Re's Adventures in St. Kitts/Nevis

“Don’t Let the Peace Corps Ruin Your Peace Corps Experience”

2009-01-25T11:28:00.000-08:00

I first heard the above quote during the first days of Staging in Miami. I heard it again while in St. Lucia during our first 3 days of meetings, and many, many times during our training sessions. At first I didn’t know what it meant. How could this big, wonderful organization that I had heard and read so much about ruin my experience? Volunteers who had been in service for a while always said it. It was said as a warning and said with great emphasis and I soon learned exactly what they meant and how very true the saying is.

After struggling, long nights of no sleep, last Wednesday I resigned my position with the Peace Corps. For the past 6 months you’ve clicked on this blog and told me how much you enjoyed reading about my adventure and seeing the pretty pictures. What you didn’t know was that the Peace Corps monitors our blogs and we are not allowed to ‘tell it like it really is.’ By resigning, now I finally can.

There were many factors contributing to my resignation, chief among them was concern for my personal safety and security. As you know my apartment was broken into and I was robbed while sleeping in my bed. What you don’t know is that the Peace Corps did absolutely nothing! No one called, came by, or even sent a ‘how ya doing?’ email. It took several weeks for me to once again sleep soundly and I can never thank Aaron Harris enough for staying over the first few nights to make sure I was okay, that the new burglar bars and the lock on my bedroom door were installed to his high standards.

You also don’t know, because I couldn’t tell you, that just 2 weeks ago London’s Economist listed St. Kitts/Nevis as the ‘murder capital of the world’. (Based on per capita population - 23 murders in ‘08 to a population of 40,000.) The first shooting of 2009 was last Saturday and the victim died on the sidewalk just a block and a half from my apartment. On Thursday, two Peace Corps volunteers and their visiting nephew were robbed at knife point, in broad daylight, while walking up the drive of one of the most exclusive guest plantations on the island. These islands are not a tropical paradise – just tropical, dirty, and loud and not ‘welcoming.’

During a meeting last week with the Country Director of the Eastern Caribbean, discussing the escalating violence on the island, her response to me was that I really shouldn’t be worried as ‘they’re just shooting each other.’

Yes they are! Both the Cripps and the Bloods have established gangs on the island. All one has to do is be in the wrong place at the wrong time and…. Wouldn’t you be afraid when a young volunteer calls you at 6 a.m. to tell you he was awakened by gunshots outside his bedroom window and looked out to see a body down the hill from his home? Or you learn that the pretty young volunteer who left the day you arrived was raped in her home?

So yes, I was scared and worried. My friends were worried, my sons were worried. There is so much talk about maintaining our safety and security by the Peace Corps when you’re in training, but in actuality the Peace Corps can do nothing specific to protect you.

You only hear by word-of-mouth what is happening on these islands as freedom of the press is not allowed. The newspapers, radio and TV stations are all government controlled. These islands exist on tourism and the government rationalizes that by not reporting the shootings, robberies and rapes the thousands of tourists that pour off the massive cruise ships daily will never learn of the violence. But by doing this, the government is also doing a great disservice to the people who live on these islands. We don't know where the worst locations are, where not to go, who to be leary of. The police force is so terribly under-trained and under-staffed that they can’t even take a set of fingerprints at a crime scene. They don’t know how and if they did, they wouldn’t have the equipment to do so.

I also learned what working for a huge, antiquated government agency was all about. I really wanted to believe everything I had read about serving in the Peace Corps. I wanted to believe what volunteers told me about their experiences in the ‘good old days.’ I really wanted to believe this experience would change my life. I wanted to be allowed to share my knowledge and skills with people who would not only be eager to learn, would appreciate my willingness to share and in time become my friends.

Instead, what I faced was inadequate training, poorly researched site placement and nonexistent work projects. I also faced relationships with staff that can best be described as guarded, and at times downright hostile. The local administration was much more concerned with repressing any sort of independent expression from volunteers than they were to listening to ideas and suggestions for change.

The Peace Corps breeds an environment of intimidation, telling volunteers we should feel privileged to even be a part of this organization then constantly threatening administrative separation to those who challenge the rules and regulations. It is a shame to see idealistic and motivated people become disillusioned and forced to go home when they arrive with such hope and drive to help others. But these ideals are quickly extinguished by the archaic and disrespectful manner in which volunteers are treated. (35% of those who volunteer quit before their end-of-service date.)

At some point in time, if the Peace Corps continues to advertise for ‘baby boomers’ to volunteer, they are going to have to change the rules and regulations which were designed for newly-graduated, 21-year old's and not those of us whose hair has grayed and are nearing or over the age of Medicare. They are also going to have to train their staff to treat mature volunteers as peers, realizing we bring a lifetime of skill and knowledge to our positions. They need to assign volunteers to projects in countries that can actually utilize our years of experience. I will say we ‘old folks’ did get a big kick spending a half-day learning how to correctly put a condom on a very large rubber dildo, but we did feel that perhaps there just might have been better use made of that time.

Those who know me know that I fight for change when I see a wrong. I stand up for the underdog or the youngsters of a group, hoping that by speaking out, the entire group will benefit. But I came to realize that nothing I said or did was ever going to make a difference. I was told that my work was ‘irrelevant’ even though in the six months I was on-island I raised over $30,000 in donations and funds for the two projects I worked on. A group of small-business owners even went to the Deputy Prime Minister to see if he could arrange a way for me to stay and continue my work as an independent contractor, saying that if the Peace Corps didn’t appreciate or want me, at least they did. They believed that the islands needed and could use my knowledge and skills. Their kindness and concern helped ease a lot of hurt and validated my work, but as they say, ‘you can’t fight City Hall’ and I just got tired of the fight.

So to my dear and wonderful friends – George, Kelly, Lauren, Aaron, Ed, Georgia and Jim – thank you for your support and your hugs. Keep up the good work. I"ll miss you and the good times we shared.

AND NOW FOR MY FUTURE – A NEW ADVENTURE AWAITS! I’m planning on purchasing a small RV and criss-crossing the US, stopping to volunteer and work where needed along the way. And of course, I’ll be pulling into the driveways of all my friends and family. I will begin a brand-new blog as soon as I purchase my literally “mobile home” and we can travel across this great, wide wonderful country together. Until then…..

Take care of each other.

ReAnn

I Had My First Visitor From Home!

2009-01-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

What fun to have my good friend Cindy Kilkenny arrive for a week. She is the first to come for a visit since my arrival on St. Kitts - and she could rent and drive a car! We had such fun exploring the islands(s). This is the first time I had the chance to go all around St. Kitts. We spent the weekend on Nevis at the lovely Oualie Beach Resort as Cindy requested sun on her body and sand in her toes. It was -13 degrees in Milwaukee where she lives, so 80 and sunny was the perfect antidote for a harsh, Midwestern winter. We both loved the hammocks that hang outside of each beach cottage. We would plop with a book and let the breezes gently rock us - usually to sleep or just enough to dream. We had an unscientific test of which place on the island made the best rum punch - Golden Rock won hands down and their lunch was fabulous as well. We spent a fantastic evening with my good friends Carol and Gavin, wandered through Charlestown, and basically enjoyed doing 'nothin' much.'

We returned to St. Kitts on Sunday and Cindy got to meet and know the nice bunch of PCVs I hang out with. We toured Romney Manner and Caribelle Batik, had an absolutely marvelous time meeting and talking with Kate Spencer, our islands' resident, world-famous artist. She is featured in this month's issue of Coastal Living and you should check out her work at http://www.katedesign.com. We spent an entire morning taking pictures of churches and an old, deserted sugar plantation (we sneaked over the wall and actually into the old house!) We wandered down to Dieppe Bay and The Golden Lemon where we accidentally met the owner of one of the private villas that literally hang over the sea. Alan and his wife Heidi just refurbished the entire place and it's for rent - at a great rate and you actually step into the pool right from your living room! Check out http://thekingsretreat.freesitespace.net/index.html - It's fabulous.

Cindy was my 'mule' and it was so nice, like Christmas, to have new undies, a printers, some new t-shirts and even shoes! We spent a lot of time discussing what being a Peace Corps volunteer really means - things you aren't allowed to write on a public forum such as this blog - and she allowed me to bounce a lot off her and I certainly appreciated an intelligent, outsider's viewpoint.

One of the biggest events that occurred while she was here was that I finally saw my first monkey! Cindy almost drove off the road when I screamed and she managed to stop long enough for me to take pictures. These little monsters outnumber the island residents (about 60,000 monkeys to 40,000 people). They absolutely destroy any crops that are planted on the island - eat or pull out anything - and are one of the major reasons that farming is not a viable industry here.

It was sad to put her on the plane on Wednesday, and she sure wasn't looking forward to returning to piles of snow and ice and frigid temperatures. But it was a fantastic visit and I miss her already!

Carnival St. Kitts '09

2009-01-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

The Carnival parade started just on time - Kittian time, that is. Scheduled to start at 2 p.m., it got underway at 3:45. The noise, the costumes, the number of participants and viewers was really quite wonderful. I had friends over and the landlord let us up on the rooftop to watch. Perfect, as the parade came right down my street. It was very slow moving as each 'troupe' stopped and performed along the way. The entire parade took about 2 1/2 hours to move past my building and then they looped all the way out and back into the Circus where the music? continued until 3 a.m. Today is 'Last Lap', a much shorter parade, just a loud and now blaring so loud from the Circus that this desk is vibrating from the bass speakers! Tonight is the last celebration and we all go back to work or school or whatever on Monday. It was an interesting 3 weeks of 'vacation' but will be happy to return to the peace and quiet - and hopefully Mr. Challenger will discontinue blaring Christmas music from his speakers around the corner!

Happy New Year Everyone! Take care of each other.

ReAnn

Pictures: The little girl is my upstairs neighbor's daughter, Ricki, in her Masquerade costume. She has been dancing in the Carnival parade for 5 years! She just had to come and show me her costume and for me to take her picture!

Carnival St. Kitts - cond.

2009-01-02T13:17:00.001-08:00

Pictures:

1. My favorite parade participant was this little 'tree or scrub' Haven't a clue what he was suppose to be.

2. The ladies were out in force and in various stages of undress - opps - costume.

3. The landlord opened the door so we could watch the parade from my rooftop. I took more shots of the view than the parade. This is looking toward the north end of the island with Nevis towering in the back.

4. Right across the street is St. George's Anglican Church.

5. Looking straight down on the parade - did I mention it was LOUD!

New Year's Eve on St. Kitts

2009-01-02T13:01:00.000-08:00

We rang out the old and brought in the new with dinner for 10 at Ballyhoo, in the Circus. Great food and service but bad choice for sound. Had one of those wonderful flatbeds with 10,000 speakers ramped up to HIGH right under the balcony and it was impossible to have any type of conversation. We all got 'gussied up.' (I had been digging around in one of the local fabric stores and actually found Georgio Armani embroidered black linen, so whipped up a 'little black dress.' So glad I have the opportunity to continue to sew while here.) We all certainly enjoyed meeting George's daughter Courtney and her friend Sharon who were here for a week's vacation. Grace, George's granddaughter was enjoying a 'pj party' at the Marriott arranged for just the kids. The lobster was fantastic - and very pretty - as you can see. Dinner was at 7 p.m. and I had my earplugs in place and sound asleep by 10:15p.m. Why is New Year's Eve just not as exciting as it was when I was young? Of course 'the kids' headed out after dinner for more fun, but we old folks just enjoyed dinner and good, nights sleep!

The 'Faces' of J'ourvet - Cond.

2008-12-27T06:03:00.000-08:00

The 'Faces' of J'ourvet

2008-12-27T05:58:00.000-08:00

J'ourvet!

2008-12-27T05:31:00.000-08:00

What can I say besides it over! A picture says much more than words so I've posted a bunch to give you a overall view of what it was like in the way of the number of people. Nothing can describe the sound!

I was awakened at 5 a.m. as the the first double-decker flatbed, hauled by a tractor, rolled passed my apartment. Let's see if I can describe it. The top half holds the singers and extras. The bottom half is the band and enough sets of loud speakers to blow out Yankee stadium - and that's just one band! "Troupes" of Kittians are formed from area communities. They meet up starting about 1 a.m. at a predetermined location and the party starts. They get their troupe t-shirts and all the free booze they want. At about 4 a.m. they start 'dancin' their way into the 'Circus', Basseterre's city center. I lay in my bed and felt it actually rise off the floor with the bass reverberations. Even with my ear plugs firmly in place, it was if they were singing at the foot of the bed!

