Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2012 08:58:12 +0200
From: Peter-John de Kock <peterjohnjnb@gmail.com>
Subject: love in the jungles of Colombia - Part 3

I woke up to sunlight streaming in through a window and the sound of
children laughing outside. It took me a minute or two to remember where I
was. I was in "Esperanza" a village deep in the Amazon rain forest of
Colombia -- I was at my "home" for the next year of my life. I stretched,
sat up and surveyed the room I was in. It was small, basic but had
everything I needed. A writing desk in front of the window over looked the
area outside. I could smell food being cooked and I could hear the excited
chatter of Spanish voices nearby. There was a mirror on the opposite side
of the room with a small wash basin in front of it. A small storage space
(what should have been a wardrobe I'm sure) standing next to it. I got up
and padded across the room in my shorts to the basin, I poured some water
from the porcelain jug into it and splashed it across my face. It was cold,
it felt good. I looked into the mirror and was shocked at the beard on my
face -- I would need a shave and soon! I continued my self examination,
briefly allowing myself a momentary lapse of composure and immediately
thought of Juan. This sent not only a shiver down my spine but sent a
delicious thrill straight to my groin and I was instantly hard. It had been
only a day without Juan but already I was wanton. I ran my hand down my
chest and taut stomach and cupped my morning erection and tight, large
balls in my hand...perhaps I did have a moment...when...


 Bam! Bam! Bam! A loud knock on the door sent me running for my covers,
hopping into my bed just in time, Erich opened the door with a "buenos
dias, sleepy head". His Australian accent highly noticeable, but not quite
unpleasant had me smiling a greeting back. "G'day mate" I teased. He let
off a wry smile. "Come on, time to get up -- breakfast is almost done and we
have an orientation meeting in an hour" . He really could have left after
that but hung around to make conversation. "So, did you sleep ok?" he
asked. I tried to get out of bed as surreptitiously as possible, careful
not to let my hard on betray me. "Ja, I did -- not that I remember even
falling asleep". The trucks arrived later than expected the previous night
after our long journey on the boat. The travel fatigue and Esteban's potent
whiskey had achieved their goal and I could vaguely remember being lead to
my room by..... actually, I wasn't sure by who. I smiled at the thought.
Erich continued "this place is awesome mate, hurry up and I'll show you
around". His enthusiasm was so infectious I could not help but feel excited
all over again. I pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt and was about to spray
on some fragrance when Erich interrupted "no mate -- leave that behind,
you'll have mozzies all over you". How did he know all of this stuff? I
brushed my teeth and we were off. He lead me down a passage way, out the
front door and into the sunlight. What greeted me I could never have
expected. As soon as my eyes adjusted to take in the surrounds, I think I
actually gasped at the sheer beauty of this place. All around us the jungle
was thick and lush with what seemed like a million shades of green
everywhere. The buildings were basic and in a square sort of layout. I had
come from the housing compound where Aicha, Esteban, Erich, Amy and I would
be staying. They contained rooms, shared showers, a recreation room and a
kitchen and dining area.


 But outside was where the magic was! The sun was bright and hot and it was
humid beyond measure and I instantly regretted not wearing shorts like
everyone else was -- I would be sticking to my jeans in minutes! The class
rooms were open plan and ran along the sides of the "school" and at the
opposite end of where I had come from, there were more class rooms and what
seemed like a music room. Also all open plan. The best part however, was
just behind the main school building. Erich, my new unofficial tour guide
said "wait until I take you past the main building mate, you're going to
die, just die" he said a little over excitedly and with, I dare say, a bit
of a "gay flair". He saw my raised eyebrow and smiled nervously. Grabbed me
by the arm and pulled me along. Just past the main school building down a
small embankment and behind some thick foliage, was the village. My heart
squeezed so hard I thought I might choke.


 In front of me lay a scene of unimaginable majesty. Indian children ran
around with just the leaves of a banana tree, tightly woven into intricate
designs to protect their modesty. Village women, bare breasted, tall and
near mythical, tended cooking fires and tanning leather. There seemed to be
a shortage of men and I asked Erich if that were right. "They've gone out
on the hunt apparently, they'll be back this afternoon" he said. We stopped
short of going into the village, careful not to break politeness and
courtesy until we were properly introduced. We were already causing a bit
of a stir with the children so we decided to head back to the main
building. Climbing up the small embankment in this heat took it's effect
and in no time I was sweating and huffing profusely. I was literally
sweating in every part of my body. My balls felt like they were in a bath
and I was in quite a state by the time we got back to the kitchen, so much
so that the others all seated at a large dining table turned to me and
laughed in unison. "Don't worry babe" Amy said ("babe" I thought quite
acidly) "You'll get used to it -- it takes about two weeks for you to settle
in" her accent as loud and obvious as ever. I walked to a nearby table with
a jug of water and glasses on it and helped myself. It had the desired
effect.


