Painting with the Kids

I think this is becoming a thing for me.  To offer painting lessons to local kids while on vacation.  
It requires a bit of effort, but it feels pretty special. 

Once again, I brought more art & craft supplies on this trip than I can use.  Including some watercolour painting supplies.  But I don't regret it.  Because it enabled me to offer painting classes to Jorges 3 kids - Mateo, Matias, and Regina.

During a visit, I showed pictures of my art to "La Mama de Jorge" (she refused to tell me her name!) and his son Matias.  Matias seemed especially interested.  I had already met his younger sister Regina.  They both seemed calm and curious.  Good candidates for painting lessons.  So I offered.  Then I found out there's an older brother, Mateo.  Matias must've told Mateo I'd done rooster paintings. And I think Mateo is a very big fan of roosters.  Because he immediately asked about that, when I met him!!  And pretty much every time since! 

On the agreed upon day, we set up on a small table.  Close to the very big chicharron cauldron!   Despite our kinda precarious setup, it went very well.  Jorge seemed like such a proud and caring dad.  He checked on us several times, and helped Regina in such a nice way.  Saying to her, "Mi Amor".  

We're scheduled to do it again soon.  We painted flowers and a kinda fish bowl the first time.  Next time....a cute little bird, and a rooster!  Based on a picture I took of Mateo's most handsome rooster at the farm!! 

Pictures

1) The kids proudly showing their paintings after our first lesson.

2 &3) Farm day pictures that fit in well here...When we arrived, at the agreed time, to go to the farm, the family invited us to participate in birthday festivities for Jorge's dad, Filipe, who turned 70.  They were all so happy!  We sand happy birthday in English for them.  They sang it in Spanish.  After the sparkler, but before they cut the cake, Filipe took a big bite right out of the cake!  There were lotsa pictures.  Fun!  That's "La Mama de Jorge", Filipe's wife, in the yellow t shirt.  She pretended to push Filipe's head into the cake when he took his big bite.  Everyone thought it was very funny!

4) The rooster we're gonna paint next lesson.

5&6) More pictures of the kids with their paintings.  Delight !

   

A Visit to Jorge's Farm

I'm slowly kinda developing a friendship with a local family.  

This week, I got to visit their small family farm.

You might recall my post, Jorge and Flor Make Chicharron, from February 1, 2022.  It turns out they were making the chicharron from animals they raised themselves.  Which makes things a little personal and sad.  But less sad, because I think these animals had a mostly good life, at Jorge's little farm.

When I found out Jorge had a farm, I was excited about the potential of visiting it!  When he found out I work at an agriculture museum, he invited me to do just that.  So cool!! 

The adventure started with a ride in Jorge's very old and well used pickup truck.  I'm not sure who had the best, or safest seat?  Toby sat in the bed of the truck.  He said it was the most dangerous thing he'd done all year!   But since he was riding with two kids, aged about 12 and 6, and they seemed relaxed, he thought it must be ok???  I shared the cab of the truck with Jorge and his very kind wife Maria.  I was pressed against the door pretty tight.  I kept hoping it would stay shut!!  

The farm was small, and a seemed little improvised in spots.  But really, it was pretty well organized practical.  And we could tell that Jorge and his family cared very much about the welfare of his animals.

 

We got to pet his horse Luna, watch the pigs enjoy a shower and meal, pick up some chickens, all while being followed by a big turkey intended for a family member's birthday dinner :(

We also got to chew on some tart, not yet ripe tamarind right from the tree, and see how a spice called achiote grows! 

Pictures

1) Mateo and Regina seem to love the farm.  Mateo was especially proud of his roosters.  He wanted me to take pictures of them for him.

2) This kinda handsome turkey followed us around though most of our tour.  But he didn't want us to pet him :(

3-4) Jorge feeding tortillas to one of the pigs, and Jorge and Regina petting the pig while it eats.  Sweet.

5) The breeding pair of pigs were keen to say hello to us!!

6) A family member giving a welcome shower to the pigs.

7) This hen was lying on about 5 eggs, and 2 very young hatchlings.  Mateo liften the hen a little to show me.  Then he so gently put the hens wing over the young chick.  His tenderness was very heartwarming to see.