After a quick shower, I grabbed my camera and headed to the Circus to get a seat at Ballyhoo overlooking the festivities. The waitress couldn't begin to hear what you ordered for breakfast so you just point and gesture! By 6 a.m. troupes and flatbeds were coming about every 10-15 minutes, every band singing a different song, the troupes yelling, singing, dancing. It was amazing, overpowering and totally deafening! I stayed for about 2 hours and then just gave up - thinking I had completely lost my hearing, plus my camera batteries were running low. I came back home but with the circus only 3 blocks away and the flatbed bands doing a continuous circle of downtown, it was like I never left. Forget turning on the TV or radio or even an iPod. All you hear was the bands. My windows shook, my floors bounced and this continued until 5 p.m.

Need I say that the revilers got progressively more inebriated and joyful...and louder? The police were out in full force and at one point water hoses and billy clubs came out. But all in all, the entire day was a celebration of the Kittian people and I think every single one on the island participated! What does J'ourvet actually mean? What are they celebrating? I asked numerous locals and got numerous answers - all different. The start of Carnival seems to be the most common, along with the Caribbean celebration of Boxing Day. Whatever it is - it certainly was a PARTY!

I've uploaded a bunch of the 'faces of J'ourvet' to give you just a taste of what being here was like. Enjoy - I did.

ReAnn

Pictures:
1) If you look at the front of the flatbed you'll see the entire thing is speakers!
2) This picture was take from my balcony about 2 p.m. when a big troupe went by.
3) The flatbed band just outside my apartment
4) A troupe coming into the circus as the sun came up!

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

2008-12-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Two very different days and celebrations. Our youngest volunteer has the unfortunate birthdate of 12/24. My cousin Nancy has the same date of birth and I know how much she felt her birthday got sorta passed over during all the Christmas rush and good cheer. So for Lauren, I agreed to fix her favorite meal - lasagna! Ed and Georgia made homemade meatballs and sauce, George brought the fixings for a huge tossed salad (avacados are in season - yum) and Kelly & Mike brought 2 huge loaves of garlic bread. Jim brought 'holiday cheer' and my Kittian friend Grace baked her island-famous rum cake for desert - and we were all set, if not for your typical Christmas dinner, one that delighted everyone and was delicious. Love the picture of Lauren with one big fat candle stuck in the middle of the lasagna and as you see, the rest of the group was very merry indeed.

Christmas morning dawned a little cloudy and very windy. I had been invited to the ex-pat community Christmas Day Brunch on the Beach by Linda and Fred Nottingham, folks who live here full-time, but originally from Wisconsin. She brought her chedder-head hat and he his Packer beer coozie and many darts and arrows went back and forth about da Bears and the Pack! I met so many nice people, enjoyed the Bloody Mary taste-off, turkey with all the fixing, delicious salads, home-baked cakes and pies. The weather cooperated and though very different, thoroughly enjoyed sand in my toes instead of snow. We had the party at Shipwreck beach mid-way out Frigate Bay. The restaurant that is normally open was closed for the day so we got the benefit of their tables, beach chairs, and thatched potta-potties! From the pictures you'll see that there were several nice-sized yachts and one beautiful 3-masted schooner sharing the beach with us. Met people from France, St. Martins, Germany, the States, Barbados - a truly international Christmas.

So as Christmas ends and the New Year approaches, from a little island, with the waves of the Atlantic crashing on one side and the Caribbean jewel-tone waters lapping on the other, I send to you my warmest wishes for a very blessed, peaceful and joyous holiday season. No matter what our varied religious beliefs, for all of us it is a time of year for reflection; time to spend with those we love and hold dear; time to look up at a midnight sky and realize the same stars twinkle on all of us. It's the time of year to give thanks for what we have, and share with those than don't. It's the time of year to look forward to what could be, and plan for what will be. It's the time of year to hug those we know well, and hug those who really need one. It's the time of year to open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to the wonders that surround us each and every day. It's the time of the year to embrace life, love, joy and happiness, and be grateful for the peace and blessings, no matter how big or small, that come our way.

Take care of each other....

ReAnn

How can it almost be Christmas?

2008-12-20T04:59:00.000-08:00

Saturday morning and because of the holidays, no golf lessons this morning. The kids have been out of school for the past week and roaming the streets along with thousands of tourists off the cruise ships.

Last week we had 3 ships docked at one time - that's 9000 sunburned, bored, under-dressed tourists. Why do older men think they can wear 'mussel shirts' or no shirt at all, and roam around a capital city's main square? Or women parade around in bikini tops and really, really short shorts? First, big bellies without a proper covering is really ridiculous-looking. And would these vacationers dress like this on a summer day visiting NYC or Chicago or LA? No! Just because they are on vacation doesn't give them the right to not respect the capitol city of a Caribbean island or it's people, who really are quite conservative and cover themselves in long sleeves, suits and ties even during the hottest times of year. Sorry for the rant, but I am embarrassed for my fellow countrymen and women and try to stay far, far away from the 'Circus' when the ships come to town as I don't want be thought as a 'tourist.'

That said, HELLO. Last night was the official opening of Carnival. I'll say this only once - LOUD! A huge party for children was held just outside my door and about a 1/2 block down. About 300 kids and parents, music, screaming, laughter rolling through the air until midnight. Tonight is Calypso Night at Warner Park. George has invited me to attend a private 'rum punch' party at Ballyhoo and so I am getting the my chores done early today. I was invited to the luncheon hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister, Sam Condor, for the island's talented youth on the 28th and we'll be celebrating Lauren's 'unfortunate date of birth - Christmas Eve' with a lasagna and homemade spaghetti and meatballs dinner (her choice) here. Christmas Day nothing is planned, but the 26th is J'ouvet so I will most certainly have lots to tell and pictures to show next week.

Now I want to tell you about one of the really fun things I'm doing. Through the Peace Corps, we can sign-up to 'correspond' during our 2 years of service, with a classroom back in the States, sharing our adventures and answering their wonderful questions. I have been assigned Nancy Dowdy's English III (aka American lit) class in Barren County, KY. They are a small group of students - struggling readers – but great kids and the majority have never been outside of Kentucky. Barren County is in Glasgow, Kentucky (named the # 1 Rural County to live in America in 2007). Their questions are funny, insightful and it's so nice to be able to tell them about what life is like living on a tiny island in the middle of the Caribbean - which they had to look up on an Atlas - very hard for them to comprehend!

After being 'yelled at' for not including any pictures last week, I'm attaching one that George took from the street up to my balcony (Kelly, me & Lauren) and one a fellow diner took at a delicious, traditional English Roast Beef dinner we had at Ballyhoo a few weeks ago. (Lauren, Ed, Georgia, George and me). That's all for this week, but get prepared for the coming 'tales of Carnival.'

Let me take this opportunity to wish each and everyone who reads this blog a very blessed and Merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year! This will be my very first holiday season not spent in the company of at least one of my boys and my friends. It's going to be really hard but the phone will ring and we can share our joy and happiness and love with our voices.

Until next week - take care of each other!

ReAnn

The Holidays are coming...

2008-12-15T05:39:00.000-08:00

Which means that everything on-island(s) just shut down! It's Carnival, J'ouvert, Christmas, New Years, Boxing Day - all rolled into one big Party Time! Mostof the locals take vacation time that lasts for 4 weeks, returning to work a couple of days after the last big parade on January 2nd. Did I mention that it's party time? That means the consumption of large amounts of alcoholic beverages, VERY loud music played off the back of flat-bed trucks from speakers that are taller than a very tall man and reverberate the windows in houses that they pass by. And every single parade route goes right beneath my balcony. It's been suggested that I pack-up and move out-of-town as sleep will not be an option as the music goes 24/7.

As to my health, which so many of you have been so kind to email me asking about, I've recovered from my bout of Dengue Fever. Still tried and take 'little naps' to get through the day, but feel fine and managed to lose another 8 pounds - down almost 25 since joining the PC. My landlord has installed a huge lock on my bedroom door that locks from the inside and everyone is making a huge effort to lock the downstairs entry when coming and going, so I feel much safer.

Today is my weekly lunch with Wingfield Estate owner, Maurice Widdowson, and afterwards he has agreed to take me out to Christmas shop at his Caribelle Batik store at Romney Manor. It won't replace my dreams of shopping for hours at TJ Maxx or a mall, but it will help!

That's it for this week. No pictures this week as I really haven't been out-and-about but will be sure to include lots the next couple of weeks as I chronicle the holiday season here on St. Kitts.

Take care of each other....

ReAnn

What Next?

2008-12-06T05:31:00.000-08:00

After the break-in and then a great Thanksgiving, you would have thought my life would have been back to normal, right? Wrong! Sometime in the not-so-distant past it seems I was bitten by the nasty, white-footed mosquito that carries Dengue Fever. I'm the 5th Peace Corps volunteer to come down with this really nasty fever in the past month.

But before I got sick, I finally had a day at the beach! Can you believe last Sunday was the very first time I've spent the day in the water snorkeling and sunning on the sand and drinking a few Carib's under the palm trees? The pics are of Cockleshell beach which is the north end of St. Kitts. Very nice, great restaurant, good snorkeling. And I finally saw my first Green Velvet monkey that roam the islands here. Everyone talks about them, but I had never seen one until driving back from the beach one casually walked across the road. No picture opportunity - pooh!

So back to the dreaded Dengue. After a very busy day on Nevis on Monday and a beautiful sunset on the ferry ride back, I'm sitting working Tuesday afternoon with another PCV when my teeth start chattering. And things got worse from there. Headache so bad you want to just take it off! Your whole body aches - every bone and joint feels like it's broken. Fever runs about 102, your get an itchy rash, you don't even want to look at food and so tired all you want to do is sleep - but you can't - because it hurts to lay down. There is really no treatment except a strong dose of Tylenol, cold showers, lots of liquids and rest. It supposedly runs it course in about 2 weeks and I'm on day 4 1/2.

The PC nurse calls and stops by daily, runs me to the hospital for daily blood tests (if your white count starts to drop drastically, into the hospital you go.) George made me home-made soup and the younger crowd came over and did my dishes. So I'm being taken care of, but I HATE BEING SICK!

Haven't been able to do much work either, as just too tired. But the big project I'm working on on Nevis is progressing and the website I've helped design went live yesterday http://www.nevisfilmfestival.com. So life does keep on going. And I will get better - hopefully sooner rather than later!

Well, this is about all the energy I have to write this week. Until next time...

Take care of each other.

ReAnn

Pictures:
1. Sunset seen from ferry on the ride back from Nevis
2. The north end of St. Kitts, with great salt pond and Nevis in the back ground
3. Aaron, Chris & George enjoying a day at the beach
4. Cockelshell Beach

More Thanksgivng Day Pics

2008-11-29T15:22:00.001-08:00

A Very Long Week That Thankfully Ended Well

2008-11-29T14:50:00.000-08:00

I guess you should never take anything for granted when living in what seems like paradise, but is just as dangerous as any city in the world. On Monday morning, about 1:30 a.m., my apartment was broken into, while I was soundly sleeping in the back bedroom. My purse, with cash, credit cards, cell phone and of all things, prescription sunglasses were taken.

The thief also went into my kitchen and took food and drink out of my fridge, leaving it half eaten and drunk on the table. I didn't wake up or know about it until the next morning when I stumbled into the kitchen to make coffee and knew I hadn't left a bottle of cranberry juice on the table or a loaf of bread. He also ate my yogurt, which is really expensive and made me really mad.

When I walked into the dining room I found the burglar bars, which are on the inside of my windows, had been unscrewed and pushed in. The outside little window was cracked open, so he was able to push this up and maneuver in. He had to be one skinny robber! (see picture.)

I called the landlord, he called the police, I made a report. The people in the building let it be known they know who is was, but there is a 'no tell on others' policy here on the island, so they won't tell. The scary part is the "What if.....?" It's a situation that could have changed or ended my life - and after the adrenalin and nerves wore off, I was shaking like a leaf!

My PCV friends came over and wouldn't leave me for 2 nights, refusing to let me stay here alone. Abdul-Karim Ahmed, the wonderful man I work for on Nevis demanded I pack up and move over there immediately. Which was really the sweetest thing but impossible until I have some response from the staff of the PC - which as yet, 6 days later, has not happened. But I'm fine, the bars have now been reinstalled with large bolts and the downstairs gate, which was to be locked at all times after 9 p.m. (and wasn't) is now locked almost all day and night, my credit cards have been overnighted and replaced and my insurance will cover replacing my much needed sunglasses.

