Santa found Monkeywrench and Picklebee!
Today is Christmas day. Santa “arrived” at about 2 AM last night, filling the stockings with a few items, and leaving a couple of small gifts for MonkeyWrench and Picklebee. GrandpaFrog brought a couple of stuffed horses (Picklebee insists one is a donkey) from him and Marsha. After a late breakfast of granola (the older kids help run the kitchen during this week, giving the teachers a break), and hot milk fresh from the cow, we toured the boys houses.
The courtyard at one of the boys houses
Then we started making the trek up to a little pueblo called Tamale y Queso, which means Tamale and Cheese. It’s maybe a 1.5 mile hike each way, and the girls from El Rancho were going to give away some of their own things to the relatively poorer kids there – toys, candy, clothes, etc. Some kids gave away everything they received in their Christmas stocking just that morning.
I had originally come here hoping that my girls would learn about how people live differently in different countries, and how privileged we are in the US. I was hoping they would learn more Spanish, and they have been doing all that. But I didn’t realize that really the most important lesson they have to learn from these kids at the Rancho is their generosity of spirit. This kids don’t have much by our standards, but they are amazing at sharing what they do have, and give gladly. I really am impressed.
A house in Tamale y Queso
We set out on the late side, so the Rancho girls had already started the trek, but we went along behind them. Tamale y Queso is accesible from the Rancho only by trails, and you can tell from the droppings along the path that many horses or donkeys have come that way. Supposedly part of the town is accessible by car, but the houses we all passed were only accessible by walking. Picklebee got pretty tired after a mile+, despite riding on my shoulders much of the way, so after giving away a few things at a couple of the houses, Picklebee and I turned back, letting the rest of the group go all the way into town.
GrandpaFrog, DaddyFrog, and MonkeyWrench at the upper dam
The walk was beautiful, out in the forest, and running along and crossing several times a little stream. The Rancho has about 2000 acres, so there was a lot of beautiful property to walk across. They have an upper dam that we passed that helps supply the water for irrigation and drinking (after treatment). As I had turned back early with Picklebee, I was hoping for a bit of relative solitude to appreciate the natural beauty. The girls from the Rancho started coming back at about the same time, and they were all very solicitous to be sure that we didn’t get lost, or trip, or had problems crossing the streams. As I said, they look out for each other very well, so we had company the way back, and helped some of the littler kids as they made their way back with us.
Monkeywrench with new Rancho friends in Tamale y Queso
We had a late lunch of spaghetti, and Picklebee is now taking her nap. In the schedule for this evening is a procession and mass at 6, then dinner at 8. The Frog Family hopes everyone is enjoying their Christmas day!
What a great opportunity for your family. And hopefully you’ll leave the Santa Fe Ranch with work and projects done that they need. The girls will be adding to their Spanish too.
“…and crossing several times a little stream” – I like it! Your word order is becoming very Spanish! What a wonderful way to spend Christmas! What a great experience for the children! Happy continuation of the Christmas season and a Blessed and Prosperous 2012!