Once again we used Engelbert from Joe Cool to take us from the airport to the hotel. We ended up in one of the best rooms on the resort. Wrap around balcony, third floor overlooking the beach. The rooms are dated but the resort is scheduled to be remodelled into a 5+ star in the near future.
On Sunday we went to Mary Gate of Heaven to drop off our suitcase and participate in the Harvest Celebration. The church was packed and the tent outside eventually filled up as well and there was others standing. In some parishes people bring in fruits and vegetables to sell to raise money for the church. Since this is a poorer parish they also have a dinner and sell drinks, pastries and ice cream to raise money. We had intended to stay and participate but I could tell that my wife was fading from sitting outside even though we were in the tent.
In our route cab back my wife leans forward from the back and tentatively asks the driver “Are there chickens in the back?” He replies “Ja Mon – is that okay?” Of course it was okay it was his cab.
On Tuesday morning we left the resort at 6.30 and headed out to St. Anthony’s Soup Kitchen. We were waiting for a route taxi but a van accepted $300 JA to take us there. Miss Sonia, Vilma and one other lady start bright and early preparing breakfast for the 35 or so kids that they sponsor. They have some other volunteers that stop by when they can and welcome tourists any day. This day breakfast was an egg or peanut butter sandwich, hot chocolate and cookies for a snack later on. We helped dish out the food, wrap cookies and anything else they asked us to do.
They also supply transport to the schools in the Rotary van and give money to those that need to take taxis to school.
Once the breakfast rush was over it was time to finish up lunch. Lunch was going to be soup and water or juice. We helped cut up vegetables that I had never heard of and then Vilma had my wife help her make mini dumplings that were going to be put into the soup. The soup also had chicken legs in it.
Father Jim stopped by to say hello and was coming back later on to help out. They also have a small store in the back of the kitchen that they sell used clothing and shoes from at a discounted price.
