Good day to YOU!
It's a muggy and difficult to breathe day here. Who's complaining? Everyone's dealing with the same thing so let it be (one of my favorite Beatles songs).
Let me tell you about yesterday... (this would be Friday now, so much delay)
7 AM wake-up and shower! This means that there´s water now. Ivanka is a big fan of coffee now and that makes me happy. If she hadn´t bought a coffee maker and coffee we would not have had any while I was here. Thank you C.V. (chata Vanks ... aka "shorty")
De iland iz da best man, na? There´s certain truth the perceived island language. The thing you don´t catch in the perception is the heavy accents, different intonation, and faster speaking that makes it difficult to discern if one is speaking English or something completely different. I have asked on several occasions which language is being spoken and more often then not, it´s the good ole English.
The drivers on this island are similar to South Africans in the respect that there are no real boundaries while driving on the road. Here, however, the streets are not nearly as broad and this makes for a LOT of close calls. My nerves have been stilled. It doesn´t phase me anymore if a large truck is coming right at you and your taxi driver only swerves with 2 inches to spare. Makes some part of the heated days exhilirating. In contrast to the South Africans, taxis don´t make me as nervous. Probably because you tell them a destination and it´s only a car, instead of a "kombi".
I had sudado for lunch with the family and it was spectacular. For all the flavour it was incredibly healthy. A whole fish in a broth that has boiled tomatos, onions and spices to give it a big kick. Dante showed me how to eat the eyes. Who wouldn´t want to eat a fish eye?
SIESTA!!!
C.V. (Ivanka), Sasha and I went to HI-LO (where Franco works) to get some goods. Upon our arrival home we ordered KFC. That´s right, they deliver. It´s a HUGE treat though. Franco has been wanting KFC for a long time so we got a 12-piece bucket and feasted. So delightful. Dante can´t eat the grease because of his heart condition so he ate something else.
"Trinidad has the best KFC in the world." -Franco
Something about the humidity and weather here really makes my joints hurt. My ankles and wrists have been hurting quite a bit since being here which is surprising. I would have thought that the heat would relax the body a bit, but it hasn´t done anything for me. On the doctor room laminated-smiley-face scale it´s been about a 4 everyday. I think it will be fine upon my arrival back to the states. The cold weather is going to clench my swollen extremities back to normal. Since I´m writing this on Tuesday and recalling what was going on on Friday I have to mention that things are doing much better. My joints are growing more and more accustomed to the climate and I´m able to do mucho!
It´s been a long day and we sang happy birthday, feliz cumpleanos, and several other birthday tunes to Franco at midnight. Well, Sasha, Ivanka and I did before I got in the shower and headed to bed.
Franco truly is an extraordinary person. He´s old beyond his age and has shown great maturity for one who has just turned 18. Sleeping on mattresses in the living room together has brought the geat opportunity for me to talk one-on-one with this man of God. If I was asked who I think is a friend of Jesus I would say...,"Franco Chalco, have you met him? If not, go and do so. You´ll be greatly encouraged and moved." If my vocabulary was more expansive I would use every word to get across to you the encouragement I have received from Franco. He´s inspired me to be more vigilant in treating everyone equally, loving people richly, utilizing what God has given you and not complaining about all the little things that we want but don´t get. I can honestly say that I love Franco and his great, big heart.
Thank You, Father, for allowing me to be in this place at this time. It´s been much needed and I feel the warmth of your embrace, the teaching of your mind and the love of your people. Forgive me for not being as vigilant as I should be and help me in all matters of wisdom and strength. Open my heart to Yours and, Spirit, move me in righteous, eternal ways. Thank you for the endless list of blessings in my life. Especially family, and I´m speaking beyond biological.
Amen.
KCK-ILY
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
What was that?
So, what about Doubles and Boomerangs?
Ivanka (Sasha's sister), Karim, and Alex (friends) picked us up and drove us to Marabela where the Chalco's stay. When we went outside in FL it was warm, but at midnight in Trinidad it was even warmer. Thank God we came to in the rainy season. It's cooler now but still muggy enough to make you sweat in under ten seconds.
