Sawdust, Bananas and Blackboards

The end of another long, full day. I awoke with the sun this morning and as soon as I could focus my bleary eyes I tumbled out of bed and grabbed the lap top. It still felt warm from the previous night's workout, but then, everything in the room feels pretty warm to the touch most of the time. I set the trusty little Toshiba down on the mattress beside the pillow and cracked open the file I had created under the stars last night. Rarely content to leave well enough alone, I spent an hour re-writing before breakfast. Geesh!

Turns out the internet access problem had nothing to do with me. The staff had innocently shut down the system at a reasonable hour, when all sane guests would be either sleeping or having more fun than the www can provide. I have been assured that the problem won't occur again. Like everyone else I've encountered here in El Salvador, the folks at the hotel are accommodating and gracious.

Eric wasn't able to answer the bell for round four today. Too much heat and sun yesterday and maybe too many pupusas. Frank and Tito and I came back at lunch time to look in on him, then returned in an hour with a bunch of bananas and a couple of cans of Sprite. Strangely, you can't find ginger ale anywhere in town. When we came back to the hotel at the end of the school day eball was up and looking much better. Sleep and lots of fluids had done the trick. After the heroic work he accomplished yesterday he deserved at least a day off.

After the two senior citizens from Stratford had gathered and readied all the tools for today's push, we stood and chatted with some of the students as best we could. They are quite eager to learn English. Knowing a few more Spanish words would help us communicate more effectively than waving our hands around and making tool sounds.
The plywood top of the new extension we had made yesterday for the table saw became a make-shift blackboard. I drew a little sketch of a table saw, pencilled in 'TABLE SAW' beside it and then further over to the right 'SIERRA DE BANCO.' Then hammer, and drill, screw and hand saw, and so on. With each new drawing I had to ask for the word in Spanish. Soon I was printing in pronunciation guides for the Spanish names while Tito penciled in his version of how the English word should sound. We all laughed at the way each side was mangling the other's native language, tongues rolling and twisting around the unfamiliar sounds. But it was good-natured laughter, the kind that draws friends closer together. The whole little exercise had started spontaneously. It was done to fill the time while we waited for the plywood and lumber to arrive from San Salvador. I hope that chart never gets erased.

At ten thirty the materials arrived. Everyone chipped in to help offload the treasure. With the help of our keen carpenter assistants David and Nelson we managed to get a run-off table for the saw built before lunch time. In the afternoon our little team had cut to dimension all the plywood required for the four main risers of the stage - sides and ends and supporting ribs. It was hot and dusty and loud. The saw dust clung to my damp tee shirt and arms. But once again, it was a good day.

Today's Blog is dedicated to Eric. Hope you're feeling much better tomorrow my friend.