As with any living situation, there are things that are good, and things that are bad. Our list concerning Boone has recently been updated:
Lately, I've been taking Rocky walking with me to the open air market. I can speak the language well enough now to bargain and have short conversations, and I find such friendly people. I can buy fresh fruit for pocket change, beef and chicken fresh and cheap... down one road is the 'bird and flower market'. I can go and see turtles, dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. Today I bought a huge ivy plant that I'll train to climb on the kitchen lattice, and a miniature rose bush. This market has poinsettias, calla lilies, easter Lilli's, palm trees, cactus, roses, mums... you name it, they have it.
The market is by far my new favorite thing about Boone.
I'm also really happy because our city is experiencing a major over-haul. We have a new 'mayor' who is determined to make this tiny, poor city into a famous tourist destination. We have certainly began to see the first changes, although he's got about 10 years worth of changes to do to see that happen. The first being to out-law using the bathroom on the sidewalk. I kid you not.
When we first came to Boone, the only western things we could find were Panteen, Coke, Sprite and Dove chocolate.
Now we have aluminum foil, saran wrap, pledge, AVON (whoo hooo!) crackers, and much much more. If we could just get milk and butter and cheese, we'd have it made!
So that's the good- which is GREAT, but for the bad.... it used to be the fact that we are all alone and have nothing in common with the locals. They often point and laugh at us- sometimes it's easy to laugh along, but on the long days, it'll make you see red.
But that is no longer the thing that bothers me the most.
Our three nephews were born a few weeks ago... and my heart is broken that I can't hold them for another 2 1/2 years. I'm glad we found out our sister and sister in law were pregnant after we'd committed to three years of travel, or we might have put our plans on hold.
I look back at the time I spent with my nieces before we left the states... there were so many times, especially with Jason and Shanna when they lived down the road, when I could have spent the afternoon just watching cartoons or playing 'house', but because my jobs took so much out of me, I rarely felt I had energy. I also wished I had more time to drive to Alabama and see Hannah and Sadie Anne.
It's weird to think, if we'd never left, I'd never realize how much I was missing. But when we come back, I know I'll never pass up an opportunity to play with our nieces and nephews.
We love you, Grace, Hannah, Sadie Anne, Seth, Baker and Brooks.
love,
Aunt Neen-neen and Uncle Cott.
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