The Island beach called Playa Blanca...we ventured there on 2 hours of winding roads and a 20 minute boat ride last Saturday. Another fresh fish and fruit lunch beach-side...with views of paradise!
Strangely enough, though, the whole two hour drive was sprinkled with colorful villages like this-or smaller and less developed-that reminded me SO MUCH of Benin. ***I am sitting on my balcony typing this while watching the lights of the city bounce off the caribbean and reveling in a spontaneous fireworks display across the bay. Bob Segar's "Night Moves" is playing in the background and the waves are lightly lapping against the docks where the dozen or so yachts are parked. I don't think this could ever get old....sigh.
I have been here a month-that is 10% of the 10 months of the school year. I cannot believe how quickly it has passed. Even more strange than that, this blog is one year old! As I look back at the uncertainty of last fall, I am stunned by the role of providence in where I have landed.
This week was a bit more challenging than others. Some new teachers are starting to enter various phases of culture shock and are struggling. I remember those first months in Benin and my heart goes out to them. To make matters worse, the power and water and have been intermittent for the last 5 days. I am more prepared than most with jugs of water stored to flush toilets, various battery powered lights and a small generator, and even a bucket of water in the shower to take a dip shower. For me, it has been a small inconvenience, that is all. We did have to cancel school Friday afternoon, though, due to the heat. No one could learn in that heat.
Thursday while a few of us were at "our place" having drinks and dinner, the power went out. We ate by candlelight. The breeze off the caribbean just 10 feet from us kept us cool while we shared our joys and frustrations of the week. I treasure the process of building these new friendships. Friday, after getting out of school early, we had a staff pot luck. It was a huge success-many people came and stayed a long time so we talked and laughed and made crazy memories. Then Saturday we all ventured to the island pictured above. The roads were narrow and winding, which made the return trip in the rain a bit (A LOT) sketchy. It was heart wrenching seeing so many villages that reminded me of Benin...such a dichotomy of the wealth of my condo/town/school and what exists a mere 20 miles from me.
I have found a cool church in English. Many of the Oil Company families attend as well as a few other straggling ex-pats. A few members are parents of my students-the ex-patriot community is small so that happens pretty often.
Life is good....very good. I love having Skype to talk to people as much as I want and email and facebook....so many ways to stay connected these days. So, until next time...connect with me when you think of it by any of the above methods=) PEACE....
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