Over the past few days things are getting more settled. Many of our bags were sent DHL from the capital Thursday and Friday the last ones arrived. It is odd that things we were certain we had sent are not in the bags but all in all, we are very content to have our clothing and food items. In fact, our cupboards are so full that I don't know where we will put the things that come in the shipment. But we will worry about that when the shipment arrives is April or May.
Over the weekend we had two social events that helped us feel more a part of the community. First, our neighbors from Trinidad came for dinner. The wife, Laurie has come several times with food that she had cooked. We asked them to come and on Saturday night we had Thai Green Curry and it was really good. These neighbors are so sweet and we plan to spend many other days doing things together. And the best part is that they are Christians and we have our beliefs in common too. That gives an even stronger bond together.
Sunday there was a party in the afternoon to welcome the new people....that would be us.... and give time for the people that have been here for some time a chance to get together. Interestingly with the food issues, there was plenty of food brought by everyone...and plenty to share. It was good to meet everyone and now just to learn all their names.
When we came home we had planned to call our kids and talk to them via Skype but the phone was not working and when the phone goes, so does the internet and there is no way to explain why we didn't keep the appointment. A frustration but reality of this life so we must be able to deal with it.
It is funny....the food issues, the loss of electricity many times some days, the loss of phone and internet off and on......makes us much more thankful for those things that prior to moving her we took for granted. I find that my attitude is much more thankful for everything we have.
Saturday, prior to our dinner guests coming, we went to the market to buy what we could find. It was a really good day....cabbage, avocados, cucumber, onions, garlic, and the big find....bell peppers. Now they are all ridiculously expensive....but available and that is great. We went to a store by the airport.....no...not like a major airport....more like Burbank in the 70's......but found vinegar in that store for $4.50/bottle....a real find because now I can clean the vegetables and not have to peel everything. Very exciting.
Today.....well, some of the women go to the local schools to teach crafts to the children. Today I went with them and helped the children color a flower in a pot. The flower was precut but there was a place for them to cut the petals a little. then glue it to the pot and stem on a paper. You have to realize that many of these children have never held scissors nor have they colored pictures so it is all new to them. Afterwards we had dried beans and played bingo.....which was also a challenge because you say 5 and they see 15 so want to put one bean on that 5 and if you say 1 then they wanted to put a bean on every one on the page. All the supplies are left with the teacher to be able to continue playing the game for learning numbers. The kids loved it and so did we..
Now I'm back home and feeling such joy in having the time with these kids today. I do so enjoy it here and am so thankful we were finally able to come. Of course, I am waiting expectantly to talk to the community outreach woman this week re: working in the medical field. But just having things to do, getting to know the other people here.....and getting to practice the few words of Portuguese that I have acquired and learning from the children.....what delight.
Ms Kitty? Well she finally broke me down and I stopped giving her rice with her food....just the dry food and sardines with it to help stretch it. She is now more content and playful. And....she has been doing well with her training to use the toilet.....seriously!!! When she is all trained, I'll attach a photo....
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