Day 1

First off, please forgive me if this blog is messy.  We have found that when we use the internet that most instructions are in Spanish and a few things get lost in translation.

Our first day at Rancho Sordo Mudo began with a great blessing.  We crossed the border with two vehicles full to the brim and were given a green light (we didn't have to stop for an inspection)!  We were also excited to see that most (not all) of the road is now paved.  As we drove through the gates the rest of the staff was leaving for the taco stand so we turned around and followed. 

So many lessons to be learned.  The first one being, always go to the bathroom before leaving the states because there is nowhere to stop between the border and the 75 kilometers to the Ranch.  Next, turn signals do not mean the same thing in the States that they do in Mexico.  A left-hand signal means it is okay to pass.  So, if you are turning, it seems to be acceptable to just go into the opposite lane if there is no oncoming traffic.

After a full day of cleaning (everything had recently been bug bombed) and unpacking, we fell into bed exhausted.  At 3:00 a.m. Robin heard the sound of two cars crashing so she and Ruben jumped into the truck and went out to the highway.  The driver of a small car had apparently fallen asleep and drifted across the highway and was hit by a Suburban.  There were seven people sitting on the side of the road (including a sleeping toddler) and a seriously injured man stuck in the car.  Ruben hadn't unpacked his truck so he got an ax and was able to get the man out of the car for the ambulance to transport him.  For our firefighter friends:  he appeared to have a broken femur and nothing was done to stabilize him; he was just put on a gurney and taken to the ambulance.  Two more ambulances transported two other less serious injuries.  Robin just supplied blankets (it was cold and foggy) and helped arrange for transportation for those who did not go in ambulances. 

We have two weeks before the students arrive and there is plenty to keep us busy.  We need to get our home in order (it needs lots of work) and Robin needs to get her classroom ready.  Micaela has already started school so she gets out of most of the cleaning.  Christopher, Danielle, and Kelli won't start until next week so they are busy cleaning and organizing.

New e-mail address:  dlrx84jc@gmail.com