Arrival in Oaxaca, Mexico

I arrived Sunday evening, the 12th of September. The ride was bumpy. I heard someone yell, "AIRSICK BAG!!" for the pregnant woman behind me. Yes, an interesting trip. I was glad to land and go to the home of Frank and Patti Frye. I get to use my usual "penthouse" room up on the third floor. It provides such great exercise opportunities.

Oh, I have to tell you about the "sunset clouds." We were flying south over the Gulf of Mexico and we passed over some cirrus clouds as the sun was setting. I was sitting on the east or left side of the plane. The upper parts of the clouds were glowing pink. It was beautiful. They seemed to glow from within. I can't explain it except that the outer parts of the clouds were darker than the inside. I wish I could draw, and sadly, my camera was out of reach.

Upon my arrival I was informed that my bags had not made it. They were still in Houston, but they would arrive then next day after 4 PM. I was given a number to call. HA! The bags did not arrive as sceduled, the phone number didn't work because Continental doesn't work on Mondays. On Tuesday I was promised $25.00 to buy a new outfit. We went to the airport and again, the Continental people were not there and no one was authorized to give me any money. Finally at a 11:30 PM, after Frank called them several times, my bags arrived and they said send them a receipt and they will give me the $25 for a new outfit. I'm not holding my breath.

Yesterday afternoon, before the arrival of the bags, we went to visit a family whose baptisms are being confirmed tomorrow. At one point I heard a discussion about an attack rooster which had injured two of the toddlers living on the family ranch. Chuck Sperry, and David Newman, as well as the man of the house, went out chasing this rooster. Frank chased with his camera. After a wild pursuit, with the cagey rooster always getting away in the nick of time, the four men were able to trap the bird in a box. This huge proud (arrogant) fowl was unceremoniously upended and held by his feet as one of the men tied them together. He was then relocated where he will perform his roostering duties away from children.

Today some of us walked to the produce market and marvelled at the wonderful and beatiful displays of fruit, vegetables, flowers, etc. I wish we could have bought a little of everything. Oh, well. I'll be here for a while.

We may go to Mitla this afternoon to visit with the church members there. I've heard that road is much improved. Last year you could lose weight travelling on those washboard roads. Some of them were so bad we had to drive ten mph for a couple of miles. Needless to say, the trip is probably faster now.

Later--