Hello All,
OK, catch up time again.
Today, early, a sea turtle came up on shore to lay eggs. But she came up at the wrong spot, where all the fishermen keep their boats. Luckily, since she didn't "belong" to anyone (no one had caught her), the people who had gathered around encouraged her back in to the sea and let her continue on with her life. As she reached the waves, one young lad stepped up on to her back and surfed out into the waves on her back. Several people dove in with her as she swam away, until they lost her in the waves.
I then got ready for service up at the Episcopalian church on the hill overlooking Robertsport and the ocean and Lake Piso. Such a beautiful place, reminds me of Cape Cod in summertime, bushes and flowers overlooking the sea with old New England stone architecture. We were told service started at 9, so we hiked up the mountain with my breakfast of fried plantains in my hand. But no one, not even the pastor, was there when we arrived. about 9:30 the pastor arrived, and 15 minutes later a few other people straggled up the hill. Apparently, service actually starts closer to 11. African time. But once things got started, the sermon was interesting and funny and had a good message, and I was asked to stand and was welcomed by the pastor and congregation.
My pepper plants are starting to poke up out of the goat manure.
Getting things done here (the roof needs replacing - badly - and the fence around the house has been in major disrepair since I got here) has been a challenge. There are very few materials available, and even when they are, getting someone to cut them down and transport them to us seems to take forever. And finding someone to do that is difficult too. Frustrating, and not sure what the root causes are. Lack of motivation, lack of energy, lack of that old American "get it done" attitude - not sure...
Nik's father is coming to visit for a week on Tuesday. The last time Nik saw his dad was 3 summers ago...it will be interesting to see how they interact here in Nik's house, as we've always been on his dad's turf in Mali or France.
Thanksgiving coming up on Thursday...not sure how/if we will celebrate. I'm going in to Monrovia on Tuesday to do the shopping and will have to see if any Thanksgiving-ish items appear to me.
Classes with the Fellows have been entertaining and productive, as usual. I am teaching them Latin word roots and derivatives, have taught them how to conjugate Latin verbs (good mental calisthenics!) and tomorrow we'll do names of body parts and their derivatives (e.g. manus = hand, where we get manual, manufacture, manicure, etc.).
Yoga classes have been good, getting up at 5 to do my own practice, then waking everyone up at 6 for our group class. Attendance is sometimes spotty (just 2 or 3 of the 6 Fellows) but I can't force anyone out of bed for yoga...and those that do come seem to really be enjoying it.
Love to you all,
Rachel
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