Wednesday, Dwain tried to capture a swarm of bees clustered on a tree near the boys’ dorms. Unfortunately, the swarm was at a difficult place to access, and capturing the queen was unsuccessful. (If the queen is not present, the bees will not follow and simply reswarm around her.) The swarm regrouped in the tree and later headed toward the mountain. We were left with a good story and some swollen hands from the stings received. Here's Dwain in his makeshift bee gear.
As an extension of Spanish class, on Thursday we took public transportation into Tegucigalpa. Our teacher introduced us to the huge indoor/outdoor market in Comayaguala. Wheelbarrows of mangoes, bananas and cheese, large sacks of grains, slabs of raw meat lying on open counter tops, vendors shouting in competition, a preacher animatedly trying to communicate a message on a street corner, and people everywhere – this captures a glimpse of our experience. Dwain purchased sesame seeds and soy beans for chicken food. Our teacher walked quickly and with purpose, hoping not to attract thieves, a real concern for shoppers on the streets of Comayaguala, especially foreigners.
After our excursion to the market, we ate at a small restaurant in downtown Tegucigalpa and then headed to the theater where we heard the national orchestra. Surprisingly, most members were quite young. The director, however, had many more years experience. The formalities of standing, clapping and tuning were somewhat ragged compared to orchestras in the States, but they played well for their ages. Although the theater was larger than the Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, as audience members, we were joined by less than 20 others. After the concert, the orchestra members formed a line in the foyer, waiting to sign their names and receive pay for the evening. Since the last bus that leaves for Valle de Angeles departs at 7:30 p.m., we made other arrangements for transportation. The couple who drove us back to Valle de Angeles explained that except for the wealthy, Hondurans don’t have opportunities to exercise and develop in the areas of music and art. Most Honduran musicians and artists go to Europe to study and don’t return. Generally, the extent of musical instrument lessons offered in schools is the plastic recorder, learned at the high school level.
After our excursion to the market, we ate at a small restaurant in downtown Tegucigalpa and then headed to the theater where we heard the national orchestra. Surprisingly, most members were quite young. The director, however, had many more years experience. The formalities of standing, clapping and tuning were somewhat ragged compared to orchestras in the States, but they played well for their ages. Although the theater was larger than the Fulton Opera House in Lancaster, as audience members, we were joined by less than 20 others. After the concert, the orchestra members formed a line in the foyer, waiting to sign their names and receive pay for the evening. Since the last bus that leaves for Valle de Angeles departs at 7:30 p.m., we made other arrangements for transportation. The couple who drove us back to Valle de Angeles explained that except for the wealthy, Hondurans don’t have opportunities to exercise and develop in the areas of music and art. Most Honduran musicians and artists go to Europe to study and don’t return. Generally, the extent of musical instrument lessons offered in schools is the plastic recorder, learned at the high school level.
Saturday we moved the last of the chicks from our house to the outdoor pen. Outside, Javier is taking responsibility for the chickens’ care. That brings to eighteen the number of young birds enjoying the moveable pen Harlan built. Below the chicks are making acquaintances with one another in a small pen under the roof of the large chicken house.
Also, on Saturday, Audrey made cookies for all the children. Katarine and Kirstin helped.
This week the oxen returned to began plowing on La Finca ground, but after a few rows of overturned dirt, the plow beam broke. Dwain hopes the plow will be more effective after it is fixed. The few rows that were plowed were not very deep and required a lot of work to pull the grass from the soil. Dwain convinced a small group of children to help with this project. Sorry, no pictures of the team plowing yet. We should have more opportunity this coming week. Here are photos of the oxen's yoke along with photos of children working the ground the oxen already plowed.
Dwain continues a daily regime of topical and oral antibiotics. The infection appears to be running its course and drying up a bit. Thanks for your care and concern.
Also, on Saturday, Audrey made cookies for all the children. Katarine and Kirstin helped.This week the oxen returned to began plowing on La Finca ground, but after a few rows of overturned dirt, the plow beam broke. Dwain hopes the plow will be more effective after it is fixed. The few rows that were plowed were not very deep and required a lot of work to pull the grass from the soil. Dwain convinced a small group of children to help with this project. Sorry, no pictures of the team plowing yet. We should have more opportunity this coming week. Here are photos of the oxen's yoke along with photos of children working the ground the oxen already plowed.Dwain continues a daily regime of topical and oral antibiotics. The infection appears to be running its course and drying up a bit. Thanks for your care and concern. 
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