And what happened next? Thanksgiving!!! I hosted dinner for 10 friends, both PCV and locals, and had a blast. Found a 'real Butterball' at the IGA, 18lbs and almost $60, but worth every bite! Everyone else brought everything else and we had enough food to feed all of downtown Basseterre. And to top off an amazing dinner menu, we had 5 pies, 1 cake and a loaf of banana bread.

As is normal, by the time dinner was over, the males in the group were plopped and snoring in front of the TV with a terrible football game playing in the background. The ladies cleared and cleaned and got my house back into order. Had only to mop the floor the next day - then sleep for almost 12 hours! It is holidays like this though that really make me miss all my good dishes, serving pieces AND dishwasher.

I hope each and everyone of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving. Each of us here gave thanks for our new-found friendships and another beautiful day in St. Kitts. That's all for this week. Sure hope that next week isn't as exciting!

Take care of each other.

ReAnn

Time just flies...when you're having fun!

2008-11-18T03:38:00.000-08:00

And life as a Peace Corps volunteer on the islands of St. Kitts/Nevis is fun. It's also hard work, frustrating, exciting, dusty, dirty, loud (very loud), filled with surprises, meaningful and mundane... but it is never boring.

Friends and family from back home keep asking me if I'm happy? And the answer is a resounding yes! Do I miss my friends and family? Of course I do! What else to do I miss? TJ Maxx (come on - those that know me know I miss shopping at my favorite store!) We have very little selection here and less selection in sizes or colors. Most stores only carry 1 style of garment in one size, and if it ain't yours, you're out of luck. I miss Burger King. I know, silly, but a Whopper right now would taste great. I miss the ability to 'get things done now!' which just isn't the way life is done here. It's slow, easy, considerate, much more formal in both attitude and talk. This was a British country for many years - and it's a hot, tropical country. Combine the too and you have a slow-moving, polite and proper, let's talk our time to make any decision country that is still struggling to find it's place in the world. And like all countries, the divide between the very rich and the very poor is very wide.

Many of my fellow PCV's teach remedial reading in the schools. One was 'given' a group of 6 young men, all in the 6th grade, to teach. Well that turned out to mean 'teach them to read.' These 6 boys did not even know the letters of the alphabet or the phonetic sounds those letter made, let along know how to string those letters together to make words.

Another was placed at the home for mentally disabled. If you can remember what state mental hospitals were like back in the 50's, every type of patient with a mental disorder thrown together, with no regard for the patients rights or abilities or sex, you have only a small glimpse of what this place is like. Though the staff tries, it is terribly over-burdened and under-qualified to do the work they are charged to do. This PCV, with a Master's in Social Development went into work with high hopes of somehow helping. After 2 weeks they told her she would be in charge of teaching and working with the autistic children. She informed them that she was not even close to being qualified to do this type of work. They gave her a small book on the subject that had been published 20 years ago and assured her that once she read it, she would be! She was horrified and, to give her credit, she said no - something you learn that a PCV is not suppose to say. She was afraid she would do more harm that good.

And these are just 2 examples of what PCVs face where the local population is understaffed, under-qualified and has no where else to turn. Many have found that they are put in a situation where they are expected to literally 'take over' in place of their point person. That person sees having a PCV in their work place as an opportunity to take 2-3 hours 'off the job' and let the PCV do their work. We are here to assist - to help in any way we can - but we are specifically not here to lead.

So after being on-island for almost 3 months, we are beginning to see the problems and difficulties we will be facing. We sometimes wonder if the PC staff, either here or in DC bothered to read the extensive resumes we had to submit before being accepted. Too many have been put 'to work' in situations where they are not qualified or have very little interest in the work they are assigned to do by the PC. It would be so much better for all if a little more time was spent when assignments are given to match the PCVs qualifications and interests with the job they are given to do for the next 2 years. Everyone knows that when you enjoy and learn from the work you are doing, when you are doing something you know how to do and love doing, everyone involved benefits. It will be interesting to see what changes, if any, are made as President-elect Obama takes over. He has promised to overhaul and double the number of PCVs by 2011. But he must take into consideration that the Peace Corps is a 'government-run' organization and totally under-funded for the staff and number of volunteers it now has. We are all going to be watching closely during our 2 years of service to see what, and if he can actually achieve what he wants and needs to be done raise the Peace Corps to higher standards.

Okay - enough said on that subject. As for my last week - busy, busy, busy! Work on my major projects continues. The boxes of sewing supplies have started to pour in from all over the US, thanks for my industry friends who 'put the word out' and sewers from everywhere answered. Really exciting was meeting a RPCV (returned Peace Corps Volunteer) at Royal St. Kitts Golf Club a little over a month ago (Joe had served here on St. Kitts 20 years ago). After telling him about our island-youth golf program, he asked what he could do to help? This past Saturday 12 brand new sets of golf clubs, with bags, arrived for the kids! They range in sizes for our littlest players, all the way up to our oldest. If you could have seen the look on their faces! Santa Claus just came to St. Kitts early. And he tells us there is more 'stuff' on the way - shirts, gloves, balls, bag tags the kids can put on their backpacks! You never know who you might meet on a rainy day on a driving range. That person can turn out to be just who you need to help make life a whole lot better and more fun for a group of great kids! Thank you Joe!

This weeks pictures: The one of the lovely blonde is our American Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mary Ourisman. I was fortunate to spend Thursday afternoon on Nevis with she and her staff (there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Emergency Disaster Relief Headquarters), while Abdul had to attend and then interview her on his TV show. Then on Friday, she came over to St. Kitt's specifically to take we new PCVs to lunch. What a lovely, gracious lady. She's leaving us soon, as all ambassadorship's are political appointments, but she will be missed. The next is of the glorious Ottley's Plantation where I had breakfast with Dave & Theresa from MN. And the last is of our entire group having lunch with Ambassador Ourisman on Friday. Aren't we a good lookin bunch of PCVs!

The first concert of the season by the St. Christopher Chorale is tomorrow evening which is specifically for the island's children. Many of the school choruses will be performing, besides our group. I'm meeting with the head of the SKN Credit Bureau today to discuss how and if they can offer small-business start-up loans to qualified people here on the island, and later a meeting with the board members at Royal St. Kitts to talk about Joe's great gift and where we go from here. Another busy day. So for now...

That's all from here, talk again next week. Take care of each other.

ReAnn

I'm Late!

2008-11-10T07:05:00.000-08:00

I just had a wonderful breakfast with Dave & Theresa from MN today and was reminded that I hadn't posted to my blog as yet this week! I met this lovely couple via the St. Kitts/Nevis Forum online and hooked-up when the arrived over the weekend for vacation. How nice to make new friends using this fantastic medium of communication.

Besides working on my two main projects - researching the history of Wingfield Estate which means spending many hours in the dusty archives of the Museum of History and Historical Society; working on Nevis designing a marketing campaign for their first international film festival next May; I am also helping to turn their Community Cohesion group into a full-fledged NGO (non-governmental organization). Lots of paper work, mission statements, constitution in 'legal-ese' which must be approved by the government to become 'official.'

The island is now plastered with 'Good Luck President Obama' posters. The locals were all thrilled with the outcome of the election. It's interesting that with all these Caribbean islands being so close to our shoreline, there is hardly any American presence on them. The Chinese and Taiwanese are everywhere and fund a large majority of projects throughout the Caribbean. Interesting.

The St. Christopher Chorale has it's first performance next week, so extra rehearsals for that, sewing class continues and I just signed on to teach a one-on-one small business class on Friday evenings. Maybe retirement wasn't so boring after all! But yes, I'm having a blast.

The most exciting thing that happened this week was a torrential rain storm that turned my street (the ghut - or main drain) into a raging river in minutes. I was coming back on the Nevis ferry when the storm broke downtown, but it had been raining all day in the mountains. Torrents of water come rushing down the mountainside, sweeping everything in sight along with it. Cars, washing machines, large pieces of metal, tons of garbage - all go rushing down the hills, down my street and into the sea. I walked home in rain so hard I couldn't see. When I got to my street, I was in water up to my knees and had to hang onto the rod-iron fences to make it to the raised portion of the sidewalk in front of my door. I heard the next day that a woman got caught in the water and was saved just before being swept out into the ocean. I stood on my balcony for hours just watching. The sound of all that 'stuff' tumbling down a road was so loud. And the silt and sand that came with it took 3 days of bull-dozers and men with shovels just to clean it up. My apartment was and still is covered with dust and grit, even though I've scrubbed the floors and furnishings twice.

So, life is never dull. I am absolutely loving every minute of my life as a Peace Corps volunteer and the local Kittians and Nevisians are wonderful to work with. The holidays are fast approaching and I am hosting a small group of 9 for Thanksgiving. don't have a clue if my oven is accurate as far as temperature, so will be an adventure to cook my Butterball and see if it gets done! And this will be the very first Christmas I will spend without at least one of the boys. It's going to be hard, but it will also be Carnivale that entire week and I understand that will be an experience not to be missed.

Until next week - take care of each other.

ReAnn

PS - I almost forgot! I played my first full round of golf since the 16th of August, back in North Carolina. After teaching the kids all morning (and we had 12 brand new ones, not one had ever held a golf club in their hand!) the members asked us if we would like to join them for their every-Saturday afternoon event. I played like crap - but the course is so beautiful as it hugs the sea, who cared?! I used a set of Cobra off-sets that drove me crazy and I couldn't hit worth ca-ca. But is sure was great swinging a club again. We all then went to the beach and had a great dinner and great conversation. A wonderful way to spend a Saturday.

Beautiful, Enchanted Nevis

2008-11-02T05:01:00.001-08:00

1) Approaching River Walk Coconut Plantation Historic Site
2) Location of the Red Carpet Opening Night Event for the Caribbean Film Festival
3) One of the individual villa at Golden Rock
4) Nesbitt Plantation's beach - all beaches are open to the public
5) The main peak on Nevis with it's halo of constant volcanic gases (hasn't errupted in the last 1000 or so years.

It's Official - All Over Again

2008-11-02T03:09:00.000-08:00

Hurricane Omar blew out to sea and both St. Kitts and Nevis have repaired most of the damage it caused. The weather is once again 'perfect' every single day, with the average temperature in the mid-80's and with the humidity about the same.

This week was spent meeting with some of the folks I will be working closely with, finding out-of-the-way stores and exploring downtown Basseterre, and filling my refrigerator with food to last more than 2 days. Being surprised by a large, totally naked local man standing on the sidewalk on the way to the IGA (I think he was a wee bit intoxicated) was not exactly what I thought I would find at the local grocer but it sure added a little bit to a typical day!

Two events really stood out and made this past week very special. Because of Omar, we had our 'official and very proper' swearing-in ceremony reduced to standing around a speakerphone in the PC office and repeating the Oath of Office to a voice from St. Lucia last week. This Friday, with all our home-stay families, high-ranking government officials, our training instructors, new work friends and bosses and the Eastern Caribbean PC Country Director in attendance, we 12 dressed to the 9's and once again had the Oath of Office for a Peace Corps Volunteer administered. I was asked to sing our National Anthem while Alyssia Sellman from Texas, who had brought her violin with her, played. We were entertained by a wonderful local musical group who sings Caribbean folk songs, bored by very long, political speeches, inspired by several of our trainers who took the time to get to know us, and made their speeches pertinent and meaningful, and finally overwhelmed realizing that 'this is the moment' that really makes us "official" PCV's and that for the next 2 years this is our home. Barry, who has been here for a year, volunteered to take photos of the ceremony with my camera. I winnowed 330 down to just under a 100 and have attached 5 to give you an idea of what the ceremony was like.

5) - Our EC Banner,
4) - Take the Oath
3) = the entire EC78 group with our PC Staff.
2) - Abdul-Karim Ahmed & Me (our very favorite trainer)
1) - The Deputy High Commissioner enjoying the free food!

The other fantastic event that occurred yesterday is that Abdul invited me over to spend the day on Nevis. We've been here 9 weeks and it was the first time we could officially go explore the other 1/2 of this 2-island nation which is only a 45-minute ferry ride away.

And what an island. It is so different than St. Kitts. Much smaller and much more beautiful. Because it has always been the home of the 'gentry', it is much cleaner, the living much more up-scale, the hotels (including the Four Seasons) much more posh, and the beaches are really glorious. I have been asked to work on the marketing and PR for the upcoming Caribbean Film Festival held in May as part of Nevis' Culturama and which Adbul is spearheading. That reason was a great excuse of a day of pure enjoyment as we explored the island, met many of the locals, enjoyed a wonderful lunch and just completely relaxed. Conversation was non-stop and topics bounced from work, to very serious island-related problems, to the silly and mundane. Adbul, born on Nevis, educated from the age of 10 in the UK and the States, returned home only 4 years ago with a goal of getting involved in his community and really making a difference for his people. He is now the government-appointed community cohesion director for the island and very seriously considering running for elected office. I took gobs of pictures and will post only a few but for anyone who comes here for a visit, a day or two on Nevis is mandatory!

