Wednesday, March 8th, 2006
Harmaton season is officially over and the Hot season is in full force. Right now, temperatures are reaching 108 degrees (in the shade!). Nights are in the high 80’s to low 90’s. I sleep outside most nights because my room is just too hot. I move a mattress outside, hang my mosquito net, and put ear plugs in if the drumming and singing (that you can hear most nights) gets too loud.
We are in the middle of funeral season right now. As I think I’ve mentioned before, funerals are really huge parties. A traditional funeral lasts 12 days; days 1, 7, and 11 are the important ones to attend. Funerals can be well over a year after the person dies. They are very expensive for the family, so sometimes they are even more than a year after. So, they save them up until this time of year. I’ll tell you a little more about funerals next month … with pictures!!
Update on the house … still no electricity just yet. They’ve dug the holes for the poles and tell me that it will be done very soon (I’m holding my breath for this month). I got a cat, so I think the mouse in my kitchen has found new residence (possibly in my bathing room). She’s living in my kitchen for a couple weeks until I can get her a rabies shot. I named her Pi (after one of my favorite books, Life of Pi). Other than that, I’m decorating a little and getting settled.
Work is going well. Funeral season keeps everyone pretty busy, but I’ve started meeting with the women and going to the office more regularly. The women harvest onions this month and will store a lot of them in our storage facility until the price goes up. I also started working at the health clinic twice a week. I go on Monday and Thursday mornings to help weigh babies and give vaccinations. I don’t actually give the shots; I just help with the admin stuff. I love holding the babies and talking to the mothers.
Here are a few more highlights: Binaba got cell service … American band gives free concert in Binaba … first Muslim wedding … first traditional funeral … first fowl
That’s all for now, folks! Hope you’re all well. I love your emails, letters, pictures, and packages … thanks again!
MJ / Apangat
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