Working on quilts for my kids is such a pleasant pastime......today I went with the driver to Tari Tari, the open market, to look for fabric for the dark part of the quilts I'm working on.  You see, in order for the pattern to show itself in the quilt, I need a mixture of solids and prints and range of colors.  When I was first looking for fabric I did find a fabulous rich chocolate brown piece but it was only stamped on one side and I was afraid it would fade....then today realized that the back of the fabric would have been wonderful for the solid color that I need so I returned to the shop but the fabric was sold.  This shop is right next to the airport for Soyo and so easy to go to but the brown was gone.  Therefore Mafuene and I went to the open market and searched for the next 90 minutes but couldn't find any fabric that was appropriate for the solid color I need.  Now I will have to try to think what I can use instead or be delayed in the making of these quilts.  It really is good to have the need to be creative here.  I enjoy the challenge each day.

hardware store

On the way home I decided to take some pictures of the road between our home and downtown just to show what we see every day here. I had to take them through the window because many of the people here are from Congo and do not want their pictures taken.  I hope you can see well enough....

Pharmacy 

 There are little kiosks along the road that sell eggs, canned goods, some fresh food like potatoes or fruit.  The prices are the same whether you are in the big open market or stop along the side of the road.  I have found that some of the smaller open markets near our housing development have fresher food that has been brought from the Congo by boat.  The grocery stores are significantly more expensive.  I think you are paying for the fact food is indoors.

furniture shopping

It is amazing to me that even when it rains, these oversize chairs are usually left out.  Sometimes they are covered with plastic but not always.  Note the bright colors of Naugahyde as well as the cloth prints.  They also have wooden beds and dressers available too.

Now that we are not going to the schools for a couple of months, I do need to find things that will keep me busy and content here.  I am spending more time working on the English for the drivers and that is good....and I will continue to work to find the fabric I need to be able to make the quilts for my kids to give at Christmas......JoAnn's Fabric....where are you when I need you????

There is a significant number of new buildings since we arrived