Today was probably the hardest physical labour day I have had since I have been here. We were making adobe eco-bricks out of mud and pine needles. They will eventually be the wall that surrounds the houses and keeps the children safe. All day, slumped over with a large hoe packing mud into a wheel barrow, then taking the wheel barrow over the workers with the mold. Then using the hoe to drop mud into each mold. One by one. My body forgot what its like to my on a shovel all day! Each shovel full of mud must have weighed between 5-10 lbs. Im so very tired but wow, did the work feel good. It's amazing how hard work doesn't feel so difficult when it's for such a great cause!! But again, I sat in awe of these workers. All day, every day, they work this hard. I was watching these small, skinny mayan men, hour after hour, mixing the mud like an art. It's grueling work, and they are so strong, that they made each shovel of mud look like feathers. They had such a way of doing it, that each swing was meticulous. It took me about an hour to even start to use my shovel like they could. I had a great day though!! At points, I could hear them "something something la gringa". How I wish I could have understood what they were saying! They were all smiles with me all day so I am going to guess is was all good. I would like to think that I was a bit of an ambassador for women today. I was right there beside them, swinging my shovel all day. By the end of the day, by biceps were shaking and my back muscles aching but I feel like I accomplished so much!! It was good to see the guys slowing down by 2:30. I was glad I wasn't the only one getting tired. :)
Now, I will head off the local coffee shop, have a tasty latte ( $2) and play a little blokus with the barista.
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