On conversation in rural El Salvador

[this post was written in February, 2008]

On our way back down from the mountain,

after buying a chicken and getting some ice pops,

we stopped at Mike's host mother's house.

The four of us sat down and waited as Mike talked with Mercedes, the head of the household. Each exchange of words was followed by a long silence. I somewhat anxiously wondered if we were intruding. I would have fidgeted but for fear of startling the chicken tucked under my arm. Dogs lolled about. People came and went. Huge bags of coffee beans were delivered. I pondered the holes in the roof. Isn't there a rainy season? Eventually Mike bid his farewell and we all filed out.

I left feeling guilty about my inability to speak the language and contribute to the flagging conversation. Mike explained rather simply "there are no awkward pauses."

Springtime in Seattle

Back in spring of 2008 I traveled to Seattle for four months on my first consulting project.  I stayed in the city a few weekends and did a bunch of sightseeing, went on really (really) long walks, and explored the surrounding area.  Beyond the exceptional food and drink (largest wine producing state after California) I was most impressed by how close downtown Seattle is to the outdoors. Here's a view of the Cascade mountains just ten minutes outside of the city.

We drove through the mountains on our trip out to some wineries in Yakima valley.

During one my long walks I encountered a bridge troll.

I also saw lots of bald eagles.

And I walked past a big granary.

And this.

Lastly, I'll just point out that these photos were taken across a few different weekends, but the sky was consistently gray...that's springtime in Seattle.