First Impressions

November 1, 2009

The weather is beautiful, even though this is the rainy season. It may rain in the morning but you can still get the wash dry by evening - yes, we line dry. We are working on getting the house cleaned and organized. It is a great house with plenty of room for guests. We have 3 bedrooms, 1 bath; a large living room with no furniture, just ants and cockroaches. I'm working hard on getting rid of the last two.

Although we don't have electricity, we do have gas so I'm managing to cook. We go to bed at 8 because it is dark, and this is the 2nd evening without power. We're tired anyway, from all the cleaning.

The servant quarters became empty yesterday, leaving a total mess since they were angry. It looks like we're going to be a bit slower in bringing Harriet (our house-help) here. She's anxious though, and her girls would have a great place to play - the yard is big and beautiful with a gated fence all around.

Our first guests were here yesterday, from the US Embassy. Joseph and his wife and 85 year old father came over and we had a good visit. I'll never forget that one because of the father's joy at receiving a pair of socks. The evening before, Dad had mentioned that he'd brought too many socks so when I saw this old man with big holes in his socks I asked his son if it would be alright to give his dad a pair of socks. Both husband and wife said that would be wonderful. I wish you could have seen the father's eyes when he saw what I offered. He was so thankful and was able to say that in English.