Right now, it is pouring outside, and we went to Mrs. Chocs and had to "tarp it up" in the truck bed so we wouldn't get completely soaked! I took charge on the way there and Robbyn had a sweet design for the way back. So, right now I am contemplating either a nap or a trip over to the girls room to try to coax someone to play Clue or Phase 10.
While I am sitting here, I thought I would fill in some little details that I might have left off before. First, I wanted to introduce all of you to the "guys" that Dr. Lucero has hired. And then our own crew.
Mrs. Choc: (the only woman that Dr. L hired) she is Cleofo's wife and doesn't say much. Basically the only thing I know about her is that she is an excellent cook and that she smiles constantly.
Cleofo: he is the man in charge basically. Lisa first hired him and then he found everyone else. He is very quiet and basically only talks if you ask a question. But, he is very genuine and since I have been working with him on plant research, I have gotten to know him the best. Cleofo is easily 50.
Ernesto: he comes to pick up part of the gang every morning. Ernesto is the most outgoing of all the guys and he will often speak to you, but, mainly smiles- he has a very easy smile. Carl/Fred likes Ernesto best and my fav quote has been "I trust Ernesto completely. I would let him perform open-heart surgery on me......with a rusty butter knife." Ernesto is easily the fav guy for our crew. Ernesto is probably in his 30s.
Juan Antonio: he only speaks Spanish, so, I really don't know much about him, other than the fact that his work ethic is just as excellent as the other guys. He also wields a mean machete that can chop into anything. Juan Antonio appears to be in his early 40s. His classic trait is riding in the back of Ernesto's truck while standing up- at the front of the truck bed. He always rides like that.
G: I don't his name because it is long and he only speaks Spanish so I don't know him very well. He is the oldest member of the group, even behind Cleofo. He has to be in his 60s. He always smiles and is willing to do almost anything. He always rides his bike to Cleofo's in the morning and then jumps on Ernesto's truck with the rest of the guys.
Stanley: Cleofo's son. Stanley doesn't talk much at all. When he does, he is very quiet. I think Stanley is Ernesto's ago, maybe a little younger. Stanley does have a big interest in animals and he showed me my first howler monkey in the wild. That was pretty awesome.
Marcus: Another one of Cleofo's sons, this one by his second wife. Marcus is 16 and he is always willing to pitch in. He is another one with an easy smile.
All of the guys wield their machetes well and can literally do everything with them- they are the choppers of the Oldowan tool tradition, the Swiss Army Knifes of boy-scouts, and the duct tape of American houses. They built shelters, chop through jungle terrain, make stakes, cut off leaves for my collections, cut pruning poles to get to the tall leaves, are used as walking sticks, chop into thick roots in excavation units. Basically, whatever you need to do, machetes will do for these guys. Even Marcus wields a mean machete. The guys also pack in water in old bleach containers or motor oil cans with string attached so they can swing them onto their arms. Basically, the guys are super cool and we couldn't leave without them.
Now for our field school crew:
Dr. Lucero: one of the shortest ladies I have encountered, Lisa is a strict no- nonsense lady who also happens to have a tad of blonde in her mannerisms. It makes for an interesting combination.
Elle: from the field museum, Elle has an easy smile and has a light-hearted mood about most things. Elle is one of those people that you take with you to a party.
Molly: the thinker. Molly doesn't talk that much, and doesn't smile that much. But, Molly is genuine and easy to sit next to. A true phlegmatic, Molly would much rather be reading her book. She is quiet, but direct. You DO listen to her.
Kayla: the only Asian in the group, Kayla is also one of the two "token kids" (non- anthropology students). Kayla was born in the Philippines but lives near St. Louis now- her Dad is an American. She is the most easy going person in the group and easily fits in to any environment.
Robbyn: the doctor. She is an EMT and very hardcore. You don't pick a fight with Robbyn, however, all she dreams about is having a kid (as she words it). It is a very interesting combination, again. Robbyn has a tough exterior, but, she is a hard-worker and reads people easily.
Tara: drama and excitement! Tara is so funny and gets excited about everything- I am dead serious. She laughs at everything and is not serious at all. She breaks rain clouds easily.
Hannah: the 22-year-old who looks like she is 11- and I am not even joking. Hannah is one of the smallest girls that I have ever met (besides Britt), and her face is very young-looking. She likes to tell a good story, takes her time and is also into Indie music. I usually end up sitting next to Hannah and we get along well.
Jose: Jose is the guy version of Tara. Everything, and I do mean everything, is "awesome". His description of the cave: "Dark, wet, sharp, awesome". He is always laughing and always misinterpreting people's words. This has some hilarious side-effects. Once, one of the guys said he was going to use the "little boys room". When asked what he had said, Jose said "he said he was going to eat a long john".
Chris: very quiet- very much like Molly. He has a good "poker" face and you never really know what he is thinking. However, sometimes he and Jose start on a t.v. episode that they are both into and, before you know it, Chris is quoting and laughing.
Carl/Fred: His real name is Carl Fred (insert unknown last name here). He goes by either. So, we usually call him FredCarl (one word). I call him Carl-slash-Fred (Carl/Fred). He is the tallest person in the group and is one of those guys that you would expect to find at every party. He is great help to have around, given his size. He is also not-predictable, but, he jokes around with all of the guys and talks to everyone.
STEVE!: of course Steve is the one that everyone picks on and, after the first day, they all kept complementing me on insisting that he come. Steve is indispensable (even though Dr. Lucero keeps joking that we must sacrifice him to Chac to stop the rain). If you ask for help, Steve is there. If you want it, Steve jumps up to get it for you. We were walking around Belmopan two days ago and we saw kids climbing trees on the side of the path and picking red fruits. I began to wonder out loud what the fruit tasted like and why they were so into the fruit. Steve climbed a tree and threw me what I found out was a small apple-tasting fruit. Don't underestimate him- Steve WILL be there. Everyone loves Steve.
And of course you all know WAY too much about the final member of the group. So, I will let you insert your own description here about that crazy girl.
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