Settling In

So this is a bit long but.....

these first couple of days have really been me settling in and getting acquainted with my surroundings. Tuesday after I got in, Mr. Nolley, (Nell) showed me around the place. Its very nice, and the cottage I am staying in is actually attached to their house. There is another woman living here from Ireland, she is very nice, but I have not seen her since the first day.

I pretty much passed out as soon as I hit the bed because I was so exhausted from the traveling and lack of sleep. The next morning, I was bumming around the house when Miss Nolley came to get me to tell me I had a telephone call. I was a little surprised, because who would be calling me!? haha. It was Magnus, letting me know that he couldnt make it in to pick me up and show me around on Wednesday, so I had the day to myself.

Miss Nolley decided to take me on instead! Nell and Alcina Nolley have lived on the island for 17 years, her father being from the island. So Miss Nolley took me and their house keeper Anthonia to Castries, the capitol of St. Lucia. Castries is a town that I am somewhat familiar with because of my last stay here. Its a very busy town with a lot going on, and I was a little overwhelemed at frist. Luckily, Miss Nolley seemed to understand. She helped me pick up grocerys and get everything I needed for the week. I ended up spending 110 EC on groceries, which translates to about 35ish dollars, which wasn't bad...but I just hope they last me!

Then Miss Nolley took me to the duty free shopping mall in Castries. She showed me around all the stores that I might be interested in, and introduced me to some of her friends. SHe took me to her artist co-op that she began in St. Lucia about 9 years ago. It was a really neat store, with a lot of local artists things in it, including her prints and jewerly. We then went upstairs and got an exclusive look at the art gallery that was going to be opening up there. She had some of her paintings on show there, and also showed me all the other art that was there and told me a little bit about all the artists. It was really neat! Then she drove me around Castries where she pointed out the markets, places to eat...etc.

Miss Nolley then drove me up the mountains to the Benedictine monastary where I met one of the nuns who pointed me in the right direction towards the Holy Family Children's Home. Once Miss Nolley and I found the home, we got out, and met Liane, one of the directors at the home. She wasn't expecting me that day, but she took me around the home and introduced me to some of the kids that were already home from school. I met two adorable little babies who I immediately feel in love with! (Don't worry mom, I won't bring them home!) That afternoon, I settleed in and started reading one of the books Miss Nolley left in the cottage....and almost finished it! I had a bit more trouble sleepign the second night, as the mosquitos seem to love my blood, and there are some very loud barking dogs next door who like to bark evertime a tree moves.

The next day I decided to be a bit more adventorous. After learning that Magnus would be picking me up later in the day, I decided to do my own adventuring. I thought it was probably a good idea that I try walking to the orphanage, just to make sure I was ready and knew the way. Well that was quite a hike. In the car, I guess I underestimated exactly how far and how uphill it was. Let's just say, unpaved road 3-4 miles...almost all uphill with the asthmatic wearing flip flops in the sweltering heat. After stopping many times for water, (thank God I came prepared with my water bottle) I finally found a rock to take a rest on. Well I then felt like I might be going the wrong way, but of course, I was on a road where there was NOBODY. after about ten minutes, a man started walking up the hill. I asked him if he knew if I was going the right way to ciceron (where the orphanage is) and if the orphange was there. I was in fact going the right way, and he said he was walking that way, so I asked if I could join him. The man's name was Tiatus, and I was actually really glad to be walking with him the first time, because I was getting a lot of cat calls that I wasn't interested in responding to! He helped me ward them off! I think being the only white woman pretty much around in this area has made me more of a 'sight' so to say when I am walking. However, the Lucians are extremely nice people, and have been very generous towards me already! It's very different to be the minority, but I feel completely safe and comfortable here!

Well Tiatus dropped me at the home and the Aunties (as they are called by the children) were surprised to see me there again. Actually, they were probably surprised to see a girl drenched in sweat asking to sit down for a few minutes there! After I sat and talked for a few minutes, and checked in with the babies! The women then told me the best way to get back (instead of walking up another long hill..) I took a bus to the top of the hill, where I got out and started walking the same way I came. Or at least, I thought I was going the same way. I didnt see any other roads, and then all of a sudden I was on a huge main road, and I had no idea where I was. Well I must have looked completely lost, because someone pulled over and asked if he could help me. He worked for the public services, and I introduced myself, and he said he worked with the Good News Project (the group I went with last year) by helping them do some transportation. So he drove me all the way back to the cottage, which was great, cause I really had no idea where I was. He told me if I ever get lost, just give him a call, he is doing public transport all day! haha...i hope it doesnt happen again...but knowing me....

So then after I made it home and took a shower and layed down, Magnus came to pick me up. He was drenched in sweat from the hike up and exclaimed in his British accent that he couldnt believe I was living here, there were too many hills! Haha, I guess I will get used to it. I packed my stuff up to go stay for the night in Anse La Raye, the Village that Magnus lives in. He was having a meeting with his youth group that night, The Youth On Fire, which I had collected some things for and brought down with me. After about a half hour bus ride, and Magnus filling me in a bit on how transportation works, we got to his house. From there I met all his cousins that live next door, espeically one of his cute little "cousins" a little over one year old named Trinity. She was just adorable and did not want me to put her down after she begged to be held. She was absolutely adorable..and they said I could have her if i wanted so mom...,hhahahaha. Just kidding.
His mom has just moved to a different house, and so we decided that we would go over the hill and visit her, as I have never met her. Well, when Magnus said over the hill ,what he meant was over the mountain. I don't know if my body has ever been so sore from walking up hills in my life. After stopping to puff my inhaler a few times...we finally made it to the top to the new house that they are moving into. There I met his mom, who is an extremly nice lady, and we sat and looked at some pictures from Magnus' childhood, which were hilarious. After that, we went down to the village again, and went to meet his youth group. Its very simliar to ours at St. John Vianney, except for the fact that they are extremly poor, and a lot of the kids are struggling with serious issues. It was really neat to see magnus interacting with the kids, and pushing them to strive to get out of poverty. After that we hitched a ride from Magnus' friend back up the hill to his house. We just sat around and sang some songs, and Magnus busted out his recorder (what!?) hahah and pretty much played that thing all night.

This morning I took the bus back to the cottage with Magnus' cousin who made sure I got off at the right spot and made it home ok. As for right now, I am just sitting around resting and trying to get my legs back to working. Mr. Nolley showed me an easier way to get to the orphanage today that didnt involve so many hills and is probably quicker. The walk is about 45 minutes, so Lauren and Bailey, bring your hiking shoes and maybe start training now!

Later tonight, I will probably go watch/help the youth on fire group get ready for their gospel explosion gospel concert which will take place at the end of the month....it raises money to help them with their funds and youth program. I will probably go later this weekend to Anse La Raye again for mass, which should be beautiful!

Anyways...Monday I will be working at the orphanage everyday, and I am feeling pretty confident in my navigating abilities after all the help I got this weekend! Will write more later!

Love

Amy