Raro when it rains

Kia Orana:
I was on my bike (push bike the locals call it to differentiate from a scooter) and headed for the beach after school; but it started to pour, so dropped into Deli-licious for a Flat White - a yummy capuccino with a heart drawn in the foam on top. It's a New Zealand thing. And I'm enjoying the most amazing brownie. Mmmm.
I ate at the Tamarind last night - amazing swordfish. Very fancy place on the ocean about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Went on my own as the others decided to eat the catered meal at the hotel. Dropped in to see the local newspaper yesterday. It's tucked in the back of a little strip mall. My work is going really well - getting to know the kids and they are getting to know me. I finally finished the first project today - the photo book and lesson plan/fundraising proposal. Funny how I spent the past few days doing exactly what I do at the Star! But the kids are starting to get to know me and I them. They like my curly hair and the secret handshake I taught them and they are full of praise for my ura (hula) dancing, but they're just trying to humour the auntie from Canada.
I'm quite proud of how it all turned out. Tomorrow I'm painting some walls at another school and helping the principal at Takimutu school with another proposal. The two are just a 5 minute bike rise apart, but very different - one is private, the other public.
Tonight we're all going to a bbq and Sat. I'm off to Aitutaki. Elaine, a woman from Oakville on my trip, has decided to join me.
There's a huge outrigger canoe (vaka) festival here and I cycle into town most afternoons to see the progress the carvers are making on their boats. There's a blessing ceremony and launch tomorrow that we'll all go to.
Tonight is a bbq at a local's home and back to work tomorrow. But first, the sun is back out and the brilliant turquoise water of Muri Beach calls - see the pic from earlier this week and that's where I'll be in 2 minutes. Bliss!
Hope all is well with you.
Metaki,
Linda

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