Apr 8

Written by: reh
4/8/2008

April 8, 2008, Tuesday

8:00AM A continued search for schools that can best present and explain the L4L program. Drove to 3 de Octubre. New principal (only on the job for a week). He Robinson Cruiz and the other teacher, Ms. Maya, who has been there since the program began, are very capable of coordinating a visit. While this is the best school, the roads in are very long and in very poor condition.
11:00AM Stopped by Rincon and saw Anabel. She has grown much taller and looks to be in good health. I was surprised how glad she was to see me and how easily she talked with me. She has matured a lot; she asked about Elise and attends school regularly. She said she is living with one of her sisters and she is very happy. I said that possibly she could go to lunch with us one day soon. She explained that we would have to go by her sister’s house and get permission (remember, this is the same girl who came and went at will to her own detriment). This truly is becoming a happy-ending story.
1:00PM Jessica called the AP reporter; he says it would be a waste of time to stop by as he cannot do a follow-up. He said he is busy but if I still want to talk to him we can call in the morning and he will see if he can fit us in.
Called Rosibel Ramirez at the VP’s office; she will call back regarding a time.
2:00PM Met with Roxana and discussed her new responsibilities.
3:15PM Meeting ended.
4:30PM Roxanx, Fernando, Jessica, me went to dinner
6:00PM Reviewed events with Fernando. Alcalde stopped by. He explained that he is coming to the US and while in Atlanta, he wants to drive to Montgomery and present the letters in person.
Once the second kitchen is complete, we will combine efforts on a kitchen at Rincon (the feds are maintaining delivery of grain/legumes and it looks like that will continue).
7:00PM Thunder and appearance of a very unusual rain storm in the dry season. Fernando excused himself by explaining that he had to go to the salt processing facility (a family business) and cover the pile of salt that has gone through the final drying stage. I said I would like to ride along. Off we go north (west) along CA-1 for about 8 miles then south on a dirt road through country, then a fair sized town then country. End of road, through a gate, past a clapboard shack, past huge piles of firewood (it’s dark now and can only see what is in headlights). Turn right and, right in front of the headlights is a neat, oblong pile of salt. By appearance, it was piled, one shovel full at a time. The pile was approximately 20 feet long, 15 feet wide and 3 feet high. Rain had started. We carried a 10 foot roll of plastic to the pile, rolled out the necessary amount and covered the pile. All of this by headlights and flashlights. In front of the pile was a flat bottom evaporation pan approximately 20 feet long and 10 feet wide. The evaporation pan is supported by a block foundation. There is one opening about 5 feet by 5 feet into a huge fire pit. The fire pit is at least 20 feet long, more than 10 feet wide and 10 to 15 feet deep. I am guessing that the salt liquor is brought to the evaporation pan for final drying; the fire pit is filled (men carrying firewood into the fire pit as it is so big)with firewood and lit; the opening is sized to allow enough oxygen for a controlled burn that, in turn, evaporates the water from the salt liquor.
Behind us was a large poll building with grass sides and tin roof. The work crew and families live here (I think Fernando said 8 people work the salt plant).
The apparent foreman lives in the clapboard shack we passed on our way in. After finishing we went to the foreman’s house to rinse the salt off our hands and feet with fresh water from barrels. In the shack were strung 3 hammocks. Above each hammock was a tray in a net suspended above the hammock (to keep away from ants). On each tray was a bowl, cup, and a few necessities (hard to see clearly as there is no electricity and flashlights were aimed at the ground in front of us). Floor is dirt; fire pit built on top of a 55 gallon drum, wooden bench, little else. Didn’t get a look in the bigger building.
Told Fernando I want to come back during the day when I could see the entire salt processing facility.
9:00PM Back at the motel. End of day.

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