This morning we were able to sleep in. One interesting thing here is that the power in the city is not consistent. Shower when you can. We found out this morning that we probably have a better chance at showering at night. We went to meet most of the agency team this morning, picked up our little girl. Got to see her little preschool and all her friends wanted their picture taken. She was happy to see all of us but when she realize her foster mom wasn’t going to join us for lunch, she had to warm up to us again- was a little confused I think. We had Chinese in Africa!! And it was very good. We found out after we went into the restaurant, that the president of the countries football (soccer) association had just passed us. After lunch, our little girl grabbed BOTH our hands and then sat on Paul’s lap for the first time. She was kind of tricked into it and wasn’t sure about it, but stayed and even laughed on his lap. But I carried her most of the day and she slept a lot on the way home. After lunch we picked up the other couple’s boy because he was out of school by then. We visited the country’s art center where tourists buy (no…. barter) for arts and crafts. It is an experience. We were four white targets and we were greeted, followed and “dragged” to everyone’s store possible. The team told us about what would happen ahead and encouraged us to barter. It was definitely one of the biggest stretches out of our comfort zone so far. However, the people are SO friendly and proud of the country that we do NOT worry about theft and some even carried out bags for us and we weren’t worried at all. Very kind people. The roads are interesting. The city center is paved, but after that you have dirt roads- many wouldn’t even be considered class four. However, many are being worked on and I think there is a general consensus that it is a priority. There is however a lot of rain that washes out easily during the rainy season and they are not supported by tax dollars but rather they are each tribes responsibility- basically every neighborhood has to get everyone to pay and that is hard. It has been fun, but takes a long time to get around the city. We have a lot of time to watch the people though and so it is not bad at all. No road signs or many lights, however, they drive slowly, use their horns for communication and it works quite well. Our drivers are very experienced.
Sorry Sam, Hazen and Noah, but I think your sister is going to be a little loud at times. She can be quite the “squaker” when she is laughing or being played with, but not when she is mad and she doesn’t cry much. However, she has an obsessive attachment to her backpack. She had it on all day!!! Her foster parents said that when they got it for her, she slept with it on that first night.!!!
Good night everyone.