Heya readers!
A bit of a rant to kick this off.....so the Ocean Conservancy has been sponsoring the international beach clean-up and St Vincent was supposed to have a nation wide effort all over the island 2 weekends ago. Due to rain storms, many of the St Vincent locations got rescheduled for this past weekend. Nobody officially canceled our site clean-up, so I spent some time by myself picking up the trash. So the local environmental group chose (and very supportively) to relaunch our clean-up efforts for this past Sunday 9am. There was supposed to be a decent sized group, a beach cook, music, and generally good time. What happened? I sat on the beach for an hour by myself wondering what happened to the enthusiasm and commitment I had heard only 3-4 days prior. Just today I found out that the person responsible for the food wasn't able to fulfill that portion for whatever reason. That single factor got the others to decide they didn't want to do it without the food. It was only expected to be a couple hours of work!
--There is a Vincy dialect saying, "All skin teeth, nar lauf". Some of you might understand it's meaning--just because you smile doesn't mean that you are also happy. That's what I did when I was told why nobody showed. Now I was pre-warned by one of our training instructors that most Vincy's are motivated by their stomachs; be sure to have food at anything we do. I now see just how right he was. This is just one aspect of culture. I'm not looking to change it or fight it......just something to live and learn by while I'm here. Better to realize it sooner with an outside project than one that I put lots of time into.
Today I went on a Heritage Tour with a select group of students and hosted by the Ministry of Youth--as part of the greater effort to kick off Youth Month here. We went to several places including the Vermont Nature Tour info area, the Wallabou plant propagation center where a large varieties of pre-sprouted plants can be bought by farmers at subsidized gov't prices, the Layou Petroglyph site (yeah, rock carvings have been found here and are still being studied), and a place called Dark View Falls. This last place is my new favorite site. It is on the far Northern side not too far from a place called Richmond. Here, there is a a waterfall called Dark View Falls due to the canopys that shade the place and darken the lighting. All around the falls and river is feeds are protected bamboo groves. This place is so quite and tranquil. The bamboo groves reminded me of my time in Japan and I really enjoyed the Kyoto bamboo forest as well. This place is a bit far for the tourist thing, but I highly recommend it.
Saturday, I went to a place called Richmond Beach. That beach isn't super special on my list of places (although a nearby rock outcropping is), but I took a pic that I'm really happy with of the incoming waves on the sand. It is currently my desktop image. If you like it too, feel free to copy it from the site below. I hope that the size and quality were preserved for you.
Here's a link for a few general pics--trying out Google's picasa web. For a free 1GB of space, why not.
http://picasaweb.google.com/friendsofshawn/MyAdventures#
Stay well and happy,
ciao tutti,
~your wannabe jedi
~Shawn
30 September 2008
26 September 2008
More Pics!
I thought everyone would like a few more pics to look at.
Check 'em out!
Copy and paste or just click here to hop to Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30305553@N02/
If you know me back home, you might just be surprised at one of them.... ^_^
Check 'em out!
Copy and paste or just click here to hop to Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30305553@N02/
If you know me back home, you might just be surprised at one of them.... ^_^
PHONE!!!
Hey out there in Never Never Land.
I got a cell phone today! Of course, if you want the phone #--you'll have to email me and ask for it. No way am I going to post that on the www. lol.
Here's a pic of it and if you click....you'll get a link to the specs.
It is a basic run of the mill phone, but that is GREAT! Shiny things attract unwanted attention....so it is good to have the ugliest, most unwanted looking phones we can get. Plus Nokias like these are very durable and have great battery life. ^_^ It does have one really cool feature that I've never had before.....a led flashlight on the top of it. It's very blinding bright!
Last night I made fake-beef chunks fried rice for my host family. It turned out really well and everyone enjoyed it. LOL.....sometimes they joke that I'm turning them vegetarian. It doesn't help that I am slowly cooking here more and more.
Went to an environmental group meeting for my local area the other night. It was good to meet green-minded folk, but the meeting lacked structure. It seems over the next year we will be transforming a local beach into a tourist attractive area with protective areas for the river that feeds the sea. I'll probably be able to help out on that--lots of good, sweaty work. ^_^ Many of the group members were happy to have me attend and poured their ideas at me. It will take a bit of time, but I think I need to let them know that I'm Peace Corps and not a miracle worker. I help empower, instruct, and assist--not wave my fairy wand and make their dreams come true.
YEAH!!! I'm totally looking forward to the presidential debate tonight. I suppose I'm glad to have access to CNN out here in the Caribbean. I certainly wasn't counting on having it.
Speaking of the Caribbean.....did you know that several parts of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy was filmed here at St. Vincent? There are 3 film sites I believe here around the island--a bit of an attraction. I haven't visited them yet....but I will! Arg!
