Presidential Palace was packed with school children. A group of girls from an all girl school had an assignment to practice English with foreign visitors they met. Each of the four teenage girls who surrounded Jane, much to her delight, were from different nearby islands like Boreno and New Guinea.
We spent a few minutes watching the traditional dance performance before heading back to hotel.
We found Rubio and he, like many others here, is generous. He suggested we hire a friend of his instead of him. His friend had not gotten hired yet today and Rubio wanted to pass on a job to him. We bartered the cost. The hotel told us is should cost between 15-25,000R. The locals told Rubio that it was uphill from President Palace back to Phoenix Hotel so trip would be 40,000R ($4 US). We agreed on 50,000 for two becaks.
Off we went, waving farewell to Rubio. The ride was definitely uphill much of the way. The peddlers had to get off and push us up multiple inclines. To a pedestrian it doesn't register as uphill. A bekah driver on a single-speed tricycle carrying 200+ pounds knows when the road goes up rather than down! We understandably handed each driver a 50,000R bill for their uncomplaining efforts.
We asked to be let out on Maliboro Rd for some spontaneous shopping. That idea proved to be the straw that broke our sweaty, tired souls. We quickly retreated from the masses to find our way to the Circle K for extra water bottles and a few snacks to tide us over until our organized Child Fund Intl briefing meeting @ 6p. That will be followed with dinner and a dance performance. Jane and James are sound asleep now in preparation for a longer night than we usually undertake.
I don't need an SUV! I need a good sturdy bike!
ReplyDeletePoppy and Stokely could just be tied to either side. I would be in such good shape!