Date: 2014-08-24
From: Yellow Deli Hostel

To: Yellow Deli Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

It was after 7:00 when I woke up at the hostel Things across the street finally quieted down after 2:00, so I didn't get too much sleep. We have been invited to breakfast at 7:45 so No Rush and I go downstairs to eat with the members of the community that are in town. We had rice, eggs, onions, tomatoes, and a hot tea called Yerba Mate`. We had offered to help if we could so they put No Rush's painting skills to use painting a shed in town. I decided to tag along and watch the paint fly. No use sitting around here feeling sorry for myself. Nasar is a member of the group and is also a painter as well as having other skills. The community has a group of homes in town and they also had a building there where they make soap, shampoo, and other products. The business is called Common Sense and they make all natural products. This one packages small quantities and another business in New York packages larger quantities. They like to buy larger, older homes and fix them up for members. They also have farms and small businesses in other parts of the country as well as other parts of the world. I have to admit that I really hadn't heard of this communal living group so I am trying to educate myself to their beliefs. Nasar was doing his best to get me informed while still getting his painting done. Everyone works, even the older children and everyone shares ownership. They like music, dance, building things, home school their children, and they care for one another like family. There are 3 members that make the final decisions for the group but everyone has a say in the community. Their names are of Hebrew origon and I have trouble remembering them for some reason. I guess I am stuck on learning trail names until I finish. Nasar is very friendly and told me that his son joined the group and he came out to change his mind and ended up joining the group himself. They only painted until about noon and then we came back to the hostel for lunch. Nasar brought us sandwiches from the deli, I am getting addicted to the Deli Rose sandwich. The food is really good and it should be no surprise that the deli downstairs stays busy. I talked to my Uncle Harold in the afternoon, he called because he was concerned about my health. I assured him that I would come back home when I finish and that I would not take any unneccesary health risks. He filled me in on things happening back home and even offered to come out and get me or help me finish the hike. My Friend Ray also texted me and said that I need to be carefull and not hike until I am healthy. I really do appreciate the calls and messages on my journal page. As much as I would like to finish this hike I will use my better judgement when it comes to health decisions. Two SOBO's Sweet Moose and Crouton are hiking out today. They have been best friends and are hiking their way back to Georgia. David is also here in the hostel, he was hiking south also but when he got here he decided to join the community and will be staying. Lumberjack and his family has offered to come and get me and take me back to their house for a couple of days whileeeeeeee I recover. A very nice gesture but I told him I couldn't leave No Rush here since he was nice enough suspend his hike and wait for me to recover. Lumberjack said that they would drive out here then and visit with me today. It is a 2 1/2 hour drive and I am moved by everyone's calls and concerns. Before Lumberjack gets here 3 hikers from our origonal bubble arrive. Dustin,now Wi-Fi, Iron Cheeks, and Bama will be here when Lumberjack shows up. I finally get to meet Lumberjacks' parents John and Linda Lombardo in the afternoon. Linda brought me some snacks for the trail and some brownies and watermelon to enjoy. We had a nice visit and talked about how it was still possible for Lumberjack and I to get some hiking in together. He just has to recover from his broken foot and I need to get rid of this infection. I had some leftover pasta for dinner that a hiker gave me and realized that people had been cheering me up all day in different ways and things weren't all bad on the trail. Thanks again John, Linda, Lumberjack, Harold, No Rush, Nasar, and all the folks at the Yellow Deli for helping me get through a rough time.