I'll be meeting with my country director next week. I hope to get some solid info on what I can post in terms of pictures online. Perhaps I'll be able to put up lots more. ^_^
And if you're interested in not only the babble I post, but are interested in hearing from other Peace Corps volunteers I serve with....I will be posting links to their blogs on the side of the page.
Stay happy and well.
ciao tutti
~your local wannabe jedi
~Shawn
I got a cell phone today! Of course, if you want the phone #--you'll have to email me and ask for it. No way am I going to post that on the www. lol.
Here's a pic of it and if you click....you'll get a link to the specs.
It is a basic run of the mill phone, but that is GREAT! Shiny things attract unwanted attention....so it is good to have the ugliest, most unwanted looking phones we can get. Plus Nokias like these are very durable and have great battery life. ^_^ It does have one really cool feature that I've never had before.....a led flashlight on the top of it. It's very blinding bright!
Last night I made fake-beef chunks fried rice for my host family. It turned out really well and everyone enjoyed it. LOL.....sometimes they joke that I'm turning them vegetarian. It doesn't help that I am slowly cooking here more and more.
Went to an environmental group meeting for my local area the other night. It was good to meet green-minded folk, but the meeting lacked structure. It seems over the next year we will be transforming a local beach into a tourist attractive area with protective areas for the river that feeds the sea. I'll probably be able to help out on that--lots of good, sweaty work. ^_^ Many of the group members were happy to have me attend and poured their ideas at me. It will take a bit of time, but I think I need to let them know that I'm Peace Corps and not a miracle worker. I help empower, instruct, and assist--not wave my fairy wand and make their dreams come true.
YEAH!!! I'm totally looking forward to the presidential debate tonight. I suppose I'm glad to have access to CNN out here in the Caribbean. I certainly wasn't counting on having it.
Speaking of the Caribbean.....did you know that several parts of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy was filmed here at St. Vincent? There are 3 film sites I believe here around the island--a bit of an attraction. I haven't visited them yet....but I will! Arg!
I'll be meeting with my country director next week. I hope to get some solid info on what I can post in terms of pictures online. Perhaps I'll be able to put up lots more. ^_^
And if you're interested in not only the babble I post, but are interested in hearing from other Peace Corps volunteers I serve with....I will be posting links to their blogs on the side of the page.
Stay happy and well.
ciao tutti
~your local wannabe jedi
~Shawn
20 September 2008
Haven't been washed away yet!
Hey all,
First off....I have been advised to let all know about a mailing address change. Well, the address hasn't actually changed, but things being what they are...some mail ends up in Jamaica and not usually heard from in a long time--if ever. So, I've corrected my address listed on the side of this blog. If you wrote it down before--just erase the city name of Kingstown. Jamaica has a city called Kingston and it has caused shipping problems. Mur.
For any of the weather channel junkies....the past few days, there has been a massive storm cycling itself over the entire West Indies. The tons of rain we've received have caused local rivers to flood and in some cases knock out part of roadways. Several landslides have been reported, spilling onto the main roadway. I've heard from my homestay (not officially confirmed) that a landslide even covered a bus/van and it wasn't found until they unearthed it. Not sure of any casualty counts. I posted a pic of the waterfall in our 'backyard' garden. The water from that fall has turned into a full gushing falls and it totally carved out the lil river it made. The muddy banks collapsed and I lost some of the dasheen I got to plant alongside the bank. >.< I did spend some time with my host dad moving unearthed rocks from the riverbed to try and support the new dirt banks. I'll post some pics at the end of the blog--but be sure to compare the water flow with the same falls in the pic from the other blog post.
Today was the international coastal clean-up, sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. All over St Vincent, different organizations had agreed to go to respective ocean/river shores and clean up the trash--and there is LOTS of it. Data cards are to be filled out for stats collection. There were some sort of communication issues and with the rain still going.....my clean up turned into a lonely event. I was the only one on my beach front (the same beach I posted on flickr--see the link in a previous blog post). Either way I still managed to pick up around 20-25 pounds of garbage before walking with the garbage bag 20ish minutes to deposit it in a proper location.
Funny things to note--coming from Vincy's:
"A Vincentian will take on someone pointing a gun at them. A Vincentian will not have any problems taking on someone with a cutlass [machete]. But a Vincentian will run away as soon as dah rain ah come."
