Fabric!

Today was a day off! It was much needed, yet I made so many plans for the day and it turned into a busy day. I woke up early to do laundry and then planned to go into town so that I could purchase some fabric to get made into dresses. I want to have a dress and two skirts made for me before I leave. Sabrina and Claire had gotten some last week when I was working night shifts and had met with a tailor to have some skirts made. In town, there is a fabric market, where there are hundreds of booths that sell just fabric and cloths! It was raining, and we assumed that like it sometimes does, the rain would stop. So we ventured out anyways. It poured the whole 30 minute walk through the busy hustle bustle of the town and we were soaked by the time we reached the market, which is also outdoors. Most of the vendors had plastic sheets over their fabrics and the selections were so elaborate. I ended up buying two patterns of fabric. I bought 4 yards of one for 40,000 Leonies and 2 yards of another for 20,000.


Will be made into a two piece dress, fitted to my size for 40,000 Leonies! Will be done by Wednesday :)



For my skirt. Will be only 20,000 Leonies to make once I choose a style.

I guess I could have bartered the price down some, but it was raining and I felt the price was reasonable. 4,500 Leonies is equivalent to $1 US. So I paid about $13.50 for 6 yards of fabric! On the way back to the ship, we stopped at the tailor, to pick up Claire and Sabrina's skirts and to drop off my fabric and to get fitted for a dress. I only dropped of the fabric for the dress today because I don't quite know what style I want for the skirt. There is another tailor that comes to the ship on Tuesdays, but I understand his prices are more expensive. Maybe I'll look at his designs and patterns tomorrow when he is at the ship and decide then. I am very excited to have some African clothes! I will fit in better at church now. haha :)

I really want to become immersed in the culture. I feel that I can reach the people in a special way when I am not viewed so much as a foreigner, but as a sister. First, with the language, which I was excited to use today in the market; next, in dance, which I will be learning I believe starting tomorrow; in the clothing; and I want to learn to cook some of the foods. I love being here and am so thankful God has brought me here for such a time as this. Can't wait to see how He will furthur use me.