Starts and Stops

Looking back over the past week and a half, I feel as if we’ve accomplished a lot as a group. Alejandra led us in collecting water samples for analysis, Sam asked villagers about some information he needs for the vending model projections, and I’ve collected some good footage for the video we’re hoping to put together.

Starts and Stops

At the same time, though, everything feels like it’s progressing haltingly. Just when we think we’re ready to finish one project, somehow another task takes precedence and the first project retains some loose ends that just can’t seem to be tied. For example, we’ve been meaning to meet with Dr. Hari Sur to discuss the possibility of using veggie panels as a low-cost construction material for the tanks, which is incredibly important for the vending model. But it keeps being postponed – first Dr. Hari was too busy to meet with us last Friday, then he was too busy on Monday, and today there’s a transportation strike going on, leaving us stranded at MGU.

A political protest leaves us stranded at MGU

Beyond that, we spent a few days earlier this week working on a presentation we’re giving at the International Book Fair happening at MGU this week, so going to Achinakom and water analysis were put on the back burners. Yesterday started off well – I thought we were finally going to get back on track with the video – but when we got to the village I realized I had forgotten to charge the camera so we didn’t get anywhere near as much footage as we need. I’m still kicking myself for that one.

Work isn’t the only thing that seems to be stop and go. We spent about a week in the MGU guest house, but just when I was starting to feel settled in, we had to move out to the guest house of another organization. Now that I’ve unpacked there, of course, we’re moving back to MGU. Even the book that I’m reading seems to be taking forever – every night, I’ll read one or two pages before remembering that I have to pack my backpack for the next day, or upload some photos to my computer, or sort out my dirty and clean less dirty clothes, and by the time I’m finished, I’m ready to go to sleep.

We have less than one week left – four days, to be precise – and I know that it’s definitely physically possible to finish everything we’ve planned on. It’s just going to take a lot of determination and focus to make sure it all gets done well.