Another volunteer and I were waiting in the rain (of course) last night for a bus. An older local guy approached us and asked for money. We gave him our truthful reply, sorry-but we're poor. He replied, "We are not poor. Only the rain pours. We are but strugglers." He had a big smile and wished us well. Wise words. ^_^
Not sure if I've mentioned this yet....but of the few radio stations, most of them play a regular song list that I swear have a revolving set of the same 5-10 songs. They are replayed more often than any songs on major commerical radio stations back home in Chicago. On top of it, when I go to larger social gatherings, there are djs with large speaker stacks and they CRANK really loud music. Yeah, the same few songs that are constantly on the radio! I am enjoying the style of music here....nearly all reggae (95%), soca and calypso. But if I keep hearing the same songs--it will really kill my radio interests, not that I can get away from it. >.<
Very happy having CNN and MSNBC here. That mean I will get to watch the Presidential and VP debates! YEAH! Not sure when I turned into such a politically interested dork, but I'm liking it now.
ciao tutti,
~your local wannabe jedi
~Shawn
First off....I have been advised to let all know about a mailing address change. Well, the address hasn't actually changed, but things being what they are...some mail ends up in Jamaica and not usually heard from in a long time--if ever. So, I've corrected my address listed on the side of this blog. If you wrote it down before--just erase the city name of Kingstown. Jamaica has a city called Kingston and it has caused shipping problems. Mur.
For any of the weather channel junkies....the past few days, there has been a massive storm cycling itself over the entire West Indies. The tons of rain we've received have caused local rivers to flood and in some cases knock out part of roadways. Several landslides have been reported, spilling onto the main roadway. I've heard from my homestay (not officially confirmed) that a landslide even covered a bus/van and it wasn't found until they unearthed it. Not sure of any casualty counts. I posted a pic of the waterfall in our 'backyard' garden. The water from that fall has turned into a full gushing falls and it totally carved out the lil river it made. The muddy banks collapsed and I lost some of the dasheen I got to plant alongside the bank. >.< I did spend some time with my host dad moving unearthed rocks from the riverbed to try and support the new dirt banks. I'll post some pics at the end of the blog--but be sure to compare the water flow with the same falls in the pic from the other blog post.
Today was the international coastal clean-up, sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy. All over St Vincent, different organizations had agreed to go to respective ocean/river shores and clean up the trash--and there is LOTS of it. Data cards are to be filled out for stats collection. There were some sort of communication issues and with the rain still going.....my clean up turned into a lonely event. I was the only one on my beach front (the same beach I posted on flickr--see the link in a previous blog post). Either way I still managed to pick up around 20-25 pounds of garbage before walking with the garbage bag 20ish minutes to deposit it in a proper location.
Funny things to note--coming from Vincy's:
"A Vincentian will take on someone pointing a gun at them. A Vincentian will not have any problems taking on someone with a cutlass [machete]. But a Vincentian will run away as soon as dah rain ah come."
Another volunteer and I were waiting in the rain (of course) last night for a bus. An older local guy approached us and asked for money. We gave him our truthful reply, sorry-but we're poor. He replied, "We are not poor. Only the rain pours. We are but strugglers." He had a big smile and wished us well. Wise words. ^_^
Not sure if I've mentioned this yet....but of the few radio stations, most of them play a regular song list that I swear have a revolving set of the same 5-10 songs. They are replayed more often than any songs on major commerical radio stations back home in Chicago. On top of it, when I go to larger social gatherings, there are djs with large speaker stacks and they CRANK really loud music. Yeah, the same few songs that are constantly on the radio! I am enjoying the style of music here....nearly all reggae (95%), soca and calypso. But if I keep hearing the same songs--it will really kill my radio interests, not that I can get away from it. >.<
Very happy having CNN and MSNBC here. That mean I will get to watch the Presidential and VP debates! YEAH! Not sure when I turned into such a politically interested dork, but I'm liking it now.
ciao tutti,
~your local wannabe jedi
~Shawn
19 September 2008
Of rain showers and brain cramps
Hey readers!
Ok, so last time I was talking about the crazy 5th graders. I forgot to say that I had a very strange and pleasant experience too..... As the school bell rang to let the kids go for the day, I sat in the little computer lab (where I had been trying to work with the 5th graders) and just sat--cooling off the brain. A moment later, in come some of the 6th graders I had be observing (helping the teacher) the week before. They were interested in just hanging out with me for a few minutes and wanted to know what I was doing in there. So I showed them how to use a spreadsheet to help them with their math problems--of which they are all fairly deficient and need tutoring (which will be one of my projects). Not sure if they will remember my tips--but having piqued their curiosity was a good feeling.
