Expectations and Reality

Times have been tough here- I think we are really coming to a point where our expectations and the realities of Otoxha and our experiences here are coming to a head. We are really being challenged by the people and their culture. Brian gave you a good look at the men and even a little about the women here and this description really plays a part in our work here. Its so amazing how much they are only worried about themselves, the only time they care about others is when it offers some new gossip to spread around. With the women's collective we finally have one woman, Adela, who is more than motivated to learn and share. She is really the only things that keeps me going. She mobilized one other woman to participate as well but she won't talk directly to us even though she knows english well and is afraid to be seen at our house by other woman in the village. Every day the women ask us where we are going and why, not out of innocent curiosity but out of this jealousy that exists among all of the women. When we are down in town, the women come into our houses to snoop around- we know this because we tie our door shut before we leave so the dogs don't push their way in and when we return our basic square not is replaced by a hammock knot. They also still come and stand at our door and just stare at us, and even if our door is shut stand and peak in through the cracks. Oh, its quite exhausting at times. Its now an almost daily ritual to spend time at night re motivating ourselves and trying to remember why we are here and to keep going strong. We are still getting good work done are having successes with the gardens and we just have to keep focusing on that and moving ahead- its only 2 1/2 more months and we are trying our hardest to make the most impact that we possibly can in such a short time.