The end of the week seemed so far away, but Friday came so soon. We all were grateful to have the weekend. Friday night we decided we wanted pizza so we hoped in the guay guay(public bus system) and made our way into town. Our friend Mario took us to a pizzeria. It was so worth it! Even though the pizza was clearly different, it was delicious. A refreshing change from the rice and meat we have everyday. After dinner we walked down the road past long beach. Mario wouldn't let us walk on the beach because at night they become very dangerous. I'm really glad he came with us.
Saturday morning we got up bright and early to head to Paradise island. We piled in this big bus with the AC blasting and traveled about two hours. We passed beautiful feilds of animals and crops, some of which were going to be shipped to the US. When the ocean came into view again it was so blue. We walked down to the crystal clear water where three little boats were there waiting. These boats looked super sketchy... Like a big fiberglass boat with a huge 70 horse power motor strapped on the back. At first I was a little freaked out but once we got going I remembered how much I love boats. It was so fun!! After about ten minutes the boats stopped and underneath us was a big sand bar. We al jumped out and played in the shoulder deep water. It's weird to be able to stand in the middle of the ocean. When we decided to continue on I was so grateful for my guide strength that allowed me to get myself in the boat. We continued another ten minutes out toward the middle of the ocean. Then out of nowhere a little sand bar with six tiny huts appeared. A little piece of paradise. All around the sand bar was a coral reef with tons of fish. We snorkeled and played for a couple hours on this tiny island. On the way back the boats took the long way and took us through a mangrove forest. It reminded me a lot of Florida. I kept waiting for an alligator to appear. ;) We had lunch at a little buffet by the sea. It was amazing! I don't know if it was really that good or if we were all just starving, but nonetheless it was a delicious meal. After the two hour ride back we were all exhausted.
Now on to the Sabbath day! I love Sundays, even when we don't understand most of what is being said. Just being at the church, taking the sacrament, and feeling the spirit is what I find important. It's about a mile and a half walk up to church. And when I say up I mean it.. It's uphill just about the whole way, but it's worth it. On the way home we were dying of heat walking in the sun when all the sudden we were startled by a load horn. Now it's not uncommon for people to honk at us but it was seriously frightening. When then heard a person bark and immediately knew who it was. Amarillis's son in law was the one who drove us out to paradise island in the big bus and he he was again! It seems like such a menial thing, but three minutes in a very air conditioned bus helped us find the stamina to make it the rest of the way home. Tender mercies are all around us.
Adventures of the weekend: getting a flat tire with papi at la Sirena, having no power for hours and hours, taking a boat to the middle of the ocean, and trying to drink the ocean while snorkeling...
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