But yesterday, I actually got my first hands-on attempt at helping with beginner-basic literacy. I was shadowing one of the other volunteers here--already here a year--and this person was helping at a local school. I never thought teaching the beginner basics could be so hard and by lunch my head was ready to explode. Much kudos and props to the volunteer I was working with and any others who have been dedicated and doing this for so long. I know literacy is a big problem here with people of all ages. You'd be surprised what passes for literacy as far as statistics are concerned.... But I'm really not sure I'll be able to handle teaching literacy, at least from a beginner level. Perhaps it will be different with a different age group. The kids we were working with were probably 3-5 grades. This will be a long road for everyone....
Otherwise it has been raining a ton here lately and I like it. Well, I don't like getting the shoes soaked--which has been frequent--and I haven't broken down into sandals yet. >.< But after playing with the area kids the other day and getting really dirty nasty, I was in desperate need of a shower. The rain came hard so I figured why not....and stood out in it. My host mom was on the porch and I joked with her about showering in the rain. What did she do? Got my soap from my room. Ended up taking my first rain 'shower' right in front of the house and it was GREAT! Nobody cared either--later finding out that while not too common, people do it here. Lol.....I took another one around 5 this morning. ^_^
Going on a little field trip with the training crew today. I wonder what will be in store.
Hope all are happy and well.
ciao tutti
~Your wannabe jedi
~Shawn
Ok, so last time I was talking about the crazy 5th graders. I forgot to say that I had a very strange and pleasant experience too..... As the school bell rang to let the kids go for the day, I sat in the little computer lab (where I had been trying to work with the 5th graders) and just sat--cooling off the brain. A moment later, in come some of the 6th graders I had be observing (helping the teacher) the week before. They were interested in just hanging out with me for a few minutes and wanted to know what I was doing in there. So I showed them how to use a spreadsheet to help them with their math problems--of which they are all fairly deficient and need tutoring (which will be one of my projects). Not sure if they will remember my tips--but having piqued their curiosity was a good feeling.
But yesterday, I actually got my first hands-on attempt at helping with beginner-basic literacy. I was shadowing one of the other volunteers here--already here a year--and this person was helping at a local school. I never thought teaching the beginner basics could be so hard and by lunch my head was ready to explode. Much kudos and props to the volunteer I was working with and any others who have been dedicated and doing this for so long. I know literacy is a big problem here with people of all ages. You'd be surprised what passes for literacy as far as statistics are concerned.... But I'm really not sure I'll be able to handle teaching literacy, at least from a beginner level. Perhaps it will be different with a different age group. The kids we were working with were probably 3-5 grades. This will be a long road for everyone....
Otherwise it has been raining a ton here lately and I like it. Well, I don't like getting the shoes soaked--which has been frequent--and I haven't broken down into sandals yet. >.< But after playing with the area kids the other day and getting really dirty nasty, I was in desperate need of a shower. The rain came hard so I figured why not....and stood out in it. My host mom was on the porch and I joked with her about showering in the rain. What did she do? Got my soap from my room. Ended up taking my first rain 'shower' right in front of the house and it was GREAT! Nobody cared either--later finding out that while not too common, people do it here. Lol.....I took another one around 5 this morning. ^_^
Going on a little field trip with the training crew today. I wonder what will be in store.
Hope all are happy and well.
ciao tutti
~Your wannabe jedi
~Shawn
16 September 2008
Ha-zah! A new look and pics to post.
Ok, I squeezed in a few minutes at my homestay and gave my blog a make-over. Also, here is a link to my recently created flickr account to check out some pics.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30305553@N02/
Oh yeah......ending 5th grade class coverage was hellish today. >.< And after all that, I ended up taking a few of the local kids to the beach and play area for more games. Kids are a major key to integrating into our communities. The kids will talk about us to the parents.....the parents get curious and talk to us.....and then their friends....eventually most adults. The teens and younger adults will be harder to reach. That usually comes through activities and social gatherings. --or so I think.
Wow....the rain is REALLY coming down right now. It is so loud it is nearly deafening. Kinda cool actually.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30305553@N02/
Oh yeah......ending 5th grade class coverage was hellish today. >.< And after all that, I ended up taking a few of the local kids to the beach and play area for more games. Kids are a major key to integrating into our communities. The kids will talk about us to the parents.....the parents get curious and talk to us.....and then their friends....eventually most adults. The teens and younger adults will be harder to reach. That usually comes through activities and social gatherings. --or so I think.
Wow....the rain is REALLY coming down right now. It is so loud it is nearly deafening. Kinda cool actually.
Wow....am I doing this?
Hey readers! ^_^ Thanks for coming back again.
Lots has been happening in a short period of time. In fact, our 2nd week on island seemed to go by fairly quickly. Sadly, I had to wait until now to say anything--well, I can't always get online. >.<
Since the last post.....