 I took my seat next to Aicha who was chatting animatedly with Esteban.
".....you cannot separate the capitalist agenda from poverty. Capitalism is
the reason you see poverty at all." she said very passionately. "Come Aicha
without capitalism we would not be here" Esteban fired back. "yes...but we
would not have needed to" she in turn replied. Esteban shook his head and
threw his hands up into the air in a very Spanish sort of way. "What do you
think Peter?" he asked. The whole table turned to look at me. I knew better
than to enter these sorts of discussions. "I uh....uh, well, I think we
would all be better off if we cared less about politics and more about each
other" I ventured. This drew a sigh from Amy, an eye-roll from Aicha and
what I think was an actual "duh" face from Esteban. Erich giggled. They
turned away from me and continued their discussion. We ate a basic
breakfast of eggs and bacon, fried bananas and freshly baked local bread.


 All still filled with excitement and with the sunlight surrounding us, the
scene was magical. We were pioneers! Forging a path in this world where
suddenly so little seemed certain, so little made sense. All the excitement
in the world however, could not fade nor diminish the memory of Juan. The
images of him above me, inside me, in the rain all filled my head and I
could almost feel my arse clench around his dark brown, cock. I had to
shuffle some as my own appendage started springing to life. As if she was
sent to my rescue, Amy stood up and called for our attention. "Right people
listen up" (Cue Erich's now famous eye-roll) "we have no time. Take today
to get used to your surroundings, un-pack and chill out. You're welcome to
walk around and talk to a few of the villagers -- but do not, I repeat, do
NOT enter the village without a guide or escort. This is very important
y'all." I dared not look at Erich, save for us both causing offense.


 She continued "tomorrow morning we rendezvous here in the breakfast room
at 08:00 for assignments and placements -- oh and don't go into the jungle
alone. You cannot believe how fast you get lost out there, I'll arrange a
tour on the weekend, dismissed" Dismissed? Did she just say that? I
wondered. Erich giggled and I excused myself. I went straight to my room,
unpacked my backpack and books, my small radio and I-pod some personal
effects and made my bed. I lay down for a second and thought about how much
I had experienced and it had only been a day or two shy of a week since
leaving Johannesburg. It dawned on me that my whole life had been made of
seemingly useless, mundane activities. The things I had thought so
important...what I had been taught to believe all appeared null and void.
If I could experience more in a week than in the 10 years prior to that
week in this place...imagine what lay ahead for me. It was a thought that
could not have been more prophetic. I was grabbed by some sadness just
then. Sadness at a life not even half lived. How pathetic I seemed now, my
pretensions at parties my parents threw. A poor little rich boy from a life
of privilege and wealth now suddenly discovering how the "other half
lived". It was awful and I tried to strike those feelings from my mind but
I had little success. I wasn't sure how to describe that feeling but I
never wanted to feel it again.


