....2 nights and 1 day.......

The poem for tomorrow, composed by Elliot:

In one more day I'll be so merry,
To be rid of the lice and dysentery
To see my boys, Katie and my dog, will be so grand
I can't wait to get off this island and onto the mainland.

Just hop on a plane and a short drive in the car,
Suddenly drinking tea at home doesn't seem so far
But not to sound crass or to sound greedy,
I have loved helping these kids who have been so needy.

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So this morning I wake at 6 am to hear that there is a hurricane brewing in the Caribbean - just what the team needs! I sent a quick text to Angie letting her know that there was something brewing, but ABC news really did not have too many details. This was followed up by a flurry of text messages asking for more details. I had to spend some time getting a full weather synopsis and texting the info. At the current time it looks as thought the storm will, in the most part, miss the DR. They have been getting allot of rain in the last 24 hours and what they didn't know was that they were under the edge of the tropical depression that was building into a hurricane. So hopefully it will not affect travel plans for Sat.

so the team set off for the day believing they were going to work along side a nun. If you thought the storm was bad enough, their day was about to get much much worse............

At 2.50 pm I get a text (way to early for them to have finished)... "Today was the first time I did not feel safe. So many people wanting medicine it turned into a riot. We got out by the skin of our teeth....mucho machettes.

Not the sort of message a husband wants to hear when there is nothing you can do about it. I just want her home NOW!

I asked via text where was the nun - apparently she left them after the first hour.

Later on the messages were much more on the mundane, or at least after that scare everything else becomes more acceptable........

Angie: "Flagyl no longer working for dysentery so now switched to Cipro"

(My text to Angie): Oh Great! Are you all resting at the house this evening after escaping the mob?"

Angie: The team is going to a basketball game but I need to stay near the bathroom

Me: That does not sound good. Is anyone else staying behind? Only 2 nights and 1 day to go

Angie: Can you get me some lice shampoo? I feel I should treat myself before I sleep in our bed

Me: OK, Lice shampoo, any particular drinks to help keep your fluid levels up? Anything else? Do you have any other friends you are bringing home? :-)

Angie: Trying not to bring any more friends apart from my amoeba.


Editorial: I get the sense that everyone is now just hanging on to get home. The panic phone call about the storm although very quick, said it all. I keep trying not to think about everything down there - if you notice I ask question and don't get a reply to my questions.......it is on a need to know basis at this stage.

Everything at home is fine. Joe's situation has been resolved this evening and I have just received a good text from him. All is quiet as Elliot and Katie do homework. Biggles is sleeping at my feet as I type this at my desk. The only thing that is wrong is the leather chair opposite my desk is empty.........