They say inspiration is everywhere. While I'm sure that is true I seem to find it more some places than others.

Far out in the South Atlantic

Seventeen days since leaving home, just over a week since arriving to Saint Helena. When you are here...you are really, really here as the nearest land is an even smaller island 2 days away by sea and the east coast of Africa is 1200 miles to the east.

Impromptu jewelry design on the beach in Cape Town.

Our flight (BWI to JFK to OR Tambo to CPT) was long but uneventful. Thats all you can really ask for in a 24 hr. economy class flight really, right? Uneventful. Our time in Cape Town was relaxing ( I really like Cape Town...I wish it wasn't so dangerous) but rainy. They need the rain so desperately though.

Deck of the RMS in the early morning.

Next - five day sea journey with calm seas, far too much delicious food and ,as always, interesting company. I must admit the sea sickness patches which do their job well also make me a bit dopey but non the less I always find the assortment of passengers on the Royal Mail Ship Saint Helena a bit like the UN. Saint Helenians traveling home, an Australian travel writer, The Bishop of the South Atlantic for the Roman Catholic Church...we are always the least traveled of the bunch.

Arriving Saint Helena 7:45am.

Our rental house is older this time, built fifty some years ago in the traditional Saint style with the bathroom accessed via the veranda. Our sweeping sea view faces directly west. Every sunset captivates me.

Our home while here. 

Our settling in has been smoother and easier this time. Much is familiar but most importantly friends welcomed us back just like we had only been gone a couple days. Sure there are many cultural differences but when you get down to it, people are really so very much the same. That has struck me so profoundly this time.

Looking north from The Peaks. Flagstaff is the pointy hill on the left. The barn which is volcanic formation is on the right. 

Thus far there's been a good bit of nesting, visiting, hikes and walks. We just started volunteering at SHAPE yesterday and now perhaps life with settle into a bit of a rhythm. 

Ever sunset is a marvel.

The backstory

So here's a little history...

Saint Helena is a 47 square mile island, the remnants of a very dead volcano,  located 1200 miles from Namibia and 1800 miles from Brazil in the middle of the South Atlantic. Although technically in the subtropics at 16 degrees south of the equator, the SE Trade Winds give it a subtropical temperate climate with varying micro-climates.  From a historic standpoint, it was discover by Portuguese sailors in 1502, settled by the British in 1659, captured briefly by the Dutch in 1673, recaptured by the British and administered by the East India Co. until 1834 and is now a British Overseas Territory. This is the island "prison" where Napoleon died. 

We first came here June - August 2008 when Kyle was awarded a grant to do photo documentary work. It was a very difficult but amazing experience and although I spent a fair amount of time longing for home, I stood on the deck of the ship on the day we left, not being able to bear the thought of never coming back. 

So here we are again, now "on our own dime". We hope to be able to lend our time, our knowledge and support to people here. 

Here's a video of our drive into the capital "city" of Jamestown. (There should be a little sound attached. We'll see - I've never done this. )

And the next day...

June 17

Today was a true, true treasure. Its the Queen's Birthday, an official British holiday, and we were invited by our very first Saint Helenian friend, Colin, to a braai (cook-out) with his extended family/friends at Sandy Bay, the black sand beach in the crater of an extinct volcano at the south end of the island.

A fire was built and 8 or 9 kinds of meat (blood sausage among them and, yes really, I tried it) accompanied a variety of salads, followed by a “sweet” course (pineapples, fruit crumbles/cobblers served with custard made on site). And just when we thought the eating was over, there was tea and dessert. Always tea.

Nothing like a braai with an ancient fortification as a backdrop. 

The rain held off and we had a wonderful day exchanging stories and learning about each other. I was asked "why are Americans so concerned with having semi-automatic weapons?" Hmm...good question.

One of the families at the braai is actually from Tristan da Cunha, the most remote part of this Overseas Territory with a population of 280 and located sort of between the Falklands and Cape Town.

Tomorrow more laundry and into town to get to the Arts and Crafts Centre!