Off to see the architect...

Rise and shine! Feed the kitty gnawing on our feet. Take deep breaths and stretch. Put the kettle on. Get dressed. Make breakfast, do the washing up. Play with the kitty. Make lunch. Put mobile office (computers & headsets) and lunch in backpack. Slip on shoes and walk out the door with a cup of tea! So far, life on an island isn't that different from yours.

*blink* Good morning. *blink*

After months of back and forth, designing and redesigning our property and facilities, we've got fairly finalized drawings. The hostel itself, as well as the Manager's house will both be Deltec, unless something changes. Although Deltec does the architectural drafts for you, Bahamian law states that you have to have a Bahamian architect approve the final design. In addition, we're doing a number of other buildings and towers that the local architect will need to draft for us. We have an 11.00 appointment.

11.00
Um, this is awkward. He's not there. Some very cheerful young people working in his office manage to get a hold of him. Can we meet at one? Sure, why not.

Our in-town "office", also known as the library, is abuzz with kids. The little ones fill the downstairs to overflowing. It's too loud to hear one's self think. Upstairs, there is a summer photography camp for older kids. They've all got cameras and are trying to get creative and think outside the box. There are two pictures that are here to inspire them with the power of photography, with a number of the kids and adults side by side on the pavement, "blood" on clothes and dripping down the exposed limbs poking out from underneath what appear to be garbage bags attempting to cover cadavers. It was apparently done in Nassau as a protest against the crime there. Unfortunately, it was so realistic that it kept upsetting people coming into the library, so the librarian moved the photos upstairs out of common view.

Forty-five minutes until we can head back to the architect's office. Quite possibly, the most difficult thing about living on a very quiet island, is the sensory overload when suddenly in the midst of a group of people, especially kids.