We're Off to See the Village

With our time here closing in we decided to make an excursion into the village with our translator, Jasim.  We went under the guise of going to see the local clinic here.  A short walk across an expansive field where farmers were busy plowing in anticipation of the upcoming rainy season, and past a few cows having breakfast, we made it to the clinic.  It is only staffed one day per month by paramedics who also visit clinics on the many other local Chars.  Today's agenda, a lesson on diarrhea and how to manage it at home.  We think this may not have been a coincidence.  We sat and listened to the teaching session where the assistant described how to make the rehydration liquids to the locals who had gathered. 

Pretty soon, as seems to always be the case, a critical mass of children had accumulated.  The lesson deteriorated into games of Simon Says and plenty of picture taking.  Seemingly out of nowhere the children produced a puppy for Courtney to play with.  It didn't take long for the children to mimic Courtney whenever she said 'puppy' a chorus of 'puppy, puppy, puppy' came back in reply.  Meanwhile Tom was busy outwitting a few 8 year olds in a complex game of 'Simon says' involving those now famous red plastic chairs.  When it was time to leave we were marched out of the village led by a mass of children waving long pink 'balloons.'  Clearly an effective use of family planning, no wonder there are so many kids in this village!