Lastly - most of you had your clocks "Fall back" last night. We in the Caribbean don't participate in this very American tradition. So until the States 'Springs forward' I am now 1 hour ahead of the East Coast, 2 ahead of those in the Midwest, etc. etc. I'm going to try and remember that I am now 4 hours ahead of my son in CA and not wake him at some ungodly hour in the middle of the night the next time I call to check in!

Well, that was my week. Today is set aside for laundry and scrubbing the floors and straightening up the apartment and NFL football, which now won't start till mid-afternoon. TV prime time starts at 9 p.m. and runs till midnight. ARGH!

You all enjoy your day and I'll be in touch next week. Take care of each other!

ReAnn

For All those who read Marcy's Newsletter re Sewing Supplies

2008-10-29T18:25:00.000-07:00

Thank you so much for sending your comments and questions about how you can send much needed sewing supplies to me here on St. Kitts.

If you will click on "My Complete Profile" and once on that page, under my 'tree hugging' picture you see a blue link for Email. Just click and you go directly to my email and I can answer each and every one of your questions personally.

FYI, anything sent to me at my Peace Corps address I do not have to pay duty. And the cheapest form of sending packages from the States is the good ol' post office. If several go together and fill a box, then you can split, yes, the very outrageous postage charge. Sorry, but there is not way to get around this - no deal other than duty free entry on packages for Peace Corps members.

Again, many thanks for your interest in helping me help these wonderful women. I just came back from class tonight where we learned that those that work (the majority) at the small American and foreign-owned manufacturing factories here on the island are being laid-off through the end of the year. We are suggesting, hoping and helping them as much as we can in their starting up home-based sewing business to tide them over through the holidays. Almost every one is a single-mother with several children at home to cloth and feed. So your gifts will be even more useful and appreciated during this very difficult time.

ReAnn

Sunday Afternoon in my own home!

2008-10-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

Here I sit, gazing out over the Caribbean Sea, sweating and dreaming of fall, sweaters, jeans, hot chocolate and the smell of wood burning in the fireplace. I'm averaging at least 2, and sometimes 3, showers a day in my itty-bitty shower. But at least I have hot water and great pressure.

Let's see what's happened since last I wrote - had another meeting with Mr. Widdowson of Wingfield Estate and now have a long list where I can start researching the history of this wonderful historical site. Our first big ship of the winter cruise season docked downtown yesterday. I can see the top half of the ships and the stacks from my balcony. Downtown was busy with 'cruisers' filling all the shops and bars.

Thinking I would be less alone if I agreed to adopt 2 of our PC nurse's latest litter of kittens, I, a lifelong animal lover, discovered in some cases I'm not. She forgot to say that they were 8 weeks old, had never been held or loved by human hands, we're the kittens of feral cats and didn't have a clue how to use a litter box. They also howled and mewed constantly and with these high ceilings, you cannot even being to imagine the sound. After they had been here for less than a hour, running like mad all over the house and litterally bouncing off the walls, the gold & white one dove through the grate off the balcony, landed on top of a car parked on the street, shook itself off and went racing down the street. The black and white one spent the entire night screaming at the top of his/her very strong lungs, refusing to be petted or even allow me to get close. Then at 5:30 a.m. the sound increased and when I struggled out of bed to see what was happening, there was the 'balcony diver' sitting at the door wanting in. They both ate breakfast and then went together through the holes in the door, down the stairs and out the front door - I really hope never to return!

The Kittians do not do 'pets' as we know them. They also do not know the word 'neuter. Packs of homeless dogs and cats roam the streets with no homes to claim them, multiplying like bunnies. And the chickens roam through all the yards and alleys. I have a rooster next door who is sure that sunrise is at 2 a.m.!

I've spent several days cutting up my PC-issued mosquito netting that I can't install over my bed because of the height of the ceilings, and sewing them onto the 'burglar bars' which cover each window. They make excellent 'screens.' I have also spent 2 days trying to get the gecko that came in the guest bedroom window out from under the bed and down the toilet. The kitchen sink backed up - again, and when Jeffery (landlord's son) appeared with a hammer (instead of Drain-o) in hand I learned the best way to clear the jammed pipes was to bang on them. It works! Oh, and there was a big funeral at the church catty-corner across the street. This happens to be one of the 2 main streets through town. They set up a tent that covered the entire street, visitors and the choir sat down on chairs under the tent and the traffic for the entire 4 hours on a busy Saturday had to be diverted around them. The music of the gospel choir was fantastic as it came pouring through my windows.

And though I was looking forward after 7-weeks of training to some time alone, because of my very central downtown location, I have at least 2-3 of the young PCV's drop by daily. I was warned that I might become a substitute 'mom' and it looks like that is happening. I get calls for recipes and the latest was if bleach could be used to clean wood floors. My years of knowledge is really paying off!

I didn't take any new pictures this week but thought I would share with you all one of the 'men in my life.' From left to right are my oldest, Tobin, my nephew Justin, and my youngest, Sean. Our dear friend James Woodward invites the guys to an annual meet-up each Fall in Chicago for the Bears-Vikings game where he has season tickets. This was a tradition he started after John passed away and they guys have a blast - no matter which team wins. This was taken last Sunday at Soldier Field and all reports were a fantastic time was had by all!

We are going to be sworn-in once again on Friday with the complete official ceremony that was canceled because of Omar. And believe it or not, we have one last training session that also got canceled because of the weather. ARGH and just when we thought we were all done and 'official.'

Well, that's about all for this week. Take care of each other, "see you" next weekend.

ReAnn

More Pics of my Apartment

2008-10-23T13:53:00.000-07:00

1) - Guest Bedroom. 1dbl bed and 1 twin - large armoire for clothes
2) - My bedroom - each bedroom has it's own sink.
3) - Different angle of my bedroom - with 2 armoires
4) - Very funny little bathrooms (2) side-by-side
5) - Back hallway to back exit out the building and my washing machine sits outside the door on a ledge. They have to build me a special step as when standing on the stairs I can't reach the top of the machine! But it works. No dryer so have a clothes line on the balcony.

All in all, for being built in the early 50's and really dusty from being on a busy street, it's perfect. Miss all my 'nice things' at home in storage, but this will do for 2 years - and lots of room for guests!

The tour of my apartment continues...

2008-10-23T13:46:00.000-07:00

1) - You enter directing into my living room (thanks to the Marriott I have a comfy chair, TV and reading lamps
2) - Huge dining room - little table - great pass-thru from the kitchen
3) - Hallway to kitchen & bedrooms
4) - View 1 of the kitchen
5) - View 2 of the kitchen - huge - great built-in cabinet that goes thru to DR

My Apartment on St. Kitts

2008-10-23T13:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Blakly Flats - my new home on St. Kitts
1) - The door to my section of the building
2) - My apartment is the 2nd-floor balcony and stretches the entire length of the bldg.
3) - Sunrise over Nevis as seen from my balcony
4) - A great, breezy place to rest and watch downtown St. Kitts walk by
5) - The gated entrance to my house.

Hurricane Omar slams into St. Kitts

2008-10-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

I’m sitting in my very own apartment, having just returned from the Marriott where I joined the regular Sunday NFL crowd in the casino, with it’s wall-to-wall TV’s, to cheer on our favorite ‘home teams.’ How exciting to watch Da Bears whip the Vik-Queens (48-40) knowing that both my boys were there, having flown in from opposite coasts, for their annual meet-up. What a perfect way to spend this Sunday, especially after such an exciting week.

Hurricane Omar came rushing at our little island on Wednesday night, making landfall at 2:18 a.m. early Thursday morning as a Category 2+, with winds up to 110 mph. It’s what they call here a ‘backward storm,’ as most hurricanes come out of Africa, across the Atlantic and hit us from East to West. Omar came from the West and did a lot of damage along the coast on the Caribbean-side. Roofs blown off, beach bars buried under sand, fishing and even huge ferries thrown up on the shore, the main Bay Road flooded out and covered in sand but thankfully, no one was injured. After hitting the north end of St. Kitts, the storm slammed into Charleston, the capital of Nevis, flooding the downtown and wrecking havoc at The Four Seasons, who had wisely evacuated all of their guest on flights returning to Miami on Wednesday morning. And what, you ask, did I do while the winds were whipping and the lighting and thunder crashed all around? I slept. I never heard a thing and never once woke up! Elvira and Oliver were up putting plastic over all their furniture, as their roof has a tendency to leak, moving stuff around in their open carport, and basically battening down the hatches. And I continued to sleep.

The PC Caribbean command center put all the St. Kitts volunteers on Standby and then called for Consolidation, which means we have to pack a bag and move to a designated safe house. The 3 ‘old folks’ asked to remain at our home-stay locations, realizing that ‘the kids’ had just found a great excuse to party all night long – which they did. When they did sleep, it was 3-4 to a bed. George, Mike and I were so glad we got to stay put and sleep in our own beds! Thursday the entire island got to work cleaning up the mess and restoring order. We had no power or water for the entire day, but thankfully both came back around 9 p.m.

We were scheduled to have our swearing-in ceremony, with the American ambassador administering our Oath of Office, at 10 a.m. Friday. Local dignitaries, business people, home-stay families, etc. were all invited to this celebration. Well, guess what? Very few planes were flying in and the Ambassador had a few things more important to attend to other than we 12 new PCV’s. Plus most places were without power and the locals were busying cleaning up the mess. So we 12 gathered at the little, PC office and our area director, via speakerphone from St. Lucia, administered our Oath of Office while we stood with our hand’s raised looking at the phone! A wee bit anti-climatic after 7 weeks, to say the least. We have to make up our last day of training that we missed on Wednesday and they are planning to have an official ceremony, when we will re-take the Oath on October 31st. The ‘kids’ want to come in costume instead of getting all dressed up.

But for now, it’s down time. I moved my things into my apartment on Friday afternoon, spent all day and night Saturday and Sunday scrubbing this mammoth place, which the landlords had not cleaned for over a year! It was filthy. But I do have all the necessities except a TV, so that’s on my list to purchase, along with reading lamps and a ‘real couch.’ I have 2 purple, vinyl loveseats and multiple chairs that came with in the living room. I don’t see watching TV or even sitting reading a book for more than 5 minutes on one of the rock hard seats! And combine this weather and vinyl and you sit and you stick!

The only other problem is my bed does not have a regular mattress. It’s 2 huge pieces of memory foam on top of one another. Therefore, you sink into a hole when you sit on the edge and when you lay down, your heaviest part sinks into it’s own little hole. Think ‘V’ formation sleeping. I barely slept last night and my back is killing me! My first stop tomorrow is the lumber yard to order sheets of plywood which will fit between the 2 sets of foam and hopefully give my back some support. I’ll keep you posted if this actually works.

Well, that about wraps up my exciting week. I’ve stocked the fridge, have a couple bottles of good wine in the cabinet (you cannot believe how expensive wine is here -where as booze is dirt cheap!) and am starting to feel like this is home. None of us very tired and brain-dead volunteers plan on working this first week of freedom-from-training. I’m scheduled to have my internet and cable service installed tomorrow and still have at least a 100 more things to pick up from the store.

And so saga continues…,

Have a great week and take care of each other. Pixs of my apartment coming later this week once I get a little more settled.

ReAnn

PS: It’s now Tuesday and I penned the above on Sunday night. After 3 nights of no sleep due to the foam, I was wandering the apartment about 3 p.m. this morning and happened to sit down on the guest bed. Guess what?! It’s a real mattress and box springs. So I cooked a huge pot of chicken rice soup last night, fed the young male PCV’s in exchange for moving this monster from the guest bedroom into my master. I can’t wait to lay down tonight! Little things become so important here. And I want to give a big shout-out and thank you to all my sewing friends in and out of the industry for answering my plea to send fabric, notions and fabrics for my sewing class. Everyone said yes and the ladies can’t wait for the packages to start arriving.

Just 5 More Days!

2008-10-12T16:04:00.000-07:00

It doesn't seem possible, now that it's almost over, that I will be sworn-in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer this coming Friday. The U.S. Ambassador to the Caribbean will be administering our Oath of Office, the very same one that the President of the United States must take. Two more classroom days of training, a final interview with our Country Director - and then the real work begins.

