Sometimes I'm amazed Hugo is still alive!

Every once in awhile, Hugo starts telling tales of his life on the farm. I'm constantly amazed at the fact that he is still alive! Here are just a few of the crazy experiences he encountered as a kid.

There is a river close to the farm. Hugo, his aunt (Maritza) and uncle (Jaime) would often go there to swim. In the winter months (when there was a lot of rain), the river water flowing down the mountain would collect dirt and resemble chocolate milk. That wouldn't stop the kids from having fun though. They would swing from a vine and jump into the water. Or, they would stand on a tall rock and dive in...completely unaware of what lurked below the surface of the water. Stupid!

Hugo and his uncle had bikes they would ride down the mountain. They would bike on the "road." Rocks of all shapes and sizes were used to construct the road and protruded at all angles. Mind you...I often stub my toe simply walking on the road. The boys would race as fast as they could down the mountain...often barefoot.

One time, Hugo climbed a tree and wouldn't come down. His uncle really wanted Hugo to come out of the tree, but he refused. Jaime threw a rock in Hugo's direction to try to persuade him. Unfortunately, Jaime actually hit Hugo with the rock...in the back of the head. Hugo has two small bald spots where his hair won't grow through the scars.

Another time, Hugo was holding a piece of wood for Jaime to cut with the machete. Jamie missed the wood and practically chopped the tip off Hugo's finger. He had to get several stitches to reattach the finger tip. Later, Jamie found out he needed glasses.

Often, Jamie and Hugo would sneak over to the neighboring farm to steal sugar cane at night. Snakes often live in sugar cane fields and would be practically undetectable at night. Plus, farmers tend to arm themselves against intruders.

While playing soccer, an opponent smashed into Hugo and sent him flying. Hugo landed head first on a huge rock at the edge of the field. He got up, shook himself off, and went back into the game.

Hugo ahs scars all over his ankles. I asked him what caused them. He said he used to carry his machete at his waist (through a belt loop? I'm not sure where you would store a machete). As he walked through the fields and over rocks, the machete would often come dislodged and fall, clipping his ankle. I'm pretty sure that would only have to happen once before I found another place to store my machete!