Back to the bright side

Well, we’re finally settling into our cottage on the edge of town, one block from the lagoon and 5 from the sea. The house was turn-key ready, complete with tarp-covered boats, a windowless wooden box of a shed, a traditional skin whaling boat and other artifacts that the wind uncovers every few days. Even though they aren’t ours, they sure have helped us feel a part of the community.

Since the sun came up a couple weeks ago, I watch the sunrise every morning, er, afternoon. Just like in westerns and romance movies, the sunrises blend into the sunsets, and the moon continuously circles large around town. For days, Luke would sleep or occupy himself from sun-up to sun-down giving me enough time to mix a refreshing glass of Tang or to drain the water-heater with a luxurious, hot, five-minute shower.

We feel safe here. Not only do we leave our keys in the car, often, we leave it running. Luke gets a two-stroke serenade that sometimes lasts long into the night from the local kids, and each night the community sends well-wishes over the radio to those with birthdays or anniversaries. Almost without fail, each greeting ends with, “and many more….hold on…” as they pass the phone to other family members lined up to send the same wish to the same people. Frequently, the well-wishers extend their blessings to “anyone else who has a birthday or anniversary today…hold on.”

We found a great little car, and it’s proven to be quite economical. One door stays closed, almost all the lights work, and we average slightly more than 2 miles per dollar. Not to be a snobby new neighbor, but as it rolls, and has windows, it does seem like a nicer car than most of the ones we see parked, or buried, around many of the other houses in town.

Layla’s been hard at work, and Luke and I have been slouching around, spending all of her money. Many of the locals already know Luke by name, and he has his favorite librarian, Stuaqpak (“big store”) check out girl, and kindergarten ballerina girlfriend. Luke says,”kfhbvghhhji777777777777777vjj bnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
‘;;;;;;;; vy.”

Quyanaqpak (“big thank you”)….hold on…