With that Ewondro extended his hospitality to both Bette and Shane.  Sitting them down in the center of his hut, he instructed his daughter to serve them warm chocolate milk. 

Shane started the conversation by explaining to Ewondro Bette’s responsibilities towards initiating the current growing season.  Seeing that Ewondro understood Shane paused allowing Bette the opening to explain her idea.

“Ewondro it is my wish to see the bajos turned into lush rows of corn and beans.  I believe I can predict a starting point which will allow for full growth without loosing out to the God of Rain.”  Bette begins.

She stops here hoping that Ewondro might have some comment.  But Ewondro looks down as Bette begins speaking and doesn’t say a word.  Bette is having a hard time understanding him.  She looks to Shane for help.

“Ewondro, I think what my friend here is asking for is your opinion on what it would take to farm the bajos.  Do you have any ideas?”

Ewondro thinks for a moment before he answers, and even then he seems hesitant with his words.  “Well if the Gods have told you to farm the bajos then we will farm the bajos.  I didn’t think we had a choice.”

Bette is surprised by his comment but not completely stunned by it.  After all she was a priestess and she did interpret the heavenly bodies so she could imagine he really did think she talked with the Gods.  She wanted to reassure him while still gaining his insight.  “Well Ewondro I understand the mission I want to undertake but the problem I have is experience.  Farming is not something I have any practical knowledge in.  I have seen this vision but know not how to put it into action.  Would you be willing to share your expertise so we together can farm the bajos?” Bette asked.

Ewondro hesitated for only a moment in his response.  “It would be the highest honor of my life to help make the God’s wishes come true.”

Bette was amazed by the quick acceptance but understood that she must make this a positive experience for everyone.  These people trust her and she must not fail them.

From there they entered into an earnest discussion of planting and the needs and requirements for a successful season.  Ewondro was full of information about what obstacles would lay in the bajos.  Since they are flooded with water nine months of the year he felt that if they constructed a series of canals that it might give the excess water a place to go.  This idea led Shane to voice other ideas which in turn spurned Ewondro on to more.  Soon Ewondro’s whole family, three sons and a daughter were sitting around contributing to the conversation.