Are You Very Late Sir

Its 630 pm. It took me 25" to get this far. so b;log i will with no hope this will get posted.

I started my run late this morning. it was hot as usual. I took a random turn off the main drag about 15" into the run and winding down a muddy track, I mean road, I came out into the open overlooking an amazing field of salal like bushes. There wasnt tooo many people around so I kept running until I found forest(!) then chose a muddy track in. It had rained last nite (as usual). Damn I forgot bug juice and sunscreen (as usual). Soon I was going at a good clip, nice and flat. The trails here are not many but there are no people or bikes or cars to dodge. Just as I was thinking that I had found a good trail I popped out and I was on the other side of the 20 acre field. I quickly came across a worker who told me it was tea. He looked in shock to see a shirtless mizungo all of a sudden.

I saw some more fields to cross but the sun was blazing and the dirt was sticking about an inch thick to the bottom of my runners. I checked my watch, I had been gone awhile and had no water so I headed back. Once on the main street the usual whistles and calls from the fans of running. as I out-ran the bikers and matatus (all slowing for huge potholes) I could see the squeezed-in passengers wall to wall laughing and smiles. One catcall that stood out the most was 'are you very late sir? are you very late?' (imagine british south african accent). Now I was smiling along with my entertained throngs.

As I turned down the dirt road that headed for home I heard loitering men yelling 'power finish, power finish'. I guess they are getting used to my routine, they know Iam at the end of my run. I take a sharp left onto a field which goes down into a lush field that is being hand dug (about 10 acres, I have a video of this part of the run because our house is on the opposite side of the valley). Today was different. A trench was being dug. A man stood, with a 'shovel' every 20 yards. Over a hundred men. This was going to be a long trench. Later when i got home i could see the line of men from the top of the valley to the bottom. Serious project.

The field was being ploughed by a guy being pulled by two ox-like bovines (the 1800's all over again).

I picked my way over the rough terrain, crossed a stream where men were bathing, kids collecting water and women doing laundry, all in the same spot, and headed back up the other side to home. As with every run my legs are coated in dirt. It feels awesome to be hot and sweaty in January after a good run (im tired after only one hour- I hope thats the 4500' elevation and not lameness).

I have a melon and many banans for brunch- yum.

My desks are being built nicely. I pass the woodshop every day and stop in every 3rd day. I see lots of hands on deck: planing, staining, cutting and sanding- not a power tool in sight. I hope toi see kids in the first batch this Monday now that the teachers strike is over (kids start back on Monday).

I see its 1 degree in courtenay- sooo nice to be missing that.

Well its 7pm here, will be dark in 2 minutes (beauty sunset)and I have a pocket full of cash so I better get home. Tanya's making a stir-fry with rice. Plus I have an avacado waiting for me (only 5 cents each). I sure hope this posts cuz it took a looong time to type out.