 I must have dozed off because when I awoke, the sun was just past it's
apex and the room was unbelievably hot -- and I was still in my denim. I got
up quickly, grabbed my towel and toiletries and headed off to find the
showers. I was just thinking about how I hoped the showers would NOT be
typical high school style when...surprise surprise, they were. With just a
bench and hanging space upon which to keep my things, I draped my towel
over the hook in the wall and left the shorts I would change into and a few
other things on a basin in front of a mirror. I looked around and saw that
I was (thankfully) alone. I took off my clothes and walked to the back of
the room where the showers where. I am a private kind of guy usually but
after years of high school and university sports, I was kind of used to
being naked in public, even if I didn't quite yet "like" it. I turned on
the shower and a stream of already hot water hit my face causing me to
jump. It took a minute or two to get used to it but after that, it would
have cost you a lotto win and a date with Gael Garcia Bernal to get me out
of there! I washed the previous days travel grime off me and the hot water
was like tonic to my tired and sore muscles. I soaped myself up and took
huge pleasure in paying special attention to my crotch. Careful not to get
too excited, I shampooed my hair, then, just stood there for a little
while. Again, taking in everything that had happened to me. The hot water,
the soap, the being alone in a public shower....thoughts and memories of
school, uni....Juan....perhaps I got a little too comfortable but I
couldn't help it any longer. My cock sprang up, hard and wanton...my skin
tightened and my breathing grew sharper and deeper...I needed to cum. I
soaped up my cock, took a quick look around to make sure I was still alone
and with my one hand running up and down my wet and slippery torso and the
other making long, slow strokes of my blood engorged erection. I pinched my
nipples and hastened my breathing some, standing with my feet a little
further apart I saw my reflection in the mirror. I'd gained some colour the
past few days. I was still in excellent shape. My blonde hair darkened by
the water, my blue-grey eyes sparkling in the joy of the moment. I was lust
filled, young, beautiful and in love and my head was filled with images of
Juan....his scent, the sound of him slapping into me when we fucked, the
taste of his seed, the feel of it hot on my face after he came, the sound
of his voice, his breathing when he was inside me....I was pumping with a
furious rhythm now and rocking back and forward slightly. My knees could
almost not hold me so I used my free hand to steady myself against the
wall. I soaped up my cock again and began to pump down hard with a
tightened fist, thrusting into my hand, fucking my hand. The sensation felt
exquisite and I knew it would not be long then. I opened my palm slightly
and covered my dick head with a tightened fist...startling myself somewhat
at the sensitivity of it before thrusting hard again. A few more of those
moves and I felt the pressure start to build...I closed my eyes tightly and
bit my lip to keep from moaning out loudly....my hand pumping furiously in
rhythm to my thrusting, my balls slapping against my hand, Juan, lust,
love...one last pump and I felt my balls tighten...my legs began to shake
and I turned my head to the side and bit down hard on my shoulder, lest I
cry out and then....blessed release. I shot out what seemed like a thick,
long stream of sperm from my dick and the sight of it only encouraged me
more. As that first rope of cum streamed out of my cock and hit the shower
wall in front of me, it dripped down slowly to the floor. I wanted more and
hurriedly pulled my foreskin back again and again, each time guiding more
of my seed out of my penis, each time my body shivering and shaking some
more until finally, spent my now softening cock giving up the last drops of
my cum, falling to the little pool of sperm I'd collected on the floor
below. I breathed deeply, contentedly and rinsed myself off.


 I turned towards the area where my things were and immediately sensed that
I was not alone, I rushed for my towel to cover my nakedness and looked
around....nobody was there...well, not then anyway but someone had been
there...whoever he was, he'd left his towel behind. I cringed with
embarrassment and laughed out loud!...he'd gotten a damn good show! I
opened the hot water tap, shaved, slapped on some after shave and left the
shower...and a river of my sperm, behind me. I went to my room, hung my
towel up to dry, threw my dirty clothes in a pile in the corner and fell on
my bed to read and listen to some music. I fell asleep again and when I
woke, the sun was going down and we'd been called to dinner. I got up,
pulled on some shorts and a shirt and made my way towards the dining area
we'd had breakfast in before. Everyone must have had an another nap because
they were all still stretching and heading for the coffee table. Aicha
smiled a greeting at me and offered me some coffee -- I gratefully accepted
and while we made some small talk, Erich made and appearance, smiled and
poured some coffee. I looked around at the boys to see if I could find an
embarrassed smile of sorts to figure out who my audience was but if it were
Erich or Esteban, they were not giving anything away.


