Day off fun

Today is Sunday so its my "day off". So far I have done the dishes, the washing, made the tea and have to start making the lunch in about ten minutes. I feel I have mis-sold myself on this job. Since money is tight, we can't afford a cook/cleaner, only one member of staff, which isn't me or Jen, and the light has gone in the our bathroom so Jeni and I are having to wash by candle light. I really thought this whole setting up my own business thing was going to be a breeze. Its more like a harsh wind with sandy bits in.

Things are looking up though. Jen and I have finally managed to put together most of the volunteer documents, mastered the shopping and have constructed a menu and rota for everyone to chip in and help. We are surprisingly good at cooking Paraguayan food and have even been baking our own bread...in an oven!

There have been a few teething problems too which I hope I will be able to share later. They are really the most interesting thing that has been happening here.The volunteers seem happy enough, even though they will leave earlier than they were intending to, and have been a great help to us getting things sorted. One of them has been working on a map of the area for us to put on the wall complete with tracks and trails, soil variation and vegetation changes. Jen and I have been working on a moth and butterfly project (among a hundred other things) and we are hoping to set up some small mammal traps this week to see what we can find. There may even be a new species of burrowing mammal in the cerrado! This time next week, we could be describing a new species.

OK, my ten minutes is up. I have to go put the soup on. I will try and get better at writing this and making time for myself to do so. Hasta la proxima....