A Wise Man

The three "Veto" kiddies, hair brushed, shoes on, and the grown-ups in long slacks/ dresses are at the dinghy dock at 07am. Ready to march up the long steep hill to Mayreau Catholic church. Outside a tiny goat kid kicks up it's heels. Little girls in frilly white dresses and white patent leather shoes are whispering together. Little boys are as stiff as starched collars in their white shirts and black bow ties.
It's their first communion being celebrated in the church today. They soon loosen up a bit as the mass-music starts swinging. There are two guitars amongst the little congregation. A blind man in one row is warming up, a man the row in back of us is out tuning his guitar. The priest has the third guitar. When he's not beating time on the gospels he's carrying. The priest, Fr. Marcus (?), has a way with the kids. He is a warm and inclusive person. When a rather talkative "evangelical" parishener is hushed by the congregation the pastor lets the First Communion kids decide if he can have his say. "Ok, if it's short" in the verdict. And so it was.
It's epiphany and Pr. Marcus tells the kids, and us, about the wise men, not kings, and not necessarily three, if you read what the bible actually says. He encourages his island children to be curious, critical, read with open eyes, like the "scientists", the wise men of the Epiphany. And not to be just "ordinary" and interested in money, motors, and such.
The Philipine nuns and the mothers have baked cakes. and the whole congregation gathers for cake and juice in the next room after mass.

Chocolate cake for breakfast is all very well, but we continue on from the church to "Dennis' Hotel/Restaurant/i-nett caf'e for a church-brunch on the veranda afterwards. It overlooks the larger Saline Bay, with the occational cruise boat.

Back at "Babette" it's time for a swim. This time with snorkling gear on. My first look under the water, into the corals is fabulous, Little blue fish peeking out of holes. Small yellow and orange striped fish chasing each other this way and that. Super!

But "church-coffee" is not over. Eirill of "Veto" invites the whole gang to waffles on the beach! The generator is found and the waffle-iron hot. Fresh hot heart-shaped Norwegian waffles under the palms. yummmmm.

But, that's not all. We still have the red-snappers to eat! The one, bright red, the other with orange and blue tail and head. Almost too pretty to eat!