Things not working out (Email to Parents)

(Pictures - bazaar pictures)

We drove through some rain and lots of mud today on the way to meet Anne for our storying session. We one point, half way there we were blocked by a MONSTER truck, and one behind us…and then one trying to squeeze by in the opposite direction. I could have reached my hand in any direction and touched the tires that are as tall as our bike. Anyway, we looked around and hanging from the back of one of the trucks was an old tennis shoe. For a second I felt very out of place- remembering the tennis shoes hanging from the phone wires in Newark, but unsure how the shoe got to be hanging from the back of this truck---and very muddy too, I might add.

We found out later from Anju that it is to keep bad things from happening or keep evil away. I said, “Isn’t that kind-of strange…or even silly?” She said “No” somewhat firmly…as if she really believes it. When I asked why cars don’t have them, Anju told us, “where would you hang it from a car?” I said, “So, do only bad things happen to trucks and that's why they need one?” She was silent for a minute realizing that the logic didn’t make sense.

Anyway, we finally got to our storying session, but guess what- Anne never came. We waited a half hour for her- we were already about 10 minutes later...but she never came. And since she lives in the village, there is no way to contact her. Ugh…

We came back, studied language some…ate lunch and waited for Precious to come for the back-translation, but she also never came becuase she forgot to tell us she was going out of town.

I was starting to wonder what exactly would be accomplished today as 2 out of 2 things “Failed” already…

We had our language sessions. That was interesting. I realized Uncle was teaching me two different dialects. Great. Okay at least I know why some things are different on different days- he switches dialects….ahh!!

We (Robin and I) went to Mr. and Mrs. Masih’s house to do the back-translation….they did speak SOME English…not much…but it was okay…I still think we need someone else….but all in all, it was more than I expected to come away with…so that’s good.

All in all, it was an okay day in spite of the cancellations that happened, and the adventurous drive to work….

I'm getting ready to go to the village tomorrow…the sky is getting grey- it will probably rain…

Hope you have a great few days- talk to you later!

~ Elizabeth