Well the rains have started – almost every day and night this week it has been raining. I am surprised how every year the start of the rainy season seems to take me by surprise as if I wasn’t expecting it. Having said that it has been heavy and steady rain 0 not yet torrential …. So we wait for that to start. In any case, I am now walking around in my three-monthly muddy shoes. And there are certain parts of the Parish where water simply gathers so the pools have started appearing.
Connected with the rains was an evening’s power cut. We have power cut all the time – this one was on Thursday from 4pm until 10.30pm. But what was surprising about this one was that it affected 80% of the population. 80%? If that had happened back home, it would be called a national crisis. Just another day here.
Wee Andres’ Dad has been in hospital getting treatment for his diabetes. Basically he stood on a rusty nail and, because diabetes had affected that foot, didn’t feel it until it had infected the foot. There was a fear that he might have to get his foot cut off but, with treatment (and with cash), the foot has been saved. I went to see him in hospital the other day along with wee Andres and Andres’ Mum. The good news is that he had the operation on his infected foot on Thursday there and everything seems to have gone well. If the doctor gives him the all-clear on Tuesday, he could be home within a fortnight. I have promised that we will have Christmas meal when he comes out!!!!
Talking of rusty nails – I stood on one this Wednesday. I was at Maestro chapel for evening Mass and, while ringing the bell to get people to Church, I stood a piece of wood with a rusty nail – which went through my shoe and pierced the skin. As Mass went on I realized that that piece of wood had been there since the construction which finished in June. Over six month? An old nail? So I decided to ask at the pharmacy what I should do – Alberto, the pharmacist, is very good on advice fro gringos. He said I should have a tetanus jab. Okay, where? Over the road. So there I was Wednesday in the living room of a neighbour, who just happens to be a nurse, getting my cure. So far there have been no side effects.
In Ecuador we are moving into the long holiday season and several people have already ‘shot the crow’ and are off. All sorts of bus runs take place. Even the priests. The priests of our area went to a sports complex nearby on Wednesday – I took part in swimming. Then in the big raffle. Hey there were good prizes, an air conditioning unit as well as a large TV. I had a good time and, as ever, it was good simply to talk to folk that normally through the year you just work with. I was surprised, though, that one of the priests, knowing I was Scottish, offered me a glass of Johnny Walker as I walked in. I had to refuse – I was driving and, in any case, it was 10am!!!!!
We also a catechists party – the usual mayhem and games. I had provided the eats so everyone was happy about that. This time, though, I made sure the cake was given out at the start … I seem to remember if it is given out at the end, it often ends up in a food fight!!!! Nothing to do with me, guv!
One of the things that occurs the world over, I think, is fall-outs between Church musicians. I don’t why but wherever you go there seems to be disagreements. For the past month we have had a fall-out between Tito, our main musician at the Parish church and Damian, the young guitarist who has got a music group around him. I had worried about it for a while and I had tried to get them together for a chat but they refused or simply didn’t want to come. Anyway, they came finally on Thursday and we had a head-to-head. It amazes me here that people are so frank to each others’ face in an argument. That was what it was like on Thursday with each person saying how much the other had got up their nose. However, after a half an hour, it was all sweetness and love; all proclaimed their love to the Parish ….. and this weekend we are back to where we were two months ago!
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