Ever since we first arrived in
country, we have set Saturdays aside as a family day.
The culture here is very relational and as we
take initiative to build relationships and learn language it can be difficult
to spend time just as a family.
So, on
Saturdays we may stay home and Skype, or go out to an enjoyable and relatively quiet place!
In the big city this usually meant
the mall as it was air conditioned, had play structures for the boys, and was pretty quiet on Saturday mornings.
Now in the small city of Barat there are no
malls.
There is one city park along the
beach.
Though kids are still in school
on Saturdays the city park turned out to be pretty busy with fish vendors, many wanting to talk to us.
The beach has turned out to be a great spot. Sunday the beach can be quite busy, but we have enjoyed it on Saturdays as we usually only see a couple other people.
 |
| My favorite beach from the cliff above. It is a 30minute walk from our house. |
 |
| Looking towards the opposite cliff. |
 |
Down on the beach!
This beach is pretty rocky, reminding John more of the Oregon coast than Florida! The water is clearer, there is less trash, and it is quieter than the other more popular beach. |
 |
| We still run into locals wanting to chat. |
If we don’t feel like the beach, we head to the graveyard.
This isn’t just any graveyard.
It is a historical graveyard where former Kings
from the area are buried.
It is larger
and more beautiful than any park here or in the big city (not that there really
are
parks).
The graveyard sits upon a cliff with an
incredible view of the ocean.
There are
multiple little places to sit and catch some shade, along with a fair amount of
open area with grass.
It is also very
quiet.
Most people don’t choose to go
and sit in a graveyard, even to the extent some are too afraid of spirits to
venture there.
 |
| Walking through a neighborhood on the way to the graveyard we are joined by a group of kids coming out to 'see the westerners.' |
 |
| A well and public bathrooms for those in the neighborhood without water in their homes. |
 |
| From the neighborhood we climb up the hill! |
 |
| A community graveyard, still in use today. |
 |
| Entrance to the King's Graveyard |
 |
| Nice large grassy area with a view. |
 |
| Historic graves. |
 |
| More historic graves. |
 |
| A traditional house within the complex. |
 |
| Enjoying the shade, a small breeze, and the quiet! |
 |
| Whitman |
 |
| Caedmon |
 |
The view!
Fishing boats and homes below. |