What have I learned is that the PCV is a government job, from the pages and pages of instruction manuals to the pages and pages of forms that we must fill out and turn in every three months. The do's and do-not list is miles long - you sometime wonder how you can every get anything done. We all worry that we will be here for 2 years and not be able to accomplish much of anything. The operative word for the PC is 'sustainable.' They want us to begin programs and projects that will be carried on long after we are gone. But we have learned that absolutely everything on these islands is tied to which political party is in office - and that changes every 5 years. Right now we are in the middle of an election term, which means that everything will change in 2 1/2 years if this party is voted out and the opposition is elected. When that happens almost everything that has been accomplished is deleted, the leadership of every Ministry changs, and they then start all over again, with their vision of what these 2 small islands need. It's frustrating to those who have been here before us, and will continue to be to our group and those that follow.

Speaking of our group. When we mustered in Miami on August 25th, there were 39 of us. We just learned that the average drop-out rate is between 10-12% before swearing-in. We seem to have set a record - not one of our group has dropped out or been asked to leave. All 39 will be sworn in, St. Kitts the first, then St. Lucia and St. Vincent.
We're either gluttons for punishment or a pretty sharp group of volunteers - only time will tell.

This past week has been fun, tiring, boring, hot and dark. We are still experiencing rolling blackouts all across the island due to the fact that 2 of the 4 generators caught on fire 2 weeks ago and have yet to be replaced or fixed. Here at the house we lose power now around noon, with it coming back on sometime after 7 p.m. Not as bad as the first week when the lights were out all day and night for several days in a row. We didn't even have water for 3 days. Training class is running down - only 2 more days of classes, and yes, I passed all my tests. I'm getting my first hair cut on Tuesday since leaving the States. Have had several recommendations for the ex-pat community on who cuts the best 'white hair' and settled on a lovely lady downtown named Dawn. Keep your fingers crossed. One of the younger guys went for a haircut and came back with a buzz!

Oh - I got to see inside my apartment! It is HUGE! Seriously HUGE. Has a HUGE balcony overlooking downtown, a HUGE living room, a HUGH dining room, a HUGE kitchen, 2 HUGE bedrooms and two tiny bathrooms! The problem is there is hardly any furniture. A tiny, vinyl-covered love seat and chair in the living room, small table and 2 chairs in the dining room, 2 beds in the guest bedroom and 1 in the master. It does have a microwave and washer (no one has dryers). Comes with some sheets and towels, an iron and board, desperately needs to be painted, but I have 2 years to spiff it up. Learned that the Marriott, where I treat myself at least every-other-week to a real hamburger and French fries ($20 USD) sells off all the furnishings from it's 'high roller rooms' that they redo every 6 months. Hoping to get end tables, coffee table, and lamps - and a TV!

Have scheduled to have my cable and wireless set up next Monday, but timeliness is not next to godliness here, so this might be my last report for well over a week. But once I'm up and running, I'll once again have my same stateside phone number back up and working - the very same number that was my Wilmington home phone. So you all better call now and say 'hey.'

Oh - best thing to happen all week? - while working with kids on the driving range, met an old Returned PCV who served on St. Kitts 20 years ago. He told us wonderful stories of all he did while serving here (everything of which is now on our don't-do list) and how much the island had changed - or hasn't. What's really great is he is a golfer and was really interested in our youth program with Royal St. Kitts. He promised to go home and round up lots of equipment, shirts, gloves, balls, all those things you need to 'look and feel like a golfer' and none of which our kids can afford.

Well, time to eat a little dinner. Did I mention that I've had chicken at every meal for the past 10 days? Now you know why I would pay $20 for a real beef burger! I'm feel like I have feathers growing between my toes and soon will cluck instead of speak!

This week's pics are of 2 of my Peace Corps buddies, Lauren and George. We all went to Barry's Bar & Grill after our final class on Friday. Free "Sexy Punch" during happy hour (don't ask - after 2 I was very happy!) and fantastic fresh conch sauteed in butter and garlic - Yum!

Bye for now. The next time I write it will be from my own place and I'll be a 'real Peace Corps Volunteer!

Have a good week - take care of each other.

ReAnn

More Pics from This Week

2008-10-05T15:30:00.001-07:00

1. The dye room at Caribelle Batik

2. Worker stamping fabric with waxed turtle stamp

3. A pile of batiks laying in a work room - colors are so vibrant & beautiful!

4. The pool at the Marriott

5. The beach at the Marriott with all their individual 'huts' to keep out of the sun

Wow - What a Week!

2008-10-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

Pictures in Order:
1-2 Ruins on the Ground of Wingfield Estate
3- A really weird, big tree that have hundreds of thorns sticking out of the truck to prevent monkeys from climbing it!
4-The grounds and buildings on Romney Manor that house Caribelle Batik
5 - Inside the Caribelle Batik store

I have really been busy this week - which makes the time fly. The island has been experiencing massive blackouts due to a fire at the power plant that destroyed 2 of their 4 generators. The longest we went without power was 30 hours. No fans, no way to cook, everything spoiling the refer, no Internet or phones (except my local cell). But...that's just at the house. I've learned that this is a normal situation so the majority of people, and especially businesses have generators. The entire town hummms with these diesel-powered machines going all day and night. It's noisy! But the one beautiful thing that came into view without street lights were the stars! It was the first time I had seen the southern sky without ambient light. It is magnificent!

So, what all did I do this week - beside continue to sit 3 days of the week in training classes? On Tuesday I taught class at one of this high schools to a group of Small Entrepreneurs. Not what I expected and not something I would like to repeat. The teacher introduced me and walked out, not returning until the class was over 45-minutes later. The kids were not attentive nor interested and talked and text-ed and totally ignored me and what I had to say. As I have heard what our inner-city schools are like, I am guessing this is exactly what you would find there. It was disheartening as these children's education is so behind what we expect of our kids and our schools.

But onto better things! On Thursday Mr. Widdowson of Romney Manor/Caribelle Batik/Wingfield Estate picked me up and took me out to explore and learn more about the site he wants me to do historical research. It is unbelievable beautiful and I've attached quite a few pictures of both the ruins, Romney Manor that houses Caribelle Batik, the store, some of the marvelous fabrics (yes, of course I shopped!) I really look forward to working on this exciting project.

I went to the movies and saw Eagle Eye on Friday night with a bunch of other PVC's. The brand new megaplex opened just last week and is located right next door to my homestay family. Cost - $12EC for Seniors which coverts to $4.50 USD. Had buttered popcorn and a coke too! Stadium seating, big cushy chairs that rock with drink holders in the arm rests. Just like home! What a treat. And the lineup of movies is all the latest.

Saturday morning was golf lessons at Royal St. Kitts. It's a great place to meet the ex-pat community and of course, work with some wonderful kids. Afterwards, Aron and I went to The Hash but decided not to stay when one of our members called from the Marriott and invited us to join him for drinks and dinner. Nice to relax in air conditioning, watch multi-screen football in the casino and enjoy a good dinner. We, as locals, get a really nice break on the room rate at the Marriott. Normally rooms run about $179 and we pay only $99 a night when rooms are available. But with 800 rooms, they usually can fine one or two. A nice place to treat yourself and just get-away for a night or two.

Today being Sunday would normally mean church but we are getting close to the end of training and are going through 'competency testing' in every core class we are assigned. Tomorrow is the biggie in my NGO (Non-Governmental Organizations) track. Had to write and type up a 5-page report and present it to the class and our Regional Director who is in from St. Lucia. UGH. I'm too old for tests. But only 2 weeks left before I move. And I did have a good excuse not to go to church this morning:)

Thanks again for all the nice comments and emails I have received since I started this blog. It's my way of 'journaling' and keeping track of how I've spent my time since I started this adventure.

Keep in touch and take care of each other.

Until next week....

ReAnn

Officially 1/2 Way Through Training!!

2008-09-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

That's right, we are now 1/2 way through our 7 weeks of training classes. We had mid-training reviews with our Country Director on Friday. It was nice to learn that she thinks I'm doing okay.

This past Tuesday I finally got to meet with the guidance counselor at the high school whom I will be working with for at least the first 6 months of my stay. She is a fabulous young lady. Born, raised and educated in Toronto by a Kittian mother who is now one of this country's ambassadors. When she finished her education, she chose to return to the island, to not only be near her mother, but to also put her education to work in the schools here. She not only does one-on-one counseling (which here is a whole lot more than trying to decide what you want to do once you've graduated) but also work with youth in crisis, monitor teenage mothers returning to the classroom, and even step in to break up physical fights that break out on a regular basis.

I spent my time with her taking a tour of the school which includes a pat-down and bag check at the gated entrance and new, high brick barricades to keep gang members from -scaling the walls and getting in. Sounds like any big-city school in the US. I met the teachers who head up the business track students and even the principal. I will eventually be working with their Junior Achievement group, which at the moment is on hiatus because that teacher is due to deliver within the next few weeks.

On Thursday I met with Maurice Widdowsen, owner and founder of Caribelle Batik, rejuvinator of Romney Manor and the soon-to-be renovated, adjacent Wingfield Estate grounds. Be sure to click on their link on the side - the fabrics are fantastic! Oh - and he also owns Island Hopper, the islands only up-scale clothing store. What a treat. Once he realized that I was going to be here for 2 years, he asked if I would be interested in working on the new marketing plan for Wingfield. It's the oldest European-built settlement on the island. Mr. Widdowsen is excited about being able to open this wonderful piece of island history to the general public some point in 2009. He has lived in the Caribbean for 30 years and employs a large number of locals in all of his businesses. It would a great pleasure to be able to help him see this latest vision come into fruition. Wingfield Manor is the oldest (1685) European establishment on the island. Christopher Samuel Jefferson was first owner of Wingfield, deeded to him by King George, and is the great, great, great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson. Romney Manor first appears on a map in 1735 but was built earlier when Sam Jefferson sold off some of the land to the Earl of Romney and he built his own manor house.

On Saturday we had a great, big spaghetti dinner at Ed & Georgia's home in Bel Vue. It was a long, and terribly dangerous, taxi ride from downtown. Have I mentioned that taxi drivers think they're Jimmy Johnson or Mario Andretti? You really are taking your life in your own hands when you step into one of these 15-passenger mini-buses - our only transportation option other than our own feet for the next 2 years.

During the drive on the way out we missed a head-on collision with a huge truck by literally inches when our bus driver didn't want to go through a recent rain puddle and swerved around it - into the path of the truck. And coming back in the dark was even worse. Just as we are getting closer to town, a huge pig waddled across the road in front of our bus that was going at least 55-60 MPH. The driver swerved, I think caught the pig on the snout, and thank goodness, no one was coming at us in the opposite lane, otherwise...we and the pig would have been mush!

But back to dinner. All the on-island PCV's were there along with us 'newbies.' Ed and Georgia's house literally sits on an ocean-side cliff with a fantastic view and a great breeze. They are an older couple (50's) from the West coast. He ran an ER and she is a licensed acupuncturist. She works in the schools (just finished setting up a library at the local grade school) and he teaches ER nursing at the local college. It was nice to talk to everyone outside of class and the food was delicious. Spaghetti and meat balls, homemade red sauce, huge tossed salad, garlic bread - total yum. First really 'American' meal we've had since we arrived - unless you count the kids doing a Domino Pizza night or stopping into KFC for a piece of chicken.

Today is Sunday. Have I mentioned the church really isn't church unless the service runs from 2 - 2 1/2 hours? Today I skipped and stayed home to study for a big written test we have tomorrow afternoon. I can't remember the last time I had to take a written test, other than when I got my NC drivers license. I'm scared to death. I find I just don't retain details like I used to and haven't a clue what the PC will do if you flunk.

Let's see - what else did I do this past week? Oh - Oliver took me along and I joined the St. Christopher Chorale. A wonderful, non-demoninational choir made up of men and women with beautiful voices, who perform at 3-5 large events throughout the year. The choir director is a Scottish woman who is extremely talented and has a great sense of humor. This will be fun!

And - I found out where I will be living once we leave our homestay families. I'll right downtown in one of the island's tallest buildings - 4 stories. I haven't seen the inside yet, but did walk around the entire building. Looks as if there are 4 apartments on each floor, each with their own balcony and lots and lots of windows. The front side overlooks the mountains and the backside the bay. No, don't know which one I'll have, but do know I'll be on the top floor. I got the biggest laugh, after chatting about my continuing fight with bugs and bites and constant itching with the PC medical officer, when she said once I move I won't have to worry about that any more because bugs don't fly up as high as I'll be! Okay:)

Well, time to study some more, watch a little golf and have another big Sunday dinner. Don't know if I mentioned I've lost 15 lbs. since I arrived on-island. Lots of walking, but even more sweating and most of the time, it's just too hot to be hungry. So all the clothes I brought with me are lose and some even falling off. So all in all, a great week.

