Stepping on the Steep

So today I thought I would try to give you an idea of the roads here. Before we came here we searched for pictures, studied google maps, and determined we would be best off just walking everywhere and not buying a car. The island is only 5 square miles. That means that the width of the island is only about 2.5 miles. The roads were windy (as in curvy), but it showed that from the place we are staying, it would only take 20 minutes to walk to Matthews school, and 30 minutes to walk to all the shops and restaurants.

These pictures are clearly not mine, but I’m including them to show you the type of pictures we looked at. 

 I decided in order for me to get around, it would be ideal to have a stroller that fit all the kids, and room to hold groceries.

So we got a stroller!

Then we got to Saba….

The roads are very narrow and very steep. We tried to take some pictures to give you an idea of how steep.  So we went on a walk. This is on the road from our house, leading up to the main road. This is the road we “hike” up to hitch-hike a ride to the store.  

 Here the kids were resting. This is not a steep part. 

This part (below) is a little steeper…. The are not really tipped. 

See, if I were to turn my camera to be *almost* level with the road… look how “tipped” they seem to be!

Look at how leaned forward we are!

Again, if I were to make the camera level with the road...

The roads are also quite narrow.... and our stroller is the size of a car here. 

So needless to say, our stroller is sitting unused under a bed. Haha

There is always something fun to see! On our walk to we took some time saying hello to a Tortoise!

Every day I love here more and more. The weather really is something fantastic. Not too hot, not to humid. Never cold, always a nice breeze. I'm getting to know people more too. This last Sunday was quite pleasant. We were more organized, our records came in, and we set it up in a manner to welcome anyone who wants to join us! 

We also went on a Sunday walk, and the kids found a caterpillar! 

Homesick

So, I wanted to put this in a separate post from my last one, because today is a new day! I am also doing much better. But I also wanted to show some honesty and not have things all unicorn and rainbows on my posts. This is after all a record for myself as well.  

The first Sunday was hard. We didn't really know anyone, our records hadn't changed over yet, so we didn't have any contact info for people on the branch, and we hadn't been able to get ahold of the other member and her children who are on this island. We also didn't know if there were other member students or faculty yet either. School hadn't started and so it was just us. We didn't have permission/authority yet to do the Sacrament, so we did our best to have a family church time. We had hymns, prayers, testimony sharing, a primary lesson for the kids and then a discussion ourselves with the Sunday school lesson when the kids were in bed. 

 We had full expectations that we would find other students, and members, and that our records would come in and we would be able to meet and have the Sacrament this Sunday (Mother's Day). 

But Sunday came, and still no word of member students (we had posted on the student page). And anyone on the island that is a member isn't interested in meeting at this time. Our records still weren't in, so we still had no way of contacting anyone, and no authorization for the Sacrament. It was also Mother’s Day, with no special program, no special treat, no close friends or family. And the only people I knew was the 2 neighbors I met downstairs.  

The alone-ness hit.

 I'm surprised I wasn't a blubbering mess all day. I wanted to be! 

Then the pity-party came. No flowers or chocolates. No breakfast in bed. 

It really wasn't so bad. Matthew cooked up some pancake mix and made a heart one for me. He also took a package of 4 little cookies out of the cupboard that we'd been snacking on the last few days and had the kids give them to me.... they then proceeded to eat them for me. They also scribbled on some paper that said I  <3 U (with an actual heart). So that was cute. Then we met for church. Alone. Again. 

I doubted.

Can I really do this for 2 years? This alone-ness. This sudo-church in our living room. 

I will have you know, that our records came in today! We will still be meeting by ourselves, in our home, but we will be able to have the Sacrament! We also plan to do lots of missionary work.  

I also tearfully and fully expressed what I was feeling Sunday evening with Matthew and we came up with some ideas to get to know more people and have couples or families over for dinner or games Sunday evenings. 

Monday came, and it was a new day, sunny and bright, with a playground to explore again, and people to meet. 

I do miss home. I do miss what we had. I am sad to leave what and who we loved behind. But I am also very grateful to be here. I know there this is where we are supposed to be. I know that with a surety! Every single day there are things to be grateful for, and reasons to be happy. I really do love it here. 

And it's okay to love both. It's okay to be sad about both. It's okay to be homesick, while loving where you are. It's okay to FEEL both at the same time.

Playgound for a Backyard

As I sit here, the wind is bowing wisps of my pulled back hair. I hear children’s squeals and laughter from across the street, and my own children’s voices chattering on the balcony. I can’t help to be grateful to be here.