 Aicha and I chatted some more when Amy came in and announced that we'd be
dining outside tonight. We all let out a small cheer and walked outside to
the main courtyard I'd seen earlier in the day. A bonfire was cracking away
and a few Indian woman were cooking and busying themselves with our supper.
Aicha excused herself to sit next to Esteban on a log and I made my way to
Amy. "What's cooking?" I asked. She smiled. "Well, half of our textbooks
have not arrived due to funding cuts, the doctor who was meant to be
volunteering here got struck down with a weird fever and I have an in grown
hair on my thigh that looks as if it is about to need it's own passport.
I'm having a great day." My mouth hung open for a little in stunned silence
as it finally dawned on her "oh my God, you actually meant...what's
cooking?....as in...what's for dinner?". A slight awkward second or two
longer, at that weird moment where you are not sure if you are going to
simply excuse yourself or not, when she suddenly threw her head back and
laughed. This was no ordinary laugh, this was a belly-aching, side
splitting laugh such that I could not help myself and joined in. Just like
that, the ice between us was broken -- for that moment anyway. When we
eventually calmed down I asked her how she'd gotten involved in all this.
"Well, daddy is a bone-fide Texan ranger. Been raising cattle and drilling
for oil since I was a little girl. My mamma, well, she died when I was just
ten so since then it's kinda just been my daddy, my brother Thomas and I.
When it became clear that I had no aptitude for farming or business, daddy
kinda checked out of me as well. At least it seemed that way. In my final
year of college in Houston, a campus counsellor introduced the idea to us
and I figured it was a great opportunity to get away for a year or two and
figure things out -- well, that was 5 years ago and I'm still here" she
laughed, took a sip of coffee then continued. "Well, it may have started
out as some sort of escape route in the beginning but it's really saved my
life in a manner of speaking. Sweet mother if I think of how I would've
been married off to one of daddy's friends son's ... or worse one of his
friends......." she shivered a little. I smiled at her and nodded my head
in a brief commiseration. "So, what about you Peter. How did you lend up
here, you don't uh...strike me as the ...well...uh...." "Type?" I finished
for her. She blushed "yeah, well uh....the type, that's it". I almost felt
offended but then I considered myself for a second. I am no "country boy".
I always preferred the city. "I come across a little polished?" I asked
her. "Well, yeah" she replied without even hesitating. This caused a few
more giggles. "Well, I think that's why I came. To test that theory out
some. My whole life seemed to be planned for me. A job in a bank, a pretty
blonde Afrikaner wife, kids a station wagon and a family dog. I know I want
more. I hope I'm worth more...." that last admission caused my voice to
crack a little. I looked down trying to regain my composure "Whoa...easy
tiger" Amy replied, with her hand almost around my shoulders, now kind of
just hovering. I looked up and smiled at her. "Sorry" I said "Don't mention
it. In a really weird sort of way, I think I understand". We suddenly
became both aware of the stark similarities that existed between us. Crack,
crack, crack. I thought to myself. The ice is now gone. Esteban came to
call us to supper just then, we all got up, ate and didn't spend too much
time hanging around afterwards, it was going to be a long day in the
morning. I excused myself, walked to my room, got undressed save for my
shorts, brushed my teeth and climbed into bed. The window was left open and
the curtains were open too. It was far too hot to close them both. As the
moonlight beamed in through the window's, I felt content at finally having
some form of bonding with Amy and also at being here, everything so far
just felt "right" and proper. I would have to get in touch with my family
of course and sooner rather than later. I resolved to write by the weekend
as there was a bi-monthly service from Esperanza to the main ferry town
that would stop here next week. I lay with my arms behind my head and and
feet crossed, just a sheet covering me from the waist down. Juan entered my
thoughts and a rise of goose-flesh covered my body. I smiled. How I missed
him. My God I missed him. I missed him like I'd never known possible. The
longing that I felt for this man was unequalled.


 I fell asleep with thoughts of his lips on mine...and my hand on his cock.