I got to intern at a primary school....I worked with the 6th grade teacher and it confirmed for me that there really are needs in literacy and math skills. Today I am supposed to be observing again--but since there is no 5th grade teacher--yeah.... I got to step in. I have no clue what the heck I am doing and I think the kids know it. Ug....I am typing this during the lunch break and really don't want to go back...
Been playing dominoes! I've borrowed the host family's set and brought them to training. After playing a bit with the other trainees--my host dad let me play with him at his local hang out. Those guys are SHARKS! I totally got my butt kicked in. Oh well, practice practice practice.
There is an ocean/rivers clean up this Saturday all over the island--as part of a bigger initiative with the Ocean Conservancy. I hope to take part it. :P I've also found out about chances to help with the sea turtle conservation efforts. Those projects don't start till later in the year--but I am excited for the opportunity. Hunting/Eating sea turtle meat is illegal during most of the year and eggs illegal all year round.....but it happens. In fact, there are several threatened/endangered species on the islands--but people hunt them anyways. Grrr.....
Got to try something called 'doubles' the other day. It is kinda like a chick pea mush served on a type of tortilla bread and usually topped with various sauces--mango, cucumber, hot, and/or tamarind. It was delicious and only EC$3!!!
Had my first real meeting with my assigned community group on Saturday and got to learn some of their needs here in the village. It is still far too early to tell exactly what I'll be doing for sure. However, literacy numeracy, small business skills, financial accounting, and basic computer skills seem to be topping the list. They are also interested in restarting a local drama club....really excited to have me help with it....but I don't know the first thing about it. mur.
Sunday, I got my first sunburn while learning some plumbing skills. I got to help cut, fit, and run steel pipes to help get someone their first indoor plumbing. It was a good feeling.
It gets really dark here quick--pitch dark by 7ish. For some reason I get really tired early and have been getting up around 5am. I don't think I would have ever gotten up so early if I didn't have too...
I got a group of school kids out to play frisbee and run races last night. They loved it. Now, they are asking me all the time if I will be going out to the park area again. Many of them know my name. For those who know me....you know how awkward this is for me. Ug....one day at a time.
I want to upload some more pics, but I have to get back before the lunch break ends....so glad I am not assigned to a school. I will try to get more pics up next time.
ciao tutti
~Your wannabe jedi
~Shawn
Lots has been happening in a short period of time. In fact, our 2nd week on island seemed to go by fairly quickly. Sadly, I had to wait until now to say anything--well, I can't always get online. >.<
Since the last post.....
I got to intern at a primary school....I worked with the 6th grade teacher and it confirmed for me that there really are needs in literacy and math skills. Today I am supposed to be observing again--but since there is no 5th grade teacher--yeah.... I got to step in. I have no clue what the heck I am doing and I think the kids know it. Ug....I am typing this during the lunch break and really don't want to go back...
Been playing dominoes! I've borrowed the host family's set and brought them to training. After playing a bit with the other trainees--my host dad let me play with him at his local hang out. Those guys are SHARKS! I totally got my butt kicked in. Oh well, practice practice practice.
There is an ocean/rivers clean up this Saturday all over the island--as part of a bigger initiative with the Ocean Conservancy. I hope to take part it. :P I've also found out about chances to help with the sea turtle conservation efforts. Those projects don't start till later in the year--but I am excited for the opportunity. Hunting/Eating sea turtle meat is illegal during most of the year and eggs illegal all year round.....but it happens. In fact, there are several threatened/endangered species on the islands--but people hunt them anyways. Grrr.....
Got to try something called 'doubles' the other day. It is kinda like a chick pea mush served on a type of tortilla bread and usually topped with various sauces--mango, cucumber, hot, and/or tamarind. It was delicious and only EC$3!!!
Had my first real meeting with my assigned community group on Saturday and got to learn some of their needs here in the village. It is still far too early to tell exactly what I'll be doing for sure. However, literacy numeracy, small business skills, financial accounting, and basic computer skills seem to be topping the list. They are also interested in restarting a local drama club....really excited to have me help with it....but I don't know the first thing about it. mur.
Sunday, I got my first sunburn while learning some plumbing skills. I got to help cut, fit, and run steel pipes to help get someone their first indoor plumbing. It was a good feeling.
It gets really dark here quick--pitch dark by 7ish. For some reason I get really tired early and have been getting up around 5am. I don't think I would have ever gotten up so early if I didn't have too...
I got a group of school kids out to play frisbee and run races last night. They loved it. Now, they are asking me all the time if I will be going out to the park area again. Many of them know my name. For those who know me....you know how awkward this is for me. Ug....one day at a time.