The weather is perfect, our home is wonderful, the location is great, and the people are friendly. I will say, however, that Matthew’s first day of school I was like, “What was  I thinking?!” “We were home owners, we had a life, and now what am I going to do with the kids all day long, everyday?!” Haha, but that quickly was drowned out in the blessings of this island. The kids and I ventured out and into the town, we explored their library, which is very small, but it still has books we have yet to read!

Sadie also had an ear infection, so I took her in (with the other 2 kids in tow). I was surprised that they didn’t give her antibiotics, but I was impressed with the medical approach here and that a “quick fix” isn’t what they just prescribe you. They also prefer not to give antibiotics unless you really need it (means your gut health stays a lot healthier!). I also forgot my wallet, and they didn’t have any issue with me just dropping the payment off next time I was down for groceries.

Oh, and on our way to the doctors, outside the elementary school, we passed these bushes with flowers on them, I let the kids each take one small flower. Little did I know they were poisonous! Someone at the doctor’s office caught it and told us. Its very poisonous if ingested, but even the milk/sap will cause rashes and burns on the skin. So, we threw them away, and washed hands very very well. That was almost a week ago, and they have been fine, but I’m so glad someone caught it and told us!

Another day we hiked down with Daddy to school, and then I took the kids to the store to get a few things. While down there we met a gentleman (security guy at Matthew’s school), whose ancestors were the first ones here! And they were Pirates! He told us where we can find pirate boat remains, and he has an old cannon ball that has been passed down. He told us all kinds of stories about the people and the land. He also knows the plants and animals like the back of his hand. On the spot he went over and picked me 3 plants that I can steep to make a tea safe for children that helps them sleep. He also pulled some leaves for a tea for adults that helps with high blood pressure. He told us about a book he and some of the other natives put together of all the plants and their uses as well as which ones are poisonous. It is at the Trail Shop, so I have yet to go look at it. But Matthew and I also came across a resource that showed the native families and descendants, and sure enough he was on there!

We also met our landlord’s sister and her husband. They live just down the street from us, and have pigs, goats, chickens, and sheep. The kids love visiting the animals! He told us how his family has been here for many generations. He told us how they grew crops, and back when he was young, the stores weren’t here yet, and they traded and bartered for what they needed. On his property he still has several old corrals made of stones stacked up that would hold the livestock. It is very interesting to learn about the heritage here!

School here gets out at 1pm, and then there is this empty playground that has been taunting us nearly every day. So, I dressed the kids, and we wondered over there. The principle was still there so I asked her if it would be okay for us to play on the playground. She said it was totally okay, and the gate would be left open.  Since then we have gone nearly every day.

Oh, and I can’t believe I almost forgot! Matthew had his White Coat Ceremony Friday. This is when they are clothed with the short white coats showing they are in training, and they are given pieces of words and advice from faculty and final semester honor students. Families were invited, so we hiked up the hill, hitch hiked down (yes, all 4 of us as Matthew was already at school). And hauled ourselves into the auditorium. The whole time saying to myself… “I’m crazy. I’ve got to be crazy. What was I thinking.” When I walked in and we most were underdressed, and the only kids… I was really thinking I was crazy! However, it was a very nice ceremony, and the kids were very well behaved.

At one point they were saying, “It may seem far away, but you can be standing in the same place as these honor students…it takes hard work and dedication, but you can do it” and Thomas, who was trying to figure out something, (oblivious to the speech) exclaimed, “Mommy, I did it!” Haha, that got a few chuckles to say the least.

The first 72 hours :)

Okay, so what have we been up to since getting here?!

Well, we came in on the Ferry and landed around noon Wednesday afternoon. We had so much stuff and little ones that needed to go potty, that we were actually the very last people in line for immigration. By the time we got through, all of the Taxi's were gone. There was a little restaurant on the pier, the kids were starving as they had a meager breakfast at 6am before packing up and leaving.

The restaurant was also out of everything but the hotdogs, for $6 a piece. We ordered two. When Hannah's came she had a meltdown. It was a bun, hotdog, ketchup, and.... mayo. Horrible dreaded mayo that she eats any other time of the week but that day. So after using all the napkins we had, and daddy "washing it" with his mouth, she finally ate. Thomas decided he just wanted his bun.

Then we sat and waited for the Taxi. The ride was a very short ride. Maybe 7 minutes max, and cost us a total of $10 for all of us.

