Day 9 started much too early, as usual. For breakfast we ate beans, eggs, and fried jacks- which are deep-fried doughy things that Suzi helped make, and they were delicious! After that we headed out to the village to do work projects. After a jolting van ride and salty boat ride we made it to the village to be greeted by some of the village kids that were waiting for us on the dock- it's so touching that they're always so excited to see us! Today we were extra stoked to see them, as it was the last day we spent in the village. So we let them crawl all over our laps as we did devotions in the church. It was my day and I talked on Matthew, and after we were done we split into two groups to do raking and cleaning up lawns.
I was in Kate's group, and we headed down the roadside to clean up garbage, dead palm leaves, decaying wood, and rotting coconuts and pile them in heaps for incineration. Might I add that expired coconut milk smells like outhouse. It was the most unpleasant working experience of my life, because we all got munched on by bugs the entire time. We were hauling things around in tall grass, and with bare legs we got swarmed by mosquitos. There were also big termites in the wood, blue centipedes, and fire ants to add to our adventures. The only enjoyable part was when we took a break to pick some ripe coconuts from a nearby tree and get one of the villagers the maschete it open.
By the time we headed back to Gentle's "cool spot oasis" (-Bart) restaurant we were all sick or sore or both. But yummy rice and chicken/fish/beef, and 1/2 Litre of pop each cured us of our ailments and we headed back to the church. For the next hour or so we played with kids, ate coconut crisps and dried mangos, and just spent time with the villagers. It was a bit emotional when we realized we had to leave. We all hugged the kids tight and tears were shed as we shoved off and waved a final goodbye to the village. We will miss them alot!
When we got back we were all exhausted and dirty and the team disbanded to find relief in swimming, sleeping, washing, or spending time some time alone. I was in the ocean as soon as I could change into my suit to get the sweat and muck off me! Whilst in the ocean, Danielle got stung by a jellyfish- and we all left the ocean pretty quickly. Don't worry parents!- She's completely fine. It was only a tiny sting and she can't even feel it anymore.
The rest of the time before dinner was spent in me and Mel's cabana. It started out with Sophie and Syd, then somehow the entire team was in our room and we all chilled out in our cramped little room! We danced and sang to various Shania Twain and Taylor Swift songs, and just relaxed.
Dinner was delicious, but not long after Suzi ordered us to go pack our bags up and clean our disgustingly dirty rooms and bathrooms. We then reconviened in the main room to play dutch blitz, a favourite card game of the week, and cranium, eat birthday cake and sing to Jude- who is a part of the discipleship program in the village.
So tomorrow we set out to Caye Caulker for a snorkling adventure. I think the general feel of the group is that we're sad to be leaving the base and the village. We all love it here at Vera and Basil's place; we'll miss it alot! We'll miss all the people we've met in the village and all the ridiculous crocodile-filled jungle rides to get there! We'll miss the ocean swims and playing cards in the main room, and we'll miss the puppies Cheeko and Puma, and the parrot, and the meal bell that informs us of a delicious meal awaiting us. Me, I feel like we've been here for months but at the same time not nearly long enough!
So tomorrow we leave, tear, but we're all excited to embark on our adventure trips and relax!
Note from the Leaders: Rachel 'bout summed that up.
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