See You Later Alligator

Today was our fifth work day on the house. The Habitat crew is AMAZING! And the Nepali workers work non-stop. I helped to dig the beginnings of a six-foot-deep latrine, and I helped shovel the dirt into the house (where we had to fill up to the top of the newly-laid foundation which consisted of rocks with mud mortar "like layers of lasagna" I said). I also helped the whittling crew strip down the bamboo poles for the vertical lath (very repetitive work of continuously hacking away with the kukuri knives — I've become somewhat competent at it, even with my recently-diagnosed arthritic arm). We formed a long line up the hill from the road below, where cement, sand, water, and dirt were mixed and then passed in huge, wide, heavy bowls, person to person, up to the house. We also moved rocks in this fashion. I'm feeling amazingly great, considering the tough work we all did today. 

However, I pooped out about a half-hour or so before everyone else. All the neighborhood children had just returned from school and they called out my name in their fashion. They think my name is hilarious apparently, for they call out "A-B-C-DEE!!" And then they all start to giggle. They are adorable, climbing over each other to sit in my lap, and laughing and smiling with their gorgeous brown eyes. They already know the English alphabet, and I taught them the alphabet song. I'm also teaching them my version of the song, "See You Later, Alligator." 

The oldest boy, Krishna (the tallest boy in the back), has learned nearly the entire song, and the others are learning to follow along. I sing a line and then they repeat it. It is so sweet to hear them singing to each other as they walk to their homes, hand in hand.

See you later alligator (see you later alligator)

After while, crocodile (after while, crocodile) 

See you later, alligator (see you later alligator) 

After while, crocodile (after while, crocodile) 

I'm so happy to be with you (I'm so happy to be with you) 

And I love to see you smile (and I love to see you smile)