Greetings everyone! It is Monday morning here and as appears to happen frequently we have been accumulating experiences. We were able to use the internet yesterday as there were a couple inpatients in the clinic and Jim has been shown how to plug in the modem. This means that the clinic is open and a nurse is there at least periodically depending on how sick the patient is so we were able to get in. When patients are over night in the clinic, their families care for them. This means that there are children, many many adults and occasionally a cat around.
Yesterday we had two great meals in a couple of really good meals in local restaurants. The procedure here, if it is not one of the smorgasbords is that you read what is available and then they cook it right then. We will probably live on fried noodles with chicken or shrimp. Have I said there is no pork here? We are tiring of rice already so it was a great change. We had a delightful time talking with two of the ASRI staff about the wedding we saw and comparing the traditions with those in the US. I asked about bridal showers, and Etty said they had those here too. They use water with rose petals in it. We had a good chuckle about what "shower" can mean. Do realize that almost all traffic is by bike with Jim sliding his feet along the road as the brake.
We were in the dumps a bit in the afternoon which was taken care of by a visit to the beach. There was a wonderful breeze blowing at us and we absolutely LOVED the change in temp. There were about 6 of us and we all eyed the black clouds building in the sky. Which direction? I still don't have a clue. Anyway we decided the clouds were moving away. About 6:15 we left for the seafood restaurant as it was getting dark, but we had neglected to bring our head and rear lights, so while the others went to the restaurant we rode home. Just as we arrived the sky opened and as my dad used to say, "it rained cats and dogs". We debated and debated and waited out incredibly heavy rain to just medium and then received a call from Nadi at the restaurant saying it smelled really good. So...on went the poncho and rain jacket, on went the lights and off we went. For once we had little traffic! The rain was cool and felt great. The dinner was also great and will be repeated. BUT a couple of lightening strikes were really close and I have rarely seen that hard a rain. The restaurant was open on three sides so there was plenty of splash. Finally we headed home in the rain..through the puddles...and well washed when we arrived. Mission Impossible under the bednet
Update: Tuesday AM. We have had major internet trouble beginning yesterday afternoon and periods of no electricity at all last night. These rain storms are really intense. But at least it is cooler.
A couple of major developments.....I now have a part time job as a dental assistant. Monica, the dentist, is rapidly teaching me how she does her work and I have now seen two teeth extracted and have managed not to flinch. The mother of todays young woman was doing that well enough.
We have also been invited to move into Kinari Webb's home when she leaves for Bali this weekend. This is like moving into a palace compared to where we have been. She is one of the founders and is really the visionary one. So we will have to find someone to help us lug our things over there but THAT is not a problem!
My second part time job is to write a newsletter regarding the goats for widows program. So this will involve some major computer learning and I intend to tell this from the point of view of a donor and someone who has visited some of the widows. Raina, I have a great picture of a visit to a woman with two little goats. I am sure they are the ones that Nora, Aidan, Anders, Aesa and Elsa gave at Christmas time.
All for now! will take advantage of the internet to send while it is up.
Love to all, Lauri
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