Early Sunday morning, George had organized a visit to a local village to give us a new cultural experience - seeing village life up close and personal. Accompanied with little George and Maria - we were set for a perfect day - unable to see 10 meters in front ofus
On the way to the village, George's cerebral GPS failed and here our driver is asking for direction - in the middle of the highway. Very little traffic at this time and it was impossible to see anyway
We arrived at the village - and turned left
and alighted - to see a small rural enclave
There was a small school and here is where the girls lived - nice and neat
and the boys room - not so neat and squeaky clean
Outside the boys room - a view of the top of the village
Then we wandered around a bit - and found this young lady preparing lunch. To her left is a handle for opening and closing the bellows - to control the cooking fire
and here, stirring her super-soup
Then we found a small garden- with cabbage
corn stored on the root
and the garden in front of the local tea room
With George - Maria (front right) and Ellen behind Maria
Then class
With Frank and Ellen talking and Maria translating
and everywhere we found onforgetable smiles
Then George said a few words
often with his hands
Then off to lunch - down the road. Another adventure with multimodal transportation
Our lunch cafe (outside)
and inside
George reading the menu
and preparing the list for our lunch
But curious Frank - is distracted by the availability of the kitchen
and the chef's family
and the raw material- wonderfully fresh vegetables
and some cooking
Then little George, big George and Maria - talking with hands, just like big George
then arrives the first of maybe 8 courses
which we enjoyed
my plate - small, with rib bones - after eating the ribs
and prawns
and more eating
Maria and I took a break and visited the garden behind the cafe
a field
and in the background, a hot house for winter growing
Finally lunch is over
C. Frank Starmer