Well, everything went off today without a hitch.  Caleb’s TB test was negative and the U.S. Consulate approved all of our documents.  We go tomorrow for a swearing-in ceremony and then we get his VISA on Thursday.  Then we get on a LLOONNGG plane ride home Friday morning.

Today was kind of a boring day!  We went to the pearl market, which isn’t too far from the island.

Here we are actually entering into the mall.  A mall of just jewelery.

How exciting it was for Taylor to be in a building completely devoted to jewelery!

Unfortunately, it was kind of a bust.  This market was really geared towards the wholesale purchase of pearls and didn’t really translate well into a person just buying a piece or two.

The one place that was kind of cool were the Amber shops.  Their jewelery was a lot prettier, at least to me.  And, what do I know?

But, in the end, we didn’t purchase a thing!  We thought we would head back to the island and wheel and deal for a few more souvenirs.  Someone should have informed us that Tuesday is NOT bargain day!  Or, let us know that the shop owners are MORE than willing to deal with you when you are new, but as they know you are approaching your departure date, they quite bargaining because they know you are on a limited time frame.  We kept running up against a brick wall!  No one would even drop their prices a little bit!

We were still wondering around at noon when one of the local schools dismissed for lunch.  It was cute to see all the kids lined up marching down the street.

Finally, we went back home and rested.  On the way to dinner, we stumbled across this little shop that is run by a husband and wife.  Their shop is in one of the buildings that is in the midst of remodeling so it is kind of hard to see.  We went in and they treated us wonderful.  Their prices were already some of the best on the island and they did negotiate down a little more.  We were happy to pick up all the last minute items we wanted, plus they gave Kelly, Taylor, and Brittany each a bracelet for free.

We took everything back to the hotel room and went to dinner.  We ate at an Italian place that is supposedly run by real Italians!  The menu was pretty pricey, but we ordered several pizzas and, in the end, it wasn’t too bad.

I wasn’t sure I had taken a picture with my pretty Brittany yet, so I had Tay take one for me. (She is proof reading this over my shoulder and catching my mistakes, of which there are usually many!)

Caleb was willing to spread his love around to the other side of the table!

And Brittany showed off her new fashion accessory!

We are ready to hit the hay!  We don’t go to the swearing in ceremony until tomorrow afternoon at 2:15.   I am not sure WHAT we will do in the morning.  But, we will take care of that when we get there.

Cameron