Bathing in the Mud

I have seen a lot of mud since I've been here. The roads are always an adventure no matter where you go. The other day I went to our farm project which is about 25 km away. It took us over two hours to get there and we had to travel by tractor because the roads are impassable for our four-wheel drive vehicles. The rainy season certainly takes some adjusting to!! I am told that the heaviest rains will be in July and August and that it won't really finish raining until October.

The rains do have some great advantages. First of all, driving can be a lot of fun....at least until you get stuck. Secondly, the heat isn't so bad because of the rain - I am particularly thankful for this fact because as it is I don't think the temperature has really gone below 80, except maybe at night. When the clouds are gone it doesn't take long for the temp to rise above 90. The other advantage is that it is good for peoples' crops, but my favorite use of the rain - bathwater! The other day as I drove along, sliding and sloshing in and out of mud puddles, I came across three small children having their evening bath in one of the road's puddles. I wish I had had my camera to catch that moment...not every day is the road used for such hygienic purposes!

For now though you'll just have to settle for picture of a recent sunset here.