Poolside

Sunday, October 6

I have done very little this weekend.  Truly little. In fact, I don’t really know where the hours have gone.  I have been battling a stomach bug and that has certainly played a role in it but there really was little going on as well.

Yesterday, Melissa and I just enjoyed the quiet as almost everyone was gone.  I read, caught up on some paperwork and texted with Brett and LeAnna and video chatted with Wayne.  I had really hoped to catch up on rest but lack of power, screaming kids, monkeys, etc. made that not an option.  

This morning, we had decided to go into town and eat at the hotel we stayed at a few weeks ago.  If you eat, then you can enjoy the pool. I wasn’t sure it was a great idea given my stomach but I didn’t think I could handle another day here just reading.  Also, the church I have been attending was having its business meeting and vision casting today and as a visitor that really didn’t have appeal.

We loaded into the car.  This is a bigger deal than you are picturing.  Nicole’s parents from Holland are visiting so we had Nicole, her mom and dad, Maria, Happy, Deona, Melissa, Me, and Brenda and Brenda.  We were approaching a circus act for sure. It is also hot and no AC but you keep the windows up secondary to the dust. Sweaty mess! Brandina was my lap partner on the way and we were sticky but I love the comfort and easy affection.

At the hotel, the kids enjoyed swimming and splashing.  I am sure I was not the best company as I just felt blah.  It was also sad to be in a place with good food and have no appetite.  

The big event of the day was Melissa playing hero.  Another family who are here to teach English at a local school, were playing in the pool.  The kids were all great swimmers and the dad was tossing them in the air from the shallow end to the deep end.  Maria and Deona who are good swimmers and outgoing asked to join in and the dad agreed. Then Happy, who can not swim at all, yelled out “me too”.  Her skinny self was in the air before anyone could say anything. Melissa and Nicole hopped up. I was reading and didn’t even see it. Nicole started shouting “she can’t swim” but Melissa just went headlong into the pool dress and all.  Happy made a small attempt but when Melissa reached her she was headed to the bottom. Melissa brought her up wide eyed and sputtering. Happy was handed off to a shaky Nicole.

All is well. Happy calmed and re-entered the pool before we left.  Melissa was cheered for. The poor dad beat himself up the rest of the afternoon and I don’t think will be playing that game again.  Drama even by poolside. 

After that was all settled, it was time to get down to the business of the day: removing Deona’s braids.  The girls have braids put in over the course of several hours. They stay in for about a month and require little maintenance.  Then when they start to fall our our look ratty, you have to remove them. This takes a long time as well. You cut the braids off short but below the real hair and then use a pick to unbraid and free the real hair.  Leaving a pile behind. They typically let the hair be washed and have a week break before new braids are in. So at the luxury hotel here we go. Don’t you know that when we drove away the staff rejoiced.

We made out way home.  Brenda was my lap buddy this time and was sleeping hard before we hit our turn off.  The kids were all wiped and should sleep well. I hope the same is true for me.

Everyone is returning tonight and it appears it will be a busy week in the hospital.  I have just over 2 weeks left before I start my journey home. I miss you all!

Thank you to those who wrote emails yesterday.  If you didn’t have a chance see yesterdays post.  We are hoping to have the USCIS email boxes full tomorrow morning to encourage them to get Melissa and her girls home.

Love from Malawi!!!!