14/8/84

Well, some things are falling into place. The Europe trip details are ironed out. We just have to figure out where we are going. But I don't really care. It will just be nice to be on holiday before our hectic but brief re-entry into the Peace Corps life before "Adios". I borrowed a motorcycle from Mark Newborough while he was away in Guadalupe for 3 weeks. Figured it would give us some mobility to see things we haven't seen in the past 20 months. Problem is we were 'grounded' because I'm not 'officially trained' on the motorcycle. A new P.C. policy which has merit but in application hasn't proved its worth. So we do things illegally on the sly. This weekend we motored up to Georgetown and spent the night at the 'Oasis'. We sipped beers on the roof and watched the moon rise over the Atlantic. Keith Paulson was our guide and host. The next day we hiked up the Dry River to a set of waterfalls with a small pool beneath. A bit of tropical paradise. What a beautiful country this is. We even saw a parrot, though briefly. We cautiously motored our way back on Sunday (expecting to see Van our APCD, at every corner). Nice relaxing weekend.

We also talked to Dick Henley about our plans to stay with him during our last few weeks of service. He agreed to let us stay if his wife doesn't come down. We'll know more after our trip to Europe.

Another bit of news is that I have heard from my replacement. His name is Carl Reis from Wheaton, MD. I don't know much about him but I did write him to fill him in on our M.I.U. Sent him a mess of reports and a long letter. I hope I didn't overwhelm him. Things are in a state of flux here. The government's plans haven't congealed yet and the USAID project may ride until things are on firmer ground. But it looks as though the M.I.U. will get the emphasis that is due. Carl will have a lot going on and will virtually be rebuilding the M.I.U.. Should be an interesting job one I wouldn't mind having.

So what else is new? Nothing, really. The routine is pretty well set with only eight or nine real weeks of work left there is really no time to start anything new. I'll be happy if I can get coverage during my holiday (Curt being the most likely candidate). That is a priority but I'm not going to sweat it. If worse comes to worse I'll leave the survey participants with blank sheets to fill out for me (though it's dubious they would). I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it.

We are happy and healthy. How things have changed for us. I've looked through this journal on several occasions and have noticed the slow but steady evolution of emotions over the years here. We've made it and we're okay. Much better than I ever imagined and we're now having moments of sorrow for having to leave. We will be going, with a much richer feel for life. Thanking God for our experience here. It's too early for a summing up. But still, I will miss St Vincent and all it has given us. Seems a shame though that it's only now that we've begun to appreciate it.