6/28/12
- The rest of the trip to Cap
Flights
overall went great. Slept a little between LAX and Miami, but only as much as
can be expected in economy on a 4.5hr flight. 1st class from Miami to Port was
nice - had an Omelet, fried potatoes, bagel, and a number of glasses of orange
juice. The flight was delayed a little due to having to power down the aircraft
to check/fix an indicator light, but still made it to Port basically on time.
Because I was in 1st class I did get one of the few immigration papers - this
was nice because after we took the shuttle bus to the arrival area I was able to
get right in the immigration line (because I had it pre-filled out). Whipped
through that and waited just 5min or so before my bags came across. Grabbed
them and passed through customs in just a few seconds and was heading down the
sidewalk with 2x50lb roller bags and a 40lb backpack - successfully dogging the
"helpers". Halfway down the walk I ran into someone with my name on a paper -
appeared to just be a cab driver that had been arranged. We walked to the usual
run down Isuzu trooper and he drove me to the local terminal just down the
street. On the way talked to Ivans (?) on the cab drivers cell phone - turned out
I was to pay the Cabby after I got checked in. Checking in they charged me more
per pound than I expected - appeared to be for 70lb by charged 90 bucks. I
argued a little because the electronic receipt clearly stated $1/lb, but figured
it very likely could be out of date. And since they let me carry my backpack
and full laptop case without charge I figured wasn't worth arguing. They were
able to move me to an earlier flight since I was so quick through, but still
ended up waiting for 45min or so while a nice scene played out around the
airplane out side. 10 or so people were huddled around the far side airplane
wheel on the rear landing gear. Lots of staring, examining, head scratching,
and they brought out a huge jack and jacked the plane up and ended up removing
the tire. Then they worked on it some, still not sure whether they were
actually doing something or were just examining closely. In the end they put it
back on and eventually gave the go ahead to start boarding. 22min 2/3 full
flight was uneventful except the nice view of the Citadel (pointed out by the
guy behind me tapping the wall around my left ear for probably 30 sec before I
realized that he was trying to get my attention to point it out. After arriving
at the terminal, waiting to see if my 2 huge bags would show up and found that
Juleesa had been left there to wait for me. She was toward the end of a 1month
stay, from LA. We chatted while we waitied for Adam and Reekins to get back
from the bank. My bags didn't make it on the flight which is typical,
especially for "extra" bags. An hour or so later Adam and Reekins showed up and we spent
another 45min sorting out the Mail from the Agape flight. The customs agents go
through everything and come up with an amount of tax that COTP has to pay - then
literally it is a negotiation back and forth until an agreement is reached which
probably results in a tax to the government and the left over to the customs
people. 5 boxes of diapers, 9 boxes of misc clothes and kids’ stuff and I think
the duty was $75 to $100. After loading up mail boxes into the King Cab busted
up maroon Toyota with snorkel, we headed to downtown to do some shopping. The
main store in the market that Adam was aiming for was closed, so we went to a
number of other stores to get some 6month old formula, powdered milk and a few
other items. Then another store right by the water front which was more of a
grocery store, was the target to pick up a bunch of items for special 4th of
July meal (chips, salsa, sausage). Then we made the trip to COTP - I rode in
the back of the pickup bed on top of all the mail boxes, Juleesa was there as
well.
Arrived
at COTP around 3pm, Wedley was still sleeping so after taking some stuff into my
room (room w/ private bath right off the volunteer kitchen - same as we stayed
in last time) - I went up and hung out with Nikki, Eventz, and Josiah - as
Wedley was still sleeping. Eventually Nikki just woke him up because he just
kept sleeping. I was sitting on the porch - when he came out. He came to me
pointing "Papa" - said it several times. Nikki coached to say "Daddy", and
actually Daddy it was for the rest of the day. Wedley sat on my lap for a while
and I hugged him tight a number of times. Nikki went through who I was multiple
time with him saying "Daddy". She brought out our picture book and had him look
at it, point to mommy and daddy and then also point to me and say who I was -
"Daddy". After a while we went on a walk - spent some time in the playground,
Wedley did the zip line a few times. Whenever we walked anywhere Wedley was
sure to grab my hand to walk with me. I did a number of different swings with
him, over my head etc. He loved all of them - was a good sign. After a bit we
walked back and looked at the new construction - Nick and Nikki's house is
looking great and coming along nicely. There is also another building that
doesn't have a roof yet, but is coming along. I carried Wedley some and he
walked some. Oh - we also looked at the rabbits. Next we came back and Nikki
started cooking dinner - I sat for a bit and actually drifted to sleep for a few
minutes. Then went outside and Wedley sat on my lap again while the volunteers
were having Bible study below - fell asleep again there, must be pretty low on
sleep since its 5pm eastern or so. When dinner was ready, Nikki had Wedley sit
at the big table next to me - he stayed on knees to be tall enough. Nikki
cooked pasta, corn, and some pineapple rings. Was great. Wedley of course took
his and my plate to the sink. Then we went into the living room and Nikki asked
Wedley if he wanted to read, he said yes and she told him to go get a book.
instead of going to the normal bookshelf, he did something Nikki said he had
never done and went into the bedroom and grabbed the 2 bedtime books that we
made for him (with our voices) and brought them to read. I went through them
with him. Next we played with the trains (Wedley, Eventz, and I). When we
wrapped that up, it was time for bath time (beginning of bedtime ritual).
Wedley got a bit upset at first when he thought that I wasn't coming with him,
he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the bathroom. Nikki started the bath,
then I finished by washing him as he called out the part we were washing "hand"
etc. Then I put a diaper on him (Size4) and then Wedley brushed his teeth with
me finishing. Lastly we went to Wedley’s room and Nikki read through his two
bedtime books. Then I sang him the Alphabet song and then he sang it as well.
Through all this last part, Eventz started getting really riled up - Nikki said
this is the typical behavior every night. Lastly Nikki walked Wedley through a
prayer. I kissed him good night and we shut the light off. Overall I am very
encouraged by the first day, of which I had so many unknowns and questions
about. Not knowing how Wedley would respond, if I would be any different than
any other visitor. He seemed to understand that we have a special relationship.
Oh - I also spent a little time tickling him and giving him Zerberts - he was
really laughing pretty good, that can get him going. One other thing of note -
with his gentle spirit he is also pretty quiet, has a pretty high and quiet
voice. Tomorrow the plan will be more of me hanging out with him all day,
breakfast, preschool, pool time maybe etc - and I'll do a few more of the ritual
things - reading the bed time stuff, probably doing the whole bath etc.
Tomorrow or the next day he will take a nap in my room. By the weekend he will
stay with me over night. By Monday we'll try to have Nikki totally out of the
picture (as much as possible).
No comments:
Post a Comment