I want to upload some more pics, but I have to get back before the lunch break ends....so glad I am not assigned to a school. I will try to get more pics up next time.
ciao tutti
~Your wannabe jedi
~Shawn
07 September 2008
Let the rain begin. ^_^
Of course, it is the rainy season here....and all week I have carried my awesome smiley face umbrella with me expecting rain. None really, until Saturday when Murphy's law kicked in...the day I didn't bring it. That's ok--a few of us had a good time running for shelter and waiting it out in Kingstown. ^_^ It has rained on and off steadily since then, a nice warm rain.
Village update--
--I was expecting to find old computers in dire need of rehab and I walked in to find 4 new dells, sweet.
--Took some pics I can post.....you'll find them posted below. ^_^
Vans, our wonderful mode of transportation.
--Not sure if I mentioned this already, but all of our vans have these quaint little differences. Most of them have names on the front and body using car decals. Again--I'd post some, but I am going to check for approval first. (this is getting on my nerves, but better safe than sorry)
--They also usually have something wrong with them, typically harmless, but the Friday night my ride home had the headlights cutting in and out. On a dark and very winding mountain road that makes for quite the ride. >.< I'm not taking that one in the dark again.
Schools.............
--I have yet to see them in action firsthand, but I am scheduled to start visiting them this week. Others have already been inside a few and we are learning about the educational system here on St Vincent.
--Based on a British model, the kids here study for 2 major exams. The 1st (CEE) takes them from a primary school into secondary with the exam scores allowing parents to choose which secondary schools they would like their children to attend. The 2nd exam (CXC) is near the end of secondary school and is a major factor in the child's chances to get certain jobs, go on to college, or find a particular trade school. In fact, we learned that their actual diploma is not worth nearly as much as those exam grades.
--The schools education and resource allocation is determined completely by the government.
Cost of living
--Having a few more times to explore the capital, I'm seeing that many things here cost an equivalent to the same items in the U.S. after guesstimating for exchange rates. USD $1.00 = ECD $2.7. KFC offers their 2-piece meal combo for about EC $16......and no I did not eat the chicken. A .5 gallon bottle of juice at the supermarket was around EC $18-19.....so given how much juice I like to drink.....time to get started on that garden. >.<
More adventurous stuff:
--Got to meet some of the other volunteers on the St Vincent. They are cool people and seem excited to have us around. Finally, they are not the newbies. ^_^ They have just finished their 1yr marker.
--Helped my host dad feed his goats and also fed a baby goat from a bottle. Pics have been taken....may post later.
--Have been waking up around 5:30 and starting to get used to it. Bucket baths are becoming normal for me and I really don't mind them.
--Saturday morning/afternoon, hung out with 2 other volunteers and played ball with some kids on the beach. It was fun. Got to see one of the other volunteer's homes--it was awesome and she has a great view! Perhaps mine will be so sweet once I move in....well not as sweet since I've already seen the outside, but I'm looking forward to stepping in. Look for that in late October.
--Spent Saturday evening chillin' and watching another game of dominoes with my host dad. He says perhaps next time I will be ready to jump in--lesson time over.
--Met my first guy who REALLY didn't like my being in the village. Nothing personal to me, but he didn't like the Peace Corps being here. He got very vocal and used some colorful words. I was also a bit wary of the cutlass (machete) he was slapping against his thigh. I left him quickly and now know at least one person to avoid. Later, I learned he is a few cards short of a deck--according to others in the village. Even more reason to take care around him.
--Took tons of pics of my village today during some early morning rain. Sorry, I can't post nearly any of them....but here is a triple treat that turned out really nice!
This last one is an old government installed clothes and bathing station pulling water. Although most people have indoor plumbing, these are still in use by many people.
Holy breadfruit batman! I just saw the time and it is LATE for me. Time to log out and get a couple hours of sleep.....
Until next time, stay happy and well.
ciao tutti,
~your wannabe jedi
~Shawn
Village update--
--I was expecting to find old computers in dire need of rehab and I walked in to find 4 new dells, sweet.
--Took some pics I can post.....you'll find them posted below. ^_^
Vans, our wonderful mode of transportation.
--Not sure if I mentioned this already, but all of our vans have these quaint little differences. Most of them have names on the front and body using car decals. Again--I'd post some, but I am going to check for approval first. (this is getting on my nerves, but better safe than sorry)
--They also usually have something wrong with them, typically harmless, but the Friday night my ride home had the headlights cutting in and out. On a dark and very winding mountain road that makes for quite the ride. >.< I'm not taking that one in the dark again.
Schools.............
--I have yet to see them in action firsthand, but I am scheduled to start visiting them this week. Others have already been inside a few and we are learning about the educational system here on St Vincent.