Take care of each other -

ReAnn

Pixs this week, in order are:

-The 'kids' hanging out on Ed & Georgia's porch before dinner
-Me on the ledge over Black Rocks - just past Ed & Georgia's house
-A fun a colorful 'bar' on the edge of the cliffs of Black Rock
-A rain shower coming over the mountain
-A beauiful rainbow after the shower

Another week in Paradise

2008-09-20T21:37:00.000-07:00

This has been an extremely relaxing week as, because of National Hero's Day and the Independence celebrations, we only had classes on 2 days. Right now, it's 12:39 a.m. and fireworks are exploding over Basseterre - the last big event to mark the end of this major holiday.

I spent much of my 'down time' with Elvira and Oliver, just limin' (which means relaxin', hangin' out, chillin'). The letter 'g' is almost never heard at the end of a word here. My 'ear' is starting to hear more of the creole-based dialect that is used throughout the Caribbean. It's lilting and lovely when spoken slow. But when the Kittians speak to each other, as fast as we do, I'm totally lost. I say 'excuse me?' and 'huh?' a lot.

The only big thing that happened this week is that I got bitten on my big toe by a fire ant and it got terribly infected. It swelled to almost double the size and red streaks were shooting up my foot. Elvira had me soaking in warm, saltwater foot baths and our PC nurse gave me a Benedryl to take during my least favorite class, with the warning to me and the instructor that I might get a little sleepy. I dozed the entire 4-hours and missed Ms. Cotten's lesson on teaching remedial reading and math for grade school children. Since I won't be working in a school, that's just fine with me to have missed it all. Oh, and my toe is back to normal size.

Oh - one thing I did that I've never done before. I gave myself a haircut! My wonderful beautician back on Carolina Beach got me a pair of texturizing scissors before I left. Supposedly they thin out your hair without cutting a lot of length. So I went out on the drive and whacked away. Well, they cut some length off as well but if I do say so myself, not bad. Not different that ususal - just shorter and not as thick.

Tomorrow (oops),today is Sunday, which means up and out to church - this week with Oliver at St. George's Anglican. He is trying to talk me into auditioning for the St. Christopher Chorale, a group which performs several times each year for special occasions, made-up of a mixed group of islanders. Well see.....

Well, think I'll say goodnight - or good morning.

Take care - until next week.

ReAnn

My Pictures of St. Kitts

2008-09-16T04:01:00.000-07:00

St. Kitts & Nevis Celebrate their Independence

2008-09-16T03:09:00.000-07:00

It's time to celebrate the 25-year independence and formation of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. The festivities got into full swing the middle of last week and continue all through this week with calypso concerts, cricket matches, marathons, art and history exhibits,beauty pageant and cultural events of all kinds. Sunday was the massive, ecumenical religious opening ceremonies, attended the the Prime Minister, and in which my host, Oliver sang in a mass choir. Service was held on the cricket field in Warner Park. It was 4-hours long with much praising, singing, speaking and sermonizing. I was grateful that Elvira had had a headache that morning and the evening was the only church service I had to attend that day!

But it was an interesting evening. The Kittian men and women were dressed in their Sunday best, including some magnificent hats. The little children were well behaved and when the Methodist minister asked everyone to stand, join hands and sing "We Will Overcome" it was very moving. There is a undercurrent of change going on here that isn't loudly spoken of, but is known - that Nevis has thoughts of succeeding from the Federation to become an independent country. If one listened closely to the words of the speeches, you heard hints and bits and pieces of political dissatisfaction. It's going to be an interesting 2 years.

Besides our on-going training classes (of which, because of the celebrations, we only have to endure for 2 days this week!)on Saturday all but 2 of our PC classmates lost our 'virginity' as Hash House Harriers! The 'Hash' as they are called, were started by the British in Indonesia during the days of the Raj, as a way to entertain themselves and provide a small sporting event whose main purpose was to party!

The main 'hare' lays a trail for both runners and walkers. The start and end of each Hash is a local bar or pub. This week's hash, whose course was designed by the diabolical John, wearing his Independence costume of black running shorts with a silver, metallic cod-piece, Viking cap sporting several national flags and colored vest, is well-known for laying out some of the most difficult courses on the island. Our first hash proved to be one of the hardest ever done (attested by long-time members). Imagine, if you will, looking at the attached picture where you can see bodies of water on each side of the island, the height of those small mountains, the depth of the powdery sand on the beaches and the amount of scrub brush on what only a maniac would call a trail, and you have the conditions of this week's Hash. (What you see is where the Atlantic (left) and the Caribbean Sea (right) meet and in the background is the island of Nevis, with her volcano obscured, as usual, by clouds).

The course for both runners and walkers is over 2 miles. You must look for chalk 'hashes' that have been stenciled along the route and beware - the Head Hash Hare has laid a few fake hashes along the way that can send you dashing down the wrong trail. The temperature is, of course, hovering at the daily 87 degrees with 80-90% humidity. How fun, you say. Exhausting and dehydrating - yeah!

When we had all straggled back onto the beach at Frier's Bay to meet back up at the starting point (Godfather's Beach Shack & Bar) we found plenty of cold Carib and grilled hamburgers and hot dogs waiting. All 'virgin' Hasher's had to kneel, recite the pledge, chug a full beer and then were anointed with whole bottles and sprays of cold Carib. As you can see from the pics, it was hilarious. After a plunge in the sea to wash some of the beer out of our eyes and hair, we sat around, getting to know our fellow Hashers. Students from the medical schools, quite a few locals and ex-pats make up the membership. It was fun, for the first time, to meet people outside our PC base of contacts. Hashes are held ever 3 weeks and we are all looking forward to our next as full-fledged members!

Today (Tuesday) is National Hero's Day. I could have run a 10K up Brimstone Hill starting at 5:30 or attended the 8 a.m. laying of the wreaths at the WWII memorial, but I chose to write this missive, spend the day in rest and contemplation, enjoy one of Oliver's delicious mid-afternoon meals and wander downtown tonight for the big concert. Ah life as a poor PC volunteer.

Until next time, as the saga continues......

1 Week Gone - Just 110 More to Go!

2008-09-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

Wow, time flies when you're having fun - learning new things, meeting new people, stuck for hours in boring training sessions! The first week passed quickly and here I am again, sitting on Elvira and Oliver's porch, overlooking the sea as a storm cloud rolls in and telling tales of life on St. Kitts.

As you on the East Coast know, I was a wee bit worried as Hannah sped up the the coast and came in just 30 miles south of my house in Wilmington. But all is well and all NC
got was some strong winds and lots of much-needed rain. Here we ducked Ike, which veered north toward the Bahamas and Florida. Josephine is still a ways off but I added NOMA's website to my homepage and check it daily for hurricane updates.

Besides training and more training (you would think they could at least give us old folks chairs with cushions on which to rest on during the daily 9-4:30 sessions!) I've gotten to know Elvira and Oliver much better. They are such a wonderful couple and I feel blessed to be living with them - compared to some of the stories the other PCV's tell about their host families. Today, Sunday, it was my turn to go to church with Oliver. He attends the high Anglican Church and sings in the choir. It's a much different service from Elvira's. Very staid and formal compared to the joyful singling and hand-clapping, foot-stompin', praise-the-Lord service at Wesleyan Holiness. Guess which one I like the best?

Every Friday Oliver bakes bread and rolls for his family on Nevis and, of course, for us. Just look at the picture I took of his final product. I got steaming hot rolls, dripping with butter, right out of the oven. Fantastic. He's promised I will get at least one loaf a week once I move into my own place. Yum.

On Friday afternoon our entire group headed out to Brimstone Hill, the site of the major fort on the island which was their main means of defense for centuries. It was, of course, built by slaves, and changed back-and-forth between British, Spanish and French numerous times during the turbulent Caribbean history. The Minister of Culture met us there and gave us a lesson on the Creole language that is spoken here along with teaching us circle dances and folk songs - during which I managed to plant my big foot in the middle of a fire-ant hill. Three days latter and I'm still itching and stinging. Ow!

And now the really fun part of my week. Yesterday, Saturday, I joined Arron Harris, another PCV who has been here a year, and we met up with about 15 boys and girls and headed out to the Royal St. Kitts Golf Course at the Marriott Resort on Friggit Bay. The membership of the course offer what they call 'golf camp' to local kids who would never have a chance to ever learn the game or play. The children must bring their homework and we and members of the club help them however we can before we head out to the range or to play a few holes and teach the fundamentals of the game.

Just look at the picture of the boys who I got to take out on the course for a lesson. I had twin 7-year olds, a 12-year old and a 13 year old. It was like having a cart full of monkeys. Between stopping and teaching with every shot, finding lost balls and trying to keep them from driving off with the cart, one hole took an hour and a half to play. It was a long, water-lined par 5 and they wanted me to play as well. They use donated clubs, which as you can imagine, leave much to be desired. I drove off with a driver that was the size of the very first driver I ever owned back in high school. Compared to my over-sized Cobra, it was tinnie-tiny. But managed to bang
it straight down the fairway about 150 yards. The boys just ooo'd and awh'd. I put a 4-iron close to the green and then my only choice of club was a sawed-off 7-iron that came up to about my knees - think putt-putt clubs! Somehow I managed to chip the ball within 2 feet of the cup and sink the putt. Between telling the boys they couldn't stand on their balls and sink them into the green; that clubs were for swinging at the ball, not their twin brother; and trying to teach them a few basic rules of the game, the time just sped by.

When we returned to the clubhouse, Arron had arranged for me to meet with the head pro, the president of the members association, a local British businessman and another employee of the club to discuss the possibility of bringing The First Tee program here to St. Kitt's and possibly all of the Eastern Caribbean. It was a great meeting and everyone thinks it would be a wonderful way to teach the children the Core Value System that The First Tee stresses and is much needed here on the island. Will keep you posted on the outcome.

As the bus with the kids headed back into Basseterre, Arron and I headed to the new, air-conditioned Marriott for a lunch of cold beer, burgers and fries! After this wonderful treat, we went into the casino which has a wall of TVs and Dish TV showing every football game, golf game and tennis match, along with EC football and cricket being played. As you can guess, a favorite hang-out of the PCV's on Sunday afternoons. We can even use their beautiful beach and pools.

So my hard, hard life in the Caribbean continues. Oh - the other pic I posted is of the main cricket field here in Basseterre which hosted a World Cup event just this past year. Haven't seen a game yet or learned what a batter or pitchers does in a games that can take days to conclude, but I'll be sure and share all that info with you when I learn:)

Take care of each other....

ReAnn

More Pictures of My St. Kitts Family, Friends and Food!

2008-08-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

Pictured are Elvira and Fern, Elvira and Dorellen, Sunday Lunch!, my new little friend, Anisse and Anisse and her lovely sister, Javanie.

Finally home on St. Kitts

2008-08-31T12:07:00.000-07:00

After island hopping from St. Lucia to Dominica to Antigua we landed on St. Kitts around 1:00 p.m. We were greeted by our island Peace Corp director and several PCV's who have been living and working here for the last year. After clearing customs, we loaded what luggage had arrived on a bus and headed to the community center to meet our host families. To say I was nervous is a understatement. I think this part of the 7 week training period had me to most worried. I've basically lived alone for the past 8 years and enjoy my own space and quite time. I had imagined a large family with numerous children. The PC had told us our family would treat us as 'their own', teaching us about the island and the customs, how to wash our clothes by hand using a washboard, etc. etc.

So there we sat - we newly-minted PDV's across the room from a group of Kittians, staring at each other. They each stood up in turn and welcomed us and then had made up a little story which somehow worked something about their individual PCV into the story and we had to listen and guess who was our 'Mom & Dad' for the duration. About 1/2 way through this beautiful woman stood, talked about traveling the world, but she had never traveled to Scot(t)land. And that's how I met Mrs. Elvira Lawrence. Since I was a few years older than she, we agreed on the spot I wouldn't call her 'mom' but that we would become "sisters". And in just a day and a half, we are already working our way into that kind of relationship.

Did I hit the jackpot, because Elvira and Oliver live in a beautiful home overlooking the Caribbean Sea. She is a retired nurse and and Oliver is a retired environmentalist. (You are required to retire on St. Kitts at age 55). They both now teach part-time at the University here. They have 3 grown children, 2 living in Maryland, one in Atlanta. Both boys attended Harvard and the daughter just graduated with a degree in Business Law from Boston.

The home, as you can see, is just beautiful. 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, a great surround porch with a dining and napping area, huge kitchen and a WASHER! They also have wireless internet and their own brand of VOIP based out of Maryland so I can call home and if anyone would like, can call here - the same as calling me in the States!

