Three Weeks And Counting

Just 21 days ago our feet touched Dominican soil for the first time. That night I went to bed wondering if I had made the right decision and praying for the Lord to give me strength. Since that night my feelings have changed a great deal. This truly is a wonderful country. It's a tropical paradise filled with friendly, happy people. I still want a plane or boat (or both) so I can go where I want when I want, but for the next few years or so I think we can live quite happily here. Part of the change has been learning what costs how much. It's hard to feel easy in a place when you don't know if you can afford to live there.

I wanted to throw a couple more prices at you real quick. First we are paying EC$1.25/US$0.47 per Kilowatt hour down here. I don't know if this is good or bad, but I figure we'll be spending about EC$600.00/US$225.00 a month for power (based on what we've spent so far). Now, when you compare that with our US$365.00 power bill last month we'll be doing pretty well here from a power point of view. Also, the bananas Rachel bought yesterday were EC$1.14/US$0.43 a pound. Again, I don't know how that compares to the US, but it means we can eat a lot of bananas here. Another interesting fact: cooked green bananas taste and feel a lot like potatoes :)

I took an hour long work break this morning and walked about half-way to Gallion. Needless to say I took a few pictures along the way.


It's amazing how much fruit is just laying on the ground around here. I really think I could make enough alcohol fuel to keep my car gassed up with very little effort.


The walk afforded some spectacular views.


I also got a pic of some slugs eating on a coconut husk.


The road to Gallion is certainly small and backwoodsish. I got a shot of a coconut sprouting for those of you who have never seen it. (I hadn't until today.)


I took one more pic before I decided to head home. Several times I found myself panting and I was covered with sweat. I didn't want to overdo it.


On my way back I picked up a couple of coconuts to take home. A man along the way offered to remove the husks for me. I accepted gratefully. They were some of the freshest coconuts I've even seen.


I think I'm getting better at opening them. A single blow cracked the shell and let me get the milk out. A second broke the nut in half so I could start digging out the insides. Once I get my own cutlass (machete) I should be able to remove the husks myself with much less trouble.


At some point Rachel reminded me to take picture of her hair (of course, in the end she decided to take it herself). As I said last night, Corin did Rachel's hair up in a more Caribbean style.


It was good that I took a picture, because shortly after, Rachel realized she was getting a headache from it. She had to take the braids out. For a few minutes she walked around looking like a cave women, but the effect wore off in time.

A little after that the kids wanted me to take them to the sea again. I did and, of course, took a few pictures. (Not too many this time. I figure you guys are getting sick of just seeing us at the beach.) I took a few shots of the water trying to show you how clear it is.


Tuesday night is Church night around here, so after we got back from the beach we only had a few minutes to goof off before Church time. Rachel had a headache and stayed home with some of the kids. Tonight's service was at the Bellot's, we just had to walk up the hill to get to Church as it were. We sang a few songs and Dilian led a devotional then we headed home. I had though of taking a few “night” pictures, but it's too ofercast to show you much with this camera.

Well, I'm tired and ready to wrap it up. So, goodnight from Dominica!