Sunday April 15, 2012
Today is the day the Lord hath made and wow, his extraordinary artwork is all around me. They don’t have beach church here any more, I haven’t found out why, maybe because the boating population has slimmed down to smaller numbers since we were here last but I see no reason to not have beach church, even if there are only two of us. There are plenty of churches in town but that’s a long swim and there are “things” with teeth in these waters. E perhaps could have rowed to Volleyball Beach although the winds are still blowing fiercely so perhaps this is the reason. I can have my time with God anytime. He always has time for me wherever I am.
Yesterday Fred asked me to cut his hair and beard and then called a water taxi to go to shore for their Garden Club Fair. They served food, drinks, sold their local crafts and of course they had “Plants” for sale. The water taxi was $30.00 round trip but we needed to get off the boat. It was the first time we went to Georgetown together since we arrived. I met some locals and as usual, struck up conversations picking their brains for local knowledge. Fred took advantage of that time, sampling their food and non alcoholic drinks. I met a lady who happens to be from the states who has lived here for over 20 years. She is a second grade school teacher and also does crafts to sell. Mostly jewelry and weaving. She told me how she met her husband who is a local from the Exumas and they were getting ready to celebrate their 35 wedding anniversary next week. We chatted about weaving, the pretty jewelry she crafts out of shells and coconuts, and how creative people are here making something out of anything available to them. We talked about the children here. I didn’t realize there was no kindergarten here so they start out fresh in the first grade, making most of the children a year behind by the time they graduate, compared to the US educational standards. We also talked about how most of the children move on to larger towns and never come back except to visit their families. Then there are the few who do return home and give back to his country like that young Doctor who studied in Cuba and took care of Fred’s ear infection. I told her I could not believe how young the Doctor was. She laughed and said he was about 35 years old. My mouth dropped. He looked early twenties to Fred and I. She said most of the people who live here seem to look 15-20 years younger than they really are. Although I wanted to know their secret we both concluded it must be the way of life here on these islands. Stress is certainly the number one thing I noticed missing here. It had me thinking moving to the islands may be an option for the future and I asked her about how she felt leaving her family. She has only one brother in the states and her daughter is in the stated with her grandson. She spends time going back and forth to visit them so really it is like living in another state instead of a far away island. One can’t help longing for this life after having the opportunity to compare it to the chaos of the US...always in a hurry to get somewhere. Not here. I don’t think the word “Late” is in anyone’s vocabulary here. It was fun talking with her. We bought 1/2 stalk of green bananas for $4.00 , I think there were about 18 on it, and I felt a tug on my hand as we were approaching the “plants” for sale. Fred gave me “The Look” knowing very well it wasn’t going to stop me. Of course I had questions, identified some plants I already had seeds for and others I knew we could get in the states. I found out a “Dilly” fruit is actually a Sapodilla, only a nickname for it. It’s always worth asking questions when in doubt. I can’t wait to get home and start my own little “Island Garden” and share some of these precious seeds with my avid garden friends! For the record, Fred carried out the banana stalk and I didn’t walk away with anything but a wealth of more information. We went to the ATM and I experimented with my new found knowledge of how to use an ATM debit card. I know this may come to a surprise to most all of you but I only pay with checks and cash. I do not use credit cards unless absolutely necessary and have never used a debit card in my life...ever. Since they don’t take checks here Fred strongly suggested I get a debit card. I probably had one but either filed it away or cut it up so I put that on my list of things to do before I left on this trip. I didn’t use it until a few weeks ago. I can see where that would be dangerous and suddenly realized how thankful I was not to have one before now. I am sure I will tuck it away once I get home and hold it for the next adventure we are on...out of the country. Fred and I proceeded to the Exuma Market, grabbed a few groceries and called the “Elvis” the water taxi guy to pick us up. I am glad we took the taxi, even on that, I got by bottom wet from waves coming in the side. Elvis was kind enough to drop us off at St. Francis to pick up some Internet tickets so I could get on the Internet and at least post a few things. I have so many pictures to post but it is hard to get them on. If I don’t get caught up on the pictures, I will post them when I get home. I know many of you have asked. They certainly don’t bestow the actual beauty though, although they are close. It’s not only what you see but what you feel and breath and hear. It’s that moment that seems to last for eternity. I will never tire of this. A few boats left yesterday and this morning. I mentioned a huge yacht, nearly the size of a small cruise ship, that departed and Elvis said “Oh yes, the owner of that boat owned the twin towers” He told me his name and the name of the boat but my memory has slipped a bit. They was here for the weekend. Boats come in all sizes as well as from many places here.
To me, it is hard to keep up with who is with what boat. We have been given boat cards which seems to be the thing and I use them as flashcards like I did in school when learning my math and history, both of which have also slipped my mind since way back when.
This morning I woke up to the smell of bacon and brewing coffee and asked what was cooking. “Breakfast” he said. What a treat. Complete with eggs, hash browns and orange juice. He’s a good cook! I confess, I am not a breakfast maker. Coffee is my routine in the morning which is just about all I can handle that early in the morning, unless I have company. I do enjoy eating it though, when someone makes it and eggs with brains is not on any of the serving plates.
This morning just off the stern of our boat was a lady snorkeling with a dolphin. Hope is still there. I may just get in that water after all. Sunday, a good day to listen to the wind whistling through Casa Mare’ waves splashing on the side of her starboard and lines rubbing against the mast moved by the salty island air in the sun. I think I will read “Amaryllis in Blueberry” today. Hope it’s a good book. I have until Wednesday to finish it. The Outboard comes in and we will be, no doubt, exploring. We have decided to stay for the “Family Regatta” here in Georgetown. Another first for me. I am anxious! Did I say we would be home in May? Hummmm……..
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