Ash Holes

I couldn't help myself. :)

Here's what we did yesterday.

A newly slashed, cleared and burned rice field.

The men go first and make holes in the ankle-deep ash (hence the title). And the women come behind and plant the rice seeds into the new holes.

The kids play in the ash as long as they can stand the heat. But by mid-morning, it's too hot as the sun re-bakes the ground and makes it almost intolerable.

Dirty hands, as Nadia and her buddies discover how soft, warm ashes can be delightful.

Here i am, trying to keep up. Wearing my bathing cloth on my head to help keep the sun off my head... Not looking NEARLY as cool as my friends do. :)

As the adults work in the field, the kids try to find shade in the jungle.

Tired girlies, ready for a bath at the river!

Ok, tired all of us, ready for a bath at the river - then lunch!

Tromping around in ashes all morning is dirty work. Even though it looks like it here, i'm not wearing sandals. Those are stains from the ashes.

And while we were at the rice field, Phil stayed home with the baby. Phil's been sick all week, covered with very itchy ringworm. He took it easy yesterday, trying to keep our busy baby occupied. Here's that busy boy of ours, walking around the kitchen, holding the broom up to his ear like a cell phone. :)