The next decade....what's in store?

Diary from St Kitts & Nevis

SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER 11:45 AM ON ST KITTS

Got a lift into town. Planned to check out the Museum. Shucks, it's closed for refurbishment. Went to the St Christopher Heritage place to read about birds, flora, fauna, bush medicine and restoration of heritage sites.

Next, hopped on a bus headed for Sandy Point, to go to Brimstone Hill Fortress - a must-see place in St Kitts. Sat in the bus for a while as the driver waited for passengers. Finally it was time to move off. But wait....de door still open and it have no conductor to close it. No worries; as he moved off, the door slid into the locked position.

Got off at the Fortress and proceeded to walk the 1/2 mile UPHILL. When I had reached just a little way, a man in a van (probably named Dan!) stopped to ask if I wanted a lift. I paused, thinking that I really needed the exercise. But I listened to myself huffing and puffing and took him up on his offer.

He gave me a little political story about St Kitts and dropped me off at the Visitors Centre. Watched a short tape on the history of this Fortress, built by I think the British in the 17th century. Walked around the place. Very well kept and they are in the process of more restoration. Lovely, gorgeous, stunning views. This echoes the sentiments of those who wrote in the Visitors Book. I leafed through the pages and if there were 20 Caribbean people amongst the 200 or so, there were plenty. Very disappointing that more people don't take Caribbean holidays. We are quick to run off to Miami and New York, but spend very little time learning about our Caribbean neighbours.

Went to the shop, bought a drink, the man asked me where I was from (common question), walked around some more, bought stuff from the souvenir shop and started the trek down the hill, which by the way was not 1/2 mile. But it's down hill, so no problem.

On the way down, took more photos of flora and fauna and then encountered two young girls, one of whom asked me if I was coming from the "top top top". Yes, I said. She asked how long it took me. I said about 10 - 15 minutes. They were huffing and puffing. I asked them if they were doing a school project and they said yes.

Then I began to think that we never did those things in school. You have to wonder if teachers are trained to use different methods to teach, to appeal to all our senses. How fun would it have been for us to go on a trip to St Thomas to visit the site of the Rebellion, or a former slave plantation etc. Instead, we were stuck in a classroom learning facts. This will be the difference in my teaching.

At the bottom of the hill, I flagged down a minibus. But there was only the driver and one man in front, so I asked "Is this a bus bus?". Man mussi tink mi chupid. But you know, one has to ask if one doesn't know. He drove at break neck speak so we got back to Basseterre rather quickly.

I pondered how I would get back to Frigate Bay, and started to walk in that direction. Came upon a taxi and decided to take it. The walk would have been too long.

So that's Saturday on St Kitts. Later, we will go to a restaurant named Sprat Net in Old Road (the first capital of St Kitts I believe). Licking my lips.

Posted by yamfoot at November 22, 2003 03:52 PM