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Welcome Back!

Yes, well, that really is a message to me. I've been back from my trip to Trinidad for almost two weeks now. We made it to and from, safe and sound. And what have I been doing since I've been back? As little as possible - and you would know that was pretty much the situation even before I left!

Ok, so my report from my trip. First let's start with food. I was pleasantly surprised that my constitution held up the whole time, despite having "doubles" with pepper almost every day after not eating it in 6 years. I ate mango amchar (more pepper), curried duck and goat while avoiding "bellywuk", aka diarrhoea. Baby Liam did me proud by chowing down on some dhaal (split peas), rice and curried goat - my son! I also gave him some doubles (without pepper) from a roadside vendor which he tried like a trooper! Ooops, maybe Gunnar didn't know that.. I was not able to get Gunnar, Lucas or Liam to like coconut water though, so I'll just have to keep on trying.

I did get a chance to meet with friends and telephone those I could not. It was a relief to find that conversation flowed like I'd never been away. It was reassuring that they remained true to their nature, especially the one who wouldn't let me get away with anything less than my best. You know, the kind who picks at a sore you hope they won't notice. The kind who exposes it, demands that you take care of it and takes you to task when you don't. Despite the obvious downside to me, I'm glad that I have people like that in my life (that would be you John).

As usual with these short trips, there is always too much to do and too little time. However, I am grateful I got a chance to visit with many family members I haven't seen in a long, long time. (Thanks to Gunnar for being in charge of Liam so I could have that time!) My dad was happy that we were all able to make it for his 80th birthday, so that was the most important thing. I got to see my brother and his family for the first time in 5 years but again, the 2-weeks I was there was just too short. I spent a lot of time trying to keep Liam out of trouble in a house not designed for this little 20-month old and not enough time with my nieces. At least Lucas got a chance to play with them and didn't seem to recognize any limitations in our circumstances that I, (in my adult bias), was concerned about (things like no central air-conditioning). Children are just great that way. My brother and sister-in-law did an awesome job getting everything organized for the celebrations. I did sometimes feel guilty and unhappy about being treated like a guest but glad because I didn't have to do any cooking.

So what was it really like? We stayed in San Fernando, in the house I grew up in (it would be 30 years old by now). It was great to be home after 6 years and some things have not changed while some things have worsened. (I'm not sure I would have noticed any improvements even if there were.) I expected that the water situation to be better, but no luck. If you didn't have a tank, you still had to buy water even though you paid utilities and taxes - there was no regular water supply. (But, electricity didn't go the whole time I was there.) I felt very sad when Lucas asked me on one drive, "Why do the houses have military wire?" He was referring to the barbed wire most houses had because of the crime situation. We were safe, but while we were there, a colleague of my sister-in-law's was murdered. The closest murder has come to me personally.

The traffic was horrible and I was reluctant to drive in that chaos. As a bit of trivia, the Summit of the Americas was held in Trinidad and as part of the extra security, cars traveling to and from the airport were being stopped. So in addition to getting to the airport 3 hours before our 7:00am flight back, we had to allow for an additional 1hr - 1 1/2hrs just in case we were stopped.

The days were very lethargic, maybe because it was hot and I was on holiday, but I didn't feel the need to fill up my day like I do here. I was very content to do nothing, or at most make a spin to the bakery for bread. We went to a walkathon, so Liam had a taste of some soca, fish broth and heat - he was exhausted! We had lunch like we used to by my aunt and uncle near where I was born; and barbque at a cousin's. Lots of food, liming and "ole talk". The things I miss.

Life would have been so very different for me if I'd stayed in Trinidad. I sometimes wonder if the circumstances would have made me different? Or would I have made a difference in my circumstances?

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