--Based on a British model, the kids here study for 2 major exams. The 1st (CEE) takes them from a primary school into secondary with the exam scores allowing parents to choose which secondary schools they would like their children to attend. The 2nd exam (CXC) is near the end of secondary school and is a major factor in the child's chances to get certain jobs, go on to college, or find a particular trade school. In fact, we learned that their actual diploma is not worth nearly as much as those exam grades.
--The schools education and resource allocation is determined completely by the government.
Cost of living
--Having a few more times to explore the capital, I'm seeing that many things here cost an equivalent to the same items in the U.S. after guesstimating for exchange rates. USD $1.00 = ECD $2.7. KFC offers their 2-piece meal combo for about EC $16......and no I did not eat the chicken. A .5 gallon bottle of juice at the supermarket was around EC $18-19.....so given how much juice I like to drink.....time to get started on that garden. >.<
More adventurous stuff:
--Got to meet some of the other volunteers on the St Vincent. They are cool people and seem excited to have us around. Finally, they are not the newbies. ^_^ They have just finished their 1yr marker.
--Helped my host dad feed his goats and also fed a baby goat from a bottle. Pics have been taken....may post later.
--Have been waking up around 5:30 and starting to get used to it. Bucket baths are becoming normal for me and I really don't mind them.
--Saturday morning/afternoon, hung out with 2 other volunteers and played ball with some kids on the beach. It was fun. Got to see one of the other volunteer's homes--it was awesome and she has a great view! Perhaps mine will be so sweet once I move in....well not as sweet since I've already seen the outside, but I'm looking forward to stepping in. Look for that in late October.
--Spent Saturday evening chillin' and watching another game of dominoes with my host dad. He says perhaps next time I will be ready to jump in--lesson time over.
--Met my first guy who REALLY didn't like my being in the village. Nothing personal to me, but he didn't like the Peace Corps being here. He got very vocal and used some colorful words. I was also a bit wary of the cutlass (machete) he was slapping against his thigh. I left him quickly and now know at least one person to avoid. Later, I learned he is a few cards short of a deck--according to others in the village. Even more reason to take care around him.
--Took tons of pics of my village today during some early morning rain. Sorry, I can't post nearly any of them....but here is a triple treat that turned out really nice!
This last one is an old government installed clothes and bathing station pulling water. Although most people have indoor plumbing, these are still in use by many people.
Holy breadfruit batman! I just saw the time and it is LATE for me. Time to log out and get a couple hours of sleep.....
Until next time, stay happy and well.
ciao tutti,
~your wannabe jedi
~Shawn
02 September 2008
Live from SVG!
Hey all you out there that are not here! ^_^
So I here I am, blogging away from St Vincent. I am tucked away here in a little village--but not allowed to say where exactly. Shortly after arrival on the island--I met up with my host family where I'll be staying for a few weeks. They are helping me learn to get around and shop here, as well as help immerse me in the local dialect. Yeah, English is spoken here, but the dialect is tough to the foreign ear. They are good people and are taking great care of me. They have a couple grandkids that live with them--10 and 5yrs old. So for those that know me, this is going to be interesting. They even went out of their way to get me "vegetarian chunks"--which are some sort of dried soy pieces that rehydrate into tasty morsels. : ) After a few weeks, I get to have my own place--we'll see what sort of new adventures that will bring.
Until then, what have I been up to?
St. Vincent (Vincys) people are really warm and friendly. Also, the Peace Corps is really well known on the island--having been here for many years. In fact, I learned that head staff guy here--really loves his job, partially because he had "interventions" and learned from Peace Corps members twice in his schools while growing up. To his knowledge--those volunteers didn't know what became of our current head of staff, but it shows how time can yield great results from the seeds of assistance that we are planting. There is an American medical school here on the island and tourists come and go....so at times we are mistaken for people with $ ...lol. But once people learn that we are with the Peace Corps, they usually become extra friendly. --Not to say that we will be getting extra breaks, but at least we would be charged local prices.
On transportation.....the roads here would seem treacherous to most people back home. They are close winding roads that wrap around the mountain curves and create a somewhat circular pattern around most of the island. From around the 100k population, perhaps 20k have cars or buses or taxis. People typically drive very fast but stop quick and pass on the roads often. To avoid accidents, they honk all the time to get walking people off the road or to warn others of driving around corners. Catching a bus can be VERY difficult if you are not at the right place at the right time--usually when it leaves its main terminal. Buses also usually run 6-7ish and not on Sundays....so let's hope I don't get stuck out somewhere late. Even official taxis can be REALLY expensive. Oh yeah--they drive on the left.
I have not gone to the beach here yet, but many of them have black sand from the volcano. Yes, it is an active volcano--supposedly the 2nd most studied next to Mount St Helens. Its last eruption was in 1979, so let's not hope for the next Pompeii.
