After the game, we spent more time hanging out with a few of the little kids. We’ve loved getting to know each of them better, and last night, they challenged us to arm wrestling!
Work today was difficult again, but for the first time, we could see progress being made on the court. Today marked our fourth day of hard work, and it was the type of day that really shows what you’re made of. We were all tested physically and mentally, and to top it all off, we were tired, dirty, and soaking wet (after the afternoon’s rain storm.) Amazingly, the boys, the adults, the Peace Corps people and the locals were all still in good spirits, and a real sense of camaraderie is being formed, both between us and the locals, and between the boys on our team. (Everyone has done a great job of not complaining.)
One thing that continues to amaze us is how the local kids are working right along side us. The smallest kids can push the largest wheelbarrows, and in bare feet!
Today's challenge that we had to overcome (as you know we have grown to expect things to not go as planned) came when we ran out of cement and money to buy more. But our Peace Corp Volunteer spent some time on the phone and within an hour or so more bags of cement were showing up.
Our original plans have had to change due to the progress on the court. Our original thought was to be done with the court today, spend some time "playing" at a beach or kyaking on Friday, running a basketball camp on Saturday, then leaving for San Jose Saturday afternoon.
Instead, we will wake up tomorrow for our 5th work day and try to finish the court. If all goes well, we may be able to hold a modified basketball camp tomorrow afternoon.
Our plans have also changed a little surrounding when we leave for home. We learned this morning that a bridge in the Nicoya Peninsula (where we are) was washed out today. It's the only bridge off of the peninsula, but we can also drive around the peninsula, or take the ferry. Both options will cost us lots of time, but will still get us to San Jose for our flight. We're now planning on leaving early on Saturday morning, so we can make it to our hotel in San Jose on Saturday night. We're disappointed to leave the town (and our new friends) early, but we've become experts on going with the flow, and accepting the challenges of a developing country. (We're also excited to come home to hot water, pizza, and TV, so we don't mind a change of plans - as long as we get there!)
The ladies were able to sneak away for a few moments today to visit the local elementary school. The kids were so excited to show us around and we loved seeing their classrooms.
A message to the parents from the Coach:
I wanted to let you know what a pleasure it has been working with the guys this week. I’m sure that you are enjoying the photos, but they don’t paint the whole picture. What you don’t see is the intense heat and humidity that beat down on these guys every day, then add in the afternoon rain which has left us soaked to the bone after every work day. I would like you to know that these guys have more than risen to the challenge and have been working like hardened men. They are strong and steady and have learned to be proactive workers who see what needs to be done and do it. They have worked through nagging pain and injuries (nothing serious), but continue to remain optimistic and never complain. I do not have the words to express how proud I am of these guys.
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