Christmas in St. Lucia

We arrived on the Island of St. Lucia on Thursday December 22nd. The Youngs (the departing senior couple) were there to greet us and show us to our apartment, provided lunch, took us to get groceries to make it through the holiday weekend and get Bob a driver's license. We had just a couple of hours with them to get informed. They went home the next morning. In the midst of this change Bob had a kidney stone attack. We all thought we would have to make a trip to the ER. After about an hour and a half the pain and vomiting stopped as quickly as it started.

Temporary accomodations. Lunch.

Nap and our own little washing machine in the bathroom.

On Friday we explored around a little and made another trip to the store.

On Saturday we had visitors from the Dominican Republic come on a cruise ship. We picked them up at the ship and took them to see a major tourist stop, the Pitons.

We also went to Diamond Waterfall and a botanical garden.

Christmas Day was a beautiful day. We enjoyed our first Sacrament meeting very much. Everyone was friendly and we felt very welcomed. It was also the most unusual Christmas day we have ever had. There were no presents, no tree, no decorations, no music (except for Church), no family and no traditional Christmas dinner. We did manage to call all our children.

On Tuesday after our District Meeting we had a post-Christmas dinner with the four Elders here in Castries. It was not your regular Christmas meal but it was good. Potato soup, crackers, Wassail and Magic Cookie Bars. The missionaries seemed to enjoy it.

A unique Christmas and good start to a new adventure on the beautiful island of St. Lucia.