Saying Goodbye

I am scheduled to ride the air taxi for the RMS today at 4:30 p.m. I am so sorry to leave the friends I've met, but looking forward to being reunited with my family in one week. 

Yesterday, I was asked by a bunch of men drinking under the Evergreen tree if I liked it here and I said, "Yes, I love it here." Then I was asked if I could bring my family and raise my kids here. My reply to the Saint was that I've given that some thought and that they all have family here, and I would want that for my own children. Another Saint told me, "Us will be there family." Right then the humidity started bothering my eyes. They told me to come back to St Helena and bring my family with me. I didn't expect something so sweet to come from the mouths of a bunch of young men drinking under a tree, but that's a Saint for you. 

TDx

 

Making Tracks

I came across "Ray Mouse" painting the lines on the road outside of Plantation House. This is just another example of what island life is like. It's not a backward society in the least, and I hope people don't take that from my photos. I think of St Helena as old-fashioned and that Saints are more concerned about what really matters. Like the guy's shoes in the next posting. The top ripped from the clutch of his truck. So what--the sole is still good. Why on earth would the island need a piece of equipment that paints lines on the road? Ray Mouse can do it. 

The next photo is of Layla in the cemetery. Her Papa was buried here a couple weeks ago. I did not see him in the viewing, but I think they put coins on the eyes of the dead. Surely she saw that. Layla had just had a discussion with her Uncle "Johnny" about the body rotting and as we walked away, I saw her put these pieces of candy over her eyes before popping them in her mouth. I didn't have time to think, just click. 

Shane Crowie is the most photogenic person I've ever photographed. Just a casual look from him is perfect. None of the photos I took of him were planned--he would just look up while speaking and I'd click the shutter. Here he's at Saint FM during his show on Friday afternoon. 

I was interviewed this morning on Saint FM by the station owner Mike. It was my first live interview. I hope I didn't sound like an idiot, but it's hard to tell. 

TDx