After we left the gathering, we came 'home' and I started to get unpacked when Elvira said I had to go meet one of my 'other sisters.' She comes from a family of 8 (4 boys and 4 girls) and off we went to pick up Fern and take her to the ferry so she could visit her daughter on Nevis for the day. Fern is the youngest girl and is a head administrator of the government insurance agency here on the island. She thinks I should let my hair grow and she'll see that I get a beautiful set of braids like hers! Then, after dropping off Fern, we stopped by my other new sister, Dorellen. She runs a day-care facility and sings in the choir. Their cousin from Manhattan was there with her 2 daughters (they had come for the day off the Carnival Cruise ship that was docked for the day at St. Kitts). After all the meeting and the greetings and hugs, I was allowed to lay down and nap for about an hour before it was time to head back to the pier to pick up Lawrence who had been in Nevis for the day visiting his sister and family.

What a wonderful, intelligent man. We've talked politics (a lot). Both he and Elvira are big Obama fans. He's promised to teach me and I promised to learn the intricacies of the game of cricket if he allows me to watch the Bears play on Sundays. Did I mention they have cable TV, including HBO? Life in the Peace Corp is tough.

I collapsed at 9 p.m. in my own room, on a big, soft bed with no bugs and slept soundly until 7 a.m. Wonderful!

Today, Sunday, is the day of church and visiting. I am going to 'bounce' from attending Elvira's Wesleyan Evangelical Church to singing in the choir with Oliver at the big Anglican church. Everyone was so gracious and kind when I was introduced during this morning's service. It's strange to be the only 'white face' in the crowd but will get used to it, I am sure. Elvira drives Oliver to his 8 a.m. service, comes home and gets ready for her 10 a.m. service. He's pick up the car from her and then she calls him to pick her up after her church is over. And while she's a church, he is in his domain - the kitchen! Just look at what I had for Sunday lunch! And I was told if I didn't clean my plate, I would be spanked and no football! There was no way I could get through all of that food - but ever single thing, from the plantains to the white sweet potatoes to the chicken to the fresh veggies and rice was absolutely delicious. I am not going to starve!

Just as we were finishing lunch, one of Elvira's friend's, Anne, and her daughters Javanie (freshman in HS) and Anisse (1st grade) came by to visit. After their initial shyness wore off, we became great friends. We played with my iPod and computer. Loved having their pictures taken, told me all about school and Javanie and I share a love of Kipling handbags and she promised to take me to the Mall shopping!

Tomorrow starts the school term so Elvira and Oliver are back to teaching and I start my 7 weeks of training. Classes are from 9-4 each day, 5 days a week. We also are expected to get involved in a community project and I learned that they have a First Tee program here at the Marriott's golf resort so hoping I can waggle my way into assisting in some way - and maybe play a round or two!

So life as a Peace Corp Volunteer on St. Kitts is not bad! The hurricanes have missed the island, so far, this season, but there is another brewing to the east of us. I will acclimate to the climate at some point in time, and adjust to working a full-time schedule once again, after several years of not. We will take our Oath of Office on October 17th and then move into our own living quarters. Elvira has offered for me to stay here but then I reminded her it was for 2 years she quickly re-sended her offer!

Will keep you all posted on live here in the EC as it happens. Please keep those emails coming. I miss you all.

ReAnn

St. Lucia and The BedBugs!

2008-08-31T11:24:00.000-07:00

We arrived in St. Lucia on Wednesday after spending hours in the Miami airport (departed the hotel at 6:30 a.m. for a 11:30 a.m. flight which didn't depart until 12:30 p.m.)and then a 3 1/2 hour flight. The weather, as I am sure you can guess, was very hot and extremely humid. We stepped off the plane and was immediately drenched in sweat. I get being told that I will adjust and I just keep hoping it's soon.

We drove around mountains on an extremely curvy road for an hour and a half to the Bararnd's Hill Catholic Retreat Center. All 39 of us piled out with loads of luggage and were assigned rooms in the various on-site dorms. I ended up in the Seminary - at the very top of the hill - looking down over the Center. Beautiful view but a hell of a climb. (See picture of beautiful mountainside and look at the very bottom and you will see a little brown roofed cream colored building. That's the dining hall and will give you a perspective of the climb up and down from the Seminary!

Training classes started at 8:30 a.m. each morning and went till 5:30 each evening. We were all in a small conference room and were given so much information in the 2 days that it is doubtful that we retained the majority! Thank God they gave us handouts that covered what they taught. We broke from lunch at 1 p.m. and dinner was at 6:30 with 2, 15-minute breaks. Need I say that it was exhausting? So you would naturally expect that at my age I would fall into bed each evening and just crash - right? WRONG! Several of the rooms in the Seminary had had their mattresses infested by bedbugs! The first night my roommate and I tossed and turned and itched and got up and laid back down and just couldn't understand what was happening. We knew it wasn't mosquitoes, even though they were around. By the end of the first night, if either of us had gotten 1-2 hours sleep, it was a miracle, and we were covered from head to toe by little red spots that itched like crazy. That's when we learned we weren't alone. After much talk with the staff, they moved us to another room. The second night wasn't bad but these nasty critters seem to enjoy warm bodies and that's when they wake up, so by the third night it was worse than the first. No sleep at all! And I need my sleep or I'm not a nice person(:

All in all, the time on St. Lucia was okay. Way to much information to even try to absorb but we did get to meet the Peace Corps' Eastern Caribbean staff, including the new Country Director, who will be the main person overseeing us for the next two years. Margo is great, from Chicago and a Bear's fan - what more could I want in a CD?

The second day we were there the U.S. Ambassador to the Eastern Caribbean came to say a few words to us and join us for lunch. As you see from the picture, Ambassador Mary Ourisman is one classy lady. She's tiny, originally from Texas and modeled for a few years in NYC. She chatted with any and all of us over lunch and being the 'fashion maven' that I am, my question to her was 'Who designed your outfit?!' She laughed hysterically, said she had a degree in Fashion Design and said she couldn't remember who the designer was but feel free to flip out her label on the back of her blouse and look - Zac Posen! I was impressed! (See pic)

After a great farewell barbecue with live musical entertainment, those heading for St. Kitts were up and loading our luggage onto the bus at 5:00 a.m. We knew that not all of our luggage could be loaded on the small planes that island-hop, so we had to re-pack just-in-case we didn't get the rest of our luggage for up to 3 days. Fortunately that wasn't the case and it all arrived on the last flight in the same day.

And finally we were on St. Kitts/Nevis - our home for the next 2 years and 3 months!

To be continued.....

Staging in Miami is now over!

2008-08-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

Flew into Miami on Monday morning, arriving mid-afternoon. Our first meeting started 15 minutes after I got checked-in the hotel. Lasted to 6:30 and by then everyone was just totally brain-dead. The PC staging officers are really trying to stuff as much info into our heads as possible. We have a fairly large group - 32 - with 4 married couples, one married man who left his wife in Indy for 2 years (we haven't heard the whole story on that one), 8 of us who are way over 50, with the most of rest being newly-minted college grads. All very eager and fresh-faced and ready to tackle the world.

We spent from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today back in the conference room listening to more rules and regulations. Did some role-playing, ie Chicken-man, have eaten all 3 meals at the same, very good Cuban restaurant directly across the street. Tomorrow we are actually 'really starting' the adventure. We check out of the hotel at 6 a.m. for an 11 a.m. flight to St. Lucia. We will meet the Eastern Caribbean Peace Corps leaders and spend 3 days in a conference center learning more about safety, security and cultural differences. On the 4th day we fly out to our own islands. We have 10 going to St. Kitts/Nevis. We then spend the next 7 weeks training, shadowing current PC's, and getting to know our new home, the area and the people.

During this time I will be living with a host family. This, next to bugs, is my biggest concern. After living for the past 8 years basically on my own, I've come to enjoy my own space, the quite time to read a book or just sit and watch the sun set. We don't know anything about the family we will be living with - whether they will be a large family with lots of children, grandparents, etc. all living together or just a husband/wife combo. I know I can pretty well endure just about anything or anyone for 7 weeks but know that I will really look forward to once again having my own place. The 'kids' are even more excited as this will be their 'very first place.'

Tonight a few of us 'older volunteers' are off to an authentic Cuban restaurant where they play music and the 'old guard still gather.' The younger set are having a pizza party around the pool. I'll say goodbye for now. We've been told it may be between 3 days and over a week before we have internet access again.

So toodles for now - take care of each other.

ReAnn

17 Days and Counting

2008-08-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

Information keeps trickling in. Today I learned that I will be living on the island of St. Kitts and working in the Department of Gender Affairs. Do I have a clue what that entails - no! But it sounds interesting. I even have a mailing address to where I can ship the rest of my stuff.

I've attached a picture - pre-packing. Any ideas as how to get all of this into 2 duffel bags, one large backpack and one carry bag and have it all be under 80 lbs. The large box that the clothes are resting on is the box of stuff I'm shipping - flippers, books, winter clothes, shoes! I have found a Forum online of very kind and helpful folks who live on the island who have been more than willing to answer all of my questions. They tell me that food is the most expensive item on the island so all visiting friends and family should be prepared to bring my favorite nibbles when they come visit. The most craved item that those that live there have brought to them - canned tuna fish! Did learn that there is a brand new cinema multi-plex set to open in the Fall which will show first-run movies and that there is a lending library at one of the bars where the ex-pat community hangs out.

No nibbles on renters for my house as yet - so all of you start saying little prayers that it will rent soon. Don't forget, my email remains the same and you can leave notes and access my email directly from this blog site - just click on My Profile. If I can access my Vonage phone, like I'm told you can, then anyone in the States can just pick up their phone and call me in St. Kitts - the same as if you were calling me here at home - and visa versa. Same number, no charge. Will let you know when it's up and running.

Thanks for all the great emails and well-wishes.

ReAnn

It sure helps to be flexible!

2008-07-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

CLICK ON THE MAP - IT WILL ENLARGE TO A FULL VIEW OF THE CARIBBEAN

I had received an email today saying that I would be receiving a phone call between noon and 4 p.m. from the heads of the Eastern Caribbean Peace Corps group. At 2:15p.m. the phone rang and before the conversation was over, I learned that I was not going to be going to the island of Grenada but had been switched to the island(s) of St. Kitts and Nevis. These are a lot closer to the US and British Virgin Islands. Click on the map above and you can see an enlarged view of the Caribbean and there is St. Kitts/Nevis just across the way from St. John's Antigua.

I will have a change in job responsibilities as well. No longer will I be working with NGO's (non-governmental organizations - non-profits) but using my years of experience as a Small Business Developer. Right now I am just in a state of shock! I've Googled St. Kitts and Nevis and put some information on this page for you all to read, but I'm a little flabbergasted and confused at the moment. At least it's still the Caribbean, the weather is the same and all the summer clothes I have packed will not go to waste! As I learn more, I'll share the information with you. As do most of the islands in the Caribbean, St. Kitts and Nevis seem to have glorious beaches, wonderful snorkeling and diving, great resorts (even a 4 Seasons) and a fairly poor native population. Here is a small history of this island nation.

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis (also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis[1, located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies. It is the smallest nation in the Americas, in both area and population.

The capital city and headquarters of government for the federated state is on the larger island of Saint Kitts. The smaller state of Nevis lies about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel called "The Narrows".

Historically, the British dependency of Anguilla was also a part of this union, which was then known collectively as Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla.

Saint Kitts and Nevis are geographically part of the Leeward Islands. To the north-northwest lie the islands of Saint Eustatius, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, and Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten. To the east and northeast are Antigua and Barbuda, and to the southeast is the small uninhabited island of Redonda, and the island of Montserrat, which currently has an active volcano (see Soufrière Hills.)

Saint Kitts and Nevis were amongst the first islands in the Caribbean to be settled by Europeans. Saint Kitts was home to the first British and French colonies in the Caribbean.

Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest nation on Earth to ever host a World Cup event; it was one of the host venues of the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Intoxicating natural beauty, sunny skies, warm waters, and white sandy beaches combine to make St. Kitts one of the most seductive spots in the Caribbean. Christopher Columbus first spotted St. Kitts in 1493, when it was populated with native tribes, but the Europeans did not colonize until the British arrived in 1623. Its strategic location and valuable sugar trade led to an advanced and luxurious development that was among the best in the Colonial Caribbean.