The car stopped in front of a two story house in the middle of Marabela and immediately Chamelly and Franco (Sasha's mother and brother) came down the stairs to greet their long-expected daughter and sister. How the affection flowed. It was evident how much they love each other by the way they kept holding on to each other. Once I got to the top of the stairs and went through the door with our bags, I saw Dante and Sasha embrace. He didn't let go of her for a very long time and kissed her face over and over again. A father's love is strong for his children. God's love surpasses any love man can muster. This is truly extraordinary after seeing this meeting of family.
We stayed up until 4 AM getting gifts out of the suitcases and talking. Only when Franco lay himself down to sleep and looked at his phone was the time recognized. Just a 24 hour trip. I love it.
Sleep crept over us, and we endured a night of heavy rain. Or so they tell me, I slept straight through. Eventually waking up and managing to get out of bed in the heat (which seems much more difficult) I had two sandwiches for breakfast and some orange juice. Island life, can't get enough. At this point it's noon, but considering the time of lie down, that's acceptable. Even if I was the last one up.
After greeting everyone and getting ready for the day. We (Sasha, Ivanka and I) went to the market where Franco works and got some groceries for dinner. That was great. If only markets were more common in other places. No complaints, it makes it more memorable here. Franco got us a deal on some ginger. Trinidad being an island, lots of goods are imported. They were selling almost half kilo packages of ginger. It wasn't fresh and it didn't seem worth it, so he took it in the back and got it re-packaged in a smaller quantity for us. What a guy. We also got a discount with his work card.
On the walk to catch a taxi we stopped at a little stand and got doubles. They're two flat bread pieces overlapped with some beans and spices, then wrapped together. So spicy, but it burns so good.
Upon our return I sat down to blog and Dante came upstairs. He was working on making boomerangs and I went down with him to learn how. Step by step we went through the sanding process. Now I can say I made a boomerang in Trinidad with the infamous Dante Chalco. Next week he's going to take me through the primary steps of cutting the shape out and creating angles. Again the reminder flashes in my mind that there's always more to learn. There's just enough time to learn what God wants us to know. Be the sponge!
Now I'm smelling Chamelly cooking some delicious dish in the kitchen and relaxing in the heat. There's no water on Thursdays or Sundays so we did dishes with the reservoir water and a bucket. Talk about a different way of living. Oh yeah, the shower doesn't have a temperature option. My custom of finishing every shower with cold water has paid off. The water isn't freezing by any means, but even if it was it would just feel nice.
"This is the only place you get out of the shower sweating." -Franco
Tot siens, my chomies.
Ivanka (Sasha's sister), Karim, and Alex (friends) picked us up and drove us to Marabela where the Chalco's stay. When we went outside in FL it was warm, but at midnight in Trinidad it was even warmer. Thank God we came to in the rainy season. It's cooler now but still muggy enough to make you sweat in under ten seconds.
The car stopped in front of a two story house in the middle of Marabela and immediately Chamelly and Franco (Sasha's mother and brother) came down the stairs to greet their long-expected daughter and sister. How the affection flowed. It was evident how much they love each other by the way they kept holding on to each other. Once I got to the top of the stairs and went through the door with our bags, I saw Dante and Sasha embrace. He didn't let go of her for a very long time and kissed her face over and over again. A father's love is strong for his children. God's love surpasses any love man can muster. This is truly extraordinary after seeing this meeting of family.
We stayed up until 4 AM getting gifts out of the suitcases and talking. Only when Franco lay himself down to sleep and looked at his phone was the time recognized. Just a 24 hour trip. I love it.
Sleep crept over us, and we endured a night of heavy rain. Or so they tell me, I slept straight through. Eventually waking up and managing to get out of bed in the heat (which seems much more difficult) I had two sandwiches for breakfast and some orange juice. Island life, can't get enough. At this point it's noon, but considering the time of lie down, that's acceptable. Even if I was the last one up.
