The young and middle aged men were the first to want
to learn tricks, then the boys. Girls and women were very reluctant to
have a man show them something. I could show the children and they could
show the women and that was all right.
Because they work with their hands making arrows, blowguns, darts,
fishnets, baskets and such, they are very good with their hands and
learned very quickly.
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Dave's Sleeping Quarters While In Venezuela |
Dave had a great time in Venezuela. He went on a Volunteer in Mission trip with 21 other people. Some did construction on a Mission Bible School while others were on a Medical Mission. Dave helped out in all areas.
At the construction site, he made string figures
with the children and adults that came to watch. He even learned a
new figure from a man and saw a figure that he though was only done
in Nepal and Thailand.
At the Mission Bible School, one of the activities was string.
Adults and children took part in this activity and it was a lot of
fun. The best time was at the sites of the Medical Mission. Dave was
able to draw the "Sightseers" away from the sites so the Dr. could
hear the translator and do their work.
Yes, they still use bows and arrows and blowguns. They hunt for monkeys, tapir, wild pig, etc.
Life is hard living in the Caura River basin, (a
tributary of the Orinoko River). Some of the villages have to carry
water for a couple of miles. They live off the land and fight the
elements but the people were very receptive to the string games. Maybe
because they already knew some, so it wasn’t a "new" thing.
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Hand Carved Dug-out |
