The Catholic Convent

Thursday 23 May, 2013
The Catholic Convent

Sr. Senorina met me at my room at 0820 to walk me to the breakfast hall.  I had explained to her yesterday my low carb diet and my concerns of being able to eat according to the plan with rice, cassava, yams, plantains and many tropical fruits being in plentiful supply.  After arrival last night during an evening snack, she explained to the cooks my diet.  For breakfast the cooks had a three egg omelet with tomato and green peppers with a side dish of sautéed pumpkin leaves to be washed down with hot tea with freshly ground cinnamon and a liter of bottled water.  She had explained to me the local water consumed by the guests for tea and coffee is boiled for at least one hour before consumption so no one gets sick from the horrible water.

Taking showers are a necessity although I fear getting sick from possible ingestion of the water while bathing.  The water even after running for several minutes remains sometimes a light milky color and is often also a light brown color.  While in the shower I am often spitting out water that may enter my mount while breathing.  I have been here now for a week and have yet to get sick.  The bathroom is normal, as in no squatter, although the toilet is missing a seat.  

After breakfast, Sr. Senorina gave me a tour of the three main areas of the convent compound including the all-girl school for ages 13 to 17, the orphanage for ages 0 to 6, and the district dispensary (health center) which is currently being constructed into a hospital.

Entering some of the classrooms, she would explain to the students who I was, giving a brief introduction and then asked if they had any questions for me.  General questions I am asked have been “Where do you come from?” and “Where is North Carolina?”