 I awoke the next morning feeling refreshed and alive...and covered in
mosquito bites!! I remembered Erich's warning and couldn't help myself
laughing a little. I checked my bed side clock, it was 06:00. I got up,
looked out the window. The sun was just beginning to show itself and I knew
just what I needed and wanted. I pulled on some shorts and a t-shirt,
grabbed my i-pod, put on my trainers and walked outside. I selected my
favourite pre-set playlist and moments later I was jogging down the dirt
road that linked to the main road we'd arrived on a couple of days before.
It felt good to run again. The first couple of kilometers I took slowly,
taking care to make sure I was properly warmed up before letting loose. All
around me the Amazon put on a timeless, breathtaking display. Exotic
multi-coloured birds flew past me, locals smiled and cheered me on and to
say that it was exhilarating was an understatement. Some looked on somewhat
bemusedly, what must they have thought of this tall blonde white man
running at this time of the morning. The Indian's ran for food, or when
necessary -- but for fun? I smiled at the thought. I ran until the dirt road
connected with the main road and then turned to run back again. I guessed
the distance around the 6 kilometre mark. I stopped for a brief moment to
catch my breath. A group of local kids had been following me for a bit and
I turned in pretend pursuit of them -- this let out shrills of laughter and
nervous giggles amongst them. One of the older one's, a boy, of about 10 or
11 I think, dressed in his tribe's traditional gear, ventured a little
further and spoke to me. "Buenos Dias Senhor" he said. The cheeky grin on
his face infectious. I reached out my hand to shake his "Buenos Dias" I
replied. "Como Estas?". He stared at my proffered hand for a little while
before cautiously reaching out his own. We never quite managed a hand-shake
but the little tap he gave it was so innocent and so sweet. The other kids
almost gasped. I took a sip of water from the bottle I'd stashed in my
backpack and took off again. This time, leaving my I-pod disconnected -- and
immediately feeling the better for it. The jungle noise was more than just
a cacophony of bird sounds, there were a million other unidentifiable
sounds intermingled with bird song. Tight muscles slid against bone as I
upped the pace once more and it felt good, very good. As I came up the hill
leading to the village, I saw that life had begun in ernest. Cooking fires
were started and all around the village was springing to life. I also
noticed the missing men from my previous visit. Majestic and proud. They
stood tall and stared at me with suspicious eyes -- but curious eye's
never-the-less. They were dressed in leather thongs, with bows around their
shoulders. Arrows in a separate encasing. One raised his right hand to
greet me and I waved back. I ran up the embankment and found Esteban and
Erich outside drinking coffee. "Good morning" they said in unison. I
stopped and remained silent for a minute, with my head between my legs, to
catch my breath. "Isn't it" I replied. "I can't get over how beautiful this
place is -- would do you two lazy arses the world of good to come running
with me you know." This caused a near group-choke. "How far did you go
then?" asked Erich. "I'm guessing about 10k's. Not too far, just the right
distance". "10..did you...did you say 10 kilometers?" a near exasperated
Erich asked. "uh, ja" I replied. "Mate, you'd have to peel me off the floor
if I even tried that!" Aicha came outside. "Hey you -- not fair, If I had
known there was another runner here, I would have come along!" She handed
me some juice. "Merci" I replied. "well, tomorrow is another day
mademoiselle, perhaps you'll come along?" Although, I was secretly grateful
at having had this run on my own. I drank down the juice greedily and left
the group to go get ready for breakfast. I entered my room, picked out a
pair of light cargo pants and a white t-shirt. I would write a quick couple
of pages in my journal I decided, before going to shower. I made some notes
about the previous few days, how much I missed Juan -- my still unidentified
audience member and how much I was looking forward to this day. I also
wrote about how little I thought of home and how I didn't even miss
South-Africa yet. Not one bit. That made me feel almost guilty and not
wanting to kill my buzz, I decided I'd written enough. I grabbed my towel
and shower gear and headed for the showers. I heard voices as I approached
the shower room. They were Erich's and Esteban's. I walked in, put my stuff
down and as calmly and relaxed as possible, took my clothes off. They
turned to greet me, Esteban smiling a greeting and Erich offering a soft,
almost nervous "hey". I walked over to an open shower and turned it on. I
was standing opposite Esteban at the other end of the shower room. Although
I was no fan of sharing showers, I loved the very masculine routine of men
showering together. Being exposed in that very obvious and intimate of ways
was primal, tender even. Seeing how men behaved together in this setting
never ceased to amaze me. How the unspoken rule of "showerdom" was the same
the world over. The guys with the biggest appendages lead any and all
conversations in the shower. If there was to be any back slapping or arse
tapping it would be them that did it. While the lessor mortals of endowment
were permitted in the great God's presence only to cleanse and leave. My
vantage point however, offered me a great opportunity to survey the other
men for the first time in such close setting. Esteban was really quite
attractive, his dark olive skin not entirely unlike Juan's was hairy and
very toned. He was in pretty good shape with nice arms and a flat stomach.
I ventured a quick glance further down while he was in discussion with
Erich about sport. I had to smile (and blush) a little as I did so. His
manhood was thick and heavy. With low hanging, big balls and thick dense
pubic hair. Not my cup of tea. He turned to rinse his hair and I saw his
arse properly. Muscular and very "manly" looking. Erich was far more
attractive to me. He was very well built, clearly in shape (calling this
mornings distaste at my running into question), light hair covered his
chest and ab-obvious stomach. He turned slightly in my direction giving me
a full view of his crotch. I was rather surprised. His blonde pubic hair
darkened slightly by the water was quite sparse, he obviously groomed "down
there". His cock was, not quite as meaty as Esteban's and not nearly as
long as Juan's but nearly as thick. His balls were big but not low hanging.
His foreskin was pulled back as he washed himself exposing his nicely sized
and pink head. His arse was tight and clearly defined by years of sport.
This rather candid examination caused a twinge down below and I decided it
best to end my investigation. The boys were unaware of it, thankfully.


