Desert Gills

 This month we were blessed with a 4 day weekend off work, which kicked off a 2 week 'summer break' for our hardy homeschoolers. We spent the time at home in G, but took one morning to tour some interesting sites in town. 1) Checking out the local Ch. school; 2-3) Observing old corn stalks used to weave a traditional floor bed; and at the traditional blacksmith to observe the smithing of hoes (4-5) and the smelting of tin serving spoons (6-10); and at the local bakers with their dough rolling, wheat mixing and wood-fired oven (11-14)

This time of year we say goodbye to families who will be gone for the summer.  Yesterday, we said goodbye to our friend, J, who will be starting at boarding school in the capital this coming school year.  Here he is carving a 'sword-stick' for E... stick duels are very popular here, mostly in a Darth Maul style.

 Up to get a drink of water from the kitchen at 3am, Tara's bare foot brushed up against a Night Adder that had slipped into our kitchen.  Needless to say, this caused some consternation for us.  We learned later that it is indeed poisonous, and can be deadly.  Fortunately, the compound guards responded quickly to our phone call.  One of them noted that he had killed over 20 snakes and they quickly found him behind our counter and smashed him.