I asked the lady who wants the cookstove what time her son is coming back. He is coming back in the evening by car, which meant I probably should get the rods that we need. I attempted to get them, but the sauji told me that I had to go to either of the two capitals to buy. It was still early that I could go down and get them that day, but I double checked with my Dee Dee. She told the guy what I meant and said he didn’t understand what I wanted, but everything is available here. My Dee Dee said I just should wait for the woman’s son to come and get them.
I’m a little concerned about that ‘cause the estimate on the price I told the man I realized was only for cutting and I do not think it includes the actual rods. We’ll see tomorrow when he goes to get them, but I’m really hoping it’s not expensive. I practiced a little with the bricks and after talking with the lady - I think she would have preferred it done today. Like I said in the previous post though, her son had asked to postpone it later and I’m fairly certain he wanted to see it. This makes me nervous that the guy had a reason for not wanting to do it Friday.
Regardless, I have decided that when the son comes back and if Friday is not a good day - I’ll tell them I will need to do it next mid week because I really do need to get to the city soon. This means that the son may not get to see it being built, but I have pushed the dates back as much as I can. My friend that is coming will also not be able to help, but by then the other volunteer near me will be back and he can help me. I hope that the rods can be bought and cut in the right size quickly so my friend and I can complete it tomorrow. I told the lady it can be in one day, which it can as long as we have the mud prepared tonight.
Of course, what also is needed to be done tomorrow morning is to make the chimney hole in the house. All of what needs to happen for preparation can hopefully be done before morning meal. If that occurs - it means my friend and I can start after dahl baht, which gives us plenty of time to complete the stove in one day. It’s quite a bit of factors though - hence my nervousness.
I had hoped to stop by the health post at least for a little bit today to let the health workers know I was doing it Friday, but I have been rereading the steps on how to make the stove and writing things down so I am fully prepared tomorrow. Of course, now that I think about it - it’s probably good I did not go to tell them because later on tonight is when I will find out if the son is good with that plan and even then - I won’t know until he gets the rods we need tomorrow morning!
My friend reminded me to tell my family that she does not eat baht (aka rice). My Dee Dee was like…”What does she eat?!” In Nepal, rice is a staple and you get lots of it. What is left is eggs, roti (tortilla like bread), a lot of vegetables, and on occasion meat - if you eat it. My friend does not however and I am thinking about going that way myself because skin, fat, and bones are plentiful in village meat, which has always been hard for me to eat. My friend did help my nervousness though ‘cause she said regardless if we do the stove or not, she is coming to my house and we will leave for the city after kaja tomorrow morning.
I’m really going to need to figure something out as far as whatever is biting me. My legs have begun itching again and new red marks are popping up. I helped weed our garden yesterday late afternoon and in the process I think I was eaten alive. I’m going to resist taking a Benadryl because I need to be up and functioning tomorrow morning, but definitely need to start remembering that when I plan to stand still in soil for a little bit - I need to spray insect repellant all over my ankles and feet.
To end, I will let y’all know that when I get back - we need to play a few rounds of 2 truths and a lie. I have great ones and will win, but it will give y’all certainly an enlightening outlook of things I have done here! Just remember that I worked in group homes for 5 years, was a nurse aid for 3 years, and when we play - have been a PCV for 2 years. This means that quite a few subjects do not phase me, but could possibly phase others if they have not been in similar environments or conversations. I have given you fair warning…