By mutual consent we haven’t done much lately, nor it seems, did Amnon. It has taken him three days to put a single coat of paint on the banda. But there is no pressure. This feeling of well-being has a lot to do with the weather and the lack of pressure to perform. After a cloudy start today turned into a carbon copy (now there’s a phrase from the past. Better to have said, “Xerox”) of the last few days; sunny and warm with a lovely breeze. Our little clearing in the forest is quiet – just an electric hum of insects, the chirping of unseen birds and the occasional thump of a villager splitting firewood. The days are marked by the yellow flowers with maroon centers that appear as buds one day, bloom the next, then wither. The hours today were marked by the solar panel circling the lantern as it follows the sun aided by Connie and the diminution of the clothing on the line as they take their turn drying and being folded away.
It’s a nice, quiet life, the pace our own now that the projects are moving along and the deadlines have passed. In fact, we are being held up by HQ from starting the education program while we wait for more supplies and forms. Nothing will come this week while everyone scurries to serve Dr. Jane on her visit to Kampala. We have chores to keep us occupied – some school visits, a check on the furniture especially the benches and maybe some Roots and Shoots projects. And there are books to read and letters to write.
In the past week or so we have seen monkeys and even a chimp crossing the road, animals we usually see only in the trees – blues, red-tails, and black and while colobus monkeys. We have even seen the baboons, common on the ground, high in the trees, not easy for a 100+ pounder.
Today though, the baboons overstepped their boundaries. The entire troop ran through the banda area, each with an ear of corn in its mouth, not an uncommon occurrence. But this time one of the farmers took offense and chased them with his bow and arrow and he meant business. The arrow sported a six inch hand-forged iron tip, razor sharp with at least a dozen barbs along its shaft. She wasn’t successful today but I’ll wager he has bagged a few in his day. And will again.
Vincent and Amnon will soon be leaving for Kalinzu to see how Robert and Lawrence work the program so Ben sent a substitute in case we have visitors (last night we had an Israeli guy who is backpacking, stay in the campground). In his infinite wisdom, he sent Justin, a guy I like but the same Justin who was banished to Caniyo Pedibo for didling Vincent’s wife. Justin will be here, Vincent will be in Kalinzu. Three cheers for Ben!