 I was the first to get out followed by Esteban who came after me to the
basins. But while I grabbed a towel and tied it around my waist, he
remained naked while we shaved and chatted. A few times his cock slapped
against the basin as he was excitedly telling me about a sport event in
Spain some years back, the smell of freshly showered men in a shower, the
candid almost overly-deliberate nudity... the scene was far too homoerotic
for my liking and my cock was beginning to notice. I finished up quickly
and left the shower room just in time as my penis had now taken full
flight. I ran into my room, closed the door sharply behind me and dropped
my towel revealing my now rock hard, achingly erect penis.


 I saw myself in the mirror. Not bad I thought and there was simply no way
this moment would pass. I reached down and began to stroke myself with
purpose...taking care to pull my foreskin all the way back...I closed the
curtains and climbed onto my bed and continued thrusting upwards to meet my
closed fist, pumping my cock hard. I didn't have time but needed this
action. The shower scene played out in my head...the two boys who had not
known of my intimate exam, their flaccid penises shaking around as they
moved, showered, cleaned themselves. I reached over and grabbed some hand
moisturiser. In the absence of lube, this would have to do. I squeezed out
a generous amount onto my cock and around my balls, letting the bottle go I
used that hand to rub in the lotion, savouring the smooth and blissful feel
of it, with my free hand I pinched down on one of my nipples hard. I
thought of Juan and my heart ached for him. Where he had been before inside
me, was now only a void. A dull ache that longed to be filled. It would not
be long now. I felt the pressure building deep inside me, my balls
tightening and my breathing becoming sharp and erratic. I thrust my hips
upwards and let out a strong, hot stream of my seed. I shot so hard some of
it landed on my chin. Stream after stream shot out of my cock and the
relief was intense. With no time for another shower, I poured some water
into my basin and cleaned myself up, dressed and went out to breakfast.
Feeling more alive than I had in a very long time.


 Everyone was already seated and eating when I took my seat next to Erich.
Enthusiastic chatter filled the room and we laughed at a Esteban's
description of our journey. Aicha was also in a very good mood. After
breakfast, Amy motioned for us to meet her outside and off we went. "Ok
people. This is it -- your first day. Follow me and I'll show you around the
school building" The school "building" was really nothing more than cement
slabs and a roof of grass -- but it was a building and it was all we needed.
Each pre-marked space within the buildings had a black board and a few
American styled school tables and chairs -- donated by the "US-Aid"
foundation I later found out. My "classroom" was next to Aicha's to the
left of the building and Erich and Esteban shared the other side with the
"courtyard" in the middle. I would take a mixed class of teenagers between
13 -- 16. Although no one really knew there ages as this was not a common
trait amongst the Indians. A characteristic, I felt, I wished we'd all
shared. We had basic teaching implements, chalk board and some really old
tattered books -- but it was something and I resolved right there and then
to make the very, very best of it.


 I was introduced to my class by Amy who'd all excitedly been waiting for
me. This particular site was virtually brand new -- there had only been one,
one year program before us and the whole thing was nearly abandoned due to
lack of funding. It was Amy's sharp wittedness and persuasive nature that
ensured it's survival I was told.

I greeted my class and decided that I would first take stock of my new
student's current level's of English. I tried a greeting: "Good morning
kids, how are you all doing today?" I asked. Silence. I mean you could have
heard a pin fall! "Oookkk I said. I guess we start at the beginning then!"


 I had a quick look through the old second (possibly a lot older than that)
hand books that I had as a guide and then had a thought. We'd begin with a
story book -- leave all the rule's and grammar for later. The selection I
had was a rather morbid one at that and I decided to have some sent from
home the next logistical availability pending. For now, we would work our
way through "Oliver Twist" It was a symbol of just how much we had evolved
as a planet (perhaps not entirely in the right direction) when one
considered that I was an Afrikaans speaking, white, homosexual South
African male, teaching English to Spanish speaking Indians with the aid of
a literary master from England, deep in the jungles of third world
Colombia. They would hear of an England most if not all of them would very
likely never see, from a South African they would battle to understand.
This would be a temporary book. I made a mental note to speak to Juan when
he returned about finding and helping fund more relevant literature.