One of the volunteers told us in our gossip time at training about being offered (and accepting) to eat a sea turtle's egg in a Guinness beer. This really threw me off and I put that up there on the things I would not do....like eat monkey (even if not a veg-head)--which happens on St Kitts. I later learned that there are legal times and locations to collect sea turtle eggs. This is just one example of my having to adjust to the local culture and not approach with a bias. Just some things will be harder than others.....much harder.
So look for more later....hope everyone is well. ^_^ Drop a comment to keep me posted on what is going on in your half of the world.
ciao tutti
~your wannabe jedi
~Shawn
So I here I am, blogging away from St Vincent. I am tucked away here in a little village--but not allowed to say where exactly. Shortly after arrival on the island--I met up with my host family where I'll be staying for a few weeks. They are helping me learn to get around and shop here, as well as help immerse me in the local dialect. Yeah, English is spoken here, but the dialect is tough to the foreign ear. They are good people and are taking great care of me. They have a couple grandkids that live with them--10 and 5yrs old. So for those that know me, this is going to be interesting. They even went out of their way to get me "vegetarian chunks"--which are some sort of dried soy pieces that rehydrate into tasty morsels. : ) After a few weeks, I get to have my own place--we'll see what sort of new adventures that will bring.
Until then, what have I been up to?
- Watched my host dad play dominoes with his friends--people here REALLY enjoy that game
- Watched a football (soccer) game
- Danced at a make-shift party....mostly reggae music
- Gone through a day of Peace Corps Training--another tomorrow
- Began a mapping project of my village....it is going to be a hard project--wish I could say more on that one.
- Opened a local bank account and wandered the downtown Kingstown area--it isn't very big
- SWEAT PLENTY!!! It's been hot and humid for sure.
- Learned to hand wash my clothes and hang dry.....this is going to be interesting. ^_^
- Went to a local church. No I'm not converting--but it is a good chance to meet the locals.
- Taught the kids I live with how to make paper airplanes and paper 'face' puppets.
- Taken some pics, but will need time to get any uploaded. Probably not until I am on my own (7 weeks?) and can take the time to do it.
- Gotten to see many different foods in the capital market. Saturday is the big outdoor vegetable market--that is going to be awesome! (if I get to go....)
- Rode local buses (more like mini-vans) and they are hella packed! For those that have heard of the jam-packed trains of Toyko at rush hour....imagine that but much hotter. >.<
- Eaten something at my host home called breadfruit. Apparently it is a staple food here--originally brought over by the European rulers in order to feed the slaves. It looks like a giant, green, round sphere that grows on trees. It can be made many ways--cut and roasted then fried it tastes like french fries.
St. Vincent (Vincys) people are really warm and friendly. Also, the Peace Corps is really well known on the island--having been here for many years. In fact, I learned that head staff guy here--really loves his job, partially because he had "interventions" and learned from Peace Corps members twice in his schools while growing up. To his knowledge--those volunteers didn't know what became of our current head of staff, but it shows how time can yield great results from the seeds of assistance that we are planting. There is an American medical school here on the island and tourists come and go....so at times we are mistaken for people with $ ...lol. But once people learn that we are with the Peace Corps, they usually become extra friendly. --Not to say that we will be getting extra breaks, but at least we would be charged local prices.
On transportation.....the roads here would seem treacherous to most people back home. They are close winding roads that wrap around the mountain curves and create a somewhat circular pattern around most of the island. From around the 100k population, perhaps 20k have cars or buses or taxis. People typically drive very fast but stop quick and pass on the roads often. To avoid accidents, they honk all the time to get walking people off the road or to warn others of driving around corners. Catching a bus can be VERY difficult if you are not at the right place at the right time--usually when it leaves its main terminal. Buses also usually run 6-7ish and not on Sundays....so let's hope I don't get stuck out somewhere late. Even official taxis can be REALLY expensive. Oh yeah--they drive on the left.
I have not gone to the beach here yet, but many of them have black sand from the volcano. Yes, it is an active volcano--supposedly the 2nd most studied next to Mount St Helens. Its last eruption was in 1979, so let's not hope for the next Pompeii.
One of the volunteers told us in our gossip time at training about being offered (and accepting) to eat a sea turtle's egg in a Guinness beer. This really threw me off and I put that up there on the things I would not do....like eat monkey (even if not a veg-head)--which happens on St Kitts. I later learned that there are legal times and locations to collect sea turtle eggs. This is just one example of my having to adjust to the local culture and not approach with a bias. Just some things will be harder than others.....much harder.
So look for more later....hope everyone is well. ^_^ Drop a comment to keep me posted on what is going on in your half of the world.
ciao tutti
~your wannabe jedi
~Shawn
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