Yesterday I woke up very tired. It was the first day where I really wished I was back home in my own bed and could just go back to sleep. Luckily, it was only momentary; I was up and moving with energy and enthusiasm seconds after the alarm went off. Abby and I are chronically late for the morning bus route these days. We’re supposed to leave the house around 6:40—recently it’s been more like 7:00. For breakfast we had cake, left over from Abby’s birthday, which reminded of Grandpa Dave and how he enjoys a good pie for breakfast. It was music day yesterday (every Tuesday and Friday), but Pius wanted me to do some review of the test I had marked the previous day with his classes. Thankfully, no overlap with music.
The kids are starting to make some progress in music and I have a few guitarists who are going to be able to play some songs for the school soon. I have a few deadlines for the guitar players right now; they’re supposed to be able to play happy birthday for all the February birthdays by the end of the month and there is a talent contest at the end of the quarter that some need to perform in. Progress is slow, but as the few distinguish themselves I’m able to use some extra time after school and during free periods to work with them. The day progressed quickly. Being busy with music class all day helped in that respect.
During lunchtime a massive storm rolled in. The dinning hall has only a tin roof on top, no ceiling boards, so the rain pouring down on top made the room feel like the inside a snare drum. Unfortunately, this wasn’t one of the storms that passes through quickly, and it rained for the rest of the day. The weather system and clouds were so thick that it became dark much earlier than usual; normally sunset is around 7:30, yesterday it was dark by 6:45. According to my weather app it seems like it’s going to rain for the next week—officially beginning the raining season.
We had a fun time on the remedial route. We high centered the bus at one point and all the kids had to get out so the body could raise a little bit. I’d never really thought about it, but the tiny shell of the bus definitely isn’t made to carry the weight it has been—we’re at least 20 people over the capacity.
On the route I saw something that took me by surprise. I went to take a pee over a ledge that normally looks down into a dried out canyon—yesterday it was flowing with water enough to make me think I could go fishing. There were also some Maasai herders that had taken the opportunity to use the flash flood river as a watering hole for their cattle. Today it will be interesting to see if, with no more rain, the water feature still remains.