We arrived back in Papagayos yesterday afternoon after a month long visit to Vermont and Oregon. As we entered the village we started seeing many friends so we rolled down our windows to shout greetings and wave. Our young friend Alex was heading out to help his cousin feed a horse at his grandparent's house. He caught a glimpse of us before the body of the horse blocked his view. He squatted down to smile and wave to us. We saw him framed between the belly of the horse, its legs and the ground. We felt well loved, returning to this place where we are welcomed as friends and neighbors.
Chayo and Hector didn't come greet us even though their house looked like they were at home. While we were unloading things from the pickup, Chayo whistled so we'd know she was coming over. We stopped our labors and went to shake hands, embrace and exchange kisses on the cheek. She told us she hadn't heard our diesel truck as we drove in. It wasn't until she was sitting in front of her house working on her embroidery that she noticed our truck was here and the doors of our house opened wide. We asked her what was new and she said everything was the same as always.
Even though I'm used to getting all the news of the village from my good friend Chayo, it wasn't until later we found out that the house next door has been sold after a year of being on the market. The roof has been finished on the living quarters for the teachers of the middle school. A neighbor who lives in the compound across the street from us got a bad bite from the fierce dog who lives in back of us. The man needed four stitches on his upper arm. Big news for this quiet town.
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