Shiite Methodists: A few from the Fargo group had purchased machetes at Wimbley’s market. Kent commented on the fact that there seemed to be a violent bunch on the bus. Dave spoke up quickly. “We’re Shiite Methodists. If it causes you to sin, we cut it off!”
Your choice: A man stood outside of Elias’ restaurant, wanting to get money from members of our group who were eating inside. Elias walked over to the open doorway and began speaking with him in ernest. The man seemed to be unmoved at first, and then Elias decided to give him a choice. “You can leave here in a good way or a bad way. Your choice!”
Buenos Aires: In complete control of the Spanish language, Mike waltzed into the group and greeted them with a cheery good morning. Or, as he put it, “Buenos Aires!”
When is breakfast?: According to Elias, “Breakfast is between seven and seven.”
BBB: A, uh, certain reverend commented on how much he’d been picking his nose because of all the dust. He said that more than once he’d had his finger up his nose to the knuckle picking out that “big black booger.”
Pronounce the J: Dave and Chad found Pastor Porfirio’s pronunciation of “hallelujah” a source of great amusement. Evidently, it’s not supposed to rhyme with Fallujah.
Doctor’s orders: “I have a note from my doctor that says I don’t have to work.” (Kent G.)
How do you cook that, anyway?: Vickie, evidently concerned about Kent’s cold, asked if he had eaten anything that day. “No, except crow. ‘Hey Mr. Bigshot leader,’” he replied.
Please use our bathroom instead of our sofa: Evidently Chad had asked Kent about where the bathroom was out on site and either he was purposefully directed toward the wrong place or ended up there — either way, it was someone’s house. The conversation went on about how going to the bathroom in someone’s living room was never OK in any culture.
Stuck on stucco: There was a little technique problem with the stucco application in the septica… “Mr. Big Cement contractor didn’t do so well down here,” Kent joked with Kelly as they laughed about the challenge of the project.
If you have two rabbits, you have a thousand: Page 18 of the in-flight magazine provided Mark with ample amusement on our flight to Miami. It contained instructions on making an origami rabbit and soon he was taking orders and making them for most of the group.
Things to avoid saying on an airplane: In looking at my drawing of the people seated on the airplane, Mike “Mr. Positive” Rohrer said, “They look like they’re all bracing for a crash.” Earlier he’d commented on kerosene leaking out of the wing of the plane during the flight. “At the rate it’s leaking out, though, we’ll still get there. There’ll be enough.” He also pointed out that he thought there were two screws missing on the wing. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s just dirty.” I wondered if it was the wing missing the screws. Sitting next to Mike on an airplane is like watching Titanic on a cruise across the Atlantic.
