I think Luis wanted to cry more than Sebastian did. Sebastian did a little cry when he saw us going but the minute we were gone he had the best day. I think he is so excited to have a new person in his life. We could not be happier about how well he and Alison connected. She is wonderful and making going back to work so much easier.
We deiced to have a Sunday exploring day as Grand Bahama is actually quite a huge island. Our first destination was Lucaya National Park. To get there we took a long highway, possibly the most depressing highway I have driven down. It is so clear there was a devastating hurricane not so long ago. The trees are all ripped apart and power lines down. Then we arrived at the park entrance...
We got invited to someone's home for dinner! I think this is a first, I am definitely the first person to have a dinner party in a new situation. Alison and Simon have come to teach here from the UK via Chicago (having worked four years there). Simon is an Engineering/Design Technology teacher and Alison works as a nanny. The best part is she is fantastic and a nanny to Sebastian. Luis was so sure he would cry for hours when we first left him. But nope, he took to Alison right away. There were a few tears, but actually not more than usual in the morning. SO far we are the new teacher group as the others are still stuck in Florida awaiting borders to open up again. We will have another big meal when they arrive for sure.
We did not waste any time, I found a car online and the next day Red Rider was ours. It is only 10 years old! A first for us and I just love it. The previous owner is Sergeant Murphy of Bahamas police force and I have been assured if he sees us going a little bit over the speed limit he might just let us go.
It has been a crazy week and the start of teaching online. The last time I have felt so out of depth is when I first became a teacher. I am teaching a new course and have a new role and feel very unprepared. It has also hit me very hard that Lola is not with us and I really am not sure when and how we will make this happen. I think in Barbados I just told myself it was holiday time and often she could not come but now it is different. And how can this possibly be our home without her? There have been more than a few tears. Lockdown also ended and if I am honest our initial exploration of the island was a little disappointing. Hurricane Dorian and Covoid have hurt this island in the last year and it shows. But then Friday came and we hit our two local bars/restaurants both a short walk from our house. And they are amazing, everyone made us feel so welcome. It made all the difference. Also, the staff at the school have also done their best to make us feel so welcome. All and all feeling better then I was yesterday!
It was never going to take me long to have people over for dinner, even in lockdown. On the weekend we had the other people on the property over for dinner, all except Gladys who was not feeling well (Lockdown blues). It was very nice, everyone having quite amazing stories.
I always knew I was out of my depth teaching a new course and taking on a new role. But today I felt sick about it all day long. I feel so unprepared and do not really know what the heck I am doing. It does not help that our shipment is not here, so I have no calculators, textbooks, and other resources that I need. I am like a piano teacher with no piano. Combine that with the fact we cannot meet any other teachers due to lockdown and will be teaching online. Well, let's just say panic is setting in! So instead of preparing today, I made everyone break the rules and go for a swim.