The apartment is furnished with basic large furniture, as most rentals here in Saba are. Shortly after arriving we determined one of us had to go to the store and soon, or the rest of us wouldn't have lunch or dinner. I was needing a break from the stress and excitement of kids. So I went to the top of the hill (not pictured, but to the left of the picture) and hitch hiked a ride into town. The car I hopped into already had 3 other hitch hikers. It's not like in the states, everyone does it. If you have a car, you give rides, if you don't have a car, you hitch hike. 

There are about 2,000 people on the island, and everyone pretty much knows everyone else. Also, every one honks. It is the nicest, friendliest honking I have ever seen. You honk as you pass other cars and wave, you honk as you pass walkers, you honk if you see someone outside, each time hollering some form of hello or greeting. 

The store was a little confusing to navigate at first, and I found all the freezer and refrigerated stuff was upstairs, the non-food items were on a separate landing, and everything else was the main part of the store. They have a lot of US options, but most of their ingredients are for Dutch Caribbean cooking. I really want to learn how to cook their way. It's one of the things I was most excited for. But I don't know where to begin, and don't know anyone yet to ask. So for now, we are eating pasta and sandwiches a lot. Haha

Thursday we all went as a family into the other town (First day I went to The Bottoms, 2nd day we all went into Windward Side). There we explored the park and some paths. We almost went to the museums but they had already closed. We went out to eat together and then got some more groceries at the main store there. When I found out that if I spend over $60 there they will deliver the groceries and give you a ride back, it took a huge stress off, as I will be grocery shopping on my own, with the kids, without a car as soon as school starts for Matthew. 

Friday we went on a hike! It was a very decent hike, and I am so impressed with how well the kids did on it! They were huge troopers, and walked the whole way themselves! It took us about an hour, and then we explored Matthew's new school, tried a new restaurant (got to take the opportunity while we can!) and taxied back home for $5 total. 

The weather here seems to be always nice! Sunny and warm, with a perfect breeze! We don't have to use AC or fans even with the windows open. Also, little to no mosquitoes. In fact, hardly any bugs. I have seen some very tiny ants, some moths, butterflies and that's it. We do see a ton of lizards and the kids love to chase them! The people here have goats and chickens that are 100 % island free range. Haha

The rumors about a Cistern for each house that collects rain water is true. That is our water supply unless we buy some from the store. So we do boil our water before drinking but we have a tea kettle that does it nicely in a few minutes and then several containers in the fridge of boiled water. 

Not flushing toilet paper or anything down the toilets is true, and not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. It's not bad at all, and there is not stench either. There are covered waste bins, plus with the flowing air, nothing sits stinky smelling. "If it's yellow, let it mellow, if its brown, flush it down". 

Internet is fantastic. We didn't even get the highest speed, and it's fast enough for me to still do my morning teaching! It also costs quadruple what it does in America.

The humidity is not bad at all. I think the breeze is what helps so much. You don't feel sticky hot. You just don't need lotion as much. I will say, I don't know if I will ever get used to my legs sticking to the toilet seat Haha! That is when I notice the humidity. Doesn't matter how long or short you are on that seat... it will try to stick to you when you come up. 

I will be getting contact info out soon. I am just waiting on one more thing before I can get it out! 

To the Ferry and Beyond!

The day finally came for us to repack our bags, say good bye to Sunny St. Martin, and head to the Saba. 

Saba is pronounced Say-Ba. 

Its a Dutch Caribbean Island, and is considered a Netherlands Antilles. It's only a 12 minute flight from St. Martin or a 90 minute Ferry ride. If you apt to fly, you will land on the worlds shortest runway. 

We chose to ferry as we had a lot of stuff, and thought it would be easier with the kids. The ride wasn't too bad. Some passengers got a little sea sick. We didn't though I felt a bit nauseous. The kids loved that they were riding a boat, and as we came up to the island it was exceptionally fun to watch it approach. 

 Here we are leaving St. Maartin

Our destination!

 In the picture above, can you see the tiny house and windy stair case leading down?!

 Some of our wonderings on the island the last few days (I don't know if these movies will actually play, or if they will just show up as pictures)

 Below is in the middle of Windwardside, where we went for a run of groceries and dinner. 

 Below is the view from our back patio. It's absolutely stunning. 

Saba has those kind of views that take your breath away.....over and over again. It's like you can never fully catch your breath as you take in your surroundings. It's beautiful like nothing I have ever seen before.