Today my focus is on construction methods, animals on the four lane roads, and coffee. The photos above illustrate each. There are three photos of construction site. The one with Jim walking by the green and yellow fence shows scaffolding. Apparently they are putting up the third floor of that building. Scaffolding is of bamboo, with many many poles tied together with rope, then the concrete is poured, sets, and the scaffolding is taken down. Seems like a merger of old and new world methods. The first and second photos show workers building a building. In the first photo men and women are hauling cement to the second floor and laying it. The second photo shows two worker sifting sand to get out impurities before the sand is mixed with cement and water and hauled up to that second floor. See the little child playing nearby? One of the workers must be her mom.
Then you see a couple of cows in the median of a busy 4 lane road, completely oblivious of the traffic. Don't know how long they stayed there, but it was as long as we were around. Up the road, a big traffic circle where three highways converge is being build. Right on the side of it, still in a construction zone, we saw large herds of goats, surrounded by semis. Don't know if it was an impromtu goat market of what.
Finally, we have learned how to roast coffee from our cook Addis. She showed Jim how, just wash beans, put them in the fry pan and fry them (no oil) until they pop, smell like they are burning, and turn brown. Then he ground them and we had fresh roasted coffee from heaven!! Wonderful!
Jim has taught both of his classes now. First class in Philosophy had 13 of 30 show up. Next class, Reformation History, had 11 of 30, this despite the fact that this term the school announced it was penalizing students for coming late. We'll see what his next classes bring. I teach my first class, English, later this afternoon. I am supposed to have 9 students, so we'll see how many show up. Should be fun however many there are.
I love to get your comments on this blog. Ask me some questions. Tell me what you want to know. Either directly here or by email to nescar@gmail.com!
Does Jim like the pan roasted coffee better than the coffee he roasts at home? I am going to have to try that, it sounds very simple and fun! I enjoyed the construction explanations.
ReplyDeleteHow come the students don't show up? Do they traditionally not show up for the first class or have other responsibilities that keep them away or is it cultural?
It is fun to follow the blog...thanks Carolyn!