Things of Interest...

'R's wife, 'K', will be having surgery tomorrow for kidney stone obstruction.  It couldn't wait for a trip to KL.  'R' will not be able to make it in time so they both agreed he would just stay here.  'R' will be leaving on Fri. to meet his son in Medan, but they both will be here on Sat.  We may be on our own all of Fri. and Sat. morning.

This has been another interesting day.  After breakfast, we went to the local market.  It was huge.  There were several booths of dried fish.  There would be several bowls heaped with various sizes of dried fish, from 2 in. to 6 in.  There were booths of live fish, where you pick your dinner.  Even the local slaughterhouse was there!  Many, many booths of fruit and/or veggies - lots and lots of people - smells both good and bad - and people wanting money to have their pics. taken.  I let 'R' take most of them.  I even met a 'cousin'!

Next up was a trip to the farm.  We were asked to design a catch chute for work on the animals.  We drew a plan, then showed the foreman, Turbo, what we had in mind.  He understood exactly what and why.  We also noticed, when looking at the animals, that one was by herself and not looking good.  She wouldn't let us get very close, unfortunately.  The foreman went into Tarutung to look for a vet.  Three hours later he came back with a vet and some rope.  Steve put some rope around her neck in the hopes of making a halter, but she decided she wasn't that sick after all.  After quite a bit of 'give and take' on her part and Steve's, the vet was able to get close to her.  He has not worked on large animals before and seemed a little nervous around this rather large cow.  He wanted to give her two shots in her neck, but Steve felt in the hip would be better.  He asked about doing it there but the vet said 'no, she would kick'.  Steve took over (and the vet seemed happy to let him) and gave her the two shots without her moving a muscle.  He has had enough experience to know that it isn't as safe when given in the neck.  We will see how she is tomorrow. 

By this time it was pretty hot.  Steve and I both have sunburns.  We spent the next hour or two in the shade eating fresh pineapple - yum! yum!  Turbo, who lives next to the farm, grows pineapple. We also walked through the new seeding - hand planted tufts of baracharia grass.  It will take 6-9 months to fill in enough for the cows to be on it.

I sure wish I could post more pics.  I may have to go through when I get back and edit the posts by adding pics.