Shopping Day

Shopping here is a little different.  There are "grocery stores" but they never have everything you need, so multiple stops are required.  Here is a typical shopping day for me.

1.  The first stop is at the small duka (shop) where we exchange our 20 L water bottle for our water cooler.

2.  Next we usually stop and check our PO box, and mail any letters that need to be sent at the Post Office down town.

3.  The ATM is next, if we need to get money out.

4.  A quick stop at the bakery to pick up 4-5 loaves of bread.

5.  Next, to the dairy to pick up our cheese and butter.

6.  On to the first grocery store to pick up most of our canned foods, and eggs.  We buy eggs by the tray (30 eggs). 

7.  Pick up some frozen mince beef at one duka, and some chips, cookies and bread sticks and another small duka.

8.  Next, we stop at a small grocery store attached to a gas station to pick up frozen chickens, and sometimes they have apples.

9.  Another grocery store next, the "expensive" place in town where we pick up dog and cat food.  It's the only place in town that sells pet food. 

10.  The market to pick up vegetables and fruits.  Also, rice and beans.

11.  We are finally on our way home.  We sometimes stop and pick up some ice-cream or candy at another duka.

            So, there you have it!  It usually takes about 2 hours to do all of our grocery shopping.  We've been blessed to find everything we need here.

Slower Pace

It's been over a month since my last entry, and it's hard to think about what to write. 
    My days are pretty much the same, doing school with the kids in the morning, in the afternoons baking, cooking, spending time with Bill and the kids, reading.  Weekends we watch movies, shop for groceries and go swimming.  Things are very pleasant, but there is not much new to report.

  Life here is very laid back, relaxed.  Nothing is rushed.  We are enjoying this slower pace of life.
         We have had very busy times in our lives.  When both Bill and I were taking 18 hours of seminary classes, and we had two small children, as well as driving to report to our churches every weekend.  Times when we were raising support that we would send out 50 letters a week to churches and then spend the rest of the week calling those churches to try to set up appointments, as well as taking seminary classes and taking care of our baby (Katrina) and finding out I was pregnant.
    So, we are enjoying a time of a slower pace.  For now.  Because nothing stays the same forever.... change is the only constant!