After greeting everyone and getting ready for the day. We (Sasha, Ivanka and I) went to the market where Franco works and got some groceries for dinner. That was great. If only markets were more common in other places. No complaints, it makes it more memorable here. Franco got us a deal on some ginger. Trinidad being an island, lots of goods are imported. They were selling almost half kilo packages of ginger. It wasn't fresh and it didn't seem worth it, so he took it in the back and got it re-packaged in a smaller quantity for us. What a guy. We also got a discount with his work card.
On the walk to catch a taxi we stopped at a little stand and got doubles. They're two flat bread pieces overlapped with some beans and spices, then wrapped together. So spicy, but it burns so good.
Upon our return I sat down to blog and Dante came upstairs. He was working on making boomerangs and I went down with him to learn how. Step by step we went through the sanding process. Now I can say I made a boomerang in Trinidad with the infamous Dante Chalco. Next week he's going to take me through the primary steps of cutting the shape out and creating angles. Again the reminder flashes in my mind that there's always more to learn. There's just enough time to learn what God wants us to know. Be the sponge!
Now I'm smelling Chamelly cooking some delicious dish in the kitchen and relaxing in the heat. There's no water on Thursdays or Sundays so we did dishes with the reservoir water and a bucket. Talk about a different way of living. Oh yeah, the shower doesn't have a temperature option. My custom of finishing every shower with cold water has paid off. The water isn't freezing by any means, but even if it was it would just feel nice.
"This is the only place you get out of the shower sweating." -Franco
Tot siens, my chomies.
Doubles and Boomerangs
Hola, mis amigos!
Tuesday, at 11 AM, Kareesa and I left Monroe for Chicago to meet Sasha at the airport. She flew in from Frankfurt at 2:10 PM and finally made it through customs at almost 3. Seeing her at the airport in a completely open and free way was refreshing to my spirit. We both had our first airport kiss!
From there we went to the southside to meet Catherina Wojtowicz (Wojo). She graciously opened her lair (basement) to us for the night so we could be in the city for our early departure on Wednesday morning.
After Chi Tung Asian food and bulging bellies we bunked down for the evening. Well, Sasha and I repacked our bags to accomodate for all the purchases she made for her family. Target is great and I love the deals. If you're not a fan, become one! Shoppers beware. The Target chain does a fantastic job of created a warm, shopper friendly atmosphere that encourages the spending of money. If you struggle with self-control. Step back.
4 AM arrives and we all become aware enough of the world to finish packing our stuff, pick up our bedding, grab some breakfast/COFFEE and say farewell to the Wojtowicz family. They are sweet. It's worth going to Chicago just to see Wojo. Unfortunately, she does not drive expressways and when I said "we" early I was also referring to Kareesa. She stayed the night (Wojo and her being the real friend connect, between me and Wojo it's more of a fun acquaintance) and got us to O'Hare International Airport at 5:30AM. You're a star, sister.
Checking in was a breeze, only a minor complication with the credit card in the automatic teller machine but it worked out for the better. The lady who helped us fix it realized we were going international and said we didn't have to pay for the bags. When she weighed them and realized they were heavy I thought that surely she would charge us. I call this the "Sasha Effect". Whenever Sasha goes anywhere things seem to fall into place. Glad I was travelling with her. Security was security and we survived. Then waited an hour for our flight to Ft. Lauderdale, FL (FLL).
I slept the entire way there but Sasha didn't. This became reversed on the final flight from FLL to Port of Spain, Trinidad. At FLL we had Chili's (both of ours first time since being back stateside), sat, checked into Carribean Airlines, found out terminal, sat, cup of coffee, sat, 14 minutes 12 seconds on an internet terminal, sat and boarded at 8:10PM. Wasn't that bad actually, only about 6 hours.
The flight went smooth and we landed in Port of Spain at midnight. Touchdown in anoother country always brings that excited, mind-opening feeling of wanting to take everything in. Suddenly, we're not tired at all. No matter that Sasha has been in transit since Monday. She's going to see her family for the first time in a year and a half. Who wouldn't be bubbly?
Tuesday, at 11 AM, Kareesa and I left Monroe for Chicago to meet Sasha at the airport. She flew in from Frankfurt at 2:10 PM and finally made it through customs at almost 3. Seeing her at the airport in a completely open and free way was refreshing to my spirit. We both had our first airport kiss!