 I looked up and saw a class full of teen-agers staring at me expectantly,
I'd momentarily forgotten where I was. I smiled, a little nervously and
looked for a chair. I sat on a tool and motioned for them to all move a
little closer to me and began reading, "Oliver Twist". They'd had some
tuition in English but it was clearly not enough to make it through the
first paragraph. All I got was giggles and sighs with some of them
beginning to talk amongst themselves. This was going to be very frustrating
indeed. Halfway through only the second paragraph, I decided enough was
enough. It was going to take some master planning on my side to make this
even halfway workable. I decided to get going with the basics. I stood up,
walked over to the chalkboard and wrote in English:


 "Good morning my name is Peter. I am your teacher". A little girl who'd
been staring at me the most curiously from the front rows saw what I was
doing, got up and took the chalk from my hand. She wrote on the board in
shaky but legible Spanish "Buenos Dias, mi llama esta Peter. Yo soy um
proffessor" - and thus began my career, as an English teacher. Moments
later I had the class in hysterics with my bad Spanish and over animated
antics trying to describe things. Nouns, verbs and adjectives would have to
wait. For now, I needed to earn their trust and establish some basis of
communication. I couldn't believe it when Amy came in calling for lunch --
that also meant that school was out for the day. They had obligations back
at the village and I had to prepare for the next day. A few of the kids
managed shy goodbye's and handshakes, most giggled and ran out of the
building, others still never even acknowledged me on the way out. Clearly
there by parental insistence rather than actual interest. I would have to
work very, very hard.


 "So, how did it go?" Amy asked me as I walked up to the main building. I
stopped to consider it for a moment. I was filled with so very many
conflicting emotions just then. I was thrilled and exhilarated at the
experience but there was also a sadness to what had just happened. The fact
that these kids were not learning anything of their own country,
culture...how would they find a sense of purpose to their lives, a feeling
of belonging. "Peter?" Amy enquired again. "Oh...sorry Amy, ja good.
Ok-ish. Thanks" She smiled at me -- something flashed between us just then.
It was a moment of realisation. We understood each other. Walking back to
the main building in silence together, I had moment to think about what I
would do the next day and how I could get more material. "Hey, is there a
way that I can have some books brought in from Bogota'" I asked. Amy
stopped and turned to face me. "Peter -- it's day one. Give it a chance
first. I know what you're trying to do and it's noble but give it some time
first" This irritated. Forgetting that I still had much to learn about this
place I sighed with frustration. She put her arm around me and walked the
rest of the way up in silence.


 I could hear Erich talking excitedly even before I could see him! He was
in such high spirits that it was impossible not to feel excited with him.
He had us all in absolute hysterics at his stories from his class. He had a
group of kids aged somewhere between 5 -- 10 and his descriptions of them
and their antics were just too sweet. Esteban was annoyed at the lack of
materials and made this quite vocal while Aicha was using this as an
opportunity to bemoan the ills of Capitalism. Amy had gone off to handle
some business with some local officials. It would be lunch soon and I
wondered what time she'd get back. Erich came to sit with me. "Hey mate,
you ok -- you're looking a little distant there" I couldn't help myself. "I
miss Juan" It fell out of my mouth and I blushed profusely. "I'm sorry..."
I started. Erich looked strangely hurt at that admission but instead said
"hey no worries mate, I understand -- I know what that feels like...to miss
someone you care about" This sudden over-share of emotion on my part had
embarrassed me and I moved to change the topic. "What do you think --
possible to make a success here?" "Ahhhhhh mate, are you kidding me? This
place is the most beautiful, most exciting place I've even been in my life,
I wonder if I'll ever leave!" and then it struck me. All this time and the
thought never even entered my mind once. Through everything that I'd
experienced that past week and a bit, the journey, Juan, the village, the
school. I'd never once even considered it -- and now that Erich had said it,
it was so glaringly obvious I could've screamed it out.


 What.if.I.never.left.this.place?


 I looked up at him and smiled, put my arm around his shoulder and started
walking up to lunch. "What if indeed mate" I replied. "What if indeed."


 Notes: Chapter 3 is a bridge and platform chapter, stay with me. It's
going to get a lot better! As always please keep your thoughts coming -- I
was so encouraged by all the feedback I got from the previous two chapters
and I'm sorry it's taken this long to get the third one out but I'm back
and I hope you're going to stick with it! Add me on facebook -- *
www.facebook.com/peterjohnjnb* or drop me an e-mail at
peterjohnjnb@gmail.com