Trials and triumphs

My pores are thanking me for coming to GB.  I could feel them opening up and sucking in all the hot humid air the moment I stepped off the plane.  I just hope they exercise some discernment and don't let anything in that shouldn't be there!

The official said it was 26 degrees but I think his thermometer was broken.  By my personal reckoning it was at least 49 degrees.

The minute I walked into the terminal it felt like being on my first team trip to Kenya, except of course, without a team to huddle amongst.  After decoding the Portuguese visitor card (they didn't check it anyway so who knows if my answers were correct), and waiting in a line and watching some guy get arrested after getting fiesty with one of the guards... I was through to baggage claim, yay.

I think in NZ people should be able to jump through the baggage carousel hole and grab their own bags, it seemed to work well here... and it only took me 46 (the five doesn't work on this keyboard) minutes to get my bags, yay.

One great thing about going thru customs here; if you say you're a missionary, they wave you straight through!  No proof necessary.  So I didn't have to get my bags checked at all.  Another thing NZ could learn from I think!

Arrived 3am Saturday morning, your afternoon.  Am staying in a compound, with lots of action just outside the main gates (we are in the CBD of Bissau).  My ''apartment'' is very spacious, cold shower, flushing toilet, mozzie nets over beds, all very familiar as well!

Ended up sleeping til midday, was pretty zonked from all the crazy traveling. 

Today (after I finally got up) I had my first Creole lesson so now I can say 'how is your family'' and ''Í'm full to the brim'' and ''nice to meet you'', except under pressure I keep getting them confused which causes extreme hilarity.

We also went to see a Scottish lady who's been here since the MID FIFTIES.  That's right, folks.  She turns 86 next week, and is a legend.  She translated large chunks of the NT into Creole and has also written some Creole teaching stuff, which we are using to learn the language.

We saw a vulture sitting on the shed roof today, pretty cool.

I'm being looked after very well - good food (fresh mangos, mmmmm) and I have had a chance to rest a bit today.  Tomorrow is church at 10 and then a day of rest. On Monday we will go into town so I can get my residency card.

It is very good to be here but still somewhat daunting as I'm not convinced I brought the right stuff (despite my mega marathon!)... clothes-wise things may be interesting but I will be coming to Bissau to get money and any supplies needed so next month I might get some GB style clothes.

Anyway better go,

Abby