From there we went to the southside to meet Catherina Wojtowicz (Wojo). She graciously opened her lair (basement) to us for the night so we could be in the city for our early departure on Wednesday morning.
After Chi Tung Asian food and bulging bellies we bunked down for the evening. Well, Sasha and I repacked our bags to accomodate for all the purchases she made for her family. Target is great and I love the deals. If you're not a fan, become one! Shoppers beware. The Target chain does a fantastic job of created a warm, shopper friendly atmosphere that encourages the spending of money. If you struggle with self-control. Step back.
4 AM arrives and we all become aware enough of the world to finish packing our stuff, pick up our bedding, grab some breakfast/COFFEE and say farewell to the Wojtowicz family. They are sweet. It's worth going to Chicago just to see Wojo. Unfortunately, she does not drive expressways and when I said "we" early I was also referring to Kareesa. She stayed the night (Wojo and her being the real friend connect, between me and Wojo it's more of a fun acquaintance) and got us to O'Hare International Airport at 5:30AM. You're a star, sister.
Checking in was a breeze, only a minor complication with the credit card in the automatic teller machine but it worked out for the better. The lady who helped us fix it realized we were going international and said we didn't have to pay for the bags. When she weighed them and realized they were heavy I thought that surely she would charge us. I call this the "Sasha Effect". Whenever Sasha goes anywhere things seem to fall into place. Glad I was travelling with her. Security was security and we survived. Then waited an hour for our flight to Ft. Lauderdale, FL (FLL).
I slept the entire way there but Sasha didn't. This became reversed on the final flight from FLL to Port of Spain, Trinidad. At FLL we had Chili's (both of ours first time since being back stateside), sat, checked into Carribean Airlines, found out terminal, sat, cup of coffee, sat, 14 minutes 12 seconds on an internet terminal, sat and boarded at 8:10PM. Wasn't that bad actually, only about 6 hours.
The flight went smooth and we landed in Port of Spain at midnight. Touchdown in anoother country always brings that excited, mind-opening feeling of wanting to take everything in. Suddenly, we're not tired at all. No matter that Sasha has been in transit since Monday. She's going to see her family for the first time in a year and a half. Who wouldn't be bubbly?
Monday, October 5, 2009
Interest.
I've heard it said that it takes three blog entries a week to keep interest. Am I doing it? Are you interested? Are you getting this? Comment if you are!
This is not the extensive entry I wanted it to be. My mind is off. So much going on in there. If every this was an odd time inside me, this is a big one. No worries, God always does His thing and all things...all things...
I love you all. You don't know how much I do because I'm not showing it enough.
KCK
This is not the extensive entry I wanted it to be. My mind is off. So much going on in there. If every this was an odd time inside me, this is a big one. No worries, God always does His thing and all things...all things...
I love you all. You don't know how much I do because I'm not showing it enough.
KCK
Saturday, October 3, 2009
And I'm behind...and sad...
You know how Satan uses feelings of inadequacy to bring us down when things seem to be going well? Of course you do. Being a breathing, walking, thinking, fleshly human yourself you must have felt, at some point in history, a feeling of not having what it takes to do things correctly. All I will say at this time is that those feelings are lies. YES, you may not have what it takes. Where you are lacking God will fill beyond what is needed and that is why we are righteous. Don't worry about tomorrow, DO TODAY!
Anyway, I say all that to say I'll blog soon. Would be dishonest of me to say there hasn't been much to say. What I can say is...my sleep schedule is off, there's a lot to do, Ken and Judy are here tonight, I miss this one girl, feelings on the fritz and wanting to see some old, familiar faces but can't. Beyond that, you'll hear from me. Goodnight.
KCK-ILY
Anyway, I say all that to say I'll blog soon. Would be dishonest of me to say there hasn't been much to say. What I can say is...my sleep schedule is off, there's a lot to do, Ken and Judy are here tonight, I miss this one girl, feelings on the fritz and wanting to see some old, familiar faces but can't. Beyond that, you'll hear from me. Goodnight.
KCK-ILY
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)