July 1 – 60% Chance of a Great Last Weekend

You are probably wondering about the 60%. First, it was definitely a great last weekend. The 60% is a bit of a joke. When they report the weather here on the radio the chance of rain is always 60%, even if it is actually raining. It’s quite funny. But I digress.

I tried to keep my expectations about my last weekend here low so as not to be disappointed and I was not. Nothing was really planned but everything worked out fabulously. For the benefit of my O-town gals…lunge-worthy!

Spent Friday night recovering from Thursday night’s ‘Goodbye Anna’ soiree [dinner at Roys then dancing at Paddy’s until 2] and working as I have to finish test conditions before I leave…it will be tight but I think I’ll make it.

Saturday morning after my last morning beach run we headed off to do some souvenir shopping. Nana, Quirien, Laura and I hit the Lumley Craft Market, some stalls at the Aberdeen round-about and the Big Covered Market downtown. Market shopping was quite intense to say the least. The Big Market had two levels and three sections; crafts and weaving, cloth and jewelry/artifacts. We spent a good hour bargaining and browsing. Many times we were surrounded by women trying to get us to look at there wares. At one point I was wrapped in a sarong with fabric draped all over me, none of which I had asked for. It got a bit scary at moments but we took out time and I think everyone got what they were looking for. My powers of negotiation were okay but I usually managed to get things down to ½ of their first asking price. Regardless, this stuff was CHEAP. Nothing I bought was over $5. I just hope it will all fit in my suitcase.

After the market we went for yummy lunch (including ice tea which I haven’t seen anywhere else here) then home for some more work and a nap. The plan for the night was dinner on the beach and then a visit to the casino in town. It didn’t quite turn out that way.

We had dinner at Bunker Bar, a two-floor beach bar. I made sure to take in all the surroundings as I don’t know when I’ll get a chance to dine on the sand again.

Laura said we needed to drop something off for her housemate at a party so we headed there. I won’t go into details but let’s just say that I spent my Canada Day drinking out of a coconut, watching an African drum troop and dancing at a nightclub until 5am. We never made it to the casino as it was closed by the time we get there. Ridiculous fun and a great way to spend my last Saturday! Sorry, no photos.

Sunday was lazy with a trip to the beach watching helicopters fly overhead and reviewing the wares of vendors. I gave the gals some tattoos and we had a moment of celebration:

Later we headed to Bliss for a dinner of tremendous amounts of food and even a maple crepe! I received a phone call from my parents in Canada which was marvelous. It’s always nice to hear a familiar voice or two. (Thanks for your call on Friday/Saturday Christie…you are truly outrageous.)

Maple Crepe...yum!

There is a party tonight but I am way too tired to party again and have a big week coming up. I do however know it will be great as I saw the cake at the top of this message at the bakery. No worries on the rest of my tattoos either… they are going to the party in my place. Hoping to have some photos of them later this week.

I know you all had a great Canada Day (those of you who are Canadian of course). Four more days here and one adventure to the airport which I am sure will be fabulous fun. I’ll be very sad to leave this place and these people behind but take with me some incredible memories, some new friends and some amazing experience. Oh, and photos of chimps and snakes too!