Somos chivos sin ley

I had hoped to post these before you got back and I hope you don't think I have forgotten you!

I have bought a baby goat and she is adorable. Her name is Sinley which means lawless. They have a saying in the Dominican Republic (or DR) that basically says that we are goats without law. Somos chivos sin ley. Dominicans think this is hilarious that I named her this. She has begun to believe that Masa's (another volunteer) dog, Tinuki, is her mother. When Tinuki goes off to explore she begins bleating her little head off and a few times I'll admit, I have questioned my sanity for getting her. Even Max, my cat, is becoming annoyed, yesterday Sinley was having one of her temper tantrums and he sauntered over to her and started batting at her mouth. Now she is terrified of him and when she spots him she freaks out. I had her in the house for awhile, mostly because I have no idea what to do with a goat. I built the crappiest pen, made up of spare sticks from the yard and some chairs. I put the pen next to the chicken hoping that they could keep each other company. I was so happy at first until she started going to the bathroom, it seemed everytime I cleaned up one mess she would make another. Her being in the house ended last night- mainly my fault due to my nonexistant pen making abilities/ I put Max's food dish on top the chicken pen while cleaning- when she broke out of the pen and I woke up to her eating my mosquitero. Now I have her tied to a chair out on the porch with Tinuki and the chicken who is named Mama. Mama will have a husband soon due to Gera, my 18 year-old best friend, who is coming over with my new rooster. His name will be Papa and I am a little bit nervous about the noise. My last rooster loved to crow...All.The.Time. My neighbors are a little suprised by my new petting zoo and someone asked me if I planned on staying forever and if not, could they have my goat when I move? Two little boys from my neighboorhood came by yesterday and asked if I wanted some turtles. I told them absolutely not but that is of course what I told the woman with Sinley, so don't be suprised when I mention two more additions to the family. ;)

Today I am cleaning house and my body is killing me. I am taking a break from my second round of mopping and I could use a siesta! Maybe after I make lunch for everyone. I am trying to make a to do list and top of the list is a visit up to the mountains. I need to my final rounds of interviews for two solicitations I am working on for the water sector. The last few times I have gone up to these four communities I have taken advantage of my connection to the Mayor and had the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) take me there. Tim, the Peace Corps Director for water, has told me that this time I need to travel the way these new volunteers will. There is no public transportation up to these locations so I must depend on the kindness of local business men or farmers. The trip usually it takes between 3 1/2- 4 1/2 hours on the worst roads I have ever seen. Washouts frequently block the winding roads and the trucks hug the edge of the mountain while I pray. Little white crosses occasionally litter the side of these roads, a reminder of those who didn't make it. I don't think that I will be able to hitch a ride back down the mountain the same day so it will be an adventure, one that hopefully ends with me safe and sound in some donas house or dancing merengue in a hut/bar. We shall see.