While development has been of the highest quality, it has fortunately remained in low quantity, so St. Kitts remains un-crowded and unspoiled, famous around the world for excellent preservation of the ecosystems. Nature lovers will want to take advantage of the various tours through lava formations, tropical forest areas, and seaside lagoons. Boating tours and scuba diving expeditions are also favorite activities. Plantation homes have been transformed into grand, intimate inns. Quaint shopping areas and beautiful Colonial architecture draw visitors to the tiny towns. If a quiet vacation in a luxurious and alluring corner of paradise is what you seek, you'll find it on St. Kitts.

The peaceful calm of St. Kitts suggests nothing of the extraordinary history of the island. For centuries, St. Kitts occupied a critical position in the European struggle for the West Indies, combining exceptional wealth as sugar colonies with a vital strategic position as gateways to the Caribbean. As a result, the struggles and conflicts that marked their history are among the most decisive episodes in Caribbean history.

St. Kitts is a volcanic island, a fact to which it owes its dramatic central mountains, its rather unpredictable geologic history, and its lush tropical vegetation. In fact, St. Kitts' pre-Columbian Carib inhabitants knew their island as Liamuiga, or "fertile land," a reference to the island's rich and productive volcanic soil. Today that name graces St. Kitts' central peak, a 3,792-foot extinct volcano.

The recorded history of St. Kitts begins with the second voyage in 1493 of Christopher Columbus who sailed past the island but did not land. There is some doubt as to whether it is this island that Columbus gave the name St. Christopher (after himself ). In any case, by the time the Englishman Thomas Warner arrived with fourteen other settlers in 1624 to found the first non-Spanish European colony in the Caribbean, the island was known as St. Christopher's.

Thomas Warner chose St. Christopher for its abundant forests and fresh water, its fertile easily worked soil, its accessible physical structure, and the presence of salt.

St. Kitts, the larger of the two islands, is roughly oval in shape except for a long, narrow peninsula to the southeast. Its highest point is Mount Liamuiga (3,792 ft [1,156 m]). The Narrows, a 2-mile- (3-km-) wide channel, separates the two islands. The circularly shaped Nevis is surrounded by coral reefs and the island is almost entirely a single mountain, Nevis Peak (3,232 ft [985 m]). A volcanic mountain chain dominates the center of both islands.

Little Trip before BIG TRIP....Cond.

2008-07-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

3685 miles! Me and my little blue, PT Cruiser saw a whole lot of the Midwest before we got home on Monday afternoon, June 21st.

I left you as I was leaving Wisconsin and heading into Chicago. Chicago is still 'my kind of town' and it was so great being back. I sure miss the hustle and bustle, the ethnicity, the great restaurants and bars, the shopping!!!, all my old friends and neighbors, Lake Michigan, the theater, the museums, Michigan Avenue, the ease of getting around town on trains, subways, the 'L' and buses. What I don't miss is the winters that come along with living there - but it's still my favorite city in the entire world!

Attended at 3-day textile-arts workshop at O'Hare. Stayed right downtown Chicago with my good friend Cathi Quinn and her husband Jim. It was fun to catch up, even if I end the visit by catching my little toe on her couch and dislocating the heck out of it! Still not back to wearing 'real shoes.'

After the conference was over, I moved in with friends Laura and John Radke in the far western suburb of Crystal Lake. Laura and I immediately hopped on the train and went back downtown so I could see the completed and absolutely fabulous Millennium Park that Frank Geary designed. I fell in love with The Bean and how it reflects the skyline as you move around and under it. The 'band shell' for outdoor concerts is an absolute marvel of engineering and sound. The Chicago Symphony was practicing for a concert the afternoon we were there and the glorious notes of Beethoven were wafting all across the park.

Next we cabbed up to Lincoln Park where we had a fabulous lunch at North Pond overlooking the Hancock building and city skyline. Ended the day shopping on Michigan Avenue. A perfect day! After visiting with my old 'sew club' members on Wednesday, dining downtown at the trendy, new Bistro Zinc on North State with dear friend Jim Woodward, and brunch with one of my oldest friends, MJ Parkhill, in La Grange Park, I was off to Central Illinois to attend my 44th high school reunion in Danville. (Oh - I do not miss the Chicago tollways and summer construction on them!!!)

Danville is the little town that everyone forgot. Located almost directly between Champaign/Urbana (home of the University of Illinois) and Indianapolis, IN (home of the Colts, etc.) Danville got left out of the growth and industry has moved away. It's sad to visit when all your memories of your home town were so good. When I was growing up there were over 50,000 people living and working there. Now there are less than 34,000 and the 'downtown' is now non-existent. But the Classes of '63 & '64 made the best of it and it was so much fun to see everyone. The women all had aged much better than the men (ggg) but the majority of both sexes now have white hair and wear glasses! Got to play golf on both Friday, at Harrison Park with Skip Pierce, and Saturday at the Country Club, which hosted our reunion golf tournament. I actually won the award for lowest score shot by a woman! On Sunday morning, my dear friend, Carol (Hall) Sims' mother Betty, had me out to the farm for a huge-mongous breakfast before I hit the road back to North Carolina.

The drive was uneventful and easy. I made it from Danville to Hurricane, WVa where I stopped at a Super 8, just off the freeway, for the night. What a hoot! It was filled with truckers, standing outside in overalls, sipping beer and grilling burgers on the back of a pickup. But those guys hit the road really early so everything was nice and quite. I managed to sleep in until 4 a.m. A cup of coffee and I was just 6 hours from home!

So here I am - back in North Carolina and the mad rush to get everything in order and taken care of before I depart on August 25th has started. My Staging Kit from the PC was awaiting me when I got home. I fly from Wilmington to Miami where I meet up with the rest of the Eastern Caribbean Peace Corps volunteers. We have 12 hours of meetings, vaccinations, and getting a lot of questions answered before we board the plane for St. Lucia where we'll spend the next 6-7 weeks, living with a host family and officially starting our Peace Corp volunteer training.

Early September will be the next time you hear from me. Thanks for reading and cross your fingers I rent my house before I leave the States!

ReAnn

The Little Trip before the BIG Trip!

2008-07-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

Road trips are so much fun! Even if you have a planned itinerary, you can deviate when and where you want - just put on the break and turn around when you see something that interests you.

So far I have put 1724 miles on my little PT Cruiser convertible since leaving Wilmington on the 28th of June. I had a wonderful week in South Haven, MI with the entire Hoard clan, celebrating Rich and Sandy's 50th wedding anniversary. There were up to 45 family & friends staying at The Springs Resort at one time. I had 12 bunk beds in my room - 3 high! And only one bathroom. It was like being back at camp. Wet towels everywhere and someone constantly stubbing a toe on a ladder or not being able to get out of the top bunk! I 'shared' my room with Fernando and family from Brazil.

Fernando had been the Hoard's foreign exchange student while in high school and had fallen in love, like we all do, with this wonderful family. He has always stayed in touch, visited and now is married (both he and his wife are dentists) with 3 grown children (the oldest just finished her senior year in HS as an exchange student in Kalamazoo) and they made sure to be in the States for this great event.

After a week's idle on the mosquito-invested shores of Lake Michigan I drove to Traverse City to see old friends from our years in Brussels. It had been 32 years since Kerm & Sallie Campbell and I had set eyes on each other. We agreed we hadn't changed one bit! Kerm now runs about 10 businesses, including the fabulous Black Star Farms Winery. Their beautiful home overlooks Traverse Bay and is surrounded on all sides by rows and rows of grapes. Their gracious hospitality is the same as it was in Brussels - fabulous. We shared a bottle of their wonderful Pinot Gris over a delicious lunch overlooking the Bay. Next we went from winery to winery for an afternoon of 'tasting' the competition. We ended the evening at the Traverse City Symphony with a evening of glorious Italian music, including Vivladi's 4 Seasons. What a wonderful visit.

Next I drove a short distance to Boyne Mountain in Harbor Springs for a night at the main lodge and a round of golf on the Donald Ross showcase course. What a delight. The tourist traffic is really down as seen by the small numbers staying in the Lodge and on the golf course. I had the entire course to myself.

The next morning, after a hectic 3 hours of shopping in downtown Petoskey, I headed up and over into the UP. I stopped overnight in a little town with in the middle, and spent the next night at Terrace Bay Resort on Bay du Noc with a glorious golf course on the bluff over looking the Lake. What fun. Played a great round of golf with two ladies who live right there in Escanaba.

After wandering around and getting totally lost trying to find a supposedly wonderful craft farm in the courtyside outside of Escanaba (not!),I headed out of Michigan into the land of cheddar cheese and Bret Favre. I love Wisconsin. It's so very Midwest. Cows, red barns, big, white farm houses, waving wheat and corn in the field. I sure miss this area - but not the winters or the summer floods! Arrived in Berlin yesterday afternoon (about 18 miles west of Osh Kosh) and am staying with my good, long-time friend, Linda Hanson, whom I met in Spain 8 years ago and who I went to Ireland with last summer.

Linda and I are off to check out the bustling city of Berlin (pop. 5345), visit with John's best friend from the Navy, Dennis Carroll, who lives in Green Lake, only 9 miles away, and enjoy the 4th of July the old-fashioned way - small-town parade and cook-out. I leave here on the 5th and pick up my friend Cindy Kilkenny and head to Door County for 3 days for photo shooting, sailing on Lake Michigan and visiting with our Ireland tour leader and professional photographer, Dan Anderson.

So that's it for now. My laundry is ready to come out of the dryer (just love staying with friend's with washing machines when traveling!). Will try to post once more along the way, but might wait until I return home after the reunion to finish 'little trip'.

Re

Found a lovely description of Grenada

2008-06-17T12:54:00.000-07:00

Grenada is a rolling, mountainous island, covered with fragrant spice trees and rare tropical flowers. Bordered by stunning beaches, and dotted with picturesque towns, this verdant island has long been a major source of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and cocoa. The seductive smells drift through the colorful Saturday markets and Grenada's dense forests. In the interior of this volcanic island are cascading rivers and waterfalls, lush rainforests, and one of the most breathtakingly beautiful mountain lakes imaginable. The capital, St. George's, is widely held to be the loveliest city in the Caribbean. A pastel rainbow of dockside warehouses and the red-tiled roofs of traditional shops and homes surround its horseshoe-shaped harbor.

Grenada's physical beauty is complemented by its rich history and vibrant, living cultural heritage. Local festivals, fairs, and markets remain an integral part of life on Grenada. Its centuries old spice plantations and rum distilleries still use traditional methods, emphasizing quality rather than quantity. Although the tourist industry has become more substantial in recent years, the island's easy rhythms and the friendly openness of its residents evoke an atmosphere that has long since vanished elsewhere.

As you all can imagine, I've been spending copious amounts of time on the web just browsing all the sites that have anything to do with life on Grenada. I've joined several email groups of former and new PC volunteers which lets me ask and have lots of questions answered. Have interviewed 3 moving companies regarding packing up all my stuff and storing it while I'm away, so getting there, slowly by surely.

Today was my last day at Beau Rivage Golf & Resort. Thursday I head off on a 5-week, 3000+ mile road trip back to the Midwest to visit friends and family, attend a 50th wedding anniversary on Lake Michigan, play golf in the UP, spend time in Door County, take classes at the big sewing expo in Chicago and lastly, attend my 44th high school reunion in beautiful Danville, IL. It will be a great trip and I'm going to try and put everything Peace Corps out of my mind until I return on July 22nd. Then it will be a race to get everything taken care of before I leave.

Thanks to all for stopping by my blog and staying 'hey'. Keep those good wishes coming in!

ReAnn

June 10, 2008 - Invitation to Join Peace Corp Arrives

2008-06-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

It's really happening! After waiting an entire year and going through so many medical tests, thinking there was no way they would accept me, I received my 'invitation' to become a Peace Corps Volunteer. Yippee! And the location - the eastern Caribbean island of Grenada. Even though they have really BIG bugs there, I'm still totally excited. I've been bombarded with paperwork to complete and send in. I have to manage to get my house packed up and in storage and rented before I depart on August 25th. that's just 9 weeks from now - ARGH.

When I leave here we spend 2 days of training in the States (where is not yet announced) before heading to the island of St. Lucia. This is where the headquarters of the PC's Eastern Caribbean division. We will spend about 4-6 weeks in training on St. Lucia before the groups splits and heads out to all the surrounding islands that are part of this division. Once I arrive in Grenada, I will be living with a host family who will introduce me to island life and continue training for another 4-6 weeks. After 3 months of training we will be presented to the Grenada ambassador and take the oath of office to become, for the next 24 months, a Peace Corps Volunteer. (It's the same oath that the President takes!).

It will be exciting, exhausting, scary, fun and such an adventure - I can't wait to begin - and I'm so glad that through this wonderful medium you can share this time with me.