(2)

Mr. and Mrs. Aguda live in a small house with mud walls and corrugated tin roof. It has three rooms. The bathroom is a small square shield with open roof with no plumbing or shower. I quickly learn to take bath with water heated on a wood stove and brought in a plastic bucket. I sit on the floor and pour hot water over my head with a tumbler. Roger advised us during the initial briefing to buy a pee bucket, bug killer and pot scrubber. I wash my clothes by hand and hang them to dry on a clothes line outside.

I take breakfast with the Aguda family every day before going to the training. Mr. Aguda is a teacher and speaks good English.

In the evenings, when I am alone in my assigned room, I play my guitar, or read one of the books I brought with me. But I can’t get Rachel out of my mind. What is she doing now? I don’t have her telephone number, and I don’t know where she is staying so I can’t talk with her or walk to her place and spend time with her.

“It’s not safe to walk around by yourself, especially at night.” We were told during the first day’s briefing.