20 december

Well, it's turning out not that easy to actually make it to the computer to write regularly. I think it's about time to apologise for typos or spelling mistakes but I have no intention whatsoever to write this with a dictionary nearby.

I won't write much now as I may or may not go to the beach soonish (it's my cousin and it's complicated, usually is).

Yesterday was another bike ride with dad, not very long but long and hot enough to make me absolytely starved by the time we finished. We went on the eastern side of the track, the more bumpy one, but more shaded too, peering through the vegetation in case a Chameleon was hiding. We cycled to the "cascade Niagara", not aptly named for this time of year. 2 years ago it had been overflowing so much you could hardly talk nearby it and this time it was just a trickle. People were climbing the rock nearby to start some work on the cliff. Dad informed me they plan to install a giant flying fox.

After that I fought off the urge to nanap as much as I could and my friend came to pick me up for a walk on the city shore. I was hoping we would make it to the abolition of slavery parade, whihc we did, but the parade, it appears, never made it to us :( We waited for close to an hour but they must have been very late. As I was due for a very very early wake up call this morning, we had to call it quits.

I went to mass with mum, at 4 am. Yes that's right. 4 am, and there was not enough seats!  There used to be a priest in Saint-Marie, Brother Scubilion, who preached to the slaves and is very much revered around here. Apparently the 10am mass on that day attracts thousands.... He used to preach at 4 am or in the evening as the masters needed the slaves in the fields by 6 am. So every year on that day at 4 am there is a mass nearby his remains outside. It was an interesting affair, with lots of singing in French, latin and creol.  There was, to my surprise, a whole hord of scout girls, who had, on top of the mass, also participated in the 12-3am commemorative walk as well and lingered after mass to sell pawpaw jam. I was quite astonished but mum informed me that the scouts are part of the parish here  and very involved in parish activities. They were so well behaved during mass, it was quite refreshing not to have to turn around at communion time to remind teenagers to be quiet.

Needless to say I will be having my nanap today! Whether at home or under the filaos on the beach.  Anyway, better get going. I do hope my cousin can go with his girlfriend's car as mum's air con is broken!