the English team taught them on the last two days. It was so fun to talk with them again. One boy (English name Bruce) was there celebrating his sister's birthday. I got to meet his mother, aunt, and uncle. The mother was so proud that her son was speaking English with an American. I asked Bruce to help me order another iced tea. He was great. The two girls, (English names Fiona and Shelby) were so cute. But they were all so eager to practice their English. And they did very well.
Back to the hotel for a much needed shower! Lots of red dirt everywhere.
This morning I took a picture of my clothes with all the red dirt on them before sending them out with the hotel laundry. Then the whole team met for more P.R. time with 'fresh bread' from the word. We had to say good bye to John, one of our translators. Steven instructed us on some upcoming plans. We will fill you in when we return.
We met for lunch then a walk through the Sunday afternoon Hmong market. Lots of food and wares. And now I'm here at an Internet Cafe checking mail and posting this blog. More later.
To my friends at CATS: I hope Carousel is spinning around well. Miss you all. I'll be back for a few performances at the end of the run. Love you all!
Can hardly wait to bring this experience back home. See you after the 5th. Happy Fireworks Day in advance.
Brian
posted by Brian Adams | 12:28 AM
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