This was Moria and Cocoa's last day. Moira still had some work to do so she headed to the office. Cocoa wanted to buy some art work so the rest of us walked around shopping.
After finding just the right piece, Cocoa returned and we continued.
Entering the little local grocery store gave us a chuckle because we never expected to see:
Frank's hot sauce ~
Or ~
Local food is quite cheap but his stuff was very expensive ~ the locals would never buy this stuff ~ only the visitors ~
the bakery ~ it smelled delicious ~ and the breads looked great too
We walked over to check out the old volunteer house where Dana has stayed in the past ~
She met old friends ~ the staff ~ and they all remembered her ~
The tent Dana preferred to stay in. There were only two people in a tent vs at least four in a room in the house and it was much cooler in the tent.
We continued walking and stopped at the Keys hotel for a soda and a look around ~
Lovely pool area but we all agreed we liked our hotel and our location better.
We still weren't sure about Felix so we kind of hung around but as it got later and later we figured we were incorrect about his dinner invitation and started discussing having an early dinner with Cocoa and Moira before they left for the airport.
But ~ low and behold ~ Dana's phone rang ~ it was Felix saying he was sending a car to get us in half an hour!!! We quickly got ready, were picked up and went to meet the family. There are seven brothers, one is the priest we all know from Portland, one is the groom in the wedding we will be attending our last weekend and this one whose house we were heading to.
We turned off the tarmac road onto yet another bumpy, rutted dirt road. When you get back into these villages things slow down and quiet down. Felix came with the driver to get us and when we arrived, his whole family ~ and then some ~ came to greet us. It is quite an event to have white people from America visit ~ never mind come to your home.
Dana has been there before and they welcomed her dearly. They do not treat her as a guest but a member of the family. John and I on the other hand are treated like royalty ~ not only are we from America, we are Dana's family ~ and that is a big deal for them ~ and we are honored.
First we had to have homemade mango juice made especially for Dana.
Next was banana soup, a traditional local dish John had been hearing about so he was happy to be able to try it. Then the main coarse: rice, ugali, greens, cucumbers and meat. This time the food was all prepared so they weren't cooking the whole time. Of course we had to get our food first and they never think we take enough.
Lastly, they asked if we wanted a cold Kilimanjaro beer. John and Dana accepted. I said I was fine without a drink but they insisted, so I ordered a coke. No one got up to get the drinks ~ we weren't really sure what was happening ~ finally the son comes back in with cold beer and cold soda ~ he went to the store to buy it! They have no refrigeration ~ no one does. Felix proceeded to have a warm beer and his wife a warm soda ~ that's how they like it.
Now that the meal was finished it was picture taking time ~
First we had ~
Lynn, John, the youngest boy, and the youngest girl, we aren't quite sure who the baby is but she was a cutie and very good ~
Then Felix ~
Felix's wife ~ not sure of her name ~
That is Felix's oldest son standing, not sure who is next but the baby's mother is next to Lynn ~
The third oldest ~ far right ~ (the second oldest child ~ daughter is away at college.)
I think you know him ~
Then the kids took the camera ~ they did a good job!
The third oldest ~
Oldest ~
Felix and his wife ~
Dana and the two youngest ~
The rubber band bracelets came out again ~ everyone made one and I left a bunch for them to make more.
Our driver arrived so our evening came to an end.
It was really a lovely evening and once again we were amazed at how welcoming, respectful and generous these people are. We will be seeing them all again at the wedding so it will be nice to have familiar faces.
PS ~ Felix said he talked to his brother, the Father and it was planned that we will have a one day coffee tour (not three days) and dinner one night after he arrives ~ we'll see.
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