So we landed in one piece, Melba included. There were two other dogs traveling on the same flight which I think probably helped calm her nerves; pet camaraderie, if you will. And instead of one taking the bus and the other the car we managed to use every inch of space of our little Clio on the way home and got to travel home together - Success!
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The first days spent at my new home have all been bundled into a blurry haze. But one distinct impression remains, the goddamn HEAT. Seriously, I mean it's not just hot, it's this almost wet and weighty, encapsulating type of humid "hot". And yes, I am Finnish, and I have little to no sense of heat-tolerance... blablabla, but I am almost close to certain that even if you'd place some kind of saharan wanderer out here, they'd at least grant you that it's rather toasty. Over the past week I have been getting used to almost always being covered by a light coat of sweat - sorry, but it's totally true. It is really quite amazing how quickly you can adapt to being constantly a little sticky. Wearing shorts, skirts and dresses every single day is something I could definitely get used to though - so light! On the flipside, I will have to maintain a decent level of personal grooming now - no excuses.After going for a run (which turned into a walk) we got "rained on", where the end-result was equal to having jumped into the pool. The rain is like a tap, turned on one minute and off the next. Melba's reaction mid-walk was really quite funny, she doesn't like rain as it is but this was just something else; her eyes a'squint looking to me for answers to this madness. I really thought it was quite refreshing.
Last week we headed down to Cayenne, the "capital" for some all around shopping. We managed to find bits and bobs for house and garden maintenance - and very nice plates! Of course, my passion for kitchenware filled, I was thrilled. We even managed to find a hoover, a blender and a dog basket (which the little vermin has still to accept as it is made of plastic and the miss doesn't like beds that shift under her weight). Cayenne was really quite impressive, a city full of character with an authentic jazzy vibe to it. The remnants of colonial architecture are clearly visible on the style of the houses. I didn't remember my camera so I didn't manage to take any pictures this time... sowwy - Soonsoon.
We've visited the local market, about a 15-20 minute walk away, which was really quite impressive. There were plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, spices and such. Since my arrival we had not eaten any fresh veg or fruit so I was really craving something ripe and juicy. We bought ingredients for a salad and some mangoes and limes - mangoes for smoothies and limes for the evening rum cocktail, both of which are absolutely mouthwateringly tasty. The funky local maracuja fruit (pictured below) is also very zesty and tasty.
Over the last weekend we did some very needed gardening; we were getting ingrown quite rapidly. Upon uncovering the greenery we discovered we have both a pineapple bush and some baby banana trees! .. It is too small for producing bananas but still! THIS is possibly the coolest thing ever - I mean we have a banana tree :D ... that is just too awesome. Also, we have some coconut trees and I seriously live in fear of having one drop on my head, unlikely as it is. How embarrassing would that be, fly all the way to S.A. to get killed by a coconut. Just pitiful. (Note to self: trying to throw a fallen coconut on the other still attached coconuts in order to make them fall, does not work and may result in serious injury. Avoid).
The acclimatization process has kicked in:
I live in South America, where I have a banana tree and a pineapple bush. It totally sounds good :)
Hammocks and heat.
Poolside
Sunshine.
We've visited the local market, about a 15-20 minute walk away, which was really quite impressive. There were plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, spices and such. Since my arrival we had not eaten any fresh veg or fruit so I was really craving something ripe and juicy. We bought ingredients for a salad and some mangoes and limes - mangoes for smoothies and limes for the evening rum cocktail, both of which are absolutely mouthwateringly tasty. The funky local maracuja fruit (pictured below) is also very zesty and tasty.
Over the last weekend we did some very needed gardening; we were getting ingrown quite rapidly. Upon uncovering the greenery we discovered we have both a pineapple bush and some baby banana trees! .. It is too small for producing bananas but still! THIS is possibly the coolest thing ever - I mean we have a banana tree :D ... that is just too awesome. Also, we have some coconut trees and I seriously live in fear of having one drop on my head, unlikely as it is. How embarrassing would that be, fly all the way to S.A. to get killed by a coconut. Just pitiful. (Note to self: trying to throw a fallen coconut on the other still attached coconuts in order to make them fall, does not work and may result in serious injury. Avoid).
The acclimatization process has kicked in:
I live in South America, where I have a banana tree and a pineapple bush. It totally sounds good :)
Hammocks and heat.
Poolside
Sunshine.
Thanks! Yeah, sure - I will! :)
ReplyDeleteBest,
Sarah